Category: NBA

Jalen Brunson helped deliver the Knicks their first NBA championship in 53 years, but he still hasn’t quite gotten around to one part of the celebration.

Opening a bag containing his championship hat.

Four months after the Knicks defeated the Spurs in the NBA Finals, Brunson hasn’t opened the bag that holds the commemorative hat since the victory.

On an episode of “Roommates Show” — his podcast with teammate and longtime friend Josh Hart — Brunson asked the do-everything glue guy where he kept the hat.

Hart noted that he thinks it’s in his closet.

Brunson asked if he had washed it yet, to which Hart said no.

Brunson said he hasn’t either, then acknowledged, “Mine is still not washed, it’s in the bag and I’m afraid to open it,” he said.

He added, “It smells terrible: Champagne, sweat, cigars, food, beer, tequila.”

Jalen Brunson on his New York Knicks championship caps:

“Mine is still not washed, it’s in the bag and I’m afraid to open it. It smells crazy, champagne, sweat, cigars, food, beer, tequila” pic.twitter.com/aIi1aYdNMU

— THE PAINT NBA (@ThePaintNBA) October 16, 2026

New York defeated San Antonio in five games to win its first championship since 1973, with Brunson delivering one of the most memorable performances in franchise history in the clincher, scoring 45 points in a testy Game 5 to secure a 94-90 win on the road.

The celebrations that followed included a championship parade through Manhattan and the team making numerous appearances, including Brunson recently hosting a season-opening episode of “Saturday Night Live.”

Brunson underwent wrist surgery in the offseason, fixing an injury he played through during the Knicks’ championship run. He has since fully recovered.

The Knicks’ title defense will begin Tuesday as they start their 2026-27 season by hosting the 76ers at Madison Square Garden, where they will be honored with the championship rings and hang the long-awaited title banner in the rafters of the World’s Most Famous Arena.

Jalen Brunson helped deliver the Knicks their first NBA championship in 53 years, but he still hasn’t quite gotten around to one part of the celebration.

Opening a bag containing his championship hat.

Four months after the Knicks defeated the Spurs in the NBA Finals, Brunson hasn’t opened the bag that holds the commemorative hat since the victory.

On an episode of “Roommates Show” — his podcast with teammate and longtime friend Josh Hart — Brunson asked the do-everything glue guy where he kept the hat.

Hart noted that he thinks it’s in his closet.

Brunson asked if he had washed it yet, to which Hart said no.

Brunson said he hasn’t either, then acknowledged, “Mine is still not washed, it’s in the bag and I’m afraid to open it,” he said.

He added, “It smells terrible: Champagne, sweat, cigars, food, beer, tequila.”

Jalen Brunson on his New York Knicks championship caps:

“Mine is still not washed, it’s in the bag and I’m afraid to open it. It smells crazy, champagne, sweat, cigars, food, beer, tequila” pic.twitter.com/aIi1aYdNMU

— THE PAINT NBA (@ThePaintNBA) October 16, 2026

New York defeated San Antonio in five games to win its first championship since 1973, with Brunson delivering one of the most memorable performances in franchise history in the clincher, scoring 45 points in a testy Game 5 to secure a 94-90 win on the road.

The celebrations that followed included a championship parade through Manhattan and the team making numerous appearances, including Brunson recently hosting a season-opening episode of “Saturday Night Live.”

Brunson underwent wrist surgery in the offseason, fixing an injury he played through during the Knicks’ championship run. He has since fully recovered.

The Knicks’ title defense will begin Tuesday as they start their 2026-27 season by hosting the 76ers at Madison Square Garden, where they will be honored with the championship rings and hang the long-awaited title banner in the rafters of the World’s Most Famous Arena.

Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much. The rule against trolling also applies to members of this site that visit other fan sites.

The Spurs got their first win of the preseason on Wednesday night, blowing out the Suns as most of the Silver and Black starters were given a little bit of run while the Suns rested their starters. Tonight, they finish up the games that don’t count with a matchup against De’Aaron Fox’s former team, the Sacramento Kings. The visitors should be better this year than last year, as they’re done tanking [just in time for the tanking rules to change], and should be in the running for a play-in spot this season. They are likely to be bounced out quickly if they actually make it that far, but they are only a few years removed from the ‘Light the Beam’ seasons, and the purple laser stands ready for this season after gathering dust in the basement of the Golden One Center since 2023.

