NBA Player News

Kessler supplied 16 points (6-6 FG, 4-4 FT), 15 rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal over 31 minutes during Sunday's 131-125 win over the Raptors.

It was the fifth-year center's second straight double-double, and the fifth time in seven games to begin his Lakers tenure that Kessler recorded multiple blocks. He's been healthy and productive so far for his new team, averaging 14.3 points, 9.9 boards, 2.9 blocks, 1.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 30.6 minutes while shooting 75.4 percent from the floor.

Battle had 20 points (7-14 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and five rebounds over 17 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 131-125 loss to the Lakers.

With Jakob Poeltl (shoulder) unavailable Sunday, Trayce Jackson-Davis got the start at center but played just nine minutes, and it was Battle who stepped up in the veteran's absence. The 20 points weren't just a season high -- it was the first time in six games the third-year forward has even scored in double digits, or attempted more than six FGs. Battle didn't see a significant increase in minutes with Poeltl out of the lineup, but if the Raptors' starting center misses more time, he could continue to see elevated usage.

Atlanta recalled Ejiofor from the G League's College Park Skyhawks on Sunday.

Ejiofor practiced with the G League squad since Oct. 30 before being promoted back to the parent team, where he has played a limited role this season. The center may continue to move between the NBA and G League teams if he struggles to find a place in the Hawks' rotation, potentially seeing action with College Park to stay in competitive shape.

Walter contributed 11 points (4-12 FG, 3-9 3Pt), four rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 33 minutes during Sunday's 131-125 loss to the Lakers.

Making his fourth straight start in place of Kawhi Leonard (knee), Walter continued to offer the Raptors some valuable long-distance shooting. The third-year wing has drained at least three three-pointers in all four starts, and through six games to begin the season he's averaging a career-high 12.8 points and 2.8 threes a contest while shooting 41.5 percent from beyond the arc.

Barrett closed with 22 points (9-18 FG, 4-9 3Pt), 10 rebounds and five assists across 32 minutes during Sunday's 131-125 loss to the Lakers.

The veteran wing scored 20-plus points for the fifth time in six games to begin the season, as the absence of Kawhi Leonard (knee) has resulted in a little more shot volume for Barrett. During those six contests, Barrett's averaging 19.8 points, 6.2 boards, 4.2 assists and 1.5 threes, but those scoring numbers are dragged down by what would be a career-low 29.0 percent shooting from beyond the arc. He already seems to be turning things around on that front, however -- after going 1-for-11 from downtown in his first three games, Barrett is 8-for-20 (40.0 percent) in the last three contests.

Williams ended with 17 points (7-11 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, three assists and one block across 25 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 124-112 victory over the Clippers.

The 26-year-old guard played more than 20 minutes for the second time in seven games so far this season, and both times the extra run has come while Stephen Curry (rest) wasn't in the lineup. In those two contests (one start), Williams has averaged 18.5 points, 4.0 assists, 3.0 boards, 2.0 threes and 1.0 steals in 24.5 minutes, giving him some DFS appeal the next time Curry gets a night off.

Podziemski supplied 17 points (7-14 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds and eight assists over 37 minutes during Sunday's 124-112 win over the Clippers.

The fourth-year guard set new season highs in boards and assists as he came within spitting distance of his first career triple-double. Podziemski has played only five of the Warriors' seven games so far due to back trouble, but he's been productive when on the court, averaging 16.4 points, 5.6 assists, 5.4 boards, 2.2 threes and 1.2 steals in 33.6 minutes and seeing career-high shot volume at 13.0 FG attempts and 6.4 three-point attempts per contest.

Melton had 21 points (6-9 FG, 6-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals across 28 minutes during Sunday's 124-112 victory over the Clippers.

The six made three-pointers represented Melton's best performance from beyond the arc since the 2022-23 season, when he was with the Sixers. The 28-year-old guard was making his second start of the season, this one coming while Stephen Curry got the night off for the front half of a back-to-back. Through seven games this season, Melton is averaging 11.9 points, 4.1 boards, 2.7 threes, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals in 22.3 minutes while shooting a sizzling 49.1 percent from the floor and 52.8 percent from long range.

Sanders totaled 16 points (6-9 FG, 4-6 3Pt), three rebounds and one steal in 30 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 124-112 loss to the Warriors.

The four made threes were a career high for Sanders, while the 16 points were a season high. The second-year forward has scored in double digits just twice in six games (one start) to begin the season, averaging 8.5 points, 3.0 boards, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 threes in 23.2 minutes, but his role and usage figure to increase while Max Strus (foot) and Derrick Jones (knee) are on the shelf.

Hachimura amassed a team-high 24 points (10-16 FG, 4-7 3Pt) and seven rebounds over 30 minutes during Sunday's 124-112 loss to the Warriors.

The 24 points were a season high for Hachimura, as were the four made three-pointers. The veteran forward is seeing career-high shot volume to begin his first campaign with the Clippers, but Sunday's performance was the first time in five games that he shot better than 50 percent from the floor. So far in 2026-27, Hachimura is averaging 13.4 points, 6.0 boards, 2.4 threes and 1.0 steals in 30.0 minutes.