Category: NBA

This was never going to be a game for the Lakers to remember. But with nearly half of the roster sidelined because of injuries or resting, Adou Thiero at least tried to inject some life into a sleepy preseason back-to-back.

Thiero’s towering one-handed dunk over two Golden State defenders provided a highlight in the Lakers’ otherwise forgettable 124-98 preseason loss to the Warriors at Chase Center on Tuesday. The Lakers leaned on their depth to get through their second short-handed preseason game in as many nights.

Guard Quentin Grimes, the only player starting a second consecutive game for the Lakers, had 12 points and three assists. Forward Sandro Mamukelashvili started at center and had 15 points and a trio of three-pointers. Thiero, getting a rare starting moment, scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds while Bronny James had four points and five assists in a starting role.

Read more:Luka Doncic scores 21 as Lakers unveil new defense in preseason win over Kings

Star guard Luka Doncic sat out after scoring 21 points in one half Monday against the Sacramento Kings. After setting the tone defensively against the Kings, forwards Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle watched from the sideline Tuesday. The Lakers were also without center Walker Kessler (finger), guards Austin Reaves (ankle) and Collin Sexton (lower body) and two-way forward Arthur Kaluma (lower body), who all missed their second consecutive preseason game.

Thiero has been prepared for this type of opportunity. The second-year forward is trying to take advantage of his first true NBA preseason after knee injuries marred his rookie season. He played in his first summer league games, showing incremental progress during games in San Francisco and Las Vegas.

Thiero started the summer moving too quickly through games, crashing into the lane and flying recklessly toward the rim. He even missed time from a minor wrist injury suffered during a fall. But as the summer progressed, he settled into the pace of the game. During a Las Vegas Summer League game, Thiero flashed his potential with 20 points, four rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks with zero turnovers in 30 minutes.

Read more:Lakers newsletter: Intriguing preseason battles will help shape team

“I feel like that just came with playing more, and just understanding what I was supposed to do, understanding my role,” Thiero said this week of his progress during the summer. “I feel like my role during summer league is very different compared to my role during the season. I was on-ball more. Even creating the offense in summer league. And I didn’t have much experience with that at the time, but as summer league kept going on, I got more comfortable with it and realizing when to speed up and everything.”

Thiero is fighting for minutes in a deep wing group led by Williams and Thybulle. The Lakers have stocked their team with versatile perimeter defenders to help complement their offensive-minded backcourt of Doncic and Reaves. Thiero, whom Reaves described as “a freak-of-nature” athlete, could add a unique quality to the rotation.

“Our ceiling rises if he’s able to [contribute defensively] and be an impactful offensive player with crashing, with cutting, with touching the paint, playing off two feet,” coach JJ Redick said before Monday’s preseason game. “I’ve seen a lot of growth there from him over the last six, seven weeks. That’s exciting.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

The Nets opened their preseason by cycling through every healthy player in a resounding 124-90 rout at Charlotte.

Veteran forwards Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle leading the way wasn’t a surprise. The white-hot shooting was.

The Nets, who were dead last in the league in offensive rating and 3-point percentage last season, shot 55.0 percent overall and 20-for-37 from deep Tuesday.

They carved up short-handed Charlotte up with 31 assists and forced 25 turnovers to pile up a 25-6 edge in fast-break points.

“Yeah, it was a good feeling obviously,” coach Jordi Fernández said. “First game preseason we accomplished playing pretty much everybody that was available. Everybody won their minutes. That’s important — to play hard for 48 minutes.

“We struggled with turnovers in the first half. [We] ended up with three — I don’t count the last one for holding it — three turnovers in the second. So that’s pretty good, 31 assists on 44 made field goals, that’s great. Defensively, the ball pressure turned them over 25 times for 31 points. The only thing we struggled with was the 3-point line. We have to be better at getting out there and finding shooters.”

Porter had a team-high 16 points on 4-for-6 shooting from deep, while Randle added 13 points and three assists.

Porter and Randle largely played on different teams early in camp, so they’re still getting on the same page.

“Yeah, just getting a feel for each other,” Fernández said. “It’s important that they understand, Mike, they have to find him at the 3-point line. Julius, he can score in different ways, get into the paint and then kick it out. And it was cool, because I think Julius found Mike once, but then Mike found Julius once for a 3. So it’s good.

“They’re trying to get those actions together. And it’s been a good first step. We want to keep working on ramping those minutes up and have better feel with the different groups that we’ll have out there. But those two did an amazing job.”

Day’Ron Sharpe added eight points and seven boards. But for a team starved for rim protection, his two blocks and plus-19 in 17:56 were auspicious signs.

Drake Powell, who struggled at summer league, had nine points on 4-for-6 shooting, finished a game-high plus-20 and hit his only 3.

The Nets played everybody other than injured first-round picks Mikel Brown Jr. (ankle) and Joshua Jefferson (lower back), but Charlotte didn’t have that option. They were without Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and Coby White, but still hit 16-for-36 from deep.

