In three preseason games with the Knicks after signing a veteran minimum deal in the offseason, Andre Drummond has already shown he still has some left in the tank as he gets ready for his 15th season in the NBA.
Joining New York to be Karl-Anthony Towns’ backup at center following the departure of Mitchell Robinson, Drummond’s role figures to be limited but still important. After all, last year he averaged 19.5 minutes per game with the Philadelphia 76ers, his most since 2021-22.
On Monday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 33-year-old had four points, four rebounds, three blocks and a steal in 12 minutes off the bench, but it was beyond the stats that head coach Mike Brown found impressive with the backup center.
“The blocks are great, but I’m not a huge shot-blocking guy,” Brown admitted. “His communication right now is unbelievable. Usually your big is the one that sees everything out in front and so he’s usually your quarterback of your defense. A lot of bigs aren’t great talkers though. Like Draymond [Green] is one of the best in the league… and I thought Andre’s communication tonight – and it’s been good [so far] – but tonight it was off the charts.”
While Drummond’s vocalness on the floor didn’t lead to a Knicks win as they lost 122-104 (and, in fact, with Drummond on the court New York was outscored by nine points), it has Brown excited for the season.
“The blocks are good, him defending the pick-and-roll the right way, being big, there are a lot of good things that he did, but just watching him, and more importantly listening to him, man that got me really excited,” Brown said.
It’s no surprise that Drummond is a good communicator and unafraid to show it early on considering he’ll be on his seventh team when he debuts with the Knicks in the regular season.
Following seven and a half seasons with the Detroit Pistons to begin his career after being drafted No. 9 overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, Drummond has been a hot commodity, getting traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers and then the Los Angeles Lakers a year later.
He then signed with the 76ers, was traded again to the Nets before spending two seasons with the Chicago Bulls and then landing in Philadelphia once again for two years.
The two-time All-Star is no longer the beast on the boards that he was for seven consecutive seasons, leading the league in total rebounds and offensive rebounds multiple times, but at 6-foot-11, Drummond continues to be a reliable big man that New York will lean on occasionally this season.
Behind him are players like Mohamed Diawara and Pacome Dadiet, two young players that aren’t exactly centers but are “long” and hope to take the next step in their development this season -- possibly behind the tutelage of a veteran like Drummond.
In fact, Brown called both Diawara and Dadiet “eager learners” and wants to see them improve and impact the team this season.
“I thought [Dadiet] had a pretty good game. I thought he had a pretty good game the game before,” Brown said. “... Both [Dadiet and Diawara] are long, they’re obviously young and they’re talented and I’m gonna keep coaching them and they’re gonna keep getting better.”
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 12: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on October 12, 2026 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The San Antonio Spurs did not look like the San Antonio Spurs when they rolled into Utah for a bout of preseason basketball — that should sound familiar to those who remember the twilight years of the Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili trio. Be it injuries or rest, the Jazz’s guests didn’t roll out their best for the Delta Center’s preseason crowd. No Spurs stars meant we didn’t get to witness the new-look Utah Jazz match up against the reigning Western Conference champions.
In total, San Antonio kept seven rotation-level contributors sidelined in SLC. The following players posted a DNP tonight:
Victor Wembanyama
Dylan Harper
De’Aaron Fox
Stephon Castle
Tobias Harris
Carter Bryant
Devin Vassell
That’s really too bad, because the first half could have been a measuring stick for an upstart Jazz roster that hasn’t actively tried to field a competitive roster in four years. Instead, we’ll have to wait until the regular season for that visual demonstration.
Oh well, a controlling 119-109 win is an acceptable consolation prize. Utah moves to 2-1 in preseason play and lines up their fourth and final exhibition on the road in Phoenix on October 16th.
Utah Jazz vs San Antonio Spurs preseason game recap
Darryn Peterson’s second-half surge
Will Hardy played the youngest Jazz man for 24 minutes in this one, giving him some extra floor time (he was the only starter to see more than 19) to become accustomed to the NBA game. Hardy let Peterson loose for a similar burn in the second preseason game against Denver, where Peterson posted a statement 23 points in 30 minutes. He didn’t set the world ablaze with his 14 points tonight, but he flashed great patience for a prospect his age without losing his aggressive edge.
10 of those points came in the second half, connecting on 80% of his looks after opening just 1-for-5 in the first half.
This is a good time of the year to set expectations for Utah’s young rookie. Young guards’ output can be highly variable in their rookie seasons as they become familiar with the size, strength, and speed of NBA athletes. Even with this caveat, Peterson’s preseason production is very encouraging.
