Kevin Garnett is the greatest player in Timberwolves franchise history. The 2004 MVP when with the team was a nine-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA player while in Minnesota, and remains the franchise leader in points, rebounds, blocked shots, assists, and steals. His Timberwolves team was the first in franchise history to reach the Western Conference Finals.
His jersey retirement is long overdue, but it will happen on Feb. 28 against the Boston Celtics — an NBC Sunday Night Basketball game, which will have plenty of coverage of the event.
"Minnesota is home. That's never changed," Garnett said in a statement announcing the retirement. "This is where it all started for me, so seeing No. 21 go up in Target Center and sharing that moment with the fans, my family, teammates, coaches, and everyone who's been part of this journey means everything.
"But I don't see this as the end — I see it as a new beginning. Retiring the jersey is just the start of the next chapter in Minnesota, about building something that lives beyond the game... But 21 being retired is forever — and it's also just the beginning of something new. I can't wait to be back in that building, feel that energy, and celebrate it with everybody. Let's get it."
This should have happened long ago for the Hall of Famer, but Garnett's feud with former Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor ran so deep that he wasn't around the team and wasn't honored. That strain in the relationship started around Garnett's trade to Boston, where he did go on to win a ring (the Celtics have retired his No. 5 in green).
One of the things new Minnesota owners Mark Lore and Alex Rodriguez did was patch up that relationship.
"Over the course of his career, Kevin Garnett became much more than the greatest player in Timberwolves history. He became the embodiment of what it means to compete, to lead and to represent Minnesota," Timberwolves & Lynx Co-Chairmen Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez said in a statement. "Bringing Kevin back to the organization as Team Ambassador has allowed us to celebrate his legacy in a new and meaningful way, and retiring No. 21 is the ultimate recognition of everything he has meant to this franchise and our fans. We are thrilled to celebrate this incredible moment with Kevin, his family, our fans and everyone who helped make his legacy possible."
It may have taken a while to get here, but this is finally getting done, as it should. And it's happening on a night with what should be an entertaining matchup, with Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards going head-to-head.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 19: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after making a three pointer during the third quarter of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 19, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the 2026–27 Phoenix Suns schedule officially released, we now have some insight into the cadence of next season. We now know how many back-to-backs exist, how long the road trips are, and when the NBA’s joke of a “rivalry week” will occur.
One of the more interesting aspects, though, is how often the Suns will appear on a national stage. That number is usually a good barometer of how the league views a team’s relevance. You want your most marketable teams and players in front of a national audience as often as possible to maximize profits. If there’s anything we know about the NBA, and quite honestly just about anywhere you look these days, it’s that maximizing profits tends to drive the conversation. Quality be damned.
That brings us to the Suns. Phoenix was an unexpected success story last season. Granted, they faded late, lost a Play-In game, finished as the eighth seed, and were ultimately swept out of the playoffs. Still, they were entertaining. They had their own storylines, an aggressive identity, and a gritty style of play that gave people a reason to watch.
So what is their reward for all of that? Nine nationally televised games. Nine opportunities to showcase what Phoenix Suns basketball looks like in front of a national audience.
How Phoenix Suns stack up with rest of NBA on national TV games for 2026-27 season.
You could take that personally if you’re the Suns. You could look at it as the league not respecting what you do or how you do it. Quite honestly, though, this is exactly where I’d rather be as someone who watches Suns basketball.
It wasn’t that long ago when Phoenix had more than 30 nationally televised games and routinely embarrassed itself on the national stage. It was torture watching those KD/Booker/Beal teams drag us through uninspired moments of basketball, and it was exacerbated by the fact that it was under the bright lights.
Yes, this is a much different team. Thankfully. But the lack of national exposure also reinforces where expectations currently sit. The Suns are projected to win 38.5 games. The league and the sportsbooks don’t appear to believe Phoenix will be anywhere close to relevant. And that’s right where I like them. I’d much rather be overlooked than overhyped. I’d rather be underappreciated than overexalted.
There’s also another benefit to having 73 games that aren’t nationally televised. You know exactly where you’re going to watch them. The nationally televised games will be spread across NBC, Peacock, ESPN, and Amazon Prime. Everything else will be available on Arizona’s Family and the Suns Live app. As a consumer, I find that finding Suns games is much easier and far more predictable. Call me old school, but hopping between five different streamers is cumbersome. We don’t have to navigate the confusion the league has created as it tries to squeeze every profitable dollar possible out of each broadcast deal. From that perspective, I’ll take it as a win.
If the Suns want more national exposure, there’s a pretty simple way to get it. Earn it. Make the postseason and stick around for a while, because those games are all nationally televised.
So the Suns are only on national television nine times this season. Who cares? The team can use it as motivation, we know where to find the games, and the ones that ultimately matter most will be played in the postseason. Don’t let it get you down. Although I’m sure it didn’t.
Oceanside, CA - OCTOBER 9: Deonte Burton #4 of the Guangzhou Loong Lions and James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers look on during the game on October 9, 2025 at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Tom O'Connor/NBAE via Getty Images)
Former Iowa State men’s basketball player Deonte Burton, who played for the Cyclones from 2015 to 2017, will play for NLEX Road Warriors when the PBA season 50 Governors’ Cup resumes in October.
The team made the announcement Friday, following a 112-110 loss to Converge FiberXers.
Road Warriors head coach Jimmy Alapag is “very excited” to have Burton suit up for the team as Alapag coached the Milwaukee native during his time in the Sacramento Kings organization.
Jimmy Alapag is glad that his former player with Stockton and Sacramento, Deonte Burton, will be NLEX’s import when the #PBA50 Governors’ Cup resumes#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/ZmfveYDGyc
In addition to stints with the Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder, Burton has also played for: the Maine Celtics, South Korean teams Wonju DB Promy, Busan KCC Egis and Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters, Mets de Guaynabo and Osos de Manatí in Puerto Rico and Guangzhou Loong Lions in China.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 10: Ariel Hukporti #55 of the New York Knicks and Justin Edwards #11 of the Philadelphia 76ers goes after a loose ball during the game during Round Two Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 10, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Fresh off a massive offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers have nearly rebuilt their roster with new additions including LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. The spotlight is now on this team as never before, with media scrutiny intensifying. The Liberty Ballers crew weighs in on key questions in this three-part series.
For Part 3, we’re focusing on team construction and depth. From navigating Embiid’s role in a pace-and-space offense to addressing potential weak spots, here’s our crew’s take:
Joel Embiid is still skilled but doesn’t move as quickly as he used to. The rest of the starting five leads the league in transition baskets. How do you expect the group to mesh with this mismatch?
Bryan Toporek: I’m genuinely curious about this, because other than Embiid, the rest of the roster is designed to fly up and down the court. They’ll presumably look to push the pace off any missed basket, but if they can’t score in transition, they’ll slow it down and work Embiid into some half-court actions. Embiid needs to get himself into tip-top shape heading into this season, though.
Sean Kennedy: I think it will work just fine. Joel will concentrate on boxing out and then throwing kick-ahead passes to the other guys in transition. They will streak ahead and if an opportunity doesn’t develop organically, Embiid will saunter into position around the nail or top of the key to run a pick-and-roll or dribble handoff with 16-to-18 seconds still left on the shot clock.
Josh Grieb: I’m not concerned about this at all really. After drafting VJ Edgecombe, the Sixers made it a point to play fast and get out in transition as much as possible last season as well. With the speed in the backcourt and the amount of turnovers they created, they were able to get the ball and run down the floor without Embiid really ever having to.
