PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 16: Hugo Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 16, 2026 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The past three months have been all about preparation for Hugo González.
In July, González joined the Spain national team for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers, logging appearances against Denmark, Georgia, and Greece. In Las Vegas, he joined the Boston Celtics and began to impress, leading the team in scoring (18.3 points) throughout Summer League — putting his offseason strides on full display.
Friday night was no different. The 20-year-old, poised to make a major leap this season, placed his cherry on top against the Philadelphia 76ers with another elite performance. This time, facing a star-studded Philadelphia squad that started LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, González stole the spotlight at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Fighting from behind a 14-point deficit in the second half, González was Boston’s difference-maker in their 125-120 overtime win over Philadelphia.
González scored a team-leading 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting with four rebounds, three assists, and a steal in 19 minutes off the bench. He went 3-of-7 from beyond the arc and didn’t commit a single turnover, unveiling his polished 3-point shot and improved ball-handling.
Philadelphia countered Boston’s starting lineup of Hayden Gray, Milos Uzan, Gabe McGlothan, Tucker DeVries and Chris Cenac Jr. with four of its top players. With Jayson Tatum, Paul George and Boston’s other regulars sidelined, the Celtics had every reason to struggle against a lineup riddled with future Hall of Famers in a game that counted towards absolutely nothing.
But González didn’t approach the team’s final competitive opportunity before Opening Night with that thought in mind.
Much like the Celtics saw during Summer League, González carries himself with greater confidence. You can see it in his catch-and-shoot 3-pointers and his drives to the basket. He has a different kind of swagger when he attacks the rim, which pairs well with the boldness he enforces defensively.
In the first quarter, González picked Brown’s pocket and flushed a wide-open two-handed dunk on the other end.
While the disengaged, such as James, cruised, González hustled and sparked the Celtics. For the second time this preseason, Boston didn’t need its regulars to take care of the best their opposition had for them. In the opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, as Boston sat its most-rotated veterans, González came through with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting, helping put away Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.
The same way González embraced the Celtics’ stay-ready culture as a rookie last season was the same way he approached Friday night’s finale.
Just because stakes are minimal for both teams involved doesn’t mean González needs to take his foot off the gas. That’s his approach. He’s constantly in attack mode, and it’s a part of him he can’t turn off when he’s suited up and on the floor.
After the final buzzer, Brown went straight to González to shake his former teammate’s hand.
“It was good to see some of the young guys,” Brown told reporters postgame. “I spent a lot of time with those guys. To see them develop and get better, it’s good to see.”
If the version of González we’ve seen in FIBA, the Summer League, and preseason shows up this season, the Celtics have a lot to be excited about. González earned president of basketball operations Brad Stevens plenty of brownie points last year for snipping him 28th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, but that was just the start.
Boston now has a better idea of González’s potential, along with a clear role for him to fill.
So far, all signs point toward González taking that next step. He’s returned an upgraded version of his rookie self with the same hard-nosed motor that earned him immediate respect and admiration from Celtics fans last season. Now, all that’s left is to put it all together.
SAN FRANCISCO – Stephen Curry dug up his typhoon energy. Draymond Green window-shopped a triple-double. Al Horford was raining 3-pointers as if he were alone on the court.
The uncles at the core of the Warriors were vibrant Friday night at Chase Center, and their work in the NBA preseason finale fed a 128-118 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers and in the process sprinkled some encouragement five days before the regular-season opener.
Playing in all four quarters, Curry exited with 8:29 remaining after tying his preseason high in assists with five and posting preseason highs in points (20), rebounds (four) and, perhaps most significantly, minutes (26).
“He’s on a different routine this camp,” coach Steve Kerr said. “And we’ve ramped him up more slowly, so he’s been kind of working his way to this point. He’s not yet where he wants to be, but he’s on track.”
After shaking off a substandard first half (seven points, 3-of-12 shooting), Curry in the third quarter looked a lot like the point guard who has dazzled the NBA for the better part of two decades. The 38-year-old scored 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field, including 2 of 3 from distance, and was plus-15 over seven minutes.
Green, who submitted a solid preseason despite still being in the conditioning phase, saved his best for last. Starting at power forward between center Charles Bassey and rookie small forward Yaxel Lendeborg, Green made the most of his 24 minutes: seven points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and three steals.
Green, 36, had three turnovers, but that’s generally acceptable when accompanied by 10 assists. He has been given an adjusted role and an edict to reduce turnovers, but in this game looked like the good Draymond of old. He posted a team-high plus-18.
“Draymond really lifted us; he was fantastic,” Kerr said.
“He’s going to orchestrate the offense, (and) tonight it was just a clear example of how he got it going,” Horford said of Green. “He was playing at his own pace and just kind of controlling the tempo out there. I think that it’s almost like he welcomes that position that he’s in right now. He knows he’s going to have to do it and there’s just no way around it.”
Horford, at 40 the eldest uncle, came off the bench to drench the Blazers in triples. He scored 15 points in 15 minutes, shooting 5 of 8 from beyond the arc.
The youngest Warrior and the newest member of the rotation, Lendeborg, played a terrific two-man game, with the rookie using his impressive processing of the offense to find the vet with timely passes. Of Horford’s five 3-pointers, three were assisted by Lendeborg.
“The pick-and-pop is a real threat, and it changes everything,” Kerr said. “It forces the defense to have to stretch out, so if we can get that from Al it’s a game changer. Even if he’s not making them, just the fact that he’s picking and popping and taking eight threes, the defense has to honor that.”
It’s Curry and Green, though, who must break some old habits for the revamped offense to succeed. They’ve been teammates for 14 NBA seasons, and their chemistry is in some ways unmatched within the league.
The goal, according to Kerr, is less improvisation and more structure.
“We’re trying to be way more organized than we have been in the past with our spacing and our cutting and the beginning of our formations,’’ Kerr said. “We’ve thrived in chaos over the years, generating chaos with speed with turnovers. I learned early on that whatever Steph wants to do is a good thing.
“But what’s happened the last couple of years, the league has changed so much. It’s faster. There’s way more 3-point shooting. Teams are more talented 1 through 5. Ten years ago, hardly anyone had 4s and 5s shooting 3s. Now everybody does it, so it’s become much more of a possession game. Based on where our roster is now compared to 10 years ago, we have to win more in the margins.”
Golden State won on the margins, with a 19-10 advantage in fast-break points, committing a preseason-low 14 turnovers and shooting 40.9 percent from deep to Portland’s 35 percent.
The Warriors hope to find symmetry between the uncles and the nephews on the roster; it’s their best path to prosperity. They took noticeable strides in that direction while closing out the preseason.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 08: Jayson Tatum #0 and Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics sit on the bench during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on October 08, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Celtics are deep. Really deep.
