MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 14: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 14, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s good to see you back, Jalen Duren. The Detroit Pistons big man saw his first action since signing a long-term deal and it looked like he hadn’t missed a beat. Duren scored 24 points in 15 minutes of action. He was pulverizing the rim as a roll man, explosive in his face-up game, and looked to be a more assured ball handler as he navigated screens and weaved through traffic. He was 8-of-9 from the floor, shot a three(!), which he missed, had two steals, a block, and just one turnover. Not bad for your first competitive game in five months.
Duren was the best of several dominant Pistons performances in the team’s 128-106 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. After a sluggish first quarter that saw Detroit trail by double digits courtesy of some sloppy turnovers and not getting back on defense, the game flipped from the second quarter on. Suddenly, the Wolves couldn’t buy a basket, and couldn’t do much of anything about Detroit’s ability to get into the paint.
Detroit dominated the paint 64-30 and shot 57% from the floor and 44% from deep. Duncan Robinson was 4-of-5 from three, and John Collins, Ron Holland, and Tolu Smith combined to shoot 11-of-15 from the floor, with, I think, every shot at the rim.
Cade Cunningham had 14 points and nine assists, and I think the most remarkable Cunningham-related thing about this game is how much Cade didn’t handle the ball. The Pistons continued to rely heavily on Ausar Thompson as a ball handler, both bringing the ball up the floor and initiating offense, and Thompson looks much more comfortable in that role so far this preseason than he did last season. Thompson had four assists on the night.
It was good to see some things look easier for Collins, who still looks like he’s trying to find his way within this Pistons offense. It will come with time, as he is a high-level shooter and a player who loves to take advantage of easy looks created by his point guard, and Cade creates plenty of easy looks for teammates.
Isaiah Joe is still struggling. He was 4-of-10 from the field and 1-of-5 from deep. He’s still dribbling the ball a lot, navigating defensive pressure a lot, holding his own, and missing plenty of shots. As with Collins, I choose to believe it will come. He’s been an elite shooter for years. No reason to think that won’t be the case in Detroit.
The Wolves were led by 20 points from Anthnony Edwards, but on just 5-of-15 shooting. He had an incredibly quiet 2.5 quarters before he started to find his offense and Detroit started resting its starters. The Pistons will next play on Friday against the Toronto Raptors, who many are predicting will pass Detroit in the Eastern Conference standings this season. It should be another good test of two good teams.
For the Nets, Wednesday was finally MBJ Day. And the rookie didn’t disappoint.
Mikel Brown Jr. — the Nets’ highest-drafted player in 16 years, and the linchpin of their rebuild — finally made his delayed debut, and it was a solid one.
After having missed the first three games of the preseason because of an ankle injury, Brown was under a minutes restriction in the Nets’ 144-128 preseason-finale loss to the Heat in Miami.
He came off the bench with 15 points in 18 minutes, 1 second, getting stronger as the game drew on .
Mikel Brown, who scored 15 points, drives past Ryan Conwell during the Nets’ 144-128 preseason loss to the Heat on Oct. 14, 2026 in Miami. NBAE via Getty Images
Brown shot 4-for-7 overall and 2-for-5 from deep. The young point guard added three rebounds, two assists, two steals and showed athletic downhill juice getting into the lane and going a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line.
“Just his pace and how he moves out there, he looked great,” Nets coach Jordi Fernández said. “And it’s just the first few minutes, so he’s going to continue to get better and build from there. I love his communication, how engaged he was with his teammates. I thought it was a very well-played 18 minutes for him.”
Two years of tanking garnered the Nets guard Egor Dëmin first last year and now Brown.
The sixth overall pick had competed in summer league, but Brown rolled his left ankle three weeks ago in camp. After missing the first three preseason games, Brown finally got his shot.
He had 10 points and two steals in the second half, growing into the game.
“Yeah, I feel amazing,” Brown, 20, told The Post. “Very exciting, because I’ve been waiting and itching to play for the longest. So I’m glad to see all the work paying off and just continuing to stay on it and remain healthy.
“It’s very difficult, because you’re watching your teammates playing. You’re like ‘I want to be out there. I wanna be playing with them,’ ” Brown said. “So, to be able to finally [scratch] that itch and to be able to go out there and do what I do best, it means the world to me.”
Over the first few weeks of preseason, while Brown was sidelined, he has made the best use of that time not only strengthening his ankle, but watching and learning.
Mikel Brown Jr. rises up for a dunk during the Nets’ preseason loss to the Heat. NBAE via Getty Images
That meant not only Fernández’s system as best he could, but the tendencies of his teammates.
The point guard finally got to start using all those tidbits against the Heat.
“It’s different because in the game you’ve got different types of concepts and schemes you’re going to go up against,” Brown said. “But just seeing the little things — where the vets like the ball, where most of the guys like the ball — especially as a point guard, you want to get them as many easy buckets as possible.
“I know that’s difficult in this league, but it’s my job to be able to look at what spots I can create and where I can be aggressive.”
