Bronny James is back with the Los Angeles Lakers for his third season in the NBA.
But it will be the first season James is not playing alongside his father, LeBron. That, though, allows him the opportunity to step out of his father’s shadow and continue to carve out a role in Los Angeles.
The Lakers, including coach JJ Redick, have thought highly of Bronny James and the progress he’s made since being drafted by the franchise in 2024 with the 55th overall pick.
James missed his only shot attempt of the game from the 3-point line in Friday's 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets in the teams' preseason finale. He collected one rebound and one assist in 12 minutes of action.
Redick did state earlier in the week that James had not looked particularly good during the first four preseason games.
“I thought he had a really nice September and a good summer with us,” Redick said. “I don't think he's played well in the four preseason games, but he's had good practices.
“Again, some of it's just rhythm and some of it's just who he's playing with, right? He's played a lot of minutes, especially in the second half of games with our two-way guys. ... Some of it is like the group he's with. I think it's not setting him up for success.”
As a rookie, James played just 6.7 minutes per game and averaged 2.3 points in 27 games played. Last season, he averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists in 42 games played.
He will likely still have an opportunity to build off his second season in the league. The former USC Trojan saw an increase in games played during both the regular season and postseason, indicating a stronger sense of belief from the coaching staff.
James had his contract fully guaranteed by the Lakers during the offseason. He will make $2.3 million this season, the third year of a four-year deal that he signed in 2024. The fourth year of James' deal is a team option.
How good can Bronny James be?
James has the potential to be a quality defensive player in the NBA. His defensive ability and decision-making could work in his favor as he continues to establish a role with Los Angeles.
Bronny James is back with the Los Angeles Lakers for his third season in the NBA.
But it will be the first season James is not playing alongside his father, LeBron. That, though, allows him the opportunity to step out of his father’s shadow and continue to carve out a role in Los Angeles.
The Lakers, including coach JJ Redick, have thought highly of Bronny James and the progress he’s made since being drafted by the franchise in 2024 with the 55th overall pick.
James missed his only shot attempt of the game from the 3-point line in Friday's 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets in the teams' preseason finale. He collected one rebound and one assist in 12 minutes of action.
Redick did state earlier in the week that James had not looked particularly good during the first four preseason games.
“I thought he had a really nice September and a good summer with us,” Redick said. “I don't think he's played well in the four preseason games, but he's had good practices.
“Again, some of it's just rhythm and some of it's just who he's playing with, right? He's played a lot of minutes, especially in the second half of games with our two-way guys. ... Some of it is like the group he's with. I think it's not setting him up for success.”
As a rookie, James played just 6.7 minutes per game and averaged 2.3 points in 27 games played. Last season, he averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists in 42 games played.
He will likely still have an opportunity to build off his second season in the league. The former USC Trojan saw an increase in games played during both the regular season and postseason, indicating a stronger sense of belief from the coaching staff.
James had his contract fully guaranteed by the Lakers during the offseason. He will make $2.3 million this season, the third year of a four-year deal that he signed in 2024. The fourth year of James' deal is a team option.
How good can Bronny James be?
James has the potential to be a quality defensive player in the NBA. His defensive ability and decision-making could work in his favor as he continues to establish a role with Los Angeles.
A roster overhaul in the aftermath of LeBron James' departure this summer left the Lakers with an almost completely new look − and an extra body. They carried 16 full-time players on their roster into training camp, one above the 15-player maximum allowed by the NBA. Both general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick said they'd evaluate at the end of training camp and, with the preseason now wrapped up with their 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, it's painfully clear who the odd man out is.
It's Dalton Knecht.
Bronny James has had his share of struggles, too. Redick admitted James didn't play well in his first four preseason games, averaging just 2.8 points per game on 26.7% shooting with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.08 entering Friday, but the Lakers' third-year coach added that James has performed better in practices. He didn't mince words, however, when it came to Knecht.
"I think the biggest thing is the team changed. The team changed. Needs changed, the fit changed. I think he’s gotten better as a player the last two years. I think, particularly last year, each guy got plenty of opportunities with the injuries we had. I just think coming into this year, we added a lot of wings," Redick told reporters. "And he’s in a tough spot right now."
He's not wrong.
When the Lakers drafted Knecht 17th overall in the 2024 draft, it looked like they had gotten a steal. They needed a spot-up shooter to help space the floor and complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis; Knecht checked that box. They needed size; the 6-foot-5, 215-pound wing out of Tennessee checked that box, too. His jump shot, while streaky, was seemingly worth more than the questions about his defense and athleticism at the time.
And for the first half season of his career, that all looked to be true. Who could forget his career-high 37-point game against the Utah Jazz in 2024, where his nine made 3s (shooting 75%!) tied the NBA rookie record? That wasn't an isolated instance, either; Knecht put up 27 the night before and 17 the night after.
DALTON KNECHT HAD HIMSELF A NIGHT:
🔥 37 PTS (career high) 🔥 9 3PM (ties rookie record) 🔥 Scored 22 straight for LA@Lakers move 2-0 in #EmiratesNBACup play and are undefeated going back to last season 💯 pic.twitter.com/OjMOeKxY4p
Two years in, those original questions have only gotten louder. Knecht's shooting is still streaky and has even devolved to the point where he could be considered unreliable on offense. On the defensive end of the floor, he's looked lost at times, often finding himself out of position and unable to stay in front of his man. That was a major factor in his minutes being cut almost in half − from 19.2 to 10.2 per night − between his first and second seasons.
The Lakers no longer have a need for shooting with the arrivals of Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Ziaire Williams along the wings. There's simply no room for Knecht. The most telling sign his days in LA are probably numbered? He didn't check into Friday's game until midway through the fourth quarter − the 12th man off the bench − and finished scoreless for the second game in a row. The only other stats he registered in his 7 minutes and 30 seconds were a rebound and assist.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported on Friday morning that the Lakers have had trade discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks centered around Knecht and Jericho Sims, but there was reportedly "some pessimism" that a deal would actually be reached. While getting any value back for Knecht would be a plus for the Lakers at this point, any trade in which they get a player back would need LA to include a second outgoing player in order to meet the league roster limit.