The cogs have not meshed together in Utah’s grandfather clock, specifically when it comes to establishing chemistry with some of the newer members of the team.
Jaren Jackson Jr. performed great in his first-half playing time with 13 points in 18 minutes, though the majority of those points were self-created save for a catch-and-shoot three-ball on the wing.
The wires are still getting crossed with Jaxson Hayes, who got the start in place of the injured Jusuf Nurkic. Several lob attempts were airmailed or missed their delivery date with Hayes as the target. Collier tossed a lob into the open space, and it met no one — Hayes got caught up at the elbow. A few others were simply a second early or just off-target.
“We’re all just getting used to playing with each other,” Hayes admitted in his halftime interview.
This isn’t the first time I’ve seen screen-and-roll sets end awkwardly with Hayes as the target during the preseason; I’m optimistic that wrinkle will be ironed out over time.
Welcome back, Brice Sensabaugh
Did you feel that chill? From the moment you began your approach toward the Delta Center, or the moment your screen’s corners crept with frost? Those who knew the signs responded accordingly: Ice Brice was back in action.
And what we got was a very standard Sensabaugh outing. 11 points on 2-for-5 three-point shooting. 3 turnovers, and a pair of rebounds and assists for good measure. This is a major season for Sensabaugh, a player who did not sign a contract extension like his teammate and fellow classman, Keyonte George. It’s a prove-it year for the former Buckeye, and he remains an efficient and effective bench scoring option.
But how much do the Jazz value that type of contribution as they shift up a gear?
Behold, the Death Lineup
In the first half, we got to see a healthy sampling of what I affectionately refer to as the Utah Jazz “Death Lineup”. It’s all about putting the most talented players on the floor at the same time, and in Utah that list looks like this: Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, Ace Bailey, Lauri Markkanen, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
In theory, this lineup could be closing out critical games over the course of an 82-game regular season (and hopefully taking a few bites at the postseason apple). In practice, there are a few loose nuts and bolts to adjust before it’s ready to take on the world.
A Jaren Jackson Jr drive into Darryn Peterson flying around all over the place. The Jazz are going to be annoying to deal with in SLC. pic.twitter.com/F8LNTBRZdn
Offensively, this bunch is incredibly dynamic. Key, Ace, and DP flattened the gas pedal in transition and found a bunch of easy looks. Markkanen and JJJ ran an on-ball screen look with each other that led to a gorgeous mid-range jumper — that look will be challenging to defend for all 29 other teams in the NBA.
The preseason is an experimentation period, but what we’re seeing out of Utah promises to deliver a far more competitive player on the Western Conference board.
Calvin Barrett is the Associate Editor for SLC Dunk. Originally from Springville, Utah, he currently lives in Japan and has covered the NBA and college athletics since 2024.
The fundraiser will take place ahead of the Knicks' preseason game against the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 15, according to the Post.
An invitation published by the Post shows that tickets to attend the event start at $10,000.
Dolan is one of the biggest Republican donors in New York for the 2026 midterm cycle, according to Politico. Dolan, his company and family members donated $1.4 million to committees for Blakeman as well as millions into super PACs supporting the Republican candidate, Politico reported.
Blakeman is a longshot in the race for the governorship in the deep-blue state. A poll by Emerson College released on Oct. 8 has incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hocul leading the Nassau County executive by 12 points.
“James Dolan knows how to build businesses, create jobs, and win championships. I’m proud to have his support and his advice — and together, we’re ready to take on Kathy Hochul and deliver another win for all New Yorkers,” Blakeman said in a statement to the Post.
Blakeman was a guest in Dolan's suite when President Donald Trump attended Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, the only game in the series the Knicks lost in route to the NBA championship – the team's first title in 53 years.
Madison Square Garden hosted a large rally for then candidate Trump in the closing stretch of the 2024 presidential campaign.
USA TODAY has reached out to Madison Square Garden for comment.
The Knicks are still in search of their first preseason win after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night, 122-104, at Madison Square Garden.
Here are the takeaways...
-- New York has struggled to find its footing offensively so far in preseason and that continued against the Timberwolves with the Knicks shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range. Jalen Brunson led the charge with 20 points on 6-of-13 from the floor but was capped at 22 minutes along with the rest of the starting five.
-- OG Anunoby was right behind Brunson with 15 points (4-of-8) while Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges combined for 20 on 6-for-12. Josh Hart had two points with three rebounds, three assists, a steal and two turnovers. His lone made basket gave New York its only lead of the night in the first quarter.
