It's part of a whirlwind for May the last few months after he left college basketball for the NBA in late June to coach Cooper Flagg on the Dallas Mavericks. His decision came months after he led Michigan to the national championship in April. So why leave after reaching the sport's mountaintop and boasting a preseason top-10 team?
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In an interview with The Athletic, the ex-Wolverines coach cited he changes to college basketball — particularly the ongoing challenges surrounding the transfer portal and NIL — that he saw as "irreversible." The Big Ten meetings, in particular, shined a light on certain aspects of college athletics.
"I was so excited for Big Ten meetings, like, 'We’re going to find some solutions,'" May told The Athletic. "I go there and I was just like, ‘Oh my God, nothing’s getting fixed. Ever.'"
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That appeared to be just the tip of the iceberg in May's thinking process that led him to become the first college basketball coach to leave for the NBA since John Beilein. He’ll be the first coach since Larry Brown in 1988 to win a national title and then coach another team the next season.
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He also noted that fundraising and administrative responsibilities were consuming much of his time, pulling his focus away from the aspects of the game he loved.
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"I just spent so much more of my time doing everything but coaching," May said.
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He added on the transfer portal: "Even when you sign, you’re not really signed; to me is the biggest issue."
May, who led mid-major Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023, led the Wolverines to a 64-13 record in two seasons. He also brought a pair of Big Ten championships, including a conference tournament title in 2025, to Ann Arbor in his short yet successful stint.
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Moore noted that the Mavericks fit May's criteria and boxes for taking an NBA job, including president Masai Ujiri's track record as a championship-winning executive from his days with the Toronto Raptors; his relationship with general manager Mike Schmitz; and, of course, the chance to coach Flagg, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year.
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It's why, when the Wolverines — who had been in talks with May on a contract extension for some time at the end of last season after his name was tossed into the North Carolina head coaching mix — asked what they could do for May to return, he responded: “I don’t think there is anything."
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At the Big Ten spring meetings, May told USA TODAY Sports' Jordan Mendoza there were "minor details" being adjusted between Michigan and his party in terms of his contract extension. He said he was committed to staying with the Wolverines, though a contract had not been signed yet.
In his interview with The Athletic, May also offered his suggestions to resolve the issues in college basketball.
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“Collective bargaining in some way, shape or form needs to happen," May said. “And No. 2, figure out a way to make contracts binding.
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"Like, you can’t have a kid sign at this Big Ten school on a Friday and then go on an official visit the next day and sign at another Big Ten school for twice the money on Tuesday. It just can’t be like that. If they are gonna sign rev-share contracts and they’re gonna sign NIL contracts, let’s at least make those binding."
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Finally, May was asked whether he could ever see himself returning to college basketball one day.
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"I hope not, because that would mean I did (expletive) here," May said. "I’d like to win and stay."
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 23: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry #30 talks with Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton #0 after the Pacer's 111-105 NBA win at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Playing with Steph Curry means you aren’t going to get a lot of holidays off. This year, the Warriors won’t be part of the league’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day showcase, but they will anchor the league’s inaugural Presidents Day quadruple-header.
An NBC Sports quadrupleheader will highlight the NBA schedule on Presidents' Day (Monday, Feb. 15).
The four-game lineup opens with Minnesota's LaMelo Ball returning to Charlotte to face the Hornets.
The NBA does not traditionally have a Presidents Day extravaganza, mainly because it usually falls the day after the All-Star Game. But since the Super Bowl falls on Valentine’s Day this year, the All-Star Game isn’t until Feb. 21. The NBA is seizing the opportunity to finally get out from the massive shadow of the NFL by delivering an orgy of games, in what feels like a conspiracy to create divorces.
Golden State will host the Indiana Pacers, a matchup that’s not exactly a rivalry, though the teams have some connections. The Warriors sent Chris Mullin to the Pacers for Erick Dampier in 1997, and Mullin was a key part of teams that fell just short of a title. The Pacers returned the favor a decade later, sending Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington to the “We Believe” Warriors team, a move that helped them to a first-round upset and thankfully sent Mike Dunleavy, Jr. out of town.
In 2013, the Pacers and Warriors had a scuffle that counts as a brawl by NBA standards. Roy Hibbert shoved David Lee, both teams went at each other, and Steph Curry attacked Hibbert with a lot of enthusiasm and not a lot of success, like a chihuahua throwing himself at a Great Dane. Klay Thompson got involved, Hibbert got shoved into the stands, and David West and Andris Biedrins acted like disappointed parents breaking up the fracas.
After the game, Hibbert claimed he didn’t know which Warriors guard was fighting him.
“I saw some light-skinned guy. I don’t know if it was Klay Thompson or Steph Curry, I just knew there was a light-skinned guy by me,” Hibbert told reporters. At the time, he probably outweighed Curry by 100 pounds.
More recently, Gary Payton II got Goga Bitadze ejected after dunking on him and staring him down. Both players got technical fouls, but Bitadze already had one, so he got tossed.
The highlight of this clip comes after GPII has been staring down Bitadze and scratching his head for a few seconds and Jordan Poole hustles over to stand behind Payton and scratch his head as well. The Warriors would go on to lose in overtime after 2015 NBA champion Justin Holiday hit a clutch shot to tie the game at the regulation buzzer.
