Los Angeles Lakers star guard Luka Dončić’s looks have received a lot of attention this offseason.

More important than the 27-year-old sporting a headband during practice or wearing longer hair than usual is that he looks to be in the best shape of his life.

Lakers coach JJ Redick pointed this out with a hilarious comment when speaking to the media on Monday.

“He’s great physically. The guy worked his butt off all summer, on staying in shape. And actually ran this summer. Like, he actually did like sprints and stuff. Came into camp in fantastic shape,” Redick said of Dončić, per ESPN’s Anthony Slater.

Dončić weight and conditioning has been scrutinized throughout his career, but the Lakers star is currently as lean than he has been since his rookie season.

“For someone who normally plays a ton of live basketball, he didn’t do as much of that this summer, by design,” Redick said.

“And we’ve seen him, literally every day in camp, incrementally getting more and more in rhythm. For him, throughout this preseason, that’s sort of the goal… continuing to build that game shape, and continuing to build his offensive rhythm.”

This emphasis on rest, rhythm, and conditioning paid dividends for Dončić during the Lakers’ 127-103 preseason win against the Sacramento Kings on Monday, as he scored 21 points in 16 minutes of action.

Sports are cyclical. It’s very rare for a team to stay on top for a prolonged period of time, just the same as it’s rare for a team to stay in the doldrums for a long time. Smart organizations can keep championship windows open, and dumb organizations can keep shooting themselves in the foot, but in every sport, the bill eventually comes due.

The second apron, an invention of the latest CBA, has been the NBA’s attempt to speed up the cycle. They don’t want teams like the Warriors spending five years at the top of the sport with their all-time collection of talent. They want championship windows to be shorter, but also more volatile. It’s like a conveyor belt; they want these teams to all get a taste of glory before going back to the hunt.

As the current NBA champions, the Knicks are the latest team to fight a battle with the second apron. James Dolan says he does not want to exceed it, something that very few teams have done since it was introduced. They find themselves with a core that wants to be compensated as champions, but have a finite amount of money to get there.

It’s easy to curse the second apron for what they’re doing to muddy up the Knicks’ title defense and beyond, but in doing that, we have to remember that the construction and reason behind this team even reaching the mountaintop was the second apron.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were coming off a trip to the Western Conference Finals, but faced a massive crisis entering the 2024-25 season with their financial table. Some players needed extensions, some players had massive raises kicking in, and they were doomed to spend the season above the second apron. You can spend one year there and survive, but doing two or more years there is a death sentence. Hence, they needed to shed long-term salary.

That’s how Karl-Anthony Towns became a Knick.

The Boston Celtics were the type of unstoppable superteam that the league looked to avoid in 2023-24, boasting a starting five full of players who could create their own shot and hold their own defensively, an extremely rare blend. All of that was bolstered by an elite coach who maximized offensive efficiency with the three-pointer.

It was expensive to keep that team together the following season, and they did it in the second apron, but they knew they had to make changes after 2024-25 to avoid dooming themselves long term with a still-young superstar in Jayson Tatum. When the Knicks took out a bruised, battered Celtics team that May, they offloaded Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday and lost Al Horford and Luke Kornet to free agency, destroying that unstoppable ceiling and paving the way for the Knicks to take their place at the top of the totem pole.

The second apron unraveled the Celtics and Timberwolves, feeding a Knicks team that was excellently built and simply waited until their time to strike. Now, the Robin Hood nature of the second apron has come around to collect from the champs.

Karl-Anthony Towns wants an extension. Deuce McBride wants an extension. Josh Hart (who’s less of a priority due to a team option in 2027-28) wants an extension. Jalen Brunson is due at least $290 million down the road in a future extension (and could be up to $411 million). There’s not enough room under the second apron to keep them all happy.

The second apron already threw a right hook at the Knicks’ underbelly by forcing them to let go of Mitchell Robinson, but now they could come back and take McBride from them next season (or force them to trade him). The desire to keep the band together has caused a lowballing of Towns, something that is openly frustrating him in the media.

KAT dials up pressure, clearly feels disrespected by Knicks offer after winning a championship https://t.co/PTNU6QZSiq

— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) October 5, 2026

And now, we’re getting reports that both he and Hart could be trade chips in February if we can’t get a deal done? What happened to all the good vibes???

No matter how much “power of friendship” you have, money is the universal divider. I’m not calling Towns greedy for wanting to make more than residential losing players, Trae Young and De’Aaron Fox, but I’m also not going to call the Knicks prudish.

The second apron is extremely restrictive and, at most, you can exceed it one time before its vice grips start to sink in. I’m not sure if Dolan knows that fact, but if he does, you have to be very careful with how you use it.