The plan tonight for the Spurs is to play the starters for a while in a full dress rehearsal for the season opener next Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The second half could give Spurs fans their only chance to see Kendall Brown in a Silver and Black uniform, who was signed at the last moment to replace Jon Elmore on the training camp roster. The Spurs could be looking at him for a two-way spot or a candidate for the Austin Spurs. David Jones Garcia hasn’t looked good in preseason, but tonight might give him a chance to break out of his funk against the Kings, who are noted slump-busters.

Due to a previous commitment, I will be missing most of the first week of the regular season, and Marilyn Dubinski has generously volunteered to put up the game threads for the first three games of the season. I didn’t tell her that it’s a bit like an old horror movie when the hero decides to try on the mask that the monster left behind. Don’t do it! When you wear the mask, you become the monster! Just in time for Halloween. She’s a terrific writer, and I’m sure she will do an excellent job.

So enjoy the game, and be thankful that preseason will be over after tonight and the real games are just a few days away. Let’s GOO Spurs!!

Game Prediction:

Will Hardy asks to switch places with Mitch Johnson in the pregame meeting, but the Spurs coach declines.

San Antonio Spurs vs Sacramento Kings (Preseason)
October 16, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT
Streaming: DAZN, League Pass
TV: DAZN
Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.

Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much. The rule against trolling also applies to members of this site that visit other fan sites.

The Spurs got their first win of the preseason on Wednesday night, blowing out the Suns as most of the Silver and Black starters were given a little bit of run while the Suns rested their starters. Tonight, they finish up the games that don’t count with a matchup against De’Aaron Fox’s former team, the Sacramento Kings. The visitors should be better this year than last year, as they’re done tanking [just in time for the tanking rules to change], and should be in the running for a play-in spot this season. They are likely to be bounced out quickly if they actually make it that far, but they are only a few years removed from the ‘Light the Beam’ seasons, and the purple laser stands ready for this season after gathering dust in the basement of the Golden One Center since 2023.

The plan tonight for the Spurs is to play the starters for a while in a full dress rehearsal for the season opener next Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The second half could give Spurs fans their only chance to see Kendall Brown in a Silver and Black uniform, who was signed at the last moment to replace Jon Elmore on the training camp roster. The Spurs could be looking at him for a two-way spot or a candidate for the Austin Spurs. David Jones Garcia hasn’t looked good in preseason, but tonight might give him a chance to break out of his funk against the Kings, who are noted slump-busters.

Due to a previous commitment, I will be missing most of the first week of the regular season, and Marilyn Dubinski has generously volunteered to put up the game threads for the first three games of the season. I didn’t tell her that it’s a bit like an old horror movie when the hero decides to try on the mask that the monster left behind. Don’t do it! When you wear the mask, you become the monster! Just in time for Halloween. She’s a terrific writer, and I’m sure she will do an excellent job.

So enjoy the game, and be thankful that preseason will be over after tonight and the real games are just a few days away. Let’s GOO Spurs!!

Game Prediction:

Will Hardy asks to switch places with Mitch Johnson in the pregame meeting, but the Spurs coach declines.

San Antonio Spurs vs Sacramento Kings (Preseason)
October 16, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT
Streaming: DAZN, League Pass
TV: DAZN
Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.

In shaping the 2027 recruiting class for the Tigers, Dennis Gates has long wanted to bring in multiple ball handlers. The first target and pledge was Webster Groves, Mo product Scottie Adkinson. The 4-star combo guard committed to Mizzou even before all of the 2026 class. With Adkinson on board, Gates and the Tigers were left to suss out the rest of the recruiting board.

Once the thing spring period passed earlier this year, one target seemed to emerge above the rest of the pack: Devin Cleveland.

The Tigers offered Cleveland in May of this year, and the courtship continued through the summer and a visit in the fall. An original 7 schools fell to just three, with Mizzou facing off with TCU and Michigan for the Chicago 4-star guard. In the end, Dennis Gates pitch was the one which resonated the most. This evening, Cleveland committed to Missouri:

NEWS: 2027 Top-30 overall recruit Devin Cleveland has committed to Missouri, he told @LeagueRDY.

The 6-foot-3 guard out of @LaLuBasketball chose Mizzou over Michigan and TCU amongst many others.

#29 overall prospect in the @SCNext 100. https://t.co/ayIQHqPKXspic.twitter.com/kVsKaOC0VQ

— Sam Kayser (@KayserHoops) October 16, 2026

With Cleveland on board, it’s almost a certainty the Tigers are done with their 2027 class. At least within the fall period. A class of Adkinson, Cleveland and Cameron Barnes should push them into or near the top spot in the SEC (for now), and might push them into the top 5 in the country.