-- Beyond that, the Knicks gave extended minutes to a number of other players to see who might step up. Pacome Dadiet was first up and scored seven points in 14 minutes while going 2-for-3 from deep. Dadiet was the most efficient scorer among the reserves and knocking down threes is a good sign for young wing competing for minutes.
-- Andre Drummond was the first sub for Towns at the center position and the veteran had three blocks and four rebounds to show his potential value as a backup center following the loss of Mitchell Robinson. Overall the Knicks were outrebounded 39-28, despite nobody on Minnesota having more than five rebounds.
-- Entering the game in the final seven minutes with New York conceding, Tony Bradley made an impact by going a perfect 5-for-5 from the field and grabbing two boards. Still, even he was a minus-1 on the floor as the entire Knick roster ended the game in minus territory.
-- For the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards had 26 points in a game-high 25 minutes and was hot from deep, going 5-for-8. Jaden McDaniels wasn't far behind him with 22 points on 8-of-12 from the field and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Overall, Minnesota shot over 50 percent from both the floor and three-point range, although it struggled from the free throw line (66.7 percent).
Edwards and McDaniels alone combined to make more threes than the Knicks.
-- Ayo Dosunmu had himself a great game with a plus-13 rating in just 20 minutes but found himself in a confrontation with Anunoby after Dosunmu chased him down for a block attempt after the Timberwolves turned it over which resulted in a foul and a pair of hard falls.
Game MVP: Anthony Edwards
He led all scorers with 26 points.
Highlights
Josh Hart with the tough bucket! https://t.co/Jzbv6j9lLS
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 12: Og Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks reacts during the third quarter of a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden on October 12, 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 terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Before tonight’s scrimmage, there was talk of coach Chris Finch resting his starters. Fat chance. Only Jonathan Kuminga sat tonight for the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-1), since everyone wants to play at Madison Square Garden, the grandest basketball stage in the world. Indeed, the visitors looked determined to announce themselves while the defending champs (0-3) still dragged their feet in the loss. Final score: 122-104
The Knicks set the tone for the night with Brunson and Towns missing badly from deep. They found a creadky rhythm soon after, with buckets from Hart and Bridges and a pair of steals. Meanwhile, the game gave us our first look at LaMelo Ball in Timberwolves blue. He finished the night with 10 points, seven dimes, and five giveaways in 22 minutes. Sounds about right.
In the opening minutes, Brunson got hit with a flopping call when he stumbled from a shove by Gobert. Expect more of those calls this season, at least in the opening months. According to the telecast, NBA referees are utilizing a “STEM” criteria to evaluate potential flopping violations. The acronym stands for Secondary, Theatrical, Exaggerated, and Movement. So, officials are looking for secondary reactions that occur delayed and long after initial contact; theatrical (overly dramatic) performances; exaggerated physical responses that are misaligned with the actual force applied; and unnatural body movements (think arm flailing, karate-style leg kicks).
In Q1, Edwards had 11 points early, leading his team on a 7-0 run by the middle of the first period. After a timeout, the Knicks started clawing their way back. Around the four-minute mark, Deuce McBride and Andre Drummond checked in, and Deuce laced a triple, giving the crowd a rare moment to cheer about.
Deep in the quarter, Pacome Dadiet, Landry Shamet, and Jose Alvarado spelled the remaining starters. Over the final four minutes of the frame, New York managed just five points (a long shot by Dadiet, and a shake-and-bake kiss-off-the-glass shot by Drummond) while Minny went on a 9-5 run. Preseason basketball can get fairly sloppy, folks! Score after 12 minutes: 30-25, visitors.
To start the second, Grand Theft Alvarado picked Ball’s pocket on the inbound play and scored an easy layup. He picked off a Trey Lyles pass on the next possession, too, but missed the ensuing floater. Nice to see Jose in mid-season form. Drummond provided some protection behind him, blocking Ball and swatting a Lyles three for his third block of the game.
Landry Shamet had a rough stretch: he missed a three, lost the ball to Ayo Dosunmu ahead of a Jaden McDaniels layup, then had another three blocked by Dosunmu. He finished with two points in 12 minutes. Dadiet had a few nice moments and hit another three off a Tyler Kolek assist to cut Minnesota’s lead to 34–31.