It unfortunately seems like this will be a distraction for the Knicks in their title defense with how rigid the two sides seem to be. As much as it sucks, that’s the second apron.

It steals from the rich and gives to the poor.

CHARLESTON — This time last year, Jayson Tatum was in the background.

While most of the Celtics were finishing up training camp and preparing for the season, Tatum spent most of his free time in the weight room, looking in from the outside.

He still made it a point to go to every practice and nearly every game, home and away. But it was often painful to watch his team go to war on the court while he focused on rehab for a ruptured Achilles tendon.

This October, Tatum is almost 17 months removed from his injury, and he’s front and center at camp. He’s still working with assistant coach Tony Dobbin, the same coach who worked with him through his rehab, except this time, he has no limitations.

So, this fall, Tatum feels an extra sense of gratitude and happiness, just to be a part of things.

“I have a totally different perspective,” Tatum said. “I’ve been open — last year was very tough for me. I just remember these days of training camp, and I would just be in the weight room the whole time watching the team practice, and it was just tough to not just go through it.”

Nowadays, Tatum is getting to know his new Celtics teammates, like Mitchell Robinson, Paul George, Mike Conley, and rookies Chris Cenac and Dillon Mitchell.

Facing the New York Knicks four times a year, Robinson is someone Tatum has long gone up against, but never knew particularly well.

“I love Big Mitch,” Tatum said. “Hilarious guy, and he just brings a different dynamic to our team. Obviously, his size and his instincts on the defensive end. Obviously, a lob threat; how great a defender and rebounder he is. I had a hard time boxing him out for the last 7, 8 years. So, now to have him on our team just give us a different look. Something that I’m super excited about.”

Joe Mazzulla has pointed out all week that it’s easy to be connected and in good spirits at training camp.

“Every team in the league is the most together team right now,“ Mazzulla said on Sunday. ”Because we haven’t traveled. No one’s gotten benched. No one’s been on a losing streak. No one’s gotten blamed in the media. No one’s had to go stand in the corner for 10 minutes and not get the ball. So, you learn those things as the season goes on, and you just learn how to work through those things together. And you can’t simulate those. It just comes with time. And so, right now I would say all 30 teams feel great about themselves, and we got to wait till adversity hits. And adversity is even a strong word. There’s nothing really adverse about playing in the NBA. But we got to wait until stuff doesn’t go your way, and then you got to figure out who we are and how we’re going to be at our best.”

But for Tatum, simply being available for training camp has been a blessing.

“Being on this side and knowing what it felt like to have to watch the whole time, it just [brings] a different level of appreciation of just getting to be a part of the game that I love with my teammates,” Tatum said. “[It’s] a different type of joy that I have now than I did my first eight seasons.”

Hukporti to undergo surgery after tearing Achilles in Sixers' preseason opener originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers have suffered a preseason injury hit at center. 

An MRI confirmed that Ariel Hukporti has a torn right Achilles tendon, the Sixers announced Tuesday afternoon. Hukport will undergo surgery later in the day, according to the team. 

The Sixers didn’t provide an official timeline for Hukporti’s potential return, but it will clearly be a long-term absence. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the injury is “season-ending.” 

Hukporti suffered the injury Monday night in the first quarter of the Sixers’ preseason-opening win over the Knicks. Without any contact, he fell to the floor while defending Karl-Anthony Towns. 

Ariel Hukporti leaves the game after suffering a non-contact injury. pic.twitter.com/IRjPYGhfYA

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) October 5, 2026

The Sixers on Monday were also without centers Joel Embiid, Adem Bona (left foot sprain) and Tacko Fall (left hip sprain). Embiid participated in the Sixers’ Blue-White scrimmage Saturday and looked good physically. As of last week, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said the team’s hope was that Bona would be able to play in at least a couple of preseason games. 

Hukporti’s injury is a substantial blow to the Sixers’ center depth and raises questions about whether the team will tinker with its roster at the position during the season.

Though Hukporti was the Knicks’ third-string center last year, he appeared to have a higher chance at regular minutes with the Sixers. He likely would have competed internally with a fellow third-year big man in Bona. Outside of their traditional centers, the Sixers’ possible options at the five include Dominick Barlow, Dean Wade, LeBron James and Jabari Walker. 

It didn’t take long for Hukporti to become well-liked by his new teammates and coaches. 

Walker described him as a “brother” Monday night. Jaylen Brown called the 24-year-old German a “great guy.”

“Huk has been a joy to have,” Brown said. “He’s been great in the locker room. It sucks to see a guy like that go down.”

There are always fun moments throughout media day. With the vibes at an all-time high for the Sixers, this year was no different.

