Speaking in an episode of “The Zach Lowe Show” that published Thursday, Oct. 8, Haliburton addressed the origin of the rift, which came during the 2025 in-season tournament, which has since been rebranded to the NBA Cup.
It was then that Haliburton hit a big 3-pointer late in a game against the Bucks and then mocked Lillard’s long-time “Dame Time” celebration, by looking at his wrist, mimicking looking at a watch.
“Do I regret it? No, because it was obviously a lot of fun for our organization, and the run we went on in the in-season tournament was a lot of fun,” Haliburton told Lowe. “It just added to it, so it was fun.
“I think what I do regret more than anything is what me and Dame's relationship has become. Because he was a guy who checked on me a lot, early in my career, especially when I got traded. We talked a lot, and I got his permission to be announced as the letter O, because that's his thing."
Haliburton, the No. 12 overall selection in the 2020 NBA Draft to the Kings, was traded midway through his second season when Sacramento shipped him to the Pacers.
The two players have shared several links; both ruptured their Achilles tendons during the 2025 NBA Playoffs and both missed the entire 2025-26 NBA seasons. And both have battled throughout their careers, most notably during Lillard’s two seasons in Milwaukee, from 2023-25.
The Pacers and Bucks, who are Central Division rivals, produced several fiery games in which tempers flared; the Pacers eliminated Milwaukee in consecutive postseasons while Lillard was there.
"I would love to have a conversation, because I just think it became more than it ever needed to be," Haliburton added, referencing the "Dame Time" celebration. "A miscommunication. Put it on me. I was young. In the moment, I was having fun with it, but it was probably a little much, and whatever happened from there happened.
"But he's a guy who I have looked up to the majority of my life," Haliburton said. "Part of the reason I wear (jersey number) 0 is Damian Lillard. He's a guy I would love to at least be more cordial with again, but it's love, for sure."
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 19: Alex Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons at Capital One Arena on March 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
WASHINGTON — Less than 14 hours after a 111-109 win over the New York Knicks to open preseason play, the Wizards returned to CareFirst Arena for an early practice.
Alex Sarr, who missed Thursday’s game but is close to returning, is trending toward returning on Saturday, Brian Keefe said after Friday’s practice. Keefe said they’ll know more about Sarr’s official status tomorrow.
Khris Middleton (ramp up) is also nearing a return.
Keefe’s rotation
The Wizards’ rotation on Thursday uncovered some details. It’s reasonable to assume that, when healthy, Washington’s starting five will look as follows:
PG: Trae Young
SG: AJ Dybantsa
SF: Kyshawn George
PF: Anthony Davis
C: Alex Sarr
Deandre Ayton, Tre Johnson and Bilal Coulibaly are the three locks to come off the bench, if those starters hold true. That leaves five players — Middleton, Bub Carrington, Justin Champagnie, Will Riley and Tre Mann — vying for the last two-to-three spots.
Keefe said nothing has been determined regarding his opening-night rotation.
“It’s still early in camp,” Keefe said. “We’re trying different combinations, seeing what works. Those [rotation] decisions haven’t been made yet.”
Carrington and Champagnie play well in opener
Both Carrington and Champagnie played well into the fourth quarter on Thursday. And they played well.
Carrington dropped Deuce McBride with a crossover into a step-back three — his second of the night. He finished with 11 points on 3-for-6 FG.
“Bub’s got the ability to make shots off the dribble and off the catch. He’s got a unique scoring ability from the three,” Keefe said. “He gave us a little bit of a burst when our offense was getting a little stagnant, which can happen early in preseason games.”
Champagnie did typical Champagnie things, particularly on defense. The 6-foot-6 forward paid homage to Jose Alvarado by stealing an inbounds pass and laying it up to quickly turn one basket into two. He added another steal when he jumped the passing lane before slamming it home in transition.
Champagnie’s best play of the night was when he came from the help side to meet James Wiseman at the rim before drilling a transition triple on the ensuing possession. He finished with 12 points (3-5 FG, 5-6 FT), two blocks and two steals.
“Justin can play with almost any lineup because of the intangible things that he does,” Keefe said. “You see the offensive rebounding. We all know the cutting and then the hustle plays he makes. He had that huge block at the rim on a help, which was great. Then he hits a three on the next possession … That’s what he does. He does winning stuff.”
Like the Brooklyn Nets, whose preseason tipped off on Tuesday, the Long Island Nets’ roster is filling up ahead of training camp later this month; and also like the big club, Long Island’s frontcourt includes something the organization values in its development: positional size
“I do think positional size is a factor we look at,” Nets general manager Sean Marks said at Media Day. “Sometimes size can make up for some other deficiencies.”
That “factor” has quietly become just as big on Long Island’s roster as it is on Brooklyn’s. As the team finalized things over the last couple of weeks, there was an obvious premium placed on size across the board and not just height.
Two-way players Grant Nelson, Chaney Johnson, and Tyler Bilodeau are examples, along with new Exhibit 10 pieces, Dain Dainja and Ben Humrichous, as well as G League signee Nick Pringle. Long Island also recently traded for Jonathan Pierre, a 6’9” 23-year-old forward, although he plays more of a wing role.