It could also be a plus for Knecht, who would probably benefit from a fresh start elsewhere.
A roster overhaul in the aftermath of LeBron James' departure this summer left the Lakers with an almost completely new look − and an extra body. They carried 16 full-time players on their roster into training camp, one above the 15-player maximum allowed by the NBA. Both general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick said they'd evaluate at the end of training camp and, with the preseason now wrapped up with their 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, it's painfully clear who the odd man out is.
It's Dalton Knecht.
Bronny James has had his share of struggles, too. Redick admitted James didn't play well in his first four preseason games, averaging just 2.8 points per game on 26.7% shooting with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.08 entering Friday, but the Lakers' third-year coach added that James has performed better in practices. He didn't mince words, however, when it came to Knecht.
"I think the biggest thing is the team changed. The team changed. Needs changed, the fit changed. I think he’s gotten better as a player the last two years. I think, particularly last year, each guy got plenty of opportunities with the injuries we had. I just think coming into this year, we added a lot of wings," Redick told reporters. "And he’s in a tough spot right now."
He's not wrong.
When the Lakers drafted Knecht 17th overall in the 2024 draft, it looked like they had gotten a steal. They needed a spot-up shooter to help space the floor and complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis; Knecht checked that box. They needed size; the 6-foot-5, 215-pound wing out of Tennessee checked that box, too. His jump shot, while streaky, was seemingly worth more than the questions about his defense and athleticism at the time.
And for the first half season of his career, that all looked to be true. Who could forget his career-high 37-point game against the Utah Jazz in 2024, where his nine made 3s (shooting 75%!) tied the NBA rookie record? That wasn't an isolated instance, either; Knecht put up 27 the night before and 17 the night after.
DALTON KNECHT HAD HIMSELF A NIGHT:
🔥 37 PTS (career high) 🔥 9 3PM (ties rookie record) 🔥 Scored 22 straight for LA@Lakers move 2-0 in #EmiratesNBACup play and are undefeated going back to last season 💯 pic.twitter.com/OjMOeKxY4p
Two years in, those original questions have only gotten louder. Knecht's shooting is still streaky and has even devolved to the point where he could be considered unreliable on offense. On the defensive end of the floor, he's looked lost at times, often finding himself out of position and unable to stay in front of his man. That was a major factor in his minutes being cut almost in half − from 19.2 to 10.2 per night − between his first and second seasons.
The Lakers no longer have a need for shooting with the arrivals of Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Ziaire Williams along the wings. There's simply no room for Knecht. The most telling sign his days in LA are probably numbered? He didn't check into Friday's game until midway through the fourth quarter − the 12th man off the bench − and finished scoreless for the second game in a row. The only other stats he registered in his 7 minutes and 30 seconds were a rebound and assist.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported on Friday morning that the Lakers have had trade discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks centered around Knecht and Jericho Sims, but there was reportedly "some pessimism" that a deal would actually be reached. While getting any value back for Knecht would be a plus for the Lakers at this point, any trade in which they get a player back would need LA to include a second outgoing player in order to meet the league roster limit.
It could also be a plus for Knecht, who would probably benefit from a fresh start elsewhere.
Lakers guard Quentin Grimes, shown here driving on Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski on Oct. 13, finished with 11 points in a 121-106 preseason loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (David Becker / Associated Press)
When coach JJ Redick announced his starters for the Lakers’ final preseason game Friday night, he was asked if those same players would start opening night Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors.
“I know that there’s a chance Quentin is gonna have an opportunity to start,” Redick said. “This was the original plan we were gonna have for the Sacramento game with Collin [Sexton] out. ... We just wanna get a look on that tonight, and we’ll see. But nothing definitive for next week.”
Grimes averaged 12.3 points, 2.5 assists and shot 53.3%, including 41.2% from three-point range, in 24.3 minutes per game in the preseason.
Redick said he was “still open to both” when asked if he could start Grimes and stagger his time with the starters on the bench.
In his first five NBA seasons, Grimes has mostly been a reserve, starting 146 of 318 games.
Grimes started the second half for the Lakers and scored 11 points in a 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.
“I think you’re looking for balance in lineups and you’re looking for players that complement and fit each other,” Redick said. “He’s going to start a lot of games for us. That’s just the reality of it. I don’t know who our base starting group is yet, but we’re going to look at this tonight.
“We wanted to get a look on this first game because Collin was out. That fourth ballhandler for us hasn’t been great. I said that the other night and talked to those guys ... I don’t say anything out here that I don’t tell my players. So Quentin is also going to maybe have some looks as a ballhandler.”
Doncic, who didn’t play in the second half, finished with 15 points.
Reaves scored 19 points, Williams had 14, Kessler had six and Thybulle had seven.
Lakers guard Quentin Grimes, shown here driving on Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski on Oct. 13, finished with 11 points in a 121-106 preseason loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (David Becker / Associated Press)
When coach JJ Redick announced his starters for the Lakers’ final preseason game Friday night, he was asked if those same players would start opening night Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors.
“I know that there’s a chance Quentin is gonna have an opportunity to start,” Redick said. “This was the original plan we were gonna have for the Sacramento game with Collin [Sexton] out. ... We just wanna get a look on that tonight, and we’ll see. But nothing definitive for next week.”
Grimes averaged 12.3 points, 2.5 assists and shot 53.3%, including 41.2% from three-point range, in 24.3 minutes per game in the preseason.
Redick said he was “still open to both” when asked if he could start Grimes and stagger his time with the starters on the bench.
In his first five NBA seasons, Grimes has mostly been a reserve, starting 146 of 318 games.
Grimes started the second half for the Lakers and scored 11 points in a 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.
“I think you’re looking for balance in lineups and you’re looking for players that complement and fit each other,” Redick said. “He’s going to start a lot of games for us. That’s just the reality of it. I don’t know who our base starting group is yet, but we’re going to look at this tonight.