Jaylen Brown was one of the first to speak. After a chaotic offseason which saw him in trade rumors, his game and personality dragged through the mud, and eventually shipped off to a bitter rival, there were plenty of intense questions.

A few moments earlier, LeBron James was at the dais preaching the importance of sacrifice. Brown was asked how he felt about James’ comments.

“100%,” Brown said. “That’s what’s needed.”

Then second-year guard VJ Edgecombe was passing through as all the players go from circuit to circuit during the course of the day. Without even breaking his tone, Brown kindly asked Edgecombe to keep it moving.

“VJ, get your ass outta here.”

Being in the room, it felt like a big brother-little brother moment for the 29-year-old All-NBA performer and the 21-year-old First Team All-Rookie pick. Edgecombe laughed, then joked during his availability about Brown not answering his phone calls this offseason.

Sometimes, people just click. That seems to be the case with these two.

On Monday, the Sixers played their preseason opener with James, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey out of the lineup. Even with the defending champion New York Knicks putting out their regular starters, Brown and Edgecombe were sensational in a 120-97 win at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Brown was effusive in praise for Edgecombe postgame … to say the least.

“I love VJ already,” Brown said. “Like he’s one of my favorite people in the world and we just met. But VJ is going to be great, and I’m excited to help him continue to thrive, but his talent level is off the charts.”

“That’s cute, Jaylen,” Edgecombe said about Brown’s comments. “That’s my dog. I love Jaylen.”

It’s hard to disagree with Brown’s assessment if you watched Edgecombe last year and saw him Monday night. The No. 3 overall pick had a fantastic rookie season, helping the Sixers beat Brown and the Boston Celtics in the playoffs. Of course there’s always room for growth and, though it was just one preseason game, the improvement was noticeable against the Knicks.

As a rookie, Edgecombe was thrown into the fire as the team’s primary backup point guard behind Maxey. Keep in mind, part of the knock on Edgecombe coming out of Baylor was his playmaking, so to see him grow into that role throughout the season was a pleasant surprise for the Sixers.

With Maxey out Monday, Edgecombe was the starting point guard — and he was excellent. Always a confident player, you could see the summer work Edgecombe put in on his dribble led to another level of confidence on the floor. He was somehow both electric and methodical, punching gaps in the defense to score or find teammates.

“I mean he’s made a step forward I think just in general,” Nick Nurse said. “It just feels like he’s better than he was a year ago, and I think [ball-handling is] one of them. And I think that handle is getting him through some tighter gaps down the lane. Once he punches through, he’s going to be in the air. So that’s important I think for him getting to the front of the rim, which he’s really good at, and we just need him to do it more often.”

Edgecombe finished the night with 12 points and seven assists (to zero turnovers) in less than 20 minutes. A couple of those assists were to Brown, who was fantastic in his Sixers preseason debut.

Not sure what the analytics say, but he sure as hell didn’t look like the seventh-best player on the court. In fact, against the defending champs, who feature one of the best wing defenders in the world in OG Anunoby, Brown was the best player on the floor.

We got to see Brown’s entire scoring bag — aggressive drives, midrange pull-ups, threes. The power he plays with on the wing is something the Sixers haven’t had since Jimmy Butler was here. He’s in constant attack mode, which puts the defense on its heels more often than not.

“I was more impressed with his offensive creation,” Nurse said. “Not only his own shot, but just his ability to kind of come down and be in the paint, and you better send some help or he’s gonna be finishing. And I think that he also had a couple nice kickouts and stuff. …

“He’s kind of what I would call a methodical driver. He does it a little bit more with balance and strength than he does with maybe quickness. But he usually breaks through the gap, and now he’s heading towards the rim.”

“Rim pressure” is sort of a trendy phrase in the NBA right now. With Brown and Edgecombe — and not to mention James, Maxey and Embiid — the Sixers should be able to apply it on a nightly basis this season.

The JB-VJ duo could lead the charge on a dangerous second unit, much like we saw Monday. There’s been so much talk about sacrifice and roles changing, but Brown and Edgecombe should get their opportunities to cook in those lineups.

And they already have an ideal mentor-mentee relationship.

During his introductory press conference, Brown harkened back to his rookie season in Boston. He was also the No. 3 overall pick at just 20 years old. He was also joining a veteran team with championship aspirations. In his second year, the team added All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward.

Who better to guide Edgecombe along this path?

“He’s like … someone that I actually lean on for information,” Edgecombe said. “He’s obviously super smart. He got that Berkeley education, man. … He’s a really great person. … Like we actually really cool. ‘Cause … what month is this? October. You know, he just [got traded] like two months ago. …

“We talk about whatever — whatever’s on our mind at the time we just have a conversation about, and that’s someone that’s actually willing to have a conversation with people.”

