Category: Basketball

There is truly no need for preseason NBA games. The season is already too long with an eternal 82-game regular season slate, followed by four more months of the most intense basketball possible for a team to run all the way to the championship. Yet, there’s still about five more preseason games for every team despite the league’s long history of stars playing themselves into shape and pacing their bodies for the eventual postseason run.

Preseason is mostly useless, but it does often allow young players to get an audition for extended minutes they otherwise wouldn’t be seeing until injuries hit in the regular season. A few younger role players have already made a strong case for themselves during the preseason. Now we wait to see if it will translate to when the games start to matter for real with opening night coming on Oct. 20. Check out our list of NBA breakout candidates for more thoughts on the league’s most promising young players.

Here’s a short list of young NBA veterans who have impressed in the preseason so far. It will be interesting to look back on this list at the end of the year and see which performances were real, and which only happened because it was preseason.

Leonard Miller, F, Chicago Bulls

Leonard Miller put together another great game for the Bulls, his been incredible this preseason.

26 PTS, 7 REB, 11/14 FG, 4/6 3PT, 93 TS%

Year 5 leap 🔥 pic.twitter.com/HBM9ccav8U

— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) October 12, 2026

Chris Finch never gave Leonard Miller a chance at real minutes during his first three years in Minnesota. It’s hard for any second-round pick to earn minutes on a contender, and Miller’s shaky outside shooting made him a particularly rough fit in a Wolves front court that already had spacing issues with Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle. Minnesota didn’t hesitate to part with him to acquire Ayo Dosunmu at February’s trade deadline, and that’s when his career finally started to tick up. The Bulls gave him a shot while they were tanking down the stretch, and Miller immediately proved to be productive, well-rounded player who knows how to use his big 6’10, 220-pound frame on both ends of the floor. Miller continues to impress in the preseason as an opportunistic scorer around the basket, a menace in transition, a quality rebounder, and an improved three-point shooter. Miller knows how to extend advantages with long, coordinated strides to the rim, and he has nice touch in close. He looks far more in control than he did earlier in his career. He’s never looked better than he did Sunday night, when he dropped 26 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes against the Nuggets on ESPN. It’s fair to still be skeptical of his outside shot, but if he’s made any progress there, Miller’s ability to generation extra possessions and score efficiently should earn him minutes. The Bulls have a major glut of young power forwards after spending their last three lottery picks on Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis, and Noa Essengue, but Miller is simply too good to keep off the floor this season.

Brandon Williams, G, Golden State Warriors

Warriors Brandon Williams 19 PTS (7-8 FG, 2-2 3P, 97% TS), 1 AST, 1 STL, +12 in 17 minutes vs. Kings

18 PPG on 74% FG/60% 3P the last 2 games https://t.co/4CqtNsvoTspic.twitter.com/gA9tY0zM2D

— Role Player Performances (@BenchHighlights) October 11, 2026

Williams shined for the Mavericks last season in limited minutes filling in for the injured Kyrie Irving at point guard, and the Warriors did well to identify him as a buy-low free agent target this summer. Golden State has never had a point guard with the downhill scoring juice that Williams provides, and it should make him part of Steve Kerr’s rotation as Stephen Curry’s backup when the season begins. Williams is incredibly fast with the ball in his hands, and he’s slippery enough to keep defenders off-balance on his drives to the paint. His ability to glide to the rim and finish from awkward angles will be his bread-and-butter, and it sets up some easy passing reads for him to kick out to shooters. Williams won’t have much defensive versatility, but he looks pretty good guarding in isolation against other smaller guards, and he’s always quick to loose balls. The Warriors got him for an absolute steal on the veteran’s minimum. It’s fair to question how he fits into Steve Kerr’s offense as primarily a pick-and-roll ball handler, but he gives the Warriors an element they’ve always lacked, and that alone should get him rotation minutes.

GG Jackson, F, Memphis Grizzlies

It’s wild to think Jackson is still only 21 years old with three NBA seasons already under his belt, but that’s what happens when a player reclassifies to skip his senior year of high school. Jackson has never lived up to his recruiting hype at any point since heading to college early, but he’s always had the tools to be a productive off-ball scorer. If his preseason run is any indication, he might be putting it all together. He has 43 points in 46 minutes to open preseason, showing new confidence as an outside shooter while looking like a runaway freight train in transition. Jackson has a huge body for a forward at 6’9, 210 pounds, and he uses it to play a power game on the glass and in the open floor. He’s going to help the Grizzlies get up and down around the slower Zach Edey-Cameron Boozer front court, and he looks more decisive in his dribble-pass-shoot actions. Jackson’s size should make him a factor on the glass, and he no longer looks like a liability as a floor spacer. The Grizzlies are loaded with young talent, and he could be another diamond in the rough.

Asa Newell, F, Atlanta Hawks

Asa Newell has an ability to run into easy points just by using his god given tools. He’s an excellent run-and-jump athlete for a 6’11, 224-pound forward, and he’s kept his motor high in the preseason by moving without the ball and finishing everything around the rim. Newell’s skill set might feel a little outdated in the modern game when forwards are expected to be able to handle and shoot, but Atlanta’s up-tempo system should allow him to find more opportunistic avenues to make an impact. Newell isn’t going to be a creator, but he can put the ball on the floor in small doses to set up spin moves and step-throughs around the basket. His outside shot looked okay in low volume last year, and while that hasn’t been part of his preseason success, it’s something that will continue to be vital for him going forward. He’s a pretty nimble player when he gets in close, and he’s powerful enough as a two-footed leaper that it’s going to hard to challenge him around the rim. It’s still a bit of a question on how Newell fits into this version of the Hawks, but he could have some utility as a garbage man-style player just by keeping his energy high.

Kel’el Ware, C, Milwaukee Bucks

Ware always seemed to be in Erik Spoelstra’s doghouse in Miami, but it’s possible the lessons he learned with the Heat can help him take the next step in his career after being sent to Milwaukee in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Ware’s tools have never been a question as a super bouncy big man with a 7’4+ wingspan, and he’s always produced great highlights playing above the rim on both ends. The issue for Ware has been keeping his motor consistent while executing the scheme, but the early returns look good in preseason so far for the Bucks. Ware shoots such an easy ball from three-point range and has the results to back it up with a 36.9% stroke on 5.3 attempts from three per 100 possessions for his career. He started next to Myles Turner in the front court for the Bucks’ most recent game, giving Milwaukee two 7-footers who can space the floor beyond the arc. Ware has a massive catch and block radius when he goes above the rim, and he’s going to gobble up rebounds, blocks, and dunks on his tools alone. He just needs to stay focused enough to earn head coach Taylor Jenkins’ trust. A fresh start could be exactly what Ware needs to take the next step in his career.

Scoot Henderson, G, Portland Trail Blazers

Scoot Henderson 4/5 from three in 16 mins pic.twitter.com/CQBB0BbMP6

— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) October 12, 2026

Henderson was a bit underwhelming in his first two seasons after being the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and a torn hamstring delayed his debut until February last season. When he finally returned to the lineup, Henderson looked more comfortable playing off the ball while refining his ability as a shot-creator. Portland is no longer counting on him to be a savior with Damian Lillard and Ja Morant in front of him on the depth chart, but it’s going to be hard to keep him off the floor if he stays on the trajectory he’s currently hinting at during preseason. The game no longer feels too fast for Scoot: he’s more composed making reads as a passer, and he’s more confident shooting it from deep whether it’s off the dribble or on spot-ups. He gets a lot of deflections on the defensive end, and he’s good at challenging shots with his explosion off the floor. Henderson learned he wasn’t going to be able to dominate the NBA on athleticism alone, but he’s in a better spot now that his skill level has started to match his speed and strength. He’s playing for a contract next summer, and if the Blazers don’t want to pay him under Tom Dundon, another team will.

Ron Holland, G, Detroit Pistons

Holland entered a tough situation when he was drafted to a Pistons team that already had two non-shooters entrenched in the starting lineup in Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren. The outside shot has always been the biggest hole in Holland’s game, but it shouldn’t conceal everything else he does well on the basketball floor. Holland has always been a maniac in terms of his motor on both ends of the floor, and it excelled again in his preseason debut, when he amassed seven ‘stocks’ (steals and blocks) in 24 minutes. Forcing defensive takeaways allows him to get in the open floor, where his speed, leaping, and agility can all shine. Holland doesn’t need the ball to make an impact, although he’s not much of a threat away from the ball offensively in the halfcourt. It feels like he may have to move to a different team to really have a chance to stand out, but his defensive projection and transition ability continue to intrigue. It would be wonderful to see Detroit give him a real chance in different lineup configurations to see if his per-minute impact numbers could extend to a bigger role.

With another NBA season set to tip off, we asked our experts at USA TODAY Sports and For The Win to rank the top 100 players who will take the court in 2026-27 – regardless of position, regardless of experience and regardless of usage.

While we can’t know yet how rookies will adapt to professional basketball, how veterans will integrate with new teammates and how coaches will choose to employ individual players for the betterment of their teams, we can judge talent and skill.