Each check in as big for their position and big in general. Pierre, Bilodeau and Humrichous are 6’9” wings while Dainja and Pringle are also 6’9” who also bring physicality, particularly Dainja who checks in at 255 pounds with a 7’7” wingspan. Johnson can and has played small ball center at 6’7”.
While the Nets still feature the youngest roster in the NBA this season along with the most players on rookie deals, Long Island is becoming its own pipeline to Barclays Center as the Nets have proved in the past several years. They regularly shuttle young players along the 22 miles from Barclays to Nassau Coliseum and back, taking advantage of G League rules permitting the three two-ways to be active for up to 50 NBA games and up to two roster players to get minutes with no restrictions. It’s not uncommon for players to get call-ups. Last season, 11 Nets split time between with the two venues.
What’s interesting beyond their size is that all of those names add something unique. Among Long Island’s front court chips this season, Brooklyn fans are most familiar with Johnson and Nelson. They’re also the most likely to see time in Brooklyn, maybe at some point getting converted to a standard deal.
Chaney Johnson
Johnson has already shown encouraging production against NBA competition. In 17 appearances with Brooklyn last year, after signing a two-way contract on December 26, he averaged 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while posting a 63.5% true shooting rate. He also collected 33 offensive rebounds, accounting for roughly 42% of his total boards last season. That’s an interesting, valuable role for a scrappy player. There is always room in an NBA rotation, especially the Nets’, for efficient offensive rebounding.
After he posted nine points vs. the 76ers Thursday to go along with four rebounds, two blocks and two steals, Egor Demin, predicted he’ll ultimately get a standard deal…
Asked Egor Demin about Chaney Johnson last night:
“[Chaney] is the hardest working guy in the gym… He’s going to develop into a [standard] contract at some point. He’s going to be amazing. I'm glad to have him as a teammate. He does the work that not many people want to do on… https://t.co/cqYfD4yxNfpic.twitter.com/83jbQELEKi
“He worked really hard this summer, he had a very good summer league, and he’s also had a very good camp. You see his intensity and physicality, and it’s something that we need,“ said the head coach after Thursday’s game.
C.J. still has areas to clean up. He has room to grow as a shooter beyond the arc, as he shot just 30% from deep on 30 attempts last season while committing 51 fouls in around 348 total minutes. Johnson will always be an aggressive player, and that is one of his calling cards, but adding more discipline will make the transition Demin predicts more likely.
Grant Nelson
After going undrafted last year, in part because of a balky knee, Nelson wound up with an Exhibit 10 last year, averaging 11.1 points and 6.0 rebounds in 19.3 minutes across 23 G League games. He also shot 54.9% from the field and 80.9% from the free-throw line. Overall, the Alabama product played in a limited role as he dealt with a patella tendinitis that had plagued him throughout his college career. Across 15 starts in the G League, though, he averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds per 36 minutes, adding even more intrigue. That came after a seven-week rehab program with LI’s player performance team.
Nelson’s strong showings in the G League earned him a 10-day contract with Brooklyn. Across four games on the deal, Nelson played 35 minutes, putting up 17 points, six rebounds, six assists, and three blocks. Shortly after the Nets didn’t renew him for a second 10-day contract, as expected, it was revealed that he suffered patellar tendinitis, commonly known as “jumper’s knee,” which ended his season. At Media Day, Nelson said that with the help of the Nets performance team, he’s completely healthy and in Brooklyn’s two preseason games, he’s impressed off the bench.
In Brooklyn’s preseason opener Tuesday night, he scored five points in six minutes, along with a rebound and an assist, while shooting 2-of-4 from the field and 1-of-2 from beyond the arc. Then, Thursday, Jordi Fernandez doubled his minutes and he came away with eight points on 3-o-4 shooting, missing his only three, but getting to the line five times in eight minutes.
Ultimately, the 24-year-old is an interesting piece. The Nets were intrigued enough to give him a summer rehab plan and bring him back on a two-way deal.
Tyler Bilodeau
The new face on a two-way deal with Brooklyn this year is their second-round pick from June, Bilodeau. In the second round, teams often look for players who excel in a select area, and Bilodeau is just that when it comes to 3-point shooting. In his final year at UCLA, the 22-year-old averaged 17.6 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 51.8% and a Big Ten-leading 46.4% from three.
His biggest concern, though, is on the defensive end of the floor which is likely to be his development priority. However, his shooting ability is fascinating, and he has the potential to develop into a serviceable defender at 6’9” and 228 pounds and a wide frame. Developing in the G League instead of sitting on Brooklyn’s bench should be valuable and help him grow
While his missed his two attempts beyond the arc vs. Philly, the UCLA product grabbed five boards in 12 minutes, matching his point output.
Dain Dainja
Some of Brooklyn’s Exhibit 10 signees also have unique aspects to their game. Atop that list is Dainja. At 6’9” and 255 pounds with a crazy 7’7” wingspan, he’s physically imposing. Dainja spent the 2025-26 season with the Miami Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. In Sioux Falls, he put up 13.1 points on 62.3% shooting, 5.9 rebounds, and one block across 36 appearances. His scoring efficiency really sticks out, aside from his wingspan, and if he can develop into an offensive hub for Long Island while complementing the scoring with screening and defense, he could certainly make some noise this season.
Nick Pringle
Pringle is another physical option. The 24-year-old stands at 6’10” and 230 pounds after signing with the organization on an Exhibit 10, although unlike Dainja and Humrichous, his deal does not feature a training camp invite.