Other than that, the main connections between the Pacers and Warriors come from both teams briefly believing in James Wiseman before his injuries ruined everything, and having great pre-draft workouts with Tyrese Haliburton in 2020, with one team making a better decision about him in the draft lottery.
Presidents Day was originally designated to celebrate the birthday of George Washington, which happens on Feb. 22. Now its a federal holiday designated for the third Monday in February, which means it can’t actually occur on the date Washington was born. It now honors all the presidents, which means William Henry Harrison’s 30 days in office are valued exactly as highly as Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s 12 years and change, as one day off of work.
In California, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (Feb. 12) is a separate holiday, and the second February day off is simply known as “the third Monday in February.” Maybe that’s because they want to head off any speeches from Bay Area politicians about how Washington owned slaves, Millard Fillmore was a racist, or Rutherford B. Hayes screwed Samuel Tilden in the 1876 election by agreeing to end Reconstruction, or George H.W. Bush was a tool of the CIA. Those things aren’t incorrect, but this is America. Most of our presidents stunk!
We would like to suggest that California adjust even further and simply designate this holiday as “the Monday after the Super Bowl.” It’s much easier, and we can still imagine George Washington wiping barbecue sauce off his wooden teeth and dragging a hungover Benjamin Franklin out of his wine cellars at Mount Vernon if we want to honor our history.
With so much happening so fast for the organization, television personalities have offered strong opinions. None stronger than Stephen A. Smith, who believes that Lakers president of basketball operations, Rob Pelinka, may be out the door.
Stephen A. Smith speaking at Fanatics Fest. Kyle Stevens/Shutterstock
“I think Rob Pelinka will not be there, running basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers,” Smith said on “The Stephen A. Smith Show.”
Smith went on to say he believes the team will have minority owner Jeanie Buss more involved in the team’s operations, and that they will go and try to bring in President of Sports for Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment and former two-time NBA executive of the year, Bob Myers.
Iger himself, in an exclusive with the Post on Wednesday, confirmed the new ownership group intends on keeping Buss in her role. However, no such accommodation was announced for Pelinka.
WIth regard to Myers, it’s a little tricky. In his role as president, Myers oversees operations for the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils.
“I mean, Bob Myers gets on the scene and in a month, he had Jaylen Brown and LeBron James,” Smith said. “…If there is a way to get that man, I think you go get him. This is my belief; I haven’t spoken to anybody about it.”
As Smith said, it’s his “belief” the Lakers will part ways with Pelinka and look to hire Myers. But usually, when new ownership comes, the entire organization becomes revamped.
During Walter’s brief stint as owner, Pelinka’s name was secured from being etched out of the franchise as the team was planning to keep him in his current role.
Los Angeles Lakers President of Basketball Operations, Rob Pelinka. Getty Images
Pelinka has been in the Lakers’ front office since March 2017, when he was hired as the team’s general manager, and later promoted to his current role in April, 2025.
Under his guidance, the Lakers have won an NBA title once (2020), and have been perennial regulars in the playoffs.
Yet, Myers is considered one of the top front office names in basketball. He was the architect behind the creation of the Golden Warriors’ dominance for the last 12 years.
In 2011, Myers joined the Warriors front office, and later became the team’s general manager in 2012, helping them win 4 NBA titles from 2015-2022.
According to a report by Front Office Sports, Benetti will handle between 10 and 20 regular-season and playoff games for NBC and Peacock. He will not replace any current NBC announcers.
Currently, Mike Tirico, Noah Eagle, Terry Gannon and Michael Grady handle play-by-play duties for NBC-produced games.
DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 22: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is defended by Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz in the first half at Ball Arena on December 22, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. 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. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I hope you aren’t banking on the reformed Utah Jazz to go undefeated through preseason play, because your first peek at the new-era Jazz will be against some of the biggest stars in the NBA.
Namely, Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, followed immediately by a dance with Victor Wembanyama and the runner-up San Antonio Spurs. They’ll round out the trip against Devin Booker and the baffling Phoenix Suns down south.
Take a quick scan of the preseason slate for the 2026-27 season.
Game 1: Sun, October 4:
at Denver Nuggets, Boulder, CO
Perhaps Cody Williams will unleash a fifty-bomb upon Jokic, Murray, and company at his alma mater of Colorado-Boulder. Crazier things have happened (not much crazier, but still).
The Jazz open preseason play against one of the most consistent, dangerous presences in the Western Conference. Though this doesn’t seem to be the year the Nuggets recapture the same lightning that propelled them to the NBA Finals a few seasons ago, Denver is a pillar in the Western half of the playoff picture, and an ideal measuring stick for a Jazz team aching to break onto the scene.
Game 2: Tue, October 6:
vs Denver Nuggets, Salt Lake City, UT
This time, the Jazz open the season at the Delta Center. Yes, it’s another meeting with the Nuggets, but it’ll technically be Darryn Peterson’s home debut with the same teammates he’ll be sharing his rookie season with.
