LAS VEGAS — The Lakers marquee free agency acquisition was available to make his long-awaited preseason debut against the Warriors Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena.
He injured his left pinky finger (non-shooting hand) during the first week of training camp.
Walker Kessler of the Los Angeles Lakers arrives to the arena before a game against the Golden State Warriors. NBAE via Getty Images
The 7-foot-2 center progressed to participating during the live action portion of Sunday’s practice after doing everything else but live drills during Saturday’s session.
Kessler has had his left pinky wrapped the last couple of weeks after jamming it on a backboard during practice.
“Just taking precautionary stuff, especially since it’s preseason,” he said earlier in the week. “But it feels good.”
Walker Kessler with his left pinky wrapped. NBAE via Getty ImagesLuka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors. Getty Images
While Kessler made his debut, superstar guard Luka Doncic was held out of Tuesday’s game for rest.
Coach JJ Redick made it clear Doncic wasn’t injured after playing in two of the first three preseason games.
The Lakers’ last exhibition will come against the Nuggets on Friday in Los Angeles.
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 13: Meleek Thomas #15 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic on October 13, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents that player performing to our expectations for them.
James Harden
13 points, 2 assists, 0 rebounds
The Cavs struggled to get into any kind of scoring rhythm. The bigs weren’t involved as much as you’d like, and the offense overall wasn’t able to generate many clean looks for outside shooters. Part of that blame falls on the starting point guard.
In addition to that, Harden had a tough time finding his own shot. He went just 6-for-14 from the field in an overall forgettable game.
Grade: D-
Donovan Mitchell
15 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists
Mitchell made a concerted effort to get others involved. That resulted in eight assists in under 25 minutes to go along with 15 points. This was a solid night from someone who looks ready for regular season basketball to start.
Grade: B
Evan Mobley
14 points, 5 rebounds, 0 assists
Mobley missed his first five shots before slowly turning it around as he put up seven points in both the second and third quarters.
This preseason has been rough for Mobley offensively. He’s struggled to get to his spots on the floor and hasn’t been very efficient when he gets there. This 6-for-14 performance is on the heels of going 3-for-10 the game before.
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Peyton Watson
10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Watson struggled to find the range from deep as he went 1-for-5 beyond the arc. The three-point volume in 24 minutes is what you want to see, even though the efficiency wasn’t there.
The energy Watson plays with remains encouraging. He was an active defender as he racked up two blocks and a steal.
Grade: B
Jarrett Allen
9 points, 6 rebounds, 0 assists
Allen was an afterthought on offense and wasn’t able to do enough on the other end to cover up for the poor point-of-attack defense elsewhere.
Grade: D
Jaylon Tyson
12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
Tyson’s energy is infectious. He and Watson were two of the regulars who played with the appropriate amount of force.
Grade: B
Meleek Thomas
16 points, 0 assists, 3 rebounds
There are legitimate questions about whether Thomas is ready to fit into an off-ball role. There are fewer questions about how he looks when you put the ball in his hands.
Thomas played five minutes in the first three quarters with the regular rotation and struggled to make an impact. He attempted just one shot and never really felt a part of the offense. That changed in the fourth quarter when the Cavs pulled their regulars and put the ball in his hands.
Thomas scored 14 of his 16 points in the final frame. He relentlessly got where he wanted on the court, and scored efficiently when he got there, as he ended the night going 6-for-9 from the field.
You don’t want to make too much of garbage time in a preseason blowout, but this was another encouraging performance from Thomas.
Grade: A-
Mario Hezonja
12 points, 2 assists, 6 rebounds
This was a solid showing for Hezonja. He once again held up well against a physical Orlando team as he did a little bit of everything.
These last two games have been steps in the right direction for Hezonja after a rough debut against the Boston Celtics.
Grade: B
Craig Porter Jr.
0 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Porter has a shot at earning a spot in the rotation, but he hasn’t done enough to definitively grab that role. He once again struggled to make an impact off-ball, and didn’t attempt a shot in 17 and a half minutes. Porter’s defense has been fine, and it’s good to have another play initiator in the offense, but guards need to be threats to score when they’re on the court.
Grade: D+
Tyrese Proctor
4 points, 0 rebounds, 2 assists
Proctor got some run with the regulars, but didn’t necessarily make the most of it. He didn’t make much of an impact when he was with the other rotation players, which isn’t ideal for someone the team is hoping will take a leap in his second season. It wasn’t until he shared the court with some of the reserves that you started to feel his impact.
TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 13: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks arrives to the arena before the game against the Toronto Raptors on October 13, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Having played last night at home, coach Mike Brown rested his starters tonight in Toronto. His opening lineup included Jose Alvarado, Miles McBride, Bruce Brown, Mohamed Diawara, and James Wiseman. Across the aisle, Kawhi Leonard made his preseason debut as the team returned to Scotiabank Arena following a cross-country tour of showcase scrimmages. The Knicks lost to the Timberwolves yesterday, and they dropped another tonight, 148-98. No, Virginia, these games don’t count.
The starters weren’t required to attend, but Mikal Bridges did. Because he’s a savage!
Both teams came out bricking, but the home team fixed their problems sooner, jumping out to a 13-4 lead that chased New York into a timeout. OAKAAKUYOAK RJ Barrett collected an early eight points in seven minutes to lead his team. For our heroes, James Wiseman blanked across the board in the first quarter, with two turnovers that cancelled a pair of rebounds. He played better (offensively, at least) in the second half, finishing the night with 18 points and 10 boards to lead the team.
Midway through the frame, Wiseman sat for Drew Eubanks, who didn’t wow us either, but at least got on the scoreboard. Pacome Dadiet checked in, too, and promptly suffered at the hands of Scottie Barnes—and then Barrett. Not great. (He also played better after intermission.) Seeing Diawara make his first three-pointer of the preseason made us happy, but ‘twas a mere sip while we thirsted for decent basketball. The two Tylers (Kolek, Nickel) checked in with four minutes left in the quarter, and they did little to help. By the break, Barnes had shot 6-of-7 for 15 points, and the score stood at 42-22. The gulf felt much wider than that.
Twice in the first quarter, Mike Brown and Alvarado had extended conversations. They seemed to not be on the same page. To be fair, few Knicks were on the right page tonight.
Toronto opened the second quarter with a 7–0 run, on a bucket from Quickley, a three from Kawhi Leonard, and a drive by Barrett. Tyler Nickel answered with a layup and a three, and Tony Bradley added two baskets inside, but the Knicks played defense like touch football, allowing the Dinos to continue to pour it on. After Bruce Brown’s cutting layup made it 56–33 with 7:16 left, the Raptors went on a 20–2 run. It’s never fun to be on the wrong side of that.
Ja’Kobe Walter scored all eight of his quarter’s points during that stretch, including a three after stripping Wiseman. Jamal Shead dished four dimes on that run, while Leonard added a free throw and a turnaround three. When Collin Murray-Boyles made a putback dunk, Toronto’s advantage reached 76–35.
Leonard had the biggest scoring impact with 11 points in the quarter and 21 in the half. Wiseman gave the Knicks a brief lift late, finishing an Alvarado-assisted dunk and converting a hook shot. Between those baskets, Miles McBride blocked Leonard’s layup (good!) but turned over the rock twice (less good). Alvarado missed two free throws (even less good). Kevin McCullar Jr., Ochai Agbaji and Pacôme Dadiet went scoreless in the period. When the half finally ended, the score was 85–47.
Through the half, the Knicks’ understudies turned over the ball 12 times compared to Toronto’s two, and were outrebounded 29-17. They’d shot a paltry 22% from deep versus the Raptors’ 40%. McBride and Nickel had eight points apiece for the guests, with no one yet in double digits.
After intermission, the abuse continued with the lead reaching 44 points. New York finally assembled some offense inside: Alvarado hit a pullup, then assisted on buckets by Eubanks and Dadiet. The latter also blocked a Barrett layup, and Eubanks rejected Quickley, but the losses outnumbered the gains. McBride went scoreless during that stretch, missing two threes and having a dunk blocked by Barnes.
Wiseman made the biggest difference for New York after entering at 6:55, scoring nine points on hooks, an alley-oop from Brown, and a putback hook. Jaden Akins (who really does resemble Quinten Grimes from a distance, if you squint) supplied three assists and turned a steal into a layup, while Kolek added a three and two freebies. Together, they powered the Knicks on a 20–9 run that trimmed the score to 109-76. Dadiet contributed seven points, but his fourth foul and Mohamed Diawara’s fifth underscored a general defensive ineptitude. Nickel kept letting shots fly, making just 1-of-9 on the night. After three quarters, the score remained lopsided, 116-70.