Across his six-year college career, including stops at Wofford College, Alabama, South Carolina, and Arkansas, he shot 64.9% from the field in 152 games while tallying 654 rebounds and 125 combined steals and blocks. He was also part of Alabama’s 2024 Final Four team, averaging 6.2 rebounds during the NCAA Tournament that year. Pringle also overlapped with Nelson in Tuscaloosa when the Crimson Tide got to the Final Four in 2024.
Ben Humrichous
Humrichous is a very different player, and like Bilodeau, he was a heavy 3-point shooter in college. At Illinois last season, he made 57 of 158 attempts from beyond the arc, for a 36.1% clip. Around 86% of his overall field goal attempts came from deep, which is ridiculously high. The biggest question with Humrichous, who is 6’9” and 224 pounds, is where he can contribute when his shot isn’t falling, or when opposing defenses eliminate him from 3.
Jonathan Pierre
Lastly and perhaps the most interesting front court adds, there’s Jonathan Pierre. The organization liked his potential enough to trade for his rights earlier this month. He is another player who fits the mold of “positional size,” at 6’9” and 210 pounds. Pierre took a very interesting journey to the G League. He began high school as a 5’10” guard before hitting a growth spurt up to 6’7” and entering college as a forward at Nova Southeastern, where he helped the program go undefeated and win a Division II National Championship.
After an excellent first season in DII, he transferred to Memphis before breaking out at Belmont during the 2024-25 season. At Belmont, he averaged 13.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Belmont also listed him at his current height, 6’9”, after he was dubbed 6’7” earlier in his college career, suggesting Pierre grew further in college.
He ultimately went undrafted, although Jam Hines of No Ceilings NBA viewed him as a “definite” top-60 prospect for the 2025 draft class. Hines noted that Pierre ranked in the 87th percentile in scoring efficiency as a pick-and-roll ball handler while making 37.8% of his catch-and-shoot threes on 156 attempts. He was also 46.2% on three-point attempts as a screener, though on a 13-attempt sample.
Pierre’s first year in the G League was nothing extraordinary, as he averaged 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 14.9 minutes across 34 total games. Still, his upside is certainly enticing. The Belmont product is also still just 23, making him Long Island’s second-youngest player behind only Bilodeau, who is a second-round rookie.
————————————————-
All of front court adds have something to prove, and different goals to reach this season. It will take a while to figure things out. That process starts the end of the month when the team gathers for training camp, then Opening Night on November 6 in Greensboro, N.C., vs. the Swarm, the Hornets affiliate.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 17: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons in Game Seven of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 17, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There is no doubt that Donovan Mitchell is amongst the handful of the NBA’s best players. He can score in waves, at all three levels, and put the team on his back when it matters most. His superstardom is what drives the Cleveland Cavaliers’ relentless organizational pursuit of a championship. They have pushed all of their chips in, a few times over now, to put themselves in the best possible position to win right now.
We know Mitchell, assuming he remains healthy, will be a dominant force in the regular season. His four years in the Wine and Gold have been superb, with four trips to the All-Star Game and three All-NBA nominations.
But as great as he is, there is one more evolution for Mitchell — to be the best player on a championship team.
It may not have felt like it last season, but the Cavs were four wins away from the NBA Finals. They blew Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals in historic fashion, a blame that Mitchell puts on himself. A better version of Mitchell doesn’t allow Cleveland to wither on the vine the way they did. The long and short of Mitchell this upcoming season is how he plays in the postseason, on the biggest stage, against the greatest stars — and he will have the opportunity to showcase it.
Mitchell will get a full season next to James Harden, who takes the pressure off in a way that Darius Garland never really did. Harden’s impact on Jarrett Allen has already been discussed, but his ability to take pressure off of Mitchell as a scorer and facilitator should be better than it was last year. That relationship goes both ways, as Mitchell’s ability as a passer is paramount to making the Cavs’ offense as lethal as possible. There are plenty of shooters around him, and therefore assists abound.
No matter what, Mitchell will get his stats. He averaged 27.9 points per game last season on 48.3% shooting, while hitting 36.4% of his threes. His efficiency as a member of the Cavaliers has always been solid, and that should continue even in his age-30 season.
The elephant in the room is the playoff performances, and that goes for the Cavs as a whole. Mitchell’s numbers take a hit when the lights are the brightest, particularly his shooting efficiency and turnover rate. There is a passivity to his game that escapes onto the court, something that has perplexed the fan base.
Going back to that collapse in Game 1 of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, Mitchell only attempted six shots in the fourth quarter and overtime — making just one of them. That made shot came with over eight minutes left in the final frame.
There should be plenty of confidence that Mitchell will have a great regular season, an All-Star caliber effort that reminds people why he is one of the league’s best. But his judgment will be made in the playoffs, for better or worse. That is what comes with being a great player, and it is up to Mitchell to change the narrative of not only himself, but this franchise as a whole.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 08: Assistant coach D.J. MacLeay of the Boston Celtics signals to his players during the second half of their preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on October 08, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 124-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
CLEVELAND — Celtics assistant coach DJ MacLeay typically stands on the sidelines and barks out commands. MacLeay, who began as a player-enhancement coach with the Celtics in 2021, leads the team’s defense and is often one of the loudest voices during games.