“When you win every quarter, it’s a good sign. We had different groups out there and they did whatever it took to get wins every quarter. That mindset is important,” Fernández said. “It was a closer first half, but very happy with the intentions, very happy with the effort and the good things you see quarter by quarter.”

When the Nets tipped off their preseason Tuesday night in Charlotte, a strong offseason by Egor Dëmin had buoyed hopes of a potential sophomore leap.

Brooklyn’s young guard said he’s not the player he was in summer league.

He’s better.

“Yeah, my goal is to translate not just a part of what I did in summer league, but even more, right?” said Dëmin, who has worked to improve his driving and shore up his Achilles’ heel. “Obviously I had some more time after summer league, and I kept working on that stuff. And I think I’m even better right now than I was in summer league.”

The Nets can only hope so. That would give them a leg up in their rebuild.

Dëmin starting the Nets’ 124-90 preseason-opening win over the Hornets was hardly a surprise, but his getting the nod at point guard was noteworthy. And encouraging.

Dëmin’s playing time was limited, though his 18:26 led all the starters.

He hit 2-of-3 from 3-point range (six points), but his repeated paint touches unlocked his passing. He handed out a game high-tying five assists, including a second-quarter drive down the lane and behind-the-back pass to Day’Ron Sharpe for a dunk.

“Yeah, you see him with five assists in the first group; so he leads that group in assists, which is great,” said Jordi Fernández. “Egor was good. I want him aggressive to shoot or to touch the paint, and he’s done it the whole summer. He’s worked at it, he’s stronger, and now he’s very comfortable getting there. So, it’s great. He’s got to keep doing it, got to keep finding his teammates or getting good shots.”

It showed not only the Nets’ faith that he was more capable of handling on-ball duties, but that they were less intent on force-feeding minutes to their sophomore point guards — regardless of struggles — and more intent on playing the best available, and winning.

After two years of tanking, it will be a welcome sight for fans.

Brooklyn tanked through two arduous seasons to get consecutive lottery picks that became first Dëmin and then Mikel Brown Jr.

Dëmin taking a quantum leap would let the Nets advance their rebuild and exceed expectations.

“To win as many games as possible,” Dëmin said. “Our process is oriented now on getting there each day, at least a little bit, but getting there, no matter whether it’s a game day, practice day, or an update.”

Dëmin would have to be a big part of that.

He wasn’t merely an ineffective driver but an unwilling one. Billed as a point guard, he was turned too often at the point of attack and kept out of the paint.

But his progress this summer was encouraging.

Work with head strength and conditioning coach Alvin Dike has let Dëmin get bigger and stronger, and his downhill game benefited. After having gone just 1-for-4 inside the arc during his rookie summer league, this time Dëmin showed far more downhill juice in going 22-for-29.

“I’m excited to play with Egor,” Michael Porter Jr. said. “He’s a phenomenal shooter and scorer, but also a great passer. So he can do a lot of things on the court, rebound, push the break, shoot the ball. And now that he’s getting in the paint and finishing around the rim, he’ll make a humongous jump.”

The preseason opener was his first chance to show it against NBA competition.

With Brown still working his way back from a rolled ankle, the Nets needed a lead guard.

Coach Jordi Fernández went with veteran Keon Ellis at off guard and put Dëmin on the ball rather than Nolan Traore or Ben Saraf.

It was an acknowledgment of how much Brooklyn needs Ellis’ point-of-attack defense, but also a show of faith in how real they believe Dëmin’s improved driving is. It would let the Nets stagger him and Brown going forward, and in turn leverage the defense of Ellis and/or Terance Mann.

“Yeah, I can’t rave on Egor enough in terms of the work he’s put in, the difference that I’m seeing with him playing,” Porter said. “And Egor was a dude who already last year had such big flashes. He showed a lot of clutch performances. He showed his fearlessness, his shooting ability. And working with [Dike] in the weight room, [he looks] better and different.

“Egor is a lot more comfortable with the ball in his hands as a point guard. Guys aren’t able to crowd him and be physical around him. He’s very comfortable with the ball in his hands. He’s also, as a scorer, touching the paint more, getting downhill more, looks very comfortable finishing around the rim. So Egor is very comfortable playing the point guard position or the shooting guard position. He definitely has physically matured enough to play the point guard if that’s needed, because guys aren’t bothering him when he’s pressured.”

SAN FRANCISCO — Superstar Luka Doncic was among the Lakers players who weren’t available for Tuesday’s preseason game against the Warriors at Chase Center.

Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, Collin Sexton and two-way forward Arthur Kaluma also sat out against the Warriors, which was the second night of a back-to-back for the Lakers.

Reaves, Kessler, Sexton and Kaluma also weren’t available for Monday’s preseason-opening win over the Kings in Sacramento. 

Doncic led the Lakers with 21 points against the Kings in his first game in over six months. 