In the fourth frame, the differential topped out at 53. New York’s perimeter shooting fell to 17% for the game, a figure that passed the eye test. Your weary blogger fell asleep for a few minutes, but the clang of bricks woke him. Our guys sure left some dents in those Canadian rims. Against Toronto’s third-stringers, Diawara hit another triple (totaled 13 points overall), and Wiseman grabbed five boards. Those were encouraging signs. Less encouraging: Kolek missed four threes down the stretch, McCullar missed two, and Ochai Agbaji and Tony Bradley went scoreless. When it finally was time to go to bed, there was a special satisfaction in turning the TV off on this game.
Up Next
Back to MSG on Thursday to see the Dinos again. Last game of the preseason, too. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.
SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 10: Kristaps Porzingis #7 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 10, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There are still far more questions than answers surrounding Kristaps Porziņģis’ health and wellness. But, more than two weeks after Golden State Warriors kicked off training camp, we finally have a critical positive update: Porziņģis is in the house.
Recently inked to a two-year, $40 million extension, Porziņģis — whom the Dubs acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in February — did not join Golden State on their opening-week jaunt to Hawaii, with the team announcing at the eleventh hour that the All-Star was out indefinitely. There were no updates when the team returned home from the island either and that certainly led to rumors swirling. No one seems aware as to whether Porziņģis has an injury or an ailment or, if some of the more eyebrow-raising rumors are to be given any credence, something that the team is covering up.
On Monday we got the closest thing possible to an update, with coach Steve Kerr saying he expected Porziņģis to be at the facility on Tuesday. Kerr risked setting himself up for a disastrous own goal if Porziņģis were not present on Tuesday, but thankfully that didn’t happen. Per multiple reports, the 31-year old from Latvia arrived at the Chase Center (the Warriors’ facilities are at their home arena) on Tuesday, where he spent time with head athletic trainer Rick Celebrini and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. While that’s a critical first step, there’s still no word on when Porziņģis might be back on the floor.
Kristaps Porzingis did make it into the Warriors practice facility this afternoon and met with Rick Celebrini and Mike Dunleavy. Nothing more detailed about return timetable, but a first step.
It’s a little funny — and hopefully nothing more than that — that Porziņģis appeared at the arena when the team, conveniently, was not there. The Dubs are currently in Sin City, as they have a Tuesday night game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, which may end up being the home of the next expansion NBA team.
While it’s certainly encouraging that we have a Porziņģis update — however mild and vague — it remains odd, concerning, and fairly unprecedented that this is, it seems, his first time back with the team. Usually players, whether sick or injured, spend a large amount of time at the facilities, working with the trainers and coaches. That Porziņģis has been, for lack of a better word, missing, raises a few eyebrows.
Then again, it’s also clear that the Warriors are being a little secretive here, and who knows how much communication is going on between the team and the player that we’re simply not privy to (per ESPN’s Anthony Slater, there has been “consistent contact” between the two sides).
Either way, Porziņģis is back … sort of. And while we don’t know a timeline, it certainly seems fair to assume he won’t be playing when the Dubs open the season in eight days.
On the second night of a preseason back-to-back, the Knicks lost their fourth-straight game, falling 148-98 to the Toronto Raptors.
Here are the takeaways...
-- Head coach Mike Brown relied solely on his bench in Tuesday's contest, giving the star quintet of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Karl Anthony-Towns a rest after Monday's 122-104 loss to the Timberwolves. Miles McBride, Bruce Brown, Jose Alvarado, Mohamed Diawara, and James Wiseman took their places.
Each member of the Knicks -- with the exception of Tony Bradley, who left the court early in the fourth seemingly nursing a hamstring -- played at least 10 minutes.
Toronto used its starters, re-debuting Raptors legend Kawhi Leonard and giving former Knicks RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley significant minutes against their former team.
-- In keeping with the theme of this year's preseason campaign, the Knicks crew continued to struggle on the offensive end, shooting 40 percent from the field, 17 percent from three-point range (their worst of the preseason), and 70 percent from the free throw line.
-- Wiseman led the way for New York, making a strong case for his value as a backup center. The 25-year-old scored 18 points, shot a perfect 100 percent from the free throw line and 87.5 percent from field goal range, while adding 10 rebounds and three turnovers in 23 minutes of play.