McDaniels took over from there, scoring seven straight points as Minnesota extended its lead to 41–31. He also blocked Kolek’s drive during that run, while Kolek committed an out-of-bounds passing turnover. Mixed night for Tyler, who finished with four points and four assists in 11 minutes. Jordan Clarkson finally stopped Minnesota’s run with a three, but New York still trailed 41–34 when they called a timeout midway through the quarter.
Late in the quarter, Anunoby picked off a Dosunmu pass, and Ayo chased him down for a hard foul at the rim. It was a spicy moment, as Anunoby took exception to the aggression, but tensions cooled quickly. It’s preseason! OG delivered some highlights, finishing the half with 12 points and the night with 15.
OG Anunoby momentarily unhappy with the hard foul by Ayo Dosunmu in the preseason pic.twitter.com/P60ywlM9c2
The Wolves were clearly motivated to show up the World Champs, and when Edwards hit a buzzer-beater for his 20th point, his team took a 62-50 lead into intermission. New York hadn’t played cohesively, as evidenced by the first-half stats. Minnesota shot 55% from the field and 10-of-16 from three, compared with New York’s 39% and 7-of-19 from deep. The Knicks also made just 8-of-19 inside the arc, and they dished only nine dimes. Not bueno. Despite eight steals, New York managed only two fast-break points to Minny’s 12. The villains outrebounded our heroes, 21–15.
Whatever was discussed during halftime helped to turn their play around. Out of the break, the Knicks played with more focus and cooperation. Brunson turned it on, scoring 10 points through the first half of the period (he finished the night with 20 points in 22 minutes on 6-of-13 shooting).
After that, Mike Brown swapped out his starters with his team trailing 77-72. Mohamed Diawara got to make his first appearance of the game, and it was a shaky stretch. He fouled Dosunmu, who canned both free throws, then committed a traveling turnover on New York’s next possession. He grabbed a defensive rebound in the closing seconds but missed a three just before the buzzer, finishing the stretch with no points, one rebound, one turnover, and one foul. Minnesota went without a field goal over the final 3:18 but still carried a 90–80 lead into the fourth.
Drew Eubanks gave the Knicks some useful minutes early in the fourth. Alvarado did, too, hitting a jumper to cut the deficit to 90–82, but threes from Williams and Martin pushed it back to 14. Eubanks finished an Alvarado alley-oop and added a driving hook, then collected a steal before leaving at 7:10 with four points, a block, and a steal in the quarter. He looked pretty good for a third-string candidate. New York couldn’t string together enough stops, too, and watched their opponents score at will, stretching the margin to 103-86.
Tyler Kolek scored four points on a pull-up and a late driving layup, but missed a floater, a three, and the free throw that would have completed a three-point play. He also threw a pass that Pullin picked off, though he later found Tony Bradley for a layup. Bradley was the most productive of New York’s late substitutions, making all four of his shots for eight points and grabbing two rebounds. Also looked pretty good for a third-string candidate! Diawara collected two boards but continued to go scoreless, committed two turnovers, and picked up two fouls. While we’ve been focused on the guys fighting to make the team, we might be watching Diawara play himself off of it.
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 12: Michael Porter Jr. #17 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on October 12, 2026 at Capital One Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s only the preseason, but heading into Monday night, the Brooklyn Nets have given fans plenty to be encouraged by.
They opened with a dominant 124-90 win over the Charlotte Hornets before taking down a star-studded Philadelphia 76ers team, 114-108, on Thursday.
On Monday, the Nets traveled to Washington for their third preseason contest, taking on the Wizards and looking to build on their strong start. They did just that, leaving with a 131-122 win to improve to 3-0 in exhibition play.
With Day’Ron Sharpe and Michael Porter Jr. returning after missing Thursday due to injuries, the Nets’ starting five included Egor Dëmin, Keon Ellis, Porter Jr., Julius Randle, and Day’Ron Sharpe.
Here are a few takeaways from Monday’s victory.
3:58, 1Q – Brooklyn Nets 26, Washington Wizards 18
MPJ is picking up right where he left off. In his return to the lineup after missing Thursday with left wrist soreness, Porter has 13 points on five-of-six shooting (83.3%) while knocking down two of his three attempts from deep (66.7%) in just seven minutes.
Randle continues to impress as a facilitator early on. Across his first eight minutes, Randle tallied seven points, four assists, and zero turnovers. His ability to create opportunities for his teammates will be very important this season.
The Nets’ frontcourt clicked early on. MPJ, Randle, and Sharpe combined for 23 of the Nets’ first 26 points. Sharpe even knocked down a three on Brooklyn’s first possession, which is encouraging for his offensive versatility as he enters a crucial season.