The Nets kept the same starting lineup in the finale against the Heat, with Dëmin running the point and Keon Ellis at off guard.
Ellis is the only above-average defender in that lineup. That, along with Brown’s minutes restriction, could keep the latter coming off the bench.
After Dëmin missed his own rookie preseason, he came off the bench through the first eight games. The Nets could use similar kid gloves with Brown.
“Just remain who I am … and just play hard. They’ve just been telling [me], play hard, play your heart out. We know what you can do on both sides of the ball, and we know what you’re capable of. They want to see that out of me every single game,” Brown said. “And just remaining consistent with my routine on what they want me to do. And just attacking it, full head of steam.”
Neither Brown nor Fernández would specify the rookie’s minutes restriction, or what it would have to go up to before the coach would start him.
“Coach is going to talk to me, and the performance staff is going to talk to me,” Brown said. “But until then, I’m all in. I’m all gas and no brakes.”
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 12: Darryn Peterson #22 and Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on October 12, 2026 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Utah Jazz are 2-1 in the preseason as they approach their final exhibition battle with the Phoenix Suns. Of course, that record will be of little significance from the moment this game is finished — we toss the results of the preseason into a massive bonfire on the eve of the regular season. I haven’t gotten your RSVP yet — you’re still coming, right?
The Suns, on the other end, enter this game with a 1-3 record in preseason play, losing their first two matchups against Detroit and Chicago, and a third loss arriving against San Antonio.
Their lone win came at the expense of that same Spurs squad, a team that ran out their reserves from the opening tip against the Utah Jazz, but pushed out their starting lineup in both games against Phoenix. So was the decision to preserve their stars against Utah an effort in espionage? Keeping the matchups a mystery to the upstart Jazz? No Wemby, no Castle, no Harper, no Fox — not a single starter out on the court for the reigning Western Conference champions. A power move? A declaration of superiority?
I wouldn’t say so. Considering how Phoenix has kept their stars — the eternal Sun Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the newly acquired Miles Bridges — on the sidelines, I’d lean more toward an overabundance of caution. The Suns certainly struggled in the second leg of their series with the Spurs.
The Utah Jazz have looked excellent in their first few preseason contests. Keyonte George has grown into a man by his fourth year and is now the steady hand that grips the steering wheel of Will Hardy’s offense. But the engine, wheels, body, and suspension are the remainder of his rotational peers.
Lauri Markkanen hopes to return to All-Star form following a year in which he averaged nearly 27 points per game in 42 appearances.
Jaren Jackson Jr. bolsters the frontcourt behind exceptional defending and a floor-spacing jump shot.
Ace Bailey put on some muscle over the offseason and is picking his spots more effectively in his early playing time off the bench.
And Darryn Peterson, of course, is the piece that could elevate Utah’s ceiling from that of scrappy Play-In fodder to a potential Playoff panic. Playing the Tasmanian Devil and sending a storm through the straightforward Western Conference trail, if Peterson ascends to stardom quickly, it’s hard to imagine any team boasting the defensive versatility to halt the Jazz’s attack.
But for now, the Jazz have the luxury of patience on their side.
Each of George, Markkanen, Jackson, Peterson, and Bailey has three or more years left on their contracts, meaning Utah has already added all the ingredients and can afford to sit comfortably and give their dough some time to rise.
Phoenix, meanwhile, is in win-now mode, whether they’re ready or not.
They’ve traded away far too many first-round picks for comfort, with their most recent exchange sending an unprotected first to Charlotte for a return of Miles Bridges.
Otherwise, this is largely the same 8-seed team in the West, battling to simply remain relevant after already sinking their future for immediate payoff. They’re stuck — no way around it — and they have no choice but to go all-in now. We’ll see how another year of Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and Dillon Brooks works out for Phoenix. Maybe Koa Peat’s fractured jump shot can be repaired in time to contribute this year, or Ryan Dunn can climb out of his slump by recapturing the magic he wielded in the first few weeks of his rookie season.
They were wiped from the face of the earth in a 4-0 sweep at the hands of Oklahoma City last season. The chances of a notably better result in 2027 aren’t high from where I’m watching.
We’ll see who makes an on-court appearance in this, Utah’s final preseason game. Either way, it should be a fascinating meeting between a franchise with its whole future ahead of it and another desperate for anything worth believing in.
Calvin Barrett is the Associate Editor for SLC Dunk. Originally from Springville, Utah, he currently lives in Japan and has covered the NBA and college athletics since 2024.
Nets rookieMikel Brown Jr.made his preseason debut on Wednesday night and showed why the team believed he was worthy of the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Logging just 18 minutes off the bench against the Miami Heat, Brown scored 15 points (4-for-7 shooting, including 2-for-5 from three) with three rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one turnover. He was also a perfect 5-for-5 from the foul line.
Brown, who shot 34.4 percent from deep across 21 games at Louisville, buried his first shot (a three-pointer) of the game in the first quarter and finished the first half with five points in eight minutes.