SACRAMENTO — That is what Luka Doncic has missed.

Not post-practice shooting. Not transition drills where players have to successfully fill their lanes on a fastbreak. 

But the opportunity to play basketball against an opponent after going several months without doing so.

And after six months away from competitive games, Doncic finally got to experience that feeling again, scoring 21 points on 5-of-12 shooting in 16 first-half minutes during the Lakers’ 127-103 preseason-opening win over the Kings on Monday night at Golden 1 Center.

“Luka, he’s many things, many good things – he’s not really a drill guy in practice,” coach JJ Redick said. “Whenever practice starts, he’s just ‘Are we playing live today?’ Like ‘When is live? When is live?’ He wants to play. He likes the competition, he likes the way live action looks and feels to him. He just has a real joy for playing the actual game of basketball. 

He certainly works on his game. The guy works every single day on his game. But that’s his joy –  playing live basketball.”

And for the longest stretch of time since he entered the NBA in 2018, Doncic wasn’t able to experience that joy for most of 2026.

Before the Lakers' preseason-opening win over the Kings tonight, the last time Luka Doncic played in an official basketball game was April 2 – the longest stretch he's gone without playing since he entered the NBA.

Luka: "I missed it a lot. Basketball is one of the best things… pic.twitter.com/N2Nq2cViuN

— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) October 6, 2026

A severe left hamstring injury he suffered during the Lakers’ loss to the Thunder on April 2 in Oklahoma City ended his 2025-26 season early. Doncic missed the final five regular season games and the Lakers’ 10 playoff games before being swept by the Thunder in the second round. 

And unlike most summers, Doncic didn’t play for the Slovenian national team during the offseason so he could focus on spending time with his two daughters amid an ongoing custody battle with his ex-fianceé, Anamaria Goltes.

Which led to Doncic going just over six months – 184 days to be exact – without playing in an official basketball game. 

“I missed it a lot,” Doncic said. “Basketball is one of the best things in my life, and I missed it a lot. Being back for the games, being competitive, it’s just a lot of fun for me, and I’m really happy to be back.”

Despite not playing in an officially basketball for most of the year, Doncic was able to channel his competitiveness in other ways. 

JJ Redick on Luka Doncic: "He's great physically. I mean, the guy worked his butt off all summer. Staying in shape and actually ran this summer. Like he actually did like sprints and stuff, and came into camp in fantastic shape." pic.twitter.com/KqbRZQpJl9

— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) October 6, 2026

“Golf is one of the things, honestly,” he said. “I’m always competitive on the golf course. You gotta have competition every day. But then also, I practice basketball, so it was competitive there. Play some other games, being competitive there. Playing cards is competitive there. It’s just being competitive every day.”

Doncic said he didn’t change much about his offseason training routine, outside of probably feeling a little more rested since he didn’t play with his national team.

But he looked notably slimmer coming out of this offseason, even after his slimmed-down physique was a significant talking point during the 2025 to the point of being on the cover of Men’s Health magazine. 

“He’s great physically,” Redick said of Doncic. “I mean, the guy worked his butt off all summer. [Stayed] in shape and actually ran this summer, like he actually did like sprints and stuff. And came into camp in fantastic shape. For someone who normally plays a ton of basketball, live basketball, he didn’t do as much of that this summer by design. And I think we’ve seen him literally every day in camp incrementally just [getting] more and more in rhythm.”

The Lakers team Doncic returned to was much different than the one he previously played on. 

Gone are LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton and most of the players who had a significant role in the Lakers winning a first-round playoff series against the Rockets despite Doncic’s absence. 

Nine new players are on the roster, showcasing against the Kings why the Lakers added them to the team.

From the defensive havoc Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle were creating with their fullcourt pressure, to the offensive firepower Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili were showcasing. 

The Lakers forced 15 turnovers in the first half, scoring 22 points off those takeaways, to help build a 73-47 lead after the opening two quarters before Doncic sat out for the remainder of the game.

“We all had fun out there, especially with Matisse and Ziaire, just that beginning of the game, the start, that’s contagious for everybody, and how they start the game, it was inspirational,” Doncic said. “So, and then the other guys came from the bench, and it was amazing just to watch them. They were having fun, they were sharing the ball, so I think the whole team had a lot of fun.”

The team’s marquee addition, center Walker Kessler, didn’t play because of a minor finger injury.

Star guard Austin Reaves (ankle), veteran guard Collin Sexton (calf) and two-way forward Arthur Kaluma also didn’t play against the Kings with their minor injuries.

James Wiseman is among several veterans competing for the Knicks’ final roster spot. 

New York is prioritizing keeping another big man in the mix, perhaps giving Wiseman and others the inside track for the position. 

