EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Walker Kessler #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to the media during NBA Media Day on September 28, 2026 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, 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
It was unlikely the Lakers were going to be at full strength in their preseason opener — or in any exhibition game — on Monday.
In the first contest of a back-to-back and three games in four nights, head coach JJ Redick announced pregame that Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler would both be out. Joining them on the sidelines are Collin Sexton and Arthur Kaluma.
Walker Kessler jammed his finger on the backboard while Austin Reaves tweaked his ankle, per JJ Redick.
Collin Sexton and Arthur Kaluma are dealing with lower-body ailments.
None of them are dealing with serious injuries and are day-to-day, per Redick. https://t.co/JehtenA9rN
With two projected starters out, the Lakers’ starting lineup included Luka Dončić, likely starter Quentin Grimes and Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams and Kevon Looney.
Lakers starters tonight:
Luka Dončić, Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams and Kevon Looney
It’s unclear how many, if any, of these players were among those modified participants in practice. We’ll get a better idea of how serious these injuries are as well come Tuesday when the Lakers play again against the Warriors.
Ideally, Kessler’s injury, in particular, is short-term so he can build as much chemistry as possible with Luka and Reaves. In that same vein, Reaves getting back as soon as possible is the best-case scenario.
For the devoted fans who caught Summer League, not getting a chance to see Kaluma will be a bummer. He has a skillset that, in theory, could really complement the team’s stars.
Again, though, players were always going to sit out during this opening stretch of preseason games. We’ll have to wait to see how serious, if at all, the injuries are.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 5: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the New York Knicks during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 5, 2026 at the 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
We are so back.
The Sixers tipped off their preseason with a 120-97 win over the defending champion New York Knicks Monday night.
In his first game as a Sixer, Jaylen Brown put up 22 points, shooting 8-of-13 from the floor along with two rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes of action. VJ Edgecombe played 19 minutes and put up 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting with four rebounds and seven assists.
Out tonight for the Sixers was LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Anfernee Simons, Dominick Barlow and Adem Bona. Before the game, Nick Nurse said he’s aiming to get the starters in two of their four preseason games, and that he isn’t concerned about the minor injuries picked up by Simons and Barlow.
As expected, the offense early was centered around Brown. He got to his spots to pull up, but missed his first two attempts and split his first pair of free throws as well. He had a layup roll out on him but fought for the offensive rebound, putting it back and getting fouled in the process.
99% of the preseason is just getting through it healthy. Unfortunately, Ariel Hukporti went down just five minutes into the game, favoring his right ankle in what looked like a non-contact injury. His former Knicks teammates were quick to put an arm around him as he was being helped off the floor. Jabari Walker came in to replace him, now the only healthy backup five on the team.
Brown did eventually get into a rhythm, making three straight shots to put up 13 in the quarter. Edgecombe made his presence felt as well, consistently getting to the basket successfully, but he couldn’t get a jumper to fall. Labaron Philon Jr. was the first sub of the night but he took a back seat for the first few minutes of his shift as those two were cooking. Philon made his first shot of the night, a pull-up jumper from the midrange.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope became the latest Sixer to get in on the fun with a quick seven points to end the quarter. He drilled a three that looked like it would keep the Sixers up by three, but a missed boxout allowing OG Anunoby to grab the rebound and get fouled on the putback attempt. He split his pair of free throws, giving the Sixers a two-point lead after a high-scoring first.
Second Quarter
The concerns about this center rotation were on display as the Sixers gave up three more offensive rebounds early in the second. One was courtesy of our old friend Andre Drummond, but Brown drilled a three in his face a few possessions later as he continued to have the hot hand.
Walker was really active with six rebounds and a couple of stocks, but being a couple inches shorter than the average center just catches up with him. On top of his strong effort on that end of the floor he knocked down his first two threes of the night, getting them up quickly. The makings of a stretch-five are there for Walker, and it’d be huge if the Sixers could unlock that.
