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Celtics preseason schedule 2025: Dates, times and opponents for all four games originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics announced their four-game 2025 preseason schedule Wednesday, and it includes a couple familiar opponents.

There will be two games against the Toronto Raptors — at Scotiabank Arena on Oct. 10 and at TD Garden on Oct. 15.

The C’s will travel to Memphis to play the Grizzlies on Oct. 8 in the preseason opener. They’ll also host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 12.

All four preseason games will be broadcast on NBC Sports Boston.

The preseason will be a good opportunity for Boston’s young players to showcase their talent in a game setting and make a case for more playing time in the regular season.

Players to watch for in the preseason include 2024 first-round pick Baylor Scheierman and 2025 first-round pick Hugo Gonzalez, as well as recent free-agent additions Luka Garza and Josh Minott.

Here’s the full 2025 preseason schedule for the Celtics:

D-White aptly sums up Mazzulla's mindset entering uncertain Celtics season originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Expectations have changed for the Boston Celtics — and that’s an understatement.

A year ago, they were fresh off winning their 18th NBA title and had the inside track on raising Banner 19 after bringing back their entire championship core. Twelve months later, they’re preparing for a season without five key members of that title squad.

With Jayson Tatum out for most or all of the season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon and Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet and (likely) Al Horford all gone, the Celtics are viewed as a fringe playoff team at best as they enter what many believe will be a “reset” season.

But if you know anything about Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, he’s not going to accept mediocrity.

🔊 Celtics Talk: Derrick White tackles trade rumors, a new-look Celtics roster and excitement to prove doubters wrong | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube

“Yeah, he’s probably going to love it,” Celtics guard Derrick White said of how Mazzulla will approach a season with lowered expectations during an exclusive interview with Celtics insider Chris Forsberg on the Celtics Talk Podcast.

“That’s just the type of guy he is. He’s going to be excited about this opportunity, people doubting us, people not believing in us. Knowing him, he’s going to come into training camp so excited and ready to go.”

While Mazzulla’s love of adversity is well-documented, don’t be surprised if the Celtics adopt the mindset of their head coach. Tatum’s absence will thrust players like Jaylen Brown, White and Payton Pritchard into larger roles, and they fully intend to embrace that opportunity while playing with a chip on their collective shoulders.

“That’s kind of how my whole NBA and basketball journey has been,” White reflected. “That’s a fun position to be in. But I mean, we didn’t win the championship last year, so we’ve got a lot to prove, and we’ve got to get better.

“(When) you play for the Boston Celtics, that’s what it is, and we all understand that. So, it’s going to be a fun position to prove people wrong, but we also just have to be ready to go.”

The Celtics have reached the NBA Finals in two of the last four seasons and the Eastern Conference Finals in six of the last nine seasons, so it’s been a while since they’ve been true underdogs. But if any group can embrace that role, it’s the core of Brown, White and Pritchard, who have all played with something to prove throughout their NBA careers.

And there’s no better coach to lead them than the darkness-embracing Mazzulla.

White also shared his perspective on being involved in trade rumors, talking with Jayson Tatum amid his recovery and more. Check out the full episode here or on YouTube.

Kings' Maxime Raynaud details friendship with Nique Clifford before NBA Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Maxime Raynaud and Nique Clifford will begin their NBA journeys as teammates – and old friends.

You see, although the two rookies didn’t share the court leading up to being selected by the Kings in the 2025 NBA Draft, they both established a bond leading up to one of the most important days of their respective careers.

During an interview with NBC Sports California’s Morgan Ragan on “Kings Central,” Raynaud, Sacramento’s No. 42 overall selection, detailed how his relationship with his new teammate formed leading up to the draft.

“I think we were both kind of in awe of the process, sharing advice on the workouts,” Raynaud told Ragan. “We also got to know each other even more and joke around.

“Funny enough, I think we got along pretty well right away. There was no little awkward time when you meet someone new.

“He was in the hot tub, and I was in the cold tub. We actually talked for so long that once I came out, I couldn’t move anymore. It just happened naturally.”

The 7-foot center was a star at Stanford, earning First-Team All-ACC honors as a senior after averaging 20 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals. 

A round earlier, on the other hand, Sacramento traded up into the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft for the No. 24 overall pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder, acquiring the rights to Colorado State’s Clifford in exchange for a protected 2027 first-round pick. 

Despite not knowing where they would end up, both rookies quickly established a bond in between pre-draft workouts. 