With a significant chunk of their lineup sidelined, the Lakers started Bronny James, Quentin Grimes, Adou Thiero, Jake LaRavia and Sandro Mamukelashvili against the Warriors. 

The Warriors started Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Yaxel Lendeborg and Draymond Green.

The Lakers will play the Kings again when they host their division rival at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday. 

The Warriors were on the first night of a back-to-back, with a matchup against the Trail Blazers scheduled for Wednesday night in Portland. 

Like the Lakers, the Warriors were also in the midst of three games in four days after playing the Clippers in Hawaii on Sunday in their first preseason game. 

SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors were celebrating Don Nelson with “Nellie Night” when they hosted the Lakers on Tuesday at Chase Center. 

And Warriors coach Steve Kerr had the perfect way to honor the late Hall of Fame coach.

Kerr cracked open a can of Bud Light and took a sip of the beer before answering questions from reporters during his pregame media availability – a nod to Nelson bringing a can of Bud Light to his postgame media availability during the Warriors’ 2007 playoff run more than once. 

Nelson’s postgame beer in the interview room didn’t last long after the eighth-seeded Warriors, who adopted the “We Believe” moniker, upset the top-seeded Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs. 

The NBA stepped in and told the Warriors that Nelson couldn’t bring beer in the postgame interview room. 

The league doesn’t have to worry about Kerr making it a habit.

“Definitley not,” the Warriors coach responded when asked whether he was going to fish the beer. “I got a game to coach.”

Former Warriors players, including Stephen Jackson, Matt Barnes and Chris Mullin, and members of Nelson’s family were in attendance for Tuesday’s game. 

Fans received a commemorative “Nellie” pin upon entry, in addition to souvenir “Nellie Night” beer koozies being sold.

The Warriors are wearing a “Nellie” band on the team’s uniforms throughout the 2026-27 season. 

Nelson, who was the Warriors head coach for 11 seasons across two stints (1988-95 and 2006-10), died on Aug. 9 at the age of 86.

The Brooklyn Nets visited the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night to open preseason play. Mikel Brown Jr. did not play, still rehabbing his ankle injury, nor did Joshua Jefferson and his stiff lower back. All other regulars did, though, with Egor Dëmin, Keon Ellis, Michael Porter Jr., Julius Randle, and Day’Ron Sharpe the starting lineup. The Charlotte Hornets were without many of their projected regulars, including but not limited to Kon Knueppel, Coby White, and Brandon Miller.

Brooklyn won the ballgame convincingly, final score 124-90, not that we should read too much into that. Day’Ron Sharpe was the only Nets starter who played in the second half. Still, the boys in black-and-white looked good, which, for a team that’s won 46 games over Jordi Fernández’s first two seasons, is always nice to see. They shot 55% from three through three quarters, blowing it open by the fourth quarter. That was a pleasant change-of-pace too, hopefully a harbinger of what’s to come this season.

Here are my takeaways from Tuesday night’s reintroduction to Brooklyn Nets basketball, which I jotted down in chronological order, skewing more heavily toward the starters’ minutes, naturally.

6:22, 1Q — Brooklyn Nets 20, Charlotte Hornets 12

• Not surprised that Keon Ellis got the start. Michael Porter Jr. singled out Ellis as playing well in camp, plus there’s the pre-existing trust with Jordi Fernández. But starting Ellis, who doesn’t offer much advantage creation as a ball-handler, does indicate increased confidence in the playmakers around him, specifically Dëmin’s (potential) growth and the arrival of Julius Randle.
• They’ve switched nearly every ball-screen so far. There’s been a trap or two. Charlotte has already made them pay with a couple offensive rebounds; still, switching would seem to be a natural tactic for Brooklyn, boasting length across positions, though without great rim protection or point-of-attack defense.
• Day’Ron will be shooting threes this season. Fernández (who called a clear-out post-up for Randle on the first possession of the game) has to let Randle operate in the middle of the floor, at least a little. Sharpe set a screen, didn’t get it on the roll, then spaced out to the corner and cashed a three. Good sign.

3:34, 1Q — Brooklyn Nets 25, Charlotte Hornets 25

• Moe Wagner just got dusted by Sion James on a drive, though playing drop coverage. He switched on a couple possessions, played a little drop. Largely the same offensive positioning as Day’Ron Sharpe. We’ll see how good he is, but a stylistic facsimile for Sharpe.
• Chaney Johnson sixth man minutes? Somebody must be having a strong camp. (Not as a center, worth noting.)

12:00, 2Q — Brooklyn Nets 33, Charlotte Hornets 31

• Ben Saraf — ahead of Nolan Traore in the rotation tonight — just stepped behind a ball-screen (after his defender went under) and hit a 3-pointer. Pleasant sight.
• They’ve having some trouble defending guard-to-guard actions. Ghost screens, slips, etc.