But on Thursday night, for the first time in his career, he served as the Celtics’ head coach — at least for the second half.
Joe Mazzulla revealed at shootaround that he wouldn’t be coaching the Celtics’ preseason opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Instead, assistant coach Tony Dobbins would coach the first half (and handle pregame media responsibilities), and MacLeay would coach the second half (and handle postgame media responsibilities).
“It was definitely different,” MacLeay said. “I got to be the head coach of the Boston Celtics for a half. Can’t feel anything but gratitude for that.”
Mazzulla decided both coaches would get the opportunity after they went through head-coaching interviews this past summer, Dobbins with the Dallas Mavericks and MacLeay with the Portland Trail Blazers. Neither got the job — Dobbins was a finalist — but Mazzulla wanted to acknowledge their progress by giving them additional preseason responsibilities.
“To me that’s a huge testament to them and the work that they do,” Mazzulla said. “And so, you’re just always looking for opportunities to give them more experience. And sometimes, the only experience is being out there on the sideline.”
The Celtics head coach wanted to give his assistants time to mentally prepare, so he gave them a heads-up.
“In classic Joe fashion, he told us this way back in the summer, so I’ve had some time to think about this,” MacLeay said.
For MacLeay, serving as a head coach for a half gave him the opportunity to hone in on the key messages the team has been emphasizing throughout training camp.
“The biggest thing is working on the stuff that we’ve been trying to build — connection with the group, connection to how we want to play, understanding different turning points, different moments within the game, and I thought for the most part the guys really were intentional about that,” MacLeay said.
In addition to running the Celtics’ defense, MacLeay serves as Luka Garza’s player development coach. Garza excelled in Thursday’s game, finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds, both game-highs.
Afterward, he shared that getting to play for MacLeay formally made the outing even more meaningful.
“It was special, man,” Garza said. “He’s a guy that I just love working with, man. Every day, coming into the gym and working with him, whether it’s film or just the PD or whatever it is, he just brings such a great energy to the game, and I feel like we just have like mindsets in a lot of ways.
MacLeay knows he eventually wants to serve as a head coach, and he’s grateful that both the offseason interview process and the preseason game gave him a chance to prepare for the ultimate goal.
“All these experiences just open your eyes to all the different things that a head coach deals with, right?” MacLeay said. “There were things about that [interview] process that I could have done better, but I wouldn’t have known, having not gone through it before. And so, just like tonight, there were plenty of things that I screwed up, and I could have been better for the guys. And so, ultimately, just trying to be in a space where you take these experiences, you learn from them, you try to get better from them, you try to be better for the people around you, and serve the players as best you can. And you just try to take that mindset, the gratitude for this opportunity, for that opportunity with the interview, and just keep moving forward.”
As for Thursday’s game?
MacLeay smiled when asked what he felt he could have done better, and pointed to his after-timeout play calling.
“I drew way too many long ATOs,” MacLeay said. “I could have been better about that. My first time on the board in a long time — so just could have been better with that.”
The players, for one, could see their assistant coaches’ dreams ultimately coming to fruition.
“It was cool to see him get that opportunity, and he was obviously awesome in that role,” Garza said of MacLeay. “And that’s definitely in his future.”
Although the Los Angeles Lakers’ marquee free agency signing, Walker Kessler, is yet to play through three preseason games after jamming his finger on the backboard during training camp, neither Kessler nor his head coach, JJ Redick, sound alarmed about Kessler’s availability.
Kessler conducted an on-air interview with the broadcast during Thursday’s contest and seems quite optimistic about how he’s progressing.
“Finger’s good. Finger’s good,” Kessler said. “Just kind of going through all the protocols right now, talking to coaches and training staff right now…Feeling good.
Despite Redick and Kessler’s shared optimism about the injury, Kessler couldn’t offer a definitive timeline for his return.
“I’m not sure yet. I’m not sure yet,” he said. “We’re still talking and I don’t want to say anything that gets me in trouble. So, we’re still talking.”
The Lakers have two preseason games remaining ahead of their regular-season opener against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21. They play the Warriors in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena Tuesday before wrapping up their preseason slate by hosting the Denver Nuggets Oct. 16.
After a jam-packed first week of preseason action, with three games in four days, the layoff before their next game should provide Kessler plenty of time to suit up in at least one of Los Angeles’ final two preseason outings, as Redick seems confident he will do.
With Kessler sidelined, the Lakers have started veteran Kevon Looney at center in two games while Sandro Mamukelashvili got the nod Tuesday against the Warriors, presumably signaling both are in line for a prominent role this season.
Through the preseason games, Mamukelashvili’s filled up the box score, averaging 14 points, 3.7 assists (2.0 turnovers), 2.0 rebounds and 1.o blocks in 19.3 minutes per night. He’s shooting 57.1 percent from both the floor (16-of-28) and beyond the arc (8-of-14).
He starred during Los Angeles’ 114-110 victory over the Kings Friday with 19 points (7-of-10 shooting), four assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block. Once Kessler is back healthy, which seems like it’ll be sooner rather than later, I’m curious how much Mamukelashvili is deployed as a 4 vs. a small-ball 5.