Game 3: Mon, October 12:
vs San Antonio Spurs, Salt Lake City, UT
Finally, a way to determine which budding superstar is superior: Victor Wembanyama or Darryn Peterson. I say this tongue-in-cheek, of course, but I am fascinated to observe how Peterson, a score-first shooting guard, approaches a problem like Wembanyama, the NBA’s premier rim protector and heir-apparent to the Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Game 4: Fri, October 16:
at Phoenix Suns, Phoenix, AZ
The most enigmatic team in the league, Phoenix seemed to have found its identity last season after the disastrous Booker-Durant-Beal experiment. This should be the easiest game of the preseason slate for the Jazz, though none of these teams will be pushing especially hard to win before the results are reflected on the record.
save the dates… our 2026/27 preseason schedule is here!
Calvin Barrett is the Associate Editor for SLC Dunk. Originally from Springville, Utah, he currently lives in Japan and has covered the NBA and college athletics since 2024.
Several superstars left cities where they won championships, while other notable players got a change of scenery this summer.
With those moves will come some highly anticipated homecoming games. Those players will return to their old stomping grounds as a visitor, with many expecting a warm welcome from their former fans.
Here’s a look at some of the must-watch homecoming games for the upcoming NBA season.
LeBron James: 76ers vs. Lakers, Dec. 25
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer spent eight years in Los Angeles, marking his longest continuous stint with a team. Now 41 years old, LeBron James made his “last decision” to leave LA and go to Philadelphia in his pursuit of a fifth NBA championship.
James and the Sixers will head to Crypto.com Arena on Christmas Day to battle Luka Doncic and the Lakers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Heat vs. Bucks, Jan. 28
After 13 seasons, two MVPs and a 2021 championship in Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo is taking his talents to South Beach after a blockbuster trade between the Bucks and Heat.
Antetokounmpo will return to Milwaukee as a visitor for the time on Jan. 28 (and again on March 12). Conversely, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware and Kasparas Jakučionis will make their Miami homecoming on Nov. 18.
Jaylen Brown: 76ers vs. Celtics, Jan. 21
The Boston Celtics dealt 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the rival Sixers in an offseason stunner, bringing back Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks.
Brown spent 10 seasons in Boston, and he will make several trips back in 2026-27. The Sixers will visit the Celtics on Jan. 21 and March 7, along with a preseason game on Oct. 10.
On the other side, George and the Celtics will head to Philadelphia for matchups on Nov. 10 and Feb. 7, as well as a preseason contest on Oct. 16.
LaMelo Ball: Timberwolves vs. Hornets, Feb. 15
LaMelo Ball was also on the move this summer, as the Charlotte Hornets traded the former No. 3 draft pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He had spent his first six NBA seasons in Charlotte after entering the league at just 19 years old.
The Ja Morant era in Memphis came to an unceremonious close in June when he was shipped to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
The former NBA Rookie of the Year, who spent his first seven professional seasons with the Grizzlies, will return to Memphis on Feb. 6 and again two days later on Feb. 8.
Kawhi Leonard: Raptors vs. Clippers, Nov. 2
There are two potential homecoming options for Kawhi Leonard.
The two-time Finals MVP is in limbo as the NBA keeps the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors’ trade on hold amid an investigation into whether he received a multi-million endorsement deal with sustainability services company Aspiration in an alleged effort to circumvent league salary cap rules.
Should the trade go through, Leonard would visit the Clippers as a member of the Raptors on Nov. 2. If for any reason the trade is not permitted and Leonard stays in LA, he would visit his former home of Toronto with the Clippers on Jan. 1.
Several superstars left cities where they won championships, while other notable players got a change of scenery this summer.
With those moves will come some highly anticipated homecoming games. Those players will return to their old stomping grounds as a visitor, with many expecting a warm welcome from their former fans.
Here’s a look at some of the must-watch homecoming games for the upcoming NBA season.
LeBron James: 76ers vs. Lakers, Dec. 25
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer spent eight years in Los Angeles, marking his longest continuous stint with a team. Now 41 years old, LeBron James made his “last decision” to leave LA and go to Philadelphia in his pursuit of a fifth NBA championship.
James and the Sixers will head to Crypto.com Arena on Christmas Day to battle Luka Doncic and the Lakers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Heat vs. Bucks, Jan. 28
After 13 seasons, two MVPs and a 2021 championship in Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo is taking his talents to South Beach after a blockbuster trade between the Bucks and Heat.
Antetokounmpo will return to Milwaukee as a visitor for the time on Jan. 28 (and again on March 12). Conversely, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware and Kasparas Jakučionis will make their Miami homecoming on Nov. 18.
Jaylen Brown: 76ers vs. Celtics, Jan. 21
The Boston Celtics dealt 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the rival Sixers in an offseason stunner, bringing back Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks.
Brown spent 10 seasons in Boston, and he will make several trips back in 2026-27. The Sixers will visit the Celtics on Jan. 21 and March 7, along with a preseason game on Oct. 10.
On the other side, George and the Celtics will head to Philadelphia for matchups on Nov. 10 and Feb. 7, as well as a preseason contest on Oct. 16.
LaMelo Ball: Timberwolves vs. Hornets, Feb. 15
LaMelo Ball was also on the move this summer, as the Charlotte Hornets traded the former No. 3 draft pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He had spent his first six NBA seasons in Charlotte after entering the league at just 19 years old.
