NEW YORK (AP) — Sean Durzi scored 78 seconds in, Dylan Garand made 29 saves and the New York Rangers defeated the travel-weary Anaheim Ducks 5-2 on Monday night to improve to 6-0-0 at home this fall.
The Rangers did not pick up their sixth victory at Madison Square Garden last season until Jan. 26, their 23rd game there. They lost 27 of 41 at home on the way to missing the playoffs and finishing last in the Eastern Conference.
There is hope of a turnaround given this start, even missing franchise goaltender Igor Shesterkin for the rest of the season. Garand was making a fifth consecutive start since Shesterkin went down, and he has allowed two or fewer goals in nine of 10 NHL appearances dating to his debut last spring.
He got support early and often, with Durzi’s goal making it three home games in a row where the Rangers have a goal in the first two minutes. That has only happened once before for New York, in March 1989.
Oliver Bjorkstrand scored twice, captain J.T. Miller and Gabe Perreault each had a goal and Alexis Lafrenière recorded two assists. Pavel Dorofeyev, the team’s most notable trade acquisition over the summer, came close on several occasions but remained stuck on two goals for the season.
FLYERS 3, AVALANCHE 2
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Matvei Michkov scored two goals and Philadelphia beat Colorado for its second straight victory after opening the season with nine consecutive losses.
Michkov leads the Flyers with six goals this season. Noel Acciari also scored for Philadelphia, which lost six games in regulation and three in overtime or shootouts before breaking through on Saturday with a victory over Ottawa.
Joseph Woll made 24 saves for his first victory with the Flyers. He spent the previous five seasons with Toronto.
Martin Necas and rookie T.J. Hughes scored for the Avalanche (5-3-1), last season’s Presidents’ Trophy winners. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 21 shots.
Cole Knuble made his NHL debut for the Flyers, the team he grew up rooting for. His father, Mike, played for Philadelphia from 2005-09 and in 2013. The 22-year-old right wing had 13 minutes, 44 seconds of ice time.
Mitchkov scored on a power play at 7:41 of the first period and made it 2-0 at 12:23 of the second when he skated around the net and fired a long-range wrist shot past several players that beat Blackwood on the glove side.
MAPLE LEAFS 3, SHARKS 1
TORONTO (AP) — Gavin McKenna scored the go-ahead goal on a third-period power play and Toronto snapped a three-game slide with a victory over San Jose.
Auston Matthews added a goal and two assists for Toronto. Sergei Bobrovsky made 30 saves to pick up his first home win for the Maple Leafs. Nick Paul added an empty-netter.
Mason Marchment scored for San Jose, which got 28 stops from Yaroslav Askarov.
The game featured the first meeting between the No. 1 and 2 picks of the 2026 NHL draft — McKenna and Sharks winger Ivar Stenberg.
Marchment opened the scoring at 13:54 of the first when he was left alone in front of Bobrovsky after Matthews turned the puck over in the defensive zone.
Matthews made up for that mistake and got his team even with 12 seconds left in the second on a power play. Toronto’s captain took a pass from Kirill Marchenko and ripped a shot upstairs on Askarov before McKenna pushed the Leafs in front in the third.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Matvei Michkov scored two goals and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Monday night for their second straight victory after opening the season with nine consecutive losses.
Michkov leads the Flyers with six goals this season. Noel Acciari also scored for Philadelphia, which lost six games in regulation and three in overtime or shootouts before breaking through on Saturday with a victory over Ottawa.
Joseph Woll made 24 saves for his first victory with the Flyers. He spent the previous five seasons with Toronto.
Martin Necas and rookie T.J. Hughes scored for the Avalanche (5-3-1), last season's Presidents' Trophy winners. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 21 shots.
Cole Knuble made his NHL debut for the Flyers, the team he grew up rooting for. His father, Mike, played for Philadelphia from 2005-09 and in 2013. The 22-year-old right wing had 13 minutes, 44 seconds of ice time.
Mitchkov scored on a power play at 7:41 of the first period and made it 2-0 at 12:23 of the second when he skated around the net and fired a long-range wrist shot past several players that beat Blackwood on the glove side.
