Speaking in an episode of “The Zach Lowe Show” that published Thursday, Oct. 8, Haliburton addressed the origin of the rift, which came during the 2025 in-season tournament, which has since been rebranded to the NBA Cup.
It was then that Haliburton hit a big 3-pointer late in a game against the Bucks and then mocked Lillard’s long-time “Dame Time” celebration, by looking at his wrist, mimicking looking at a watch.
“Do I regret it? No, because it was obviously a lot of fun for our organization, and the run we went on in the in-season tournament was a lot of fun,” Haliburton told Lowe. “It just added to it, so it was fun.
“I think what I do regret more than anything is what me and Dame's relationship has become. Because he was a guy who checked on me a lot, early in my career, especially when I got traded. We talked a lot, and I got his permission to be announced as the letter O, because that's his thing."
Haliburton, the No. 12 overall selection in the 2020 NBA Draft to the Kings, was traded midway through his second season when Sacramento shipped him to the Pacers.
The two players have shared several links; both ruptured their Achilles tendons during the 2025 NBA Playoffs and both missed the entire 2025-26 NBA seasons. And both have battled throughout their careers, most notably during Lillard’s two seasons in Milwaukee, from 2023-25.
The Pacers and Bucks, who are Central Division rivals, produced several fiery games in which tempers flared; the Pacers eliminated Milwaukee in consecutive postseasons while Lillard was there.
"I would love to have a conversation, because I just think it became more than it ever needed to be," Haliburton added, referencing the "Dame Time" celebration. "A miscommunication. Put it on me. I was young. In the moment, I was having fun with it, but it was probably a little much, and whatever happened from there happened.
"But he's a guy who I have looked up to the majority of my life," Haliburton said. "Part of the reason I wear (jersey number) 0 is Damian Lillard. He's a guy I would love to at least be more cordial with again, but it's love, for sure."
This continued with a story NBA insider Zach Lowe shared during an episode of his podcast that was released on Thursday night.
“I have a good Kings story for you… I heard this about a week ago; I’ve called up people who can verify it. It has been verified. They went out to [a] fancy training dinner, team, the whole team, the staff, everything. And at the dinner, Vivek Ranadivé spoke, and he kind of turned the dinner into a roast of lots of people in the room, telling them all the ways in which they have been failing as players, coaches, executives, whatever,” Lowe said.
NBA insider Zach Lowe sharing a story about the Sacramento Kings. (X/@ZachLowe_NBA).
“And I checked with the Kings, and they confirmed the gist of what I would say. Some people were alarmed and were like, ‘This is not going over the way you intended.’ Some people thought, ‘I get what he’s doing. He’s using the fact that we’ve become a media punchline to motivate us,'” he continued.
“He’s not saying, ‘I, Vivek Ranadivé, believe these things about you. But here’s what people say about you. Prove us wrong. But it was described to me as a prolonged roast that landed with some of the audience, and some of the audience not as much.”
Kentucky center Willie Cauley-Stein, right, smiles as he talks with Sacramento Kings majority owner Vivek Ranadive, left, and Kings assistant general manager Mike Bratz after a pre-draft workout with the Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, June 11, 2015. AP
It would be interesting to hear about this “prolonged roast” from Kings players, particularly the ones who didn’t take kindly to whatever Ranadivé (who has been a Kings owner since 2013) had to say.
Sacramento Kings forward Leaky Black (19) gets poked in the eye by Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero (1) as he goes for a rebound during the second half of a game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, Oct. 8, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Perhaps not having his dad in the Lakers’ locker room will free Bronny up to showcase more of his personality. It definitely freed him up to showcase his singing voice, which was shown during a Sports Illustrated video clip of the Lakers’ team trip to Slovenia.
Bronny James of the Los Angeles Lakers stands on the court during the second half of a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026. Getty Images
The 22-year-old Lakers guard was climbing into a golf cart and belted out, “I just can’t wait to be king!” which is the title of a song from Disney’s “The Lion King.”
Clips of Bronny’s singing have gone viral on social media, and fans are pointing out the lyric’s irony, given LeBron’s “King James” nickname.
Bronny still has a long ways to go before living up to his father’s “King” moniker. After all, he averaged 2.9 points over 8.9 minutes per game during the Lakers’ campaign last season.
But Bronny should have more of a defined role on Los Angeles’ roster this season, in part because his father’s 33.2 minutes per game must be taken by somebody after LeBron joined the 76ers in free agency.
LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Oct. 8, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Lakers fans would love if Bronny was able to turn these song lyrics he was singing into the truth.
Bronny James of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Oct. 8, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: The sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 17: Jordan Goodwin #23 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 111-96. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Fourteen months ago, Jordan Goodwin was a waiver claim. He was fighting for a 14th roster spot.
Now he’s one of the first guys every Suns fan points to when somebody asks what changed in this building. Dillon Brooks gets the lion’s share of credit, and deservedly so. But Jordan Goodwin’s impact should not be discounted.
His energy, effort, and overall attitude every time he steps between the lines is contagious. And he’s only getting better.