The Ja Morant era in Memphis came to an unceremonious close in June when he was shipped to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
The former NBA Rookie of the Year, who spent his first seven professional seasons with the Grizzlies, will return to Memphis on Feb. 6 and again two days later on Feb. 8.
Kawhi Leonard: Raptors vs. Clippers, Nov. 2
There are two potential homecoming options for Kawhi Leonard.
The two-time Finals MVP is in limbo as the NBA keeps the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors’ trade on hold amid an investigation into whether he received a multi-million endorsement deal with sustainability services company Aspiration in an alleged effort to circumvent league salary cap rules.
Should the trade go through, Leonard would visit the Clippers as a member of the Raptors on Nov. 2. If for any reason the trade is not permitted and Leonard stays in LA, he would visit his former home of Toronto with the Clippers on Jan. 1.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 12: Bob Iger (R) and Steve Ballmer attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena on December 12, 2023 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. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In an ideal world, your favorite team would be owned by a lifelong fan who can keep the team competitive.
But those types of fairytales don’t exist in reality. The best you can hope for is that your owner hasn’t gone on a podcast to talk about how he couldn’t root for your team because of past rivalries and instead chose to root for your inter-city foes.
If that feels oddly specific, it’s by design. Back in 2021, then-podcaster JJ Redick hosted then-Executive Chairman of The Walt Disney Company Bob Iger, who reportedly agreed to buy the Lakers alongside Josh Kushner on Wednesday, on his “The Old Man & the Three” podcast where they discussed the origin of him becoming a Clippers fan.
“I’m a Clippers fan. Having moved from New York to Los Angles back in 2000 and being a big NBA fan, I needed a team to root for… Lakers were a big rival of the Knicks, the team I grew up rooting for. So I couldn’t root for the Lakers very easily; just was not in my DNA" 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/oIavYIwQkc
Does this actually matter? Not really. There are probably not many, if any, owners who were actually a fan of the team. It’s just that Iger publicly came out as a fan of another team.
That being said, if you want to spin it into a positive, it’s clear that Iger is a fan of the game. If he was rooting for the Knicks when the Lakers were a legitimate rival, then he’s been a fan for decades. Similarly, if you’re buying season tickets to the Clippers when they have Corey Maggette and Cuttino Mobley, then you have to really like the sport.
Further to that point, in the statement released by Iger and Kushner, they acknowledged the importance of the Lakers to Los Angeles.
“As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored for the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world. We have immense respect for the leadership and vision of Jerry and Jeanie Buss. Our long-term commitment is to build on that foundation, compete at the highest level, and serve this extraordinary team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles.”
Again, none of this really matters. If you actually care about this, you need to re-evaluate some things.
What matters now is investing in the Lakers moving forward to ensure they remain ahead of the Clippers and everyone else in the league.
The Boston Celtics’ schedule for the 2026-27 NBA season was officially released Thursday.
The 82-game slate begins Tuesday, Oct. 20 when the Celtics play the Detroit Pistons at 3 p.m. ET. Three days later, the Celtics host the defending champion New York Knicks in their home opener at TD Garden.
Other notable dates include Jaylen Brown’s return to Boston with the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 21, and the Los Angeles Lakers’ only trip to TD Garden on Feb. 2.
Click the link below or scan the QR code for a printable version of the Celtics’ 2026-27 schedule:
The Sixers will begin their season by visiting the defending champion Knicks on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. ET. Other dates to circle include the home opener vs. the Cavaliers on Oct. 22 and a Christmas visit to the Lakers. The team’s schedule is below:
It’s safe to assume Xfinity Mobile Arena will be full and very loud in support of a Sixers team with championship ambitions. After being swept by the Knicks last postseason, the Sixers are aiming to advance past the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2000-01 season.
“As someone that’s competed against Philadelphia for a large amount of time, one thing I can say is the fan base here is incredible,” Brown said last week at his introductory press conference. “They really get behind the guys. It’s one of the harder-playing arenas to be in with the intensity level, the engagement. The fans, you can tell that they love the city and the team here.”
With our annual apology to Larry Bird, who famously dismissed the annual schedule hype by noting, “41 home, 41 road; looks good to me,” let’s break out our highlighters and identify some marquee matchups, some trends, and anything else that jumps out about this year’s slate.
Long wait for Jaylen Brown’s return
More than half of Boston’s 2026-27 season will be in the rearview mirror before Jaylen Brown makes his much-anticipated regular-season return to TD Garden.
The Sixers don’t make their first regular-season visit to Boston until Jan. 21, the 44th game of the season for the Celtics. Philadelphia will be in town for a preseason game in October, but we’d be surprised if Brown plays that night, maybe dragging out the drama for his first real game here.
You won’t have to wait as long for the first Celtics-Sixers regular-season showdown. That is set for Nov. 10, Boston’s 11th game of the season.
Philadelphia returns to TD Garden on Sunday, March 7 for a national TV matinee.
The NBA is shaking up its opening day schedule with the Celtics and Pistons — the two top teams in the Eastern Conference standings last season —kicking off the entire 2026-27 season with a Tuesday matinee (3 p.m. on NBC).
While it’s unique for the NBA, it gives us baseball opening day vibes. The Celtics and Pistons start a slate that will also feature 1) The Knicks getting their championship rings before jousting with Brown and the new-look Sixers and 2) A rematch of the Western Conference finals between the Thunder and Spurs.