He kept it going in the second half, making his second three-pointer from well beyond the arc with the clock winding down in the third quarter. Later on with the team down 112-103 in the fourth quarter, Brown showed off his athleticism by getting a steal and going the distance for an easy two-handed slam.
Brooklyn ended up falling to Miami, 144-128, for their first loss of the preseason (3-1).
The rookie had missed the team's first three preseason games due to a left sprained ankle and was limited in training camp, but practiced fully over the weekend and participated in a 5-on-5 scrimmage Monday, per the New York Post's Brian Lewis.
Now with his feet wet, Brown and the Nets will prepare for the first regular season game in a week against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Mikel Brown Jr.’s first preseason points as a Net! https://t.co/vhaulcrI0x
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 14: Giannis Antetokounmpo #7 of the Miami Heat moves the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on October 14, 2026 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. 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 Eric Espada/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Miami Heat just hosted the Brooklyn Nets for a final dress rehearsal before the 2026-27 season. For Mikel Brown Jr., it was also a milestone. After sitting out his team’s first three preseason contests with a rolled left ankle, MBJ played his first non-Summer League NBA minutes tonight.
Not to make it all about one guy, but when he’s your highest pick in since 2010 and it’s in a game that doesn’t count, his progression is mainly about what does.
“[We] just want him to play as hard as he can,” Jordi Fernández said pregame. “We’re excited. I’m very excited to see him.”
Be that as it may, Brown Jr. came off the bench tonight. That means our story starts with Julius Randle and the rest of the usual bunch.
Unlike Brooklyn’s last two games, things weren’t so smooth to begin this one. The Nets struggled to get anything going at the offensive end during the game’s opening minutes. As advertised all summer, Miami’s size was difficult to play around, even with Bam Adebayo sitting. The Heat tallied four rejections within the game’s first eight minutes. The Nets began the game 1-of-10 from the field.
At the other end, Day’Ron Sharpe also picked up three quick fouls trying to box out or defend Nick Richards. Let’s just pretend he knew the starters weren’t going be playing a lot of minutes tonight anyway.
Despite all those whistles, the game moved at a breakneck pace in the first as both teams looked to challenge each other on the break. Miami’s Davion Mitchell was especially ruthless in getting baseline to baseline, as was Andrew Wiggins, showing he’s still got it as a cutter.
So, with the ideal environment now established for a guy who can move, shoot, and pass, it was then time to unleash Brown Jr. Nolan Traoré and Chaney Johnson were first off the bench after Wagner’s premature entry for foul-prone Day’Ron Sharpe. Then, with 3:54 to go, Brown Jr. followed along side Noah Clowney.
It took MBJ only two possessions to get on the scoreboard with him making his first attempt of the night. Even with Steph Curry and Dame Lillard having normalized shots like this, I’d argue his first one was a highlight…
Mikel Brown Jr. makes his first shot attempt of the preseason after Jovic opts to go under the screen. Deep one. pic.twitter.com/kSBDgVGsc3
For those who watched him last year at Louisville, it shouldn’t have a surprise. Brown Jr. led the NCAA in made 3-pointers from long range, that is deeper than 25 feet sway, doing it 27 times.
It’s worth noting the Nets ran much of the offense through Nolan Traoré while he and Brown Jr. shared the floor in the first, although that likely had more to do with the team’s desire to ease Brown Jr. into the lineup than anything else. Fernández also confirmed pregame that the Nets would watch his minutes tonight. He finished with 18.
Brooklyn continued to trail Miami through the second. While shots started to fall at the other end, the team continued to look out of sync defensively. The Nets were especially putrid in transition, where the Heat got 11 first half points. Giannis Antetokounmpo was also just doing Giannis Antetokounmpo things. He tallied 18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in 16 first half minutes while shooting 7-of-8 from the field.
The Nets, however, went into the half down only three, largely thanks to a redemptive burst from Sharpe and a handful of tough makes from Michael Porter Jr. Egor Dëmin also got his second drive-by of the preseason on a future Hall of Famer…
What a good rookie season shooting the three and a good offseason practicing the other stuff will do for you.
Brooklyn went ahead after Dëmin set up Sharpe for an easy floater roughly three and half minutes into the second half. The Nets also did a far better job getting back in transition during that stretch, disrupting what once looked like an automatic source of offense for Miami. Then. Sharpe picked up his fifth foul of the game and a seat on the bench with 6:06 left in the period. Once again playing the unfortunate role of little guys on the basketball court, Brooklyn saw Miami enjoy an 8-0 jolt to jump back in front.
On the bright side, Brown Jr. came back in to drop eight points and three dimes in the third. He didn’t record any turnovers for that quarter or the entire game. The 6’5” Florida (Orlando) native finished with 15 points, two assists, and two steals while shooting 4-7 from the field and 2-5 from downtown … all in 18 very active minutes…
Another really deep one for Mikel Brown Jr. He helped create it too with this rocket to Chaney Johnson first.