7:59, 2Q — Brooklyn Nets 40, Charlotte Hornets 36

• Nets are gonna play faster this season, that much is clear. Julius Randle is empowered to grab the ball and go, Day’Ron has set some early ball-screens for him in semi-transition. I imagine most teams just switch that sorta thing. But there will be plenty of two-man actions with Brooklyn’s lead ball-handler and starting center, like every other team in the league. Can Randle create advantages for others out of it? Big storyline for their offense, I’d imagine.
• Randle defending Naz Reid with an oomph greater than average 13-year-veteran-playing-preseason intensity. Hmm.

4:44, 2Q —Brooklyn Nets 51, Charlotte Hornets 44

• Julius Randle is a more trustworthy transition ball-handler than the Nets have had in some time. This reflects poorly on the last couple years of Nets basketball, though again, Randle’s reputation around the league is a bit harsher than it probably should be.
• MPJ can still shoot, no worries there.
• Funny that Egor Dëmin has passed up a couple take catch-and-shoot threes, preferring to drive the lane with his newfound muscle and confidence. Almost dunked on Ryan Kalkbrenner, then a highlight assist. Worth noting that Day’Ron Sharpe cuts into the dunker spot on this second play, rather than remaining in the corner…

The showtime Nets? pic.twitter.com/uGjJrbaOG1

— Erik Slater (@ErikSlater_) October 6, 2026

HALFTIME — Brooklyn Nets 56, Charlotte Hornets 52

• Julius Randle is playing Julius Randle basketball, that’s for sure. Some early PnR as mentioned, willingness to fire catch-and-shoot threes, but he’s posting up mismatches and working on the empty side of the floor as he pleases.
• Starters seemingly done for the second half, though not Day’Ron Sharpe. Something, nothing? Probably nothing.
• Michael Porter Jr. dove on the floor near the end of the first half, but more importantly, he helped Brooklyn secure some big-time defensive rebounds by boxing out a Charlotte big. I trust MPJ-Randle-Sharpe to be a strong rebounding front court, even if they’re playing aggressive coverages. Porter Jr. did his part tonight, even in a meaningless game.

6:58, 3Q — Brooklyn Nets 67, Charlotte Hornets 57

• Saraf’s driving style and Day’Ron Sharpe’s ability to Gortat screen are a natural pairing. They’ve had a couple nice two-man actions to start this third quarter, though Saraf has also mixed in some rough moments.
• This lineup (Mann/Saraf/Clowney/Johnson/Sharpe) doesn’t have a single average 3-point shooter, but it’s the sort of athletic, potentially tough lineup that the Nets might occasionally deploy this season, particularly with a couple injuries.
• Chaney Johnson, three dunks before the first timeout this quarter. An offensive rebound, a cut, a transition opportunity. Maybe it’s just what he does, though the preseason a mere half-step down from tanking spring basketball.
• Unimpressed by these Noah Clowney minutes. Not that this is a particularly meaningful sample.

12:00, 4Q — Brooklyn Nets 92, Charlotte Hornets 73

• Drake Powell, Danny Wolf, and Josh Minott each checked in during the third quarter and hit his first 3-point attempt. The Nets enter the fourth 16-of-29 from deep, a hair better than what they’re shooting inside the arc. But hey, Charlotte is 15-of-31 from deep, so this 19-point lead isn’t all shooting luck.

END OF GAME

• Drake Powell has gotten to two feet and tired to explode through a Charlotte rim protector twice, after hitting the aforementioned 3-pointer. He got swallowed up and missed a feeble attempt on the first drive, but finished a smooth lefty finger roll the second time.
• Let’s draw rash conclusions — I don’t think Powell will be in the rotation to star the season. Same for Josh Minott, and potentially Danny Wolf. Still time for things to change, though.
• Nolan Traore looks bigger, but no slower. He’s zapped to the rim a few times in this fourth quarter, albeit against a bleak Charlotte lineup.
• Jordi Fernández will be thrilled by Brooklyn’s 12 steals (and how about those 25 transition points), less so by their five offensive rebounds. But the Nets will be launching, running, and rebounding this season. At least, that’s the plan, and it was clear to see even on day one.
• Shoutout Eric Collins: “I have never seen Danny Wolf and [ex-Hornet] Jeremy Lamb in the same room together, thankfully. Scary situation for Jeremy Lamb.”

Michael Porter Jr. scored 16 points, Randle added 13, while Traore had ten off the bench. Those were the only double-digit scorers for Brooklyn, who saw every player hit a shot, outside of Dain Danja and Ben Humrichous, who only played the last couple minutes. Liam McNeely scored 14 points — all in the third — to lead Charlotte, while trade acquisition Naz Reid scored 13.

Next Up

LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid sat out the Philadelphia 76ers’ first preseason game on Monday night. But their next one is in Brooklyn. The Nets’ first home preseason game is against the new-look Philadelphia 76ers, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday evening.