Also battling for the final center spot, Drew Eubanks netted eight points (3-for-5 from the field, 2-for-4 in free throws), andBradleytallied four (2-for-4 from the field, 0-for-1 in free throws).
-- Diawara walked away with 13 points in 28 minutes played. The 21-year-old went 50 percent in field goals (5-for-10) and 43 percent from beyond the arc (3-for-7).
-- Tyler Nickel led the Knicks in steals with two, contributing 11 points to the effort. His 80 percent from the free throw line tied with McBride (eight points) for second-best on the team Tuesday night.
-- In his first game in Raptors threads since leading the team to their first-ever NBA Title in June 2019,Leonarddrove the Toronto effort, netting a team-leading 21 points and two steals. He also collected five rebounds (tied with Jakob Poeltl for third-most on the team) and went 5-for-7 from the free throw line.
-- BarrettandQuickley -- both of whom New York sent to Toronto in exchange for Anunoby in December 2023 -- each played over 21 minutes. Barrett tallied 17 (6-of-12 from the field, 4-for-5 in free throws), and Quickley scored eight with a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
Game MVP: Kawhi Leonard
Despite only playing the first half, the 35-year-old small forward led all players in points (21).
What's next
New York will conclude the preseason with another game against the Raptors, this time on home court at MSG, Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Oct 13, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) drives against Orlando Magic forward Noah Penda (93) during the second quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Cleveland Cavaliers are fortunate that a performance like this doesn’t count in the record book. This was a bad showing in a game the regulars played a full three quarters.
The Cavs were terrible defensively. They were consistently beaten on dribble drives and backdoor cuts. And when they stepped up to stop offensive players driving to the hoop, they left themselves vulnerable to three-point looks. You couple that with poor offensive execution, and you get a runaway 132-116 loss to the Orlando Magic in your final preseason outing.
Cleveland’s regulars were led in scoring by Donovan Mitchell, who put up 14 points on 7-of-15 shooting with eight helpers. Aside from Mitchell, few of the rotation players could establish much of an offensive flow.
James Harden scored 13 points, but he went an inefficient 3-of-12 from the field to get those. Evan Mobley struggled to get into a rhythm, going 6-for-14 from the field for 14 points and five rebounds.
The Magic had strong outings from all of their starters. Paolo Banchero led the way with 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting with eight rebounds. Franz Wagner added 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting to go along with eight assists.
There weren’t many positives to take away from this game for the Cavs, but the play of Meleek Thomas was one of them. He received just five minutes of run in the first three quarters with the regulars, but more than made up for lost time in the fourth quarter. He put up 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting in the final frame alone. Overall, he led the Cavs with 16 points.
How much you want to take away from garbage time in a preseason game is up to you. What we can confidently say at this point is that Thomas has been comfortable scoring in nearly every environment you put him in when he can be the primary ball handler.
This was a poor showing from the Cavs, but not one that likely means much in the grand scheme of things.
The Cavs don’t take the court again until Thursday, October 22, when they open up their season on the road against LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 05: Oso Ighodaro #11 of the Phoenix Suns plays against the Detroit Pistons during a pre season game at Little Caesars Arena on October 05, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Suns fans and fans across the country.
The battle for the starting center position in Phoenix has been one of the key storylines to follow throughout the preseason. Through three games, we’ve seen Oso Ighodaro start twice and Khaman Maluach get the nod once. We’ve had an opportunity to see how both players operate alongside the starting unit, although when Maluach started, the Suns were without Devin Booker and Miles Bridges.
From a statistical perspective, Ighodaro has combined for 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in his two starts. Meanwhile, Maluach made his lone start count, recording 10 points, 15 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block. Who has the edge? Perhaps it’s too close to call.
Both possess distinctly different skill sets, with Ighodaro serving as an offensive connector and Maluach providing a more productive defensive presence and rebounding ability. Oso gets the nod for his perimeter defense and rim running, while Maluach offers greater size and the potential to space the floor. Decisions, decisions!
It’s still too early to cast judgment on who should ultimately occupy the starting center position when the regular season begins. There are compelling arguments for both candidates, and each brings a distinct skill set to the table. But that’s exactly the subject of this week’s Bright Side Reacts survey. We’re asking you to put yourself in head coach Jordan Ott’s shoes and decide who you believe should be the starting center for the Phoenix Suns.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 08: Gabe McGlothan #41 of the Boston Celtics guards Meleek Thomas #15 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter of the preseason game at Rocket Arena on October 08, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 124-113. 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
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cavaliers fans and fans across the country.