Necas got the Avalanche on the board with 2:08 left in the second. Acciari restored Philadelphia's two-goal lead at 6:34 of the third, the veteran center's first goal as a Flyer.
Hughes scored at 14:40 of the third, his second straight game with a goal after he found the net for the first time in Friday's win over Pittsburgh.
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 12: Drew Timme #17 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket during the game against the New York Knicks on October 12, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After four preseason games with the Minnesota Timberwolves on an Exhibit 10 training camp contract, forward/center Drew Timme was waived before the start of the 2026-27 regular season.
No need to fret, as the Phoenix Suns immediately picked up the Gonzaga Bulldog legend off waivers and signed him to their third and final two-way contract spot. This was first reported by The NBA Consensus. Timme replaced guard Koby Brea, who was cut in order to add more frontcourt depth to second-year coach Jordan Ott’s roster.
The 6-10, 235-pound talent plans to split his time with the big club and their G League affiliate, Valley Suns. Former Gonzaga guard David Stockton will be teammates with Timme on the Valley Suns. The G League franchise’s general manager, Brendan Sabean, used to be a student manager under coach Mark Few from 2010-14.
This will be the sixth NBA organization that Timme has been involved with in his professional career since going undrafted back in 2023. His second time being on a two-way deal after being with the Los Angeles Lakers and the then South Bay Lakers in the G League during the 2025-26 campaign.
During this past preseason with Minnesota, Timme averaged 6.0 points on a shooting split of 60.0 field goal percentage/40.0 three-point percentage/57.1 free throw percentage, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 10.8 minutes per game. He has put together 5.6 points and 2.7 rebounds in 36 games played across two NBA seasons with the Brooklyn Nets and Lakers.
The 2026-27 NBA season tips off next Tuesday, but the basketball card market is already in midseason form.
Since the Knicks’ dramatic NBA Finals victory in June, NBA fans have largely been focused on LeBron’s move to the 76ers, because it wouldn’t be an offseason without The King commanding the vast majority of the attention. However, when it comes to cards, Michael Jordan inserts and Cooper Flagg’s Rookie Debut Patch stole the show this summer.
As the world prepares for the NBA’s opening night tripleheader, which features the Knicks’ banner-raising, LeBron’s 76ers debut, Wemby vs. Shai round 2, and a matinee Pistons-Celtics clash, digital collectibles platform Courtyard, released an interesting take on their platform’s data with the introduction of a unique NBA tier list.
Unlike most player rankings floating around social media around ahead of a new season, this list isn’t based on on-court performance. Instead, Courtyard’s used data to showcase the players basketball collectors are most likely to hold—or sell—after they’re pulled from one of Courtyard’s basketball packs.
The Keep, Flip, Ship Hierarchy
On Courtyard, collectors who rip one of the company’s many digital basketball packs can take an instant buyback offer (flip) on their new, graded card, keep the card vaulted for free, or redeem it and have the physical version of the card shipped to them. Courtyard’s tier list ranks players by how collectors treated their pulls, with the S-Tier representing the players that collectors held onto the most, while the F-Tier represented the players that were most frequently flipped.
A few placements stand out. Tyrese Maxey ranks above Flagg, the reigning Rookie of the Year. Donovan Clingan, who averaged a double-double last season and Pistons guard Ausar Thompson, who might find his shot one day, share a tier with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Chet Holmgren, an All-Star and All-Defensive First Team selection last season, landed in the D-Tier, alongside Mikal Bridges, who helped the Knicks win their first title since 1973. Needless to say, collectors will have plenty of opinions about who is where on this list.
Does this mean that Donovan Clingan is a better buy than say, Nikola Jokic who is on the B-tier? Definitely not, at least in my opinion. It’s more a reflection of where the market has him currently priced (low) versus his overall potential. Conversely, Cooper Flagg is still high on the list but not at the top, likely because his market is currently reaching new market highs each day, which leads to collectors selling quickly. In that regard, the list is very interesting.
“Keeping a card is about the most honest thing a collector does. A sale tells you what the market thinks a card is worth. Holding onto it tells you what it’s worth to you,” said Nico le Jeune, co-founder and CEO of Courtyard. “That’s why this list doesn’t look much like an MVP ballot. Collectors hold onto Tyrese Maxey more than Cooper Flagg, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lands in the same tier as Donovan Clingan. Fans have their own idea of who matters.”