Brown continued to put on a show for everybody, getting up to 22 points in just under 17 minutes of play. Just as he checked out of the game, Edgecombe came in and went right back to the basket for an and-1 layup. Everything he was doing off the dribble was intriguing. He made a really nice pass to a cutting Dillon Jones, and spun around to find Caleb Love in the corner for a three as the buzzer expired. The only thing he couldn’t do in the half was a get a three-pointer to fall, but he was good enough to help the Sixers get out to a 14-point lead.
Third Quarter
Neither Brown or Edgecombe were out on the floor to start the second half, officially ending their nights. Walker started the half with another three, but the team cooled down, missing five straight shots. The Knicks got aggressive in where they were picking up the Sixers, forcing them higher up the court and forcing worse passes and shots as a result.
It was encouraging to see Philon be the one to put his head down and get to the basket to stop some of the bleeding. He also made a nifty behind-the-back dribble to evade a defender, but couldn’t get the floater to fall to complete the highlight play. His attack though remained the only consistent offense for the Sixers in the quarter.
Labaron Philon with the footwork and handles to dance his way right to the rim pic.twitter.com/Ijn7UuifoZ
Like Edgecombe, Philon was also struggling to get his outside jumper to fall, but also like Edgecombe, it was a good quarter for him to showcase his playmaking chops. He found a cutting Jameer Nelson Jr. shortly after he checked into the game for his fourth assist of the night. Nelson finished an and-1 that helped keep the Sixers lead at 14.
Fourth Quarter
The rest of this recap is going to be random observations about the two-ways and exhibit 10 contracts still playing in this game. Rayan Rupert has the makings of a defender. He seems to know where to be and is always hustling to get there. Nothing he did tonight really showed up in the stat sheet though, and two of his shot attempts were two of the easiest blocks for the Knicks’ defenders.
Caleb Love is what the kids call a bucket and hooper. If shoots like he did in the first half he’s going to be very fun to watch in the preseason, but he seemed to really run out of gas in the second half. Definitely a situation worth monitoring over the next three games.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves tweaked his ankle but is “fine”. William Liang for CA Post
Reaves tweaked his ankle, while Kessler jammed one of his fingers on the backboard.
Coach JJ Redick said both Reaves and Kessler were “fine”.
Walker Kessler (14) and Collin Sexton (10) were both sidelined against the Kings. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectLakers guard Collin Sexton had his right lower leg/calf wrapped during the team’s shootaround on Monday. Khobi Price
Veteran guard Collin Sexton and two-way forward Arthur Kaluma were also sidelined for Monday’s game because of “very light lower-body injuries,” according to Redick.
Sexton had his right lower leg/calf wrapped during the team’s shootaround on Monday
All four players are deemed day-to-day, per Redick.
In light of their absences, the Lakers started lineup against the Kings was Luka Doncic, Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams and Kevon Looney.
The Lakers’ preseason opener against the Kings was the second night of a back-to-back set in Northern California. They’ll make the quick trip to San Francisco postgame for Tuesday’s matchup against the Warriors.
“The guys that are out [Monday] may play [Tuesday,” Redick said, “but for the most part, they’re all day to day.”
It’s a line from the TV show Ted Lasso, of course. And whether you’re a Dallas Mavericks fan, or an FC Richmond fan, you understand.
The Dallas Mavericks were in the Finals just 838 days ago. That season was full of the kind of playoff moments you tell your grandchildren about.
Will you tell your grandchildren about the time Luka Dončić absolutely cooked Rudy Gobert on an isolation 3 to win a playoff game? I will.
Then the Celtics came along and made the Mavs look a little like Rudy Gobert trying to guard on the perimeter.
As a fan, you were likely devastated by the Luka trade. Then Anthony Davis gave two quarters of perfection, and suddenly hope was putting on a Beyoncé concert at the American Airlines Center.
