Ginebra’s answer to June Mar Fajardo took shape against a different opponent in practice.

Isaac Go’s preparation, Golden State’s growing trust in a rookie and Rain or Shine’s patience with a struggling shooter explain more than the scores.

1. Murphy gave Go a rehearsal for Fajardo’s physicality

Jordan Murphy’s contribution to Ginebra began before the opening tip. Isaac Go told Spin’s Christian Jacinto that practicing against the import helped him prepare for Fajardo’s physical post game. Murphy could not reproduce Fajardo’s size, Go acknowledged, but the contact and repetition helped reinforce the discipline Ginebra needed.

Go then supplied 14 points off the bench while helping a collective defense limit Fajardo to three points on 1 of 6 shooting. After our earlier coverage of Ginebra’s push toward the playoffs, this is a useful explanation of how another contributor emerged. 

Powcast’s reading: the value is bigger than Go’s scoring. Ginebra found size that could follow its defensive instructions while stretching the floor at the other end, giving San Miguel another adjustment to consider.

2. Curry stayed perfect while Lendeborg earned the ball

Stephen Curry made all eight of his shots in Denver, but Golden State’s more revealing development was its willingness to let Yaxel Lendeborg create. The rookie supplied 31 points, 12 rebounds and six assists despite making only one of eight threes. His 12 made free throws in 13 attempts show that his production survived a poor night from distance.

The San Francisco Chronicle’s Luca Evans reported Lendeborg’s explanation that Curry and Draymond Green had encouraged him to play more aggressively; Steve Kerr said the Warriors put the ball in his hands in critical moments. Following our October 25 look at Golden State’s closing mistakes, the fresh signal is who receives responsibility alongside Curry. That trust gives the offense another decision maker rather than simply another finisher.

3. Guiao’s patience survives Cuajao’s cold stretch

Deo Cuajao entered the playoffs having made just one of 14 three point attempts across Rain or Shine’s final three elimination games. Yeng Guiao still trusted the rookie’s willingness to shoot. Justine Bacnis of Tiebreaker Times reported that Cuajao answered with 13 third quarter points, including three triples without a miss and a four pointer, as the Painters erased a deficit that had reached 21.

Cuajao also described practicing counters against hard closeouts. That detail matters beyond a sudden hot hand: an opponent taking away an initial shot does not end the possession. Powcast’s view is that the encouraging combination was a coach preserving confidence and a rookie preparing alternatives, rather than treating every miss as grounds to shrink his role.

4. Kawhi’s reassessment is a checkpoint, not clearance

Toronto’s new update moves Kawhi Leonard’s situation beyond a single missed game. The Raptors said he will undergo treatment and rehabilitation for left knee swelling and be reevaluated in a week. Sportsnet’s Michael Grange reported that an MRI found no structural damage, while ESPN’s Shams Charania reported an expected absence measured in weeks.

Those descriptions should not be collapsed into a guaranteed return next week. Leonard had already been following a gradual workload increase before becoming a late scratch against Minnesota. For Toronto, the next useful signal is how the knee responds to treatment and resumed court work. A reassuring scan and readiness for NBA minutes answer different questions.

Recent Results from Our Watchlist

All dates are Philippine time.

NBA

• Tuesday, October 27, 2026: Golden State Warriors 134 at Denver Nuggets 114, final. Lendeborg had 31 points and 12 rebounds.

PBA

• Tuesday, October 27, 2026: Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 104, San Miguel Beermen 95, final. Murphy scored 29 as Ginebra took a 1 to 0 quarterfinal lead.

Important Games to Watch This Week

All dates and tipoff times are Philippine time.

NBA

• Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 11:00 AM: Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers
  Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, United States
  Why watch: Two unbeaten teams meet with Portland at 2 to 0 and Los Angeles at 3 to 0.

PBA

• Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 5:15 PM: TNT Tropang 5G vs. Magnolia Hotshots
  Location: Ynares Center, Antipolo, Philippines
  Why watch: Magnolia needs an offensive response after scoring 70 in Game 1.
• Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 7:30 PM: Phoenix Fuel Masters vs. NLEX Road Warriors
  Location: Ynares Center, Antipolo, Philippines
  Why watch: Phoenix seeks to level the series after losing the opener by five.
• Friday, October 30, 2026, 5:15 PM: San Miguel Beermen vs. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
  Location: Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Manila, Philippines
  Why watch: San Miguel must find better opportunities for Fajardo against Ginebra’s collective coverage.