Heading into Opening Night, there’s a possibility that Mike Conley who started fifteen games last year in Minnesota may not even see the floor. Ron Harper Jr. signed a three-year contract over the summer and he might be the odd man out. Fifteen points and six rebounds a night over the preseason? That may not be enough for Luka Garza to get off the bench in Detroit next week.
As the poll results suggest, playing time and pecking order don’t really matter because “the vibes are good.” But we asked anyway, “who will be the Celtics’ second leading scorer” presumably behind Jayson Tatum?
Conventional wisdom suggests that veterans Derrick White and Paul George would pick up the mantle of being Robin to JT’s Batman. That might still happen, but our readers resoundingly voted for Payton Pritchard to be the #2.
I clicked on “Doesn’t matter, vibes are good” but I agree it’s likely PP, not only because he’s a talented scorer but also because I expect PG & DW will be more focused on being all-around “contributes to winning” players than on scoring.
So far in the preseason, the former Sixth Man of the Year has returned to the bench with head coach Joe Mazzulla opting to start the more complementary Jordan Walsh. There’s no guarantee that that’s what it will look like on October 21 against the Pistons, but for now, Pritchard becomes the designated scorer of the second unit.
After a 4-0 preseason and Pritchard falling into a familiar role, Our friends at FanDuel remain bullish on Boston and still have the Celtics (+1400) with the fifth highest odds to win a championship behind the Thunder (+240), Spurs (+270), Knicks (+1000), and Sixers (+1000).
LeBron James had completed two NBA seasons by the time VJ Edgecombe was born.
More than two decades later, the two are expected to start alongside each other when the Sixers open their season Tuesday night against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
James and Edgecombe bookend a projected starting five assembled from opposite ends of the NBA timeline. Its members were drafted across 22 years, from James at No. 1 in 2003 to Edgecombe at No. 3 in 2025.
All five were first-round picks. Four were selected within the first three picks of their respective drafts.
James went first overall in 2003. Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown were each selected third in 2014 and 2016, respectively. Tyrese Maxey went 21st in 2020. Edgecombe became the third overall pick in 2025.
That collection of draft pedigree is exceptionally rare.
An NBC Sports Philadelphia review of the starting lineup each NBA team used in its first regular-season game over the past 30 seasons found only three with at least four players selected within the first three picks of their drafts.
That is three of 892 team-season opening lineups from 1996-97 through 2025-26, or 0.34 percent.
The 2007-08 Denver Nuggets opened with No. 1 picks Allen Iverson and Kenyon Martin, No. 2 pick Marcus Camby and No. 3 pick Carmelo Anthony. Yakhouba Diawara completed the lineup.
A decade later, Boston opened consecutive seasons with the same four top-three picks. Kyrie Irving was selected first overall, while Al Horford, Brown and Jayson Tatum each went third. Gordon Hayward, the ninth pick in 2010, was the fifth starter in both 2017 and 2018.
If and when the Sixers use their projected five Tuesday, they will join those three modern-era examples. Their exact arrangement of one No. 1 pick and three No. 3 picks would match Boston’s.
Brown provides the link between the groups. He appeared in both Boston lineups and would become part of three of the four qualifying opening fives identified in the study.
His place within them has changed dramatically.
Brown was 20 years old and beginning his second season when Boston first opened with four top-three picks in 2017. Nine years later, Edgecombe is the 21-year-old entering Year 2, while Brown is the accomplished veteran expected to help him navigate that position.
The opponent for Brown’s 2017 opener was James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Brown scored a team-high 25 points. James finished with 29 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists in Cleveland’s 102-99 victory.
It was the last time James opened a season as a member of an Eastern Conference team. When he returns to the East for another opener Tuesday, Brown will no longer be the young opponent attempting to stop him. He will be the veteran starting beside him.
The Sixers’ group is decorated beyond its draft positions.
The five players have combined for 36 All-Star selections, five regular-season MVP awards, five NBA championships and five Finals MVP awards.
Edgecombe is the only member without an All-Star appearance. He earned All-Rookie First Team honors and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting last season.
Each player represents a different stage of an NBA career and a different chapter in the Sixers’ history.
James, 41, is preparing to become the first player in NBA history to appear in a 24th season. He made his NBA debut on Oct. 29, 2003, recording 25 points, nine assists, six rebounds and four steals for the Cavaliers.
Embiid was 9 years old at the time and had not started playing basketball. Brown was 7. Maxey was 2, six days shy of his third birthday.
Edgecombe would not be born for another 640 days.
By the time Edgecombe arrived on July 30, 2005, James had completed two NBA seasons and won Rookie of the Year. He was preparing to begin his third.
Edgecombe’s first NBA game would eventually create the most direct connection between them.
He scored 34 points in his debut last October, the third-highest total by a player in his first NBA game. His 14 first-quarter points surpassed James’ record for the most scored in the opening quarter of a debut.
Edgecombe’s career began by erasing a small part of James’ history. His second season will begin alongside him.
That debut also connected nearly the entire projected lineup before it had been assembled.
Oct 22, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe (77) celebrates with guard Tyrese Maxey (0) and forward Dominick Barlow (25) after they defeated the Boston Celtics 117-116 at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Maxey scored 40 points beside Edgecombe. Their 74 combined points tied the second-highest total by a duo in an NBA season opener, one shy of the record set by James Harden and Christian Wood in 2020.
Embiid started at center for the Sixers. Brown scored 25 points for the opposing Celtics.
James was the only member of the new five who was not in the building, though Edgecombe still managed to break one of his records.
Their careers intersected in other ways before converging in Philadelphia. The years in which the other four entered the league also measure the different stages of James’ career.
The Sixers selected Embiid third overall on June 26, 2014. Fifteen days later, James announced that he was leaving Miami and returning to Cleveland.
Brown was drafted third overall on June 23, 2016, four days after James led the Cavaliers past the Golden State Warriors to secure Cleveland’s first major professional sports championship in 52 years.
When the Sixers selected Maxey 21st in November 2020, James was 38 days removed from winning his fourth championship and first with the Los Angeles Lakers. James congratulated Maxey publicly on draft night and declared that Philadelphia had gotten a good player.
Six years later, James identified his relationship with Maxey as one of the central reasons he chose to join the Sixers.
Edgecombe was drafted after James had completed his 22nd NBA season. He then opened his career by breaking James’ first-quarter debut record.
The other relationships within the lineup carry their own history.
Brown and Embiid spent much of the previous decade on opposite sides of one of the NBA’s oldest rivalries. They faced each other in four postseason series.
Boston eliminated Philadelphia in 2018, 2020 and 2023. The Sixers finally broke through last spring, overcoming a 3-1 deficit and beating the Celtics in Game 7 in Boston.
Embiid recorded 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the deciding game. Brown led Boston with 33 points.
May 2, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) talks with Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) following game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
A little more than two months later, the longtime playoff opponents became teammates.