“We wanted to get a look on this first game because Collin was out. That fourth ballhandler for us hasn’t been great. I said that the other night and talked to those guys ... I don’t say anything out here that I don’t tell my players. So Quentin is also going to maybe have some looks as a ballhandler.”
Doncic, who didn’t play in the second half, finished with 15 points.
Reaves scored 19 points, Williams had 14, Kessler had six and Thybulle had seven.
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks moves the ball against the Atlanta Hawks on October 16, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving were brilliant. The Mavericks’ defense and 3-point shooting struggled for long stretches at a time. The roster construction seems to be, well… cheeks. Zaccharie Risacher looked timid and ineffective against his former team’s starting unit, then scored a bunch of points against guys battling for a roster spot in the fourth quarter.
You can make what happened against the Hawks on Friday fit any narrative you want it to fit. So, with just five days before the games start counting, go ahead. Confirm all your pre-existing biases. That’s what fandom is all about.
Here are five stats spanning all corners of the spectrum that stood out in the Mavs’ loss to wrap up the 2026-27 preseason schedule.
19: First-quarter points from Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jalen Johnson
The Mavericks had a ton of trouble staying in front of the Hawks’ two breakout players from a season ago to start the game. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the NBA’s Most Improved Player from last year, led all scorers with 10 points in the first quarter on 3-of-4 shooting, while Johnson added nine more, hitting 6-of-7 from the free-throw line to set the tone by getting into the lane at will. Johnson, of course, was a Third-Team All-NBA selection a year ago.
The pair made all three of their combined 3-point attempts in the first quarter as well, but in the dress rehearsal game, the Mavs at least kept pace with their opponents from beyond the arc to start the game. Atlanta made 6-of-13 from 3-point land in the opening frame, compared to 6-of-11 shooting from deep for the Mavericks.
It was a promising start, in some respects, if not for the Mavs’ inability to limit the Hawks’ best scorers. The Hawks led 39-34 after one. Johnson would go on to lead all scorers with 16 points and 11 rebounds at halftime and finished with 20 and 14 in the win. Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 25 points on 6-of-10 from 3-point land.
12: Atlanta first-half free throws after being fouled on 3-point attempts
This one is concerning. In what was billed as a dress rehearsal game, the Mavericks were incredibly sloppy on the defensive end. Exhibit A: Dallas fouled four 3-point shooters in the act of shooting in the first half. So, not only did the Mavs get boatraced in the actual shooting comparison from beyond the arc in the first half, but they surrendered eight more points from the 3-point line by fouling on four more would-be attempts along the way. Dallas was lucky that Atlanta shot so poorly from the line on those four unnecessary trips to the line (8-of-12, 66.7%), but the damage was done as the first half wore on.
After shooting 6-of-11 from 3-point land in the first quarter, the Mavs missed their next eight from long range in the second, finally cashing one in on Irving’s third 3-ball of the half with 56 seconds left to go 1-of-10 in the frame.
The Hawks abused the Dallas defense, getting to the line 30 times in the first half. They made just 23 of them, but that was still three times the Mavs’ output. Dallas shot just 7-of-12 (58.7%) from the free-throw line in the first half as the Hawks cruised to a 73-54 lead at the break.
Oh, and if giving Atlanta 12 extra free throws in the first half didn’t get the point across, Irving made it 15 midway through the third, sending Alexander-Walker to the free-throw line for three for a fifth time.
8-of-12: Sergio de Larrea’s preseason 3-point shooting
Sergio de Larrea now 8/11 from three in preseason after hitting his second three of the night tonight pic.twitter.com/quTRj5wSnW
The ever-intriguing Mavs’ rookie Sergio de Larrea made a pair of 3-pointers as the third quarter wound down on Friday, with the outcome of the game likely already decided. But hey, for a guy like de Larrea, reps are reps, and these are valuable.
The young Spaniard had some moments in the dress rehearsal that made you think, “this kid’s not ready.” But after canning those two 3-balls, you looked at his stats and he was 8-of-11 from 3-point range this preseason. The Mavericks need shooting like a fish needs water, and de Larrea will turn it over on you, but if he’s going to hit the 3-pointer at anything approaching this rate, you have to live with the growing pains.
The only way out is through when it comes to de Larrea’s short-term shortcomings, and his 3-point shot could go a long way to canceling out his deficiencies in other areas. De Larrea finished with eight points and four assists in 25 minutes off the bench against the Hawks. He also blocked a pair of shots.
Get ready, Mavs fans. Year two Cooper Flagg is incoming, and this is going to be special. This kid just doesn’t stop attacking, and opposing defenses just don’t want to deal with it at a certain point in the game.
Flagg is going to bully his way to a transcendent statistical profile this year, if his preseason minutes are any indicator. He’s a little bigger — more imposing. He can get wherever he wants to get on the floor. He can absorb contact.
After a 2-of-7 start from the field, Flagg was a respectable 6-of-13 from the field in the final three quarters. He made two of his six 3-point attempts on the night, which isn’t great, but he’s shown much more confidence with his stroke this preseason than we saw from Flagg in his rookie year. He isn’t afraid to pull up for one or two early in the shot clock. You want Flagg taking those shots. You want him gaining confidence in his ability to make them.
The year two explosion is about to get underway.
5-of-7: Kyrie Irving 3-point shooting
The Mavericks ended the evening shooting 13-of-33 (39.4%) from 3-point range. Everyone on the roster not named Irving combined to shoot just 8-of-26 (30.7%), so thank the basketball gods he was there. He scored 18 points on 5-of-7 from deep and five assists in the loss. The shot was silky smooth throughout his 25 minutes on the floor.
The Mavs’ top two offensive engines were something close to sensational in their final preseason tune-up on Friday. It’s the rest of the roster that leaves us with more questions than answers as the regular season looms large.
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks moves the ball against the Atlanta Hawks on October 16, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving were brilliant. The Mavericks’ defense and 3-point shooting struggled for long stretches at a time. The roster construction seems to be, well… cheeks. Zaccharie Risacher looked timid and ineffective against his former team’s starting unit, then scored a bunch of points against guys battling for a roster spot in the fourth quarter.