The rest, as we know, is history.

“Once I got drafted by Sacramento, I was like, ‘Oh, he got drafted by Sac, too,’” Raynaud concluded. “That was a full-circle moment. I was super excited for him. 

“He’s also someone that we played against when he was at Colorado in the Pac 12. And seeing him perform well at Colorado State this year was amazing. I’m super happy it ended this way.” 

Raynaud and Clifford, as teammates and friends, now will look to make a positive impression in Sacramento.

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Chicago Sky star Angel Reese named NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition cover athlete originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Angel Reese isn’t just a WNBA All-Star — she’s a NBA 2K cover star.

The Chicago Sky forward was named the cover athlete for the NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition video game coming out in September.

Reese joins NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and future Basketball Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony as cover stars for this year’s NBA 2K slate. Gilgeous-Alexander is the cover athlete for the Standard Edition of the game, while Anthony is the face of the Superstar Edition. Reese, Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony stand together on the Leave No Doubt Edition.

As part of the announcement, Reese also announced her first signature shoe with Reebok, the Reese 1.

“Being on the cover of NBA 2K26 and debuting my first-ever signature shoe with Reebok on that cover, the Angel Reese 1, is more than a milestone — it’s a statement,” Reese said in a press release. “It’s about representation and showing young girls they can be confident, bold, and take up space unapologetically.

Reese, now a two-time WNBA All-Star in just her second season, joins a list of illustrious WNBA players to be featured on an NBA 2K cover.

NBA 2K20 was the first edition of the game to include the full list of WNBA teams. Two-time WNBA MVP and three-time champion Candace Parker was the first woman to grace an NBA 2K cover with the NBA 2K22 WNBA 25th Anniversary Edition. Diana Taurasi (NBA 2K23), Sue Bird (NBA 2K23), Sabrina Ionescu (NBA 2K24) and A’ja Wilson (NBA 2K25) have since starred on the WNBA Edition covers.

“To be cemented in NBA 2K history is a special honor that reflects not only my journey, but also all the veteran WNBA players who have paved the way before me and the growing impact of the league as a whole,” Reese said. “I’m proud to be part of a game that continues to elevate women’s basketball and can’t wait for fans to see how NBA 2K26 brings our game to life like never before.”

2K Games announced that NBA 2K26 will be released on Sept. 5. The Standard Edition will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The other editions will be exclusive to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

The WNBA Edition will be exclusively available at GameStop in the U.S.

Derrick White reacts to Celtics trade rumors, ‘tough' offseason moves originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Derrick White has been key to the Boston Celtics’ success since joining the team in 2022, and he’s expected to take on an even more significant role this upcoming season.

White and Jaylen Brown will likely lead a new-look Celtics squad that parted ways with multiple members of its 2024 championship roster. Jrue Holiday (trade), Kristaps Porzingis (trade), and Luke Kornet (free agency) will play for new teams in 2025-26, and free agent Al Horford will likely follow suit or retire. Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum could miss the entire season after rupturing his Achilles in the playoffs.

Even White and Brown haven’t been safe from trade rumors this summer with the Celtics shedding salary to get under the second apron of the luxury tax. Boston reportedly was open to trade offers for any player on its roster except Tatum, though both White and Brown would command a massive haul.

Nonetheless, they remain on the roster as the Celtics enter unfamiliar territory as underdogs in the Eastern Conference. Although White is sad to see his fellow NBA champions leave, he’s optimistic about what’s next for Boston.

He spoke about the transition during an exclusive interview with NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics insider Chris Forsberg.

🔊 Celtics Talk: Derrick White tackles trade rumors, a new-look Celtics roster and excitement to prove doubters wrong | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube

“It’s always tough to see guys leave, especially people that you won a championship with and had so many great battles with,” White said. “Obviously, seeing KP and Jrue get traded, it was tough to see. And then Luke (Kornet) signs somewhere else.

“Having a different team and having those guys leave is kind of difficult, but it’s part of the business and I’m confident the guys that we have coming in and the guys that we still have returning. So it’s gonna be a lot of fun, and it’s gonna be a different challenge, but I think that’s just the great thing about basketball.”

White also shared his reaction to being mentioned as a potential trade chip.

“I think every summer is pretty crazy, especially nowadays,” he said. “But I didn’t feel too worried about anything. My agent and Brad had been talking and all the other rumors and stuff, I wasn’t really too worried about.