Key Offseason Moves
The Knicks might have won the NBA Finals, but Mavs’ rising sophomore forward holds the title for the biggest NBA card of a single player sold since June. Others haven’t played a game in decades.
Cooper Flagg: His 1-of-1 Topps rookie debut patch autograph sold for $8.04 million at Fanatics Collect on September 25th. It’s the highest price paid for any single NBA player’s card, and the third-highest NBA card sale overall, behind only a Michael Jordan/Kobe Bryant Dual Logoman Auto 1/1 ($12.93 million) , and a Jordan/LeBron Dual Logoman Auto 1/1 ($10 million). Flagg’s previous record was $366,000.
Kobe Bryant/LeBron James: A 1-of-1 2007-08 Exquisite Dual Logoman Autograph sold for $6,501,840 through Alt on September 24th, the most expensive sale in the marketplace’s history. It also marked what might’ve been the high point of the recent Jordan boom, which has captivated The Hobby for what seems like forever at this point—leading to rising prices for other vintage cards from players like Shaq, when the cost of Jordan inserts started to price people out.
The Knicks starting five: A 1-of-1 Topps Now quintuple autograph featuring Brunson, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns sold for $317,200. Credit where it’s due. It’s nice to see something other than RCs and vintage, for once.
The 2026 Rookie Class Gets Its Debut
Last week, the preorder for Topps Flagship Basketball crashed Topps’ website. We all know rookies drive demand, but the class of 2026 has a wider breadth of potential than collectors are used to.
Washington selected former BYU star AJ Dybantsa first overall, followed by Darryn Peterson (Utah Jazz), Cameron Boozer (Memphis Grizzlies), Caleb Wilson (Chicago Bulls), and Keaton Wagler (Los Angeles Clippers). Their first Topps rookie cards will arrive… sometime soon, as the initial launch date during the NBA’s opening week (October 23rd) has since been pushed back to November 5th.
Coming off a convincing 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Colorado Avalanche had an opportunity to build momentum against a Philadelphia Flyers team that entered the night with just one win through its first nine games.
Instead, the Avalanche stumbled into a frustrating 3-2 loss at Xfinity Mobile Arena, undone by defensive breakdowns, costly turnovers, and an inability to consistently protect Mackenzie Blackwood. Matvei Michkov struck twice for Philadelphia, while Noel Acciari added the eventual game-winner.
Martin Necas and T.J. Hughes found the back of the net for Colorado, but their efforts weren't enough to overcome a Flyers team that made the most of its opportunities. The Avalanche finished with 16 turnovers compared to Philadelphia's six, a disparity that underscored just how uncharacteristically careless Colorado was with the puck.
First Period
The Avalanche endured a frustrating opening 20 minutes , finding themselves trailing the Flyers 1-0 after a period in which defensive breakdowns, missed opportunities, and a string of unfortunate bounces defined the frame.
Blackwood was the primary reason the deficit remained at one, turning aside several dangerous Philadelphia chances to keep Colorado within striking distance. Meanwhile, the Avalanche struggled to generate sustained offensive pressure and even Necas take a shot to the mouth from a deflected puck off the crossbar. Despite the difficult start, Colorado closed the period with five consecutive shots on goal, offering a small glimmer of momentum heading into the second.
Colorado was tested early when Devon Toews turned the puck over, leading to a scoring opportunity for Philadelphia, but Blackwood came up with the save.
The Avalanche were subsequently penalized for too many men on the ice, and the Flyers capitalized on the power play to take a 1-0 lead. Michkov buried the rebound off Trevor Zegras' initial shot to open the scoring. Colorado challenged the goal for goaltender interference, but the challenge was unsuccessful, as officials ruled that Josh Manson had pushed Parker Martone into Blackwood, allowing the goal to stand.
Gavin Brindley was left with an unenviable task in the opening period, serving the bench minor for too many men on the ice before also serving the delay-of-game penalty resulting from Colorado's unsuccessful challenge.
