Washington Wizards news Thursday, November 5, 2026

No. 1 in the 30-second version

Hawks beat Wizards 120-105 in Washington, with Kingston Flemings making his first career start.

Atlanta hit eight three-pointers in the first quarter alone and led 37-32 after one, then took a 16-point lead before Washington closed the half on a 9-0 run. Anthony Davis had 18 points and 6 rebounds at the break despite tweaking an ankle early, according to SB Nation. The game was Trae Young's first against his former team since his January trade, and Jalen Johnson missed a second straight game for Atlanta.

Sources: Bullets Forever · Peachtree Hoops

No. 2 in the 30-second version

NBA commissioner Adam Silver reportedly would like to see games shortened to 40 minutes.

Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported the idea, as relayed by Bullets Forever. Cited benefits include lower injury risk for starters, a length matching FIBA and WNBA games, and shorter TV windows.

Source: Bullets Forever

Hawks beat Wizards 120-105 Wednesday in Washington.

Bullets Forever's preview said Washington had won two straight and could match its best start in five seasons. The blog highlighted Atlanta's 27th-ranked interior defense, which allows 53.8 paint points per game.

Source: Bullets Forever

No. 3 in the 30-second version

Wembanyama scores career-high 52 points with 24 rebounds and 8 blocks, Spurs edge Mavericks 112-111.

Wembanyama sank the winning free throw, and Kyrie Irving's last-second shot for Dallas missed the rim. Wembanyama had 29 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks at halftime, and Irving led Dallas with 29 points. Wembanyama briefly left the game with an apparent ankle injury and later said he has been sick, and the NBA said his line is the first 50-point, 20-rebound, 5-block game since Bob McAdoo in 1974.

Sources: BBC · ESPN · Yahoo Sports · USA TODAY Sports

Luka Doncic scores 40 points as Lakers beat Kings 116-103 in Sacramento.

Doncic has scored 40-plus points in three straight games and in five of his last six, and he shot 11 of 23 with nine rebounds and seven assists. Austin Reaves added 21 points and Walker Kessler had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who are 7-2. Darius Acuff led Sacramento with 22 points and 12 assists in the loss, which dropped the Kings to 1-7. During the game, a courtside fan threw the ball at an official and was removed from the arena.

Sources: LA Times · Yahoo Sports · Silver Screen and Roll · Hot Hot Hoops

76ers beat Pistons 112-106 as Joel Embiid draws a technical after a shoving match with Tolu Smith.

Jaylen Brown led Philadelphia with 30 points, and Embiid scored 26 with LeBron James adding 13 points and 10 rebounds. Cade Cunningham had 26 points for Detroit, which cut a 13-point Philadelphia lead late to four. The technical was Embiid's first of the season, and the win moved the Sixers to 8-1 after their only earlier loss, to Detroit on Oct. 25.

Sources: Yahoo Sports · USA TODAY Sports · Liberty Ballers

Nets beat Hornets 114-104, with Michael Porter Jr. scoring 26 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Brooklyn (2-6) rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit and outscored Charlotte 34-24 in the fourth quarter, according to the NY Post. Julius Randle added 22 points, and rookie Mikel Brown Jr. scored a career-high 18. Charlotte (3-6) lost its fifth straight game after opening 3-1, and Kon Knueppel left in the first quarter with left leg soreness in his return from a hamstring strain.

Sources: SNY · NY Post Sports · At The Hive

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 42 as the Thunder beat the Cavaliers 124-116, extending Cleveland's losing streak to five against OKC.

Cleveland trailed by 17 after the first quarter and never fully caught up, according to SB Nation. James Harden finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, and Donovan Mitchell scored 27 with most of his points in the fourth quarter. Peyton Watson and Jaylon Tyson were out for Cleveland, and Tyrese Proctor reportedly left late with an ankle injury, per SB Nation.

Sources: Yahoo Sports · Fear The Sword