Charlotte Rallies Past Miami After Heat's Fourth-Quarter Surge
Charlotte beat Miami 115-110 after Miami's fourth-quarter run, with Brandon Miller scoring 34 points.
Event / Sports
NBA 2026-27 Season
The 2026-27 NBA season began on October 21, 2026, with the Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Golden State Warriors 127-105. Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg guarded Luka Doncic for much of the game, and a late second-quarter exchange led to a technical foul on Lendeborg. Both players later commented on the matchup, and the teams are scheduled to meet again on October 30 in San Francisco.
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17 articles9 articles
2026-10-23 to 2026-10-25 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 23 Oct, 02:22 UTC
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What happened
Obi Toppin scores 20 points off the bench for Pacers
Obi Toppin contributed 20 points off the bench for the Indiana Pacers in their 123-120 season-opening win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Tyrese Haliburton returns to regular-season NBA action after 486 days
Tyrese Haliburton returned to regular-season NBA play for the Indiana Pacers in their season opener, 486 days after suffering a torn Achilles tendon. He had missed the entire 2025-26 season.
Pascal Siakam scores 30 points for Pacers
Pascal Siakam led the Indiana Pacers with 30 points in their 123-120 season-opening win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Andrew Nembhard scores 18 points for Pacers
Andrew Nembhard added 18 points for the Indiana Pacers in their 123-120 season-opening win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Haliburton tore Achilles in Game 7 of 2025 NBA Finals against Thunder
Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles tendon during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, after having been dealing with a right calf strain.
Pacers defeat Pelicans 123-120 in season opener in New Orleans
The Indiana Pacers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 123-120 in both teams' 2026-27 season opener at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The win was Indiana's first of the season.
Haliburton drives for layup and draws foul for three-point play in fourth quarter
With the score tied at 116 in the fourth quarter, Tyrese Haliburton drove past Trey Murphy III for a layup. On the next possession he drew a foul from Herb Jones and completed a three-point play, helping Indiana take control of the game.
Haliburton becomes emotional in postgame broadcast interview
After the Pacers' season-opening win over the Pelicans, Tyrese Haliburton became emotional during a postgame interview with the Indiana broadcast while reflecting on his return and the long rehabilitation process.
Haliburton scores 23 points with 12 assists in 34 minutes
Tyrese Haliburton recorded 23 points and 12 assists in 34 minutes, shooting 53.3 percent from the field and grabbing two rebounds in the Pacers' 123-120 season-opening win over the Pelicans.
Official assesses technical foul on Lendeborg for verbal exchange with Doncic
With 31 seconds left in the second quarter, official James Capers assessed a technical foul on Lendeborg after he continued yelling at Doncic during a transition possession. Lendeborg had four personal fouls in the game.
Lendeborg says he lost respect for Doncic after game
After the game, Lendeborg said he had lost all respect for Doncic, citing Doncic's foul-seeking, flopping, and complaining to officials during the contest. Lendeborg said he had previously admired Doncic from watching highlights.
Lendeborg tells Doncic during game that he 'sucks' and cannot score on him
Lendeborg said during the game that he told Doncic he 'sucks' and could not score on him, and that he used profanity during the exchanges that led to his technical foul.
Doncic pump fake draws shooting foul on Lendeborg late in second quarter
Late in the second quarter, Doncic pump-faked Lendeborg into a shooting foul near the top of the key. Doncic then spoke to Lendeborg after the whistle, and the two were separated by officials and players as tensions escalated.
Doncic makes 48-foot half-court buzzer-beater at end of second quarter
As time expired at the end of the second quarter, Doncic made a 48-foot half-court shot that bounced off the backboard, extending the Lakers' lead to 14 points. Doncic then pointed and laughed at Lendeborg, the nearest defender.
Lendeborg holds Doncic to 1-of-6 shooting as primary defender
As the primary defender on Doncic, Lendeborg held him to 1-of-6 shooting, according to ESPN tracking statistics. The Lakers' offense still scored 32, 34, and 36 points in the first three quarters, building a 35-point lead.
Doncic says he did not talk back to avoid technical fouls
After the game, Doncic said Lendeborg was talking excessively but that he did not respond because he is not trying to receive technical fouls this season.
Lakers defeat Warriors 127-105 in season opener
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors 127-105 in the teams' season opener in Los Angeles. Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Warriors play without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody due to injuries
The Warriors were without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, who were both injured, during the season opener against the Lakers. This led to Lendeborg being assigned as the primary defender on Doncic for much of the game.
Lakers outscore Warriors 36-16 in third quarter
The Lakers outscored the Warriors 36-16 in the third quarter of the season opener, extending their lead after halftime.
Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg makes NBA debut as a starter
Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg made his NBA debut in the season opener, starting at wing. He became the first Warriors rookie to start on opening night since James Wiseman in 2020. Lendeborg, the No. 11 pick in the 2026 draft, scored 12 points in 29 minutes.
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2 alternative perspectives
Washington Wizards Beat Chicago 124-120 for Second Win of Season
Washington beat Chicago 124-120 for its second win of the season.
Kevin Durant scores 22 as Houston defeats Atlanta 121-114
Kevin Durant scored 22 points as Houston beat Atlanta 121-114 in Atlanta.
Nuggets Outlast New Orleans 141-135 in Overtime Behind Murray's 42
Denver beat New Orleans 141-135 in overtime, with Jamal Murray scoring 42 and Nikola Jokic adding 35 points and 15 rebounds.
Embiid Records Triple-Double as Sixers Beat Bucks 127-116
Joel Embiid recorded a triple-double as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 127-116.
Spurs Claim First Win Behind Wembanyama's 23 Points in Dallas
San Antonio secured its first win of the season, beating Dallas 122-106 behind Victor Wembanyama's 23 points.
Atlanta Defeats Charlotte 128-81 in Hornets' Home Opener
Atlanta defeated Charlotte 128-81 in the Hornets' home opener, a 47-point margin.
Hornets Extend Brandon Miller for $209 Million as Ball Heads to Minnesota
Charlotte extended Brandon Miller for five years and $209 million while trading LaMelo Ball to Minnesota.
Hornets Beat Heat 115-110 as Brandon Miller Scores 34
Brandon Miller scored 34 points as the Hornets beat the Heat 115-110 in Charlotte after Miami tied the game.
Mavericks Build 34-Point Halftime Lead Before 121-108 Win Over Pacers
The Mavericks beat the Pacers 121-108 after a 34-point halftime lead, while Cooper Flagg was listed as out with shoulder soreness.
Thunder Force 13 Second-Half Turnovers in 96-84 Win Over Nuggets
Oklahoma City beat Denver 96-84 after forcing 13 second-half turnovers that led to 19 points.
Nuggets' Jokic and Murray Combine for 19 Points on 7-of-30 Shooting
Aaron Gordon scored 20 points for Denver, while Jokic and Murray shot 7-of-30 combined and Cameron Johnson exited with a right ankle sprain.