Head coach JJ Redick wasn’t in love with the idea of a preseason back-to-back, so it’s probably not a surprise that very few regular players are going to suit up for the contest.

After routing the Kings on Monday, the Lakers play the Warriors on Tuesday, but will rest a whole host of players. On top of being without the same quartet that sat out against Sacramento — Austin Reaves, Collin Sexton, Walker Kessler and Arthur Kaluma — the purple and gold will also be without Luka Dončić, Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle.

JJ Redick says Luka, Thybulle, Ziaire, Reaves, Sexton, Kessler and Kaluma are all out tonight

— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) October 7, 2026

For those keeping track at home, that leaves not many players available who will open the season in the rotation. Quentin Grimes, Kevon Looney, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jake LaRavia and Bronny James might very well be the starting lineup with Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr the two intriguing pieces off the bench.

Expect more minutes from Jarred Vanderbilt, too, who only got in during the fourth quarter of Monday’s game. Chris Mañon and Jaden Hardy will also have their chance to build off strong showings against the Kings, while Dalton Knecht will try to make one last case to stay on the roster.

After that, it’s some combination of AK Okereke, the remaining two-way player, and training camp invites like William Kyle and Cole Swider.

Hopefully, all these players who are resting/injured for this contest will be cleared to go on Thursday, giving us a better sense of what the team and rotation will look like.

And for the benefit of everyone involved, get rid of preseason back-to-backs.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

SACRAMENTO — Cameron Carr displayed his scoring ability throughout July with the Lakers’ summer league team. 

And he picked up right where he left off in his preseason debut, showing his offensive skill set translates on the court against genuine NBA talents. 

The Lakers rookie looked sharp during LA’s 127-103 win over the Kings on Monday at Golden 1 Center, scoring 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting (3 of 7 on 3-pointers) in 23 minutes off the bench in the Lakers’ preseason opener. 

“Every chance I get to step on the court,” Carr said, “just growing in areas and just getting more comfortable with just playing in the offense and being efficient.”

Carr said he was nervous ahead of his first exhibition. 

But it didn’t show — outside of bobbling the basketball ahead of a dunk in the open court in the second quarter.

He was the team’s leading scorer behind superstar guard Luka Doncic (21 points), who played in his first game in over six months.

“I was definitely nervous, but I mean, it’s basketball,” Carr said. “I go out there and another opportunity to play basketball and now at the highest level. So it’s fun. Get to compete with my guys.”

But just like during the summer, Carr didn’t focus too much of his attention on what he did offensively. 

He continued to discuss what he needs to do defensively to earn a consistent spot in the rotation.

And Carr got a firsthand look at what coach JJ Redick expects from the wings defensively, with Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, Quentin Grimes and Adou Thiero each taking turns picking up full court and hounding the Kings’ ball handlers. 

“Just staying on top of my cues,” Carr said. “Don’t be late and don’t give lapses up. I mean, these dudes guard, they’re in the right spot, so just be in the right spot for them.”

Carr continues to make a strong case for himself to get meaningful playing time once the Lakers’ regular season starts with their Opening Night matchup against the Warriors on Oct. 21. 

Whether he earns that spot will depend less on what he offers offensively and more about if he can keep up on the defensive end of the floor. 

“A great example — just watching and learning,” Carr said. “Pick up whatever I can from them and just try to implement it and do it … myself.”

SACRAMENTO, CA ― It seems like yesterday that JJ Redick was a rookie head coach in the NBA with no previous coaching experience. It was the talk of the town. It seemed almost inconceivable that a former podcaster could simply join an NBA sideline and be as successful.

Redick always accepted the challenge as just that, a challenge. He was a former player who conscientiously worked to be the best version of himself. He was always willing to outwork his competition, and he has taken that same approach into coaching.

It's helped him grow in the position as he enters his third season as the Los Angeles Lakers coach.

"I'm somebody who self-critiques and somebody who self-possesses," Redick told USA TODAY Sports before the Lakers' preseason win against the Sacramento Kings on Monday, Oct. 5. "I think that there's a term for, like, metacognitive, I think it's called, where you think about your thinking. So there's a lot going on in my brain."

Redick, 42, is a deep and meticulous thinker. " His brain doesn't stop; even when you think he's in a relaxation mode, Redick is on. It's actually what has made him a better coach. He's always wired, thinking about how he can be better.

"And so when that happens, like, you're constantly living this in this world of, like, honesty with self," Redick told USA TODAY Sports. "That could be an interaction with the player, that could be how you handled emotional regulation with a referee. That could be how you communicated something, game plan wise (during) pre game. 
That could be how you run a practice, like, literally, like, your brain is just constantly assessing all of those things. And so, I think I've grown in all those areas."

LAKERS SEASON PREVIEW: Lineup, roster, prediction and biggest question mark

The 2026-27 season will present a different challenge to the Lakers coach – his first without four-time NBA champion LeBron James. The offense will now flow through MVP candidate Luka Dončić as the the Lakers adopt a new identity.