The Cleveland Cavaliers had a busy offseason. To simplify things, they exchanged Max Strus, Dean Wade, Dennis Schroder, and Keon Ellis for Peyton Watson, Mario Hezonja, and Meleek Thomas.
Watson, Hezonja, and Thomas enter the year with very different expectations, and have each shown something different during these exhibition games.
Watson has the potential to be a breakout player. The 24-year-old, 6’8” wing has shown flashes of being a two-way impact player during the first four years of his career with the Denver Nuggets. The Cavs are giving him more opportunities to help him develop. And they gave him a four-year, $88 million deal, believing that he will be a consistent, high-level two-way player.
Hezonja isn’t joining the Cavs with those expectations. Cleveland is hoping that the once top-five pick can be a versatile, do-everything backup four that is on a veteran minimum deal. Not nearly as much is invested in this low-risk, high-reward gamble.
The Cavs are high on Thomas. The 20-year-old second-round pick has shown glimpses of being an efficient, score-first guard during Summer League and at times in the preseason. Thomas probably won’t be a high-impact player right away. It’s rare that a rookie taken in the second round makes a meaningful contribution on a contending team, but maybe Thomas can be the exception.
So, which one of these three players has impressed you the most in preseason based on your expectations coming into this preseason?
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 12: Tre Johnson #12 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against Nolan Traore #10 of the Brooklyn Nets during the first half of a preseason game at Capital One Arena on October 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the second straight year, Nolan Traore will be the youngest player on the youngest team in the NBA, a 20-year-old on a team whose average age is, again, a little more than 24. At 20 years and five months old, he is six weeks younger than Mikel Brown, the Nets No. 6 pick in the 2026 Draft. (Brown is also three weeks older than Ben Saraf.)
But in the NBA, youth only gets you so far and now in his second year, Traore is starting to show he belongs. It’s early and there’s only a small sample to work from, but as C.J. Holmes points out in the Daily News Tuesday, the 6’4” point guard with a shooter’s touch has growing confidence.
Traoré’s scoring has climbed with each appearance. He had 10 points against the Charlotte Hornets, 12 against Philadelphia 76ers and 17 Monday. Through three games, he’s averaging 13 points while shooting 65% overall and 57.1% from 3-point range. The percentages come from a small sample, but the confidence behind the attempts is clear.
A far cry from this time last year when there were doubts about about the No. 19 pick even inside the executive offices at 168 39th Street in Sunset Park. Like the top four picks in Nets historic draft, at least by numbers, he was considered somewhat of a reach. ESPN’s final mock draft had him going at No. 22. Never mind that he had once been seen as at top 5 prospect in the generational draft or the general assessment that he was the quickest guard in the Draft.
While fans wanted a finished product, others inside the front office understood that it was going to take time. He was new not just to the NBA, but the USA. He needed time to develop physically as well as mentally. And at the end of last season, after a 13-game stint with Long Island, he was putting up numbers, even if inconsistently. In the last six weeks in Brooklyn, he put up 13 points a game along with four assists and it seems he was more under control. But he had a lot to work on. As Brian Lewis reported, of every player who attempted at least 100 layups, his 44.4% was dead last.
Then over the summer, after arthroscopic surgery on his knee, he grew, like physically grew. He picked up an inch in height and about 12 pounds of what sure looks like muscle. He spoke about his transformation at Media Day.
“Definitely the more I play, the more confident I’ve gotten,” Traore told The Post. “I get a little better every game. I just feel great, and I hope it’s going to keep going.”
“My knee is completely fine now, so there’s no concern,” Traore, 20, said. “For me, [the offseason] was more the physical aspect. Obviously the shooting, too. I worked a lot on it and I feel good now. Changed a few things, too.
“Offseason was a lot of [time in the] gym. That was the main thing. Focusing on just getting better as a player, watching clips from the playoffs or watching reads. Working on my shot, too.”
His teammates and his coach noticed.
“I like his aggressiveness shooting the 3, and his shot looks very confident. Credit to the work he’s put in the whole summer. And just want to challenge him to improve defensively. There’s just a couple of hiccups that he could’ve been better; but I know he is tough and he’s up for the challenge.” head coach Jordi Fernández said postgame.
Traore also said the Nets more open offense this year is a big help to his individual game.