The 25-year-old made a strong first impression in Monday’s preseason opener. 

Mike Brown played the Knicks’ regulars sparingly their first time out, creating an opportunity for the reserves to showcase what they can do. 

While he only saw nine minutes off the bench, Wiseman took advantage. 

The former No. 2 overall pick made his presence felt on both ends of the floor, knocking down three of four shots and a pair of free throws for eight points while also pulling in five boards. 

One of those buckets came on a nice alley-oop feed from Jordan Clarkson, and another on a putback layup after cleaning up a missed shot on the offensive glass. 

Wiseman finished the night a -13, but also recorded a block. 

“It felt good just contributing to the team,” he said. “I’m just focused on taking things one day at a time, building on each game and each practice, and doing the simple things.”

If Wiseman can carry this strong start into the Knicks’ next three preseason matchups, perhaps he can earn himself a deal and the third center spot to start the year. 

The big man does already have a fan in head coach Mike Brown, who was on the Warriors' coaching staff during his first two NBA seasons. 

"When you’re that long and athletic with skill, there’s a place for you in this league," Brown recently said. "Sometimes it takes the right moment, the right team, the right situation, all of that to be able to fit someplace and grow -- he’s one of the many guys that we’re excited about.”

Wiseman hasn’t quite fit in just yet during his NBA career, but perhaps he’ll be able to while reuniting with Brown. 

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bucks fans and fans across the country.

Hey Brew Hoop family… NBA basketball is officially back this week, and with a new coach and (basically) a new team, there is so much to monitor. One of the main things I’mwondering is how coach Taylor Jenkins approaches the preseason and what he hopes to accomplish. Jenkins could prioritise either of the following two options and be well within his rights to choose either one:

• Experimentation: Trying heaps of combinations to increase the chance of discovering who works well with who; using a large playbook to see which sets work and which don’t; throwing as many young guys in the deep end as possible to get their feet wet. However, you risk trying to achieve everything and end up achieving nothing.
• Continuity: Heavily use predetermined lineups you’re more sure you will use in the regular season, and stick with them until they operate the way you want; limited playbook and aim for quality over quantity. However, you may throw away the chance to test certain combinations and sets that may actually be your most effective.

In last night’s game, Jenkins did play 14 guys, but the rotation was tighter in the first half, so I guess he went with a bit of both. In any event, if you had to choose one option, which would you choose? Please share your rationale in the comments too.

The New York Knicks officially unofficially played basketball yesterday, and I can’t be happier about an opponent’s win.

As Russell said in his Scenes, we’ll give them belt when it counts, but for now, all I needed was some Orange and Blue hoops in my screen.

Here’s the latest from NYK world coming off Monday’s loss. Get well soon, Huk.

Mike Brown said he was bothered with the Knicks' lack of physicality in their preseason opener loss to the 76ers pic.twitter.com/ooACUyyDdK

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) October 6, 2026

Mike Brown

On playing everyone available in the preseason opener:

“Everybody’s been busting their behind in camp. Everybody’s good people, and it’s our first game. So I’m gonna play everybody. Twenty guys. Jose’s not playing.”

On the Knicks’ lack of physicality in the preseason loss to Philadelphia:

“Most of it, I was okay with (the performance). I just listed things that I saw that I know we can be better at. What bothers me is our lack of physicality throughout the ballgame, and that’s the whole roster, up and down. We weren’t great on the ball physically, and we weren’t great with our defensive positioning physically.

“That I’m concerned about, and I don’t wanna see it happen (again). The rest of the stuff, it’s coach-talk. It’s real, but it’s coach-talk that we’ll clean up watching film and all that stuff. I can’t help with the physicality. That they got to find it individually, which will then turn into collectively. That’s how you find minutes. That’s how you make the team. That’s how you contribute.”

On evaluating the Knicks’ options at center:

“I think just it’s just kind of gut feel. And then we’ll look at production because they’re gonna probably give us different levels of protection in different areas. Tony is just a really smart guy that has a great feel for the game, and when you watch him play, they’re not necessarily sexy, but he’s extremely efficient, and then there are times when it’s like, ‘Oh, my God, he kicked our ass [in the past].

“When you look at Wiseman, he’s younger, he’s a little more raw, he’s a vertical threat. He’s one of the best runners I’ve been around. You can see and feel his length and his athleticism and his potential.

“Then when you look at Drew, just a toughness about him, and you know what you’re gonna get, not tonight, but every fricking night that you go out there, ’cause he’s got a great feel, a great sense of toughness about him, and again, he’s not afraid to do anything against anybody, and his belief is at a pretty high level.