Rewind: Shams reported the Suns would keep the 6’3″ combo guard for the 2025-26 season after he won a training camp battle, with guard Jared Butler believed to be his main competition for that final spot. This was after Butler had a monster preseason, and some Suns fans questioned the decision. A year later, he agreed to a three-year, $19 million deal to stay in Phoenix in June 2026.
Suns fans know by now… it’s no secret. Some national people know, but not to the extent they should. He is not talked about enough. And he certainly needs to be in the conversation about being an All-Defensive team guy. Because he is, and should have been last year.
"He's a real one."
Jordan Goodwin on Collin Gillespie pointing out Goodwin didn't receive a vote for NBA All-Defensive teams.
Said that motivated him to make one of those All-Defensive teams this season.
In Detroit, Goodwin put up seven points on 3-of-6 shooting, six rebounds and three steals in just 11 minutes. Two nights later in Chicago, he had five points, six steals, three rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes off the bench.
That is nine steals and nine rebounds in 27 total minutes. I’ll repeat that.
Nine Steals and Nine Rebounds in 27 minutes.
This was no preseason fluke either… Suns fans know this is what he does. Goodie led the Suns with 106 steals last season, averaging 2.4 steals per 36 minutes (almost the most on the team).
He plays way bigger than 6’3”. At times, it feels like having an extra forward on the court.
Goodwin was second on the team with 136 offensive rebounds and was one of five guards in the league who averaged more than two offensive boards per game. Against the Pistons, three of his six rebounds came on the offensive glass. He is perhaps the best rebounding guard in the NBA, especially if you filter that to 6’3” and under.
Crashing the glass. Swiping the ball. Diving for loose balls. Deflecting passes. Pressuring ball-handlers. He truly does it all.
Through 2 games, Jordan Goodwin is now averaging 5.3 ORB and 12.0 steals per 36 😭 https://t.co/6AFQCU35tM
— Sam Cooper #GetOffMyMeaterson (@scooperhoops) October 8, 2026
And now, the shot is falling. The offensive value feels like a bonus at this point. He is no longer just a defensive specialist. He is making teams pay for leaving him open. He can handle the ball and make plays for others when needed.
I will not stop writing about how much they missed him against the Thunder in the playoffs.
Stop calling him a glue guy like it’s a consolation prize. He deserves just as much credit as Dillon Brooks does for turning the culture around in Phoenix. The Suns got a bargain of a deal to bring him back, and I’m glad they locked him and Collin Gillespie up at the prices they did before they hit the open market.
Jordan Goodwin remains criminally underrated to many, but not to anyone paying attention.
PHOENIX, AZ – NOVEMBER 2: Jordan Goodwin #23 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 2, 2025 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 28: Jabari Walker #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers poses for a portrait during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex on September 28, 2026 in Camden, New Jersey. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Much of the conversation around the Philadelphia 76ers this past offseason rightfully surrounded the pair of high-profile additions entering the starting lineup. However, the depth of the roster will also play a critical role in the Sixers achieving their goal of making a deep playoff run. One of the guys comprising the bench unit is Jabari Walker, who was on a two-way contract last season before being converting to a standard deal in February. The organization signaled their stamp of approval of Jabari during the offseason, opting to free up needed cap space by sending a second-round pick to Los Angeles in order to move Johni Broome’s contract, rather than waiving Walker, whose contract is only guaranteed up to $250k until January.
Walker has demonstrated thus far during preseason play that the front office made the right call. He has played excellent minutes off the bench in both games, recording a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds against the Knicks, and tallying eight points and seven rebounds against Brooklyn. Head coach Nick Nurse offered praise for Walker’s performance on Monday:
“He’s kind of been playing with a little bit more confidence this week. Just feels like he’s ready to pull the trigger, and certainly he goes in and snaps down rebounds. … On the perimeter shot just kind of looks like he’s maybe over a hump on when he’s got space, he’s going to take them, which is where we want him because he’s a really good shooter. So it’s good if he can provide space and rebound, he’s going to be on the floor.”
New teammate Jaylen Brown also spoke Monday in favor of Jabari’s play:
“I love Jabari. Jabari’s been great. He’s been awesome. He’s been doing his job. He’s been hitting shots. He’s been rebounding defensively and offensively. He’s been doing what the coaches have asked him to do. So he’s been great, and he’s been doing really well since training camp.”
Back on Media Day, Walker spoke to his comfort level in being here for his second season, playing under Nurse again with many of the same teammates:
“I know what Nick wants now. It’s pretty simple. You just have to do what’s right for the team. When you’re open, shoot the ball, make the right play, and the guys that we have are willing to do that. We have a great group, so just makes my job easier. I know that there’s no second guessing when I’m open. Coach is confident in me to do the right thing, so I know that I have to focus on the things, and it’s ultimately going to help the team. So me being selfish with shooting the ball when I’m open opens the court up for everybody. So when I think about it like that, then it’s exciting because you know that you’re an important piece to something that’s special.”