“It’s helped me a lot,” Traore told Lewis. “I think I’m better when the defense is not set because I can take gaps quickly and make plays off of that. So the more we play fast, the better I’m going to be.”
And the better Traore is, the better off Brooklyn will be.
Things will change, of course, Thursday night in Miami, the team’s final preseason game. Mikel Brown Jr. will finally make his NBA debut and there will be more competition for minutes among him, Brown Jr., Demin and Keon Ellis who Fernandez has started, liking his point-of-attack defense and 3-point shooting. Traore knows he will have fight for minutes and a role.
As Holmes wrote.
The opening-night depth chart remains unsettled, and Brown’s return will make the competition more complicated. Traoré has made an encouraging start. His best argument is to keep producing whenever Fernández gives him the ball.
“It was more focused on just having the same form every time, basic stuff,” Traoré said.
Pack your patience, Dub Nation. Eight days before the 2026-27 NBA regular-season opener, it is abundantly clear there will be moments of frustration as the Warriors apply the revamped offense coach Steve Kerr is trying to install.
One such moment came Tuesday night in a 101-89 preseason win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Barely two minutes into the game, Kerr was hopping off the bench signaling for a timeout, displeased with seeing a flaw reappear after being directly addressed one day earlier: Turnovers that give easy points to opponents.
“We have, I think, 90 (actually 84) turnovers through four games,” Kerr told reporters Monday after practice. “I haven’t harped on them until now because I know we’re really teaching a lot of things that are new for our guys. But now is the time. We only have two exhibition games left. We start the season a week from (Wednesday), so much of the film session was about our decision-making and showing poor decisions from the other night. Time and score, risk/reward type stuff.
“I give our guys a lot of credit; they really took the film session to heart. In the scrimmage part of our practice today, they did a great job.”
Or so Kerr thought – until the third minute of the game.
When Kerr signaled for timeout with 9:27 remaining in the first quarter, it was three seconds after Brandin Podziemski flipped an errant hook pass that was stolen, launching Los Angeles toward an easy transition bucket.
Golden State’s immediate response was an 8-0 run for its first lead of the game (12-11). Problem solved? Well, no. The Warriors in the second quarter committed nine giveaways, giving the giddy Lakers 12 points that fed their 63-50 halftime lead.
“Just mindless turnovers that completely allowed the game to get away from us,” Kerr told reporters at T-Mobile Center in Las Vegas. “The first quarter, you could see we’re still need a lot of work on everything that we’re talking about. Winning the game in the margins.”
Not until the second half, mostly against LA’s second and third wave of reserves, did Kerr’s message seem to be absorbed. While the Warriors were cleaner and more careful, the Lakers submitted a woefully pathetic performance, with almost twice as many turnovers (18) as field goals (10) over the final 24 minutes.
“Much better second half, overall, the energy and effort,” Kerr said. “But we’ve got to execute better. We have to finish in transition, make the easy plays and we’re not close yet.”
The second-half recovery – nine turnovers, giving LA the Lakers only four points – was enough to secure Golden State’s third victory in its first five preseason games. The finale comes Friday night at Chase Center against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Kerr and his staff, as well as every member of the roster, understand that what matters most in the preseason is not the score, but process and execution.
“We’re not anywhere close to where we want to be,” Kerr said. “But we are working on the right things, we have a clear vision, the players are great guys, they’re committed, they want to do well. But our execution is just scattered at this point. You just got to keep working. It’s not going to happen overnight.”
Coming off this game, the Warriors have more to critique than celebrate. More areas of concern than confidence.
Consider that on a night when advanced vets Draymond Green and Al Horford were allowed to rest, solid point-of-attack defense and rim protection were MIA. Luka Dončić didn’t play, so Austin Reaves consistently got to the cup, torching a procession of defenders.
Consider that Yaxel Lendeborg, Golden State’s Great Rookie Hope, rolled his left ankle in the third quarter. He left briefly, got checked out and later returned. This is, at the very least, worth watching.
We’re almost there, y’all. A mere two preseason games stand between us and the start of the NBA regular season. There have been some great storylines thus far that have made all of these preseason games worth watching, and our Minnesota Timberwolves are getting their identities and rotations firmly established as the team looks to start the year strong.
On deck this Wednesday we have the Detroit Pistons, who are due to give their starting players some burn as the team has only played in two other preseason games so far. Regular Detroit starters Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren did not play in their last game against the Washington Wizards, so it would seem likely that the Pistons would like to get their usual starting five a bit of run before the regular season starts.