You can make what happened against the Hawks on Friday fit any narrative you want it to fit. So, with just five days before the games start counting, go ahead. Confirm all your pre-existing biases. That’s what fandom is all about.
Here are five stats spanning all corners of the spectrum that stood out in the Mavs’ loss to wrap up the 2026-27 preseason schedule.
19: First-quarter points from Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jalen Johnson
The Mavericks had a ton of trouble staying in front of the Hawks’ two breakout players from a season ago to start the game. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the NBA’s Most Improved Player from last year, led all scorers with 10 points in the first quarter on 3-of-4 shooting, while Johnson added nine more, hitting 6-of-7 from the free-throw line to set the tone by getting into the lane at will. Johnson, of course, was a Third-Team All-NBA selection a year ago.
The pair made all three of their combined 3-point attempts in the first quarter as well, but in the dress rehearsal game, the Mavs at least kept pace with their opponents from beyond the arc to start the game. Atlanta made 6-of-13 from 3-point land in the opening frame, compared to 6-of-11 shooting from deep for the Mavericks.
It was a promising start, in some respects, if not for the Mavs’ inability to limit the Hawks’ best scorers. The Hawks led 39-34 after one. Johnson would go on to lead all scorers with 16 points and 11 rebounds at halftime and finished with 20 and 14 in the win. Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 25 points on 6-of-10 from 3-point land.
12: Atlanta first-half free throws after being fouled on 3-point attempts
This one is concerning. In what was billed as a dress rehearsal game, the Mavericks were incredibly sloppy on the defensive end. Exhibit A: Dallas fouled four 3-point shooters in the act of shooting in the first half. So, not only did the Mavs get boatraced in the actual shooting comparison from beyond the arc in the first half, but they surrendered eight more points from the 3-point line by fouling on four more would-be attempts along the way. Dallas was lucky that Atlanta shot so poorly from the line on those four unnecessary trips to the line (8-of-12, 66.7%), but the damage was done as the first half wore on.
After shooting 6-of-11 from 3-point land in the first quarter, the Mavs missed their next eight from long range in the second, finally cashing one in on Irving’s third 3-ball of the half with 56 seconds left to go 1-of-10 in the frame.
The Hawks abused the Dallas defense, getting to the line 30 times in the first half. They made just 23 of them, but that was still three times the Mavs’ output. Dallas shot just 7-of-12 (58.7%) from the free-throw line in the first half as the Hawks cruised to a 73-54 lead at the break.
Oh, and if giving Atlanta 12 extra free throws in the first half didn’t get the point across, Irving made it 15 midway through the third, sending Alexander-Walker to the free-throw line for three for a fifth time.
8-of-12: Sergio de Larrea’s preseason 3-point shooting
Sergio de Larrea now 8/11 from three in preseason after hitting his second three of the night tonight pic.twitter.com/quTRj5wSnW
The ever-intriguing Mavs’ rookie Sergio de Larrea made a pair of 3-pointers as the third quarter wound down on Friday, with the outcome of the game likely already decided. But hey, for a guy like de Larrea, reps are reps, and these are valuable.
The young Spaniard had some moments in the dress rehearsal that made you think, “this kid’s not ready.” But after canning those two 3-balls, you looked at his stats and he was 8-of-11 from 3-point range this preseason. The Mavericks need shooting like a fish needs water, and de Larrea will turn it over on you, but if he’s going to hit the 3-pointer at anything approaching this rate, you have to live with the growing pains.
The only way out is through when it comes to de Larrea’s short-term shortcomings, and his 3-point shot could go a long way to canceling out his deficiencies in other areas. De Larrea finished with eight points and four assists in 25 minutes off the bench against the Hawks. He also blocked a pair of shots.
Get ready, Mavs fans. Year two Cooper Flagg is incoming, and this is going to be special. This kid just doesn’t stop attacking, and opposing defenses just don’t want to deal with it at a certain point in the game.
Flagg is going to bully his way to a transcendent statistical profile this year, if his preseason minutes are any indicator. He’s a little bigger — more imposing. He can get wherever he wants to get on the floor. He can absorb contact.
After a 2-of-7 start from the field, Flagg was a respectable 6-of-13 from the field in the final three quarters. He made two of his six 3-point attempts on the night, which isn’t great, but he’s shown much more confidence with his stroke this preseason than we saw from Flagg in his rookie year. He isn’t afraid to pull up for one or two early in the shot clock. You want Flagg taking those shots. You want him gaining confidence in his ability to make them.
The year two explosion is about to get underway.
5-of-7: Kyrie Irving 3-point shooting
The Mavericks ended the evening shooting 13-of-33 (39.4%) from 3-point range. Everyone on the roster not named Irving combined to shoot just 8-of-26 (30.7%), so thank the basketball gods he was there. He scored 18 points on 5-of-7 from deep and five assists in the loss. The shot was silky smooth throughout his 25 minutes on the floor.
The Mavs’ top two offensive engines were something close to sensational in their final preseason tune-up on Friday. It’s the rest of the roster that leaves us with more questions than answers as the regular season looms large.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 13: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers yells to his players in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena on October 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 101-89. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The given was that Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler would comprise 60% of the group. The assumption was that Quentin Grimes would fill one of the final two spots while the fifth starter would be completely up in the air.
The Lakers hadn’t been healthy enough this preseason to try out a potential starting five until Friday, when head coach JJ Redick threw a curveball with an unexpected starting five.
Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle and Luka Doncic will start for the Lakers tonight, JJ Redick says.
Redick opted to surround the Big 3 with 3-and-D wings in Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle. The move not to start Grimes may be partly due to how bad the team’s guards have been outside of Luka and Reaves this preseason.
Asked JJ Redick about the decision to use Quentin Grimes with the bench rather than the starters (Grimes had started every game until tonight). He said he hasn’t made his final decision yet and doesn’t know who LA’s base starters will be. But he said part of the consideration is…
With Collin Sexton out, the Lakers have had to go to options deeper in the bench for ballhandling, including Bronny James. Those minutes have gone poorly.
Having Grimes coming off the bench to spell Luka or AR and keep two decent ballhandlers on the floor. Perhaps, then, this is a bit of a stopgap solution until Sexton is healthy.