“I mean, I feel like it’s cool to be wanted by other teams, but I wanted to stay in Boston, and I was glad they wanted to keep me.”

White also shared his perspective on the Celtics’ retooled roster, playing with a chip on his shoulder, talking with Jayson Tatum amid his recovery and more. Check out the full episode here or on YouTube.

The Lakers rallied from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter, closing the three-game California Classic with a win over the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday night at Chase Center.

Lakers forward Darius Bazley led all players in scoring with 27 points on seven-for-nine shooting, hitting the game-sealing dunk. Bazley also grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.

Dalton Knecht was also pivotal in the Lakers' comeback win, scoring 25 points and collecting eight rebounds on 50% shooting, including four three-pointers.

Read more:Bronny James, Dalton Knecht ready for second summer with Lakers

The Lakers got off to a slow start, shooting less than 40% in the first half, but they found their rhythm when it mattered.

Bronny James, still working on getting his conditioning back to game level, played just over five minutes and scored two points.

The Lakers will travel to Las Vegas and will play the Dallas Mavericks, led by No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg, on Thursday.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Deandre Ayton stood with his hands in his pockets, his all-black attire — from the suit to tie, shirt and shoes — a measured look for the newest member of the Lakers. His eyes were mostly down as he answered questions about how he’ll fit with the team and how he’s driven to prove his naysayers wrong.

In many ways, Ayton fell to the Lakers after he was bought out of his contract from the Portland Trail Blazers, opening the door for him to agree to a two-year, $16.6-million deal.

The two seasons he spent with the Trail Blazers were not as good as the time he was in Phoenix. His production dropped. The number of games he played dropped.

That led to the narrative that Ayton hasn’t lived up to his potential. That he played consistently enough at a high level. That he doesn’t give his best effort all the time.

When Ayton was introduced to the media Tuesday, he didn’t shy away from the criticism.

He’s a 7-foot center who the Lakers need to be at his best at all times this season.

Read more:Hernández: Can LeBron James help maddening Deandre Ayton transform into a reliable center?

“Most definitely. It fuels me,” Ayton said about criticism. “It fuels me up completely. And it’s a different type of drive that I’ve been wanting to express for a long time. I think this is the perfect timing, here in the purple and gold. And it’s a platform that I cannot run from.

“I can show what I really am and just be around some greats to really emphasize that for me as well. It is a lot of fuel in me to prove to the whole world.”

Ayton played only 40 games last season for the Trail Blazers, missing a lot of those because of a calf injury. He averaged 14.4 points per game. During the 2023-24 season with Portland, he averaged 16.7 points over 55 games.

Both of those seasons were short of what Ayton did while with the Suns in 2022-23, when he averaged 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds.

Ayon was asked if the questions were fair about his motor.

“I feel like at the end of the day, I’m on the court and I’m supposed to perform,” he said. “It’s just different routes with organizations, whether you want to win or not. I just took my route where I want to win. When it comes to wins, you play hard when you know everybody’s goal is to win. You do everything you’re supposed to do or can do to win. …

Read more:Lakers agree to terms to bring back Jaxson Hayes

“I’ve just been trying to put in as much work as I possibly can. When I’m on the floor, I want to really just show the world and prove to everybody that I am a winner. Any position I’m in, I just want to really win and sacrifice the way I did coming into this league.”

Ayton will have Luka Doncic and LeBron James to help push him along and hopefully tap more out of his potential.

Doncic averaged 8.1 assists per game last season and James averaged 7.8 assists.

“They both average about nine assists over their career span, and just the type of players they create with their teammates,” Ayton said. “They turn them into superstars, they make them bigger than their roles, they make them very important on the floor. Just seeing that and finally getting the chance to go in and experience that would be big for me. Just getting me back to my full form of how I used to play, you know, coming up and being a part of the [NBA] Finals. It’s those playmakers I’m used to having around me that’s leading to wins.”

The Lakers also introduced Jake LaRavia to the media. He played a season with the Sacramento Kings, averaging 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He shot 47.5% from the field and 42.3% from three-point range.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

3 observations after Mintz shines in Sixers' 1st win of 2025 summer  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers notched their first summer win of 2025 on Tuesday night thanks largely to Judah Mintz.

They earned a 91-90 victory over the Grizzlies to wrap up their Salt Lake City summer league at 1-2.

Mintz starred, tallying 26 points on 9-for-15 shooting, three assists and three steals. Tyler Burton’s 23 points led Memphis.