From former NBA champions like LeBron James, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo to current champs Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, we considered them all. Seven NBA reporters submitted their individual rankings, and a points system was used to determine the final results.

Here, we present our top 50 players ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season, starting with No. 50 and concluding with our pick for the best in the league.

(For our rankings of No. 100 through No. 51, click here or visit usatoday.com/nba).

No. 50 Zion Williamson

• Team: New Orleans Pelicans
• Position: Forward
• Age: 26
• 2025-26 stats: 21.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.2 apg

His strength is overpowering defenders in the low block, and it’s remarkable how comfortably he gets to the rim, despite being undersized at 6-foot-6. As always, the questions with Williamson are his weight, conditioning and his availability, though in recent seasons, Williamson has made it a priority to slim down a touch. The Pelicans were in a lost season, but a career-low scoring average was nonetheless a concern.

No. 49 Rudy Gobert

• Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
• Position: Center
• Age: 34
• 2025-26 stats: 10.9 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 1.6 bpg

2025 was a return to the All-Defensive First Team for Gobert, who jumped back into the top-four of Defensive Player of the Year voting after a “down” 2024 (he was still second team All-Defense). And now he has a real chance to increase his scoring output with LaMelo Ball there to create easy opportunities as the most dynamic point guard Gobert has ever played with.

No. 48 Jaren Jackson Jr.

• Team: Utah Jazz
• Position: Center
• Age: 27
• 2025-26 stats: 19.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.4 bpg

Jackson Jr. is a dynamic two-way center that can affect both sides of the ball. He can score from inside and out. He can guard the interior and the perimeter. Jackson is a two-time All-Star, two-time blocks leader and was the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year. He only appeared in 48 games last season though, so expect that number to go up. 

No. 47 Dylan Harper

• Team:San Antonio Spurs
• Position: Guard
• Age: 20
• 2025-26 stats: 11.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.9 apg

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, even though he is only entering his sophomore season in the league, the Spurs internally believe Harper is already their second-best player behind Victor Wembanyama. Something that pops about Harper: He averaged 2.1 unassisted field goals at the rim per 36 minutes, via PBPStats. That ranked behind two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2.35) for the most among players who hit the 65-game threshold last season. Harper was just 19 years old until a month before the playoffs began.

No. 46 Derrick White

• Team: Boston Celtics
• Position: Guard
• Age: 32
• 2025-26 stats: 16.5 ppg, 5.4 apg, 4.4 rpg

By all metrics, White set career-highs in points, assists, steals, and blocks, but he also shot under 40% and all but disappeared in the Celtics’ first-round playoff meltdown. His defense remains a strong part of his game, and with Jaylen Brown now in Philadelphia, he will be expected to be even more productive on offense to help Jayson Tatum.

No. 45 Trae Young

• Team: Washington Wizards
• Position: Guard
• Age: 28
• 2025-26 stats: 17.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 8.0 apg

Young was limited to just 15 games total during the 2025-26 campaign — 10 with the Atlanta Hawks and five with the Wizards, who by the time Young arrived, had entered tank mode for the No. 1 pick in the draft. However, don’t sleep on Young; he’s one of the best playmakers at the point guard position. He can pass and he can score, especially from long range. Young now has a chance to reestablish himself as one of the best perimeter threats in the league alongside Anthony Davis and No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa.

No. 44 De’Aaron Fox

• Team: San Antonio Spurs
• Position: Guard
• Age: 28
• 2025-26 stats: 18.6 ppg, 6.2 apg, 3.8 rpg

There will be nights when Fox is the fourth scoring option, and if that becomes the norm, he may be prime trade bait at the deadline. The Spurs are still on the hook for his four-year, $221 million deal until further notice. Having three ball handlers on a team is a luxury, but not getting enough shots while still trying to please Victor Wembanyama is another matter.

No. 43 Lauri Markkanen

• Team: Utah Jazz
• Position: Forward
• Age: 29
• 2025-26 stats: 26.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.1 apg

Utah’s lack of competitiveness is hopefully in the past and should help one of the league’s best scoring big men. Markkanen could again put up big numbers with the talent infusion that is on its way to Utah, which has missed the playoffs in each of the past five years.

No. 42 Franz Wagner

• Team:Orlando Magic
• Position: Forward
• Age: 25
• 2025-26 stats: 20.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.3 apg

The big question last season was whether Wagner and fellow Magic co-star Paolo Banchero could co-exist. Both can handle the ball, and both can create their own offense. The difference with Wagner is that his jumper is more consistent. Wagner also flies under the radar as a defender, but he’s solid there. What new coach Sean Sweeney will want to see is availability; injuries have limited Wagner to just 94 games across the last two seasons, including just 34 last year.

No. 41 Joel Embiid

• Team: Philadelphia 76ers
• Position: Center
• Age: 32
• 2025-26 stats: 26.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 3.9 apg

Unlike some of the other injured players on this list, we saw enough of Embiid last year to know exactly how much his injuries have taken a toll on his mobility – and we also saw how effective he still was as a scorer. Expect that to continue with him apparently in better shape. The biggest knock today is his insistence to shoot so many threes despite his declining efficiency from deep.

No. 40 Alperen Sengun

• Team:Houston Rockets
• Position: Center
• Age: 32
• 2025-26 stats: 20.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 6.2 apg

OK, so maybe the (premature) “Baby Jokić” comparisons were inaccurate. That doesn’t change the fact that Şengün is an All-Star-caliber big man with terrific passing chops at the center of a Rockets team with expectations. The question for Şengün and Houston moving forward is simple: Is he closer to the reliable regular-season version, or the playoff dropper that helped open the door to a troubling first-round upset last spring?

No. 39 Jalen Duren

• Team: Detroit Pistons
• Position: Center
• Age: 22
• 2025-26 stats: 19.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 65% FG

Duren may have overplayed his hand when he was named third-team All-NBA and demanded max dollars. While he did eventually sign for five years and $200 million, Duren’s next move is to improve his relationship with the team and his offensive game – especially in the playoffs, which is why Detroit was hesitant to pay him big bucks in the first place.

No. 38 Deni Avdija

• Team: Portland Trail Blazers
• Position: Forward
• Age: 25
• 2025-26 stats: 24.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 6.7 apg

Avdija has increased his scoring average in each of his six NBA seasons, and he'll have three dynamic guards to play off him if he's asked not to be the offense's focal point. Another season like 2025-26, when he also posted career highs in assists and free-throw percentage, would put him in line for a big payday in 2028.

No. 37 Anthony Davis

• Team: Washington Wizards
• Position: Forward
• Age: 33
• 2025-26 stats: 20.4 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 1.7 bpg

Davis’ ability on the floor has never been a question. When he plays 60 games in a season, he’s a lock to make the All-NBA and All-Defense teams. The only problem is he’s played 60 games just twice in the last eight years. But, if we’re assuming good health, Davis is one of the league’s very best bigs and much better than this ranking.

No. 36 Evan Mobley

• Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
• Position: Forward
• Age: 25
• 2025-26 stats: 18.2 ppg, 9 rpg, 3.6 apg

Mobley, a former Defensive Player of the Year, is an enigma. He can easily dominate on any given night, but sometimes he seems overwhelmed, especially when his shooting is suspect and his rebounding is nonexistent. Mobley simply needs to elevate his Robin role to Donovan Mitchell’s Batman if the Cavs ever want to make it out of the Eastern Conference finals.

No. 35 Kyrie Irving

• Team: Dallas Mavericks
• Position: Guard
• Age: 34
• 2025-26 stats: Did not play

It’ll be interesting to see how Irving looks after a full year off, but if he’s anything close to the player he was before the ACL injury, he’ll still be one of the best guards in the game. As a former 50-40-90 guy whose year-to-year production is normally in that range, Irving has several ways he can beat a defense. Expect him to return to All-Star form.

No. 34 Paolo Banchero

• Team: Orlando Magic
• Position: Forward
• Age: 23
• 2025-26 stats: 22.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 5.2 apg

Paolo Banchero is one of the young, bright stars of the NBA. He’s led the Magic to three consecutive postseason appearances and continues to grow in the league. His 6-foot-10 stature makes him a matchup problem for opponents. The next step in his game is getting him to buy into playing bully ball.

No. 33 LaMelo Ball

• Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
• Position: Guard
• Age: 25
• 2025-26 stats: 20.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 7.1 apg

While his identity on the court will shift after a blockbuster trade sent him from Charlotte to Minnesota, there is still plenty to celebrate about Ball. He is the only player in league history aside from Luka Dončić with at least 6,000 points 2,000 assists and 900 made 3-pointers before turning 25 years old. Pair his electric shooting and playmaking with Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves should make some noise on offense this season.

No. 32 Austin Reaves

• Team: Los Angeles Lakers
• Position: Guard
• Age: 28
• 2025-26 stats: 23.3 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4.7 rpg

Reaves’ ability to score at all three levels is an asset, and he will be expected to increase his production alongside Luka Dončić, now that LeBron James is no longer in L.A. to serve as a security blanket. Reaves just needs to stay healthy and prove that the team was right to give him a four-year, $180 million extension. 