But Redick is excited as he continues to endeavor on his coaching journey and the process of becoming great.

"That's the really fun part about this, for me, is, you know, it's no different than shooting a basketball, right? It's the pursuit of mastery," he said. "(I'm) never gonna master coaching cause it's an adaptive, evolving thing, but it's something different every day."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JJ Redick reflects on growth in third year as Lakers head coach

The Phoenix Suns have one game logged in the preseason books, a game from which you really can’t take too much away. After all, it’s preseason. This is an empty canvas for the coaching staff to experiment with rotations and manage minutes, while giving players an opportunity to try things they’ve worked on throughout the summer against real, aggressive competition. And the Suns certainly faced aggressive competition in their first matchup.

They opened against the Detroit Pistons, one of the top defensive teams in the league last season after finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference. It was a great opportunity for Phoenix to go out there and attempt to match aggression with aggression.

I don’t put too much stock in the 32 turnovers, especially considering the majority came in the second half when the Suns rolled out their second and third units against Detroit. Do you like to see it? Absolutely not. You’d hope for better ball handling and more responsible facilitation, but credit the Pistons. Their pressure was constant and consistent throughout every phase of the game. That is something the Suns can learn from.

There’s only one thing that concerns me, and that was the free-throw shooting.

I’ll credit the Suns for their aggression and willingness to attack the cylinder. This has been a challenge for recent Suns teams. Phoenix ranked 29th in attempts inside of 5 feet last season, so any movement that swings the pendulum in the other direction is appreciated. As a result of that aggression, the Suns got to the line for 33 free throw attempts. In the first half alone, when we saw the majority of the starters and rotation players, Phoenix attempted 21.

The problem was converting them. The Suns finished 17-of-33 from the line, good for 51.5%. Even in the first half, they were only 13-of-21, or 61.9%.

That certainly will, and must, improve. Because what’s the point of driving downhill, playing physically, attacking the rim, and drawing fouls if you ultimately can’t convert the opportunities you create?

Last season, Phoenix ranked 28th in the league in free throw attempts and 15th in free throw percentage. It marked the first time since the 2018–19 season that the Suns failed to finish in the top 10 in free-throw percentage. That makes the line an area of opportunity for this team.

Defensively, the Suns are going to compete night in and night out. They’re going to pressure the opposition and attempt to generate extra possessions. But given their personnel, they don’t project to be an elite three-point shooting team. They’ll need to generate points however they can, and the free-throw line should be one of those avenues, given the tenacity and ferociousness of this roster.

Is it something to be concerned about? In the short term, sure. We’ll see if it becomes a trend, whether this is a team that can consistently get to the line but struggles to convert once it gets there.

After drubbing the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, the Wolves are back in action on Wednesday to take on the Indiana Pacers. One game in and I’m already happy to never have to look at the Timberwolves in their 1920’s Bathing Suit jerseys ever again. See below, Andrew Wiggins looking more like he’s playing in a bath tub with a Toxic Avenger themed bath bomb than getting ready for an NBA season.

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Game Info

• Who:Minnesota Timberwolves (1-0) vs. Indiana Pacers (0-0)
• When: Wednesday, October 7 at 6:00 PM CT
• Where: Hilton Coliseum – Ames, Iowa
• National TV: DAZN-MIN | NBATV

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Building Off A Win

Aerial Connections

In back-to-back plays in the second quarter, Minnesota got out on the break. The first one was off an errant pass, the second one off a defensive rebound. Both times the Wolves moved as a pack down the court, making the defenders second guess if they should play the shot or the pass. On the first sequence, Bones Hyland found Jonathan Kuminga for the dunk of the night. A few seconds later on the second sequence, Ant found Rudy Gobert for an easy alley-oop. Bucks head coach Taylor Jenkins quickly called for a timeout to try and lift his team’s spirits after a thorough shellacking.

For this new vibes focused iteration of the Timberwolves, continue to look to the skies for more of these plays. I expected this to be a specific benefit that Melo could bring, and I am encouraged to see the rest of the team searching for those looks. Against a Pacers defense who has stronger rim protection and rebounding, there may be less opportunities to get on the break, but it should remain a point of emphasis.

As Conan the Barbarian replied to the question, “What is best in life?” I say, “To yam it on your opponent, to see their heads hang low under the basket, and hear the lamentation of their fans.”

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Pass the Ball in the Half-Court

Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Balls are two incredible scorers. They can light it up from distance and are masters at creating space to get themselves open. Several times in the first half against the Bucks, both of them heaved shots from deep shortly after crossing half-court. There will be times for shots like this in the regular season, but if I’m head coach Chris Finch, I’m asking my stars to take this opportunity in preseason to get into the flow of the offense. Neither player figures to play any minutes in the second half, so these reps are essential to build the rapport and muscle memory that can carry through a season.