The Celtics play their home opener on Friday night with a visit from the defending champion Knicks, which will also serve as Mitchell Robinson’s first game against his former team.
Uptick in back-to-backs, and a brutal November
Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
Jayson Tatum is poised for a fantastic 2026-27 season.
The Celtics are scheduled to play 16 back-to-backs this season, the team’s highest number in the past decade. There are six sets of back-to-back games before the end of November alone, increasing the degree of difficulty as Boston launches into the new campaign.
November is daunting for both travel and rest. Boston plays 16 games in 30 days. Twelve of those games are on the road, with five back-to-backs in that span.
The second night of back-to-back games in that run: at Houston (after playing in Orlando), at Toronto (after playing in Philadelphia), vs. Orlando (after hosting Maine native Cooper Flagg and Dallas), at Golden State (after playing in Sacramento), and at Dallas (after playing in San Antonio).
From a challenging opening week to the November travel blitz, it’s a daunting 21-game stretch to start the new season (though the degree of difficulty levels off a bit after opening week when Boston plays a series of home games).
The Celtics have never used the absence of rest days as an excuse during the Joe Mazzulla era, and a young, deep bench has helped them on those nights in the past. But those games will challenge Boston given the high profile nature of many Night 1s, and the travel for Night 2s.
Boston played 13 back-to-back games last season and has averaged just north of that number over the past four seasons. This is the most back-to-back games in a season since playing 17 in 2016-17.
Extra motivation for the Cup?
Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
NBA Cup games feature cool court designs.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has repeatedly noted that Boston’s North Star is adding championship banners. But his team might have a little extra motivation for this year’s in-season NBA Cup.
The 2026 Cup championship game will be held at Butler University’s Hinkle Fieldhouse on December 11. Stevens compiled a 166-49 record as head coach of Butler from 2007-2013, leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back national title games in 2010 and 2011.
While Stevens would likely downplay the overall significance of the Cup, we can’t help but imagine he’d feel a bit nostalgic watching his current team play inside a gym he holds in such high regard. And Boston could certainly make a bold early statement by being competitive in those games.
The Celtics are slotted in Eastern Conference Group C of Cup play and will compete in four group-play games:
Friday, Oct. 30 vs. Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 6 at Hornets, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 24 at Wizards, 8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 27 vs. Hawks, 8 p.m.
Back on Christmas Day, home for the holiday season
After a one-year absence from the NBA’s marquee Christmas Day calendar, Boston is back on the holiday stage. The Celtics will host Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat at 2:30 p.m. as part of the league’s five-game slate.
Boston, of course, had a very public flirtation with acquiring Antetokounmpo this offseason. The two teams will play three times, with the other two meetings slated for the tail end of the season.
The Celtics enjoy their longest homestand of the season with seven consecutive games at TD Garden spanning from December 14-28. A season-long six-game road trip follows immediately after with stops in Chicago, Utah, Portland, Phoenix, and Los Angeles (two games, vs. Lakers and Clippers) over an 11-day span into the new calendar year.
Super Bowl appetizer is back
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Patriots lost Super Bowl 60 to the Seahawks.
The Celtics hosted a home game on Super Bowl Sunday every season from 2009 until 2020, posting a sizzling 9-2 mark during that stretch. It basically coincided with the prime of Tom Brady’s tenure in New England, including five Super Bowl appearances for the Patriots.
Maybe a new streak is starting for the Drake Maye era.
The Celtics, after being off on the NFL’s big day in 2020 and 2025, and traveling for road games in 2021 and 2024, hosted the Knicks last season as an appetizer for the Patriots’ most recent Super Bowl appearance.
The Celtics host the Raptors at 1 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday (February 14) this year.
This will be the 44th game that Boston has played on a Super Bowl Sunday, posting a 29-14 (.674) record in that span. The Celtics are 7-2 on days when the Patriots also play in the Super Bowl (while the Patriots are 5-4 in those games).
Another grueling February, road heavy at finish line
If the Celtics survive the early gauntlet, its next-biggest challenge might come in the run up to the All-Star break.
From Feb. 2-18, the Celtics play: at Lakers, at Charlotte, at Atlanta, at Philadelphia, vs. Denver, vs. Golden State (on the second night of a back-to-back), vs. Minnesota, vs. Toronto, at Oklahoma City, and at Memphis (on the second night of a back-to-back).
Boston also plays seven of its final nine games of the regular season away from home, which might matter if there’s some jockeying for position in a beefed-up Eastern Conference.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 30: Anfernee Simons #4 of the Boston Celtics shoots over Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter at Rocket Arena on November 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Fresh off a massive offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers have nearly rebuilt their roster with new additions including LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. The spotlight is now on this team as never before, with media scrutiny intensifying. The Liberty Ballers crew weighs in on key questions in this three-part series.
For Part 2, we’re focusing on the supporting cast and front office. From the role players who’ll anchor the rotation to Mike Gansey’s bold offseason construction, here’s our crew’s take:
What’s your immediate reaction to Mike Gansey’s debut as an executive? Would you have done anything different?
Bryan Toporek: I’ve spent the past few weeks trying to figure out how to get Gansey’s high school jersey. Does that answer the question?