And then… many fans expanded their sports-injury vocabulary.
Next, just when all hope felt lost, the Mavs, with a 1.8 percent chance, won the NBA lottery with a generational stud at the top of the class. Cooper Flagg arrived on a team that, at least in theory, was supposed to be competing for a playoff spot. Hope is all fans had last year — and all Nico Harrison had in his roster construction. It didn’t take long for the positivity to turn to complete darkness. Anthony Davis couldn’t stay healthy, there was continuous turmoil that led to Nico finally getting fired and there were casualties all around.
Now, a new regime has come into power. The Mavs certainly have some new energy. There’s a generational prospect entering his second season with an extra inch at his disposal. And, despite everything fans have been through, that dangerous little feeling is starting to creep back in.
Hope.
Are you ready to buy in again? Because there’s something else we learned from Ted Lasso: It’s not actually the hope that kills you. It’s the lack of hope. However, maybe Mavs fans should reconsider what they’re hoping for.
This is not the year to hope for the Larry O’Brien Trophy — or the NBA Cup — for that matter. That’s not what this season is about. The Mavs are building. The team’s average age is under 25, and there are plenty of players who are still figuring out exactly what they can become. This can be a fun team without being a contender. Maybe it’s about finding reasons to believe that the next great Mavericks team is taking shape right in front of us.
Here are five things that can provide real hope this year, with a meter to show how logical this hope is:
Let’s start with the obvious one.
Cooper Flagg takes a massive leap
Hope Meter:🔥🔥🔥🔥 4/5
Cooper Flagg is a Dallas Mav.
And for a franchise that has spent the last few years making many question the basketball gods, that feels like a pretty good place to start.
Fans get to watch this 19-year-old with extraordinary expectations figure out what kind of NBA player he’s going to become. Now, can he make that second -year jump?
For this hope to become reality, Cooper Flagg needs to, become an above-average 3-point shooter, assert himself as floor general at times and be transcendent at defense.
Kyrie provides nightly highlights
Hope Meter: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥5/5
Let’s not overlook the impact of having a healthy Irving back. This offseason, Masai Ujiri quoted Kevin Durant in says “there’s only one Kyrie Irving walking around in the world.”
That one Kyrie Irving bleeds blue these days, and provides electric energy that all basketball fans know too well. Even in losses, fans get to see Irving hitting transition 3-pointers, making sick left-handed hook shots at the buzzer, and cooking younger NBA stars that think they can come at the King of Handles. If Irving is the Irving that Mavs fans have come to know and love, then the games are must-watch — win or lose.
Young pieces become a young core
HOPE METER: 🔥🔥🔥 3/5
The Mavs took some swings on reclamation projects this off-season — and it’s not likely all the swings connect, but if a few do, the Mavs could have a real core.
The core candidates are Zaccharie Risacher, Max Christie, Morez Johnson Jr., Sergio de Larrea, Tarik Biberović, and Marcus Sasser. Maybe a couple of them take a massive leap. Maybe someone surprises us (Jett Howard). Maybe someone we thought would be important turns out not to be part of the long-term picture.
That’s the fun of a building season. Every game and gives us a little more information, and deeper into the season, there could be some real answers here — or more questions.
Dereck Lively II becomes a healthy top 100 NBA player
Hope Meter: 🔥🔥🔥 3/5
Ooooh, this is a dangerous one. And yes, the hope is still high, but don’t get too close to the fire, you might get burned. Fans will always remember who Dereck Lively II was in the finals run, with Lively’s big hair flopping around, creating chaos, grabbing boards and being a master facilitator.
Fans thought the Mavs finally had their forever center, but injury after injury has taken that away. This is a contract year, and it would be hard to question Lively’s dedication and work ethic.
The future is taking shape
Hope Meter: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 5/5
Maybe this is the biggest reason to be hopeful. The Mavericks don’t have to win the championship this year.