Philadelphia, which entered the game with just one win in its first nine contests, continued to apply pressure early on. Zegras nearly doubled the Flyers' lead on a 2-on-1 rush, but Blackwood made an acrobatic save to deny him at the backdoor.
The Avalanche continued to struggle defensively with around eight minutes remaining in the period, as Flyers forward Sean Couturier was left all alone in the low slot. After receiving a pass from behind the net, Couturier quickly fired a shot on Blackwood, who came up with yet another outstanding save to keep the deficit at 1-0.
Things went from bad to worse for Colorado when Nathan MacKinnon set up Artturi Lehkonen for a backdoor opportunity. However, Lehkonen's shot struck the crossbar before ricocheting directly into Necas' mouth. Necas immediately went down before leaving the ice to receive medical attention.
You could have aptly titled the opening period "Friendly Fire," as Brett Kulak ripped a wrist shot that caught Brock Nelson in the leg, adding to an already frustrating first frame for the Avalanche.
Despite being outshot 13-8 through the first 20 minutes, Colorado closed the period with five consecutive shots on goal, showing signs of life after spending much of the frame under pressure. The Avalanche headed into the first intermission trailing 1-0, with Blackwood's strong performance keeping them within striking distance.
Second Period
Michkov nearly doubled Philadelphia's lead midway through the period after collecting a loose puck and attempting a flashy between-the-legs shot on Blackwood, but he couldn't quite pull off the highlight-reel finish.
The 21-year-old would make no mistake on his next opportunity at 12:22. After carrying the puck into Colorado's defensive zone, Michkov circled behind the net before working his way back toward the point and unleashing a wrist shot through traffic that beat a screened Blackwood to give the Flyers a 2-0 lead.
At the other end, Brock Nelson looked to spark a Colorado response with a slick toe-drag move on Flyers goaltender Joseph Woll, but Woll stayed with him to shut down the attempt and preserve Philadelphia's two-goal advantage.
Colorado earned its first power play of the game with 4:11 remaining in the period after Travis Sanheim took exception to a hit Cale Makar delivered on Noel Acciari. Sanheim retaliated by checking Makar from behind, drawing a roughing penalty and giving the Avalanche an opportunity to cut into the deficit with the man advantage.
Just as the power play expired, Necas brought Colorado back within one. Finding space in the offensive zone, Necas picked his spot and fired a wrist shot through traffic, beating Woll on the blocker side to make it a 2-1 game and give the Avalanche some much-needed momentum.
Colorado headed into the second intermission trailing by just one, but the Avalanche still had plenty of work to do. Their defensive lapses continued to leave Blackwood exposed, while the offense needed to find a way to turn late-period momentum into a sustained push over the final 20 minutes.
Third Period
The Avalanche caught a break in the opening minute of the third period, though it came at a cost to Makar, who was struck in the face by Couturier's high stick behind the net. Colorado generated some early pressure on the ensuing power play, but Woll came up with a crucial save, robbing Jaden Schwartz on a beautiful backdoor opportunity.
Philadelphia soon extended its lead to 3-1 when Noel Acciari redirected Oliver Bonk's slap shot past Blackwood. The goal came as a result of yet another defensive breakdown by Colorado, as the Avalanche lost track of their assignments and allowed Acciari to establish position in front of the net with little resistance. Toews and MacKinnon were caught occupying similar positions without effectively covering an opposing player, leaving Acciari free to screen Blackwood and get a stick on Bonk's shot.
With Colorado once again facing a two-goal deficit, Hughes gave the Avalanche a lifeline. The rookie continued his hot streak, scoring his second goal in as many games after netting his first career goal in Friday's 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Ball Arena.
Hughes pounced on a rebound in the low slot and fired toward the net, beating Woll, who got a piece of the shot with his glove but couldn't keep it out. The goal cut Philadelphia's lead to 3-2 late in the game, setting up a tense finish as Colorado searched for the equalizer.
The Avalanche pulled Blackwood in the closing minutes in an attempt to salvage a point, but Philadelphia held firm to secure the 3-2 victory.