The projected Sixers lineup has an average age of approximately 30.3 years, calculated using each player’s exact age on opening night.
The range within it is more revealing.
James and Edgecombe will be separated by 20 years and 212 days on opening night. James is entering his 24th season. Edgecombe is entering his second. Embiid, Brown and Maxey fill nearly every stage in between.
It would not be the widest age difference within an NBA starting lineup. Vince Carter and Trae Young started together for Atlanta on Oct. 17, 2018, separated by 21 years and 236 days.
Should James start Tuesday, he would rank as the second-oldest player to start a season opener. At 41 years and 294 days, he would surpass Carter, who was 41 years and 264 days old when he started Atlanta’s 2018 opener. Only Robert Parish, who started an opener at 42 years and 65 days, was older.
The lineup contains three players selected No. 3 in drafts spanning 11 years, but their responsibilities could hardly be more different.
Embiid is the Sixers’ longest-tenured player and final direct connection to the Process. Brown is an established champion beginning a new chapter after 10 seasons in Boston. Edgecombe is a developing second-year guard whom the organization still considers an important part of its future.
Maxey connects Philadelphia’s previous era to its new one. He developed from the 21st pick into a franchise centerpiece, endured several major roster changes and ultimately helped attract James to Philadelphia.
James represents something the league has never seen before. He is not merely occupying a roster spot in his 24th season. The Sixers signed him to help a contender win immediately.
That makes the group difficult to describe with one label.
The Sixers are old enough to carry enormous urgency but young enough to care deeply about internal growth. They must maximize what remains of James’ career without interrupting Edgecombe’s development. They must integrate Brown while continuing to operate around Embiid and Maxey.
They are not choosing between the present and the future. They are attempting to play both at once.
The five arrived in Philadelphia through different drafts, different eras and, in several cases, opposite sides of the same court.
Tuesday night, their careers converge in the same starting lineup.
Bronny James is back with the Los Angeles Lakers for his third season in the NBA.
But it will be the first season James is not playing alongside his father, LeBron. That, though, allows him the opportunity to step out of his father’s shadow and continue to carve out a role in Los Angeles.
The Lakers, including coach JJ Redick, have thought highly of Bronny James and the progress he’s made since being drafted by the franchise in 2024 with the 55th overall pick.
James missed his only shot attempt of the game from the 3-point line in Friday's 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets in the teams' preseason finale. He collected one rebound and one assist in 12 minutes of action.
Redick did state earlier in the week that James had not looked particularly good during the first four preseason games.
“I thought he had a really nice September and a good summer with us,” Redick said. “I don't think he's played well in the four preseason games, but he's had good practices.
“Again, some of it's just rhythm and some of it's just who he's playing with, right? He's played a lot of minutes, especially in the second half of games with our two-way guys. ... Some of it is like the group he's with. I think it's not setting him up for success.”
As a rookie, James played just 6.7 minutes per game and averaged 2.3 points in 27 games played. Last season, he averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists in 42 games played.
He will likely still have an opportunity to build off his second season in the league. The former USC Trojan saw an increase in games played during both the regular season and postseason, indicating a stronger sense of belief from the coaching staff.
James had his contract fully guaranteed by the Lakers during the offseason. He will make $2.3 million this season, the third year of a four-year deal that he signed in 2024. The fourth year of James' deal is a team option.
How good can Bronny James be?
James has the potential to be a quality defensive player in the NBA. His defensive ability and decision-making could work in his favor as he continues to establish a role with Los Angeles.
Bronny James is back with the Los Angeles Lakers for his third season in the NBA.
But it will be the first season James is not playing alongside his father, LeBron. That, though, allows him the opportunity to step out of his father’s shadow and continue to carve out a role in Los Angeles.
The Lakers, including coach JJ Redick, have thought highly of Bronny James and the progress he’s made since being drafted by the franchise in 2024 with the 55th overall pick.
James missed his only shot attempt of the game from the 3-point line in Friday's 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets in the teams' preseason finale. He collected one rebound and one assist in 12 minutes of action.
Redick did state earlier in the week that James had not looked particularly good during the first four preseason games.
“I thought he had a really nice September and a good summer with us,” Redick said. “I don't think he's played well in the four preseason games, but he's had good practices.
“Again, some of it's just rhythm and some of it's just who he's playing with, right? He's played a lot of minutes, especially in the second half of games with our two-way guys. ... Some of it is like the group he's with. I think it's not setting him up for success.”
As a rookie, James played just 6.7 minutes per game and averaged 2.3 points in 27 games played. Last season, he averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists in 42 games played.
He will likely still have an opportunity to build off his second season in the league. The former USC Trojan saw an increase in games played during both the regular season and postseason, indicating a stronger sense of belief from the coaching staff.
James had his contract fully guaranteed by the Lakers during the offseason. He will make $2.3 million this season, the third year of a four-year deal that he signed in 2024. The fourth year of James' deal is a team option.
How good can Bronny James be?
James has the potential to be a quality defensive player in the NBA. His defensive ability and decision-making could work in his favor as he continues to establish a role with Los Angeles.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 10: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors high-fives Brandin Podziemski #2 during the first half of the preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center on October 10, 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 Godofredo A. Vásquez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors capped off a 4-2 preseason on Friday night at the Chase Center, breezing past the Portland Trail Blazers 128-118 in a game that got closer once the rotational players were out of it.
It was the dress rehearsal before the regular season begins on Wednesday, and as a result, the starters played their heaviest minutes of any game thus far, as they prepped for the first meaningful contest of the season. Since it was the final tune-up game, rotations were worth paying attention to, and right away we were offered an interesting nugget: the starting lineup.
Earlier in the week, head coach Steve Kerr had said that he was leaning towards a starting five of Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Yaxel Lendeborg, Gui Santos, and Draymond Green. It seemed likely, then, that Kerr would start those five in the finale, but he instead opted to give Charles Bassey the opening assignment instead of Santos.
It’s unclear if Kerr is leaning towards a new starting five, or simply wanted to see Bassey get some time alongside Green. Either way, both possible lineups got a chance to open a half, as Bassey got banged up in the first half, only played eight minutes as a result, and was replaced by Santos in the opening lineup when the third quarter kicked off.
That wasn’t the only notable thing in the starting lineup: for Warriors fans, it was their first glimpse at the new-look Blazers, who are starting All-Star point guards Damian Lillard and Ja Morant next to each other. It was certainly an interesting look, and one that had mixed results on this night.
Both teams came out of the gates slowly. There was good energy, but the shots weren’t falling. The Dubs were playing good defense, and they were getting solid looks on offense, but couldn’t make a bucket. They missed their first seven shots before Lendeborg dropped in a push shot nearly three minutes into the game for their first points.