You can watch the full commitment video here:

Let’s Meet Devin Cleveland

• From: Chicago, Illinois
• High School: La Lumiere School
• Position: Combo Guard
• Ht/Wt: 6-3 / 165
• 247Composite Ranking: 0.9894 (no. 30)
• On3 Sports Ranking: 95.18 (no. 32)
• Other scholarship offers: TCU, Michigan, Alabama, Marquette

The most recent scouting report on 247sports.com, from Adam Finkelstein, has a great breakdown of the type of player Cleveland is:

Cleveland is one of the most skilled guards in the national class. He’s a natural shooter with a feathery touch who made 47% of his threes during the EYBL Scholastic season at La Lumiere. He’s also a tough shot-taker and maker, so while those percentages dipped to 30% during the grassroots season, that was more indicative of shot-selection. Ultimately, he can be too willing to settle at times, but is a constant threat to make shots with deep range, on the move, or off the dribble.

While his shooting prowess is the first domino of his attack, he’s not one-dimensional. His gravity and the constant threat of his shot open up other playmaking opportunities. He’s got naturally good hands, including a very good left, and he’s nearly ambidextrous as a passer and around the rim. There’s room for him to better weaponize his handle, but he’s crafty using fakes, footwork, varying his stride length, and able to manipulate space and angles with the ball in his hands. He’s also a deceptively good finisher who made 59% of his attempts at the rim during the EYBL season and then has a floater game just beyond that.

Physically, Cleveland is naturally lean, but has solid length (6-foot-6 wingspan), and is now just starting to build up his frame. He’s younger for his grade, and will turn 18 in March of his senior year, but continuing to add strength will unlock more playmaking potential (he has an assist rate that is consistently relatively low), allow him to pressure the rim more consistently, help him make athletic gains, and continued strides defensively. He made important gains on that end of the floor last season, but has to keep progressing.

The season still has to play out, but it’s easy to see Cleveland stepping into a pretty major role next season. Missouri’s roster might skew a little young in 2027-28, but there should be a wealth of talent.

We’ll have more in the coming days regarding the outlook on the roster with Cleveland and how he fits in. But for now, welcome to the Tigers, Devin!

Four-star shooting guard Devin Cleveland has committed to Missouri, he announced.

The 6-foot-3 senior out of La Lumiere School (IN) ultimately chose the Tigers over Michigan and TCU. He also received offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Marquette, Syracuse, and more.

[ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ]

Cleveland, a Chicago native, is ranked as the No. 32 overall recruit in the 2027 class and the No. 5 ranked shooting guard, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings, an average of all three major recruiting media companies (Rivals, ESPN, 247Sports).

He becomes the third player this cycle to commit to Dennis Gates, joining four-star point guard Scottie Adkinson (No. 35 NATL) and four-star power forward Cameron Barnes (No. 114 NATL).

More on Devin Cleveland

Playing on the EYBL Circuit this summer, Cleveland averaged 16.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game for Brad Beal Elite.

“I feel like I’m a winner,” Cleveland previously told Rivals in an interview. “That’s what I’ve been trying to prove this EYBL season. You know, the past couple of years, I haven’t really had much success in winning games, so just coming over here with Bradley Beal, their identity is to win. So, I’m just trying to be a leader. I can score the basketball, and I’m a willing passer. I try to get my teammates involved every game.

“I watch a lot of Devin Booker, Jeremiah Fears, my brother Fred Cleveland, who is a pro overseason. Watching how they score the ball, create contact on the offensive end so I can draw fouls and little things like that.”

The Dallas Mavericks host the Atlanta Hawks for their final preseason match up before the 2026-27 regular season begins. Dallas last played the Pelicans on Wednesday night where they fell despite a late rally. This is the fifth and final preseason game for Atlanta; they’ve won three in a row, most recently beating the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here are the main things you need to know before the game starts:

• WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Atlanta Hawks
• WHAT: Last tune up before the real games kick in
• WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
• WHEN: 7:00 pm CST
• HOW: KFAA

There’s not an official injury report but based on my snooping around, here’s what I think will happen tonight with player availability. Dereck Lively and Santi Aldama are definately out. Moussa Cisse is questionable still following the ankle tweak on Wednesday. Jett Howard is another iffy guy, he missed Wednesday with an illness. Morez Johnson is someone I expect to see but he has shin splints somehow. Daniel Gafford missed the Wednesday game with a stinger somehow, but I bet he plays tonight. Marcus Sasser, Cooper Flagg, and Kyrie Irving will see the floor tonight.

The Hawks played six of their top seven on Wednesday in OKC. Curious who all plays tonight. Henri Veesaar and Mouhamed Gueye are definitely out tonight.

