The Los Angeles Lakers improved their season record to 9-2 following a 121-116 victory over the Detroit Pistons.
The road win was anchored by a 43-point performance from Austin Reaves, a display that prompted analysts to discuss whether the team might be the best in the NBA during the latest episode of The Athletic NBA Daily.
The 43-minute podcast, published on November 9, 2026, is available on standard RSS feeds including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, and Pocket Casts, or via the free Spot Sports app for offline downloads and background play.
The Lakers secured the win despite the absence of Luka Doncic. While the team celebrated the victory, the panel noted that Doncic has been on an extraordinary scoring run, recording 40 or more points in seven consecutive games while maintaining a 42% shooting average from three-point range.
Regarding the decision to sit the star player for the Detroit matchup, Es Baraheni remarked, Luca, take the night off in Detroit. Relax. Watch from the sidelines because Austin Reeves has it.
Dave DuFour added, I think there’s a good chance we’re going to watch Luca Donchic break Steph Curry’s single season.
The broadcast also addressed the first trade of the 2026-27 NBA season. The Sacramento Kings sent Nique Clifford to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for two second-round draft picks, specifically selections for 2028 and 2030.
The move drew criticism during the podcast, with Dave DuFour remarking, If I’m the GM of the Sacramento Kings and Sam Presti called me up, said, Hey, I’d like to send you some seconds for Nick Clifford. I would hang up the phone. I would change my phone number.
Beyond the Lakers’ success, the podcast covered several key developments across the league:
- The Minnesota Timberwolves have won four consecutive games without Anthony Edwards, led by LaMelo Ball, who holds a plus 24.2 on-off rating, ranking him among the top four in the league.
- The Charlotte Hornets are currently facing an injury crisis, impacting players including Dennis Schroder and Kon Knueppel, resulting in a 99.7 offensive rating, down from the 121.7 rating maintained after January 1 of last year. Es Baraheni noted,
It’s tough to be a Hornets fan right now. It’s tough to believe in the long-term vision.
- Law Murray provided his weekly power rankings segment, offering an analysis of the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, and Los Angeles Clippers.
- Darius Acuff was highlighted for a 32-point, 10-assist performance against the Heat.
The league continues to monitor the impact of Detroit’s reliance on transition offense and Utah’s current offensive struggles, as the season progresses through its early stages.
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