Portland eventually overcame their slow start with back-to-back threes by Toumani Camara and Lillard, giving them a 10-2 advantage early and forcing Kerr into a timeout. It took a few minutes for the effects of the timeout to set in, as a burst by Morant pushed Portland’s lead to 15-4.
And then the Warriors took over. Just over five minutes in, Curry scored on a back door cut for his first points of the game, and it was the start of an absurd run by the Dubs. Green was the spark plug for the run, as he was making sensational passes and playing spirited defense, but the star came off the bench in the form of Georges Niang. The veteran, who could sneakily be one of the best offseason acquisitions in the league, scored three points on three consecutive possessions: first on an old-fashioned three-point play, and then on a pair of triples. That, combined with Curry’s shot, gave the Warriors an 11-0 run to tie the game.
Portland called timeout and scored after the break, at which point Niang scored once more, giving him 11 straight points for the Dubs. With the defense tightening up in a big way — Green fittingly being at the center of that — and with Lendeborg playing tremendous minutes on both ends of the court, the Warriors pushed the run to 23-4. When the quarter ended, they led 35-26, and Niang had scored 13 points.
It only took a few possessions of second-quarter action for the Warriors to push the lead to double digits. It was an odd second half, though, as the game devolved into chaos on more than one equation. Yet through it all, the Warriors seemed to hold onto that double-digit lead. It was a little reminiscent of some of their dynastic squads: even when the game got ugly, they were able to keep their opponent at bay.
Led by Lillard, the Blazers made things fairly close in the second half of the second quarter, but the Dubs were able to lock back in on defense, turn that defense to offense, and push the lead back to double digits. The offense did falter int he final minutes, but the defense held strong — Lendeborg was playing such incredible defense — and the led 67-58 at the half.
The vintage Third Quarter Warriors showed up when the halftime break concluded. With Mike Dunleavy Jr. in the broadcaster’s booth talking with Fitz and Buike (dressed in purple blazers to celebrate the Valkyries spot in the WNBA Finals). The Dubs simply dominated in every phase of the game. They put the clamps on Portland’s offense. The moved the ball fervently. They cut relentlessly. They attacked on offense, on defense, and on the glass. And after a mild-mannered first half, Curry started to catch fire. The Warriors quickly pushed the lead to 20 points, and it stayd there for most of the quarter. After Curry stole the show in the early going, Lendeborg started to take over halfway through the frame, as he further cemented his case to be one of the most prominently-featured players on the team. It sure feels like he’s not just going to start, but play heavy minutes and be one of the team’s top players.
Eventually things came back to earth, as the Blazers used a late-quarter surge to start to close the gap. Even so, the Warriors led 105-91 after three.
Curry and Green were still on the court when play resumed, as they got their first taste of fourth-quarter minutes this preseason. Unfortunately, the team had started to slow down, as the offense simply wasn’t able to find much of anything anymore. Two minutes into the fourth, Portland had made it a single-digit game.
And then the Warriors decided it was time to stop fooling around. They ran off quite a run, which was fueled by Green’s defense and passing — in the final tune up, Dray played by far his best game of the preseason. He and Curry wasted no time pushing the lead back to 16 points, and then taking their spot on the bench to watch the game ride out. With the back-of-the-bench and two-way contracts in for both teams, Golden State’s offense was officially placed on life support, as they couldn’t find a way to score. Thankfully the lead was well secured, and they still cruised to a 128-118 win.
Curry led the Dubs with 20 points, though it wasn’t his most efficient night, as he needed 19 shots and three free throws to get there. Lendeborg and Podziemski were right behind with 17 points apiece; Yaxel was particularly efficient, as he shot 6-for-9 from the field, and added four rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block. But the star was Green, who looked incredibly inspired and in control, and also in phenomenal shape. His defense was truly game-changing, and he finished the game with seven points (on just three shots), eight rebounds, 10 assists, and three steals, while having a game-high plus/minus of +18.
A few other notes from the finale:
Brandon Williams was the only rotation player who did not play, as he was a late scratch due to back soreness. Kerr said he expects Williams to be ready for the season opener.
Lendeborg and Al Horford shared the court for plenty of minutes and showed off some tremendous rapport. They worked seamlessly together, and that’s surely a pairing that Kerr will rely on. Horford ended the game with 15 points, all on threes, many assisted by Lendeborg.
Bassey was limited to eight minutes, but played exceptionally well in those minutes. He was a force on the glass.
Santos left the game after hurting his knee in the first quarter, but thankfully returned in the second.
The Warriors did a great job taking care of the ball. They only had 13 turnovers, and a good number of those were on excusable offensive fouls. There were very few careless or sloppy plays with the ball.
Most importantly: opening day is Wednesday. Bring it on, Dub Nation!
A roster overhaul in the aftermath of LeBron James' departure this summer left the Lakers with an almost completely new look − and an extra body. They carried 16 full-time players on their roster into training camp, one above the 15-player maximum allowed by the NBA. Both general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick said they'd evaluate at the end of training camp and, with the preseason now wrapped up with their 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, it's painfully clear who the odd man out is.
It's Dalton Knecht.
Bronny James has had his share of struggles, too. Redick admitted James didn't play well in his first four preseason games, averaging just 2.8 points per game on 26.7% shooting with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.08 entering Friday, but the Lakers' third-year coach added that James has performed better in practices. He didn't mince words, however, when it came to Knecht.
"I think the biggest thing is the team changed. The team changed. Needs changed, the fit changed. I think he’s gotten better as a player the last two years. I think, particularly last year, each guy got plenty of opportunities with the injuries we had. I just think coming into this year, we added a lot of wings," Redick told reporters. "And he’s in a tough spot right now."
He's not wrong.
When the Lakers drafted Knecht 17th overall in the 2024 draft, it looked like they had gotten a steal. They needed a spot-up shooter to help space the floor and complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis; Knecht checked that box. They needed size; the 6-foot-5, 215-pound wing out of Tennessee checked that box, too. His jump shot, while streaky, was seemingly worth more than the questions about his defense and athleticism at the time.
And for the first half season of his career, that all looked to be true. Who could forget his career-high 37-point game against the Utah Jazz in 2024, where his nine made 3s (shooting 75%!) tied the NBA rookie record? That wasn't an isolated instance, either; Knecht put up 27 the night before and 17 the night after.
DALTON KNECHT HAD HIMSELF A NIGHT:
🔥 37 PTS (career high) 🔥 9 3PM (ties rookie record) 🔥 Scored 22 straight for LA@Lakers move 2-0 in #EmiratesNBACup play and are undefeated going back to last season 💯 pic.twitter.com/OjMOeKxY4p
Two years in, those original questions have only gotten louder. Knecht's shooting is still streaky and has even devolved to the point where he could be considered unreliable on offense. On the defensive end of the floor, he's looked lost at times, often finding himself out of position and unable to stay in front of his man. That was a major factor in his minutes being cut almost in half − from 19.2 to 10.2 per night − between his first and second seasons.