They don’t even have to convince that they’re one piece away from winning anything. nThis season can simply be about finding out what they have. What does Flagg become? Who fits alongside him? What does this coaching staff bring out in the roster?
Those questions are worth the hope they bring. It turns out it’s not the hope that kills you. It’s living for too long without any. And maybe this season, it’s about what you hope for.
The Los Angeles Clippers’ preseason injury toll took another blow on Sunday, after veteran forward Max Strus exited Sunday’s preseason 104-101 victory in Hawaii against the Golden State Warriors with a non-contact injury.
On Monday, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Strus suffered a partial plantar fasciitis tear in his right foot and will be reevaluated again in four weeks.
LA Clippers guard Max Strus suffered a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot during Sunday's preseason game and will be reevaluated in four weeks, sources tell ESPN.
After he caught it, he immediately struggled to put any weight on his right foot and came out of the game, limping to Los Angeles’ locker room after head coach Ty Lue called a timeout.
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue speaks about Max Strus injury. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
According to beat writer Joey Linn, Lue spoke about the injury during postgame and said, “That’s never good to see when it’s a non-contact.”
The loss of Strus hurts the Clippers as he will miss the start of the regular season, alongside Brandon Ingram, who was acquired from the Toronto Raptors in the Kawhi Leonard trade.
Los Angeles Clippers’ Max Strus to be reevaluated for Plantar fasciitis injury. Getty ImagesThe Clippers won their first preseason game but lost Max Strus.
Both Strus and Ingram were expected to be the key shooters for the Clippers this year, as Strus has averaged 10.4 points and 2.8 three-pointers per game.
Brooks led the NBA in technical fouls last season with 17.
In Monday’s game, Brooks was guarding Pistons forward John Collins in the paint with his usual physicality. He extended his forearm and made physical contact with Collins, who reacted in a “you see this” fashion with his hands upward.
On the same possession, Collins got an offensive rebound over Brooks, who started reaching for the ball and making more contact by reaching around Collins from behind.
Collins responded by facing Brooks and putting his hand in Brooks’ face with the ball.
They initially received double technical fouls. After review, Collins was called for a flagrant one penalty. Brooks went to the line and split two free throws.
Brooks is in his second season with the Suns while Collins is in his first with the Pistons.
The Suns had a 68-50 halftime lead.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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It’s a much different place Thiero found himself in this time last year, when he missed the entire 2025 Las Vegas Summer League, 2025 preseason and start of the 2025-26 regular season because of left knee ailments.
Lakers forward Adou Thiero can change the team’s ceiling with his athleticism and physicality. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“I feel like I have a pretty great opportunity in front of me considering the guys that aren’t here anymore,” Thiero said Monday afternoon after the team’s shootaround. “And now everybody’s still trying to figure out where to be at. So that gives me an opportunity to [earn a spot in the rotation].”
Thiero earned a lot of praise for his performance during training camp in the week leading up to Monday’s preseason game.
It came after coach JJ Redick said Thiero had an “unbelievable last two months of development” after having uninterrupted time in the gym for the first time since the Lakers selected the No. 36 pick in the 2025 draft.
Second-year forward Adou Thiero on the opportunity he sees for himself during the Lakers' preseason, which starts with tonight's exhibition in Sacramento: "I feel like I have a pretty a great opportunity in front of me considering the guys that aren't here anymore. Everybody's… pic.twitter.com/hU7xNj22GH
“His body’s been in great shape,” Redick said, “and he’s just gotten better.”
Thiero has a better understanding of what the coaching staff wants of him after playing 25 regular games (149 minutes) in 2025-26, six of the Lakers’ 10 playoff games last season and in Summer League in July.
“It’s different watching it, and then it’s different going in there and actually doing it and understanding it,” Thiero said. “So being able to go out there and actually do it and understand it now, I understand everything a lot better than around this time last year. Last year, they threw me in and I’m still a little confused on some things because that might be my first time actually doing it. And that’s during a live game. But now I’m doing that in practice and everything, I’m a lot more comfortable.”