No. 31 Cooper Flagg

• Team: Dallas Mavericks
• Position: Forward
• Age: 19
• 2025-26 stats: 21.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 4.5 apg

Flagg came on strong to win Rookie of the Year honors last season, emerging from an early shooting funk to deliver some historic scoring performances during his first campaign in the league. His combination of size, skill and versatility naturally translated to the NBA, and he should have more space to operate with the return of Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks’ lineup. If his shooting improves in Year 2, Flagg could quickly ascend to the top of the league’s pecking order.

No. 30 Pascal Siakam

• Team: Indiana Pacers
• Position: Forward
• Age: 32
• 2025-26 stats: 24 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.8 apg

Don’t let a gap year without Tyrese Haliburton fool you. The Pacers’ dark-horse 2025 NBA Finals run doesn’t happen without Siakam’s all-around versatility. Full stop. Indiana can basically insert Siakam into any lineup and expect to win those minutes. He is the ultimate gap-filler, a guy who almost always finds a way to make a play. Now firmly in his early 30s, pairing Siakam with a defensive big like Ivica Zubac might unlock his final form. 

No. 29 Amen Thompson

• Team: Houston Rockets
• Position: Forward
• Age: 23
• 2025-26 stats: 18.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 5.3 apg

Along with his brother, Ausar, who plays for the Pistons, Amen Thompson might be the most athletic player in the entire league. He broke out last season when the Rockets deployed him as a point-forward, after starting point guard Fred VanVleet was lost to a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Thompson is a two-way demon; he uses his quickness and length to lock-up his assignments, and he can slash to the cup for high-percentage looks. The only thing keeping Thompson from becoming a Top-15 player is a jumper that can be unreliable, especially from deep (21.6% last season).

No. 28 Stephon Castle

• Team: San Antonio Spurs
• Position: Guard
• Age: 21
• 2025-26 stats: 16.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 7.4 apg

The 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year backed up that initial campaign by improving in nearly every statistical category during his second season, then elevated his game even further during the Spurs' run to the NBA Finals. Castle's shooting efficiency improved dramatically from his rookie year, while his playmaking and ability to lock down opposing teams' top perimeter scorers has quickly made him one of the league's most promising young guards.

No. 27 OG Anunoby

• Team:New York Knicks 
• Position: Forward
• Age: 29
• 2025-26 stats: 16.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.2 apg

There are role players, and then there are the kind of indispensable winning players who do all the little things and hard things at the same time. Anunoby is the latter. Anunoby can nail corner 3-pointers in the clutch, dive for loose balls and snatch long rebounds, and lock down the other team’s best player. He is the lovely rug that ties the room together for the reigning NBA champions. 

No. 26 James Harden

• Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
• Position: Guard
• Age: 37
• 2025-26 stats: 23.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 8.0 apg

At his age, it’s amazing what James Harden has been able to do, especially adapting his game. We’ve seen the dynamic scorer version of Harden, and now we get more of a playmaking version of him. Is Harden still a top 30 player in the league? Yes, especially since this is a regular-season designation. 

No. 25 Jalen Johnson

• Team: Atlanta Hawks
• Position: Forward
• Age: 24
• 2025-26 stats: 22.5 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 7.9 apg

He’s more of a point-forward, and Atlanta’s decision to turn the offense over to Johnson proved to be a sound one. Though he’s versatile, Johnson is at his best when he’s leading the Hawks in transition, where he deploys his size, handles and vision to find teammates or simply get to the rim. Coach Quinn Snyder deserves a lot of credit here, as Johnson also displays excellent patience and doesn’t force many looks; he lets the game come to him.

No. 24 Scottie Barnes

• Team: Toronto Raptors
• Position: Forward
• Age: 25
• 2025-26 stats: 18.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 5.9 apg

Barnes emerged as a bonafide two-way force as the Raptors became one of the Eastern Conference’s biggest surprises last season. The fourth-year forward shot better than 50% from the field for the first time in his career, pairing elite defensive versatility with a more polished offensive game. He then elevated his play in his postseason debut, helping push Toronto to the brink of an upset over Cleveland in the playoffs.

No. 23 Chet Holmgren

• Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
• Position: Forward
• Age: 24
• 2025-26 stats: 17.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.7 apg

Holmgren’s reported two-pound offseason weight gain certainly won’t do him any favors if he doesn’t use his other skills on offense. His defense is elite, and he has the capabilities to become a 25-point-a-night scorer. With the talent he has around him, including Shai Gilgeous Alexander, the MVP of the last two seasons, Holmgren should be an All-NBA mainstay for years to come.

No. 22 Jalen Williams

• Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
• Position: Forward
• Age: 25
• 2025-26 stats: 17.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.5 apg

Injuries (wrist surgery, hamstring) robbed huge chunks of his regular season and playoffs, which massively hurt the Thunder. But he remains a two-way forward who can slash to the rim, handle the ball and lace perimeter shots when required. Now that he’s fully healthy, he should continue his production as one of the game’s bright stars – one that was instrumental in closing out the Pacers at the 2025 NBA Finals.

No. 21 Jamal Murray

• Team: Denver Nuggets
• Position: Guard
• Age: 29
• 2025-26 stats: 25.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 7.1 apg

Where Murray lacks high-end athleticism, he makes up for it by being arguably the craftiest offensive player in the league. The veteran has built his career on reaching into his bag of tricks. And when he’s on, Murray’s capacity for microwave scoring and shooting can be genuinely jaw-dropping. All of this context is why he fits with Nikola Jokić like a glove as his running mate. 

No. 20 Bam Adebayo

• Team: Miami Heat
• Position: Center
• Age: 29
• 2025-26 stats: 20.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 3.2 apg

Adebayo coming in at No. 20 still makes him a top-five center or big-man in the NBA. Don’t let the 20.1 ppg fool you, he can fill it up with best of them – Remember, 83? The addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo should really open up Adebayo’s game and his impact will be felt tremendously.

No. 19 LeBron James

• Team: Philadelphia 76ers
• Position: Forward
• Age: 41
• 2025-26 stats: 20.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 7.2 apg

There will be times throughout the season when James coasts simply due to age and the mileage on his body. But he proved in carrying the Lakers to a first-round playoff win over the Rockets, when he needs to assert himself, he can still control a game better than most thanks to the best mind in basketball.

No. 18 Tyrese Haliburton

• Team: Indiana Pacers
• Position: Guard
• Age: 26
• 2025-26 stats: Did not play due to injury

The last time we saw Tyrese Haliburton play basketball, he led the Pacers to the 2025 NBA Finals, where he pushed the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games before he devastatingly tore his right Achilles tendon. We don’t know how Haliburton will look coming off the injury – which is why he finished this low on the list – but if he returns to form as the season progresses, while running pick-and-roll with Ivica Zubac, then he can easily outperform this spot in our rankings.  

No. 17 Devin Booker

• Team: Phoenix Suns
• Position: Guard
• Age: 29
• 2025-26 stats: 26.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 6.0 apg

One of the smoothest and most consistent buckets in the NBA, Booker is a three-level scorer who has taken on even more responsibility since a June 2025 trade shipped Kevin Durant to the Rockets. Booker is the face of the franchise, and his silky jumper helped elevate the Suns to a surprise playoff run last season. He may not be the most vocal, but he has also embraced a leadership role, while trying to get the Suns back to legitimate competition out West – six seasons after they reached the Finals.

No. 16 Karl-Anthony Towns

• Team: New York Knicks
• Position: Center
• Age: 30
• 2025-26 stats: 20.1 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 3.0 apg

Towns’ frustrations with his contract situation could be an interesting side note and distraction for the world-champion Knicks, but Towns’ professionalism won’t let that be the case. As long as he keeps up his stellar playoff play, with timely outside shooting and defense, the Knicks will be right back in contention.

No. 15 Jaylen Brown

• Team: Philadelphia 76ers
• Position: Guard/Foward
• Age: 29
• 2025-26 stats: 28.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 5.1 apg

Brown, the 2024 Finals MVP, has been heralded for his ability to play both sides of the ball, but his offensive output deserves more recognition after being among the top five scores in the league during the 2025-26 regular season. The scenery change to Philadelphia could shine an even bigger spotlight on him, playing alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and LeBron James. 

No. 14 Tyrese Maxey

• Team: Philadelphia 76ers
• Position: Guard
• Age: 25
• 2025-26 stats: 28.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 6.6 apg

Maxey’s high-profile teammates will probably make most headlines this year, but make no mistake: The electric point guard is the straw that stirs the 76ers’ drink. An explosive first step, an elite shooting stroke and underrated passing vision make Maxey one of the Association’s most dynamic offensive players. If the new-look 76ers live up to the hype, Maxey will almost certainly drive their success. 