Takeaways
The loss was a disappointing setback for Colorado, particularly against a Flyers team that entered the matchup with just one win in its first nine games. While Necas and Hughes provided the offense to keep the Avalanche in contention, Colorado's defensive shortcomings proved too costly to overcome.
The turnover battle told a significant part of the story. Colorado committed 16 giveaways compared to Philadelphia's six, repeatedly surrendering possession and giving the Flyers opportunities to attack before the Avalanche could get organized defensively. Those mistakes, combined with poor coverage around the net, left Blackwood with little margin for error.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, capitalized on its opportunities. Michkov scored twice, Acciari added the decisive goal, and Woll turned aside 24 shots to help the Flyers hold on for the win.
The defeat dropped Colorado to 5-3-1 on the season, while Philadelphia improved to 2-6-3. For the Avalanche, the result serves as a reminder that offensive firepower alone won't be enough if defensive details and puck management continue to fall short. They'll need a much sharper effort in those areas moving forward.
On Monday, the Winnipeg Jets announced that forward Walker Duehr is fully healthy and has been placed on waivers for the purpose of joining the Manitoba Moose in the AHL.
Duehr is not expected to be claimed as he spent the majority of last season with the Moose, apart from three games with the Jets. With Manitoba last season, the 27-year-old posted an identical 17 goals and 17 assists for 34 points in 62 games.
He has spent most of his career at the AHL level, though he has shown himself to be a fringe NHL player. He has 21 points in 95 career NHL games with the Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks and Winnipeg Jets. In the AHL, Duehr has 112 points in 205 career games, and last season was his first with the Moose.
His assignment comes as Manitoba has gotten off to a 3-1-0 start, and Duehr's return should give the team added forward depth. He had been sidelined with an injury at the start of the season, and his recovery clears him to rejoin the lineup.
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DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 1: Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Guardians talks with bench coach DeMarlo Hale #30 during a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on October 1, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The American League Championship Series returns to the gulf coast of Florida on Monday night as the Tampa Bay Rays look to complete the series flip over the Cleveland Guardians.
Tampa took both games over the weekend up in northern Ohio after entering the weekend slate trailing two games to one within the series. Now, they’ll take the field at home in the Trop with Freddy Peralta on the mound and once again pitching like an ace with the opportunity to make it to the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on the docket.
Righty ‘reliever’ Shawn Armstrong will start for Cleveland in what will very clearly be an all-hands-on-deck bullpen game as they look to stave off elimination. First pitch is slated to be chucked by Peralta at 8:08 PM ET down in Tampa, with coverage of the game carried on TBS/truTV.
Here is how both clubs will line up to start:
Do-or-die for the Guardians while the Rays have their sights set on the AL pennant pic.twitter.com/HVjcn7nAfr
Oct 18, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Ben Williamson (15), outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. (25) and shortstop Taylor Walls (6) celebrate a win against the Cleveland Guardians in game five of the ALCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Tampa Bay Rays enter Game 6 of the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians one win away from capturing their third AL pennant.
After the teams split the first two games of the best-of-seven series in Tampa Bay, the Rays won two of three in Cleveland. A third consecutive victory would send the Rays to the World Series, where they would face the National League champion Milwaukee Brewers. The Guardians, however, are looking to stave off elimination and force a winner-take-all Game 7 on Tuesday.
Rays at Guardians (5:08 PM PST)
Looking to clinch the pennant in front of their home fans, Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta will make his third appearance and second start of the ALCS.
Peralta is the latest pitcher to benefit from Tampa Bay’s well-regarded coaching staff. The team’s signature trade deadline acquisition was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for September after allowing three runs in 34 innings over his final six regular-season starts.
The right-hander’s late-season success has carried over into the playoffs. Peralta earned the win in Game 2 of the series after allowing four hits over six scoreless innings. Three days later, he came out of the bullpen in Game 4 and recorded two key outs, stranding an inherited runner. Will Peralta post another quality start, or will the Guardians’ offense wake up with their season on the line?
Meanwhile, Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams will not start on short rest. Cleveland will instead deploy a bullpen game, saving Williams for a potential Game 7.
Right-hander Shawn Armstrong will serve as the opener for the second time in three games. After Armstrong exits, Cleveland’s manager Stephen Vogt will likely rely on favorable matchups throughout the game, turning to his bullpen early and often to record the 27 outs needed to keep the Guardians’ season alive.