Adou Thiero is competing for a spot in the Lakers’ rotation. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Austin Reaves said during training camp that Adou Thiero has been asking him a lot of questions since the summer. Adou on what he's asking/learned from Austin: pic.twitter.com/RDvRR0HAm3
Star guard Austin Reaves said during training camp that Thiero has been asking him a lot of questions since the summer.
“AR’s one of the best offensive players in the league. So just being able to play defense against him…he’s so crafty, like there’s multiple different ways he can score,” Thiero said. “Shooting, getting to the rim, floaters, little pull-ups, even whenever he gets into his little foul baiting. So just being able to guard him, that’s setting me up to guard the other players, good offensive players too.”
Thiero’s NBA career trajectory is imperative to the Lakers’ future.
As Redick put it, “if we can develop the Adou and develop [rookie wing] Cam [Carr] and develop these guys into functional rotation NBA players over the next 12 to 24 months, it changes our ceiling.”
Which makes Thiero’s playing during the next two weeks of preseason a signficant storyline to monitor.
HONOLULU, HI - OCTOBER 4: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball during the game against the LA Clippers during the 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 4, 2026 at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jay Metzger/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors lost their preseason opener on Sunday in Honolulu, falling 104-101 to the LA Clippers in a game that came down to the wire. If you want to dismiss the results because regulars don’t play as much in the preseason, well … that doesn’t help Golden State’s case, since they trailed by 12 points at halftime, before pulling Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Al Horford.
Instead, try this as a reason to dismiss preseason results: they just don’t matter. And who better to make that point than Curry, who reflected on a fun and productive week in Hawaii, as the team packed up and prepared to return to California.
Steph Curry on his biggest takeaway from the entire training camp in Hawaii:
“We had a very impressive luau at our hotel that included some fire. I don’t want to be, I don’t know the term, but the fire spinning and the tribute dances, travel dances, and all that type of stuff,… pic.twitter.com/dUrh3AQL39
“I’ve been in this league 17, or going on 18 years,” the two-time MVP said, after stating that a team luau was the highlight of the first week of camp. “I don’t remember a single preseason game in terms of the outcome, other than Lindy Waters making a buzzer-beater here two years ago.”
A reporter then reminded Curry of a special preseason moment about Kobe Bryant, to which he responded, “That’s also a great one. So we got two. Two out of however many. So we’re not gonna get bogged down by the results of the game.”
It’s generally the consensus that preseason results don’t matter, and there are plenty of data points each year backing that up. There are, admittedly, also plenty of examples suggesting that the preseason is a decent barometer. The Dubs went 6-2 in preseason before winning their first title in 2014-15, and 6-1 two years later, when they won the championship again, before going a league-best 5-0 prior to their shocking 2021-22 championship.
Then again, they went just 2-2 ahead of the title-winning 2017-18 season, and they had a losing 3-4 record in 2015-16, before starting the year with a 24-game winning streak. So yeah … safe to say it doesn’t really matter.
Philadelphia 76ers center Ariel Hukporti (55) sits on the court after an injury during the first quarter of a game against the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Monday, October 5, 2026.
PHILADELPHIA — Former Knicks center Ariel Hukporti suffered a scary noncontact injury just five minutes into his 76ers career.
Hukporti collapsed to the court after planting his foot in Monday’s preseason opener, holding the back of his right ankle before Philly trounced the Knicks 120-97. He was helped off the court by former teammate Karl-Anthony Towns amid concerns of a dreaded Achilles tear.
He left the arena on crutches and in a walking boot.
Philadelphia 76ers center Ariel Hukporti (55) sits on the court after an injury during the first quarter of a game against the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Monday, October 5, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“Definitely heartbreaking,” Jalen Brunson said. “When I came back in the locker room, I went to go check on him. Sad to see. Obviously, we’ll pray for him.”