“Yeah, I feel amazing,” Brown told The Post pre-game. “Very exciting because I’ve been waiting and itching to play for the longest to this point. So I’m glad to see all the work is paying off and just continuing to stay on it and remain healthy.
“[I’d been doing] strength work, getting the strength in the ankle back, strengthening the muscles around it. I’ve been attacking it every single day. Just to be able to just go out there and just go play basketball again, it’s going to mean the world.”
After the game, his coach told the media liked what he had seen.
“(I liked) his pace and how he moves,” said Fernandez. “He looked great. And it’s just the first few minutes. He’s gonna continue to get better & build from there. I love his communication, how engaged he was with his teammates.”
Brooklyn still hung around early in the fourth, helped by Wagner who made his third triple of the game in as many tries. And, down nine with eight to go, they even brought Randle and Porter Jr. back into the game but it was a fruitless.
The Nets simply couldn’t capitalize. Miami’s deep bench, with little left to lose and everything to prove, did. Led by Simone Fontecchio, they quickly put Miami up 16 with roughly six to go.
After that, even Fernández, ever the competitor, had to admit the risk of leaving his starters on the floor wasn’t worth whatever message an undefeated preseason might send. With about five to play, he put Grant Nelson and Drake Powell into the game for their first minutes. They played with Josh Minott, Danny Wolf, and Traoré the rest of the way.
“[The problem was] just defense. I mean, it was a very poor defensive game,” Fernández admitted. “[It’s the] second time that we’ve given up in one half 70 points — 69 in the first half, 75 in the second. That’s unacceptable. And if we want to be a competitive team, we have to play better defense than that.”
The worst of it was easy to spot mainly because it has been a weakness long discussed … rim protection. The Nets were outscored a staggering 62-38 in the paint, allowing 31-of-40 shooting.
Porter Jr. led the Nets with 27 points while shooting 9-of-17 from the field and 4-of-8 from deep, draining one tough shot after another. Dëmin followed with 17 points and three assists while shooting 5-of-12 from the field and 4-of-7 from deep. Randle tied Brown Jr. with 15 points, picking up five assists and five boards in the process. Traoré quietly enjoyed another solid evening with an 12/5/2 line, never relenting in his speed game.
The Nets fell 144-128, but that final score mattered less than everything that came before it. It was another night when the players Brooklyn needed to see thrive did, and that’s all you can ask for in an exhibition. Nobody got hurt, too.
So, while not a perfect preseason in one sense, it was as in another.
Final: Miami Heat 144, Brooklyn Nets 128
Next Up
We’re back (for real) one week from today, with Brooklyn beginning the regular season at home vs the Charlotte Hornets on October 21st. The Nets haven’t won a season opener since the 2020-21 campaign, when a starting lineup featuring Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, Joe Harris, Kevin Durant, and DeAndre Jordan smoked the Golden State Warriors by 26 points.
With Kon Knueppel likely out due to a hamstring injury, Brooklyn has a fair shot to break that streak on Wednesday. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. EST.
There’s some incredibly unfortunate news to report out of Oklahoma City. On Tuesday night, in a preseason overtime contest against the Indiana Pacers, former Kentucky Wildcats star and current OKC Thunder rookie Otega Oweh went down with an apparent right foot injury, which came on a non-contact play.
Oweh planted, and when he went to explode off his right foot, he collapsed to the floor. He could be seen grabbing at the back of his ankle, suggesting it could be an Achilles injury.
Sadly, the Thunder confirmed that Wednesday evening, announcing Oweh sustained a season-ending Achilles tear. He’s already had surgery to repair the injury.
Thunder PR:
Otega Oweh has sustained a torn Achilles tendon. He had surgery for it today. He will miss the 2026-27 season pic.twitter.com/LoaPufoZue
This setback is a major gut punch for Oweh, who turned 23 in June, just days before being selected 41st overall by Oklahoma City. The former Kentucky star already had a rough start to his pro career, leaving his first-ever summer league game with a left foot injury and not returning to action.
After Tuesday’s game, OKC head coach Mark Daigneault kept it short while acknowledging the seriousness of the situation.
Anyone who has followed Oweh’s career knows how crucial his speed, athleticism, and explosiveness are to his effectiveness on the court.
Fingers crossed that Oweh will be back out there chasing his NBA dreams next season. You don’t have to look very hard to realize how gritty of a competitor he is, so there’s no doubt that Oweh will put in the work to rehab this injury.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 14: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics goes to the basket against Royce O'Neale #00 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of the preseason game at the TD Garden on October 14, 2026 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. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Boston Celtics have now crossed the halfway point of the preseason, hosting the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night and moving to 3-0 in their warmup games, claiming the win 114-93.
The Celtics opted to go with the same starting five for a second straight game, opening with Derrick White, Jordan Walsh, Jayson Tatum, Paul George and Mitchell Robinson.