And Cleveland’s starting lineup for this anticipated contest:
The New York Rangers have signed veteran forward Luke Glendening to a Professional Tryout agreement.
Glendening reported to his first Rangers practice on Monday, but isn't allowed to play in any games until the 10 days of his PTO are up.
The Rangers will be without Joe Veleno for at least three months as he recovers from a lower-body injury and have been searching for a fourth-line center in the wake of his absence.
Glendening could be a possible replacement to fill Veleno’s position until he returns.
“Luke obviously has a significant body of work in the league,” Sullivan said. “The type of player that he is, he’s been a real reliable, conscientious player. Kills penalties. Really good in the face-off circle. He built a career on that element of his game and prides himself on that.
“Obviously, we've got a little bit of challenge with respect to depth at the center position, and I think Chris (Drury) and his guys thought that we'd bring him in and see if potentially he could help us.”
The 38-year-old forward has played for the Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, and Philadelphia Flyers throughout his 13-season NHL career, recording 85 goals, 90 assists, and 175 points.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 05: Kevin Porter Jr. #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks in action against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter during the preseason NBA game at Fiserv Forum on October 05, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minutes before the 4:00 p.m. deadline to finalize their regular-season roster, the Milwaukee Bucks announced they waived Kevin Porter Jr. This brings the final roster to 15 after the weekend saw the Bucks waive several other players, including Pete Nance. The 26-year-old’s waiving comes after a snake-bitten year; in the 2025-2026 campaign, KPJ suited up for only 36 games, but he started all 36, averaging 17.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 7.4 APG.
An unfortunate outcome, this is another turn in the road for KPJ. In 2019, the Bucks traded their first-round pick (30th) and Tony Snell to the Detroit Pistons for Jon Leuer, and the following night Detroit flipped that pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for four future second-round picks. Despite a solid rookie season, Porter was traded the following season after returning from a leave of absence and getting into a locker-room fight upon his return. Houston sent a protected second-round pick for him, and the new franchise seemed like a better fit, as Porter showed major growth over the next few seasons.
Then, in 2022, Porter signed a four-year extension worth up to $82.5m, but only guaranteed for one year, $15.9m, due to ongoing concerns about volatility. Before the start of the 2023 season, Porter was arrested in New York and charged with felony assault following a domestic abuse altercation. The Rockets then traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who absorbed his contract and waived him immediately. Porter then spent a year playing in Greece, pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault. After his overseas stint, Porter signed a two-year veteran minimum deal with the LA Clippers, where he played the season before the Bucks traded him.
After opting into his player option this year, Porter will earn $5.39m before he becomes a free agent, despite being waived. While unfortunate, the guard-room logjam was well documented, and with the additions of Tyler Herro, Brayden Burries, and Kasparas Jakucionis—plus Ryan Rollins’s emergence last year as a Most Improved Player candidate—Porter likely would have seen fewer minutes this season. Despite the summer debate over who should start, Bucks fans would agree that wherever he lands, he will likely provide a strong offensive punch for his new team.
The NBA is back on NBC and Peacock after a triumphant debut that blended new-age drama with the nostalgia that helped define basketball's golden era. This season looks to build on the stars and storylines of the last with over 100 regular-season games across three marquee nights of the week: Sunday Night Basketball (beginning Jan. 24, 2027), Peacock NBA Monday (beginning Oct. 26) and Coast 2 Coast Tuesday (beginning Oct. 27).
From the return of "On the Bench" broadcasts and Coast 2 Coast Tuesday to a pair of quadrupleheaders, our schedule is set to capture rivalries re-written in real time, intergenerational battles, and perennial All-Stars squaring up in the chase for a championship.
See below for NBC Sports' full regular-season schedule rundown, including top matchups and live stream information.