Hukporti played two seasons with the Knicks — winning a championship as the third-string center. He signed a one-year, $3.4 million deal over the summer with the Sixers, leaving the Knicks searching for center depth because they also lost second-stringer Mitchell Robinson to the Celtics.
Looks like Ariel Hukporti is off with a non-contact injury. He was helped off the court and checked on by his former Knicks teammates. pic.twitter.com/Aw9tsYt0X6
Before Monday’s game, Knicks head coach Mike Brown said he was happy for Hukporti because of the bigger opportunity in Philadelphia. It might not happen now.
“We hope Ariel — whatever is wrong with him — he has a speedy recovery and he’s back on the floor,” Brown said. “You hate to see anybody go down with an injury, but especially somebody who is a caliber person who Ariel is.”
Ariel Hukporti #55 of the Philadelphia 76ers boxes out during a preseason game against the New York Knicks at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Brunson’s surgically repaired wrist looked fine. The point guard scored 12 points in 15 minutes on 4-for-8 shooting — including 2-for-5 from beyond the arc — in his first game since the procedure in early July to fix a tendon injury.
Otherwise, the Knicks struggled while shooting just 38.5 percent, with the starters playing about 15 minutes apiece.
LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers smiles during practice on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. NBAE via Getty Images
The Sixers injected their roster with star power, and the Knicks understand it makes the road to the Finals tougher.
The Sixers have four multiple-time All-Stars in their starting lineup with newcomers LeBron James and Jaylen Brown joining Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.
“They’re just loaded, man,” Brown said. “Multiple-time All-Star, multiple-time All-Star, multiple-time All-Star. … MVP candidate, MVP candidate, MVP candidate. I remember back in the day, [Gregg Popovich] said, when I was an assistant for him with the Spurs, that there is a change from having two All-Stars on your team to having three. He brought it to our attention as a staff. He was like, you need at least three NBA All-Stars, and not just one-offs, but perennial All-Stars, to go win a championship. And you look at the Sixers now, and they got as many All-Stars, or guys of that nature, as they had in Miami when LeBron was down there.”
Jaylen Brown (7) of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against Jalen Brunson (11) of the New York Knicks during a preseason game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in Philadelphia. Getty Images
Still, the unveiling of the new Sixers had to wait. Coach Nick Nurse rested most of his starters — including James and Embiid — while the Knicks played everybody except Jose Alvarado (knee contusion).
“They’re definitely going to be one of the teams that are contending in the East, and in my opinion, it just got harder for everybody with the team that they assembled here,” coach Brown said.
Earlier Monday, Towns reiterated that he doesn’t expect an extension agreement before the start of the season. The Knicks have offered four years and approximately $200 million according to sources, which is $77 million less than Towns’ max.
“Simply put, I want to do something to keep the team together and can work with the Knicks and also values me,” Towns said. “And none of those things are close to happening.”
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 5: Ariel Hukporti #55 of the Philadelphia 76ers boxes out during the game against the New York Knicks during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 5, 2026 at the 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The vibes were high entering the Sixers’ preseason opener Monday vs. the New York Knicks, but the excitement was quickly dampened.
Ariel Hukporti, starting while Joel Embiid sits out, appeared to hurt his leg early in the first quarter while attempting to contest Karl-Anthony Towns. The former Knick seemed to know it was bad right away, telling his teammates to call a timeout. He was helped to the locker room without putting any weight on his right leg.
This is potentially a huge blow for the Sixers. The team signed Hukporti on the second day of free agency to compete for backup big minutes behind Embiid. With Adem Bona already out with a foot sprain, it felt like a big opportunity to establish himself. The 24-year-old big man showed out during the Blue X White Scrimmage over the weekend and was off to a nice start Monday.