At the same time, the preseason exists to try things out. There’s logic behind putting wings and athleticism around Luka and Reaves. It does, however, place a heavy burden on that pair to create shots. Teams are going to sag off Williams and Thybulle defensively, which will clog up the paint.
The key will be whether those two can knock down enough threes to make defenses respect them as shooters. But, as we saw on Friday, teams will blitz Luka and Reaves on ball screens and force the rest of the Lakers to beat them.
It’s an interesting gamble for Redick. Whether he’s willing to take it into the regular season, especially after how poor that lineup looked against the Nuggets to start the game on Friday.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 13: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers yells to his players in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena on October 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 101-89. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The given was that Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler would comprise 60% of the group. The assumption was that Quentin Grimes would fill one of the final two spots while the fifth starter would be completely up in the air.
The Lakers hadn’t been healthy enough this preseason to try out a potential starting five until Friday, when head coach JJ Redick threw a curveball with an unexpected starting five.
Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle and Luka Doncic will start for the Lakers tonight, JJ Redick says.
Redick opted to surround the Big 3 with 3-and-D wings in Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle. The move not to start Grimes may be partly due to how bad the team’s guards have been outside of Luka and Reaves this preseason.
Asked JJ Redick about the decision to use Quentin Grimes with the bench rather than the starters (Grimes had started every game until tonight). He said he hasn’t made his final decision yet and doesn’t know who LA’s base starters will be. But he said part of the consideration is…
With Collin Sexton out, the Lakers have had to go to options deeper in the bench for ballhandling, including Bronny James. Those minutes have gone poorly.
Having Grimes coming off the bench to spell Luka or AR and keep two decent ballhandlers on the floor. Perhaps, then, this is a bit of a stopgap solution until Sexton is healthy.
At the same time, the preseason exists to try things out. There’s logic behind putting wings and athleticism around Luka and Reaves. It does, however, place a heavy burden on that pair to create shots. Teams are going to sag off Williams and Thybulle defensively, which will clog up the paint.
The key will be whether those two can knock down enough threes to make defenses respect them as shooters. But, as we saw on Friday, teams will blitz Luka and Reaves on ball screens and force the rest of the Lakers to beat them.
It’s an interesting gamble for Redick. Whether he’s willing to take it into the regular season, especially after how poor that lineup looked against the Nuggets to start the game on Friday.
AJ Dybantsa played pretty well before turning his ankle in Washington’s preseason finale. | NBAE via Getty Images
In their preseason finale, the Washington Wizards lost to a New Orleans Pelicans squad well-stocked with former Wizards, 107-106.
The game itself was fine for preseason with the exception of No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa landing bad after getting bumped by Zion Williamson while taking a shot and rolling his ankle. It look painful and awkward, and I hope the first thought that came to mind comes true: “He’s 19, so he’ll probably be fine in a couple days.”
While it would be difficult to accuse either team of playing particularly well, there were a number of process things from the Wizards that I did like.
For example, early in the first quarter, Trae Young and Kyshawn George were crossmatched in a quasi-transition situation after a turnover. First, I liked how seamlessly they each matched up in transition. This was a major point of weakness last season.
Kyshawn George capped a strong preseason by scoring 14 points on 5-7 shooting against the New Orleans Pelicans. | NBAE via Getty Images
Second, Young bumped Herb Jones to prevent Jones from simply going where he wanted uncontested. That’s exactly what he should have done, and it suggests Young’s trying to fulfill his pledge to work harder on the defensive end.
Finally, when New Orleans passed to the wing, Young and George switched while the ball was in the air — George going back to the bigger Jones, and Young picking up the smaller guard. Altogether, nothing earth-shaking, but it’s smart, professional basketball.
The Wizards length on defense made an impact. One play midway through the first, Jones attacked the much smaller Young. His options were limited by Anthony Davis drifting down from the opposite elbow and Alex Sarr lurking at the rim. Young stayed engage despite getting beat on the play. End result: a Sarr block.
A scene from Little Things Theater — Sarr got knocked down getting a rebound. The teammates to help him up: Davis and Young.
In the second quarter, with the shot clock running down, Bilal Coulibaly blitzed Saddiq Bey, who was prepping his move against the smaller Tre Johnson. Reduced to no other options, Bey threw up a highly contested fadeaway two, which he made. Despite the made shot, that was a terrific defensive play from Coulibaly.
On multiple possessions, I appreciated what a healthy Davis can do for a defense. He was a constant and persistent presence, held up on switches, and harassed offensive players even when it seemed they’d gotten the best of him.
Late in the first half, George got a wide open three from out top that was created because of some pick-and-roll craft from Young. Both defenders were paying attention to Young. Many NBA ball handlers would have immediately passed out to George, whose man would have been able to recover. Young took an extra dribble, which made it look like he was going to attack, which made George’s man hesitate for a second so he could be available to help. Oops.
In the third quarter, Young got switched onto Bey, and New Orleans immediately tried to attack. Deandre Ayton came to help while the pass to Bey was in the air — a smart, alert play from the big man. He ended up fouling on the play, but it was good defense…until the foul.
Down two late in the fourth quarter, the Wizards G League group perfectly executed a trap-then-foul gambit. The Pelicans nearly turned it over three times, got stuck in a corner at midcourt, and had to call timeout. None of those guys are likely to play major roles in Washington this season, but the execution was a symptom of good coaching.
The Pelicans had a somewhat surprising number of former Wizards involved, including Antonio Daniels on the broadcast (one of the better analysts on TV, in my opinion), Jordan Poole, Bey, AJ Johnson, Julian Reese, plus assistant coaches God Shammgod, Greg Monroe, and Will Bynum. Don’t forget Troy Weaver, who was a front office advisor with the Wizards before moving to the New Orleans front office.
By the way, Poole had a very on-brand foul for him. The Wizards were engaged in an utter disaster of a possession — Young picked up his dribble and his teammates couldn’t shake free enough to safely get the ball. Finally, Young got the ball to Khris Middleton with just five seconds on the shot clock. Before Middleton could even start thinking about how he was going to attack, Poole inexplicably slapped him on the wrist. Which gave the Wizards two free throws.