The reigning NBA champions announced on Friday, Oct. 9, that they are pausing negotiations with all extension-eligible players until a later date in order to minimize distractions as the Knicks begin their title defense. The decision leaves Towns and Hart without long-term clarity after both publicly expressed a desire to remain with New York.
"As an organization, our entire focus is on preparing for the upcoming season and delivering another year for our fans to be proud of," a Knicks spokesperson said, according to multiplereports. "As a result, we will not be negotiating contract extensions until later in the season and will remain solely focused on preparing for the start of the season."
But Towns and Hart have become a delicate challenge for the team's front office coming off that exhilarating title run. While cutting off extension talks is intended to eliminate distractions, it also risks alienating two key Knicks starters who are among the team's most popular players.
By delaying negotiations, the Knicks are ensuring the contract situations involving Towns and Hart remain a storyline throughout the season, especially if either becomes more vocal about his frustration with the process.
Which Knicks players are affected by contract extension pause?
The Knicks currently have four players eligible to receive a contract extension.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Josh Hart
Miles McBride
Tyler Kolek
Karl-Anthony Towns contract: Latest updates
Karl-Anthony Towns is entering the third season of a four-year, $220.4 million contract he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves before being traded to the Knicks in October 2024. He is set to make a salary of more than $57 million for the 2026-27 NBA season. The final year of the deal includes a player option with a salary cap hit of more than $61 million.
Towns has been eligible to sign a four-year, $276 million contract extension this entire offseason. The team's latest offer, according to ESPN, was a four-year deal worth about $200 million.
After Oct. 19, Towns would have to decline his player option for the 2027-28 season in order to sign a contract extension with the Knicks, according to NBA reporter Keith Smith. Towns recently expressed frustration with the way negotiations have gone, despite offering to take less than the max like Knicks star Jalen Brunson did in 2024 to provide more salary cap flexibility.
"Simply put, I want to do something that can keep the team together and work with the Knicks and also values me," Towns told reporters earlier this week. "None of those things have come close to happening."
Josh Hart contract: Latest updates
Hart is entering the third season of a four-year contract worth more than $80 million. He is scheduled to earn $20.9 million in 2026-27, while the Knicks hold a $22.3 million team option for 2027-28.
Hart is extension eligible and also wants to stay in New York, but indicated no progress had been made at the start of training camp.
"There hasn't really been much movement and conversation with that, so I don't think it will get done," Hart told reporters last month. "I would love to get it done."
What's next for the Knicks?
The Knicks begin the 2026-27 NBA regular season against the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 20. In addition to Hart and Towns, the franchise also must consider that Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby become extension-eligible next offseason. If Dolan stands by his promise not to enter the second apron, keeping the core of last year's championship roster intact beyond the 2026-27 season will become increasingly difficult.
Take a player who is an unstoppable freight train in transition and put him on the team that played at the fastest pace in the NBA last season and you have something dynamic.
Antetokounmpo has looked comfortable in the Heat offense, which is still using cutting and movement to create pace. Antetokounmpo has been setting picks early in the offense at points, but the Heat look best when their expected elite defense creates turnovers and lets them get out and run.
Antetokounmpo played only one half against the Pelicans and looked good.
The concerns about the Heat have focused on their offense when the games get real, but Bam Adebayo brushed that concern aside when speaking to Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
"I mean, last year, we led the league in 140-point games and that's with no Giannis Antetokounmpo," Adebayo said with a laugh. "But we see the potential."
The Houston Rockets opened their preseason with a 135-117 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday morning at The Venetian Arena in Macao, China. The matchup gave both teams an early opportunity to evaluate their rosters, build chemistry, and prepare for the upcoming NBA season.
Houston established control early, taking a 27-19 lead after the first quarter. The Rockets continued to apply pressure in the second quarter, using their scoring ability and defensive intensity to create separation. By halftime, Houston had built a commanding 65-45 advantage, putting Dallas in a difficult position heading into the second half.
Tari Eason led the Rockets with 20 points, providing an important scoring contribution throughout the game. Alperen Sengun looked like the best player on the court at times, racking a up a triple double of 16 points, 10 boards, and 10 assists.
Fred VanVleet also made an impact, finishing with 17 points and 7 assists, as Houston showed its offense with a legit playmaker at the helm. He also hit 5 triples. Jabari Smith Jr. added 19 points, helping the Rockets spread the scoring across the lineup.
Kevin Durant, one of Houston’s major offensive weapons, finished with eight points in limited playing time. His presence added experience and star power to a Rockets team looking to develop its chemistry before the regular season begins. Durant’s limited scoring performance is not a concen to me as this is pre season. Additonally Houston being able to function offensilvey without relying heavily on Durant is a welcome development. Honestly my only real gripe with the offense was watching Tari and Amen try to initiate offense, Amen’s continued lack of handle.
Although preseason results do not determine regular-season success, the game provided valuable insight into both teams. Houston showed its offensive potential and depth, while Dallas gained experience for its younger players.
The Rockets and Mavericks will meet again in Macao on Sunday for their second preseason matchup. Both teams will look to build on Friday’s performance as they continue preparing for the 2026-27 NBA season. Be sure to check back here at The Dream Shake for more Rockets post game recaps.
The Los Angeles Lakers played their first home game on Thursday night, and wasted no time showing love to a late legend within their organization.