No. 13 Donovan Mitchell

• Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
• Position: Guard
• Age: 30
• 2025-26 stats: 27.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.7 apg

Mitchell has earned all-NBA honors in back-to-back seasons for the first time in his career and inked a new $273 million contract extension this offseason that should keep him in Cleveland for the duration of his prime. Questions linger about his viability as a No. 1 option in the playoffs after the Cavaliers were swept in the Eastern Conference finals, but Mitchell remains one of the league’s most explosive perimeter scorers and playmakers.

No. 12 Kevin Durant

• Team: Houston Rockets
• Position: Forward
• Age: 38
• 2025-26 stats: 26.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.8 apg

For all intents and purposes, this might be Durant’s last hurrah, as he will move into fourth place on the all-time scoring list by season’s end. The 38-year-old can rely on the young core to give the Rockets hope of making a dent in the West, but Durant’s leadership and still-lethal scoring will ultimately decide Houston’s fate.

No. 11 Stephen Curry

• Team: Golden State Warriors
• Position: Guard
• Age: 38
• 2025-26 stats: 26.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.7 apg

Whatever decline we’re supposed to be expecting from Curry hasn’t taken place yet. In the 43 games he was on the court last year, he was still cheffing. His 46.8 shooting percentage was his second highest in the last five years, and he still knocked down 39 percent of his threes.

No. 10 Kawhi Leonard

• Team:  Toronto Raptors
• Position: Forward
• Age: 35
• 2025-26 stats: 27.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.6 apg

Now free of distractions after a year-long saga following an investigation and subsequent discipline involving cap circumvention for the Los Angeles Clippers, let’s allow Leonard to reintroduce himself to us. The last time that Leonard played for the Raptors, he was crowned NBA Finals MVP for the second time in his career. Everyone knows what he can do on defense, but Leonard quietly played the second-most games in his career since 2017-18 while averaging a career-high 27.9 points per game at 34 years old. 

No. 9 Jayson Tatum

• Team:  Boston Celtics
• Position: Forward
• Age: 28
• 2025-26 stats: 21.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 5.3 apg

Expect Tatum to return to his All-NBA, MVP-candidate form without Jaylen Brown, with one caveat: his health. Tatum was injured again at the worst possible time, as the Celtics were eliminated early in the playoffs. Expecting Paul George to match Brown’s production might be a little too much to ask.

No. 8 Cade Cunningham

• Team: Detroit Pistons
• Position: Guard
• Age: 25
• 2025-2026 stats: 23.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 9.9 apg

Cunningham has put up gaudy numbers for years. Last year was when the young star finally came of age at the helm of a winning Pistons team. At his best, Cunningham is a big, physical and strong guard who leverages every bit of his listed 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame to punish smaller defenders while leaning on a silky-smooth jump-shooting bag. He is a metronome the Pistons can count on to deliver, and perhaps even rescue them, every single night. 

No. 7 Anthony Edwards

• Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
• Position: Guard
• Age: 25
• 2025-26 stats: 28.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.7 apg

Edwards set career highs for points, field goal percentage and 3-point percentage during the 2025-26 season before a knee injury slowed him in the Timberwolves’ playoff run. The franchise is betting that the addition of LaMelo Ball will finally provide Edwards with the elite playmaking point guard he’s lacked throughout his time in Minnesota. Already one of the league's most explosive scorers, Edwards enters 2026-27 with legitimate MVP and championship expectations.

No. 6 Jalen Brunson

• Team: New York Knicks
• Position: Guard
• Age: 30
• 2025-26 stats: 26.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 6.8 apg

Everybody is better than Brunson until it’s time to be better than Brunson. There was no better example than his 45-point magnum opus in the NBA Finals. When the lights are brightest, the 2025 Clutch Player of the Year gets it done.

No. 5 Giannis Antetokounmpo

• Team: Miami Heat
• Position: Forward
• Age: 31
• 2025-26 stats: 27.6 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 5.4 apg

Antetokounmpo is still a top-5 player in the NBA, and he has been for nearly the last decade becoming a 10-time All-Star, two-time league MVP, an NBA champion and Finals MVP. He’s about to remind everyone just how dominant he can be – even without a consistent jump shot – now rejuvinated and playing in South Beach.

No. 4 Luka Doncic

• Team: Los Angeles Lakers
• Position: Guard
• Age: 27
• 2025-26 stats: 33.5 ppg, 8.3 apg, 7.7 rpg

Dončić has ranked among the top five in usage percentage in each of the last seven seasons, and without LeBron James, don’t expect that to change much. With the Lakers on national television 34 times this season, Dončić is expected to take Los Angeles to championship heights. It’s too bad the Lakers don’t have five Luka’s on the floor at once.

No. 3 Victor Wembanyama

• Team: San Antonio Spurs
• Position: Center
• Age: 22
• 2025-26 stats: 25.0 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 3.1 bpg

It was genuinely difficult not have Wembanyama at No. 1 overall, but after falling short to the Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals, it became clear that there is still more room for growth for the Defensive Player of the Year. Expect we see that this season as the MVP favorite looks to make it evident to the rest of the world that he is the best player on the planet. And with a chip on his shoulder after winning the Western Conference Finals, he can do exactly that.

No. 2 Nikola Jokic

• Team: Denver Nuggets
• Position: Center
• Age: 31
• 2025-26 stats: 27.7 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 10.7 apg

Though he has a legitimate claim as the top player in the world, Jokić was just edged out. Either way, he might be the best passer in all of basketball – not just among bigs. His footwork is singular, his touch around the rim makes him a nightmare to defend, and he’s just the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double in a single season. Last year was the second-consecutive time he did it.

No. 1 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

• Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
• Position: Guard
• Age: 28
• 2025-26 stats: 31.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 6.6 apg

The two-time reigning MVP had the most efficient offensive season of his career in 2025-26, and his play remained elite in the playoffs with the Thunder battling injuries. SGA is also evolving as a playmaker after setting a career high for assists last season and dishing out nearly eight per game in the postseason. He’s already a defining player of this era, but another title with OKC and a third-straight MVP trophy in 2026-27 would elevate him into the conversation with the league’s greatest players of all-time.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who are the best NBA players? We ranked the top 100 for 2026-27 season

During the run-up to the NBA Draft, Arizona’s Tobe Awaka and Duke’s Cameron Boozer faced a similar issue: neither was thought to have much of a vertical leap.

Awaka – 6-8 and 261 – registered a standing leap of 32.5 inches. For his part, Boozer – 6-9 and 253 – got 28.5 inches, which was better than expected. He also proved to be far more agile than scouts thought, with an 11.060-second pro lane drill time. That tied for first overall, and, incidentally, topped Cooper Flagg’s mark from the year before.

Anyway, Awaka and Boozer met in Sunday’s preseason match between the Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies. Boozer shook loose and drove the lane, which resulted in a slam that Awaka started to contest but ultimately allowed in order to avoid a foul.

It didn’t matter; in the end Memphis won 104-100. Boozer played 12 minutes, scoring 8 more points besides that dunk. He also had 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

It’s still exhibition season, which means teams are looking at players and lineups, so to an extent, you can’t take too much of it seriously. Still, Boozer is probably making Memphis execs and coaches pretty pleased that he’s on their team.

Cameron Boozer elevates for the poster slam 💥

A big-time jam from the 3rd overall pick! pic.twitter.com/nCvRfvbNLh

— NBA (@NBA) October 10, 2026

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When I think of the Mavericks’ impactful players in their 2024 Finals run, one of the first names that comes to mind is Derrick Jones Jr. He wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, do the little things, make a big defensive impact, and be an athletic sparkplug. Mavericks rookie forward Tobi Lawal brings those same exact qualities, but he’s two inches taller at 6’8, and six years younger.

The Dallas Mavericks have plenty of new faces heading into the 2026-27 season, but few are more intriguing as developmental projects than Lawal. He was selected 48th overall in the draft this summer and enters this year on a two-way contract after two seasons at Virginia Tech.

Lawal’s college numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page. The senior averaged 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, while shooting 54.2% from the field. He also recorded six double-doubles in just 23 games. What DOES jump off the page is his athleticism. Lawal’s 45.5-inch maximum vertical at the NBA Combine was one of the best marks in combine history. He is a legitimate above-the-rim athlete who can run the floor, attack the offensive glass, and finish plays that most players simply can’t. Hello again, Derrick Jones Jr.

For a Mavericks team emphasizing youth and development under new head coach Dusty May, Lawal is exactly the type of player worth keeping an eye on.

The big question

The big question for Lawal is whether he can turn his physical gifts into a consistent NBA skill set. This isn’t as easy as it sounds for athletic and bouncy NBA prospects. Jones Jr. has been on six teams entering his 11th season. Lawal will need to add some finesse to his art while developing other offensive skill sets. Today’s NBA is all about scoring.

There is no question about the athletic ability. The questions are about everything that comes with it. Lawal is still developing as a shooter and ball handler, and he has primarily been a play finisher rather than someone who creates offense for himself or others. He shot just 25% from three as a senior at Virginia Tech. His offensive game will need to expand if he’s going to become more than an energy big who plays in short stretches. Dallas has several other athletic forwards who will take minutes and have so far proven they can score consistently.