0:00, 1Q – Brooklyn Nets 35, Washington Wizards 33
Brooklyn’s offense found success early. The Nets shot 60.9% from the field in the first quarter (14-of-23), and 45.5% from three (5-of-11).
The Nets have also done a nice job of attacking inside, scoring 14 points in the paint compared to Washington’s eight. Generating points around the basket will be very important for the Nets this year, especially to complement their strong perimeter shooting.
One area where Brooklyn got outmatched early on was on the glass, particularly on the offensive end. Washington grabbed five offensive boards compared to the Nets’ one. Especially with Sharpe on the court, one of the NBA’s most efficient offensive rebounders, it was an odd sight.
4:36, 2Q – Brooklyn Nets 57, Washington Wizards 52
Nolan Traoré provided quite the spark off the bench, scoring 13 points on five-of-seven shooting (71.4%), including two threes, in just 10 minutes. He continues to make a case for a strong role in Fernández’s rotation, most likely as the squad’s backup point guard.
Randle continued to impress as a playmaker, dishing out seven assists in only 11 minutes.
Ellis continued his efficient offense this preseason, scoring seven points while drilling both of his three-point attempts in 11 minutes.
0:00, 2Q – Brooklyn Nets 73, Washington Wizards 72
Entering halftime, defense certainly hasn’t been the story. Brooklyn and Washington combined for 145 points in the half, with both teams shooting 50% from deep.
The Nets’ interior defense, one of their biggest question marks this season, didn’t have the most inspiring first half.
7:35, 3Q – Brooklyn Nets 78, Washington Wizards 82
Brooklyn’s offense has cooled off coming out of halftime. After posting 73 first-half points, the Nets scored just five in the first 4:25 in the third quarter, allowing Washington to take a four-point lead.
Dëmin has had a rough offensive outing, scoring just two points on one-of-six shooting (16.7%) while missing all four of his three-point tries in 19 minutes. His willingness to attack the basket on Thursday stood out, but tonight he has struggled with efficiency.
Beyond his strong shooting, Porter has already made his presence felt on defense, recording two steals and a block in 20 minutes.
End of game – Brooklyn Nets 131, Washington Wizards 122
Three games, three wins. Sure, it’s only the preseason, but there’s plenty to like about what Brooklyn has shown so far. The Nets shot 56.8% from the field, knocked down 17 threes, and scored 50 points in the paint. Overall, the offense looked quite encouraging.
Noah Clowney deserves some love for his performance. After a relatively quiet first half, the 22-year-old finished with 15 points on five-of-eight shooting (62.5%), including four-of-six from three (66.7%). When Clowney gets going from the perimeter, he is a valuable piece. Finding that consistency, though, has been his struggle. This is his second straight solid preseason outing, though.
Shout out to Grant Nelson. The seven-footer has played well in limited minutes, tonight scoring nine points in the fourth quarter. In the 8:51, the 24-year-old two-way also grabbed four boards, three offensive and shot 4-of-5, including 1-of-2 from deep.
One concern worth mentioning is the turnovers. Brooklyn gave the ball away 18 times, including 10 in the second half. That could come with having a young team, but taking better care of the basketball will be crucial once the regular season rolls around.
Next Up
The Nets will wrap up their four-game preseason slate Wednesday night, traveling to Miami to face the Miami Heat. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, it is also expected to be the debut of No. 6 overall pick Mikel Brown Jr., who missed the team’s first three preseason games due to an ankle roll. He’s been working his way back and fully practiced over the weekend, while getting some run in 5-vs-5s Monday morning.
Mikel Brown Jr. (ankle) has advanced in his ramp up and been practicing fully over the weekend. The rookie went through 5-on-5 this morning, and – though he’ll sit out vs. the #Wizards – is expected to make his preseason debut Wednesday at the #Heat. #nets#nba
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 12: Kyshawn George #18 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 12, 2026 at Capital One Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards are no longer perfect in the preseason, falling to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday in a 131-122 affair at Capital One Arena.
Defense was optional in the first half. The Nets shot nearly 60% from the field in the first two quarters, with both teams making exactly 50% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, and Kyshawn George combined for eight triples before the break.
George led the way with 18 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Coulibaly came out aggressive offensively, scoring 15 points on a 6-for-7 clip. Johnson connected on a logo triple off a behind-the-back pass from Trae Young, as is customary. The Wizards trailed 73-72 at the half.
AJ Dybantsa shook off a shaky start with a stellar third quarter. He connected on his first triple of the preseason, threw down a putback dunk that got the bench off their seats, and also finished off a pick-six for another jam.