With Embiid sitting, Bona still nursing his injury, Dominick Barlow out with a back issue and Exhibit 10 signee Tacko Fall dealing with a hip strain, Jabari Walker was the only player active who resembled a center. Nick Nurse even experiemnted with using Dean Wade as a small-ball five.
Update: 9:37 p.m. ET: After the game Nick Nurse didn’t have an update on Hukporti, but the information he did provide was not encouraging. Nurse told reporters that Hukporti will go in for imaging Tuesday, and they are looking at his right achilles.
If it indeed is the worst case scenario, the Sixers are going to have a hard time replacing him for the season. As Derek Bodner of PHLY pointed out, the Sixers could get a Disabled Player Exception, but they wouldn’t really be able to use it because they’re still hard capped at the first apron. Basically, the only big the Sixers could add before December would have to be a two-way contract.
Point of clarification: If the Ariel Hukporti injury is worst case scenario, and even if Sixers get a Disabled Player Exception as a result, they still would not be able to exceed the first apron, which is a hard cap b/c they used the full, non-tax MLE. The DPE does not clear…
What’s abundantly clear, however, is that there’s a lot of work to do for the franchise to keep its star locked up in the long term, and the prospect that he may be playing his final months as a Knick are suddenly a real possibility.
Towns, the 30-year-old All-Star center who helped propel the Knicks to their first championship in 53 years, is eligible for a four-year extension. He had hoped to ink it before the start of the season. Yet, Towns expressed unfiltered pessimism Monday, Oct. 5 to reporters in Philadelphia, indicating just how far apart the two sides are.
“It don’t look good,” Towns told reporters when asked if he thought both sides could agree to a deal before the regular season opener October 20 against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Towns was even more candid later when asked if he thought he deserved a new deal.
“No (expletive), Sherlock,” he said. “I just won a championship. You’d think it would be pretty easy, unless you guys think I have something else to prove.”
Towns was instrumental in New York’s historic postseason run. Aside from NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Jalen Brunson, Towns was easily the second-most important player on the Knicks, and it all started after New York lost two consecutive games in the first round against the Atlanta Hawks, to fall into a 1-2 series hole.
Knicks coach Mike Brown then tweaked the offense to run through Towns, instead of Brunson; Towns took on increased ball-handling and play-making duties, allowing Brunson to play off-ball and tactically choose his spots. The move unlocked a new dimension for New York’s offense, whose +283 point differential smashed an all-time record.
But, to illustrate that point further, the Knicks were particularly dominant when Towns was on the floor. In his 578 postseason minutes, New York outscored opponents by 258 points, giving Towns the best individual plus-minus in a single postseason in the play-by-play era.
But, Knicks owner James Dolan has stressed multiple times that the Knicks will avoid triggering the punitive second apron, which limits financial flexibility. It also gives Knicks president Leon Rose a hard line on how much they can offer their stars. In a parallel situation, this also complicates the negotiations with forward Josh Hart.
According to ESPN, the most recent Knicks offer to Towns was worth $200 million, which is well short – more than $75 million short – of what he’s eligible to earn.
Now, none of this precludes the Knicks and Towns from eventually getting a deal done. In the NBA, like in all major sports leagues constrained by a salary cap, things get said in public that can sway perception. This is how high-profile negotiations sometimes work.
Towns and his representatives are trying to extract as much value as they can within New York’s financial landscape. Dolan and the Knicks are trying to get their stars to play on team-friendly deals. At some point, for this partnership to continue, compromise is mandatory.
“Simply put: I want to do something that can keep this team together and work with the Knicks and also values me,” he said. “None of those things have come close to happening.”
This isn’t exactly what a team looking to defend its title wants to be dealing with, but this is simply the system in place with the second apron to contend with.
The immediate concern for the Knicks, at least in the short term, is whether this will affect the team’s play.
Towns has plenty of experience handling adversity; while the Knicks were slogging through their schedule in the first half of last season, his name frequently popped up in trade rumors. Towns eventually responded with that postseason run – the best basketball of his career.