“So they’ll all initially bring something a little bit different, and we’ll just see, at the end of the day, if any of them, in terms of the center spot, fit well enough to be on our team.”

On Mikal Bridges attacking the rim:

“It’s great. He’s long, athletic and smart. He can finish at the rim. He’s capable of playing off of two feet and making a spray because he has a tremendous feel for the game.”

On creating more offensive opportunities for OG Anunoby:

“We have to try and put him in those positions a bit more, but he also has to have a good feel of what he wants and get to his spots. With him being in the system for a year, he’s got a better feel. … We also have a better feel on how to use him. I don’t call a lot of plays, and now he can find the small areas where he can be aggressive offensively. … His natural ability, especially with how hard he works, is showing.”

On wishing Ariel Hukporti a speedy recovery:

“We hope Ariel — whatever is wrong with him — he has a speedy recovery and he’s back on the floor. You hate to see anybody go down with an injury, but especially somebody who is a caliber person who Ariel is.”

On the 76ers’ roster and their status as an Eastern Conference contender:

“You look at their roster, man, it’s just loaded: multiple-time All-Star, multiple-time All-Star, multiple-time All-Star, MVP candidate, MVP candidate, MVP candidate. I remember back in the day, Pop said — when I was an assistant for him — there is a change from having two All-Stars on your team to having three. He brought it to our attention as a staff. He was like, you made at least three NBA All-Stars, and not just one-offs, but perennial All-Stars to go win a championship.

“And this is when we were going against Kobe [Bryant] and Shaq[uille O’Neal] and their [Lakers] team and all that.

“You look at this [Philly] team here, and they’ve got as many All-Stars or guys of that nature as they had in Miami when LeBron was down there. So they’re definitely a deep team, a talented team. Nick Nurse does a phenomenal job. He’s a championship-level coach, and they’re definitely going to be one of the teams that are contending in the East.

“In my opinion, it just got harder for everybody with the team that they assembled here.”

On LeBron James reaching his 24th NBA season:

“The first thing, I guess like year 24 is insane. It’s unheard of. It’s not human. People talk about Wemby being not human because of what he can do for his size. You got to throw LeBron in that category because of his durability and still doing it at the age that he has at a high level. It’s amazing to watch, but if there’s anybody that’s going to do it, he’s going to do it because even when he was young, he was really diligent about taking care of his body and he was not afraid to ask the vets, like Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who was one of the best in terms of taking care of his body, he was not afraid to ask him what he does daily and then follow his lead. So just an amazing, amazing run for one of the all-time greats.”

On the championship-level upgrade to his travel toiletries kit:

“Something has changed: This is kind of cool. So, our equipment guys are great, Kyle, Steve, Will, shout out to them. One of the best in the league, and they give me a toothbrush and toothpaste, mouthwash, and lotion, and all that. And they put it in my locker area, and they usually just carry it in a paper bag or a plastic bag.

“[Now] they put it in one of those travel things. And they set it really nice on my desk, and I go in there today, and these freaking guys, they made a travel case. Like this is where my lotion is. This is where the Kleenex goes. The two travel Listerines, the deodorant, and Sensodyne toothpaste in the back.

“And, it’s foam. It’s in a case, and not only that, you can’t see it, but right here, it says lotion. Right here, it says deodorant. So this is what championship level coaches get, right? I guarantee Nick [Nurse] has this s–t, too.”

Karl-Anthony Towns is not "anywhere close" to agreeing to an extension with the Knicks@IanBegley reports with more on the negotiations after Towns' public comments: pic.twitter.com/5H2ozpbTkE

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) October 5, 2026

Karl-Anthony Towns

On what he wants from a Knicks contract extension:

“Simply put, I want to do something that can keep the team together and that can work with the Knicks, but also values me. And none of those things have come close to happening.”

On wanting to be paid according to his value after winning a championship and not making concessions:

“No s–t, Sherlock. I just got a championship, you thought it’d be pretty easy… unless you guys think I got anything else to prove?”

On the outlook for reaching an extension before the regular season:

“It don’t look good. I mean in my experience, you just appreciate the moments right now and let it go where it goes.”

On how he is handling the lack of an extension:

“Best as anyone could.”

Jalen Brunson on the Knicks' preseason opener:

"It's a good first step. Not a great first step, but as long as we're making strides in the right direction, it's something to be happy about. Still a lot for us to learn and be better at early" pic.twitter.com/fFjwAL9SY5

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) October 6, 2026

Jalen Brunson

On the Knicks’ preseason opener:

“It’s a good first step. Not a great first step, but as long as we’re making strides in the right direction, it’s something to be happy about. Still a lot for us to learn and be better at early”

On Ariel Hukporti’s injury:

“Definitely heartbreaking. When I came back in the locker room, I went to go check on him. Sad to see. Obviously, we’ll pray for him.”