The shot will certainly be a swing skill for Walker, after shooting 33.7 percent from behind the arc last season on low volume. How well he shoots the ball could determine the extent of playing time Jabari receives because the opportunity is there, particularly in the wake of Ariel Hukporti’s season-ending Achilles injury. The Sixers are thin at the center position now, with Joel Embiid and Adem Bona the only true fives. Bona is currently out with what’s anticipated to be a minor foot injury, and Embiid will obviously miss games throughout the season due to load management (if hopefully nothing else). Walker is one of the players Nurse has mentioned as a small-ball five option, which is the role he has assumed across both preseason games with Bona out (and Embiid also sitting against the Knicks). On Media Day, Walker described how he’d like to establish his ability to play multiple positions:
“Yeah, I think I’ve showed bits and pieces of me being able to do it. I haven’t put it all together, which is exciting for me because I know where I have to improve. But I think I have the physicality to guard the five. I have the feet to guard the one. So there’s flashes of it, but I think this year I just want to put it all together and know what I’m looking for. Setting the right screens at the five and extending my range. I think my shot is feeling better. It’s looking better right now. So being able to be a real threat at the five and have that pop option and that just opens up the floor. So I know they’re not going to respect it right away, and I’m looking forward to proving them wrong and just being more of a threat.”
The chemistry built among the Sixers’ starting five and how healthy they can remain over the course of the long NBA season will be the driving forces in determining Philadelphia’s success this season. The contributions from the second unit and beyond will also play a role, though. Right now, Walker looks ready to play his.
One story that former Lakers guard Nick Young shared during his appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast earlier this week paints Bryant in a completely new light.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) during a game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers at the Toyota Center on April 10, 2016, in Houston. Bryant plays in the last road game and second to last game of his NBA career. USA TODAY Sports
“Kobe was cool, though. I remember, people don’t know, at the beginning of the season, Kobe [has], like, a party for the team to get together. [He’d] have a stripper party. Yeah. Like, a little stripper party,” Young said.
“But, he taught me a little bit of swag, cause he had a party—had the bottles, and the girls come. And then he’ll leave. Like, you just won’t see Kobe no more. He’ll be like, ‘Hey man… I got y’all a little something something.’ We go upstairs, we see the strippers and stuff. Then Kobe like, ‘Y’all have fun and leave out.’ I was like, ‘Man, thank you!'” he added.
Nick Young talking about Kobe Bryant throwing a “stripper party” for the Los Angeles Lakers. (YouTube/@Club Shay Shay).
Young’s comments make it sound like Bryant didn’t partake in the parties himself, instead creating them for his teammate before fleeing the scene.
The Mamba is recognized as not only one of the greatest basketball players to ever grace the court, but also one of the most driven, focused players in history.
Kobe Bryant (24) of the Los Angeles Lakers looks back in the first half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center in Los Angeles, April 13, 2016. Getty Images
If the last week was the regular season, Austin Reaves would’ve been on the court with his Lakers teammates sooner than Thursday.
But the reality is that it’s still the preseason – and will be for another 1 ½ weeks, and two more games.
Lakers star guard Austin Reaves is back. Getty Images
Which meant there was no need for the Lakers to rush their star guard back onto the floor after he suffered a minor ankle injury during practice last week.
“There was a chance he might be able to play in either of those games in Northern California,” Coach JJ Redick said of Reaves ahead of the Lakers’ 114-110 win over the Kings at Crypto.com Arena. “We knew it’d be sometime this week.”
Lakers star guard Austin Reaves (15) hardly missed a beat during his preseason debut. NBAE via Getty Images
Reaves made his long-awaited preseason debut in the Lakers’ preseason home-opening win over the Kings, providing the first glimpse of how the team’s starting backcourt will look with the team built out around him and superstar guard Luka Doncic.
And he hardly missed a beat, dishing out 8 assists and grabbing 5 rebounds in 25 minutes during a night in which he struggled with his shot (8 points on 2-of-7 shooting).
“Obviously very nice to have Austin out there,” Redick said. “He did a great job [of] play-making and played overall just a nice floor game.”
But Thursday was the first time Reaves shared the court with many of his new Lakers teammates – from Quentin Grimes and Kevon Looney (both of whom started on Thursday) to Sandro Mamukelashvili and Matisse Thybulle.
“They were awesome,” Reaves said about his teammates. “Matisse has been great, Mamu was great, Jake’s been really good. Could go down the list. Very excited with what we have.”
The Lakers are hoping to get a better look at their entire team in one of their final two preseason games before their regular-season opener against the Warriors on Oct. 21 in Los Angeles.
Ziaire Williams, who’s competing for a spot in the starting lineup, has sat out of the last two games, while Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton have yet to make their preseason debuts.
Austin Reaves threw multiple lobs to second-year forward Adou Thiero. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Redick said Kessler, the Lakers’ 7-foot-2 marquee free-agency acquisition this offseason, will play during the preseason.
He also responded “no” when asked if there was a concern about Sexton not being ready for the regular-season opener.