The Lakers no longer have a need for shooting with the arrivals of Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Ziaire Williams along the wings. There's simply no room for Knecht. The most telling sign his days in LA are probably numbered? He didn't check into Friday's game until midway through the fourth quarter − the 12th man off the bench − and finished scoreless for the second game in a row. The only other stats he registered in his 7 minutes and 30 seconds were a rebound and assist.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported on Friday morning that the Lakers have had trade discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks centered around Knecht and Jericho Sims, but there was reportedly "some pessimism" that a deal would actually be reached. While getting any value back for Knecht would be a plus for the Lakers at this point, any trade in which they get a player back would need LA to include a second outgoing player in order to meet the league roster limit.
It could also be a plus for Knecht, who would probably benefit from a fresh start elsewhere.
A roster overhaul in the aftermath of LeBron James' departure this summer left the Lakers with an almost completely new look − and an extra body. They carried 16 full-time players on their roster into training camp, one above the 15-player maximum allowed by the NBA. Both general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick said they'd evaluate at the end of training camp and, with the preseason now wrapped up with their 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, it's painfully clear who the odd man out is.
It's Dalton Knecht.
Bronny James has had his share of struggles, too. Redick admitted James didn't play well in his first four preseason games, averaging just 2.8 points per game on 26.7% shooting with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.08 entering Friday, but the Lakers' third-year coach added that James has performed better in practices. He didn't mince words, however, when it came to Knecht.
"I think the biggest thing is the team changed. The team changed. Needs changed, the fit changed. I think he’s gotten better as a player the last two years. I think, particularly last year, each guy got plenty of opportunities with the injuries we had. I just think coming into this year, we added a lot of wings," Redick told reporters. "And he’s in a tough spot right now."
He's not wrong.
When the Lakers drafted Knecht 17th overall in the 2024 draft, it looked like they had gotten a steal. They needed a spot-up shooter to help space the floor and complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis; Knecht checked that box. They needed size; the 6-foot-5, 215-pound wing out of Tennessee checked that box, too. His jump shot, while streaky, was seemingly worth more than the questions about his defense and athleticism at the time.
And for the first half season of his career, that all looked to be true. Who could forget his career-high 37-point game against the Utah Jazz in 2024, where his nine made 3s (shooting 75%!) tied the NBA rookie record? That wasn't an isolated instance, either; Knecht put up 27 the night before and 17 the night after.
DALTON KNECHT HAD HIMSELF A NIGHT:
🔥 37 PTS (career high) 🔥 9 3PM (ties rookie record) 🔥 Scored 22 straight for LA@Lakers move 2-0 in #EmiratesNBACup play and are undefeated going back to last season 💯 pic.twitter.com/OjMOeKxY4p
Two years in, those original questions have only gotten louder. Knecht's shooting is still streaky and has even devolved to the point where he could be considered unreliable on offense. On the defensive end of the floor, he's looked lost at times, often finding himself out of position and unable to stay in front of his man. That was a major factor in his minutes being cut almost in half − from 19.2 to 10.2 per night − between his first and second seasons.
The Lakers no longer have a need for shooting with the arrivals of Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Ziaire Williams along the wings. There's simply no room for Knecht. The most telling sign his days in LA are probably numbered? He didn't check into Friday's game until midway through the fourth quarter − the 12th man off the bench − and finished scoreless for the second game in a row. The only other stats he registered in his 7 minutes and 30 seconds were a rebound and assist.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported on Friday morning that the Lakers have had trade discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks centered around Knecht and Jericho Sims, but there was reportedly "some pessimism" that a deal would actually be reached. While getting any value back for Knecht would be a plus for the Lakers at this point, any trade in which they get a player back would need LA to include a second outgoing player in order to meet the league roster limit.
It could also be a plus for Knecht, who would probably benefit from a fresh start elsewhere.
Lakers guard Quentin Grimes, shown here driving on Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski on Oct. 13, finished with 11 points in a 121-106 preseason loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (David Becker / Associated Press)
When coach JJ Redick announced his starters for the Lakers’ final preseason game Friday night, he was asked if those same players would start opening night Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors.
“I know that there’s a chance Quentin is gonna have an opportunity to start,” Redick said. “This was the original plan we were gonna have for the Sacramento game with Collin [Sexton] out. ... We just wanna get a look on that tonight, and we’ll see. But nothing definitive for next week.”
Grimes averaged 12.3 points, 2.5 assists and shot 53.3%, including 41.2% from three-point range, in 24.3 minutes per game in the preseason.
Redick said he was “still open to both” when asked if he could start Grimes and stagger his time with the starters on the bench.
In his first five NBA seasons, Grimes has mostly been a reserve, starting 146 of 318 games.
Grimes started the second half for the Lakers and scored 11 points in a 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.
“I think you’re looking for balance in lineups and you’re looking for players that complement and fit each other,” Redick said. “He’s going to start a lot of games for us. That’s just the reality of it. I don’t know who our base starting group is yet, but we’re going to look at this tonight.
“We wanted to get a look on this first game because Collin was out. That fourth ballhandler for us hasn’t been great. I said that the other night and talked to those guys ... I don’t say anything out here that I don’t tell my players. So Quentin is also going to maybe have some looks as a ballhandler.”
Doncic, who didn’t play in the second half, finished with 15 points.
Reaves scored 19 points, Williams had 14, Kessler had six and Thybulle had seven.
Lakers guard Quentin Grimes, shown here driving on Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski on Oct. 13, finished with 11 points in a 121-106 preseason loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (David Becker / Associated Press)
When coach JJ Redick announced his starters for the Lakers’ final preseason game Friday night, he was asked if those same players would start opening night Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors.
“I know that there’s a chance Quentin is gonna have an opportunity to start,” Redick said. “This was the original plan we were gonna have for the Sacramento game with Collin [Sexton] out. ... We just wanna get a look on that tonight, and we’ll see. But nothing definitive for next week.”
Grimes averaged 12.3 points, 2.5 assists and shot 53.3%, including 41.2% from three-point range, in 24.3 minutes per game in the preseason.
Redick said he was “still open to both” when asked if he could start Grimes and stagger his time with the starters on the bench.
In his first five NBA seasons, Grimes has mostly been a reserve, starting 146 of 318 games.
Grimes started the second half for the Lakers and scored 11 points in a 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.
“I think you’re looking for balance in lineups and you’re looking for players that complement and fit each other,” Redick said. “He’s going to start a lot of games for us. That’s just the reality of it. I don’t know who our base starting group is yet, but we’re going to look at this tonight.
“We wanted to get a look on this first game because Collin was out. That fourth ballhandler for us hasn’t been great. I said that the other night and talked to those guys ... I don’t say anything out here that I don’t tell my players. So Quentin is also going to maybe have some looks as a ballhandler.”