The only time this pace got disrupted was during Embiid’s prolonged stretches of availability, and the offense would slow down because he was scoring like his old self again, which was just as viable a path to winning games. The Sixers’ backcourt will likely be hunting a lot of turnovers again, and Embiid will likely miss a good chunk of games again. Even when he’s on the floor, I don’t think the Sixers will have much of a problem getting transition baskets.
Drew Peltzman: I believe we will be seeing Embiid at the half-court line for transition buckets, which is fine as long as he is the defensive anchor and rebounder the team will need him to be. If that is not the case, then big man better start running because it will be a track meet around him, and fans will quickly notice if he is literally too slow for this new roster. This may not become prevalent until the playoffs where the attrition sets in, but shooting more trail threes from all over the arc at a good clip could be the biggest change to ingratiate himself in the new offense. Late-career Embiid should embrace becoming a souped up Brook Lopez V2, it is exactly what the team needs.
Harrison Grimm: This is a very real question, but I do think people are overthinking it a bit. Embiid’s been playing in the trailer position pretty much all of his career, and that’s exactly what he’ll do here. Rebounding will be the biggest area to watch. On one hand, he’ll need to protect himself and his body accordingly, but on the other, he’ll need to grab boards and find one of several ball handlers to kick out to and run. I think it can not only work, but work well. Embiid’s favorite spot to shoot from the perimeter is a straight-on three, and he can walk into those with drives and kicks from any of the big name players.
If you divided the starting five into two hypothetical units, which lineup combinations would you want to see featured?
BT: This is an impossible question. Well done!
It’s impossible because there are so many different combinations that could work well together. My initial instinct would be to stagger Maxey and LeBron so the Sixers have a high-level playmaker on the floor at all times, but Maxey and LeBron should also be a deadly pairing together (not to mention the chemistry they’ve already established as offseason workout partners). I would at least keep Maxey and Embiid paired due to Maxey’s shooting ability.
If the Sixers do run out lineups without Maxey, Embiid and LeBron, that means Edgecombe and Brown would have a chance to run the offense on their own for a bit. I’d want Anfernee Simons with that duo to add some shooting, but I do want to see Point VJ at times this year given the playmaking chops he showed as a rookie.
SK: I like the idea of the vet duo of LeBron and Embiid building off their Team USA chemistry and running pick-and-rolls with spot-up shooters off the bench like Anfernee Simons and Dean Wade. I’m sure James could find Joel with some really sweet pocket passes. Then, the other group of Maxey, VJ and Jaylen could be assigned to hound opposing teams on the perimeter and run, run, run as much as possible.
JG: My initial temptation is to group Maxey, Embiid and LeBron together with Brown and Edgecombe as certified dawgs leading the second unit. My concern with that is it shifts nearly all of the passing ability to the first unit.
I think the pairing that might work best is LeBron, Maxey and Edgecombe with Embiid and Brown leading the other group. The two guards can be cutting and screening all over the floor while LeBron runs the show. The other group can pound teams to death with an Embiid/Brown pick-and-roll. Availability will surely determine how Nick Nurse staggers this bunch, but in a perfect world, I think that’s how I’d do it.
DP: I believe you can rotate three different combinations of the starting five throughout the whole game. This would be my ideal playoff rotation: Maxey/VJ/Brown as the remaining starters when the bench comes on. Likely Wade and Bona/Hukporti as the forward and center subs first to get the old guys off the floor. You could run all day and have strong interior defense and rebounding against the opponents bench unit. This would be the time for Edgecombe to eat, and help take the load off Maxey and Brown if necessary.
Then, those three starters exit for LeBron/Embiid/Simons/KCP, Wade stays on with this group. This is a slow and steady group but provides Embiid and LeBron the opportunity to cook with more space and proven role players in Simons, Wade and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Then you bring Brown on for Wade, let him cook with LeBron’s playmaking and Embiid’s gravity helping to distract the defense. Then you bring back Maxey and VJ for a long stretch, and repeat this again in the second half. I would try to avoid LeBron playing with the backup centers as much as possible, if possible.
HG: This isn’t an easy question to answer, which speaks volumes to the talent the Sixers have at their disposal. There’s going to be no shortage of staggering, but if we’re honing in on two specific groups, I’d like to see the first group be something like Maxey, KCP, LeBron, Wade and one of Bona or Hukporti. I think this group could play fast and have no shortage of shooting without sacrificing anything defensively. A big part of surviving when Embiid is off the floor is making do with Hukporti and/or Bona, and to do that, the bulk of their minutes should come alongside LeBron, who can spoon-feed them at the rim.
The other group would be something like Anfernee Simons, VJ Edgecombe, Brown, Barlow and Embiid. This would allow VJ to have plenty of on-ball reps, and this is a good group to compensate for Simons’ defensive problems. You could run plenty of pick-and-rolls with VJ and Brown with Embiid, and Embiid did a good job dishing to Barlow when posted up under the basket. Shooting could potentially be a problem with this group, but you could always swap out Barlow for Wade to provide that floor spacing.
The backup center spot has long been a topic of discussion, and it remains one this season. Are Bona and Hukporti enough to get by if Embiid misses time?
BT: This is easily my biggest area of concern heading into the season.
Can Bona and Hukporti fill in as spot starters at times? Probably. But if Embiid misses significant time, color me skeptical.
The Sixers can always try small-ball units with Barlow or even LeBron at the 5, but they’d be sacrificing a ton of rebounding and rim protection. Those lineups are fine as curveballs, not as something to be routinely relied upon.
I’m guessing that they’ll fill their last two-way spot with another big man just to give themselves more depth at that spot, and their final open roster spot is likely earmarked for a big man in-season as well.
SK: I think those two are enough in the sense that the team has enough talent elsewhere to get by with one position of weakness if and when Joel is out of the lineup for a few games here and there. You’re obviously not going to get a playoff-caliber center option on a minimum deal, so you have to hope the ability to load manage Embiid and take more off his plate with the massive infusion of roster talent can keep him on track to be relatively healthy come the postseason. I would like some sort of stretch-shooting big just to give Nick Nurse another lineup alternative – Kevin Love as a midseason signing, anyone?
JG: This is my second biggest concern, because as it stands, I don’t believe they’re enough to get by a substantial amount of time, especially to win a playoff game or two. Bona’s sophomore season was very up-and-down, and he looked woefully unplayable for large stretches of both playoff series for the Sixers last season.
Hukporti has gotten less opportunity. There’s perhaps a little more hope for development, but a lack of experience isn’t going to help him cut down on fouling immediately. Should Embiid miss a playoff game, I’d be very concerned about the other team being able to use all 12 of Bona and Hukporti’s fouls.
They won’t be able to do anything until halfway through the season, but I will be monitoring the veteran’s minimum and buyout big market closely.
DP: I strongly doubt it will be enough, but I am excited to see what Hukporti can bring to the table. If there’s any trade deadline targets the Sixers go after, I’d imagine it would be a center.
HG: I haven’t sold off my Bona stock yet, but I’m going to need to see much more of him this season. I think Bona and Hukporti are extremely similar in the sense that you want them doing less to provide more. These guys are big frames who play seriously hard, and when you overextend them, things can get wild and they can rack up fouls quick. You want them filling in the gaps, not doing the heavy lifting. I might be in the minority on this one, but those two might be enough if LeBron is mostly available. I do think you can run into problems quickly, however, if LeBron misses a chunk of time or you need to lean on both of them to soak up 48 minutes at the center spot in the event of an Embiid injury.