Trae Young seemed to be forcing things to close out the third. The All-Star guard gave up a few unforced turnovers, allowing Brooklyn to end the period on a 15-2 run. Washington entered the final quarter down 103-94.
The bench mob tried to work their magic again to end the game. Bub Carrington went off for 11 fourth-quarter points, but it wasn’t enough as Washington lost 131-122.
George paced the Wizards with 21 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals, while Coulibaly finished with 19 points on a 7-for-11 clip. Dybantsa and Carrington tallied 14 points apiece.
The Wizards close out their preseason slate Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: RJ Davis #29 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during the game against the Utah Jazz on July 15, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much. The rule against trolling also applies to members of this site that visit other fan sites.
It’s still preseason, isn’t it? Well, the regular season is here in a little over a week, and tonight’s game will be one of your last chances to see Jon Elmore in a Spurs uniform. You have to respect a guy who’s still chasing his dream of playing professional sports at 30, and I hope he gets at least a cup of coffee in the big leagues before he goes back to being a stockbroker or whatever his real career turns out to be.
The usual preseason disclaimers are in effect for tonight’s game. The starters are just in there for some early work and a bit of cardio before the bench squad and training camp bodies are subbed in and play of curious brand of summer league basketball in the fall. You just hope the starters can look good for a quarter or so and everyone stays healthy. Carter Bryant looks to have tweaked an ankle on Saturday night against the Suns, and probably won’t go tonight. It didn’t look all that serious, so hopefully he will be ready to go for the season opener against the Thunder on the 20th.
This game is on DAZN, so hook up your apps, or log in on your Smart TV. Let’s GO Spurs!!! For at least most of the first half.
Game Prediction:
John Elmore scores a career first double-double tonight, although it won’t be recorded as an official stat because preseason stats do not count.
San Antonio Spurs at Utah Jazz (Preseason) October 12, 2026 | 8:00 PM CT Streaming: DAZN, League Pass TV: DAZN Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
With the NBA season tip-off just eight days away — starting with a must-see triple-header on NBC and Peacock— the league's focus is shifting back to the court. However, the NBA rumor mill never stops, especially with rookie contract extensions coming up in the next week. Here are some of the latest reports.
Brandon Miller a $200 million man?
It was clear how much the Charlotte Hornets believe in Brandon Miller (and Kon Knueppel) when they traded LaMelo Ball this summer. They see Miller as the face of the franchise (or at least one of the faces). Now the Hornets are about to put big money on that bet, reportedly nearing a rookie contract extension offer for Miller at or above the five-year, $208 million deal Houston just gave Amen Thompson, Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of the Stein Line report.
"Miller is still projected by various league observers to ultimately come to terms with the Hornets on an extension that could exceed Amen Thompson's new five-year, $200 million deal with the Rockets. In conversations with front office executives around the NBA this week, there seemed to be a growing consensus among rival decision-makers that Miller's deal has the potential to be richer in a nod to his higher offensive ceiling."
Miller can get buckets at all three levels, and he averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, shooting 38.3% from 3-point range. He's an improved and respectable defender. The knocks on his game are turnovers — a 12.5% turnover rate each of the past two seasons, or 2.5 a game last season — and a lack of physicality and pressure on the rim. But those are things he can improve upon. And Charlotte needs to keep the guy they want to build around happy.
Cason Wallace, OKC talking extension
Keeping the Thunder core together as everyone approaches new contracts will require high-level puzzle-solving by Sam Presti (and the owners going into the second apron for a couple of years), but one guy they want to keep is Cason Wallace.
The Thunder and Wallace, OKC's starting two guard and a key defender, are talking about an extension in the $25 million-a-year range, Stein reports at the Stein Line. While Alex Caruso is a critical two-way two guard for the Thunder, especially in the playoffs, his minutes have to be limited during the regular season so he's ready for the postseason. Wallace absorbs those minutes and plays at or near Caruso's level.
It's going to be tough for the Thunder to keep everyone — this summer they already had to move on from Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins — but Wallace seems to be a priority to keep.
Other NBA Rumors
• Anthony Black extension on hold. The Magic are in a make-or-break season with the NBA's third-highest payroll, and one way or the other they will have a lot of decisions to make going forward. With that, they are not going to reach an extension with point guard Anthony Black, Stein reports. Black took a step forward last season, averaging 15 points a game, but the Magic face tough decisions, and one of them may be Black or Jalen Suggs.