Doncic, who didn’t play in the second half, finished with 15 points.
Reaves scored 19 points, Williams had 14, Kessler had six and Thybulle had seven.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 16: Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Isaiah Collier #8 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of the preseason NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 16, 2026 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. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In a final tune-up before it counts, the Jazz traveled down to Phoenix to take on Devin Booker and the Suns. Both teams trotted out their probable starting lineups for the regular season and played them for about half the game.
First Quarter
Darryn Petersen and Jaylen Green opened the scoring with a pair of buckets. Lauri Markkanen and Green traded threes, followed by an Al Jefferson-esque back-to-the-basket turnaround shot, and the Jazz held a 9-7 lead at the 8:45 mark. The teams continued to go back and forth, and Phoenix knotted the score at 11. Ace Bailey checked in at the 8-minute mark. Keyonte tried to feed him inside but traveled during the effort, giving the ball back to the Suns. A brick on their end led to a foul and free throws for Lauri Markkanen, and then an errant behind-the-back pass by Jaylen Green led to a DP-Ace alley-oop, giving the Jazz a 4-point lead at the first timeout.
Collin Gillespie fouled Keyonte out of the timeout, but Key missed both free throws. Devin Booker hit two on the other end to cut the Jazz lead in half, answered by a nice floater by Jaxon Hayes. As the score see-sawed, DP checked out with 4:52 left, posting a line of 4/2/2. Devin Booker hit a deep three, bringing the Suns within one and prompting a timeout from Will Hardy. Out of the timeout, Svi Mykhailiuk missed a three, which was put back by Ace Bailey. A Suns turnover led to a Jazz bucket on the other end, stretching the lead to 5. Duop Reath hit a three, Ace hit two free throws, and a scuffling Keyonte George checked out. He had 0/0/2, plus a steal and a turnover.
The Jazz went ice-cold from beyond the arc, leading to three straight empty trips, answered by the Suns laying bricks too. JJJ finally hit a triple at the 1:20 mark, stretching the lead back to 5. Ace Bailey split a pair of free throws, which he earned from a nifty outlet pass by Isaiah Collier. Svi fouled Jordan Goodwin, Ace fouled Collin Gillespie, and their free throws cut the lead to one. Miles Bridges thought he’d given the Suns the lead with 11 seconds left, but his putback was waved off with 11 seconds left due to basket interference. The Jazz failed to convert on offense, and they exited the 1st quarter clinging to a 1-point advantage.
2nd Quarter
JJJ continued the Jazz drought by missing a contested shot at the rim out of the break. Phoenix responded with a three by Goodwin, giving them their first lead of the game. After trading bricks, Brice Sensabaugh regained it for the Jazz, hitting a silky deep ball from the left corner. A Reath miss led to a Collier drive to the rim, on which he was fouled. He hit both free throws. Miles Bridges continued to keep the Suns close, getting into his bag and hitting a tough hook shot inside. After trading a JJJ alley-oop for another Reath three-pointer, Will Hardy took the first timeout of the quarter with the teams tied at 38.
Isaiah Collier quarterbacked the offense out of the timeout, but it was Brice who found Svi for a 3-pointer out of the timeout, which was quickly answered by Bridges. Brice tried a three of his own at the other end, and despite some hard hustle by Svi to grab the rebound, he was tagged with a loose ball foul. Each team posted an empty trip, And JJJ officially got himself into foul trouble, using his third foul on Khaman Maluach. After yet another turnover by the Jazz, Miles Bridges nailed a 3-pointer, giving the Suns a 5-point lead. Josh Okogie hit a vicious dunk, but Jordan Goodwin continued the Phoenix rain of threes. Utah’s shooting woes did not let up, and by the 3:53 Mark the Suns took a 58-49 lead, the largest of the night to that point by either team. But the Jazz kept scrapping, led by a pair of threes by Lauri Markkanen, and found themselves down 7 at the half, 59-65.
Darren Petersen found Keyonte George for three on the first possession of the 3rd, cutting the Suns’ lead in half—briefly. Khaman Maluach threw down a strong dunk to answer. A pair of turnovers by the Jazz and a three by Dillon Brooks stretched the lead to 8, and a bucket by Booker off a deflection put them up 10. The Suns continued to get favorable bounces, the Jazz continued to scuffle, and by the 8:27 mark the Suns increased their lead to 13. Utah bounced back quickly, with JJJ and Ace going on a mini 5-0 run. JJJ committed a reach-in foul with 8:02 remaining, giving him four, and another with 7:50 left. Both were relatively soft, but with 5 fouls he had to exit the game. He was replaced by a tired, discombobulated Jaxon Hayes, who promptly passed the ball out of bounds.
Utah continued to fail to convert after a pair of empty Phoenix trips and found themselves down by double digits yet again after a Jaylen Green jumper. Keyonte drew a foul at the other end, Phoenix called timeout, and Key hit them both. DP and Dillon Brooks exchanged threes, Utah and Phoenix exchanged frenetic turnovers, and DP hit Lauri for a nasty throwdown.
Nice sequence from Darryn Peterson, hitting the off-ball three before finding Markkanen for his 5th assist of the night pic.twitter.com/Aeav90zdDo
Brooks answered by razzle dazzling Lauri on the other end, hitting a contested jumper, Keyonte turned the ball over, and Jaylen Green was fouled by Peterson. He split his free throws, putting Phoenix up 11 at the 4:55 mark. At the 4:02 mark, Isaiah Collier checked in for Keyonte. Dillon Brooks hit yet another tough jumper off an offensive rebound, extending the Suns lead to 13. Lauri responded with two free throws for his 18th and 19th points.
A pair of Jaxon Hayes free throws cut the lead to single digits. Despite another offensive rebound, the Suns failed to answer. A Brice Sensabaugh shot from downtown prompted a Phoenix timeout, and the score stood at 83-89 with 1:58 left in the quarter. Out of the timeout, Ryan Dunn found Miles Bridges for what looked like an easy layup, but Brice blocked it and nailed a triple on the other end. Just like that, the Jazz found themselves on the positive end of a 10-0 run. Jaxon Hayes, fouled on the rebound, extended that to 12-0. Duop Reath, the beneficiary of a soft call underneath the basket, missed two free throws. But the Jazz forgot that you have to box out, so it was Jordan Goodwin who stopped the bleeding with an offensive rebound and layup. Jamaree Bouyea went on a mini 4-0 run by himself to end the quarter, leaving the Jazz down by 5 heading into the 4th.