The Lakers have two more preseason games: Tuesday vs. the Warriors in Las Vegas and Oct. 16 vs. the Nuggets in Los Angeles.
There’s clear direction for the Lakers over the next week outside of having more rotation players healthy and available.
“It’s just continuing to build chemistry and compete on the defensive end,” Reaves said. “I thought we’ve done a really good job, especially the guards, like I said, Matisse, Ziaire have been really good, Jake [LaRavia] as well, Adou [Thiero], [of] putting pressure on the other team’s best players but being able to keep the ball in front as well, not getting blow bys.
And if we do, [the] low man being there. But it’s kind of easier to dial that back instead of telling people not to pressure the ball when we want them to pressure but be smart while doing it. Like I said, it’s mostly just chemistry stuff.”
On Friday, the Knicks announced the tabling of all extension talks until after the season begins, putting aside the pressing issue of possible new deals for star players including Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart.
One of the biggest obstacles in running back the same team that ended the Knicks’ 53-year championship drought over the summer is avoiding the severe penalties that come with exceeding the NBA’s salary cap.
The Knicks, Warriors, Suns, Magic, Timberwolves and Thunder are the teams over the first apron, which alone carries some restrictions. Only the Nuggets are over the second apron.
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts after making a 3-point basket next to Washington Wizards center Deandre Ayton. AP Photo/Adam Hunger
A team with a payroll above first apron, which in 2026-27 sits at just over $209 million, can only acquire players via sign-and-trade if they move them below the apron. It also must match salaries within 110% of the outgoing salary as compared to the usual 125%, and cannot sign any waived players during the regular season if that salary surpasses the midlevel exception.
The second apron sits at around $221.6 million for this season, and the limitations get more strict, impeding a team’s ability to make trades, sign big-name free agents and select the most desirable players in the first round of the draft.
New York Knicks owner James Dolan celebrates after defeating the San Antonio Spurs to win the NBA Championship during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, Saturday, June 13, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Per the NBA’s CBA, should a team hit the second apron:
• It will not be permitted to combine the contracts of multiple outgoing players to match the salary of a player they’re trading for.
• It will lose their right to the midlevel exception that allows over-the-cap teams to still sign free agent players.
• Its future first-round draft pick will be frozen and thus cannot be traded, and there will be no cash considerations in their trades. That future frozen first-round selection will also automatically drop to the end of the first round, regardless of season performance, if the second apron is exceeded in two out of four seasons.
To put it simply, surpassing the second apron makes it extremely difficult for a team to build on its success and develop sustainable superteams, which certainly helps the league with parity, but doesn’t make players particularly happy as teams are often forced to make difficult decisions on high-value players.
That is exactly what the Knicks are facing right now.
Towns has a $61 million player option for next season and is eligible for a new four-year contract worth up to $276 million. The Knicks have offered Towns around $200 million, and while Towns is willing to take a pay cut as teammates have before him, he has made it clear that the two sides remain far apart.
To discuss an extension after October 19, Towns would have to decline his 2027-28 player option. Should Towns pick that up next season, adding in Hart’s player option and even if team options for Tyler Kolek and Pacôme Dadiet are declined, the Knicks are just $21 million under the second apron threshold with eight players locked in, and 14 total are needed.
Knicks owner James Dolan said over the summer that he would not go past the second apron, even in an effort to bring back the championship-winning team in full.
Center Mitchell Robinson left for Boston on a three-year deal, and now several stars are eligible for extensions. This week, Bruce Brown, in Knicks camp on a tryout, expressed displeasure with how the second apron restrains teams from paying the mid-tier players.
“The new CBA is good for max guys, new free agents and rookie extension guys. The middle guys, it kind of sucks for us. There’s not a lot of people getting that full mid-level,” he said.
The NBA released a statement pushing back on similar claims, stating that “annual salaries have increased by nearly $1.3 billion resulting in pay increases of approximately 30% for all classes of players.”
The second apron helps owners by making it appealing to stay under the limit, but players are hurt when they find their teams can no longer pay them what they want or deserve, and might be forced to look elsewhere.
Kessler has missed the Lakers’ first three preseason games after jamming his finger against the backboard during training camp, according to Lakers coach JJ Redick.
“It’s not concerning,” Redick said before the Lakers’ 114-110 exhibition win over the Kings on Thursday. “He’ll play in the preseason.”
Los Angeles Lakers player Walker Kessler (14) attends media day at the UCLA Health Training Center on Monday, September 28, 2026, in El Segundo, California. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Lakers have two exhibition games left. They play the Warriors on Tuesday in Las Vegas. Then they host the Nuggets on Friday at Crypto.com Arena.
Kessler only played in five games last season after suffering a torn labrum that required season-ending surgery. He’s an elite rebounder and rim protector who contested 7.5 shots per game at the rim in 2024-2025, tying him for fifth most in the NBA, according to NBA.com.
While Kessler is yet to appear in purple and gold, Austin Reaves made his exhibition debut on Thursday. He finished with eight points, five rebounds, eight assists and one steal in 25 minutes. Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 23 points in 25 minutes.