Longtime public-address announcer Lawrence Tanter died at the end of September at the age of 76 years old. He started his role with the team in 1982 and his career spanned 43 years before he retired near the end of the 2025-26 season.
Announcer Lawrence Tanter poses for a photo prior to a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. NBAE via Getty Images
After a brief highlight reel of Tanter’s iconic moments and player introductions, a new P.A. announcer said, “Lawrence Tanter was more than the voice of your Los Angeles Lakers. His unmistakable voice was the soundtrack to generations of Lakers basketball, and some of the most memorable moments in franchise history.
“Tonight, we remember L.T. as a cherished member of the Lakers’ family, and a voice that will forever echo through this arena. Please join us for a moment of silence in honor of the legendary Lawrence Tanter,” it continued.
Lakers pay tribute to longtime announcer Lawrence Tanter who passed away recently pic.twitter.com/lmBLtOpnuU
The Lakers’ roster also honored Tanter on the court by producing a 114-110 victory against Sacramento.
Tanter had suffered a stroke near the end of the Lakers’ last season and missed the final six games of their regular season, plus their five postseason home games.
Los Angeles Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter is seen during an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017. Tanter, the former public address announcer for the Lakers, passed away at the age of 76. MediaNews Group via Getty ImagesAustin Reaves and Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers look on against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter of a preseason game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Oct. 8, 2026. Getty Images
MACAO, CHINA - OCTOBER 9: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks and Morez Johnson Jr. #14 of the Dallas Mavericks hug before the game against the Houston Rockets as part of 2026 NBA China Games on October 9, 2026 in Macao, China at Venetian Arena. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks were routed by the Houston Rockets, 135-117, in an early-morning preseason matchup on Friday. The game was the Mavericks’ first of two in Macao as they face the Rockets in the NBA China Preseason miniseries. Dallas echoed the same offensive struggles they faced throughout last season in Friday’s loss.
Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively, Santi Aldama, PJ Washington, Marcus Sasser, and Caleb Martin were held out for the Mavericks.
Here are four stats to know from Friday morning’s preseason loss.
1: Daniel Gafford 3-pointer
Daniel Gafford attempted one career three-pointer ahead of Friday’s preseason matchup with the Rockets. He attempted and made a spot-up three off a kick-out from Sergio de Larrea in the first quarter, to everyone’s surprise, except maybe his new coach.
Under head coach Dusty May’s new offense, he has challenged Gafford to expand his game and take threes as he continues to “earn the right.” Gafford saw just eight minutes of action in Friday’s blowout loss, finishing with seven points, three rebounds and one steal. The Mavericks will need more rebounding from Gafford, with Lively having no timetable to return, but it was pleasant to see the start of growth in his offensive game today.
8: Dwight Powell assists
Dwight Powell finished today’s matchup with a unique stat line of one point, one rebound and eight assists. His regular-season career-high in assists is eight, and he matched that number against the Rockets, leading the Mavericks in that category. Powell is the longest-tenured Maverick, and the leadership and professionalism he has shown throughout his career make him a valuable vet to any locker room. If he continues to contribute to the Mavericks’ bench in the preseason, the Mavericks will have to seriously consider putting him on the final roster heading into opening night.
35% vs. 50%: Mavericks vs. Rockets three-point efficiency
The Mavericks lost the three-point battle today, shooting 35% to the Rockets’ 50%. The shooting discrepancy put the Mavs in a hole they couldn’t dig themselves out of. Yet, still, a glimmer of hope — Dallas hoisted 51 threes today. They were willing shooters, at least, even if not particularly effective. That number exceeds their average attempts per game last season by 20! The Mavericks will be looking to shoot a lot more under May, but will need to see their shots fall at a higher clip, or the 3-point disparity will again be a season-long story.
19: Cooper Flagg points
Cooper Flagg only played in the first half, scoring 19 points in 19 minutes. He added six rebounds, three assists, two stocks, and shot 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. He started the first quarter slowly, with just two points, but heated up in the second quarter. In the second quarter, he seemed more assertive offensively, attempting four threes. His jump shot looked more fluid, a testament to the offseason work he has put in. Flagg’s performance in the first preseason game shows he is poised to take an offensive leap this year and emerge as a bonafide star in the league.
Up next
Set your alarms for Sunday at 5 am CT as the Mavericks and Rockets run it back on NBA TV and mavs.com.
In an effort to quiet the talk around contract extensions for Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart — talks that were becoming a distraction less than two weeks before they raise a championship banner in Madison Square Garden — the New York Knicks announced they are tabling all extension talks with eligible players until later in the season.
"As an organization, our entire focus is on preparing for the upcoming season and delivering another year for our fans to be proud of. As a result, we will not be negotiating contract extensions until later in the season and will remain solely focused on preparing for the start of the season."
This applies to four players: Towns, Hart, and guards Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek.
How big an issue has Towns' frustration with contract talks become? Last night, after the NBA TV broadcast of the Knicks vs. Wizards preseason game, NBA Insider Chris Haynes gave another update on contract extension talks between Towns and the Knicks (echoing earlier reports that Towns wasn't asking for the max, but the sides were far apart). That's on the NBA's own network. Questions about extensions for Towns and Hart have become a near-daily talking point around the team.