4th Quarter
The Jazz held the Suns to a long, desperate three out of the break, but they also yielded an offensive rebound. This time, Koby Brea made them pay from deep. Brice Sensabaugh answered with a smooth baseline fadeaway and a tough 3-pointer, bringing the Jazz within 3. By this time, it was bench against bench, and it showed. The Jazz gave up three straight offensive rebounds and the Suns couldn’t capitalize. Ace Bailey drew a foul on a Eurostep, baiting Koby Brea into a foul. He hit both shots from the charity stripe, pulling Utah within one. At the 8:28 mark we got our first Kyle Filipowski sighting of the season, new number (2) and all. He promptly forced a turnover and took it to the other end for two, giving the Jazz their first lead since the 2nd quarter, and Phoenix called timeout.
Koby Brea committed an offensive foul out of the break, and the Jazz took over. Josh Okogie got stuffed on a drive, but the Jazz retained possession and Flip converted again. The Suns, ice-cold, missed on the other end, Koa Peat picked up a foul, but the Jazz turned it over on the other end. After an empty Suns trip, Josh Green made them pay on the other end, extending the Jazz lead to 104-98. The teams traded awkward sequences, but Jamaree Bouyea took it to the Jazz, scoring and assisting his way to a 105-104 Suns lead with around 4 minutes left. DP responded on the other end, the Suns failed to answer, and DP got blocked. Bouyea continued to give the Jazz fits, drawing a foul on Brice Sensabaugh as he scored. He missed the subsequent free throw. Josh Green made Koa Peat look silly on the other end, drawing an and-1 of his own. He hit his free throw and Phoenix called timeout.
Koa Peat scored out of the timeout, and both teams emptied their bench. Harrison Ingram checked in for Brice, and DP was the only starter for either team on the floor. He put the Jazz back up 2 with 2:07 left, and they would not trail the rest of the way.
Josh Green put them up 4 at the 1:38 mark with a free throw line jumper. The teams continued to trade blows, and with under a minute remaining the Jazz clung to a 115-113 lead. Flip caught a mismatch in the paint and bullied Bouyea for a relatively easy bucket. Koby Brea missed his shot, DP lost the ball out of bounds, and the refs ruled it Jazz ball. The Suns challenged, and it turned out that he lost it because Pat Spencer fouled him. He hit both free throws and the Jazz went up 6. Pat Spencer hit a three on the other end, the Jazz turned it over on the inbound, but the Suns couldn’t get another shot off and the Jazz held on, 119-116
Notes:
Darren Peterson continued to impress with 13/6/6 (on 12 shots, but still). We are so used to hearing “He’s pretty raw but the tools are there” or “Watch out for this guy in two years.” He looks like he belongs because he does belong. When everyone else was a bench player he clearly outclassed them.
Brice Sensabaugh scorched the Suns. He put up 16 points on 9 shots in just 17 minutes. He he will be a force off the bench this year.
Josh Green looks like an NBA player. Is he a starter? Not unless things go very, very sideways. But can he give the team 10 decent minutes off the bench? Yes. He finished with 8 points on 3-4 shooting in 8 minutes.
The Jazz gave up 20 offensive rebounds and only grabbed 9 themselves. That probably led to their defeat had the Suns played their starters more.
Keyonte started slow, but he finished with a respectable 13 points on 7 shots.
JJJ and Jaxon Hayes combined for 9 fouls, which also would have proved difficult to overcome in a real game.
The preseason is over. From here on out, the games count. Next up is a tilt with the Grizzlies in Memphis on Wednesday, October 21st!
Oct 16, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) dunks in the first quarter during a game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jon Endow-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
In their final preseason tune-up, the Lakers played from behind for much of the night before falling to the Nuggets, 121-106.
Offensive shortcomings to open the game put LA behind the eight ball and forced them to dig out of a hole they never could get out of. They finished the night shooting 42.7% from the field with 14 turnovers, six of those coming in the first period.
LA did turn 14 Denver turnovers into 27 points and got 45 points of the bench, many of those coming from projected rotation players.
Ziaire Williams got off to an early strong start for LA with a layup and a team-leading four points. Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler combined for four points themselves. Denver hounded Luka Dončić, making him miss his first two shots.
At the 6:54 mark, the Lakers were down by nine.
Trevon Brazile and Jamal Murray both had six points for the Nuggets. Denver’s offense overwhelmed LA as they were on a 13-2 scoring run. Reaves and Luka answered the call, scoring seven points combined. Nikola Jokić took over, ending the half with 10 points.
At the end of the first, the purple and gold trailed by 14.
The offensive struggles is one of the many reasons it's less than ideal to have one game with the main rotation to work things out before the regular season.
Matisse Thybulle drained a triple to start the second period. Denver answered with four straight. The Lakers had eight turnovers in this half as they couldn’t find their offensive footing while also struggling defensively.
Kessler converted on two free throws for the team.
Jake LaRavia and Williams both knocked down triples, helping shave points off Denver’s lead. Los Angeles was down by single digits. Williams continued to have a stellar showing for the Lakers with 12 points. LA was on an 8-0 scoring run to make it a four-point game.
The purple and gold did a good job making it a game again, but their defense continued to be an issue. As a result, they were down by seven at halftime.
Luka did not play in the second half, though not due to injury. Cam Johnson drained a 3-pointer to start the third period for Denver. Quentin Grimes answered with a triple of his own. Murray added four points, helping keep momentum on Denver’s side.
The Lakers called a timeout, and out of the break, Thybulle converted on a floater down the lane.
Johnson committed a Flagrant 2 foul on Reaves and was ejected. Reaves converted both free throws, then drained a three to make it a five-point deficit.
The Nuggets responded by scoring five straight. Sandro Mamukelashvili started to heat up for Los Angeles, scoring eight points, including back-to-back triples.
Quentin Grimes drained a three as the quarter wound down. At the end of the third, it was a five-point game.
Lot of versatile skillsets with Mamu. Very impressive preseason for him.
Mamu connected on a 3-pointer to start the final frame for LA. Denver responded with four points. Los Angeles cut the deficit to three, but the Nuggets made it a nine-point affair. Marvin Bagley III was now up to nine points, putting in productive minutes for Denver.
At the 6:07 mark, the Lakers were down by 11.
Jaden Hardy gave himself a huge green light, draining two triples as he tried to help the team inch closer. Denver still had all the answers each time Los Angeles tried to mount a comeback.
Key Player Stats
Luka only played in the first half and finished with 15 points, four rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes. Reaves ended with 19 points, five rebounds and three assists. Kessler notched six points with six rebounds and four assists.
Williams had an impressive game with 14 points in 10 minutes after also not playing in the second half. Grimes scored 11 points. Mamu logged 15 points with eight rebounds and four assists.
Thybulle pitched in with seven points, five rebounds and two assists. Hardy had 13 points, mostly in garbage time.
The Lakers’ first game of the NBA season will be against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday at 7:00 PM PT.
The Golden State Warriors recently secured a foundational piece of their backcourt, signing third-year guard Brandin Podziemski to a fully guaranteed five-year, $110 million rookie-scale contract extension. The deal, which includes a mutual option for the final season, keeps the 23-year-old guard in the Bay Area through 2032.