Tatum led the way in scoring for the starters with 19 points in 29 minutes, while Charlotte was paced by Brandon Miller and Tidjane Salaün with 16 points each. White also added 19 points for the Celtics, and Robinson had 12 on perfect 5-for-5 shooting. Payton Pritchard led the team in playmaking with 11 assists and zero turnovers.
The Celtics took a 28-20 lead out of the first quarter. Robinson scored Boston’s first 6 points, starting with a putback and a lob finish on a pick-and-roll with Tatum.
Tatum also got going early, scoring the first non-Robinson points with a mid-range bucket. He later capped off a 9-0 run with an open triple, and finished the quarter with 11 points and the half with 14. Pritchard also caught fire, checking in and scoring a quick 7 points.
Coming out in the second quarter with Robinson and Neemias Queta sharing the floor, the experimental double-big lineup had a 9-0 run to start, all coming from Derrick White, who went into the half with 13 points.
George, who missed his first six shots, got on the board with a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer set up by an offensive rebound from White.
At halftime, the Celtics led 54-44. Boston’s defense shined in the half, helping them win the turnover battle, 13-4. White helped in the matter with four steals.
Keeping the starters on the floor to start the second half, the Celtics opened on a 10-2 run, highlighted by a powerful alley-oop finish from Robinson that again came off a Tatum lob.
Brandon Miller responded with a big third quarter, scoring 12 points and helping get the Charlotte deficit down to as low as 6. Tatum continued to make an all-around impact, scoring 5 points with 3 assists and 4 rebounds in the quarter. Pritchard also found Queta for two late buckets, one of which was an impressive late shot-clock find on a pump-fake step-through move that helped the Celtics carry an 85-77 lead into the fourth.
Neemias Queta back to back buckets, the first is another dunk off a gorgeous dime from Payton Pritchard. He is up to 14 points. pic.twitter.com/QMyP4kasJc
In the fourth quarter, Queta continued a productive day by calling his own number, faking a handoff and taking a drive from the perimeter to throw down a one-handed dunk. Queta finished with 16 points in 24 minutes.
Luka Garza and Hugo Gonzalez checked in early in the quarter, quickly making an impact with a 3-pointer each and a transition play where Gonzalez fed Garza for an easy layup and a 16-point lead.
Garza kept it going after a Hornets timeout, scoring off a nice find from Walsh, and hitting another 3-pointer at the top of the arc.
Halfway through the quarter, the Celtics brought in Ron Harper Jr., Chris Cenac and Dillon Mitchell, who helped keep Boston in front by double figures. In the final minute, both Cenac and Mitchell scored off their own steals.
Boston will wrap up the preseason in Philadelphia on Friday, October 16, taking on the 76ers for a second time at 7 p.m.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 14: Luke Kennard #8 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on October 14, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns took on the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday evening in their fourth of five preseason games. After playing 14 minutes, shooting 2-of-8 from the field and 0-of-2 from beyond the arc, and recording four points and three assists, newly acquired sharpshooter Luke Kennard exited the game with what appeared to be a lower left knee injury.
Kennard grabbed at his left knee after he jumped to take a floater. No contact with a defender on the jump. https://t.co/KUR89zmFPb
The injury occurred as Kennard drove to his left. It was difficult to determine whether it happened on his way up or upon landing, but he immediately made his way to the locker room.
The injury didn’t appear particularly drastic, but the fact that it occurred without contact certainly raises some concern. For a Suns team that will be desperate for consistent three-point shooting this upcoming season, any extended absence from one of its perimeter shooters could prove costly, especially when that player is somebody who has previously led the NBA in three-point shooting percentage.
Stay tuned to Bright Side of the Sun as we continue monitoring Kennard’s status in preparation for next Wednesday’s regular season opener.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 13: Walker Kessler #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers high fives teammate during the game against the Golden State Warriors on October 13, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
We are officially a week away from the Los Angeles Lakers opening the season against the Golden State Warriors, and the final spot in the Lakers’ starting lineup still seems to be wide open.
Los Angeles hasn’t had the luxury of a fully healthy squad in its four preseason games, but the results have been impressive nonetheless. After the Lakers traded for Walker Kessler and, soon after, signed Quentin Grimes in free agency, it was clear they’d be starting alongside Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić. But the discussion surrounding who would slot into the fifth spot in the lineup has persisted ever since.
The debate has only picked up steam through the preseason. Players like Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jake LaRavia have each made a strong case to stake their claim.
For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we ask who you would name the Lakers’ fifth starter between that quartet.
Los Angeles entered the offseason with the intention of getting younger, more athletic players capable of defending and shooting around Luka, Austin and Kessler. Each of the four players vying for the fifth spot, interestingly enough, offers varying and unique skill sets to complement the team’s Big 3.
Based on the way head coach JJ Redick has managed the starters with players in and out of the lineup all preseason, Williams appears to be the favorite. His length, defensive acumen and shooting potential fill the prototypical starting power forward spot in L.A.’s lineup. In his only preseason game, Williams scored 13 points on 3-for-3 shooting from deep. His defensive activity jumped off the screen.