But we have yet to see the Lakers’ Big 3 take the court together.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Walker Kessler poses for pictures with NBA photographer Adam Pantozzi during media day in El Segundo, Calif., Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
A handful of other players were sidelined for Thursday’s exhibition game, including Ziaire Williams (soreness), Arthur Kaluma (lower leg), Collin Sexton (lower leg), Cameron Carr (contusion) and Dalton Knecht (contusion).
“Would love to get some news on some people in the next few days and be able to see what we look like at full strength, at least in one of these games, and just build that rhythm with each other,” Redick said. “I’m very confident we’ll have enough practice time over the next 13 days, 12 days, whatever it is, until we start.”
The Lakers host the Warriors in their regular-season opener on October 21.
Sonya Curry married "the most amazing man" this summer, she shared in an Instagram post on Friday.
Sonya Curry married “the most amazing man” this summer, she shared in an Instagram post on Friday.
The author remarried five years after she filed for divorce from NBA great Dell Curry after three decades of marriage. They are parents to Warriors superstar Steph Curry, NBA sharpshooter Seth Curry and daughter Sydel Curry.
Sonya and her new husband, whose identity was not disclosed, were married at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort, she shared, adding that it was planned in just nine weeks.
“A year ago my mom passed unexpectedly, while simultaneously the most amazing man came into my life! & months late, I was blessed with becoming his wife!” Sonya wrote.
“Our union is a testament to the fact that God has seen every tear I’ve cried and answered every prayer that I had regarding the type of man that would be a perfect help mate for me (if God saw that it was in his will for me to remarry)! I hope this encourages you-not just about finding a husband or wife, but with any prayer you have submitted to God- to not lose hope.”
Sonya Curry attends the 2022 ESPYs at Dolby Theatre on July 20, 2022 in Hollywood, California. Getty Images
Sonya wore a white gown with gold floral print by Pnina Tornai from Kleinfeld Bridal and Iza diamonds.
Their wedding reception included warm white and neutral tones with white roses and candles — and roller skaters called Zoni Girls, who are part of the Arizona-based pop-up roller rink.
Last week, Sonya shared an Instagram video, entitled, “Summer 2026 recap,” which included footage from her wedding.
Sonya and Dell married in 1988, the same year Steph was born. The couple welcomed Seth in 1990, and daughter Sydel in 1994.
Warriors star Stephen Curry on stage with his mom Sonya and dad Dell while holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy and the Bill Russell Finals MVP Trophy after winning Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NBAE via Getty ImagesStephen Curry and Sonya Curry attend the 2023 Sundance Film Festival “Stephen Curry: Underrated” Premiere at Eccles Center Theatre on January 23, 2023 in Park City, Utah. Getty Images
The pair met while they were student-athletes at Virginia Tech, and connected on a recruiting trip for Sonya, who was an all-conference volleyball player for the Hokies.
Dell played in the NBA from 1986 until 2002, and retired as the Charlotte Hornets’ all-time leader in points (9,839) and 3-point field goals made (929).
He currently serves as a color commentator and analyst on Hornets broadcasts.
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 19: Alex Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons at Capital One Arena on March 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
WASHINGTON — Less than 14 hours after a 111-109 win over the New York Knicks to open preseason play, the Wizards returned to CareFirst Arena for an early practice.
Alex Sarr, who missed Thursday’s game but is close to returning, is trending toward returning on Saturday, Brian Keefe said after Friday’s practice. Keefe said they’ll know more about Sarr’s official status tomorrow.
Khris Middleton (ramp up) is also nearing a return.
Keefe’s rotation
The Wizards’ rotation on Thursday uncovered some details. It’s reasonable to assume that, when healthy, Washington’s starting five will look as follows:
PG: Trae Young
SG: AJ Dybantsa
SF: Kyshawn George
PF: Anthony Davis
C: Alex Sarr
Deandre Ayton, Tre Johnson and Bilal Coulibaly are the three locks to come off the bench, if those starters hold true. That leaves five players — Middleton, Bub Carrington, Justin Champagnie, Will Riley and Tre Mann — vying for the last two-to-three spots.
Keefe said nothing has been determined regarding his opening-night rotation.
“It’s still early in camp,” Keefe said. “We’re trying different combinations, seeing what works. Those [rotation] decisions haven’t been made yet.”
Carrington and Champagnie play well in opener
Both Carrington and Champagnie played well into the fourth quarter on Thursday. And they played well.
Carrington dropped Deuce McBride with a crossover into a step-back three — his second of the night. He finished with 11 points on 3-for-6 FG.
“Bub’s got the ability to make shots off the dribble and off the catch. He’s got a unique scoring ability from the three,” Keefe said. “He gave us a little bit of a burst when our offense was getting a little stagnant, which can happen early in preseason games.”
Champagnie did typical Champagnie things, particularly on defense. The 6-foot-6 forward paid homage to Jose Alvarado by stealing an inbounds pass and laying it up to quickly turn one basket into two. He added another steal when he jumped the passing lane before slamming it home in transition.