Knicks fans are feeling new emotions entering a new season this year, coming off the franchise's first championship in 53 years with a solid case for repeating in 2026-27.
Euphoria is at an all-time high, the expectations are less burdened but still there, and the excitement is at a peak after a wild offseason of rival teams chasing New York’s preeminence.
We’re still two months away from tip-off, but the hype kicked off with the season’s schedule release on Thursday.
Let’s dive into all 82 games to take an early glimpse at what the Knicks should expect in defense of their throne this year.
Key Dates
Sept. 29: NBA Training Camps open
Oct. 20: Start of NBA regular season
Dec. 4-5: Emirates NBA Cup 2026 | Knockout Rounds | Quarterfinals
Dec. 8 and/or Dec. 9: Emirates NBA Cup 2026 | Knockout Rounds | Semifinals
Dec. 11: Emirates NBA Cup 2026 | Championship | Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Feb. 11: NBA Trade Deadline
Feb. 19-21: NBA All-Star 2027 | Phoenix
Feb. 19-24: NBA All-Star break
Top Matchups
Oct. 20 vs Phi.
Opening night has never been more special, as the Knicks receive their 2026 championship rings, before suiting up to play the rebuilt 76ers. This is not the team they eliminated from two of the last three postseasons, after acquiring Jaylen Brown via trade and LeBron James in free agency.
NBA Cup Games
Oct. 30 @ Philadelphia 76ers
Nov. 13 @ Indiana Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton returns from his Achilles tear as the Knicks test themselves against the one teams they failed to overcome in their hunt for a chip.
Nov. 2 vs Brooklyn Nets
Julius Randle dons a Nets jersey at MSG for the first time, returning to the city that made him a perennial All-Star.
Nov. 25 vs Cleveland Cavaliers
New York has had Cleveland’s number, but the Cavs won’t go quietly after an embarrassing Conference Finals sweep.
Nov. 27 vs Miami Heat
Giannis Antetokounmpo pays a visit to Madison Square Garden for the first time in his new Heat uniform, as the Knicks face a potential new contender in the East.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots the ball past San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in the first half during game one of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center / Geoff Burke - Imagn Images
Dec. 25 vs San Antonio Spurs
A Christmas Day NBA Finals rematch, what more could fans ask for? Victor Wembanyama and co. will be out to prove they’ve ascended beyond last June’s performance.
Feb. 13 vs Golden State Warriors
We don’t have many more chances to watch Stephen Curry play at Madison Square Garden, so fans of the quixotic shooter will have this date circled on their calendars.
Easiest stretches
New York doesn’t boast any especially easy stretches playing in a packed division and conference with their longest home stand coming in at five games. They do open the season with seven of their first 11 games at home, though, with two against Chicago, plus Brooklyn and Milwaukee on the docket letting them start the year with a little victory lap.
From Jan. 11 through the end of the month, the Knicks play nine of 11 games at home with only one back-to-back -- this stretch includes a number of visiting West teams, but few pushovers.
Late March provides them another reprieve, with five of six games at home and the one road game just a stone’s throw away in Washington D.C. They play the Wizards twice plus the Pelicans and Kings in this stretch, giving them a potential nice boost to playoff seeding down the stretch.
Toughest stretches
New York was given a brutal holiday schedule, kicking off in December with two road games before pivoting into the NBA Cup tournament action. From there, they play five more road games before finally returning home in time for games every other day through the end of the month, including their Christmas matinee.
And it doesn’t stop there, as the Knicks go back on the road on Dec. 30 to launch a six-game West Coast trip with a though back-to-back. In all, they play 13 of 16 games away from home for a month and a week, not including Cup games.
This part of the schedule will definitely test this team, which had a similar stretch last year in which they won the NBA Cup and went on a killer winning streak, before completely flaming out for the next 11 games.
With all of the trophies they were able to secure last season, perhaps they will be able to find a way to carry through this intense stretch with less of a boom-and-bust approach.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 18: OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks looks on during the New York Knicks 2026 Championship Parade and Ceremony on June 18, 2026 in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
I was vacationing in Bar Harbor, Maine, with my father and youngest son when a bizarre email crossed my phone. A marketing company was offering me ten minutes with OG Anunoby. The Knicks’ star forward had partnered with the water brand Essentia and would be making the promotional rounds in two days. Would I be available to chat?
There are circumstances in which you decline an interview while on vacation—especially one spent introducing your father to an aunt he’d never met—but passing up ten minutes with OG would be a criminal dereliction of duty. Also, full disclosure: Anunoby is my favorite Knick, and the 12-year-old fanboy in me was short circuiting a little bit. Ten minutes isn’t much time, though, and my head filled with all the questions I might squeeze in.
Ogugua “OG” Anunoby was born in London in 1997 to Nigerian parents of Igbo descent. His mother, Grace, a national-level track and field athlete in Nigeria, died of cancer when he was one. At four, OG moved with his father, a university professor, and six siblings to Jefferson City, Missouri. His older brother Chigbo later played in the NFL. OG gave up football for basketball around age eight, starred at Jefferson City High School, and went on to Indiana University. Despite a major knee injury, the Toronto Raptors selected him 23rd overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. On December 30, 2023, the Raptors traded Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn to the New York Knicks for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a second-round pick.
Unlike some athletes and celebrities who divulge everything about themselves for attention, OG remains an enigma. Little is known about his life off the court and on it, he carries himself like a Zen master. He rarely displays his passions during games. When he tipped in Jalen Brunson’s miss to complete a 29-point comeback and seal Game Four of this year’s Finals, the play was instantly minted as iconic. Anunoby, who scored 33 points that night, simply smiled while his teammates and the Garden exploded in ecstasy.
In nine seasons, Anunoby has received just nine technical fouls. Consider the following exchange with Desmond Bane, which is about as riled up as OG gets. The musclebound Magic guard wound up and rifled the basketball at a defenseless OG, who responded with a mild shove and a perplexed, “What was that?” Moments later, they were smiling and joking, and the game resumed as if nothing had happened.
He operates the same in interviews. Given a question, he provides a concise reply that satisfies the basic requirements of answering it without betraying any of his inner mechanisms. The dude takes open-ended queries and slams them shut like a book—and I suspect he draws some secret amusement from it. Maybe in a longer sit-down, the two-time All-Defensive player and future Hall of Famer might reveal another layer of the onion. With ten minutes, I was handcuffed. Perhaps another time I can ask something meaty, like how the death of his father in September 2018 affected him during that championship season, or what lessons he learned from Kawhi Leonard. For now, I loaded up some softballs and hit the field.
In typical OG fashion, he appeared in my Zoom window with the hood of his tan sweatshirt pulled up.
Russell: How’s your day going?
OG: Good. How about you?
[Self-consciously noticing that his voice is higher than usual] It’s been a long day. But Essentia is the reason we’re talking today. What made the partnership a good fit for you?
It’s my favorite thing to drink. It’s my go-to drink. It keeps me hydrated the best.
Can you tell me about the Supercharged Court in Times Square? What interested you about being part of that project?
It seemed like a good thing to do for the fans, to give back to the community.
You’re clearly invested in growing basketball in England, from your camp to the court project near King’s Cross. What do you think the NBA can do to grow its European audience—more afternoon games, overseas games, or something else?
More afternoon games, overseas games, sure. I think once NBA Europe starts in two years, the interest will grow.
Editor’s note: The NBA and FIBA are working toward launching a new European league, potentially as soon as the 2027–28 season.
Do you prefer matinee or night games?