I was lukewarm on the Dean Wade and Ariel Hukporti signings when they happened, but they make far more sense in retrospect with Brown and LeBron now in the fold. The Simons deal was a heist at that price point, too. But those are all small potatoes. I thought it’d cost the Sixers one or two unprotected first-round picks just to get off Paul George’s contract. Paying that price and landing Jaylen Brown in return is absurd. And that being the domino that set into motion LeBron signing with the Sixers on a minimum contract makes it that much funnier. Give Brad Stevens another Executive of the Year award!
I probably would not have given Hukporti a portion of the bi-annual exception, but after the offseason he just had, In Gansey We Trust.
Sean Kennedy: Gansey has completely turned the vibes around for this franchise. He made a number of very solid moves around the margins, all while perfectly reading the Jaylen Brown situation in Boston to snag an All-NBA-caliber player in his prime for Paul George, who had been considered one of the worst contracts in the league, and a couple good, but not great, draft picks. That move then convinced LeBron James (!) that the Philadelphia 76ers (!) were his best option in free agency to win a title. I now believe Mike Gansey could solve any problem in less than two months. Have him assigned to the traffic situation on the Schuylkill, SEPTA’s budget crisis, potholes, whatever, he’ll figure it out.
Josh Grieb: The guy just goes for it, and you have to respect that. One of my biggest complaints towards the end of the Daryl Morey era was how he was just punting on years of Joel Embiid’s prime.
Gansey inherited a team with far less clear of a window, and still took a swing at trading for an All-NBA talent because the price was right. I had, and still do have, as many doubts about the Sixers adding Jaylen Brown as just about anybody. At the same time, it feels right that Gansey’s boldness in making that decision was rewarded by being chosen by LeBron James.
As someone who really didn’t like the Jaylen Brown trade when it first happened, I could get up here and say I’d have done things a bit differently. But LeBron freaking James chose to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Drew Peltzman: Gansey has come a long way from jinxing Jesus Luzardo’s no-hitter at the Phillies game just a month and a half ago. It’s hard not to be impressed by him considering where the overall vibe of the team was at after the season. Every decision, from LeBron and Brown, down to drafting Labaron Philon Jr. and trading Johni Broome, has been sound. He has brought in plenty of fountains, arguably too many fountains, but no drains, and I am a fan of him sticking to his vision. I would not have done anything different.
Harrison Grimm: I’ve seen several people at the helm during my time covering this team—Sam Hinkie, Brett Brown for a bit, Bryan “Burner” Colangelo, Elton Brand, and eventually Daryl Morey. And I can comfortably say none of them had an offseason quite like Mike Gansey, let alone in their first year.
Heading into the summer, I expected the Sixers to do more of what we’ve become accustomed to: keep their trade powder dry, make decent marginal moves, and get a bit younger. Gansey said “screw that,” making a calculated gamble that led to the Jaylen Brown trade, which eventually led to LeBron signing for the minimum. I also thought Philon was a great mid-first round pick, and the signings of Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons were solid. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is an excellent bet on a minimum contract, and Caleb Love on a two-way seems like incredible value.
My only hesitation with his offseason is the backup center spot; either Adem Bona is going to have to take a good leap forward or they’re betting on Ariel Hukporti panning out. However, the money they had to work with at that position was tight, and I think betting on either of those guys at their age and price point was probably their best bet. All in all, there’s not much I think they could’ve done better.
Apart from Brown and LeBron, which new addition do you think will play the biggest role and possibly surprise people?
BT: With all due respect to Hukporti and KCP, it has to be one of Wade or Simons, right? Simons is going to be a high-volume shooter and is all but guaranteed to outscore Wade, but Wade’s two-way impact shouldn’t be discounted. He’s a plus defender and a solid three-point shooter, both of which should earn him significant minutes.
If I had to guess, Wade winds up playing more than Simons, especially in the playoffs. But Simons is all but guaranteed to swing at least a few games for the Sixers this season.
SK: I don’t know if it will surprise people, but Dean Wade is going to be an essential glue guy for this roster. He can guard multiple positions and doesn’t demand the ball offensively, which will be crucial with all the high-usage guys now on the roster. He’s lost in all the star-studded “starting five” graphics being shared, but he will start more than half the team’s games by virtue of being the guy to slot in whenever anyone other than Embiid is unavailable.
JG: Labaron Philon Jr. If we’re going to overreact to Summer League, he looked like he would already have the best handle and some of the passing chops on the team pre-LeBron signing.
While the addition of LeBron might make it tougher for the rookie to crack the rotation, if he’s able to show those skills at the NBA level, it could very well force his way into more playing time. Anfernee Simons will hopefully add a nice scoring burst off the bench, but Philon is the only reserve right now that looks like he can add true point guard skills. That could be pretty important depending on how Nurse staggers his stars.
DP: I think Anfernee Simons will be a breath of fresh air compared to the Quentin Grimes experience. Having a solidified backup point guard who can shoot, play make and finish at the rim could do wonders for a team who struggled to produce with Tyrese Maxey off the floor. It’s someone that the coaches can trust to make the right play and I think he will take a step forward in that regard. His quick release off the catch makes him a weapon off-ball, and I expect his shooting prowess to surprise people from the backup guard spot.