Whispers of trade talks are one thing, but if a player feels undervalued, it’s an entirely different issue to navigate. And the interesting thing is that those trade talks could get even louder.
Towns has a $61 million player option next season. While that is a lot of money, he may feel that he could earn even more on the open market. The Knicks, understandably, would not want to let a player like Towns, the premier stretch five in the NBA, hit the open market without getting anything in return. And a player like Towns – as we saw with the blockbuster that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat – would net a ton of assets.
So where does all of that leave us?
Right now, it’s a game of chicken. And while Knicks fans shouldn’t necessarily be concerned as of right now, these next few weeks and months will be pretty telling. Because the Feb. 11, 2027 trading deadline isn’t all that far away.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 10: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers wrestle for a loose ball during the second quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 10, 2026 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. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Knicks travel to Xfinity Mobile Arena tonight for their inaugural preseason game and their first appearance on the court since beating the Spurs for the NBA Championship (yes, that really happened).
The 76ers are not the same team that New York swept in round two of the playoffs. This offseason, Philly bulked up with additions of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James. Paired with fellow starters Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and V.J. Edgecombe, this squad is built to challenge the throne. Temper your excitement for tonight’s tilt, though: James, Embiid, and Maxey, Anfernee Simons, Dominick Barlow, Adem Bona, and Tacko Fall are all OUT tonight.
We expect limited minutes for New York’s starters—Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, O.G. (The Big Tipper) Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns—as they continue to get back online after a short summer break. Meanwhile, Coach Mike Brown is eager to see what Mohamed Diawara brings to the table in year two, and who stands out among the centers competing for the third-string spot. Jose Alvarado (knee contusion) is the only Knick on the injury report.
Game time is at 7 p.m. EST on MSG. This is your game thread. This is Liberty Ballers. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be excellent humans. And go Knicks!
And with the Lakers fully in the preseason swing, certain elements of the season are back to, such as morning shootaround.
The Lakers held their first shootaround of 2026-27 at Golden 1 Center Monday morning ahead of their preseason-opener against the Kings.
Lakers guard Collin Sexton had his right lower leg/calf wrapped during the team’s shootaround. Khobi Price
While shootarounds don’t always provide insight into the ongoings of a team, Monday did.
Veteran guard Collin Sexton, who the Lakers signed to a two-year deal in July, had his right lower log/calf area wrapped during the portion of shootaround that was open to the media.
Sexton’s status is uncertain.
He got some extra work in with the team’s strength and conditioning staff after Saturday practice, and hasn’t been in any of the clips of the team’s that the Lakers have posted on their social media pages last week.
The status of Collin Sexton (left) is uncertain for preseason. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Sexton did light jogging/shuffling after Monday’s shootaround, plus resistance running with a harness around his waist. Two-way forward Arthur Kaluma also did the resistance running.
When asked Saturday if he had an idea of who’d be available in Sacramento, coach JJ Redick responded: “Obviously, still working through stuff.”
Lakers star guard Luka Doncic wearing the team’s new Nike sweatsuit. Khobi Price
Another notable takeaway from Monday afternoon was players wearing the new Nike team gear, which looked heavier than year’s past and more suitable for streetwear instead of clothes that would be comfortable to play basketball in.
Luka Doncic was decked out in the entire sweatsuit while taking a variety of jump shots.
PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 29: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons and Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns boxes out during the game on January 29, 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
If you don’t have the SB Nation app, it comes in real handy for Game Threads. Just sayin’!
If you haven’t downloaded the SB Nation app yet, now is the time.
Game Threads are so much better in the app, and with Suns basketball back, you’re going to want to be there with us!
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 14: (Editors Note: Tonal effects have been applied to this image) Kingston Flemings #4 of the Atlanta Hawks poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at UNLV on July 14, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Hawks and Grizzlies meet in the preseason debut of Kingston Flemings, Zuby Ejiofor, and others.
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