Thybulle has been a sobering presence in the Lakers’ defensive attack. The point-of-attack and off-ball defensive wizardry has been on full display. In the three games he’s played, the Lakers have posted a 97.0 defensive rating while he’s been on the floor.
LaRavia comes into the season with a brand new jump shot, and the results are looking great. He’s now shooting 53.8% from deep on 3.3 attempts per game. Couple that with his natural defensive instinct, and he makes a great case to start. LaRavia played all 82 games for Los Angeles last season; he started in 43 of them.
Lastly, Mamu is perhaps the biggest winner of the preseason. He’s been dubbed ‘The Connector” for his versatile playstyle and ability to share the court with seemingly everyone on the roster. However, with the Lakers’ lack of a serviceable backup center, it’s hard to see Redick doing anything other than a pseudo-stagger between Kessler and Mamu.
What are your thoughts? Who do you think is the best fit to slot into the fifth spot? Vote and share your opinion below!
But it’s one of his friendships off of the court that drew attention during Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors.
Lakers forward Sandro Mamukelashvili’s dunk against the Warriors was admired by a good friend. NBAE via Getty Images
As Mamukelashvili caught a pass from Quentin Grimes with just under two minutes left in the second quarter of the exhibition against the Warriors, the Georgian forward drove past Yaxel Lendeborg and flushed down a one-handed dunk over the rookie forward.
Not too far away from courtside at T-Mobile Arena was a man pumping his fast and cheering Mamukelashvili on after the highlight play: Flavor Flav.
Flav, whose real name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr., and the 6-foot-9 Lakers forward have a friendship that dates back to when Mamukelashvili was selected in the second round of the 2021 draft.
Mamukelashvili’s financial advisor is friends with the Public Enemy founding member, with Flav going to one of Mamukelashvili’s summer league games after he was selected with the No. 54 pick in the 2021 draft.
Flavor Flav of Public Enemy, center, was at the Lakers’ preseason game against the Warriors to watch his friend. Getty ImagesSandro Mamukelashvili has had impressive performances for the Lakers during preseason. NBAE via Getty Images
They hit it off.
From there, the New York natives went to a Yankees game together and then had dinner, starting the friendship that’s spanned nearly half a decade and led to Flav being in attendance for Tuesday’s game.
“It’s always cool to have him,” Mamukelashvili said. “He’s such a great energy giver. Such a great energy [guy]. He always has this positive impact and always, like [Monday], he was so hyped. We were talking for two hours and he was so hyped and he kind of pumped me up. And I knew he was coming to the game so I was really excited.”
Flav is equally as excited for Mamukelashvili.
“I’m so happy for him,” Flav said. “And I’m happy for the Lakers. I feel the Lakers are lucky to have him.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors poses with Yaxel Lendeborg #1 during media day at Chase Center on September 28, 2026 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When the Golden State Warriors converged in Hawaii to kick of training camp, coach Steve Kerr made three things clear: Steph Curry would be in the starting lineup; Draymond Green would be in the starting lineup; and the other three spots were up for grabs.
With an opening day showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers exactly one week away, Kerr still has not finalized a starting lineup, but things are coming into focus. Earlier this week, Kerr said that he was “leaning towards” a starting five of Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, and Yaxel Lendeborg alongside Curry and Green.
In past years, the team has tried to limit how often Green starts at center to help preserve him, as it’s a tougher physical ask. But the Dubs are limited in their options. Kristaps Porziņģis still has not made it onto the practice court, so he’s a long ways away from being a consideration. Al Horford doesn’t play back to backs, meaning that he can’t be a set starter. And Charles Bassey — who started in Green’s absence during Tuesday’s preseason win over the Lakers — is likely not viewed as deserving of a starting role at the moment.
That’s all three of the team’s centers, and leaves Green as the most sensible option. On the one hand, that makes for a small starting five; on the other hand, Lendeborg and Santos are both large enough to play power forward, so Golden State still has a chance to hold their own on the glass and defensively.
As for Podziemski, he always felt like a near-lock to start. The Dubs prefer to have De’Anthony Melton come off the bench, and Brandon Williams works best as a second-unit spark plug rather than a starter. Podziemski is by far the most well-rounded guard option that Golden State has, and his recently-signed five-year, $110 million extension suggests that the team is ready to start giving him a larger role. He’s also had an excellent training camp, and has more than earned his role in the starting five.
Lendeborg, the team’s first-round pick in June’s draft, is arguably the most exciting reveal. The rookie has been very impressive in his debut training camp, and looks like he could be a difference-maker from day one; clearly the Warriors agree.
Golden State has one more preseason game on Friday to finalize their starting five before kicking the season off on Wednesday, October 21.