Hmm. I like day games, but it depends on a number of things. Travel, if it’s a back-to-back. Those sorts of things.
The Knicks were healthier during this championship run than they had been in previous seasons. Was there anything you did differently to prepare, recover, or manage the grind of the season?
Just put in the time to take care of myself.
Everyone talks about your unflappable composure. Where does that come from? Is that just your temperament, or is it something you’ve worked at?
I’ve always been pretty calm, even as a kid. It’s just who I am.
Like anyone, you must experience highs and lows in life. Is it difficult to compartmentalize your personal life when you’re in the spotlight and trying to focus on being a professional athlete?
Everyone goes through things that you don’t know about. But it’s no different than anyone else going to work. You just do your job and try to stay focused.
What do you do to maintain those personal and professional boundaries?
[Shrug] Yeah, I dunno. Try to stay focused.
[Experiencing flop-sweat] I won’t ask about the tip-in, because I’m sure you’ve talked that to death.
Mmm.
[Anxiously checks time] The schedule just dropped. Are there any games you are specifically looking forward to? The Spurs rematch?
Not really. I do look for the Toronto games, so I know when I can connect with my people there.
Are you working on any specific part of your game that you want to improve this offseason?
Every part of my game. All of it.
Everything?
I’m working on everything, to be the best teammate I can be and help us continue to win.
Can you recall your first reaction when you found out you were going to the Knicks?
I was shocked. I had no idea that I would be traded. It came out of nowhere.
There was no hint of that happening ahead of time?
None. It was a surprise, really.
You won a championship in Toronto. What was different about winning one in New York?
Both franchises had gone a long time without winning—I think Toronto had never won, and the Knicks had gone 53 years. So, it felt great to be able to end those streaks. And with New York, I was able to play more.
Right, weren’t you out with an injury during the 2019 playoffs?
[Directly into the camera] Not really. I just didn’t get to play.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Russell gets confused here because his notes say that OG Anunoby missed the entire 2019 championship run due to an emergency appendectomy performed just days before the playoffs started. Although he eventually dressed for the NBA Finals, he did not appear in any games.
Does defending a title feel different from chasing one?
Well, we’re still chasing it, you know?
Right. When you retire from playing basketball, what hobbies or career do you think you might pursue?
That’s a good question. I haven’t really thought about that, actually. I’m having so much fun playing basketball that I haven’t given any thought to what I would do next.
You wouldn’t train to become a professional ukulele player?
Not ukulele. I’ll have to think about this.
Do you play any instruments?
No, no. I used to play the violin for . . . hmm. Six years?
Maybe you could play the national anthem before a game?
[Shrug]
[Embarrassing nervous chuckle as the moderator gives a ‘hook’ sign] Last question. What is something nobody ever asks but you would love to talk about?
[Suddenly growing animated] There’s nothing I haven’t been asked. I’ve been asked everything! I’ve literally been asked everything! There is nothing I haven’t been asked.
And with that, our time was up. Just when it felt like I’d hit a vein, too. It was foolish to hope OG would reveal some newsworthy morsel in ten pressurized minutes. Still, I learned that he played the violin for six years, checks the schedule for trips to Toronto, was genuinely blindsided by the trade to New York, and has given almost no thought to life after basketball because he’s having too much fun playing it. For a man who can unravel the best of interviewers, that felt like a decent haul.
Thanks again for giving us your time, OG. And drink Essentia, Knicks fans.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JUNE 13: Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after making a basket at the buzzer to end the second quarter against the New York Knicks in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. 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
Welcome to Pounding the Rock’s 2025-26 player reviews! The series will look at the players who finished the season with the San Antonio Spurs on guaranteed contracts and who played consequential minutes and/or a vital role (so no two-way players because we hardly saw them this year, no players who were traded away, and none of the deep bench centers, since they were both irrelevant and are now all gone).
At first glance, these numbers may look low for Devin Vassell. It’s the fewest points per game he’s scored since his second season in the league and a seemingly big drop after averaging 18 ppg over the last three seasons. However, not only has his role changed, but it’s also worth taking a moment to remember back to a year ago, when questions loomed about his offensive consistency (especially in a non-dominant role), tendency to disappear for long stretches, and untapped defensive potential.
Fast-forward to today, and not only did Vassell put all those concerns to rest this season, but he did it despite moving from second, sometimes third to fourth option in the starting unit. Part of it could be that the “lesser” role lowered expectations, or his flashier teammates made us forget about him at times, but the fact remains that he filled the exact role the Spurs needed him to on both ends of the court, and he did it on a consistent basis.
Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle may have been ahead of him in the pecking order, but Vassell was the perfect relief valve for when the defense over-committed to them or the offense broke down, in part because he possesses something much of the roster lacks: a solid midrange and pull-up game. He was the best player in the main rotation shooting 50% from from 10-16 ft, he doesn’t have to get to the hoop or be open from three to score, and he can create his own shot in a pinch. Even so, the majority of his shots came from three, where defenders often forget about him, and he made them pay a very respectable rate.
On defense, he was consistent and didn’t fall asleep on assignments while finally putting that 6’10” wingspan to good use. Players had to work to get around him, just to be met by the best shot blocker in the league when they did, and while Vassell is not a blocking machine himself (not many wings are), he had many impressive ones, especially in the playoffs when the Spurs needed him the most. (The Jaylen Williams and Chet Holgren ones immediately come to mind.) Speaking of which, he was also one of the few players who was consistent throughout the playoffs and especially the Finals, scoring efficiently in double digits in all but two postseason games.
There’s really nothing to criticize about Vassell’s season. He was quietly confident in his role and didn’t complain about it, but instead did all the little things that don’t always show up in the box score but make all the difference, such as setting screens, keep moving and contest shots. This is the solid, consistent version of him we’ve all been waiting for, and he was rewarded by being a starter on a team that went to the Finals.
Looking ahead
When Vassell first signed his rookie extension of 5 years, $146 million, there was sticker shock over its value since it made him the highest-paid Spur ever at the time. Of course, it was an overreaction when remembering the cap explosion that has taken place under Adam Silver and that the same money simply wasn’t available in Tim Duncan’s time, but Vassell still proved his worth this year on a contract that, by today’s standards, matches his status as a Top 50-75 player. (For reference, had Wemby accepted the supermax, it would have been worth more than double Vassell’s contract.)
Like Keldon Johnson, Vassell is the only other “gap era” Spur remaining on the roster and part of the shrinking “middle class” of the NBA (what I consider players who are signed for more than the midlevel exception but decently less than the max). As more young Spurs come up for rookie extensions, Vassell will continue to be tied to trade rumors, but the Spurs’ hope is likely to retain him because he is the exact type of role player a contender needs: an all-around player who doesn’t need the ball much but can do anything once he has it. (If I had to guess, when/if the Spurs eventually do need to dump salary, Fox would go before Vassell due to positional overlap, but that’s just my own hunch.)
In the meantime, Vassell needs to keep doing what he did this season and show that he is not superfluous with the rest of the roster. He managed to separate himself from the guard trio by showing he could play as a wing on both ends of the floor, creating his own niche on team. He doesn’t have to put up flashy numbers, but just fill the role that is asked of him and do it consistently, and this season, he showed he could do just that.
(One more thing: can someone please tell opposing and national announcers it’s pronounced “VUH-sell”? The amount of times I heard him called “Vastle” was ridiculous, especially considering he’s been in the league for six years now.)