The good news is that he doesn’t need to become a star to have an NBA career. The athleticism, rebounding, and defensive versatility give him a foundation. The next step is figuring out how many different ways he can impact a game.

Best case scenario

The best-case scenario for Lawal is that he earns consistent legitimate NBA minutes before the season is over. It’s challenging for two-way players to get consistent minutes, particularly early in the season, unless the injury bug strikes. So Lawal will need to make the most of every second he’s on the floor.

But there’s big upside. Think of a player who can run the floor, set good screens, dive toward the rim, clean up misses, and make life miserable for opposing wings and forwards defensively. A best-case scenario for Lawal won’t be about stats; it will be about impact. Catch and finish some lobs, knock down an occasional outside jumper, grab rebounds, and defend like your role depends on it (because it does).

If the jumper develops enough to make defenses respect him outside the paint, Lawal’s game will reach a whole new level. He has already shown flashes of being more than just a dunker. He shot 76.3% from the free-throw line as a senior and has shown flashes of being a decent catch-and-shoot player.

If those pieces come together, Dallas could have a legitimate rotation-caliber forward on its hands rather than simply a two-way developmental player.

Worst case scenario

The worst-case scenario is that Lawal’s athleticism doesn’t translate consistently enough to overcome the weaknesses in his offensive game. NBA defenses are much faster and more disciplined than what he saw in college. Simply being able to jump higher and run faster won’t guarantee playing time in the NBA.

His shooting could keep him off the floor if defenders don’t have to respect him away from the basket, while his ball-handling skills in traffic limit his ability to attack closeouts or create offense. Dallas also has a crowded forward gang, with players like Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, Santi Aldama, Morez Johnson Jr., and Zaccharie Risacher, all of whom will get meaningful minutes on a nightly basis.

That makes Lawal’s margin for error fairly small. If he can’t consistently defend without fouling, rebound at an NBA level, or provide enough offensive value, he could spend most of the season developing in the G League.

Season Goal

Lawal’s goal should be simple: become a serviceable NBA-level role player. This would be a good starting point. The athleticism is already there. He doesn’t need to prove that he can jump out of the gym. He needs to prove that he can use those physical gifts the right way. Defense and rebounding should be his tickets onto the floor. Doing the dirty work on offense, like running the floor, screening, and finishing around the rim, will make a major impact on the Mavericks’ offense, particularly one that Dusty May has said will have a fast pace.

And then comes the jumper. Lawal doesn’t need to suddenly become a 40% three-point shooter. If he can develop into a respectable catch-and-shoot threat, it would force defenders to make a decision when he is standing outside the paint. That small improvement could dramatically open up the rest of his game.

The Mavericks don’t need Lawal to do everything. They need him to become really good at a few things.

Overall

Lawal is one of the more interesting developmental players on the Mavericks’ roster because of his unique physical attributes. He’s 6’8, 215 pounds, with excellent length and explosiveness. The question is whether Dallas can help him turn all of that into a reliable NBA skill set.

For now, Lawal probably shouldn’t be expected to walk into the Mavericks’ rotation and play 20 minutes a night. His two-way contract gives him something much more valuable: time. If he can use that time to improve his shooting, tighten his handle, and become a more consistent defender, the Mavericks may have found a legitimate rotation piece with the 48th pick.

At his best, Lawal could become the kind of player coaches love to have on the floor: explosive, relentless, switchable, and constantly making things happen. Things that don’t jump out of the stat sheet but undoubtedly impact the game. Plus, at the end of the day, the kid has a 45.5-inch vertical. There aren’t many players on the Mavericks’ roster more capable of making something happen above the rim than him.

Through two preseason games, the 2026-2027 Celtics look like the 2020-2021 bull market. It didn’t matter what you bought — it was going to the moon. Bitcoin, Dogecoin, gold, Tesla, it didn’t matter; everyone thought they had found the infinite money glitch. That’s what the Boston Celtics feel like two preseason games in. Jayson Tatum, Baylor Scheierman, Dillon Mitchell…everyone is playing wonderful basketball. 

Now bear with me as I keep making barely sensical financial metaphors about this season’s Boston Celtics. 

The Bitcoin Bros:

Celtics fans know these names. The chaos wing contingent of Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Dillon Mitchell are foundational to how this era of the Celtics wants to play basketball. Mash people on the offensive glass, move the ball, play with pace, and make life for opposing offenses a living hell. Celtics fans are like Bitcoin investors in the early 2010s: no one thinks internet gold is anything but a scam, or, in this case, the rest of the league is dubious that a tsunami of late-round draft picks is coming to terrorize the league. 

They showed last season that they can impact winning and over two preseason games, these chaos agents appear to have levelled up. It shouldn’t surprise anyone, given their work ethic, age and tenure in the league.

This is before we mention rookies Dillon Mitchell and Chris Cenac Jr. It’s hard to envision a path for Mitchell to earn playing time with the glut of aforementioned chaos agents of Baylor, Hugo and Walsh (and Ron Harper Jr.), but Mitchell is a special athlete. He combines his explosiveness with IQ and feel for the game that has been evident through two preseason games. Cenac’s ability to play the power forward of center position provide more pathways to playing time. I would expect the rangy big man to spend most of his rookie season with Maine, but it wouldn’t shock me to see Cenac flash a few times in the regular season. 

Blue Chippers:

Jayson Tatum is like Apple stock. It doesn’t seem like his stock can get any higher, but it does. I was already bullish on Tatum coming into this season and his 27 minutes of preseason action did not dissuade me. By Tatum’s own admission, he was around 80% when he returned mid-playoff push last year. He quickly reestablished himself as an All-NBA caliber player. With the rust already shaken off and a full offseason to build confidence in his body, I expect Tatum to regain his place on First Team All-NBA. In Tatum’s first preseason action, he was effortlessly dominant. An MVP award for Tatum is on the table. 

After last season, Derrick White’s ticker was in danger of falling out of the S&P 500. Despite one of the best shot-blocking regular seasons of all time for a guard, his dreadful playoff shooting has investors feeling uncomfortable. White’s preseason debut was rocky; early in the game, he clanked a few threes and turned the ball over a couple of times. The smooth-headed guard (I can say that because I am also smooth-headed), was able to rally as the game went on, impacting the game on both sides of the ball. It would really ease the concerns of fans to see him go on a hot shooting run to start this season. 

Backing Payton Pritchard’s NBA journey has felt like investing in a sleeper tech stock that sceptics wrote off as incapable of scaling. Only to watch it grow every year until it makes everyone who believed in it rich. While I’m not as bullish as some who think Payton Pritchard can become Jalen Brunson, I believe Pritchard will continue to develop into one of the league’s most potent weapons. Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard have been a lethal combination since entering the league. In over 4,000 minutes sharing the court together, Tatum and Pritchard have a net rating of +8.1. Pritchard is the perfect perimeter teammate for Tatum; he spaces the court out to the logo, and their screening actions are lethal, as the opponent who is tasked with guarding Pritchard typically has no prayer in guarding Tatum, so when they are in action together, it creates difficult choices for opposing defenses. In Pritchard’s limited preseason action, he looks ready to handle an even larger offensive burden. 

Precious Metals:

Apologies to Mike Conley and Paul George, but gold, silver, and all precious metals are clearly the NBA vets of the investment landscape. Gold is one of humanity’s oldest commodities. Reliable and necessary. NBA Champions require precious veterans. Al Horford, Alex Caruso, Andre Iguodala, the list is endless. Paul George and Mike Conley are here to steady the locker room and, in George’s case, perfectly complement Jayson Tatum. The theoretical fit of George, an elite shooter and defender who should seamlessly amplify Tatum’s scoring and playmaking, came to life instantly in their preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers. George’s willingness to buy into his new role as an ageing superstar will pay dividends this season. 

Reading too much into preseason can be dangerous. However, by my calculations, the 2026-2027 Boston Celtics are going to the moon. 

The rules surrounding NBA team building are loose.

You’re supposed to commit to a “timeline”. The average age of your roster is supposed to be comparable.

The rules may be loose, but that’s not to say they’re arbitrary. Many teams have tried the whole “two timelines” thing, and few have succeeded.

The idea is that, by some kind of osmosis process, the veterans will usher the young guys into title contention, as if Amen Thompson can somehow absorb Kevin Durant’s shot-making ability. There are examples of the approach working, but they all feature MVP-level young talents, like the Spurs drafting Tim Duncan with David Robinson on the roster, or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson.

So perhaps the conversation is circular. If Sengun were the Tim Duncan to Durant’s Robinson, the timeline issue becomes moot. Given the Rockets’ “lots of good young players, but none future MVP candidates” build, it’s fair to ask a question:

Could this team trade Durant?