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TJ at the Rim

Terrance Shannon Jr. is a runaway freight train to the hoop. He only shot one time in the first half on Monday, often looked to spray the ball to outside shooters instead. It was heartening to see TJ take on pseudo-point guard duties when Melo is off the floor. Some of this might be how teams defend him and knowing his predilections, so going to the pass early will open up the avenue to the cup in the future.

In the second half, Shannon shot four more times before heading to the bench. He slammed home one massive dunk, but missed his other three attempts all on account of getting fouled. Overall he shot six free throws in the game. Going forward, this will be a vital skill for the Wolves as they have a dearth of players seeking to finish through contact and put the opposing team into foul trouble.

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Haliburton’s Return

It has been a full season since Tyrese Haliburton has played an NBA minute. The last time he did, he was leading the spirited Pacers to a potential upset of the overwhelming favorite Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. He tore his Achilles and the rest of the basketball world wept. The Thunder went on to win and everyone wondered if the Pacers magical run could have gone the distance had Haliburton remained available (They were tied when he got injured.)

Now, after a woeful 2026 campaign, Indiana has shifted gears from what Haliburton was driving before he went down. Gone is Myles Turner, the outside shooting big who helped spread the floor. In is Ivica Zubac, a terrific pick-and-roll partner. Much like the Wolves, the Pacers need to build new connections amongst their starters if they hope to compete against an imposing Eastern Conference. This will be their first preseason game and it’ll all take place in the stadium where Haliburton went to college.

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Prediction

It’ll be a feisty and frenetic game where both teams use the first half to get a sweat going with their starters. All of the Wolves talk of pace will be pressed against a team that mastered it en route to the 2025 Finals. Both teams defenses will be caught flatfooted and it will be a high scoring affair. After that, a mad dash to the finish where the deep bench bounce off each other like pinballs against bumpers as the score ratchets up in fits and spurts.

Wolves 122 – Pacers 115

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed former Philadelphia 76ers forward Johni Broome to a training camp deal, the team announced today; in a related move, the Bucks will waive John Butler Jr. Philadelphia selected Broome with the 35th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, but he spent most of his time with the Delaware Blue Coats on a two-way deal. In the G’, he averaged 21.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.5 BPG, and 1.1 SPG in 26 games before undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in February.

Despite dominating in college with Auburn and playing well with the Blue Coats, Broome struggled in the NBA. He made just 11 appearances for the Sixers last year, posting 0.9 PPG and 1.5 RPG, mainly in garbage time. Moreover, he has yet to develop a consistent perimeter jumper; he shot just 22.9% from beyond the arc in the G League, and is undersized as an NBA center. As such, the bully-ball brand that made him a consensus All-American in college has yet to translate to the NBA. Although he’s produced consistently in the G League, it remains to be seen whether Broome can develop into the high-IQ big scouts hoped for.

This offseason, Broome was traded to the LA Clippers to clear cap space ahead of their signing of guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Clippers then waived Broome a month later amid a roster crunch, leaving him without a team ahead of the 2026-27 season.

As mentioned, to make room for Broome—who will join Milwaukee on a non-guaranteed deal—the Bucks bid farewell to John Butler Jr. Butler joined the Wisconsin Herd a few seasons ago after bouncing around the G League, averaging 9.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 1.7 BPG; he is still expected to rejoin the Herd for the upcoming season, though.

Looking ahead, Broome will likely compete for Milwaukee’s open two-way slot as the preseason continues. If he permanently joins the Bucks, he’d slot in behind a frontcourt rotation that includes Myles Turner, Kel’el Ware, and Jericho Sims at center (along with a lot of unknowns at power forward). That depth could prove necessary ahead of an 82-game season.

Former Knick and current 76ers center Ariel Hukporti suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during Philadelphia’s preseason opener on Monday night. 

Hukporti, 24, was injured during the first quarter against the Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena, and an MRI on Tuesday confirmed the injury. The team said that he will undergo surgery. 

The big man signed with the 76ers in the offseason to a one-year, $3.4 million contract after playing on the Knicks’ championship-winning 2025-26 team. 

The connection that Hukporti still has with the Knicks was evident on Monday night when he was helped off the court by former teammate Karl-Anthony Towns. Jalen Brunson called the injury “definitely heartbreaking.” 

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

Knicks head coach Mike Brown also wished Hukporti well after the exhibition game — a 120-97 New York loss. 

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

ESPN reported that the Sixers are eligible to apply for and receive a $1.7 million disabled player exception.

Per the report, Philly is only $1.8 million below the first apron and would not be able to bring in someone to replace Hukporti without waiving another player or making a trade.

Ready or not, it’s time for Brooklyn Nets basketball.

If you aren’t aware by now, it’s a new era in Brooklyn and it should include less tanking, more winning. They’ll face off against the Charlotte Hornets to kick off this so-called new era — both tonight for the preseason debut and also for the Nets season opener on Oct. 21. Preseason doesn’t get much hype, but you can count on the Nets to play hard. After all, most of the regular season rotation is active.