Anyway, the Wizards finish the preseason 2-2. Next up: the season opener, Oct. 21 at home against Kyle Kuzma and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Programming note: My preseason forecast is coming on Monday.
I’m not running PPA numbers for this game, but here are a few stats that caught my eye when I perused the box score:
Dybantsa | 12 points and four free throw attempts in 15 minutes.
Davis | 14 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks in 27 minutes. I didn’t love the shot selection, but strong production overall.
Sarr | 12 points, 9 rebounds in 26 minutes — He seemed more aggressive on the boards with Davis helping protect the paint
George | 14 points on 7 shots, plus a steal and a couple blocks. Strong preseason out of him.
Young | 3 steals in 28 minutes. He won’t shoot 1-11 too often. He will commit 5 turnovers with some regularity.
AJ Dybantsa played pretty well before turning his ankle in Washington’s preseason finale. | NBAE via Getty Images
In their preseason finale, the Washington Wizards lost to a New Orleans Pelicans squad well-stocked with former Wizards, 107-106.
The game itself was fine for preseason with the exception of No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa landing bad after getting bumped by Zion Williamson while taking a shot and rolling his ankle. It look painful and awkward, and I hope the first thought that came to mind comes true: “He’s 19, so he’ll probably be fine in a couple days.”
While it would be difficult to accuse either team of playing particularly well, there were a number of process things from the Wizards that I did like.
For example, early in the first quarter, Trae Young and Kyshawn George were crossmatched in a quasi-transition situation after a turnover. First, I liked how seamlessly they each matched up in transition. This was a major point of weakness last season.
Kyshawn George capped a strong preseason by scoring 14 points on 5-7 shooting against the New Orleans Pelicans. | NBAE via Getty Images
Second, Young bumped Herb Jones to prevent Jones from simply going where he wanted uncontested. That’s exactly what he should have done, and it suggests Young’s trying to fulfill his pledge to work harder on the defensive end.
Finally, when New Orleans passed to the wing, Young and George switched while the ball was in the air — George going back to the bigger Jones, and Young picking up the smaller guard. Altogether, nothing earth-shaking, but it’s smart, professional basketball.
The Wizards length on defense made an impact. One play midway through the first, Jones attacked the much smaller Young. His options were limited by Anthony Davis drifting down from the opposite elbow and Alex Sarr lurking at the rim. Young stayed engage despite getting beat on the play. End result: a Sarr block.
A scene from Little Things Theater — Sarr got knocked down getting a rebound. The teammates to help him up: Davis and Young.
In the second quarter, with the shot clock running down, Bilal Coulibaly blitzed Saddiq Bey, who was prepping his move against the smaller Tre Johnson. Reduced to no other options, Bey threw up a highly contested fadeaway two, which he made. Despite the made shot, that was a terrific defensive play from Coulibaly.
On multiple possessions, I appreciated what a healthy Davis can do for a defense. He was a constant and persistent presence, held up on switches, and harassed offensive players even when it seemed they’d gotten the best of him.
Late in the first half, George got a wide open three from out top that was created because of some pick-and-roll craft from Young. Both defenders were paying attention to Young. Many NBA ball handlers would have immediately passed out to George, whose man would have been able to recover. Young took an extra dribble, which made it look like he was going to attack, which made George’s man hesitate for a second so he could be available to help. Oops.
In the third quarter, Young got switched onto Bey, and New Orleans immediately tried to attack. Deandre Ayton came to help while the pass to Bey was in the air — a smart, alert play from the big man. He ended up fouling on the play, but it was good defense…until the foul.
Down two late in the fourth quarter, the Wizards G League group perfectly executed a trap-then-foul gambit. The Pelicans nearly turned it over three times, got stuck in a corner at midcourt, and had to call timeout. None of those guys are likely to play major roles in Washington this season, but the execution was a symptom of good coaching.
The Pelicans had a somewhat surprising number of former Wizards involved, including Antonio Daniels on the broadcast (one of the better analysts on TV, in my opinion), Jordan Poole, Bey, AJ Johnson, Julian Reese, plus assistant coaches God Shammgod, Greg Monroe, and Will Bynum. Don’t forget Troy Weaver, who was a front office advisor with the Wizards before moving to the New Orleans front office.
By the way, Poole had a very on-brand foul for him. The Wizards were engaged in an utter disaster of a possession — Young picked up his dribble and his teammates couldn’t shake free enough to safely get the ball. Finally, Young got the ball to Khris Middleton with just five seconds on the shot clock. Before Middleton could even start thinking about how he was going to attack, Poole inexplicably slapped him on the wrist. Which gave the Wizards two free throws.
Anyway, the Wizards finish the preseason 2-2. Next up: the season opener, Oct. 21 at home against Kyle Kuzma and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Programming note: My preseason forecast is coming on Monday.
I’m not running PPA numbers for this game, but here are a few stats that caught my eye when I perused the box score:
Dybantsa | 12 points and four free throw attempts in 15 minutes.
Davis | 14 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks in 27 minutes. I didn’t love the shot selection, but strong production overall.
Sarr | 12 points, 9 rebounds in 26 minutes — He seemed more aggressive on the boards with Davis helping protect the paint
George | 14 points on 7 shots, plus a steal and a couple blocks. Strong preseason out of him.
Young | 3 steals in 28 minutes. He won’t shoot 1-11 too often. He will commit 5 turnovers with some regularity.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 16: LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers points as Joel Embiid #21 looks on against the Boston Celtics in the first quarter during the preseason game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 16, 2026 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Preseason Bell Ringer rankings: Jaylen Brown – 1 VJ Edgecombe – 1 LeBron James – 1
The Sixers closed their 2026-27 preseason campaign on Friday with an 125-120 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics in South Philadelphia on Friday night.
The big story was that the Sixers’ regular starting lineup — well, four fifths of it — was in action for this one. VJ Edgecombe was out, but just for rest according to Nick Nurse. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was slotted into his spot for the initial five.