Rockets should consider trading Durant if necessary

Rafael Stone has made a habit of trading two second-round picks for one second-round pick and Alpha Kaba so he can cut Kaba and generate a trade exception, or whatever, at the trade deadline.

It’s a good approach. Every year, Stone leaves Rockets fans disappointed because he didn’t make a blockbuster move, even though not making a blockbuster move is unequivocally better than making a bad move.

This year feels a bit different, doesn’t it? There’s some pressure after two consecutive first-round exits. The United States Ambassador to Italy is surely getting some ants in his pants. A major deadline deal feels more likely this year than it has in years past. If the Rockets aren’t, say, a top-3 seed by the deadline, it’s a looming possibility.

That’s going to mean one of two things. It’s going to mean reuniting Durant with Kyrie Irving, or pairing him with Karl-Anthony Towns, or some other superstar (side note: This summer was crazy, and all the best hypothetical trade targets got traded), or it’s going to mean trading Durant and resetting the timeline.

That feels like an awfully attractive proposition to me.

Imagine this: Duncan Robinson, John Collins, Kevin Huerter, and an unprotected future first for Durant. The Rockets’ young core will be fully substantiated by complementary players. They’ll have an elite movement shooter in Robinson, and a part-time stretch five to space the floor around Thompson in Collins. And, perhaps most importantly, the Rockets add an extra unprotected first to their war chest.

Let’s flashback. The year is 2020. The Rockets trade James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets to go play with Kevin Durant. They get no meaningful players (with apologies to Rodions Kurucs) in return. Instead, they get the most draft capital a team has ever received in an NBA trade.

Rafael Stone famously declares that his GM acumen should not be judged until 2030. Flash forward. It’s 2026 heading into 2027 in a few months. Stone’s self-imposed deadline is quickly approaching:

But he still has plenty of time.

My point? Why rush? The Rockets could flip Durant for role players and assets, draft as well as they can for a few more years, churn out the players that aren’t fitting, and see where they stand. There’s no win-now move that’s likely to put them in the title picture next year, so leaning further into the long game feels like the more sensible approach.

That might be pie you’re seeing in the sky. It’s at least equally likely that Tillman Fertitta won’t wait until 2030. Stone may be feeling the squeeze, and he may do the VanVleet, Capela and a pick for Irving thing just to maximize his odds of escaping the first round. Otherwise, three consecutive first-round exits could put his job in peril:

Those are the rules.

The Lakers’ preseason continues in Las Vegas with a rematch against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. The purple and gold look to nab their third exhibition victory.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors

When: 7 p.m. PT, Oct 13

Where: T-Mobile Arena

Watch:  NBA TV, Spectrum Sportsnet

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It’s the fourth game of the Lakers’ preseason stint, which means we’re literally nine days away from the team’s season opener, which will also be against Golden State. Tuesday’s game against the Warriors is the perfect teaser.

What’s also fair to hope for is that the Lakers don’t get outplayed and blown out by the Warriors, similar to what happened last week. Hopefully this time around, the key players for both teams suit up and treat this one like a dress rehearsal for the season opener.

After all, Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world and it would be a disservice if both California-based teams don’t put on a show.

For the Lakers, it would be nice to see Luka Dončić look like his usual self, much like he did in their recent win over the Sacramento Kings when he dropped 23 points in just 25 minutes. The same goes for Austin Reaves, who made his preseason debut in that game and understandably looked a little rusty. When these two are rolling, it’s harder to imagine a more entertaining Lakers team.

What’s also been fun to watch is how this squad is gradually coming together. It’s been a pleasant surprise and encouraging development to see their chemistry on the court taking shape, especially considering how much roster turnover the Lakers went through this offseason. The players seem to understand their roles alongside Dončić and Reaves and complement one another well.

Suddenly, it’s becoming clearer why head coach JJ Redick believes this is the first time in his Lakers tenure that the roster “actually fits together.”

That said, there’s still a lot of basketball to be played in order to prove that. For now, it’ll be interesting to see whether the Lakers can continue building on that early chemistry. While they do just that, it’ll be fascinating to see who continues to stand out, just like Sandro Mamukelashvili has in the preseason thus far.

Keep in mind that the Lakers are facing a Warriors team that may not be classified as contenders but still can be competitive. They’re more connected than the Lakers right now given their familiarity with each other and their system. They also have Stephen Curry on their side so appropriate fear is necessary.

Steve Kerr says he's leaning toward this starting lineup for Opening Night:

Stephen Curry
Brandin Podziemski
Gui Santos
Yaxel Lendeborg
Draymond Green

(via @DaltonJ_Johnson)

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) October 12, 2026

As has been the case throughout the preseason, the process matters more than the result. Still, it would be nice if the Lakers could keep the Warriors from gaining any extra confidence ahead of the season opener in nine days. If they don’t get the win, let’s see if they can at least put on a show in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Notes and Updates

• Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton have yet to play in any preseason game. Let’s see if that changes on Tuesday.
• We have an exciting new feature in our app this season. It’s easier than ever to chat in our game threads. Each game, this post will become a live chat and will be easy to find at the top of the Lakers community page, so be sure to download the app and give it a try this preseason.

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.

In three preseason games with the Knicks after signing a veteran minimum deal in the offseason, Andre Drummond has already shown he still has some left in the tank as he gets ready for his 15th season in the NBA.

Joining New York to be Karl-Anthony Towns’ backup at center following the departure of Mitchell Robinson, Drummond’s role figures to be limited but still important. After all, last year he averaged 19.5 minutes per game with the Philadelphia 76ers, his most since 2021-22.

On Monday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 33-year-old had four points, four rebounds, three blocks and a steal in 12 minutes off the bench, but it was beyond the stats that head coach Mike Brown found impressive with the backup center.

“The blocks are great, but I’m not a huge shot-blocking guy,” Brown admitted. “His communication right now is unbelievable. Usually your big is the one that sees everything out in front and so he’s usually your quarterback of your defense. A lot of bigs aren’t great talkers though. Like Draymond [Green] is one of the best in the league… and I thought Andre’s communication tonight – and it’s been good [so far] – but tonight it was off the charts.”

While Drummond’s vocalness on the floor didn’t lead to a Knicks win as they lost 122-104 (and, in fact, with Drummond on the court New York was outscored by nine points), it has Brown excited for the season.

“The blocks are good, him defending the pick-and-roll the right way, being big, there are a lot of good things that he did, but just watching him, and more importantly listening to him, man that got me really excited,” Brown said.

It’s no surprise that Drummond is a good communicator and unafraid to show it early on considering he’ll be on his seventh team when he debuts with the Knicks in the regular season.

Following seven and a half seasons with the Detroit Pistons to begin his career after being drafted No. 9 overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, Drummond has been a hot commodity, getting traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers and then the Los Angeles Lakers a year later. 

He then signed with the 76ers, was traded again to the Nets before spending two seasons with the Chicago Bulls and then landing in Philadelphia once again for two years.

The two-time All-Star is no longer the beast on the boards that he was for seven consecutive seasons, leading the league in total rebounds and offensive rebounds multiple times, but at 6-foot-11, Drummond continues to be a reliable big man that New York will lean on occasionally this season.

Behind him are players like Mohamed Diawara and Pacome Dadiet, two young players that aren’t exactly centers but are “long” and hope to take the next step in their development this season -- possibly behind the tutelage of a veteran like Drummond. 

In fact, Brown called both Diawara and Dadiet “eager learners” and wants to see them improve and impact the team this season.

“I thought [Dadiet] had a pretty good game. I thought he had a pretty good game the game before,” Brown said. “... Both [Dadiet and Diawara] are long, they’re obviously young and they’re talented and I’m gonna keep coaching them and they’re gonna keep getting better.”

WASHINGTON — After The Post reported that Mikel Brown Jr. would make his preseason debut Wednesday, the Nets rookie confirmed he’s set to finally suit up in Miami after missing the first three preseason games. 

“Yeah, I feel amazing. Very exciting, because I’ve been waiting and itching to play for the longest to this point,” Brown told The Post. “So I’m glad to see that all the work is paying off and just continuing to stay on it and remain healthy. 

“It’s very difficult, because you’re watching your teammates playing. You’re like, ‘I wanna be out there, I want to be playing with them.’ So to be able to finally scratch that itch and go out there and do what I do best, it means the world to me.” 

The No. 6 overall pick, Brown rolled his left ankle three weeks ago in practice. 

After missing wins over the Hornets and 76ers, Brown had been cleared to practice over the weekend. He went 5-on-5 before sitting out Monday’s win in Washington. 

Now, the Orlando native is finally slated to debut in his home state. 

“I’ve been attacking it every single day,” Brown told The Post. “Just to be able to go out there and play basketball again, it’s going to mean the world — especially back in Florida for me. I’m basically back home, so I’m going to enjoy it.” 

Brown will be on a minutes limit, but the Nets have rotated their players through the preseason anyway. 

Brooklyn will open the regular season on Oct. 21 at home vs. the Hornets. 

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The Nets improved to 3-0 in the preseason with a 131-122 win in Washington. 

