Chargers Fall to 0-8 as Herbert Hurts His Hand; Reaves Scores 43 and Clippers End Skid

The Texans sacked Justin Herbert eight times in a 44-22 rout at SoFi, Austin Reaves carried the Lakers past Detroit without Luka Dončić, and the Clippers beat New Orleans for their first win since opening night.

By Herald Staff · Nov. 9, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

SoFi Stadium in Inglewood seen from a high corner of the upper deck, with the green field and white yard numbers stretching toward a yellow goalpost, surrounded by tiers of empty dark-blue seats under the translucent roof. — SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, where the Chargers fell to 0-8 with a 44-22 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday before what the Los Angeles Times described as a half-filled crowd. Photo: Thank You (21 Millions+) views (Flickr) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (license).

Los Angeles got the full range of a sports Sunday. The Chargers lost again at SoFi Stadium and may have lost their quarterback's health with it, while 2,000 miles away Austin Reaves carried the Lakers past Detroit with Luka Dončić in street clothes. Late in the night, the Clippers finally won again.

Chargers: 0-8 and Waiting on Herbert's Hand

The Houston Texans routed the Chargers 44-22 in Inglewood, the Chargers' most lopsided loss of the season, and dropped them to 0-8, according to the Los Angeles Times. They are the NFL's only winless team, and dating to last season they have lost 11 straight, tying a club record. The Times described the stadium as half-filled, with secondary-market tickets dipping below $15.

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 384 yards and tied his career high with five touchdown passes, including two 63-yard scores to Tank Dell and Kayshon Boutte, according to the Associated Press recap on ESPN. Houston led 24-9 at halftime and was never threatened.

Justin Herbert was sacked a career-high eight times and left midway through the fourth quarter with an injury to the middle finger of his left, non-throwing hand. Coach Jim Harbaugh said it "could be a fracture, we'll find out," and that he overruled Herbert, who wanted to stay in, ESPN reported. Herbert was scheduled for testing Monday, and as of Monday afternoon no results had been announced. He said the injury "shouldn't be an issue" for next week, according to Field Level Media.

Pro Football Talk noted that Herbert appeared to hurt the hand trying to stiff-arm Texans lineman Logan Hall, and that he played through a broken bone in the same hand last season before having it surgically repaired. He finished 13 of 23 for 193 yards with a touchdown and his NFL-leading 11th interception, and he has been sacked 31 times in eight games.

There was one small piece of relief. Herbert's 58-yard touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston in the fourth quarter ended a run of 37 straight possessions without a touchdown, the Chargers' first trip to the end zone since an Oct. 11 loss to Denver. "It hurts the soul," tight end Charlie Kolar told the Times about the offense's struggles. Top receiver Ladd McConkey had back spasms in warmups and didn't play.

The Chargers play at Baltimore next Monday night. The Times pointed out that they would become the first NFL team to go 0-17 if they lose their last eight games.

Lakers: Reaves Scores 43 Without Dončić

With Dončić out with low back tightness, Reaves scored a season-high 43 points and the Lakers held on to beat the Pistons 121-116 in Detroit, improving to 9-2, the Los Angeles Times reported. Dončić, who leads the league at 40.1 points a game, watched from the bench. Coach JJ Redick said he didn't expect the back issue to be a problem over the season.

The Lakers led by 26 early in the second quarter, but second-half turnovers and 55 combined points from Detroit reserves Daniss Jenkins and Kevin Huerter brought the Pistons within three late in the third. Reaves answered with a lucky step-back three that banked in off the glass and then a dagger with 44.5 seconds left. "It was 100% lucky," he said of the bank shot. Walker Kessler added 12 points and 16 rebounds, and Ziaire Williams and Collin Sexton each scored 17.

Clippers: Seven-Game Skid Is Over

At Intuit Dome, Darius Garland had 24 points and 10 assists and Brook Lopez scored 20 as the Clippers beat the New Orleans Pelicans 139-123, their first win since opening night, according to the Associated Press. After blowing double-digit fourth-quarter leads in their previous two games, the Clippers opened the fourth on a 15-6 run and pulled away, scoring a season-high in points on a season-best 54.8% shooting.

Gradey Dick and rookie Keaton Wagler scored 15 each. The Clippers, now 2-7, were still without Brandon Ingram, who is close to his debut, and center Isaiah Jackson. They play at Phoenix on Tuesday night.

Original reporting by The Los Angeles Herald, drawing on the Los Angeles Times, ESPN and the Associated Press, NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk and Field Level Media, as linked above.