On the other hand, Mikel Brown Jr. rolled his ankle early in training camp and won’t suit up. Sean Marks told reporters at Media Day that he doesn’t anticipate this being a serious injury.

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Game Info & Broadcast Details

• Who: Brooklyn Nets at Charlotte Hornets
• What: Preseason
• Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6
• Time: 7:00 PM ET
• Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
• Channel: YES on DAZN or NBA TV

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Injury Report: Who’s Out?

Nets: Mikel Brown Jr. (ankle) and Joshua Jefferson (back).

Hornets: Grant Williams (hamstring), Kon Knueppel (hamstring), Coby White (calf), and Kylan Boswell (knee).

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💬 Discussion

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You could tell Bronny James needed this. 

LeBron James fulfilled his dream of becoming the first NBA player to play alongside his son. 

Now it’s Bronny’s turn to fulfill his dream. 

He wants to be respected as an NBA player. And we all know that was a nearly impossible task while sharing a locker room with LeBron, who’s not only his dad but also one of the greatest basketball players of all time. 

Bronny turned 22 years old on Tuesday. He’s entering his third season with the Lakers. He’s the third- longest-tenured player on the roster. And he’s no longer under his father’s shadow after LeBron left for the 76ers in free agency over the summer. 

In the Lakers’ first preseason game on Monday against the Kings, Bronny had three points, five rebounds, two assists, one blocked shot and one turnover in 16 minutes. 

It wasn’t a flashy statline by any means, especially not during a time of the year when coaches are experimenting with different lineups, stars are shaking off rust and fringe players are trying to earn a roster spot. 

But Bronny doesn’t need to be flashy. He needs to do the small things. He needs to be dependable. Consistent. He needs to undisputedly prove that he’s an NBA player without being in his father’s oversized orbit.

Now’s his chance. 

He has been trying to blaze that path for a while. He has been trying to shake off the nepotism label. He has been keeping his head down and putting in the work.

After he had a 17-point, five-rebound and three-assist performance against the Bucks as a rookie in March 2025, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith even acknowledged that he “might have been wrong” about Bronny’s NBA readiness.

Last season, Bronny went on to earn playoff minutes against the Rockets and Thunder. 

This season, he has a new challenge. Really, a new opportunity. 

He finally can prove that his NBA career no longer has anything to do with his father. LeBron is out of the locker room. Bronny is on his own. 

It’s something he’s clearly embracing. 

“I mean, he’s got his own path, and I got my own,” Bronny said at Lakers media day when asked about LeBron leaving the Lakers. “So he knows that I want to make a name for myself and continue my career and keep growing as a player. And he knows that I want to focus on that.”

Bronny spent the first week of Lakers training camp trying to build his “defensive instinct.” 

During the offseason, he devoted himself to working on his craft, with one of the focuses being his jump shot. 

“I’ve been in the gym all summer working on fluidity and the speed of my release, stuff like that, moving,” Bronny said at Lakers practice on Saturday. “Tied into that, just running a lot. I’m the same weight, 215 or 220-ish, but still slim so I can move fast. Just getting in the gym every day and continuing to keep a routine.”

Next season should be telling.

Bronny can finally show the world what he can do without accusations that his father is holding the door open for him. The cries of nepotism will be quieted if he can thrive while LeBron is on the other side of the country.

Really, ever since Bronny entered the league as the the 55th overall pick by the Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft, he has had an impossible task. 

LeBron has been the face of the league for two decades. He gets treated differently by players and staffers. Imagine being his son. Imagine being a rookie or a second-year player sharing a locker room with him.  

While Bronny spent the last few years talking about how cool it was to play with his father, it’s obvious that he’s also excited to now have a chance to step out from under his father’s enormous shadow. 

“I think for me, just the motivating factor of creating my own path and my own career makes me want to get up every day and work hard,” Bronny said.

It’s easy to root for Bronny. 

He went from having a cardiac arrest that threatened his life as an incoming freshman at USC to making good plays in NBA games. He’s the son of a billionaire. He doesn’t need the scrutiny and pressure of being LeBron James’ son in the NBA. He’s doing this because he loves this. 

He earned the respect of his coaches and teammates. He’s likable. He’s humble. 

But his detractors were always the loudest ones in the echo chamber. 

Even though Bronny was playing better than nearly anyone picked near him in the draft, he was always held to a different standard. He was LeBron’s kid. His bloodline meant that he had to suffer a spotlight that wasn’t meant for him.

Well, that spotlight has moved to Philadelphia. 

Bronny is now on his own to forge relationships and earn playing time without one of the most powerful people on the planet standing in the room watching. 

And if he does that, his detractors will finally be screaming into a void. 

LeBron is gone. 

And Bronny now has his first real chance to prove he’s where he’s supposed to be.