Postponing the talks may quiet things for a while and cool the rhetoric a little, but it doesn't resolve the underlying issues. Without someone (or someones) taking a massive discount, it's going to be impossible for the Knicks to keep their championship core together in a couple of years and stay under the second apron of the luxury tax, and owner James Dolan has repeatedly said it would be "suicidal" to go over that line. Players may be open to small discounts to help the team, but not massive ones.
Using Towns as an example, he is eligible for a four-year, $276 million extension, but said he is willing to take a discount to help the team. The Knicks reportedly offered four years, $200 million, which would require a healthy pay cut from the $57.1 million he will make this season, let alone in future years. Towns has said he feels he has earned a payday, coming off a season where he averaged 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds per game and was critical to the Knicks winning an NBA title. Recently, Towns was asked whether he felt he should be rewarded for his role leading the Knicks to a championship.
"No s***, Sherlock."
This move by Knicks management kicks the can down the road, but the issue isn’t going away. By the start of the 2028-29 season, there very likely will be a Jalen Brunson extension — don't expect him to take a $113 million discount again — plus Towns and Hart extensions, and an OG Anunoby extension could begin that season. Paying all of them market rate and keeping this team together is going to be next to impossible.
The Knicks just don't want everyone talking about that on Oct. 20, when they raise their first championship banner in 53 years and Adam Silver hands out championship rings. You can watch that ceremony on NBC and Peacock beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern, part of an opening day triple-header featuring the Celtics at Pistons (3 p.m. ET), 76ers and LeBron James at the Knicks on ring night, then capped off by Thunder at Spurs and Victor Wembanyama (9:30 p.m. ET).
Jeanie Buss, sports executive, controlling owner, and President of the Los Angeles Lakers, is seen during the Slovenia national basketball team training session ahead of the FIBA EuroBasket in Katowice, Poland, on August 27, 2025. (Photo by Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
“Our focus has always been what we believe is the best for the Lakers…”
That line came from a joint statement the Buss siblings released in August, as it became clear a battle was coming over the fate of the trust’s share in the Lakers. This week, the siblings made their stance on selling their minority stake in the team official by filing a formal opposition to Jeanie Buss’ claim that they do not have the right to do so.
To be clear, this is not an argument for or against the new owners, Bob Iger and Josh Kushner. They’re bringing plenty of baggage into this role as well.
Instead, this is an argument that it’s time for the Buss family to move on from the franchise. Is that their true intention behind this move? Almost assuredly not. But call it cashing out. Call it spite or pettiness. Whatever the reasoning, they’re arriving at the solution that best serves the franchise.
Compare their messaging to that of Jeanie Buss’s. Her letter from her lawyer focused heavily on court orders mandating the family vote for her to remain the controlling owner of the Lakers. Her petition portrayed her as the one who had to come in once again and save the day from her scheming family. It suggested that the family trust’s best interest is to retain its stake in the team as franchise values skyrocket.
Does that sound like someone who has the Lakers front of mind? One side is doing what’s best for the Lakers — albeit while receiving a massive payday in doing so — while the other side is not.
Dr. Jerry Buss’ reign as owner was fruitful, but his children’s era has been far from it. The team does have a title to its name in that timeframe, but the Buss family has also had twice as many court appearances in that same span.
Long has the league moved past the Buss family. The lack of finances became more and more of an issue in recent years. The sale to Mark Walter seemed to be the perfect opportunity for a graceful exit as they faded into the background.
But that was always a far-fetched pipe dream. Realistically, there was only one way the Buss family was going to leave the franchise and graceful was never going to be the word used. A messy, unceremonious, contentious exit is far more fitting for the Jeanie Buss era.
This latest drama isn’t going away any time soon. The Buss siblings, at least publicly, are leaving open the door for this all to have an amicable ending, as shown with their statement to The Athletic on Wednesday.
“Jimmy, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse Buss, the five of six siblings who voted to sell the Trust’s shares in the Lakers, today filed their formal opposition, demonstrating that Jeanie Buss’s petition is legally and factually baseless,” the siblings said in a statement given to The Athletic.
“While discussions among the siblings continue, their focus remains on facilitating the proposed transaction and the Trust’s participation in it, while ensuring that all beneficiaries, including Jeanie, are treated equally. Today’s filing is a necessary step to protect those interests and ensure the transaction proceeds on schedule.”
Jeanie, meanwhile, is likely motivated by the agreement she made with Mark Walter to not only be the governor for the next five years but, as reported by Dan Woike of The Athletic, to potentially do so even after.
In addition to negotiating a five-year term as the Lakers’ governor following the sale to Walter, Jeanie Buss secured an agreement allowing her to remain the team’s alternate governor beyond that period, provided she or her affiliated entities retain at least a five-percent ownership stake in the Lakers, according to Wednesday’s filing.
Her interests are pretty clear. She wants to remain a controlling voice of the Lakers. It seems to matter little to her that, at this point, fans likely won’t be receptive to her. Yet another messy, public fight between the siblings has sapped any remaining sympathy many fans had for her.
Most, if not all, are ready to move on from the Buss family. It’s a matter of their own doing with Jeanie at the forefront. If you had told Lakers fans in the mid-2000s that a day would come when they would be ready for the Buss family to sell the team, few might have believed you.