HG: I have to go Dean Wade on this one. The Sixers are stacked with talent, and a guy of his skillset is going to be more crucial than I think people realize. There’s a reason he was featured frequently on a pretty deep Cleveland Cavaliers team. He should do well as a gap filler, and slot in everywhere regardless of who is on the floor.
There’s been public discourse about VJ Edgecombe getting lost among all the talent. Do you share that concern, and where might he carve out a role?
BT: If Rich Paul doesn’t, I also do not. As Paul pointed out, the superteam Sixers line up perfectly for Edgecombe contract-wise, as LeBron figures to be long gone by the time Edgecombe’s rookie deal expires. For now, proving that he can be a critical cog in a championship-caliber team might do more for his earning potential than putting up empty numbers on a middle-of-the-road Sixers squad.
Edgecombe isn’t likely to handle the ball as much as he was projected to prior to the arrival of LeBron and Brown, although he could still get some spot playmaking minutes whenever LeBron and Maxey are off the floor. Otherwise, he figures to do most of his damage on offense in transition, as a cutter and off catch-and-shoot threes, which have surely been a focus of his this offseason. He should also be one of the Sixers’ main weapons defensively both on and off the ball.
SK: I honestly don’t understand this argument at all. Edgecombe played far too many minutes as a rookie and can now ease into things in a more natural way. He can focus on the defensive end, and offensively, will see a steady diet of wide-open looks and feast on the offensive glass with the opposing teams’ worst defender on him. Plus, he will still have plenty of on-ball opportunities playing with the second unit and needing to scale up when players are unavailable on a given night.
JG: I can kind of see where that concern comes from, but I don’t share it. Edgecombe may lose a few on-ball reps over the next two years that would be good for his development, but just getting to play with someone like LeBron James will more than make up for that.
Edgecombe will also be at the forefront of the Sixers trying to force a lot of turnovers in the backcourt and their efforts to be a dangerous transition offense. His skillset makes him crucial to those efforts.
DP: I think VJ will have to take the toughest matchup on defense in the back court and have a chance to grow as a playmaker. With how much this team will be running, I’d expect him to be able to sneak past defenses for easy lob finishes on multiple occasions each game. He is best suited off-ball, and now he can thrive letting his athleticism do most of the work. If he can keep shooting like he did his rookie year, he will be more than fine considering defenses will naturally leave him open with the other stars on the floor.
HG: I’ve said this before, but I feel like I’m in the twilight zone regarding how people talk about VJ online. And this is no different.
Assuming the top five are on the floor (admittedly a big if), Edgecombe is going to be guarded by the other team’s worst defender. “There’s only one ball,” people will say, however Edgecombe is not the type of player to just sit in the corner. Yes, he’ll do that from time to time, but he’s got a relentless motor and should move well off the ball. In particular, he was excellent sneaking along the baseline for easy buckets last season. He’ll have opportunities like that, or he can attack weak defenders off the dribble. The Sixers will also need him to defend and take on tough guard assignments, so there’s a significant role for him to fill, even with a small decrease in shot attempts or usage.
Keep in mind: Nick Nurse sticks with his guys. Last season, we saw no shortage of Edgecombe — and that was during a rookie campaign. The Sixers are going to need him, and there’s a good chance he’s doing a healthy share of playmaking in lineups without Maxey and LeBron.
PISCATAWAY, NJ - DECEMBER 08: Marek Dolezaj #21 of the Syracuse Orange is guarded by Myles Johnson #15 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at the Rutgers Athletic Center on December 8, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the first time in a long time, according to Donna Ditota of Syracuse.com, the Orarge are slated to play a non-conference game in the month of February. Syracuse will take on Rutgers at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on February 6, 2027.
The last time Syracuse played a team that was not in either the Big East or ACC during the month of February came on February 23, 2003, according to our very own Sam Federman, when the Orange defeated Michigan State, 76-75.
Rutgers is now officially two years removed from losing Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey to the NBA. The Scarlet Knights struggled last season, finishing 14-20 overall while winning a mere six conference games.
This will officially be the third game finalized for next season that will take place inside an NBA arena. Syracuse previously announced that it will face Indiana at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers, on November 9, 2026, before taking on Providence at TD Garden, home of the Boston Celtics, on December 21, 2026.
The matchup with Rutgers will also mark Syracuse’s return to New York City after a one-year absence. The Orange last played in the city two years ago, when they fell to Maryland in the Gotham Classic at Barclays Center. Given Syracuse’s long history of playing high-level games in New York City, the return will be sure to generate some excitement
There have also been rumors that the Orange could make another trip to NYC next season to take on St. John’s at Madison Square Garden. However, that matchup has not been confirmed as of yet.
One thing, however, is becoming more and more clear. Coach McNamara wants to bring Syracuse basketball back to relevance and re-engage the fan base that supported him during his time with the program, including when he helped lead the school to a National Championship.
He wants Syracuse playing in NBA arenas. He wants the Orange competing against Power Four programs in New York City. And, perhaps most importantly, he wants this team to turn the page on last season and completely flip the script.
But for now, another big game on the slate for the Orange. What are your takeaways on Syracuse taking on Rutgers in Brooklyn next season? Will you be attending?