The Sixers continue to look like a team that is absolutely stacked with talent but has a bit of way to go in terms of solidifying the on-court chemistry, at least early on the game. Things definitely tightened up throughout the second frame and on compared to a disjointed first, showing signs of the team this squad could really be after playing together more consistently.
The main starters played into the second half of this one as well, playing through the third before subbing out for the night. The good news is that they all played well enough to be our Bell Ringer candidates tonight.
<p>(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
Jaylen Brown just never really looks out of sorts. Even in the beginning of this one where the overall offense of the Sixers was a bit disjointed and sloppy, Brown was able to produce. He made a habit of getting right to the rim early and often, seldom having to rely on pulling up for a contested midrange shot. In the first half, Brown put up 14 points on 5-for-11 field goal shooting (one triple) with six rebounds and three assists. By that point, he had already made a number of defensive plays as well, with two blocks and a steal by the break.
From his skills in isolation and getting to the rim, to his passing, to his aggression on the boards, to his defensive prowess… Sixers fans know all too well what Brown is capable of when he’s at his best. It’s just nice to get to see him doing it in a Philadelphia jersey now.
Brown finished this one with 20 points on 8-for-14 field goal shooting with eight rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks. He played 31 minutes.
Jaylen Brown navigates through multiple Celtics defenders, baiting the jump and the foul for the and-1 opportunity pic.twitter.com/WLwpnYb7JM
<p>(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
Even when LeBron James only seems to be doing a little, he still does a whole lot. LeBron didn’t post some unbelievable stat line on Friday night but it certainly doesn’t mean he wasn’t involved. In his South Philly debut, the king went to work running the offense quite a bit, working the two-man game with Tyrese Maxey most often and a little with Labaron Philon Jr. Even outside those instances, it’s clear that he is focused first on creating opportunities for his teammates before worrying about getting shots up himself, and his passing is absolutely elite. He had a floor-leading seven assists in this one.
And people tried to tell me he was going to be a complete ball hog… Sure, it’s preseason, but it really doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a problem.
Lebron finished the game with 8 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, a steal and a block in just under 25 minutes.
Lebron James gets the steal on the inbound and Maxey clears him for takeoff on the alley-oop pic.twitter.com/BGPAa4TVre
<p>(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
My goodness, is Tyrese Maxey in a great spot to thrive with this Sixers squad. I know that probably seems obvious simply because of the level of talent around him, but it’s also that the talent around him compliments him perfectly. Not only does Maxey now have, for example, the two-man game with Embiid that has pretty much always been successful in the half-court offense, he now adds the two-man game with and transition aggression of Lebron James. Not only that, but the amount of space he now has to operate with considering the amount of attention all of his teammates garner from opposing defenses is greatly improved over the last few years, meaning less forced contested shots and more buckets falling from all over the floor. Maxey’s playmaking himself continues to improve as well, especially with so much off-ball movement from this lineup.
The bottom line is that Maxey is really being set up for success with this roster and I think Friday night was an excellent example of him taking full advantage of that. From getting out in transition to those two-man games to a few just stellar Maxey-magic finishes, the guard was able to contribute consistently throughout his time in this one.
Maxey finished with 22 points on 7-for-11 field goal shooting with three rebounds, six assists and one steal.
<p>(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
I’ll be honest, the first half was a very mixed bag for Joel Embiid. It started out a bit like we’ve seen so far this preseason — a bit sloppy, a little lackadaisical even. There were some turnovers, he couldn’t seem to stay on his feet, and just wasn’t getting anything going to start things off.
Then, something switched. Things tightened up as the first half went on, and Embiid started looking like the player we all know he can be. He started working the two-man game with Tyrese Maxey more, using his body to create space to sink some midrange jays, and powering up through contact at the rim for close buckets and drawing a ton of fouls in the process. He was active on the boards and solid on the defensive end. This was truly a night and day turnaround from how he looked at the beginning of the game.
He even got up for a dunk, and I mean got UP. (Yes, I gasp every time he does it, but I guess I’m grateful he physically can.)
And this was just one example of Embiid looking spry and agile once he really got himself going on Friday night. Certainly a good sign.
Embiid finished the game with a field-leading 27 points (7-for-13 field goal shooting), eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in 29 minutes.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 16: LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers points as Joel Embiid #21 looks on against the Boston Celtics in the first quarter during the preseason game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 16, 2026 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Preseason Bell Ringer rankings: Jaylen Brown – 1 VJ Edgecombe – 1 LeBron James – 1
The Sixers closed their 2026-27 preseason campaign on Friday with an 125-120 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics in South Philadelphia on Friday night.
The big story was that the Sixers’ regular starting lineup — well, four fifths of it — was in action for this one. VJ Edgecombe was out, but just for rest according to Nick Nurse. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was slotted into his spot for the initial five.
The Sixers continue to look like a team that is absolutely stacked with talent but has a bit of way to go in terms of solidifying the on-court chemistry, at least early on the game. Things definitely tightened up throughout the second frame and on compared to a disjointed first, showing signs of the team this squad could really be after playing together more consistently.
The main starters played into the second half of this one as well, playing through the third before subbing out for the night. The good news is that they all played well enough to be our Bell Ringer candidates tonight.
<p>(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
Jaylen Brown just never really looks out of sorts. Even in the beginning of this one where the overall offense of the Sixers was a bit disjointed and sloppy, Brown was able to produce. He made a habit of getting right to the rim early and often, seldom having to rely on pulling up for a contested midrange shot. In the first half, Brown put up 14 points on 5-for-11 field goal shooting (one triple) with six rebounds and three assists. By that point, he had already made a number of defensive plays as well, with two blocks and a steal by the break.
From his skills in isolation and getting to the rim, to his passing, to his aggression on the boards, to his defensive prowess… Sixers fans know all too well what Brown is capable of when he’s at his best. It’s just nice to get to see him doing it in a Philadelphia jersey now.
Brown finished this one with 20 points on 8-for-14 field goal shooting with eight rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks. He played 31 minutes.