But a long history of mismanagement with plenty of in-fighting, selfishness, spite and pettiness mixed in has gotten us to this point. Now, it’s in the best interest of the Lakers for the family to take their hundreds of millions of dollars and move on…
It’s not a stretch to say that the Philadelphia 76ers’ championship hopes still rest on the broad shoulders of Joel Embiid even after bringing in LeBron James and Jaylen Brown over the offseason. It’s not just that Embiid was arguably the best player in the NBA as recently as Jan. 2024, but also that Philly just doesn’t have much center depth behind him, particularly after backup Ariel Hukporti already suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in the preseason.
LeBron made his Sixers debut in the team’s second preseason game on Thursday night, but Embiid stole the show in the worst way possible. With the caveat that it’s only preseason … Embiid looked absolutely atrocious during his 24 minutes on the floor, and it already feels like a legitimate concern for the 76ers.
Embiid shot 1-of-5 from the floor and finished with eight turnovers in 24 minutes against the Brooklyn Nets. Those numbers don’t even capture how viscerally washed he looked. Embiid already had a few terrible plays early in the game, but he went mega-viral for this pathetic fastbreak attempt midway through the second quarter. Embiid was thrown a perfect alley-oop, but he didn’t jump for it, and then missed the easy layup. Watch the play all of NBA Twitter was talking about here:
Is Joel Embiid physically capable of jumping? I’m not sure after watching this clip. Seems important for a basketball player, even if you’re over 7-feet tall like Embiid.
Embiid was bad from the very start of the game, airballing a fadeaway on his first touch. He was making some incredibly sloppy decisions with the ball as Nets defenders crashed down on him in the paint, and just looked like he wasn’t locked in at all on either side of the floor. Maybe there’s nothing Embiid could have done about his physical downfall in the last couple years since his peak, but it almost feels more concerning that he’s making so many mental mistakes. This is not what you want out of the seventh highest paid player in the NBA at a tick below $58 million this season.
The Sixers are pretty deep elsewhere on the roster after a quality offseason that saw them sign Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the bench while drafting Labaron Philon out of Alabama. The one spot where the roster is really thin is at center, and that was true even before Hukporti’s Achilles tear.
Realistically, how many games can the Sixers count on Embiid to play? Over/under 45? That is going to put immense pressure on backup Adem Bona, and the Sixers are going to need some more big bodies after him. Embiid really won’t help the team much regardless of how often he plays if he’s this lackadaisical mentally and physically.
There was already a report in training camp that Embiid showed up to practice late — a theme throughout his career — and got yelled at by LeBron. Both Embiid and James shot down the report, and ESPN apologized for it. Embiid gave another sad sack comment on the report after the game:
Joel Embiid on the recent report about LeBron James getting on him for being late: "I don't know where that came from. It never happened. … One, it's not true. And then again it's like, 'Why me?' But I guess I'm Joel Embiid, I've been in this situation."
Embiid’s professionalism has always been a question even when he was at his peak. He’s slipped so much physically at this point that he can’t afford any mental mistakes. Embiid seems like he has a “woe is me” attitude far too often. I certainly have some empathy for the amount of injuries he’s dealt with, but at a certain point making a bunch of excuses isn’t a good look for a player who is this highly paid.
Yes, it’s the preseason. It’s totally possible that the Sixers look great by May, and Embiid is a big part of the team on both ends of the floor. It’s troubling that the veteran center looks so bad after a long summer where he dropped weight and seemed to show a new commitment to his body. The Sixers are loaded offensively, but it’s only going to work if Embiid can step up defensively and on the glass. There’s no safety net behind him anymore.
It’s silly to overreact to preseason, but this game will at least serve as an important note in the Sixers’ story whether they end the season as champions or fail to win a playoff series. Embiid looked awful in his first preseason game. Let’s see where he goes from here.
NBA preseason action has returned to Macao, China, where the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets will play in a two-game series.
Friday’s opening matchup at The Venetian Arena saw the Mavericks’ offense shine, led by reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, along with strong performances from Naji Marshall, Zaccharie Risacher and Max Christie.
Despite their efforts, the Mavericks fell 135-117 to a seasoned Rockets squad. Houston was led by Kevin Durant, who began his 19th NBA season, along with Fred VanVleet and Amen Thompson.
Beyond the games, this preseason trip offers an immersive experience both on and off the court. The Venetian Arena will become a basketball hub featuring NBA House, an interactive expo that blends music, live entertainment, fashion and retail experiences to celebrate basketball culture.
Fans will also have the chance to participate in NBA Fan Day on Saturday, Oct. 10, an event where they can interact with players and enjoy performances by top Asian artists. These festivities set the stage for the second preseason game on Sunday, Oct. 11.
The NBA China Games bring two preseason matchups between the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets at The Venetian Arena in Macao on Oct. 9 and 11 at 6 a.m. ET.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the NBA China Games on NBA TV and NBA League Pass.
Why are the Rockets so popular in China?
The Houston Rockets rose to popularity in China largely thanks to Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming. Selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, Yao spent all nine seasons with the Rockets before retiring in 2011.
NBA's other international showcases
This season, the NBA has five events outside the U.S.
Beyond the doubleheader contests in China and the Canada Game in Quebec City, the NBA’s international calendar features additional stops in Mexico City, Paris and Manchester.
Here is a look at the International showcase schedule (times ET)