Champagnie’s best play of the night was when he came from the help side to meet James Wiseman at the rim before drilling a transition triple on the ensuing possession. He finished with 12 points (3-5 FG, 5-6 FT), two blocks and two steals.
“Justin can play with almost any lineup because of the intangible things that he does,” Keefe said. “You see the offensive rebounding. We all know the cutting and then the hustle plays he makes. He had that huge block at the rim on a help, which was great. Then he hits a three on the next possession … That’s what he does. He does winning stuff.”
Like the Brooklyn Nets, whose preseason tipped off on Tuesday, the Long Island Nets’ roster is filling up ahead of training camp later this month; and also like the big club, Long Island’s frontcourt includes something the organization values in its development: positional size
“I do think positional size is a factor we look at,” Nets general manager Sean Marks said at Media Day. “Sometimes size can make up for some other deficiencies.”
That “factor” has quietly become just as big on Long Island’s roster as it is on Brooklyn’s. As the team finalized things over the last couple of weeks, there was an obvious premium placed on size across the board and not just height.
Two-way players Grant Nelson, Chaney Johnson, and Tyler Bilodeau are examples, along with new Exhibit 10 pieces, Dain Dainja and Ben Humrichous, as well as G League signee Nick Pringle. Long Island also recently traded for Jonathan Pierre, a 6’9” 23-year-old forward, although he plays more of a wing role.
Each check in as big for their position and big in general. Pierre, Bilodeau and Humrichous are 6’9” wings while Dainja and Pringle are also 6’9” who also bring physicality, particularly Dainja who checks in at 255 pounds with a 7’7” wingspan. Johnson can and has played small ball center at 6’7”.
While the Nets still feature the youngest roster in the NBA this season along with the most players on rookie deals, Long Island is becoming its own pipeline to Barclays Center as the Nets have proved in the past several years. They regularly shuttle young players along the 22 miles from Barclays to Nassau Coliseum and back, taking advantage of G League rules permitting the three two-ways to be active for up to 50 NBA games and up to two roster players to get minutes with no restrictions. It’s not uncommon for players to get call-ups. Last season, 11 Nets split time between with the two venues.
What’s interesting beyond their size is that all of those names add something unique. Among Long Island’s front court chips this season, Brooklyn fans are most familiar with Johnson and Nelson. They’re also the most likely to see time in Brooklyn, maybe at some point getting converted to a standard deal.
Chaney Johnson
Johnson has already shown encouraging production against NBA competition. In 17 appearances with Brooklyn last year, after signing a two-way contract on December 26, he averaged 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while posting a 63.5% true shooting rate. He also collected 33 offensive rebounds, accounting for roughly 42% of his total boards last season. That’s an interesting, valuable role for a scrappy player. There is always room in an NBA rotation, especially the Nets’, for efficient offensive rebounding.
After he posted nine points vs. the 76ers Thursday to go along with four rebounds, two blocks and two steals, Egor Demin, predicted he’ll ultimately get a standard deal…
Asked Egor Demin about Chaney Johnson last night:
“[Chaney] is the hardest working guy in the gym… He’s going to develop into a [standard] contract at some point. He’s going to be amazing. I'm glad to have him as a teammate. He does the work that not many people want to do on… https://t.co/cqYfD4yxNfpic.twitter.com/83jbQELEKi
“He worked really hard this summer, he had a very good summer league, and he’s also had a very good camp. You see his intensity and physicality, and it’s something that we need,“ said the head coach after Thursday’s game.
C.J. still has areas to clean up. He has room to grow as a shooter beyond the arc, as he shot just 30% from deep on 30 attempts last season while committing 51 fouls in around 348 total minutes. Johnson will always be an aggressive player, and that is one of his calling cards, but adding more discipline will make the transition Demin predicts more likely.
Grant Nelson
After going undrafted last year, in part because of a balky knee, Nelson wound up with an Exhibit 10 last year, averaging 11.1 points and 6.0 rebounds in 19.3 minutes across 23 G League games. He also shot 54.9% from the field and 80.9% from the free-throw line. Overall, the Alabama product played in a limited role as he dealt with a patella tendinitis that had plagued him throughout his college career. Across 15 starts in the G League, though, he averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds per 36 minutes, adding even more intrigue. That came after a seven-week rehab program with LI’s player performance team.
Nelson’s strong showings in the G League earned him a 10-day contract with Brooklyn. Across four games on the deal, Nelson played 35 minutes, putting up 17 points, six rebounds, six assists, and three blocks. Shortly after the Nets didn’t renew him for a second 10-day contract, as expected, it was revealed that he suffered patellar tendinitis, commonly known as “jumper’s knee,” which ended his season. At Media Day, Nelson said that with the help of the Nets performance team, he’s completely healthy and in Brooklyn’s two preseason games, he’s impressed off the bench.