2026-27 NBA on NBC and Peacock Full Schedule
Week 1
Oct. 20: Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons (3 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Oct. 20: Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks (7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Oct. 20: Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs (9:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Week 2
Oct. 26: Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets (10 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
Oct. 27: Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Oct. 27: Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Week 3
Nov. 2: Oklahoma City Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
Week 4
Nov. 9: Washington Wizards at Detroit Pistons (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
Nov. 10: Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Nov. 10: Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trail Blazers (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Week 5
Nov. 16: Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
Nov. 17: Detroit Pistons at San Antonio Spurs (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Nov. 17: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Week 6
Nov. 23: Brooklyn Nets at Minnesota Timberwolves (7:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
Nov. 24: Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Nov. 24: Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets (10 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Week 7
Nov. 30: Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets (7:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
Dec. 1: New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Dec. 1: Utah Jazz at Golden State Warriors (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock
Feb. 28: Boston Celtics at Minnesota Timberwolves (7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Feb. 28: Miami Heat at Houston Rockets (9:30 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo)
Week 20
March 1: Philadelphia 76ers at Cleveland Cavaliers (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 1: Washington Wizards at Phoenix Suns (9:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 2: Minnesota Timberwolves at Oklahoma City Thunder (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 2: Los Angeles Clippers at Portland Trail Blazers (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 7: New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo)
March 7: Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors (10 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Week 21
March 8: Charlotte Hornets at Indiana Pacers (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 8: Dallas Mavericks at Oklahoma City Thunder (9:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 9: Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 9: Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 14: Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 14: Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo)
Week 22
March 15: Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 15: Atlanta Hawks at Dallas Mavericks (9:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 16: Detroit Pistons at Indiana Pacers (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 16: Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 21: San Antonio Spurs at Philadelphia 76ers (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo)
March 21: Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Week 23
March 22: Indiana Pacers at Orlando Magic (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 22: Detroit Pistons at Minnesota Timberwolves (9:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 23: Los Angeles Lakers at Miami Heat (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 23: Oklahoma City Thunder at Phoenix Suns (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 28: Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 28: Philadelphia 76ers at Denver Nuggets (10 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo)
Week 24
March 29: Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 29: Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs (9:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 30: New York Knicks at Orlando Magic (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 30: Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
April 4: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo)
April 4: San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo)
Week 25
April 5: Miami Heat at Orlando Magic (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
April 6: New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
April 6: Phoenix Suns at Golden State Warriors (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
What are the top NBA on NBC games to watch this season?
The NBA on NBC season features a handful of tentpole events across its regular-season schedule. The season opens in historic fashion with the first-ever American Express NBA Tip-Off tripleheader on Oct. 20.
This holiday season features an elite lineup of seven games across four nights Dec. 21-29, headlined by a rematch of the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and Cavaliers on Dec. 21.
For the second consecutive season, NBC Sports will host a quadrupleheader on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 18, 2027), including explorations of Dr. King's impact and connection to the NBA. Presidents' Day (Feb. 15, 2027) also will feature a quadrupleheader this season, with the likes of Minnesota, Dallas, Miami and Golden State all in action.
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Lakers fans thought they had a steal. For the first 19 games of Dalton Knecht's NBA career, in the 2024-25 season, the rookie out of Tennessee thrived on the LeBron James/Anthony Davis Lakers, averaging 12.2 points per game, shooting 43.9% from 3-point range, and he already had started seven games.
Things looked very different that season after Luka Doncic's arrival changed the Lakers' dynamic. Knecht's defensive struggles were an issue, and after the All-Star break he averaged 8.4 points a game as his minutes dropped. Last season, in 54 games, he averaged 4.2 points a night and he shot 34.2% from beyond the arc.
Facing a roster crunch to get down to 15 players before the start of the season, the Lakers waived Knecht on Monday. He is now a free agent.
Knecht deserves a chance elsewhere in the league, somewhere he can regain the swagger he had early. Redick talked this preseason about how Knecht has improved each season with the Lakers, but with the offense built around Doncic and his strengths, the team's wing needs have changed.
Two other players of note waived on Monday at the roster cutdown deadline:
• Milwaukee waived guard Kevin Porter Jr., who averaged 17.4 points, 7.4 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game last season, playing 38 games. • Memphis waived Walter Clayton Jr., the Florida star who was the No. 18 pick in the 2025 draft. In 69 games split between Utah and Memphis as a rookie, he averaged 7.8 points and four assists per game, while shooting 30.7% from 3.