Michael Porter Jr. scored a game-high 22 points, but more auspicious was Julius Randle’s playmaking and Nolan Traore’s controlled play. 

Randle handed out all of his game-high nine assists in a first-half playmaking clinic. 

“His ability to throw the ball on time on target to his teammates, it’s unbelievable. Nine assists in one half, not many players can do it… I think the only one I’ve seen is Nikola [Jokic],” said head coach Jordi Fernández. 

“[Fernández] is just using me in a lot of different ways, diversifying the way I can attack the defense, just getting more and more comfortable,” Randle said. “Once I get the hang of it and understand my reads and angles and how I want to attack it and just understand everything and what I like, it’s only going to continue to get better.” 

Traore put his speed to use, touching the paint and shooting 6-for-8 overall, 2-for-4 from deep. 

“Offensively he was elite. He touches the paint almost whenever he wants, and he’s been efficient,” Fernández said. “Just want to challenge him to improve defensively… but I know he’s tough and up for the challenge.” 

A Nets team that struggled to force turnovers last season is third so far this preseason, and the team has consistently turned them into fast break points.

The San Antonio Spurs did not look like the San Antonio Spurs when they rolled into Utah for a bout of preseason basketball — that should sound familiar to those who remember the twilight years of the Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili trio. Be it injuries or rest, the Jazz’s guests didn’t roll out their best for the Delta Center’s preseason crowd. No Spurs stars meant we didn’t get to witness the new-look Utah Jazz match up against the reigning Western Conference champions.

In total, San Antonio kept seven rotation-level contributors sidelined in SLC. The following players posted a DNP tonight:

• Victor Wembanyama
• Dylan Harper
• De’Aaron Fox
• Stephon Castle
• Tobias Harris
• Carter Bryant
• Devin Vassell

That’s really too bad, because the first half could have been a measuring stick for an upstart Jazz roster that hasn’t actively tried to field a competitive roster in four years. Instead, we’ll have to wait until the regular season for that visual demonstration.

Oh well, a controlling 119-109 win is an acceptable consolation prize. Utah moves to 2-1 in preseason play and lines up their fourth and final exhibition on the road in Phoenix on October 16th.

Utah Jazz vs San Antonio Spurs preseason game recap

Darryn Peterson’s second-half surge

Will Hardy played the youngest Jazz man for 24 minutes in this one, giving him some extra floor time (he was the only starter to see more than 19) to become accustomed to the NBA game. Hardy let Peterson loose for a similar burn in the second preseason game against Denver, where Peterson posted a statement 23 points in 30 minutes. He didn’t set the world ablaze with his 14 points tonight, but he flashed great patience for a prospect his age without losing his aggressive edge.

10 of those points came in the second half, connecting on 80% of his looks after opening just 1-for-5 in the first half.

This is a good time of the year to set expectations for Utah’s young rookie. Young guards’ output can be highly variable in their rookie seasons as they become familiar with the size, strength, and speed of NBA athletes. Even with this caveat, Peterson’s preseason production is very encouraging.

Darryn Peterson scored from all 3 levels in Q3 🔥

He's up to 14 PTS in preseason action! pic.twitter.com/hCl7hvK8sW

— NBA (@NBA) October 13, 2026

Utah’s new pieces are still meshing

The cogs have not meshed together in Utah’s grandfather clock, specifically when it comes to establishing chemistry with some of the newer members of the team.

Jaren Jackson Jr. performed great in his first-half playing time with 13 points in 18 minutes, though the majority of those points were self-created save for a catch-and-shoot three-ball on the wing.

The wires are still getting crossed with Jaxson Hayes, who got the start in place of the injured Jusuf Nurkic. Several lob attempts were airmailed or missed their delivery date with Hayes as the target. Collier tossed a lob into the open space, and it met no one — Hayes got caught up at the elbow. A few others were simply a second early or just off-target.

“We’re all just getting used to playing with each other,” Hayes admitted in his halftime interview.

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen screen-and-roll sets end awkwardly with Hayes as the target during the preseason; I’m optimistic that wrinkle will be ironed out over time.

Welcome back, Brice Sensabaugh

Did you feel that chill? From the moment you began your approach toward the Delta Center, or the moment your screen’s corners crept with frost? Those who knew the signs responded accordingly: Ice Brice was back in action.

And what we got was a very standard Sensabaugh outing. 11 points on 2-for-5 three-point shooting. 3 turnovers, and a pair of rebounds and assists for good measure. This is a major season for Sensabaugh, a player who did not sign a contract extension like his teammate and fellow classman, Keyonte George. It’s a prove-it year for the former Buckeye, and he remains an efficient and effective bench scoring option.

But how much do the Jazz value that type of contribution as they shift up a gear?

Behold, the Death Lineup

In the first half, we got to see a healthy sampling of what I affectionately refer to as the Utah Jazz “Death Lineup”. It’s all about putting the most talented players on the floor at the same time, and in Utah that list looks like this: Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, Ace Bailey, Lauri Markkanen, and Jaren Jackson Jr.

In theory, this lineup could be closing out critical games over the course of an 82-game regular season (and hopefully taking a few bites at the postseason apple). In practice, there are a few loose nuts and bolts to adjust before it’s ready to take on the world.

A Jaren Jackson Jr drive into Darryn Peterson flying around all over the place. The Jazz are going to be annoying to deal with in SLC. pic.twitter.com/F8LNTBRZdn

— Steve Jones (@stevejones20) October 13, 2026

Offensively, this bunch is incredibly dynamic. Key, Ace, and DP flattened the gas pedal in transition and found a bunch of easy looks. Markkanen and JJJ ran an on-ball screen look with each other that led to a gorgeous mid-range jumper — that look will be challenging to defend for all 29 other teams in the NBA.

The preseason is an experimentation period, but what we’re seeing out of Utah promises to deliver a far more competitive player on the Western Conference board.

---

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.

Reggie Miller weighed in on the ongoing contract situation between the Knicks and star Karl-Anthony Towns, warning that their hopes of repeating as champions aren’t helped by the drama. 

“You hope behind closed doors the contract stuff doesn’t become an issue,” Miller said during an NBC media event in Stamford, according to Newsday.

He did commend the Knicks for having a “great chance of repeating” but warned that the Eastern Conference has gotten better and the Knicks have a bullseye on their back. 

The situation with Towns is also another burden to bear. 

The Knicks announced Friday that they were cutting off contract extension talks “until later in the season.” 

It was a move that was lauded by Miller as a way to limit the distractions near the start of the season, which begins Oct. 20 against the 76ers. 

“I like the Knicks coming out publicly and saying we’re going to table discussions until a later date,” Miller said. That doesn’t mean they’re not going to negotiate. It basically means you guys [media] can’t ask the players about their contract situation.”

Contract talks between the team and the player have started to take an acrimonious turn as the wide gap in negotiations has gone on. 

Towns is eligible for a four-year, $277 million extension, but The Post’s Stefan Bondy reported the Knicks have offered him a four-year deal worth roughly $200 million. 

“If they want to be successful and they want to have a chance to repeat,” Miller said, “you’re going to need a healthy KAT mentally. You don’t want him being a malcontent, worrying about his contract behind closed doors. Because when KAT is at his best and on board, they’re hard to beat. … I think a deal will get done. It’s going to be between the 200 and the 277 [million dollars]. So meet in the middle, sign it, and let’s move on.”

Towns had some pointed comments Sunday, saying that the Knicks ending contract talks was “news to me” and that he was “very disappointed, to say the least.”

The big man did try to assuage some concerns about his focus by telling reporters “there’s still business to be handled,” even though the off-the-court business was not dealt with. 

“After 53 years, we found a way to bring this trophy back to New York, and we intend for it to stay in New York,” Towns said.

New York Knicks owner James Dolan is set to host a fundraiser for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman at Madison Square Garden, the New York Post reported.

The fundraiser will take place ahead of the Knicks' preseason game against the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 15, according to the Post.

An invitation published by the Post shows that tickets to attend the event start at $10,000.

Dolan is one of the biggest Republican donors in New York for the 2026 midterm cycle, according to Politico. Dolan, his company and family members donated $1.4 million to committees for Blakeman as well as millions into super PACs supporting the Republican candidate, Politico reported.

Blakeman is a longshot in the race for the governorship in the deep-blue state. A poll by Emerson College released on Oct. 8 has incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hocul leading the Nassau County executive by 12 points.

“James Dolan knows how to build businesses, create jobs, and win championships. I’m proud to have his support and his advice — and together, we’re ready to take on Kathy Hochul and deliver another win for all New Yorkers,” Blakeman said in a statement to the Post.

Blakeman was a guest in Dolan's suite when President Donald Trump attended Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, the only game in the series the Knicks lost in route to the NBA championship – the team's first title in 53 years.

Madison Square Garden hosted a large rally for then candidate Trump in the closing stretch of the 2024 presidential campaign.