It will be great to see Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving play. That’s all I’m really tuning in for.

If you’re checking out this post, it’s for one of two reasons:

• Injury report news
• Discussion and comment thread

If you’re part of the former, please consider signing up for an account. You get way fewer ads, and you can comment! If you’re part of the latter group: GO GET THE APP. I’m serious. The app has some real-time features specifically for game threads like this one and you can comment and get notified really, really easily. It’s part of what’s keeping this whole series of sites going. So go do it for us and in doing so, you’ll see why the experience is simply better.

Consider joining me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube; I will be going live tonight after the game and it’s the show where I need y’all to join and participate!

The Dallas Mavericks host the Atlanta Hawks for their final preseason match up before the 2026-27 regular season begins. Dallas last played the Pelicans on Wednesday night where they fell despite a late rally. This is the fifth and final preseason game for Atlanta; they’ve won three in a row, most recently beating the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here are the main things you need to know before the game starts:

• WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Atlanta Hawks
• WHAT: Last tune up before the real games kick in
• WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
• WHEN: 7:00 pm CST
• HOW: KFAA

There’s not an official injury report but based on my snooping around, here’s what I think will happen tonight with player availability. Dereck Lively and Santi Aldama are definately out. Moussa Cisse is questionable still following the ankle tweak on Wednesday. Jett Howard is another iffy guy, he missed Wednesday with an illness. Morez Johnson is someone I expect to see but he has shin splints somehow. Daniel Gafford missed the Wednesday game with a stinger somehow, but I bet he plays tonight. Marcus Sasser, Cooper Flagg, and Kyrie Irving will see the floor tonight.

The Hawks played six of their top seven on Wednesday in OKC. Curious who all plays tonight. Henri Veesaar and Mouhamed Gueye are definitely out tonight.

It will be great to see Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving play. That’s all I’m really tuning in for.

If you’re checking out this post, it’s for one of two reasons:

• Injury report news
• Discussion and comment thread

If you’re part of the former, please consider signing up for an account. You get way fewer ads, and you can comment! If you’re part of the latter group: GO GET THE APP. I’m serious. The app has some real-time features specifically for game threads like this one and you can comment and get notified really, really easily. It’s part of what’s keeping this whole series of sites going. So go do it for us and in doing so, you’ll see why the experience is simply better.

Consider joining me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube; I will be going live tonight after the game and it’s the show where I need y’all to join and participate!

The Washington Wizards play their 4th and final preseason game in New Orleans starting at 8:00 p.m. today at the Smoothie King Center. Watch the game on Monumental Sports Network.

The Washington Wizards play their 4th and final preseason game in New Orleans starting at 8:00 p.m. today at the Smoothie King Center. Watch the game on Monumental Sports Network.

The Celtics will start four Exhibit-10 players in their final preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers— Milos Uzan, Hayden Gray, Tucker DeVries, and Gabe McGlothan — along with rookie Chris Cenac Jr.

The 76ers, meanwhile, will be mostly at full strength: LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Kentavius Caldwell-Pope, and Joel Embiid, all of whom sat when the two teams faced off last Saturday, will lace up, as will Tyrese Maxey.

Celtics at Sixers – October 16, 2026 – Starters

Boston – Milos Uzan, Hayden, Gray, Tucker DeVries, Gabe McGlothan, Chris Cenac Jr.

Philadelphia – Tyrese Maxey, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, Joel Embiid pic.twitter.com/7FVj2ONSP7

— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) October 16, 2026

The game will be coached by Sam Cassell, per Joe Mazzulla. Mazzulla had assistant coaches DJ MacLeay and Tony Dobbins split head-coaching responsibilities in the preseason opener, while he watched the game from the locker room.

The full roster was (mostly) available in the previous two preseason games, with the exception of Exhibit-10 player Devin Carter, who missed both home games due to illness, and Ron Harper Jr., who missed one game due to shoulder soreness.

In those two games, the starting lineup consisted of Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Jordan Walsh, and Mitchell Robinson. Payton Pritchard, Baylor Scheierman, Sam Hauser, Hugo Gonzalez, and Neemias Queta were the first five off the bench, with Luka Garza also playing significant minutes.

In the preseason opener in Cleveland, the Celtics sat Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Paul George, Mitchell Robinson, Neemias Queta, Sam Hauser, Ron Harper Jr., and Payton Pritchard.

Friday marks the team’s final preseason game. The Celtics are 3-0 so far in preseason action.

The Celtics’ regular season tips off on Tuesday, October 20th at 3pm ET in Detroit.

