Guards José Alvarado and Alex Morales have experienced contrasting fortunes during the opening month of the 2026-27 NBA season, according to El Nuevo Día.
Alvarado entered the season as the backup to starting point guard Jalen Brunson for the New York Knicks. Fresh off signing a three-year contract worth more than $14 million in the summer, he received his championship ring on October 20 following the franchise’s first title in 53 years.
However, an ankle sprain sidelined the Brooklyn native for four games in October. When he returned on November 2, head coach Mike Brown said that the Puerto Rican guard would reclaim his backup role. Instead, Tyler Kolek absorbed those minutes and maintained the spot in the rotation.
Alvarado logged just nine minutes without scoring upon his return on November 2. He played nine minutes on November 4 and six minutes in a subsequent contest, failing to score in either outing.
Through five appearances this season, Alvarado averages 10.2 minutes, 2.0 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. He is shooting 26.7 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range. The Knicks hold a 6-5 record, placing fifth in the Eastern Conference.
In contrast, Morales has carved out an expanding role with the Orlando Magic on a two-way contract. After appearing in just four games during his debut stint at the end of last season, he has played in eight games with one start.
Morales has logged 100 total minutes for an average of 12.5 per contest, contributing 2.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists. His playing time increased in November, reaching 29 minutes against the Sacramento Kings on November 10.
In that 107-100 victory over Sacramento, Morales posted career highs of seven points and seven rebounds. He followed that performance on November 11 by drawing his first career start in a 123-108 win against the Utah Jazz, chipping in five points, four rebounds, and three assists in 18 minutes.
The Magic sit ninth in the Eastern Conference with a 4-7 record as Morales continues to make his case for sustained rotation minutes.
The early-season statistics outline the divergent paths traveled by the two players through mid-November:
| Player (Team) | Games | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Morales (Orlando) | 8 | 12.5 (100) | 2.1 (17) | 2.4 (19) | 0.6 (5) | 0.4 (3) | .467 | .250 |
| José Alvarado (New York) | 5 | 10.2 (51) | 2.0 (10) | 1.2 (6) | 1.6 (8) | 0.6 (3) | .267 | .250 |
Data from Basketball-Reference and NBA.com reflect statistics updated through November 12, 2026.