Top Performance
Nov. 28 at Denver Nuggets: 35 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 7-9 from three
Not that anyone cares that much about the NBA Cup — maybe it’s cool when you advance, like the Spurs did — but the game that clinched their spot in the quarterfinals was one of their most thrilling of the season and by far Vassell’s best. Down Wemby and Castle, he led the way against a generally full-strength Nuggets club (which he’s has a knack for over the years, they must consider him a Nuggets killer by now) in another early-season sign that these Spurs were for real.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 03: Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Atlanta Hawks in action during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on April 03, 2026 in New York City. 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 Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Can a new situation improve performance?
According to Lukas Nicot, a French journalist who’s followed Zaccharie Risacher since he was a teenager in the French club ASVEL, he is in a much better position with the Dallas Mavericks than he was during his first two years in Atlanta.
“In Dallas, I think he’ll feel much more comfortable. The team is much better structured,” Nicot said.
“I think that in Atlanta, his relationship with Trae Young was good, but the team lacked a real structure. Since the beginning of his career, whether at ASVEL or Bourg-en-Bresse, he has always played within a framework, with clearly defined roles.”
MONACO, MONACO – FEBRUARY 10: Donta Hall, #45 of AS Monaco and Zaccharie Risacher, #10 of LDLC Asvel Villeurbanne in action during the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 24 game between AS Monaco and LDLC Asvel Villeurbanne at Salle Gaston Medecin on February 10, 2023 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Alfonso Cannavacciuolo/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images)
The situation in Atlanta was not ideal for Risacher, and it’s become pretty clear that we have not seen his full NBA potential yet. Being drafted with the number one pick did not really set him up for success either, Nicot points out.
“I don’t think being the number one pick in the draft helped him. He’s a player who needs to set goals for himself and work toward them step by step. Being drafted that high comes with expectations and the pressure to live up to them right away, which can be difficult — even more so for a player who isn’t American.”
In Dallas, Lukas Nicot notes, Risacher isn’t coming in to transform everything, but rather to add something to the team. That could help him to perform much better.
“He won’t be the only young, high-potential player anymore. Having [Cooper] Flagg in the locker room will be good for him.”
The 6’8, 200 lbs small forward had a disappointing start to his NBA career in Atlanta. After being drafted with the number one pick by the Atlanta Hawks in 2024, he failed to earn the trust of head coach Quin Snyder and fell out of the rotation at times. He never really lived up to expectations, which had fans and media asking whether he wasn’t actually as good as advertised.
Last month, the 21-year-old Frenchman from Lyon was traded to Dallas in a three-team trade, sending Ryan Nembhard to Atlanta and Risacher to Dallas.
And Risacher – or Zacch as he is affectionately called by his countrymen – is a high-level defender, a talent very much needed by the Mavs right now. In France, they hope that Risacher can develop to be the type of player that can take over from Nicolas Batum on the French French national team. A strong defender and a reliable three-point shooter.
KATOWICE, POLAND – AUGUST 31: Zaccharie Risacher of France goes up for a shot during the Group D FIBA Eurobasket 2025 game between Israel v France at Spodek Arena on August 31, 2025 in Katowice, Poland. (Photo by Dragana Stjepanovic/FIBA via Getty Images) | FIBA via Getty Images
“He’s a hard worker,” Lukas Nicot says, “he has good shooting ability and athletic qualities that his father Stéphane didn’t have.”
Risacher’s dad, Stéphane Risacher, was a pro basketball player in Europe and a silver medalist at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney with France.
But Risacher is also a very smart basketball player with a high basketball IQ, something that runs in the family. His whole family is involved in basketball: His dad, his sister Ainhoa, who plays professionally for ASVEL, and his mom, who works in the media.
According to Lukas Nicot, Risacher really has everything you need to succeed in the NBA. But as with almost all young players, the mental aspect is the next step in his development.
“The mental side will be the key to his success in the NBA and with the French national team. If he can take that next step mentally, he could become a very good second-in-command player, alongside a franchise player,” Nicot says.
A very promising player assessment for a team that has maybe the best veteran mentor in the business – Kyrie Irving – who’s incredibly strong mentally, and has been known to help players develop that specific skill.
Maybe the question isn’t so much whether a new situation can help improve performance. Maybe the question is rather whether a second chance, trust and fit can help a player feel comfortable enough to embrace the moment.
Improving a situation for a player can transform an NBA career. With less pressure, more mentorship, being next to a franchise star and a coach who might put him in a better position, we all may be in for a surprise here.
Zaccharie Risacher has a lot to prove and Dallas could just be the place for him to take that next step and show why he was a number one pick to begin with.
Oct 14, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Fans during a game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Cleveland won 34-24. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The recent history of the Cleveland Browns has been full of sadness upon sadness upon embarrassment. Even despite the Browns two playoff appearances under former HC Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland once again embarks on a new coaching staff, hoping to find that elusive winning formula that can last into the next decade and into the new domed stadium.
Browns fans have been a lot like the make believe Richmond soccer team from “Ted Lasso,” in that hope is not found and any time they’ve had it, the hope has killed them:
That uncertainty is reflected in expectations for the season. Nearly two-thirds of Browns fans (65%) predict their team will finish with just four to six wins, while 19% expect seven to nine wins and 15% believe they’ll manage just three wins or fewer.
Of note, only the Baltimore Ravens are found in the Top 10 of hopeful fanbases with the other three AFC North teams ranked 18th or below.
What do you think of these “hope” rankings? Pretty fitting given the talent on the teams near the bottom?
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 29: Head Coach Darko Rajakovic of the Toronto Raptors stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2026 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Serbian tactician fits seamlessly with Toronto’s developmental direction and its win-now aspiration
When Darko Rajakovic took the helm in the summer of 2023, most viewed his hiring as an indication of redirection, given the imminent and eventual departures of franchise favourites, Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby. Three years later, the Raptors just made their win-now move and acquired Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers, albeit amid the ongoing investigation. Pairing Scottie Barnes with a generational superstar like Leonard suddenly opened a contention window for Toronto, and it is not one they will be wasting.
Given the immense expectations surrounding this squad’s success, head coach Rajakovic will be subject to as much scrutiny as anyone on this team. History has shown us that tacticians with no prior track record will always incur skepticism from fans and media alike, especially for a team of this calibre. Take Nick Nurse as an example. He was a long-time assistant coach of the Raptors before getting a promotion, but his achievement was overshadowed by the sentiments shared regarding the firing of that year’s Coach of the Year, Dwane Casey – some dismayed, others frustrated.
Nurse’s tactics were unconventional, to say the least, going to the extent of implementing high-school defensive schemes, like the Box-and-One, in an NBA Finals game, which actually paid dividends. Nurse’s hard-nosed, no-nonsense coaching style worked for that Raptors’ iteration, which was composed mostly of seasoned players who were receptive and thick-skinned enough to endure his criticisms.
The Raptors, however, are not constructed the way they used to be anymore, and they needed a new voice to command them. Nurse was let go because of a strained relationship with management and the seemingly unadaptable style that he infused within the young group.
Rajakovic is a well-renowned developmental coach who most notably groomed the newly dispersed Memphis Grizzlies core, with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane being two of them. With an aging Leonard, surrounded by one of the NBA’s youngest rosters, there is no better coach to handle this team than Rajakovic. He is not new when it comes to refining raw talent that’ll fit seamlessly around Leonard, in hopes of winning another championship for Toronto.
Rajakovic’s Committee Approach
The main concern with the impending acquisition of Leonard has been what it has always been since his first stint almost eight years ago, and during his run with the Clippers — his load management. Assuming the trade pushes through, Leonard, now 35, will look to preserve his physical condition for the postseason, given his history with injuries. This creates a perfect scenario wherein Leonard can offload the pressure of playing heavy minutes night-in, night-out, at the same time build familiarity with Rajakovic’s system and chemistry with his teammates.