The Sixers were without VJ Edgecombe (left thumb contusion), Adem Bona (rest) and Alex Reese (Achilles soreness).

The team’s first game in the Las Vegas summer league is scheduled for Thursday night vs. the Spurs. Here are observations on the Sixers’ win Tuesday:

Big-time Sallis slam 

Jalen Slawson provided an early highlight with a pump fake, drive and slam.

Hunter Sallis hammered in a huge dunk late in the first quarter, too. He sliced through the lane and jammed in a one-handed flush over 6-foot-10 Ante Brzovic. 

Sallis maintained his momentum with a nice stretch in the second quarter that included a wing three-pointer. As his college credentials indicate — 18.3 points per game last year at Wake Forest — Sallis is a multi-dimensional scorer. He recorded 11 points vs. the Grizzlies on 4-for-9 shooting, two assists and two rebounds. 

Outside shooting will be an obvious area to monitor after Sallis shot just 27.7 percent from three-point range as a senior. He said at the Sixers’ summer league minicamp last week that he’s “really confident in how I’m shooting the ball right now” and doesn’t “think there’s too much to worry about.” 

Mintz shines 

The Sixers kept the same starting backcourt of Mintz and Jalen Hood-Schifino (seven points, seven assists).

Mintz’s shiftiness popped again. He had a tricky and-one leaner during an extended Sixers run in the second period. The 6-foot-3 guard’s fakes, footwork and body control enable him to do damage in and around the paint.

Mintz is truly excellent at drawing free throws, which helped him post 21.2 points per game last G League regular season for the Delaware Blue Coats. The Syracuse product was among the top players at getting to the foul line in Salt Lake City, going 21 for 23 over the Sixers’ three games. 

Sixers sweat out a win

Justin Edwards sunk a three on his first shot. The second-year wing had his most efficient game in Utah, scoring 15 points on 6-for-11 shooting. 

However, Edwards was scoreless in the fourth quarter and Memphis made a comeback surge.

Johni Broome (eight points, 12 rebounds) fell to 0 for 5 from three-point range with a late miss that thudded off the backboard. Burton hit a three with a little over a minute remaining to give the Grizzlies an 87-86 lead.

Mintz then delivered down the stretch, banking in a tough runner and scoring a clutch and-one layup with 8.2 seconds left. He was easily the best player on the court Tuesday night.

Speed of NBA game tests Warriors draft pick Alex Toohey in summer league debut originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – After days of waiting to make his NBA summer league debut at the California Classic, Alex Toohey certainly didn’t envision wearing a Warriors jersey for the first time to be in a nearly empty Chase Center. 

“First of all, it was obviously nice to be out there and not watch for once,” Toohey said Tuesday night. “It was definitely weird with no fans, but I mean, just got to play no matter what. I’ve probably played in more games with empty gyms than full gyms. 

“Kind of used to it, but definitely hard.” 

Fans were not allowed in the arena Tuesday. The final day of the California Classic always is reserved for the media, team personnel and family. 

Warriors fans didn’t miss much. The Warriors lost 93-79 against the Miami Heat to conclude their three games on their home court, going 1-2 overall. Their first Las Vegas Summer League game is Friday at 8 p.m. PT against the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Toohey, the No. 52 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, played 24 minutes against the Heat and finished the loss with six points, six rebounds, four turnovers and three fouls. He went 1 of 5 from the field and missed all three of his 3-point attempts but was a perfect 4 of 4 at the free throw line. 

His one made shot was a layup at the rim after being rewarded for constant movement without the ball. 

“He played pretty hard and he’s just taking time to adapt to the game and whatnot,” coach Lainn Wilson said. “For his first showing, from an effort standpoint is everything we asked for. Then we just got to take a look and see for him adapting to the game and such. 

“It’s normal for a guy in his position.” 

Watching from the bench is far different than playing the game. Toohey, in the Warriors’ first two games, had a front-row view of the speed and physicality of summer league after spending the last two years playing professionally in Australia. He admitted the size and length of his competition will take some time getting used to.

There were times that he had a step on his man, only to see a hand in the lane obstruct his play. 

“I think it’s definitely a jump,” Toohey said. “The athletes here are the best of the best. It’ll definitely take some adjusting to, but I think overall, as long as you get better each day you’re trending in the right direction.” 