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 08: Kevin Eschenfelder speaks during the Houston Sports Awards on February 8, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images for Houston Sports Awards) | Getty Images for Houston Sports
He’s been part of our lives for decades and his passion for Houston sports runs deep. Originally logging stats at the age of 15 at the Astrodome during Oilers and Astros games, Kevin Eschenfelder’s love for the “home team” has never wavered.
On the majority of nights, he’s the welcoming voice that greets and navigates Pre & Post Game shows around contests on Space City Home Network. The native Houstonian joins us today exclusively at The Crawfish Boxes to talk Astros as we get ready for the home stretch.
Q: Would it surprise if only 83 or 84 victories won the A.L. West outright this year?
A: Honestly, I do think that would surprise me. I get where everyone is in the standings right now, but I have a feeling that somebody is going to take off. Between the Astros and Mariners and Rangers, somebody is going to get hot down the stretch and whoever does, is going to win this division. I don’t think everyone is going to stay as they are right now. One of those teams is going to have a really good September, we’ll just wait to see who it is.
Q: Speaking of September, who is going to be that third bat to generate offense consistently for the Astros behind Yordan & Pena?
A: Isaac Parades is so good. I don’t think anybody realized how good he was when they traded for him. He’s such a good hitter. In order to lengthen that lineup, there are four choices. You have to get Christian Walker and Jose Altuve going and then the X-factors are Taylor Trammell and Cam Smith. Walker had the 11-game hitting streak, we all know what Altuve can do with multi-hit games when the lights are the brightest. Those are the guys to watch.
Q: How special will this weekend be with Alan Ashby and the late Phil Garner going into the Astros Hall of Fame?
A: It’s wonderful that we had two guys who contributed in so many different ways, not just to the Astros organization but to our city. Ash did it as a very good player and switch-hitting catcher and then was a broadcaster and coach. He did a little bit of everything and has always been visible in the community.
With Phil Garner, everyone loved him. When he came over from the Pirates in the 80’s, he locked down that second base position and helped those teams learn how to win. Then of course in 2005 as Manager, he was so special. Phil was also one of the great storytellers. I was always so thankful to be in his presence, and I knew many of his stories like the back of my hand, but I enjoyed hearing them and having them told to the fans.
Q: When was the last time you were with Phil?
A: We did a symposium together at Fan Fest and he told his stories which everyone loved. I’m so happy that Carol and the kids on Saturday will be there to receive that honor and recognition. He was special.
Q: I’m a radio guy at heart and like so many, I marvel at your versatility. How different is the preparation when you’re calling a game from the booth, as opposed what you do in the Space City studios?
A: There’s not a lot of comparison. The Pre and Post Game is 22 minutes of content, and you know what you need to know for those particular programs. However, when you’re doing a live game, you never know what you’ll need to know (laughs). You have to know a little bit of everything, so I’d say that’s the biggest difference. I just put my nose into it, start studying, find a few storylines on players and then identify the right place to use it. That’s the real challenge. The preparation is much greater.
Once again, the NBA schedule smacks the Warriors with the blunt end of the back-to-back equation.
The league’s 2026-27 schedule released Thursday shows Golden State will have 15 back-to-back sets, an above-average total among NBA teams.
It’s one fewer set than last season, when the Warriors were among the 15 teams scheduled for a league-high 16 back-to-back sets. The league low in 2025-26 was 13 such sets, with five teams, including the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Considering the age and frailty of Golden State’s roster, another season on the high end of back-to-back sets presents yet another challenge.
Projected backup center Al Horford is 40. Stephen Curry is 38, wing Jimmy Butler III will be 37 next month and enters the season rehabbing in the wake of surgery to repair a torn right ACL. Forward Draymond Green is 36. Forward Gary Payton II is 33. Projected starting center Kristaps Porziņģis is 31 but has an extensive injury/illness history.
This schedule is something that sends a chill down the coaching spine of Steve Kerr, who addressed the back-to-back issue in May, shortly after agreeing to return for his 13th season on the bench.
“The last couple of years, frankly, have been difficult with the age, the collective age of our team, the injuries,” Kerr said. “We had like six guys this year who either couldn’t play back-to-backs or were on minutes restrictions – often at the same time.
“And I think I gave everyone too much leeway. It just felt like we were constantly resting everybody and just trying to survive to the next game and have enough healthy bodies.”
A significant portion of the roster could miss 15 games simply because of scheduling.
Horford will be limited to one side of back-to-back sets. Butler will get the same latitude whenever he returns. Same applies to Moses Moody, who is 24 but will be sidelined for much of the season as he recovers from surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.The availability of Curry, Green and Porzingis will be studied closely whenever the Warriors approach a back-to-back set. There will be many instances when they will be limited to only one of the two games.
While the NBA has made efforts to slightly reduce the number of back-to-back sets – Golden State played an astonishing 20 when posting a 73-9 record in 2015-16 – teams averaged 14.4 last season. The Warriors have averaged 15.3 over the last six seasons, with the high being 17 in 2023-24.
Kerr would have gladly embraced a reduction that dropped the Warriors to 13 or so back-to-back sets, but the coach now has no choice but to navigate the reality.
Dr. Rick Celebrini, who supervises the team’s medical/performance staff, will be the most valuable man on the payroll not named Curry.
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