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 5: Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns during a preseason game on October 5, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons have been a fun, if frustrating, watch through two preseason games. The Pistons have played a bit loose as they try to integrate new players and incorporate new offensive elements to their games. There have been highs and some lows. The real fun has been when the Pistons’ reserves come in and strangle the life out of their opponents. It is Detroit Pistons basketball, and players 6-15 know how to play it. It’s also been a bit hard to understand what is real and what simply must be taken with a grain of salt. Jalen Duren, the team’s starting center, has yet to suit up so far. Cade Cunningham sat out the last game. Still, it’d be nice if the two worst players on the floor for Detroit didn’t also happen to be their two newest big-ticket additions. John Collins and Isaiah Joe are still … figuring it out. Hopefully the light clicks on soon. Collins seems to be struggling to understand that whole Pistons basketball thing. I think he wants to, especially after spending some wayward years with the Jazz and a kinda blah year with the competent and boring Clippers. He’s got some Pistons DNA in him, and he’s playing a little too wild as a result. Joe, meanwhile, just isn’t hitting his open shots. He will, though.
Game Vitals
When: 8 p.m. ET Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota Watch: TV: My TV 20 | Streaming: DAZN Odds: Timberwolves -2.5
Projected Lineups
DetroitPistons(1-1)
Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, John Collins, Jalen Duren
Minnesota Timberwolves (3-1)
LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Jonathan Kuminga, Rudy Gobert
Mar 3, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors guard Scottie Barnes (4) during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Raptors will look to carry their preseason momentum into Madison Square Garden when they face the New York Knicks on Thursday, Oct. 15.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET as Toronto continues preparing for the 2026-27 NBA season. The matchup comes two days after the teams met at Scotiabank Arena on Oct. 13, with Toronto winning 148-98. Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors with 21 points and five rebounds in his preseason return to Toronto, while Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles added 19 points apiece. The Raptors dominated from the opening quarter, building an 85-47 halftime lead and showcasing their offensive firepower.
The Raptors were also very strong defensively, showcasing that they have one of the best defensive units in the league. Raptors fans would expect this to remain the same this season.
When asked about defensive expectations, Scottie Barnes said there would be “more danger and activity, along with physicality. And then we will see what happens when the regular season comes.”
In their last contest, New York rested several key starters, making the result less indicative of how the teams will match up at full strength. The rematch gives both sides a quick turnaround and another opportunity to evaluate their rotations before the games start counting.
What can we expect from both teams?
For the Raptors, the focus is on building consistency, finding the right combinations and getting their core players comfortable playing together. After an uneven start to the preseason, Toronto has already shown signs of improvement, but there is still work to do before the regular season begins. It is important that Toronto takes lessons from each preseason game they play.
“I think it’s going really good, we’re trending upwards and every game we’re taking those things and coming into practice finding something we can work on,” said Barnes.
For the Knicks, The question is how quickly they can get its main rotation working together. The Knicks have the talent to put pressure on opposing defences, but Toronto will look to disrupt their rhythm by contesting shots, limiting second chances and forcing difficult possessions.
New York’s preseason results also make Thursday’s game another opportunity to build confidence before the games begin to count. With the regular season approaching, the Knicks will want to see their offence become more consistent while ensuring their defensive intensity is where it needs to be.
What to watch for
For Toronto, the biggest storyline will be how its core players continue to develop chemistry ahead of the regular season. Scottie Barnes’ versatility, RJ Barrett’s scoring ability and Immanuel Quickley’s playmaking will be important as the Raptors look to establish a consistent offensive rhythm. Toronto will also need contributions from its supporting cast to remain competitive on both ends of the floor.
Kawhi Leonard will be another player to watch after making his preseason debut against New York. He recorded 21 points, five rebounds and two steals in 17 minutes. His performance was an early indication of how he fits alongside Toronto’s core and what he could bring to the lineup moving forward.
“I think he [Kawhi] just fits in easily, the physicality, the active hands, him being able to switch with certain guys out there on the floor, I think it helps us all,” said Barnes.
Sep 28, 2026; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) talks to the media during Toronto Raptors-Media Day at Hotel-X. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
New York will look to take advantage of its home-court setting at Madison Square Garden while continuing to refine its rotations. I don’t expect them to play another strong lineup with the regular season approaching, instead they will spread the minutes to players on the bench.
Prediction
Toronto will look to build momentum heading into Thursday’s matchup hoping to carry a same result from their performance on Tuesday into the rematch while continuing to build chemistry and establish a consistent offensive rhythm.
New York will have a similar opportunity to evaluate its progress after the first meeting, this time with home court advantage, but both teams will likely prioritize player development and lineup experimentation over the final result.
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during the game against the Phoenix Suns during a preseason game on October 10, 2026 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much. The rule against trolling also applies to members of this site that visit other fan sites.
Wait, didn’t we already do this? It seems like just a few days ago that the Spurs met the Suns in preseason. Well, guess what? They’re doing it again tonight, except this time it’s in San Antonio. You can hope for a better outcome than the 98-102 loss on Saturday. But it’s preseason, so I have a riddle for you: When is a loss not a loss? … When it happens in the preseason, where the games don’t count.