Rajakovic’s brand of coaching extends beyond his knack of unlocking players’ potential; however, the foundation of his philosophy remains in every facet of commanding a basketball team. From utilizing a deep 10-man rotation to reverting from Nurse’s effective but high-risk defensive tactics, one thing sits at its core — his preference for a committee approach.
The Raptors dished the third most assists, on average, at 29.2 per game, as Rajakovic hammered on making quick decisions with the ball, earning itself the nickname of “0.5 Offence.” Anchored in this philosophy, his players adapted instinctive cutting and constant off-the-ball movement to generate open looks, as this offence prefers high-percentage shots.
Where Nurse went all out, Darko went conservative. While Nurse was known to deploy aggressive defensive schemes, which required well-coordinated on-ball pressure, Rajakovic required only one on-ball defender across the half-court before settling to play half-court defence. It might not generate as many live-ball turnovers as Nurse did, but it also mitigates risks like leaving the corner open and allowing wide-open layups.
Due to availability concerns and player movement, Nurse made use of a traditional nine/ten-man rotation for the regular season, but narrowed it down to a condensed eight-man pool, with the starting five logging heavy minutes for every contest during their 2019 title run. On the contrary, Rajakovic kept a constant nine-man rotation in the postseason to allow himself personnel flexibility on matchups, given the injuries to Immanuel Quickley and Brandon Ingram.
Assuming Kawhi becomes a Raptor, Rajakovic’s committee approach constructs a competitive roster that’ll accompany him in his quest for a second title, given its current state. Unlike seven years ago, this Raptors’ squad is one of the NBA’s youngest, but is also one of its most promising and emerging groups among the bunch. The inclusion of highly touted young talents like Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles meant that a reunion with Kawhi seemed more imminent than not.
Leonard was not who he was when he first got here, so is the team. With the right group of guys, a driving force like Leonard, and a coach to weave the pieces together, the Raptors might just be able to figure out a way to make it work and win the championship a second time.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 26: Head coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics looks over his dry erase board during a timeout during a game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on October 26, 2024 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 Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
How do you eat a whale? Well, in this case, the 82-game gauntlet of an NBA season. The old adage is to approach the NBA season game-by-game, but it’s always helpful to look at it in chunks, just like the team’s equipment manager might when planning road trips and homestands. In that spirit, let’s try and predict the Celtics record.
at Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls: The Celtics kick off the entire NBA season with an opener in Motor City on Tuesday, October 20th with an odd 3 pm EST tip-off. Maybe that’s for an international audience. Regardless, that’s the #1 and #2 seed from last year ushering in the new year of hoops. Boston is then rewarded with a four-game homestand that includes a visit from the defending champs and a 4-1 start to get 2026-2027 rolling.
at Orlando Magic, at Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, at Charlotte Hornets, at Milwaukee Bucks, at Philadelphia 76ers, at Toronto Raptors: If you take a 30,000-foot view of the schedule, it’s a lot of long homestands and road trips. Thankfully, the Celtics rank 20th in miles travelled for the entire year. This roadie includes Boston’s first look at Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, and the 76ers — after facing them twice in the preseason — and some of the upstarts in the East with Orlando and Toronto on the docket. Going above-.500 would put Boston at around 8-4.
Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic, at Denver Nuggets, at Sacramento Kings, at Golden State Warriors, at Washington Wizards: Boston has 16 back-to-backs next season, tied for most in the league with the Nets and Pelicans. Two of them are part of this five-games-in-eight-nights stretch with the team making their first foray into California. 12-6 with nearly a quarter of the season under their belt.
On the flip side, some positives:
👍Lots of holiday games: Black Friday, Xmas, NYD, MLK Day, Valentine's Day, Easter 👍Scheduled to be on road for only 5 days of December 👍2x homestands of 6+ games 👍4 of first 5 are at home 👍C's will be home for Thanksgiving & Xmas!
Atlanta Hawks, at San Antonio Spurs, at Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte Hornets: Hosting the Hawks wraps up the Celtics’ NBA Cup four-game regular season. It’s a group of up-and-comers that also includes the Hornets, Bulls, and Wizards. Boston should rep Group C in the playoff round with a 3-1 record in group play and an overall 15-7.
*Let’s go out on a limb and say the Celtics raise Banner 18.5 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and get to 17-7, too.
at Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers: A seven-game homestand that includes waking up in their own bed for Christmas is such a treat for NBA players. It also has the only home-and-home on the schedule with hometown hero A.J. Dybantsa visiting TD Garden with the Wizards. A strong showing pushes Boston to 24-8 before the new year.
From Dec. 14 until Jan. 29, the Celtics will play:
– Seven straight home games – Then six straight road games – Then nine of their next 10 at home https://t.co/rNRBAA3mgn
at Chicago Bulls, at Utah Jazz, at Portland Trail Blazers, at Phoenix Suns, at Los Angeles Lakers, at Los Angeles Clippers: This marks the Odyssey portion of the schedule. This six-game road trip marks the longest of the year with CelticsBlog’s Noa Dalzell ranking it the most difficult:
The Celtics haven’t had a 6-game road trip since March of 2025, when they became the first team in franchise history to go a perfect 6-0 in one road trip. They’ll look to replicate that success this winter when they face three Western Conference playoff teams from last year, and a Jazz squad that could be much-improved. The Bulls and Clippers should be easier outs, but there’s no telling how competitive this road trip will end up being.
There are some tough outs, but really, their biggest opponent might just be fatigue and monotony as the NBA gauntlet nears the halfway point. A split gets the Celtics to 27-11.
Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, at Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns: Home sweet home with nine of the next ten games at the Garden. Next year, the NBA trade deadline is on February 11th. The Celtics and their front office will have a long runway in January to see just how good this team is and what holes need to be plugged. There’s just one back-to-back that includes Brown’s homecoming on the 21st. 34-14.
at Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, at Charlotte Hornets, at Atlanta Hawks, at Philadelphia 76ers: Boston won’t leave the Eastern Standard Time zone for this road trip, but I’ll predict a bit of a mid-year stumble to drop them to 36-17.
Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors, at Oklahoma City, at Memphis Grizzlies: Another homestand, a few battles against the West’s elite before the All-Star break, and the aforementioned trade deadline.
If the Celtics are 39-20 at this point, it’s most likely that President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens doesn’t make a big move that might disrupt the chemistry of the team…or he’s made a big trade to push them over the top. Let’s operate the rest of the way as if a deal was made on the edges, but nothing big with the team relatively healthy. Fingers crossed.
Celtics will have 27 nationally televised games this season:
Cleveland Cavaliers, at Minnesota Timberwolves, at Indiana Pacers, at Detroit Pistons: The Celtics have their first three-game losing streak of the season. 40-23 has them in the hunt to host a first round series in April.
Philadelphia 76ers, at Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, at New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings, Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans, at Brooklyn Nets, San Antonio Spurs: This might be the most consequential stretch of the year with games against title contenders and bottom feeders. The Celtics will have to at least split games against the 76ers, Knicks, Thunder, and Spurs and take care of business with the Grizzlies, Kings, Pelicans, and Nets to really be considered one of the elites. 47-26.
at Miami Heat, at New Orleans Pelicans, at Indiana Pacers, at Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, at New York Knicks, at Orlando Magic, at Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks: Last season, the Celtics finished with 56 wins to clinch the 2nd seed. Their final kick this year will include seven of their last nine games on the road with visits to Miami, Indiana, Cleveland, New York, Orlando, and Atlanta — all teams predicted to be in the playoff mix. Optimistically, 52-30 would be a strong season for this team which would have made them #4 last year.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 20: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game during Game Two of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 20, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s hard for an NBA rivalry to stand the test of time. Superstars change teams, coaches get fired, and especially in the second apron era, it’s harder than ever to maintain roster continuity year-after-year.