"It felt good just trying to contribute to the team"

– James Wiseman pic.twitter.com/uJ7PVbqNxW

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) October 6, 2026

James Wiseman

On his first game with the Knicks:

“It felt good just trying to contribute to the team”

.@ShamsCharania gives an update on Karl-Anthony Towns' potential contract extension with the Knicks 🏀 pic.twitter.com/3WKGJluSfl

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 5, 2026

Shams Charania

On Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart potentially becoming trade candidates if they remain unsigned:

“Josh Hart has already hinted that, as this gets closer to February, which is around the trade deadline.

“The temperature could rise if Karl-Anthony Towns and Hart himself are not extended. So far, these sides are not close.”

Mike Brown plays all the Knicks in camp except Jose Alvarado (knee contusion)

20 guys pic.twitter.com/qNv4dQ6w0H

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 6, 2026

No player in NBA history has ever played 24 seasons before. LeBron James is about to change that. James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in the most shocking move of the NBA summer to chase his fifth championship. He’s already the eighth oldest player in league history to start the season, and he’ll turn 42 years old in December. James has been remarkably durable throughout his career, but nagging injuries started to pop up during the end of his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers. As the Sixers go through training camp, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin detailed one injury James isn’t going to get over.

James has chronic arthritis in his left foot, according to McMenamin, which requires special attention from the Sixers’ medical staff. The superstar also dealt with sciatica in his lower back that caused him to miss a month last season, which is another area that continues to get treatment in Philly.

The Sixers might have the most dubious recent injury history in the NBA, though there are a few teams (the Pelicans, the Grizzlies) who would challenge that claim. Ben Simmons’ career fell apart at age-24 because of injuries after making three All-Star teams. Markelle Fultz’s career never got off the ground in part because of injuries after Philly made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft. Joel Embiid has dealt with seemingly hundreds of different maladies over the years. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, as any Sixers fan will tell you.

James played 60 games last year, 70 and 71 games the two years before that, and 55 and 56 games the two years before that. How many will he play this season? LeBron no longer has to carry the scoring load for his team, and the Sixers should be well equipped offensively with Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey even when he and Embiid miss games. Philly could really use James’ signature playmaking component, but that’s more important in the playoffs than the regular season. The goal for the Sixers’ training staff will be to get LeBron in peak shape come playoff time. Can they do it?

It’s easy to imagine the frustration from Sixers fans if James deals with more injuries this year. Just remember: he’s about to 42, and he already has chronic arthritis in his foot. It’s remarkable that he was still so good in the first-round playoff series against the Rockets last season despite that, averaging 23.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game as he helped the Lakers advance without Luka Doncic.

LeBron made the NBA Finals in eight straight years the last time he was in the East. That was also nine years ago. James could still have some magic left in his body, but there’s no doubt the end is near. Having chronic arthritis is just one sign of that.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s debut season with the Atlanta Hawks was one that could only be described as resounding success. Embracing a larger role compared to the one he saw with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Alexander-Walker raised his scoring output 9.4 points to 20.8 points per game en route to winning the NBA’s Most Improve Player Award. From his scoring — on which the Hawks learned to depend on quickly — including fourth quarter takeovers, to his defensive intensity, Alexander-Walker established himself as one of the most important players of the 2025-26 Hawks.

It was the first time in Alexander-Walker’s career that he has taken on a much larger role, an adjustment that Alexander-Walker is better prepared for this season. Alexander-Walker scored the team’s most total points, while also playing the most minutes of all Hawks last season with 2603 minutes across 78 games.

“I think the recovery part (is important),” said Alexander-Walker when about his expected high minutes this season. “Doing just as much off the court as I do on the court has taken a leap of saying. I’m going to be more diligent with rest, I’m going to be more diligent with days on or days off… The best ability is availability, and now I’m learning and feeling what a high intensity season is with my minutes and the such.”

It was also a role, as described by Hawks head coach Quin Snyder, that wasn’t necessarily planned for originally but became what the team needed as the season unfolded.

“I think my expectation for Nickeil was a player who puts the team first and is going to compete, and we saw him do that night in, night out.” said Snyder. “He is one of the guys whose role consistently evolved throughout the course of the season. If you recall, the Nickeil we had in November evolved when we had some injuries, the Nickeil we had in December evolved when we had trades. I think Nickeil’s ability to find out what the team needs and to provide that I think is a calling card of his.”