• The Nuggets have waived Lonnie Walker IV, who is now a free agent. He played the past two seasons in Europe and could return there.
• The Nuggets, Spurs, Pacers and Nets unveiled ABA throwback uniforms. These are fun, but the Spurs video showing them off is the best.
• Maybe Zaccharie Risacher just needed a change of venue (and to get out from under the No. 1 pick cloud), as he has looked pretty good this preseason for Dallas. On Sunday, he finished with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting. It's just preseason, but Risacher is only 21 and was a smart roll of the dice by Dallas. Just something to watch this preseason.
The NBA Store is seen on Fifth Avenue in New York City, United States, on August 6, 2026. This official National Basketball Association shop sells merchandise, including jerseys, clothing and accessories representing NBA teams. (Photo by Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Have you had a business idea that you haven’t gotten off the ground yet? Or need some inspiration? Well, the NBA and the Phoenix Suns are here to give your business some major upgrades and assistance.
With the 2027 All-Star game heading to the Mortgage Matchup Center, the league is partnering with the Suns for the 2027 All-Star pitch competition. Starting in 2022, the pitch competition provides companies and startups a chance to network with industry leaders in the sports, AI, hospitality, retail, media, technology, live events and entertainment worlds that can help your business grow. According to the NBA Foundation website, which is helping facilitate the pitch competition, participants will receive: Hands-on Coaching, Technical Assistance, Custom Contestant assets and $200,000 in Prizes.
Started in 2020, the NBA foundation has sought to give back to local economies and with the All-Star game in Phoenix, they’re looking to help out Arizonians.
Since it’s beginning, it’s given people lucrative opportunities to help jumpstart their businesses, including back in 2023 when they hosted a live pitch competition that gave 8 Black entrepreneurs an opportunity to win $50,000.
With the All-Star game in Phoenix, this year’s theme is highlighting Arizona entrepreneurs and to get a chance to participate, you must apply by Friday, October 23rd.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 23: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks pushes Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter at Target Center on December 23, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Knicks 115-104. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The World Champion Knicks host the Minnesota Timberwolves (2-1) at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. New York is still looking for its first preseason win after two unsuccessful tries (we’re not worried). Minny has swapped out Julius Randle and Naz Reid for LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga, but you might not see them at full strength tonight with their starters possibly sitting for rest. New York’s Mike Brown, meanwhile, continues to sort through his supporting cast, and James Wiseman and Bruce Brown should get extended minutes opportunities tonight.
Tip-off is 7:30 PM ET on MSG. This is your game thread. This is Canis Hoopus. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Mind your manners. And go Knicks!
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 8: Julius Randle #30 of the Brooklyn Nets smiles during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 8, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Nets are feeling good in the early days of preseason. They defeated the Charlotte Hornets by 34 to kick things off and followed up with a 114-108 victory against LeBron James and the new-look 76ers. Take it for whatever it’s worth at this stage, but Nets fans will take what they can get.
Julius Randle has looked solid and Egor Dëmin looks stronger. Anticipation continues to build for Mikel Brown Jr.’s debut, which could happen on Wednesday. Vibes are good in Brooklyn for the time being. Check in on us in a few months.
In the meantime, they’re up against the new-look Washington Wizards, who boast No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa on their home floor. The Wizards enter the night 2-0 and the push for momentum entering a new era.
Game Info & Broadcast Details
Who: Brooklyn Nets (2-0) at Washington Wizards (2-0)
What: Preseason
Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV/Streaming: DAZN
Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Injury Report: Who’s Out?
Nets:
Joshua Jefferson (back)
Mikel Brown Jr. (ankle)
💬 Discussion
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WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Anthony Davis #23 and Bub Carrington #7 of the Washington Wizards shake hands during the game against the Detroit Pistons on October 10, 2026 at Capital One Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards host the Brooklyn Nets tonight at 7 p.m. ET. Watch on Monumental Sports Network. Renzo has the preview here.
Walker Kessler, the franchise’s marquee free-agency acquisition, could make his preseason debut against the Warriors on Tuesday in Las Vegas after sitting out of the first three games. The 7-foot-2 center made his return to live play in practice on Sunday after dealing with an injury to his left pinky finger.
Walker Kessler could make his highly-anticipated preseason debut for the Lakers on Tuesday against the Warriors. NBAE via Getty Images
Collin Sexton’s status is uncertain for Tuesday against the Warriors and Friday’s preseason finale vs. the Nuggets in Los Angeles, with coach JJ Redick saying the 6-foot-3 guard is “probably a little bit further behind” Kessler when it comes to his return as he deals with a lower leg injury.