The best rivalry in the NBA felt like the Golden State Warriors vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers for a while after the teams met in four straight NBA Finals matchups. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green remain with the Warriors, but at this point no one is circling that game on the calendar. Unlike in football, it feels like the NBA’s best rivalries change every few years, with a couple of notable exceptions.
Matchups on 2026-27 schedule: at New York on Nov. 27, at Miami on Dec. 12, at New York on Jan. 14
The Knicks and Heat played in the playoffs four straight years from 1997-2000, and produced an iconic moment when Jeff Van Gundy swung from Alonzo Mourning’s leg during a brawl. The rivalry renewed in the second round of the 2023 playoffs, with the No. 8 seed Heat winning in six games on their way to the NBA Finals. Pat Riley is still going strong in Miami at 81 years old, and he keeps the connection between these two franchises alive after coaching the Knicks for four seasons during their ‘90s heyday before bolting to the Heat. While I don’t expect Miami to push the reigning champion Knicks at the top of the East this season, the Heat do have a tendency to overachieve, and will have a chance to build a contender around Giannis Antetokounmpo in the coming years. Read our full history of the Knicks-Heat rivalry here.
9. Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
Matchups on 2026-27 schedule: at Houston on Nov. 11, at Golden State on Dec. 30, at Houston on March 1, at Golden State on March 7
Just say “7-for-44” around an NBA fan, and they will immediately know you’re talking about the Rockets’ shooting performance in Game 7 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals against the Warriors. It was one of the most memorable playoff series in recent league history, and it’s just a shame Chris Paul couldn’t stay healthy the entire way through. The Rockets and Warriors also met in the playoffs in 2015, 2016, and 2019, then played a tough seven-game series in the first-round of the 2025 playoffs, with Golden State advancing. This rivalry is probably on its last legs these days with the Warriors declining around Curry and Green, but these games still seem to mean a little bit more to Houston, so it stays on the list.
8. Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Matchups on 2026-27 schedule: at Dallas on Feb. 28, at Los Angeles Lakers on March 21, at Los Angeles Lakers on April 6
Mavs fans might never get over the Luka Doncic trade, and it’s hard to blame them. Dallas rebounded about as well as possible by cashing in on long-shot odds to win the lottery for Cooper Flagg in the following draft, but until Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz build a sustainable contender, the biggest game on the schedule will be the ones against Luka’s Lakers. As Flagg enters his second season, he should have a chance to begin approaching Luka’s level of greatness in the coming years if he can live up to the hype.
7. Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat
Matchups on 2026-27 schedule: at Boston on Dec. 25, at Miami on March 27, at Boston on April 2
This has been the defining rivalry of the Eastern Conference for the 2020s. The teams played in the Eastern Conference Finals three times in this decade in 2020, 2022, and 2023, and faced off in the first round in 2024. The Heat and Celtics also played a legendary 2012 Eastern Conference Finals series that included one of LeBron’s best playoff performances ever with 45 points in Game 6. It was ultimately the last hurrah for the Kevin Garnett/Paul Pierce/Ray Allen version of the Celtics. This rivalry has some new juice this year before Boston came in second to Miami in the bidding for Giannis Antetokounmpo. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Boston and Miami play another first-round series again this year.
6. New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers
Matchups on 2026-27 schedule: at Indiana on Nov. 13, at New York on Nov. 22, at Indiana on April 11
Tyrese Haliburton hit an unbelievable buzzer-beater against the Knicks in Game 1 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, and then poured salt on the wound by immediately doing the Reggie Miller choking taunt. Miller’s dramatics — eight points in 8.9 seconds — during the 1995 conference semifinals will be replayed for as long as the NBA exists, and Haliburton brought it into the modern era by ripping New York’s heart out again. The fact that the Knicks immediately succeeded the Pacers as Eastern Conference champions and won the championship as soon as Haliburton went down with a torn Achilles only makes the stakes higher going into this year. All of these games are going to be must-see.
5. Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Matchups on 2026-27 schedule: at Los Angeles on Jan. 7, at Boston on Feb. 2
This is the biggest rivalry in NBA history, and I just can’t have it any lower than this even in what could be something of a down period. Even after these teams lost Jaylen Brown and LeBron James respectively to the 76ers over the offseason, I still had Boston at No. 6 overall and the Lakers at No. 7 overall in my updated power rankings. Both would qualify as dark horse contenders this season, and that’s not a bad place to be at in the parity era. These two teams have met a whopping 12 games in the NBA Finals. The league might be constantly changing, but the Lakers and Celtics always remain a focal point.
4. Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
Matchups on 2026-27 schedule: at Philadelphia on Nov. 10, at Boston on Jan. 21, at Philadelphia on Feb. 7, at Boston on March 7
The Celtics and Sixers are both going to feel like they have so much to prove when they play each other this year. The Jaylen Brown trade was truly an event horizon for the NBA’s relationship with analytics, and it feels like nothing will be the same now that it’s complete. Brown will want to show Boston they made a mistake by choosing Jayson Tatum over him. Boston will want to prove its front office made the right move, and that this team never needed Brown to win big. Word on the street is that LeBron James hates the Celtics, and I’m sure the feeling is mutual. There’s not an NBA rivalry this year with better off-court storylines, and the on-court product should be pretty great, too.
3. Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Matchups on 2026-27 schedule: at Denver on Dec. 28, at Minnesota on Dec. 31, at Minnesota on Jan. 27, at Denver on March 7
Nikola Jokic will be remembered as the best player of his generation, and it will be impossible to tell his story without mentioning the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nuggets went through the Wolves in the first-round in 2023 as Jokic led the franchise to its first ever NBA championship, but since then Minnesota has kept Denver away from a second round. The Wolves shocked the Nuggets in the second round of the 2024 playoffs by erasing a 20-point deficit to end Denver’s back-to-back bid. After Minnesota upset the Nuggets in the first round of the 2026 playoffs, many are wondering whether Denver is done competing for championships around Jokic. The Wolves only got better over the offseason by landing LaMelo Ball, and Denver still has a lot up in the air as Peyton Watson continues to linger in restricted free agency. Lead executive Tim Connelly left Denver for Minnesota, and knew exactly how to beat his former team. It feels like these franchises are trending in opposite directions, but it’s never smart to completely count out Jokic.
2. New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs
Matchups on 2026-27 schedule: at New York on Dec. 25, at San Antonio on March 7
Not every NBA Finals matchup would warrant inclusion in a list of the league’s best rivalries the following year, but Knicks-Spurs was special. From Victor Wembanyama growing into a villain to the Knicks’ ridiculous last second comebacks to New Yorkers jumping Spurs fans on the street, the 2026 Finals matchup feels like it’s going to be a gift that keeps on giving for the NBA. These teams don’t meet again until Christmas, but both matchups this season are going to be awesome theater, and there’s a real chance we have a repeat come June 2027.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs
Matchups on 2026-27 schedule: at San Antonio on Oct. 20, at OKC on Feb. 11, at OKC on March 14
It felt like the Thunder could be on the precipice of a dynasty until Victor Wembanyama rose to power a little quicker than anyone expected. The Spurs knocked off the Thunder in Game 7 of the 2026 Western Conference Finals, and in the process ignited a rivalry that should define the next decade in the NBA. The Thunder might believe they could have went back-to-back if Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell were healthy for the playoffs, and this season will put that theory to the test. Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander enter the season as the league’s leading MVP candidates, but it’s the rivalry between Wemby and Chet Holmgren always takes the spotlight in this matchup. Holmgren looked like a top-10 player in the world before Wembanyama ruined his confidence in the Western Conference Finals. Can Chet punch back? Will Wemby destroy his psyche forever? Just simulate to the 2027 Western Conference Finals right now. Any other matchup would be a massive upset.