The Celtics will start four Exhibit-10 players in their final preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers— Milos Uzan, Hayden Gray, Tucker DeVries, and Gabe McGlothan — along with rookie Chris Cenac Jr.

The 76ers, meanwhile, will be mostly at full strength: LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Kentavius Caldwell-Pope, and Joel Embiid, all of whom sat when the two teams faced off last Saturday, will lace up, as will Tyrese Maxey.

Celtics at Sixers – October 16, 2026 – Starters

Boston – Milos Uzan, Hayden, Gray, Tucker DeVries, Gabe McGlothan, Chris Cenac Jr.

Philadelphia – Tyrese Maxey, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, Joel Embiid pic.twitter.com/7FVj2ONSP7

— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) October 16, 2026

The game will be coached by Sam Cassell, per Joe Mazzulla. Mazzulla had assistant coaches DJ MacLeay and Tony Dobbins split head-coaching responsibilities in the preseason opener, while he watched the game from the locker room.

The full roster was (mostly) available in the previous two preseason games, with the exception of Exhibit-10 player Devin Carter, who missed both home games due to illness, and Ron Harper Jr., who missed one game due to shoulder soreness.

In those two games, the starting lineup consisted of Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Jordan Walsh, and Mitchell Robinson. Payton Pritchard, Baylor Scheierman, Sam Hauser, Hugo Gonzalez, and Neemias Queta were the first five off the bench, with Luka Garza also playing significant minutes.

In the preseason opener in Cleveland, the Celtics sat Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Paul George, Mitchell Robinson, Neemias Queta, Sam Hauser, Ron Harper Jr., and Payton Pritchard.

Friday marks the team’s final preseason game. The Celtics are 3-0 so far in preseason action.

The Celtics’ regular season tips off on Tuesday, October 20th at 3pm ET in Detroit.

The Lakers have entered a new era in the organization’s storied history.

The departure of LeBron James led to several questions about the offense, but the scoring power of Luka Doncic cannot be underestimated. In fact, when Doncic and Austin Reaves were on the floor together last season (without James), the duo had a top-two offensive net rating.

And thus, the addition of center Walker Kessler is bound to aid the Lakers offense in reaching new heights this season. Former NBA champion and analyst Kendrick Perkins offered an even bolder perspective on the team.

“Luka is so great when he has a dynamic roller that loves to finish at the basket. But also, Luka is a different type of guy in the pick-and-roll,” Perkins said.

“I wanna see the [Lakers] develop that same energy that [Luka] had with Daniel Gafford and Derek Lively. They knew when Luka was in the pick-and-roll to always stay ready.

“I believe the Lakers are going to have the best offensive team in the league.”

"The Lakers are gonna have the best offensive team in the league."@KendrickPerkins has high hopes for the Lakers this season pic.twitter.com/QjGLRblfva

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 16, 2026

Last season, the Lakers ranked 19th in defensive rating and allowed 114.6 points per game, which ranked 11th in the league. There are still questions surrounding the Lakers defense heading into the 2026-27 campaign, but the offense is expected to have plenty of firepower.

The team is expected to employ more off-the-ball movement this season, with several new pieces on the roster.

Will they gel enough to lead the league offensively? Only time will tell.

The Lakers have entered a new era in the organization’s storied history.

The departure of LeBron James led to several questions about the offense, but the scoring power of Luka Doncic cannot be underestimated. In fact, when Doncic and Austin Reaves were on the floor together last season (without James), the duo had a top-two offensive net rating.

And thus, the addition of center Walker Kessler is bound to aid the Lakers offense in reaching new heights this season. Former NBA champion and analyst Kendrick Perkins offered an even bolder perspective on the team.

“Luka is so great when he has a dynamic roller that loves to finish at the basket. But also, Luka is a different type of guy in the pick-and-roll,” Perkins said.

“I wanna see the [Lakers] develop that same energy that [Luka] had with Daniel Gafford and Derek Lively. They knew when Luka was in the pick-and-roll to always stay ready.

“I believe the Lakers are going to have the best offensive team in the league.”

"The Lakers are gonna have the best offensive team in the league."@KendrickPerkins has high hopes for the Lakers this season pic.twitter.com/QjGLRblfva

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 16, 2026

Last season, the Lakers ranked 19th in defensive rating and allowed 114.6 points per game, which ranked 11th in the league. There are still questions surrounding the Lakers defense heading into the 2026-27 campaign, but the offense is expected to have plenty of firepower.

The team is expected to employ more off-the-ball movement this season, with several new pieces on the roster.

Will they gel enough to lead the league offensively? Only time will tell.