Jaylen Brown navigates through multiple Celtics defenders, baiting the jump and the foul for the and-1 opportunity pic.twitter.com/WLwpnYb7JM
<p>(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
Even when LeBron James only seems to be doing a little, he still does a whole lot. LeBron didn’t post some unbelievable stat line on Friday night but it certainly doesn’t mean he wasn’t involved. In his South Philly debut, the king went to work running the offense quite a bit, working the two-man game with Tyrese Maxey most often and a little with Labaron Philon Jr. Even outside those instances, it’s clear that he is focused first on creating opportunities for his teammates before worrying about getting shots up himself, and his passing is absolutely elite. He had a floor-leading seven assists in this one.
And people tried to tell me he was going to be a complete ball hog… Sure, it’s preseason, but it really doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a problem.
Lebron finished the game with 8 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, a steal and a block in just under 25 minutes.
Lebron James gets the steal on the inbound and Maxey clears him for takeoff on the alley-oop pic.twitter.com/BGPAa4TVre
<p>(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
My goodness, is Tyrese Maxey in a great spot to thrive with this Sixers squad. I know that probably seems obvious simply because of the level of talent around him, but it’s also that the talent around him compliments him perfectly. Not only does Maxey now have, for example, the two-man game with Embiid that has pretty much always been successful in the half-court offense, he now adds the two-man game with and transition aggression of Lebron James. Not only that, but the amount of space he now has to operate with considering the amount of attention all of his teammates garner from opposing defenses is greatly improved over the last few years, meaning less forced contested shots and more buckets falling from all over the floor. Maxey’s playmaking himself continues to improve as well, especially with so much off-ball movement from this lineup.
The bottom line is that Maxey is really being set up for success with this roster and I think Friday night was an excellent example of him taking full advantage of that. From getting out in transition to those two-man games to a few just stellar Maxey-magic finishes, the guard was able to contribute consistently throughout his time in this one.
Maxey finished with 22 points on 7-for-11 field goal shooting with three rebounds, six assists and one steal.
<p>(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
I’ll be honest, the first half was a very mixed bag for Joel Embiid. It started out a bit like we’ve seen so far this preseason — a bit sloppy, a little lackadaisical even. There were some turnovers, he couldn’t seem to stay on his feet, and just wasn’t getting anything going to start things off.
Then, something switched. Things tightened up as the first half went on, and Embiid started looking like the player we all know he can be. He started working the two-man game with Tyrese Maxey more, using his body to create space to sink some midrange jays, and powering up through contact at the rim for close buckets and drawing a ton of fouls in the process. He was active on the boards and solid on the defensive end. This was truly a night and day turnaround from how he looked at the beginning of the game.
He even got up for a dunk, and I mean got UP. (Yes, I gasp every time he does it, but I guess I’m grateful he physically can.)
And this was just one example of Embiid looking spry and agile once he really got himself going on Friday night. Certainly a good sign.
Embiid finished the game with a field-leading 27 points (7-for-13 field goal shooting), eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in 29 minutes.
DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks is defended by CJ McCollum #3 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of a preseason game at American Airlines Center on October 16, 2026 in Dallas, 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 GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks fell on Friday night in their final preseason contest, 135-111 to the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Center. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had an efficient 25 points in 27 minutes to lead the Hawks. Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 26 and 12 rebounds in defeat.
The back-and-forth affair early on was punctuated by a Cooper Flagg dunk off a cut and the first of Kyrie Irving’s five 3-pointers. Dallas was foul-happy in the first quarter, committing four team fouls in the first three minutes of play. CJ McCollum connected on two early 3-pointers, and Atlanta took early offensive control. Defense seemed lacking from both teams, though. Dallas rallied right back with a relentless offensive pace. The two teams traded leads, with Atlanta carrying a 39-34 lead into the second quarter on the strength of 16 free-throw attempts.
Quarter two saw the Hawks rain from beyond the arc while the referee show continued apace. Atlanta built up a 17-point lead five minutes into the quarter as the Dallas offense stalled. The Mavericks were so cold in the second that Kyrie Irving, a phenomenal free-throw shooter (88.8%!), missed one. The Mavericks shot a palty 1-of-10 from deep in the second quarter while the Hawks remained electric from beyond the arc — pushing the lead to 73-54 at the half.
Dallas started the second half intent on cutting into the Atlanta lead. Three possessions of solid offense, the Mavericks cut the Hawks lead down to 14 only for Atlanta to knockdown back-to-back threes and regain their 20 point cushion. The Dallas defense was frenetic but poor, and the Hawks kept the pressure on all period. Sergio De Larrea continued his hot shooting on low volume, hitting both threes he took in the period. Dallas entered the fourth down 102-78.
Cooper Flagg transtion attacks forced a quick Hawks timeout to start the fourth quarter. While Dallas continued to play within what should be their regular rotation, both Flagg and Kyrie were done for the night following the timeout. De Larrea played well to close out the fourth, but the main goal for both squads was to get out with everyone healthy.
That sort of move simply doesn’t happen last year. It’s not that he couldn’t do it, but we didn’t see much like it from Flagg. He put his head down, got to the rim or he’d have a strong one dribble move into a jumper. But sauce? We didn’t get a lot and that sort of thing comes with an enormous amount of work.
And while Flagg wasn’t terribly efficient in terms of shooting (just 8 of 20), he got to the line for 12 free throws and should’ve had at least 4-6 more. The 12 rebounds were also impressive and if he’s cleaning up the glass and pushing the pace, he looks frightening coming downhill.
I am excited for what year two will bring. The league should be concerned.
Kyrie Irving yields basketball joy
This isn’t news, but it’s certainly fun to type. Irving had a good but weird game. While he was money from beyond the arc, he missed some weird layups and even had a free throw rim out. But no matter, it’s a preseason game.
That special something he had when last playing regular season Dallas Maverick basketball? He still has it. Thank God.
Can the NBA Referees settle down?
We don‘t come to watch the refs. I thought a 7:00 pm (7:15) start time meant games would get over at a reasonable hour. That one was a full two and a half hours because of 48 called fouls and 71 combined free-throw attempts. RELAX, GUYS.