Since being selected 19th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, Podziemski has quickly established himself as an essential hybrid guard for head coach Steve Kerr. Averaging 11.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists across his first 220 career games, his versatile playmaking, fierce rebounding, and defensive grit made him an indispensable rotational anchor.
By locking down Podziemski before he could hit restricted free agency, the Warriors demonstrate clear trust in his development as a long-term core piece alongside the team’s veteran core.
SB Nation recently conducted a survey of Warriors fans and their opinion of the Podziemski extension. Here’s what they had to say:
What do you think of the Podziemski’s extension? Will it help the Warriors and their quest to obtain a playoff spot in the West? Head on over to https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba to test your luck.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 16: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of the preseason NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 16, 2026 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. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Suns closed out their preseason with a 119–116 loss to the Utah Jazz on Friday night. It was essentially a dress rehearsal, with the starters playing the first three quarters before the third unit took over in the fourth. Phoenix held a 95–90 lead heading into the final period.
Kudos to Jordan Ott, as he’s truly giving both Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro an opportunity to compete for the starting center position. While we’ve seen Ighodaro get the nod alongside the other four projected starters thus far this preseason, Friday night provided an opportunity for the second-year big man out of Duke to get his chance as Ighodaro was inactive.
Devin Booker finished with 16 points and six assists, while Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green added 18 points apiece. Khaman Maluach contributed seven points and 12 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass.
And for those following along with Malu-Watch, where we’re tracking his “restocks per 36” (rebounds + steals + blocks), Maluach posted an impressive 21.5 tonight. For perspective, his average last season was 15.0, while Victor Wembanyama averaged 19.2 in the same category.
It was our first look at the second overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Darryn Peterson out of Kansas, a player expected to develop into a promising shooting guard in the NBA. He played the entire game, finishing with 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting while adding six assists and six rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. struggled to stay on the floor due to foul trouble. Khaman Maluach was active on the interior and helped get Jackson into foul trouble early in the second half. Jackson ultimately finished with 17 points but managed only three rebounds.
The preseason is now complete.
Game Flow
First Half
Devin Booker started the night locked in, scoring six of the Suns’ first 11 points as he found his rhythm in the midrange, regardless of whether it was Darryn Peterson or Keyonte George guarding him. As for the three-ball that he’s been having a hard time finding? He’d go 1-of-4 in the first half.
The Suns came out playing aggressively, as we’ve come to expect. Playing against the Jazz, who certainly had a size advantage despite the Suns having Maluach on the floor, you knew they’d have to try to find a way to disrupt. And it took only 4:34 for Dillon Brooks to pick up three fouls.
With 6:59 left in the first quarter, the Jazz were in the bonus. As a result, they would take a total of 15 free-throw attempts in the first quarter, hitting 11 of them. Phoenix would go 6-of-8 from the line. So +5 for the Jazz in Q1 at the line.
Both Devin Booker and Jalen Green scored 10 points in the opening quarter, with Booker adding three assists while Green committed three turnovers. The Suns finished the period with seven turnovers as a team, but in typical Phoenix fashion, they generated additional possessions, attempting 24 field goals compared to Utah’s 18.
After shooting 4-of-12 from beyond the arc, the Suns trailed the Jazz 31–30 after one quarter.
With Oso Ighodaro out, Duop Reath received plenty of playing time, and one thing became abundantly clear. He’s not shy about shooting the three-ball. In nine first-half minutes, Reath went 3-of-7 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, providing eight points off the bench.
The Suns looked sharp to open the second quarter, with Jalen Green penetrating, Miles Bridges knocking down threes, Jordan Goodwin doing what he does on both ends of the floor, and Khaman Maluach providing quality screens and rim protection. Collectively, that’s what this team should look like when you have a combination of starters and bench players operating together.
During a stretch featuring Bridges, Dillon Brooks, Green, Goodwin, and Maluach, Phoenix was +8, extending its lead to eight points while putting together a 15–2 run. It was an encouraging display of how the different pieces of this roster can complement one another when they’re playing with connectivity and purpose.
Phoenix shot 6-of-9 from beyond the arc in the second quarter and, despite being the smaller team against Utah, did an impressive job on the glass, outrebounding the Jazz 24–19 in the first half. The Suns outscored Utah 35–28 in the second quarter, led by eight points from Bridges, who was a perfect 3-of-3 from the field and 2-of-2 from beyond the arc. Collin Gillespie added three assists, while Maluach contributed five points and five rebounds in the period alone, giving him five points and seven rebounds heading into halftime.
Phoenix 65, Utah 59.
Second Half
The Suns rolled out their starting five to open the third quarter, confirming that a true dress rehearsal was underway as the team prepares for the regular season. Phoenix wasted little time establishing itself, opening the second half with a 7–0 run against Utah as the offense looked layered, connected, and efficient.
Maluach continued to play aggressively on the glass at both ends of the floor, and we all know Jaren Jackson Jr. has an affinity for picking up fouls. Phoenix made him pay for it, forcing Jackson to the bench with five fouls and seven minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Dillon Brooks fed off the defensive energy his teammates were bringing and translated it into offensive production. His unique skill set, both in the midrange and from beyond the arc, was on full display as he poured in 12 points in the third quarter.
The Jazz endured a stretch in which they went nearly four minutes without a field goal, but a 14–6 run by Utah to close the quarter made the game closer than it had felt. Phoenix held a 95–90 lead entering the fourth, with the Jazz outscoring the Suns 31–30 in the period. The majority of the starting unit finished the quarter at +5, while the majority of the second unit was -6, reflecting the difference in effectiveness between the two groups.
The fourth quarter opened with the third unit on the floor, featuring Kobe Brea, Jamaree Bouyea, Duop Reath, Rasheer Fleming, and Ryan Dunn. Koa Peat eventually checked in for Reath, so outside of Dunn, this was primarily the third unit getting an opportunity to play. And not surprisingly, things were a little clunky.
Peat had a possession in which he lost track of the shot clock and failed to get an attempt off in time. On another opportunity, he had a chance to go up with the basketball, but with Mo Bamba lurking, he hesitated and was called for a three-second violation. He then fouled Ace Bailey on the ensuing possession. It’s the kind of situational awareness that comes with experience, and these are precisely the repetitions a young player like Peat needs as he continues his development.
The game remained close throughout the fourth quarter as the Suns struggled to put together anything resembling cohesive offense. It felt a little like Summer League basketball, where structure takes a back seat and players are left trying to create open looks on their own rather than generating opportunities within the flow of an offensive scheme.
Phoenix was ultimately outscored 29–21 in the final period, falling to Utah 119–116.
Up Next
The. Regular. Season.
Suns tip off the 2026-27 campaign next Wednesday in Portland. Starting then, it’s for real.