In Brooklyn’s preseason opener Tuesday night, he scored five points in six minutes, along with a rebound and an assist, while shooting 2-of-4 from the field and 1-of-2 from beyond the arc. Then, Thursday, Jordi Fernandez doubled his minutes and he came away with eight points on 3-o-4 shooting, missing his only three, but getting to the line five times in eight minutes.
Ultimately, the 24-year-old is an interesting piece. The Nets were intrigued enough to give him a summer rehab plan and bring him back on a two-way deal.
Tyler Bilodeau
The new face on a two-way deal with Brooklyn this year is their second-round pick from June, Bilodeau. In the second round, teams often look for players who excel in a select area, and Bilodeau is just that when it comes to 3-point shooting. In his final year at UCLA, the 22-year-old averaged 17.6 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 51.8% and a Big Ten-leading 46.4% from three.
His biggest concern, though, is on the defensive end of the floor which is likely to be his development priority. However, his shooting ability is fascinating, and he has the potential to develop into a serviceable defender at 6’9” and 228 pounds and a wide frame. Developing in the G League instead of sitting on Brooklyn’s bench should be valuable and help him grow
While his missed his two attempts beyond the arc vs. Philly, the UCLA product grabbed five boards in 12 minutes, matching his point output.
Dain Dainja
Some of Brooklyn’s Exhibit 10 signees also have unique aspects to their game. Atop that list is Dainja. At 6’9” and 255 pounds with a crazy 7’7” wingspan, he’s physically imposing. Dainja spent the 2025-26 season with the Miami Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. In Sioux Falls, he put up 13.1 points on 62.3% shooting, 5.9 rebounds, and one block across 36 appearances. His scoring efficiency really sticks out, aside from his wingspan, and if he can develop into an offensive hub for Long Island while complementing the scoring with screening and defense, he could certainly make some noise this season.
Nick Pringle
Pringle is another physical option. The 24-year-old stands at 6’10” and 230 pounds after signing with the organization on an Exhibit 10, although unlike Dainja and Humrichous, his deal does not feature a training camp invite.
Across his six-year college career, including stops at Wofford College, Alabama, South Carolina, and Arkansas, he shot 64.9% from the field in 152 games while tallying 654 rebounds and 125 combined steals and blocks. He was also part of Alabama’s 2024 Final Four team, averaging 6.2 rebounds during the NCAA Tournament that year. Pringle also overlapped with Nelson in Tuscaloosa when the Crimson Tide got to the Final Four in 2024.
Ben Humrichous
Humrichous is a very different player, and like Bilodeau, he was a heavy 3-point shooter in college. At Illinois last season, he made 57 of 158 attempts from beyond the arc, for a 36.1% clip. Around 86% of his overall field goal attempts came from deep, which is ridiculously high. The biggest question with Humrichous, who is 6’9” and 224 pounds, is where he can contribute when his shot isn’t falling, or when opposing defenses eliminate him from 3.
Jonathan Pierre
Lastly and perhaps the most interesting front court adds, there’s Jonathan Pierre. The organization liked his potential enough to trade for his rights earlier this month. He is another player who fits the mold of “positional size,” at 6’9” and 210 pounds. Pierre took a very interesting journey to the G League. He began high school as a 5’10” guard before hitting a growth spurt up to 6’7” and entering college as a forward at Nova Southeastern, where he helped the program go undefeated and win a Division II National Championship.
After an excellent first season in DII, he transferred to Memphis before breaking out at Belmont during the 2024-25 season. At Belmont, he averaged 13.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Belmont also listed him at his current height, 6’9”, after he was dubbed 6’7” earlier in his college career, suggesting Pierre grew further in college.
He ultimately went undrafted, although Jam Hines of No Ceilings NBA viewed him as a “definite” top-60 prospect for the 2025 draft class. Hines noted that Pierre ranked in the 87th percentile in scoring efficiency as a pick-and-roll ball handler while making 37.8% of his catch-and-shoot threes on 156 attempts. He was also 46.2% on three-point attempts as a screener, though on a 13-attempt sample.
Pierre’s first year in the G League was nothing extraordinary, as he averaged 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 14.9 minutes across 34 total games. Still, his upside is certainly enticing. The Belmont product is also still just 23, making him Long Island’s second-youngest player behind only Bilodeau, who is a second-round rookie.
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All of front court adds have something to prove, and different goals to reach this season. It will take a while to figure things out. That process starts the end of the month when the team gathers for training camp, then Opening Night on November 6 in Greensboro, N.C., vs. the Swarm, the Hornets affiliate.
SAN FRANCISCO – Day 12 of the Kristaps Porziņģis Watch passed Friday without a sighting from the Warriors. There is an update of sorts, as director of sports medicine and performance Rick Celebrini made contract with the team’s projected starting center.
“Rick spoke with him (Thursday),” coach Steve Kerr said after a light practice.
Meanwhile, the Porziņģis conundrum continues to leave a considerable gap in the roster. During the best of times with Golden State last season, there were days when KP could fill the void and days when Kerr and his staff were forced to turn to an alternate plan.
