# NBA's biggest winners and losers of the week

> Luka Dončić's Lakers dominate while Hornets regret LaMelo Ball trade.
- Title: NBA's biggest winners and losers of the week · CBS Sports
- Summary: Luka Dončić's Lakers dominate while Hornets regret LaMelo Ball trade. Oklahoma City Thunder, Luka Dončić and LaMelo Ball's Timberwolves emerge as top NBA…
- Keywords: oklahoma city thunder, luka dončić, lakers, lamelo ball, charlotte hornets, timberwolves, nba, western conference, lottery reform, relegation zone, CBS Sports
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-biggest-winners-and-losers-week-luka-doncic-lakers-lamelo-ball-nov-9
- Published: 2026-11-09T14:54:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: oklahoma city thunder, luka dončić, lakers, lamelo ball, charlotte hornets, timberwolves, nba, western conference, lottery reform, relegation zone, sports
## Week's NBA highlights
The NBA saw strong performances with multiple seven-game winning streaks emerging this week.
## Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder swept Cleveland and Memphis with no key players missing, averaging 36 points per game from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
## Luka Dončić
Dončić averaged 40 points per game, leading the Lakers to a 9-2 record with strong offensive performance.
## LaMelo Ball
Ball's Timberwolves are 4-2 with improved scoring, though Minnesota's defense has struggled without Anthony Edwards.
## Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets dropped to last in the league after trading LaMelo Ball, with poor shooting and defense.
## Western Conference
The Western Conference saw a mix of strong teams and teams struggling after a week of games.
## Lottery Reform
The NBA's bottom teams are struggling despite lottery reform, with few wins against higher-ranked opponents.
## Thunder's trade
The Thunder acquired Nique Clifford from the Kings, a potential upgrade for their injury-prone roster.
## Lakers' performance
The Lakers are 9-2 with Luka Dončić leading their offense, ranking 23rd in defense and rebounding.
## Timberwolves' improvement
Minnesota's scoring improved with Ball, though they lost key player Anthony Edwards to injury.
## Hornets' decline
The Hornets dropped to last in the league after trading LaMelo Ball, with poor shooting and defense.
## Western Conference standings
The Western Conference has a mix of strong teams and teams struggling after a week of games.
## Lottery reform impact
The bottom teams are struggling despite lottery reform, with few wins against higher-ranked opponents.
## Thunder's defense
The Thunder have improved their defense, allowing fewer points in the paint per game.
## Lakers' offense
The Lakers' offense is strong with Luka Dončić leading the team to a 9-2 record.
## Hornets' trade impact
The Hornets' trade of LaMelo Ball has led to a drop in performance, with poor shooting and defense.
## Key takeaway

Oklahoma City Thunder, Luka Dončić and LaMelo Ball's Timberwolves emerge as top NBA winners after a week of strong performances, while Charlotte Hornets suffer from losing their star player.