The May hiring seemingly came out of nowhere and a recent piece by The Athletic supports the notion of spontaneity. That said, there were underlying motivating factors, the right people in the right places and excellent timing that played big parts in May’s favorable response to the Mavericks.
The spontaneous ask
Mavericks’ GM, Mike Schmitz — himself a new hire in the organization overhaul — has a history with Dusty May, so it was not at all unusual for him to dial the coach’s phone on the morning of May 24. The purpose of the call was to inquire about the various Michigan players who would be available in the NBA Draft taking place just a month from when the call took place – one of whom, Morez Johnson, Jr., was of course selected by Dallas with their 9th pick. During that call, Schmitz took his shot. He asked May if he would be interested in the coaching vacancy in Dallas. May suggested he always had the desire to coach in the NBA, but fully anticipated he would pick up where he left off as the Michigan head coach next season. Then things changed.
What moved the needle for May?
Fresh off the NCAA spring meetings at the time of Schmitz’s call, May recognized there were certain things about the college game that are here to stay, for better or worse. May cited a frustration with the NCAA requiring coaches to partake in fundraising and other non-coaching obligations.
“I just spent so much more of my time doing everything but coaching,”
This notion speaks volumes. May, a well-regarded, well paid NCAA coach at the very top of the game, still found some measure of dissatisfaction with his situation. Why? He was being distracted from what he wanted to do most – coach.
This is extremely good news for Mavericks’ fans who are about to embark on the adventure of a youth movement. May is a player’s coach. One who desires to mentor and develop young players, which the Mavericks are rife with.
May further realized he may not get another opportunity like he could have with Dallas. Coaching Cooper Flagg and teaming up with a longtime friend in Schmitz were major boons, as was the leadership of new team President Masai Ujiri.
“You have to really believe and trust in who’s deciding the team for you.”
May seemingly enjoyed building his own team in Michigan – effectively serving as de facto GM. That scenario would not be a viable option in Dallas. However, with Schmitz and Ujiri running the decision-making show for the team, May was confident he would have the team he needed despite not having final say on the roster.
Once again, this is reason for Mavericks’ fans to feel good. Think what you will of Ujiri and Schmitz at this point, but their names alone build confidence in the world of basketball. May had an inherent trust in the pair – one because of a shared history and the other because of a successful resume. The Mavericks have two legitimate basketball professionals running the organization, something they haven’t had in nearly three decades.
Don’t ask, don’t get
The subtext of how all of this played out is intriguing, and in some ways, ironic. Just a few years ago, Mark Cuban thought wise to hire Nico Harrison largely based on his relationship with players. On the surface, it wasn’t necessary the worst approach, despite now knowing the colossal failure it quickly became. Now, without the glitz and glam of a former Nike executive, Dallas has a President and GM working in tandem, using their own relationships to make moves.
To be clear, this story is not about Nico Harrison, the tumultuous recent past or anything of that era. However, juxtaposing that with the current state of affairs is important. The fact that the unassuming Schmitz and Ujiri have contacts of their own, longstanding basketball pedigree and the ability to close a deal that gets the Mavericks the top college coach for their young team, are important factors in what the front office is capable of doing. Schmitz made a call with a single purpose and ended up getting the Mavericks a new head coach simply by asking the question and letting his relationships and history do the rest.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics talks to the media after the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
To some, the NBA regular season schedule release isn’t very notable. Everyone plays everyone and we just find out when they play. However, I love it and wanted to give some takeaways to it.
1. Jaylen Brown’s return
I was surprised that Jaylen Brown’s return to Boston was not on Christmas and I was even more surprised that it was just on a random Thursday that will be televised on Amazon Prime on the 2nd night of a back-to-back for the Celtics. Clearly, the NBA just did not value that game as much as Celtics fans and a lot of other people who follow the NBA thought they would.
It doesn’t change how emotional that night is going to be for Celtics fans though. Jaylen Brown is a Celtics legend who many thought would retire a Celtic. Instead, he now plays for one of Boston’s biggest rivals and will be out for blood trying to prove that Boston made a bad decision.
2. A lot of back-to-backs
It is not entirely clear on how many back-to-backs the Celtics will play this year.
I count 16 back-to-backs for the Celtics next season.
For what it is worth, my count was 16, which would be tied for the most in the league and, as Daniel Donabedian noted, the most back-to-backs the Celtics have had since 2016-17.
As Sean Grande notes, the Celtics might have a few guys who don’t play in back to backs this season. New center Mitchell Robinson is one example, as he did not play in such games for the Knicks last season.
3. A lot of national TV games in February and early March
From February 2nd to March 14th, the Celtics will play 19 games, 12 of those games will be on national TV.
Boston will play in 27 national TV games this season, meaning 15 of the remaining 63 games are scheduled to be nationally televised. If you take out the first two Celtics games, 13 of 61 games will be on national TV.
Yes, the Celtics are tied for 8th in the league in that category. However, almost half of the games come over a 19-game stretch (which makes sense as the NBA loads up on national TV games between the end of football and beginning of March Madness).
4. A long homestand followedby a long road tripthen another homestand
On December 14th, the Celtics tip off a 7-game, 15-day homestand against the Washington Wizards that caps off against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Then, on December 30th they start a 6-game, 11-day west coast road trip that starts in Chicago against the Bulls and ends in Los Angeles against the Clippers.
After they come home, Boston will play 9 out of 10 games at TD Garden with only a trip to the nation’s capital as their lone road game over that stretch to play against the Wizards.
This is all after a November in which they play 12 of 16 games on the road.
It is a weird scheduling quirk and one that we haven’t seen a lot over the past fews years for Boston. One thing is clear: there are a lot of long road trips and long homestands for the Celtics this season.
5. Atough close to the season
Of the Celtics final 7 games of the season, 4 will come against teams that were in the playoffs last season (that doesn’t include games against the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat, who are widely expected to return to the playoffs after missing them last season). Five of the 7 games will also come on the road.
Over their last 7 games, Boston will play at the Pacers, at the Cavs, home against the Heat on a back-to-back, at the Knicks, at the Magic, at the Hawks and they close the regular season home against the Bucks.
If the Celtics are in a tight playoff race as the regular season comes to an end, it will be a grind for them to get the highest seed possible. On the other hand, this could represent a good test for Boston as they get ready for the playoffs.
SAN ANTONIO - MARCH 19: Gregg Popovich, Head Coach of the San Antonio Spurs talks with Don Nelson, Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors prior to the game on March 19, 2010 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2010 NBAE (Photo by D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This post is going to be short and sweet. Here’s the video of Gregg Popovich speaking at Don Nelson’s funeral on Thursday in Dallas. It speaks for itself:
Pop looks and sounds as if he continues to progress in his recovery. Really great words. It was 100% Pop, classic, and still classy given the the depth of the event.
Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.
Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.