Summer league can be extremely physical, often resulting in sloppy showings without much flow to the game. Players have 10 fouls to work with instead of fouling out at six. The extra fouls usually lead to a whole lot of hacking, making it unfair to judge players off one game or multiple exhibitions that won’t count in the long run. 

Warriors scouts and front office executives traveled twice to Australia during the NBL’s season to watch Toohey and other prospects. The reasons they were intrigued by him then are the same reasons they believe in him going forward. 

The size, versatility and intelligence of the 21-year-old were seen Tuesday, despite an unkind box score. Toohey, who plays both forward positions, began the game guarding point guard Kasparas Jakucionis, the player the Heat took in the first round with the pick they received from the Warriors in February’s Jimmy Butler trade at No. 20 overall. He also spent time on forward Keshad Johnson, as well as guards Pelle Larsson and Kira Lewis Jr. 

Toohey forced a backcourt violation on Larsson near the end of the first half, and he also was beat off the dribble a couple of times by the 6-foot-5 guard who averaged 14.2 minutes per game as a rookie last season. Both instances are experiences he can grow from. 

While Toohey only made one shot, the ball never stuck to his hands. And his feet constantly were moving. Team basketball, offensively and defensively, appears to come naturally to him. 

There’s a lot Toohey can take from his summer league debut, and he’ll look to build off the positives and negatives in Las Vegas starting Friday night.

“I thought I struggled,” Toohey admitted. “I was good in patches, but overall probably wasn’t as consistent as I’d like to see. Kind of adjusting to that next level of play, and I think it’s just going to get better each time.”

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Kings guard Dennis Schröder praises ‘unique' All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

“He’s unique.”

That’s what the Kings’ newest free-agent signee Dennis Schröder had to say about Sacramento’s All-NBA center, Domantas Sabonis when the point guard met with the media in Sacramento on Tuesday during his introduction press conference.

“How he pushes the pace when he gets the rebound, gluing everybody together, getting people backdoor cuts,” Schröder told reporters. “Great passes, really physical big, set screens, great in the pocket, can shoot it. You know, I mean, he’s unique.”

Schröder became the Kings’ biggest 2025 NBA free-agency acquisition once the team’s sign-and-trade deal with the Detroit Pistons became official Monday.

Schröder, a 12-year NBA veteran, will get his first taste of playing with Sabonis, who finished first in the league in rebounds per game and 18th in assists per game this past season. In 2023-24, Sabonis joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only other player in NBA history to have more than 1,000 total points, 1,000 total rebounds and 600 total assists in a season.

“I’m looking forward to compete with him,” Schröder said. “We had a couple of battles in Europe, as well, so now he’s on my side. We’re on the same side so really looking forward to compete with him.”

Schröder and Sabonis look to be a formidable one-two punch for Sacramento as the team hopes to reach the playoffs this upcoming season after falling in the play-in games the past two years.

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The ECHL on Tuesday released the list of Players who received a valid qualifying offer from ECHL teams by the July 7 deadline.

Players who had already signed a contract by July 7 did not need to receive a qualifying offer.

Each team was entitled to reserve the rights to a maximum of eight qualified players. Of the eight qualified players, no more than four could be veterans (260 regular season professional hockey games played as of the start of the upcoming 2025-26 Season). Players on open qualifying offers cannot be traded.

The qualifying offer must remain open for acceptance until July 22 at which time the qualifying offer becomes null and void and the team may sign the qualified player to any salary or may elect to take no further action. Teams that extend a valid qualifying offer to a non-veteran player shall retain the rights to that qualified player for one playing season.

A team that extends a valid qualifying offer to a veteran player, or to a goaltender who has played more than 180 regular-season games, will retain the rights to that player until July 22. After July 22, if the veteran player or goaltender is not signed to a contract by the team, the player shall be deemed a restricted free agent and shall be entitled to seek and secure offers of employment from other ECHL teams.

Restricted free agents may not be traded. When a restricted free agent receives a contract offer from a team other than the team with the player’s rights and the restricted free agent wishes to accept the contract offer, the restricted free agent and the offering member must, within 24 hours, notify the ECHL, the team with the player’s rights and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association.

The member with the player’s rights shall have seven days after the date it is notified to exercise its right to match the contract offer.

If a restricted free agent is not signed to either an offer sheet or a contract by an ECHL team by August 8, the player shall be deemed an unrestricted free agent.

For a complete list of players who received qualifying offers, click here.

(Photo Courtesy of the ECHL)