USA TODAY has reached out to Madison Square Garden for comment.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Madison Square Garden to host GOP fundraiser ahead of Knicks game

The Knicks are still in search of their first preseason win after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night, 122-104, at Madison Square Garden.

Here are the takeaways...

-- New York has struggled to find its footing offensively so far in preseason and that continued against the Timberwolves with the Knicks shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range. Jalen Brunson led the charge with 20 points on 6-of-13 from the floor but was capped at 22 minutes along with the rest of the starting five.

-- OG Anunoby was right behind Brunson with 15 points (4-of-8) while Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges combined for 20 on 6-for-12. Josh Hart had two points with three rebounds, three assists, a steal and two turnovers. His lone made basket gave New York its only lead of the night in the first quarter.

-- Beyond that, the Knicks gave extended minutes to a number of other players to see who might step up. Pacome Dadiet was first up and scored seven points in 14 minutes while going 2-for-3 from deep. Dadiet was the most efficient scorer among the reserves and knocking down threes is a good sign for young wing competing for minutes.

-- Andre Drummond was the first sub for Towns at the center position and the veteran had three blocks and four rebounds to show his potential value as a backup center following the loss of Mitchell Robinson. Overall the Knicks were outrebounded 39-28, despite nobody on Minnesota having more than five rebounds.

-- Entering the game in the final seven minutes with New York conceding, Tony Bradley made an impact by going a perfect 5-for-5 from the field and grabbing two boards. Still, even he was a minus-1 on the floor as the entire Knick roster ended the game in minus territory. 

-- For the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards had 26 points in a game-high 25 minutes and was hot from deep, going 5-for-8. Jaden McDaniels wasn't far behind him with 22 points on 8-of-12 from the field and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Overall, Minnesota shot over 50 percent from both the floor and three-point range, although it struggled from the free throw line (66.7 percent). 

Edwards and McDaniels alone combined to make more threes than the Knicks.

-- Ayo Dosunmu had himself a great game with a plus-13 rating in just 20 minutes but found himself in a confrontation with Anunoby after Dosunmu chased him down for a block attempt after the Timberwolves turned it over which resulted in a foul and a pair of hard falls. 

Game MVP: Anthony Edwards

He led all scorers with 26 points.

Highlights

Josh Hart with the tough bucket! https://t.co/Jzbv6j9lLS

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) October 12, 2026

OG with a stepback three over Gobert! https://t.co/BtUJPFaCCY

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) October 13, 2026

Pacome Dadiet 🎯 https://t.co/dGxrWnJjdT

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) October 13, 2026

GTA. Jose Alvarado steal and score! https://t.co/RlBCR4LsjQ

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) October 13, 2026

What's next

The Knicks play the second game of a back-to-back on Tuesday night when they travel to Toronto to take on the Raptors at 7 p.m.

Before tonight’s scrimmage, there was talk of coach Chris Finch resting his starters. Fat chance. Only Jonathan Kuminga sat tonight for the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-1), since everyone wants to play at Madison Square Garden, the grandest basketball stage in the world. Indeed, the visitors looked determined to announce themselves while the defending champs (0-3) still dragged their feet in the loss. Final score: 122-104

The Knicks set the tone for the night with Brunson and Towns missing badly from deep. They found a creadky rhythm soon after, with buckets from Hart and Bridges and a pair of steals. Meanwhile, the game gave us our first look at LaMelo Ball in Timberwolves blue. He finished the night with 10 points, seven dimes, and five giveaways in 22 minutes. Sounds about right.

LaMelo Ball has words for the Knicks bench after the 3. 🤣🔥 pic.twitter.com/wM8sGMmzUL

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 12, 2026

In the opening minutes, Brunson got hit with a flopping call when he stumbled from a shove by Gobert. Expect more of those calls this season, at least in the opening months. According to the telecast, NBA referees are utilizing a “STEM” criteria to evaluate potential flopping violations. The acronym stands for Secondary, Theatrical, Exaggerated, and Movement. So, officials are looking for secondary reactions that occur delayed and long after initial contact; theatrical (overly dramatic) performances; exaggerated physical responses that are misaligned with the actual force applied; and unnatural body movements (think arm flailing, karate-style leg kicks).

In Q1, Edwards had 11 points early, leading his team on a 7-0 run by the middle of the first period. After a timeout, the Knicks started clawing their way back. Around the four-minute mark, Deuce McBride and Andre Drummond checked in, and Deuce laced a triple, giving the crowd a rare moment to cheer about.

Deep in the quarter, Pacome Dadiet, Landry Shamet, and Jose Alvarado spelled the remaining starters. Over the final four minutes of the frame, New York managed just five points (a long shot by Dadiet, and a shake-and-bake kiss-off-the-glass shot by Drummond) while Minny went on a 9-5 run. Preseason basketball can get fairly sloppy, folks! Score after 12 minutes: 30-25, visitors.

To start the second, Grand Theft Alvarado picked Ball’s pocket on the inbound play and scored an easy layup. He picked off a Trey Lyles pass on the next possession, too, but missed the ensuing floater. Nice to see Jose in mid-season form. Drummond provided some protection behind him, blocking Ball and swatting a Lyles three for his third block of the game.

Landry Shamet had a rough stretch: he missed a three, lost the ball to Ayo Dosunmu ahead of a Jaden McDaniels layup, then had another three blocked by Dosunmu. He finished with two points in 12 minutes. Dadiet had a few nice moments and hit another three off a Tyler Kolek assist to cut Minnesota’s lead to 34–31.

McDaniels took over from there, scoring seven straight points as Minnesota extended its lead to 41–31. He also blocked Kolek’s drive during that run, while Kolek committed an out-of-bounds passing turnover. Mixed night for Tyler, who finished with four points and four assists in 11 minutes. Jordan Clarkson finally stopped Minnesota’s run with a three, but New York still trailed 41–34 when they called a timeout midway through the quarter.

Late in the quarter, Anunoby picked off a Dosunmu pass, and Ayo chased him down for a hard foul at the rim. It was a spicy moment, as Anunoby took exception to the aggression, but tensions cooled quickly. It’s preseason! OG delivered some highlights, finishing the half with 12 points and the night with 15.

OG Anunoby momentarily unhappy with the hard foul by Ayo Dosunmu in the preseason pic.twitter.com/P60ywlM9c2

— Knicks Fan TV 🏀🎥📺🏁 (@KnicksFanTv) October 13, 2026

The Wolves were clearly motivated to show up the World Champs, and when Edwards hit a buzzer-beater for his 20th point, his team took a 62-50 lead into intermission. New York hadn’t played cohesively, as evidenced by the first-half stats. Minnesota shot 55% from the field and 10-of-16 from three, compared with New York’s 39% and 7-of-19 from deep. The Knicks also made just 8-of-19 inside the arc, and they dished only nine dimes. Not bueno. Despite eight steals, New York managed only two fast-break points to Minny’s 12. The villains outrebounded our heroes, 21–15.

ANTHONY EDWARDS FROM THE LOGO AT THE BUZZER. 🔥🔥🔥

Assist from LaMelo Ball. pic.twitter.com/f1VtvlqiUo

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 13, 2026

Whatever was discussed during halftime helped to turn their play around. Out of the break, the Knicks played with more focus and cooperation. Brunson turned it on, scoring 10 points through the first half of the period (he finished the night with 20 points in 22 minutes on 6-of-13 shooting).

After that, Mike Brown swapped out his starters with his team trailing 77-72. Mohamed Diawara got to make his first appearance of the game, and it was a shaky stretch. He fouled Dosunmu, who canned both free throws, then committed a traveling turnover on New York’s next possession. He grabbed a defensive rebound in the closing seconds but missed a three just before the buzzer, finishing the stretch with no points, one rebound, one turnover, and one foul. Minnesota went without a field goal over the final 3:18 but still carried a 90–80 lead into the fourth.

Drew Eubanks gave the Knicks some useful minutes early in the fourth. Alvarado did, too, hitting a jumper to cut the deficit to 90–82, but threes from Williams and Martin pushed it back to 14. Eubanks finished an Alvarado alley-oop and added a driving hook, then collected a steal before leaving at 7:10 with four points, a block, and a steal in the quarter. He looked pretty good for a third-string candidate. New York couldn’t string together enough stops, too, and watched their opponents score at will, stretching the margin to 103-86.

Tyler Kolek scored four points on a pull-up and a late driving layup, but missed a floater, a three, and the free throw that would have completed a three-point play. He also threw a pass that Pullin picked off, though he later found Tony Bradley for a layup. Bradley was the most productive of New York’s late substitutions, making all four of his shots for eight points and grabbing two rebounds. Also looked pretty good for a third-string candidate! Diawara collected two boards but continued to go scoreless, committed two turnovers, and picked up two fouls. While we’ve been focused on the guys fighting to make the team, we might be watching Diawara play himself off of it.

drew eubanks with the jam 🍇 pic.twitter.com/WlIpbJZ63t

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 13, 2026

Up Next

New York travels to Toronto to face the Barrett, Quickley, and the Raptors tomorrow. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.