The Spurs have been piling up the non-losses this preseason, with an 0-3 record so far. They could make it 0-4 tonight, and 0-5 on Friday when they face the Kings. At least both games are in San Antonio, and the Spurs won’t have to travel before the season opener against the Thunder on October 20th in the Frost Bank Center. Coincidentally, the Thunder is also winless in the preseason, which goes to show that good teams are too smart to run players really hard in exhibition games that are glorified practices.
The last two preseason contests are on DAZN, with the season opener on NBC/Peacock. In a little bit of personal news, I will be marrying my long time partner this weekend, which means that I might be missing some Spurs games the first week of the season as we travel to a secret destination for a honeymoon. No worries, I will be all basketball all the time by Halloween. I’ll be pre-posting the game threads, so they might not be as detailed as usual for the first week of the season. GO SPURS GO!
Game Prediction:
Dillon Brooks will turn over a new leaf and show his nice side by giving all of the Spurs players teddy bears during shootaround. Later on, it will be discovered that the bears were stuffed with broken glass.
San Antonio Spurs vs Phoenix Suns (Preseason) October 14, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT Streaming: DAZN, League Pass TV: DAZN Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 03: Noah Clowney #21 of the Brooklyn Nets in action during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center on April 03, 2026 in New York City. 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 Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A couple of days ago, Hoopshype, perhaps tongue in cheek, perhaps not, posted a ranking of MVP candidates for the preseason…
Boston's Hugo Gonzalez is the preseason MVP so far, per HoopsHype's Global Rating. pic.twitter.com/VjFrT89ZNC
Hugo Gonzalez (the bete noir of those afflicted with Marks Derangement Syndrome) was listed at the top of the list despite only playing two games for the Celtics. But if scroll down a bit you’d find the names of three Nets, two of which were no surprise. After all, the Nets are 3-0. There was Julius Randle at No 7, Michael Porter Jr. at No. 14, and, ta-da, Noah Clowney at No. 15.
That’s got to be encouraging for the 22-year-old, 6’10” big. Full of potential, Clowney has yet to secure a long term commitment. Sean Marks & co. have until next Monday to decide on whether to offer him an extension or let him become a restricted free agent come July. In that case, the Nets would still hold his rights and be able to match any offer he gets elsewhere. Bottom line: it’s unlikely the Nets will make an offer.
And although preseason MVP rankings seem a fool’s errand, Clowney has played well, as Brian Lewis reports.
After an understated opener, Clowney has logged consecutive solid outings.
Starting in a victory over Jaylen Brown and the Sixers, Clowney had 11 points on 3-for-4 shooting and 2-for-3 from deep to finish plus-12. And in Monday’s win in Washington, he followed up with 15 points on 5-for-8 from the floor and 4-for-6 from behind the arc.
Clowney added four assists and a steal without a turnover.
Clowney who only turned 22 a few weeks back, has had his ups-and-downs with the Nets, once hitting seven 3-pointers in a game and once batting away seven shots in another (then following up with another 4 in the next game) over the course of his three years in Brooklyn. He has not been a bust. If fact, he wasn’t bad at all last season, averaging 12.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in 66 games, all but six starts. He also went to the line an average of 3.4 times a game. But fans and the front office wanted more.
Things changed dramatically for him the night before the Draft when the Nets traded his front court mate Nic Claxton and a second rounder to Chicago for Julius Randle and a first. Randle has assumed the 4 spot meaning it will take some doing to average 27 minutes a game.
Jordi Ferandez, asked for an assessment of his game, had this to say.
“Just steady,” coach Jordi Fernández said. “He’s been consistent so far. The whole training camp, the whole, all these preseason games. Very proud of him. You see him with 15 points.
“[We] challenge him. We’re challenging him to rebound. But yet four assists to zero turnovers, that’s pretty impressive. He’s just been very good — not too high, not too low. He’s always ready. And that’s the Noah Clowney that we need, because we know that he makes a lot of winning plays.”
That’s got to encouraging too. He also has some supporters outside the Nets, specifically Coach Thorpe of True Hoop. In fact, he put him in some rarefied company even more so than whoever put together the Hoopshype rankings.
Coach Thorpe of TrueHoop on Noah Clowney:
“Only three players 21 or younger averaged at least 12 points and took at least 3.4 or more free throws per game: Clowney, Cooper Flagg, and Stephon Castle And he did that in only 27 minutes per game.”https://t.co/siJiwqUT4r
Indeed, Thorpe included Clowney in a list of “Ten guys who might make a difference”, noting ”His defense will have to keep improving, but to me Clowney has the look of a starting level power forward who might even play some small ball five.“ Hmmm.
Wednesday night in Miami is going to be a big game for Nets fans. It’s Mikel Brown Jr.‘s preseason debut, the highest Nets pick in 16 years since they played in New Jersey. But it’s also going to the last preseason game Clowney will play for the deadline for the Nets to extend him. Should be enough motivation.