The Atlanta Braves season may be over, but there is still a lot of baseball yet to be played. The Cleveland Guardians are on the brink of elimination in their hope of winning their first World Series since 1948 and they will be facing the Tampa Bay Rays in search of their first ever World Series win.
Regardless of who moves on, we will see at the very minimum a World Series winner that has not won in seventy-eight years since the Brewers also have never won a World Series and have not appeared in one since they were in the American League back in 1982. Is it a bad time to be a salary cap fan? That can be debated in the comments.
For the game this evening, the Rays will be bringing the resurgent Freddie Peralta who sports a 0.79 ERA in the postseason thus far in 11.1 innings with three appearances to include two starts. Shawn Armstrong appears to be set to be an opener for the Guardians. He has already made six appearances this postseason and has a sterling 0.00 ERA and 0.26 WHIP.
Follow along in the comments. First pitch is at 7:00 EDT.
So when Stephen Curry, their 38-year-old superstar, suffered a non-contact lower leg injury during an open practice Sunday, Oct. 18, there was a deep gasp from nearly everyone in attendance at the Chase Center. Curry limped off the court and went back into the locker room after tweaking his ankle.
With the NBA regular season just about ready to tip off, the Warriors will hit the road for their season opener, traveling to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Wednesday, Oct. 21 (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN).
Ahead of their season-opening contest, the Warriors shared the latest on Curry and whether or not he'll be available to go against the Lakers:
Steph Curry injury update
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr addressed reporters following Sunday's practice. Kerr said he spoke to Curry after practice when he initially injured his ankle and Curry told him it was fine.
Curry made a normal move on the wing when it appeared his footing slipped an his ankle twisted.
A Warriors spokesperson told USA TODAY that Curry suffered a moderate ankle sprain, however the team doesn't expect the injury to keep him down.
Steph Curry availability status in season-opener vs Lakers
Curry is expected to be able to play in Golden State's season opener against the Lakers on Wednesday, Oct. 21, Kerr said.
Kerr told reporters on Monday, Oct. 19 that Curry is fine following the injury scare. He added that Curry was a full participant during Monday's practice.
"I'm always concerned when Steph limps off but I went down and checked on him and he told me immediately that he was fine," Kerr said.
INGLEWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 14: Dereck Lively II #2 of the Dallas Mavericks embraces Derrick Jones Jr. #55 of the LA Clippers after the game on October 14, 2024 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Mavericks chose not to extend Dereck Lively II before the rookie-scale extension deadline, meaning he will enter restricted free agency after the 2026-27 season if Dallas does not work out a new deal beforehand.
On the surface, that may look surprising.
Lively was awesome as a rookie. He immediately looked like the kind of center Dallas could build around long term, finishing lobs, protecting the rim, and becoming a massive part of a team that eventually went to the NBA Finals. He made the All-Rookie team and looked like one of the best picks of the 2023 draft.
The problem is that he has barely been available since.
Lively played 36 games in 2024-25 and only seven last season before undergoing season-ending foot surgery. He is entering this season still working his way back and remains out at the start of the year.
That is really what this decision comes down to.
The Mavericks know how good Lively can be when he is healthy. We have already seen it. But giving a player a three-, four-, or five-year contract after so little basketball over the last two seasons is a completely different bet.
There is also a risk on the other side.
If Lively gets healthy, plays 65 games, and looks like the guy Dallas thought it drafted, the Mavericks may regret not locking him up now. A healthy 22-year-old center who protects the rim, finishes everything around the basket, and has already proven he can play in the Finals will have a market. Dallas could have bought him low before his value rebounds.
Instead, they are essentially betting that waiting is worth the risk.
The good news is that Lively will be a restricted free agent, not unrestricted. Dallas can match an outside offer and retain him even if another team comes with a large contract. That doesn’t mean it will be cheap, but it means the Mavericks aren’t risking losing him for nothing.
I understand the decision.
I also understand why it could look bad eventually.
Lively has already shown what he can be when healthy. The problem is that “when healthy” has become the most important part of every conversation about him.
For now, Dallas is making him prove it again before committing to him long term.
Kurt Helin