And Ziaire Williams, the 6-foot-10 forward who’s in contention for a spot in the starting lineup, is dealing with a foot contusion after having only played in the Lakers’ preseason-opening win over the Kings on Oct. 5.
It’s unclear whether Lakers guard Collin Sexton will play during the preseason as he deals with a right lower leg injury. Khobi Price
But regardless of who is available for their final two preseason games, the Lakers have plenty to clean up before the games start to count in the standings.
Here are non-injury/player availability factors The California Post is keeping an eye on in the last two exhibitions
Ball security
Preseason statistics come with an obvious caveat: It’s just the preseason.
Many teams, like the Lakers, haven’t been able to use all of their rotation players in every game.
And the rotation players who have suited up aren’t playing full games at this point, either playing just the first half or getting minutes in the third quarter before sitting out the entire fourth quarter, which complicates statistical takeaways.
Most teams have yet to crack double-digit practices, and haven’t come close to installing all of their offensive sets or defensive game plans.
Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic both need to turn the ball over less. Getty Images
But one thing is clear from the Lakers’ first three preseason games: They need to take better care of the basketball.
The Lakers’ 22.3% turnover rate entering Monday ranked No. 28 among all teams during the preseason.
Their star ball-handlers in Luka Doncic (5 turnovers per game) and Austin Reaves (3 per game) are the main catalysts of the team’s ball-security woes.
But Jaden Hardy (3 turnovers per game), Quentin Grimes (3), Bronny James (2.7), Dalton Knecht (2) and Sandro Mamukelashvili (2) have also coughed the ball up too much, especially when factoring most players aren’t playing as many minutes.
The turnovers have piled up when unfamiliar lineups are on the floor together and aren’t as organized as they’d like to be – a reality coach JJ Redick has acknowledged.
Quentin Grimes has also been turnover-prone. NBAE via Getty Images
More practice and court time should be a natural remedy.
The Lakers have been generating the types of shots they want, especially when Doncic and/or Reaves are on the floor.
But they need to help themselves by being more careful with the ball.
Defensive rebounding
The Lakers have gotten a good look at what life without Kessler could look like.
And from a rebounding standpoint, it hasn’t been pretty.
The Lakers’ 61.6% defensive rebounding percentage during preseason has ranked No. 27 across the league.
Their struggles on the glass are predictable.
Kessler patrolling the paint will be a significant boost for the Lakers’ rebounding.
But he can’t be on the floor for every minute of every game during the regular season. So the last week has provided the Lakers with insight on what they need to do so they can be better on the glass when their starting center isn’t on the floor.
“It’s important to have two of the bigger wings out there for rebounding purposes,” Redick said. “That was a concern I think coming into the year – trying to be a good defensive rebounding team. What does that look like with Walker not on the court? In film, it’s pretty apparent that we need to do a better job of boxing out. Just like simple stuff and gang rebounding.
“We’ll figure that out. The biggest thing is trying to make sure we have…two bigger wings out there, Luka, Adou [Thiero], whoever that may be, Mamu as a wing with non-Walker minutes.”
Michael Jordan came out of retirement after three years to play two seasons with the Washington Wizards, from 2001-2003 [Getty Images]
A Michael Jordan jersey from his 'Last Dance' season has sold for $14m (£10.6m), a record for a piece of basketball memorabilia.
Jordan wore the Chicago Bulls jersey during game two of the 1998 NBA Finals and has autographed it too.
He scored a game-high 37 points that evening before ending his last season with the Bulls with a 4-2 series win for his sixth and final NBA Championship. He was named the Finals' Most Valuable Player in all six.
The only item of sports memorabilia that has cost more is the jersey worn by baseball legend Babe Ruth when he "called the shot" during the 1932 World Series, which was sold for $24.1m (£18.2m) in 2024.
The previous high for a basketball item was a card featuring Jordan and Kobe Bryant from 2007-08 which sold for $12.9m (£9.8m) last year.
The previous record for a piece of game-worn Jordan memorabilia was set just two weeks ago when his jersey from game three of the 1998 Finals, which is not autographed, sold via auction for $12.3m (£9.3m).
The latest purchase was made by Miami real estate investor Ron Firman in a private sale through Hunt Auctions.
David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions, said in a statement: "While Michael Jordan's importance within the sports memorabilia marketplace has long been established, it has now escalated to an elite asset class more typically reserved for iconic works of art."