Whether or not Wolves head coach Chris Finch will continue to trot his preferred starting lineups out there for extended stretches of time remains to be seen. Regardless, there are plenty of things to both build off of and tweak coming off of a fairly complete victory over the reigning champion New York Knicks.
Lamelo Ball’s effect is real. The open looks just keep coming.
The Timberwolves were shooting lights-out from deep against the Knicks, amassing 18 made 3-point shots at a 53% clip. Jaden McDaniels was four for five, Anthony Edwards was five for eight, and Ayo Dosunmu shot three for four from long range. While it may be a bit unrealistic to expect the team to shoot over 50% from perimeter most nights, that volume will need to be maintained in order to beat top teams like the Pistons.
Despite their embarrassing early playoff exit a season ago, this Detroit team returns with high expectations and will again be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Their identity will be predicated on the infectious defensive presence of Ausar Thompson, highlighting capable 3-point specialists in Duncan Robinson, Kevin Huerter, and new addition Isaiah Joe, while their talisman in Cade Cunningham contributes positively in every aspect of the game. Tough matchups are abound here, and continuing to make the deep shots at a high clip will be able to stretch the defensive congestion that the Pistons will feature.
Not only do the Timberwolves starters need to continue to excel in this area, but the bench players will also need to do their part in creating diverse offensive looks for Detroit to deal with. A return of Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jonathan Kuminga could force the Pistons to defend the paint a bit more honestly than was the case against the Knicks on Monday night. This should create opportunities for reserves like Trey Lyles, Isaiah Evans, Jaylen Clark, Bones Hyland, and Cody Williams to let it fly from beyond the arc.
Mitigate Turnovers & Fouls
Despite playing limited minutes, the Timberwolves starters had a propensity for turning the ball over at a high rate and committing fouls against the Knicks. Joan Beringer’s three fouls in 14 minutes of play were not exactly encouraging, and Jaden McDaniels’ four fouls and four turnovers in 24 minutes would have been a bigger topic of conversation had he not scored 22 silky-smooth points. LaMelo Ball had seven assists, but that also came with five turnovers of his own.
These are areas that will need to get cleaned up against top-flight teams like Detroit. Without the aforementioned blistering three-point percentage keeping New York chasing the game, it would have turned into a dogfight.
The Pistons are a pesky team. They will pressure, and they will get their steals. They have plenty of dudes that can draw pressure and fouls, especially with new frontcourt addition John Collins. Minnesota will have to play tough and intelligent basketball to win a matchup against this smartly retooled Detroit team.
Ball cannot afford to be lackadaisical with his handles. The silly fouls will need to stop to both keep players in the game and maintain possession of the ball. Failure to do so will allow the Pistons to go on runs and capture the momentum of the game.
All Eyes on Cody Williams
While his surprise inclusion in the starting lineup would never have happened if Kuminga or Shannon Jr. played against the Knicks, it spoke volumes of Finch’s confidence in Cody Williams that he got the nod for this game.
It was a modest outing, but that is enough to consider what Williams’ role may be when the regular season gets in full swing. Williams only had six points, one rebound, and one block in 15 minutes of play, though he was two for two from deep (two for three overall) and finished the game at a +4 in box plus-minus. Not too shabby for a guy that few expect to earn any meaningful minutes this season.
His decision making and confidence seem to be improving in every matchup. Williams still has all the physical tools to be a plus defender, and he has been making strides in his limited minutes. It is becoming less outlandish to wonder whether or not there may be an end-of-bench role for him this season afterall, despite many projecting him to be a deep stash that will see spot minutes in the event of injury.
While Williams’ Utah Jazz game film often leaves much to be desired, the opportunity to develop good habits in a positive winning environment could be what he needs to right the ship. I’ll stop short of calling him the next Nickeil Alexander-Walker, though there is a reason that Tim Connelly kept Williams over John Konchar in the salary-dump trade of Josh Green.