Plan B was a concession then, and it’s only slightly better now that Plans C, D, E and F have been added to the roster.
When I asked Kerr if he knew how his big-man rotation would look, the coach acknowledged that with the regular-season opener 12 days away, it remains a work in progress.
“We haven’t figured it out,” he said.
There are five options. Plan B is veteran Al Horford, who won’t be available for back-to-back sets and hasn’t been for four years. Plan C is veteran Draymond Green, whose nights at center continue to exist despite a desire to minimize them. Plan D is Charles Bassey, who played five games after being added late last season. Plan E is rookie Graham Ike, holding a two-way contract. Plan F is promising rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who already looks like a utility man out of necessity.
“Both Graham and Charles were really impressive the other night, getting good reps in camp, and we’re going to need both of them during the year,” Kerr said. “And then if Kristaps isn’t here, the question would be: Do we start big with Al or Charles? Or do we start Draymond at the 5 and Yaxel at the four, maybe Gui (Santos at small forward) to give us some size and playmaking.”
At issue is Kerr’s commitment to bring the offense in line with the current NBA. He wants to play 5-out, meaning five perimeter-shooting threats that can be spaced around the 3-point arc. Porziņģis is one of the best 3-point shooters among centers in the league. He’s ideal, and his presence was a factor in Kerr’s decision to alter the offense.
Without KP, it’s an automatic downgrade. Horford’s 3-ball is solid, but at age 40 his minutes will be limited. Green’s 3-ball is solid from the corners, but opponents still sag on defense. Bassey is 3-of-13 from deep in 126 NBA games. Ike shot 34.8 percent in college but averaged less than one attempt from deep per game.
Lendeborg shot 36.4 percent on 286 attempts in his final three college seasons – but made significant improvements each year, from 33.3 percent to 35.7 to 37.2.
Despite being penciled in at forward, Yaxel’s size (6-foot-10, 241 pounds) and feel for the game might move him up from Plan F all the way to Plan B. Or at power forward to provide physical support for Green.
“With the fact that we have Yaxel now, you’d get a 6-10 guy next to (Green),” Kerr said. “If we go that route, it makes it a little more palatable. And if we pair them with Gui (6-foot-8), now all of a sudden, you got three good-sized guys at their positions, and it doesn’t feel as small as in the past couple years.
“But it’s not ideal.”
Any of those combinations would make it “definitely” harder to play a 5-out offense, Kerr conceded, adding that it would be too difficult to juggle offensive schemes based on personnel.
The upshot is that the offense designed around having a stretch 5 will remain in place despite the uncertainty of Porziņģis, who for spacing reasons might be the second-most important component behind Stephen Curry.
What the Warriors have, on paper, is an aging but high-quality squad.
What they’ll have beginning Oct. 21 won’t include Jimmy Butler III or Moses Moody, both expected to miss much, if not most, of the season as both recover from surgical knee repairs.
And it’s at least conceivable that it won’t include Porziņģis, whose “health issue” has not been clarified but has sidelined him for almost two weeks. Until he reemerges to join his teammates, the Warriors have no choice but to immerse themselves in alternate plans.
The star 76ers center has found himself in the middle of a maelstrom before the new NBA season even kicks off, with Knicks’ play-by-play announced Mike Breen reporting — and then walking back — that Embiid was chastised by LeBron James for being late to practice.
“Those type of things, I can’t understand,” Embiid told reporters after his preseason debut against the Nets on Thursday. “One, it is not true, but then again, it’s like, ‘Why me?’ … I guess I’m Joel Embiid. I’ve been in that situation. I don’t usually talk when it comes to those [rumors]. So, it feels like I’m an easy target.”
Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during practice on October 3, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center. NBAE via Getty Images
Breen, on the broadcast of the Knicks-76ers preseason game on Monday, recounted a story he was told of the 2023 NBA MVP showing up a “couple of minutes late” to practice and that James “let him hear it.”
“I thought it would be an interesting anecdote to show LeBron’s leadership already on display in Philly,” the veteran broadcaster told ESPN. “For me, the fact that the teammate was Joel was meaningless. In hindsight, I should have realized the fact that it was Joel is what made it a story. I’ve always been a huge fan of Joel and feel awful that it put the focus on him the way that it did.”
Mike Breen and Ariel Hukporti #55 of the Philadelphia 76ers talk before the game against the New York Knicks on October 5, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
It should be a telling season for Embiid, an endless target of media and fan scrutiny for his play and health issues. He now has offseason additions James and Jaylen Brown with him on the Philly roster alongside emerging star Tyrese Maxey with heightened championship expectations.
The 32-year-old might have some big names to help shoulder the load, but may never fully escape the criticism.
“It sucks, but what can you do? It’s unfortunate,” he said of Breen’s ill-fated anecdote. “I don’t know where that came from. It never happened. … I think we just got to focus on ourselves. There’s going to be a lot of outside noise to pull us apart from what we’re supposed to be and what we’re supposed to accomplish. So, it’s important that we stay together and we keep our [head] down.”