While the postseason didn’t see Alexander-Walker replicate that regular season success, little changes in terms of his role going forward. Heading into his second season, while the Hawks have seen roster changes around the fringes, they will depend on Alexander-Walker’s play on both sides of the ball; to be a leader on both sides of the ball. The player that can take the opposing team’s best offensive wing, while also bearing a scoring burden that the Hawks need filled. Alexander-Walker scored the team’s most total points, while also playing the most minutes of all Hawks last season with 2603 minutes across 78 games.

When looking at Alexander-Walker’s shotchart from last season, there’s not a ton you’d look at and say that needs improving:

You can see Alexander-Walker’s preferred side shooting the ball, and if it isn’t above average, Alexander-Walker’s shooting slightly above or just below league average in many other zones. His corner shooting is excellent and far-exceeds league average shooting.

If you had to choose an area of the court that Alexander-Walker could improve upon, you could say you’d like to see his finishing at the rim creep above league average, and his shooting from the right-slot at a higher clip than 32.7%. This is nit-picking, to be frank, because if Alexander-Walker can replicate his shooting percentages from last season (including 39% from three on over eight attempts) it would be a successful season.

The key to Alexander-Walker’s continued success with the Hawks is being able to translate what he did in the regular season to the NBA playoffs. Against the Knicks, Alexander-Walker was limited to 13.7 points on 38% shooting from the field, one of the keys to the Hawks’ eventual defeat to the eventual champions in six games.

The 2026 playoffs were Alexander-Walker’s first taste of the postseason as a leading scorer, and has taken his lessons from that series going forward, and what he worked on over the summer.

“Just getting stronger, being a better playmaker,” said Alexander-Walker of what he worked on over the summer. “In the Knicks series they did good job when I was off-ball. How do I be better while being off-ball and facing top-locks and physicality and teams being up? I feel the game is slowing down for me even more, understanding how to be effective, almost in the sense of the art of war. Using the opponent’s pressure against them, using it to my advantage, sometimes allowing physicality and the different things I learned this summer to set the tone and not necessarily get side-tracked from what’s the most important thing. It can turn into an internal battle: you know you’re not at your best and the only thing you can think about is trying to be at your best. I’ve learned that it’s about trying to figure it out. Driving manual has taught me that. When you get caught on that hill, you’ve got to figure it out. The small things I’ve done this summer to help me mentally as well as skill: shooting off the dribble, getting to the paint, decision-making, getting comfortable in the mid-range as well.”

Snyder also identified Alexander-Walker’s focus on making those around him better.

“As you look at his game, he’s someone who embraces the opportunity to improve,” said Snyder. “I think that can take many different forms. When you embrace something, usually you have success doing it . That versatility he has as a player, and also as a teammate, I think is foundational part of our identity. Nickeil more than anybody, he’s lived it: the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. His focus is on making the people around him better.”

Alexander-Walker will once again play a starring role on both sides of the ball on a team which hopes to make an automatic playoff berth and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with within the Eastern Conference…

There are a few underrated stars in the NBA, but over the last few years, perhaps none have been more consistently overlooked than Jarrett Allen.

In his six seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Allen has averaged 14.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and just over one block per game. Last year, Allen averaged 15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and just under one block per game. His shooting efficiency took a dip from the season before, but the Cavs remained a better product on the floor with Allen on it.

Then the Cavs traded for James Harden, one of the best pick-and-roll passers ever and a master at maximizing bigs. Regular season lineups with both Allen and Harden on the floor scored 122.7 points per 100 possessions (94th percentile). Prior to Harden, the most-used lineup with Allen was in the 55th percentile in points per 100 possessions. The two most common scapegoats for when things go wrong actually work the best when they are on the floor together.

Allen’s turnaround after the Harden trade cannot be ignored. He scored an additional seven more points per game and was consistently put in better offensive positions after the Cavs acquired the future Hall of Fame guard. That isn’t a coincidence — it is the standard for Harden with traditional bigs like Clint Capela and Ivica Zubac. The ceiling for Allen is unquestionably higher with Harden as the primary point guard. Now, the Cavs will get a full year (barring injury) of Harden as the tip of the spear on offense. Allen’s production on that end should, in theory, be better than ever.

On defense, the Cavs as a unit must be better. Allen didn’t have a bad season on that side of the ball, but his (and Evan Mobley’s) ability to defend at all levels is paramount for a team with small guards and less wing depth than before. Defensive metrics are hard to measure down to the individual player level, but Allen plays a big part in righting the ship on that end. The Cavs’ defense was in the 58th percentile with Allen on the floor, and slightly better in the half-court. There is room for improvement from everyone.

Despite traditionally being the public punching bag when the going gets tough, Allen has been a resolute force with a high floor. His impact transcends the box score, but his 40-point, 17-rebound effort last season doesn’t hurt either. The upcoming season figures to be a good one for the Cavs’ starting center, and they will need it if they want to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.