Expect his preseason minutes to grow in these last few games, and don’t be surprised if we see more of him in the regular season than initially anticipated.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 11: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Jevon Carter #2 of the Orlando Magic dive for a loose ball during the first quarter of a preseason game at Rocket Arena on October 11, 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 Cleveland Cavaliers wrap up their exhibition slate with a rematch against the Orlando Magic. The Cavs won the first meeting on Thursday 119-105.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: Jordan Clarkson #00 and Landry Shamet #44 of the New York Knicks defend the basket from Jonathan Mogbo #2 of the Toronto Raptors during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden on April 10, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Pamela Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 0-3 Knicks visit the 1-1 Toronto Raptors tonight at Scotiabank Arena for the fourth of five preseason contests. Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart are all supposed to sit for rest after playing in last night’s loss to the T’Wolves. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard is penciled in for his first preseason appearance with the Dinos since their 2019 title run.
Tip off is 7:00 p.m. EST on MSG. This is your game thread. This is RaptorsHQ. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Extend kindness to your fellow humans. And go Knicks!
Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg (1) drives down the court against Los Angeles Lakers guard Adou Thiero (1) in the first half in a pre-season game at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 124 - 98. (Photo by Yalonda M. James/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors will play their fifth game of the preseason with Tuesday night’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM PT in Las Vegas and can be watched on NBA TV.
The Warriors improved to 2-2 this preseason with a 111-106 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night. Stephen Curry remained on a 14-minute restriction but made the most of his limited playing time, finishing with eight points on 3-of-6 shooting from the field, including two three-pointers. The rest of Golden State’s starting lineup played more than 20 minutes, highlighted by another impressive performance from rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. The 11th overall pick continued to show that his success at the collegiate level can translate to the NBA, stuffing the stat sheet with 23 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and a steal. Lendeborg’s combination of size, activity, and versatility has been on full display throughout the preseason, particularly on the glass, where he once again led the Warriors in rebounding.
Yaxel Lendeborg stuffed the stat sheet in a win over the Kings 📊
As the Warriors prepare for Tuesday night’s matchup against the Lakers, their starting lineup is beginning to take shape. After opening the preseason with a more traditional lineup featuring Al Horford at center, Golden State has since utilized a “small” unit featuring Draymond Green at the five, Lendeborg and Gui Santos in the frontcourt, and Curry and Brandin Podziemski in the backcourt.
In years past, moving Green to center typically meant sacrificing size in favor of additional shooting, playmaking and versatility. However, this latest iteration of the Warriors’ small-ball lineup offers a different dynamic. With Lendeborg and Santos alongside Green, Golden State can be aggressive on the glass without sacrificing the positional size and offensive versatility that have long defined its success around Curry. With the regular season approaching, Tuesday’s matchup should provide another opportunity for this group to build chemistry and establish itself as a potential starting unit.
Steve Kerr says Kristaps Porzingis will be at Chase Center tomorrow to meet with the medical staff. No other updates yet @NBCSWarriors
For now, Steve Kerr is leaning towards a starting five of Curry, Podziemski, Santos, Lendeborg and Green on opening night pic.twitter.com/CpLereH8BL
Head coach Steve Kerr told reporters that Porzingis is expected to return to the Warriors' facilities Tuesday to meet with Rick Celebrini, their director of sports medicine and performance.
There's no indication of when exactly the 31-year-old will return.
"No update beyond that," Kerr said. "He'll be in the building ... meeting with Rick and the performance team."
Kristaps Porzingis injury update
Porzingis was acquired by the Warriors in February via a deal with the Atlanta Hawks, but since he's only appeared in 15 out of 27 possible regular-season games after the trade. He's been out at various times with a lingering respiratory illness that causes a dramatic increase in heart rate upon standing, severe fatigue, and dizziness.
Porzingis was brought in to answer Golden State's issues at the center position, giving them more size and versatility to defend the interior against other bigs in the league or penetrating perimeter players. He signed a two-year, $40 million contract extension in June, reaffirming his commitment to the Bay Area.
Whether or not he will have a starting position upon his return isn't the topic of conversation. The Warriors' first order of priority is a checkup on the 7-foot-2, former All-Star and NBA champion. They want to know how he is doing, how he feels and if he's ready.
"All of that will be determined once we get him back here and have discussions, figure out where he is, all that stuff," Kerr said of Porzingis being a starter.
The Warriors face the Los Angeles Lakers in a preseason meeting at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In the meantime, Porzingis's status remains unknown.
Until Porzingis returns, it's small ball in the Bay. Kerr said he is leaning towards a starting lineup of Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Yaxel Lendeborg and Draymond Green. However, he added that Al Horford could also be a potential starter at center playing 20 minutes a game but likely will have him come off the bench.
