LeBron James OUT for Sixers’ first of a back-to-back vs Bucks

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 22: LeBron James #23 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 22, 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Update, 1:25 p.m.: LeBron James has officially been ruled out Saturday night vs. the Milwaukee Bucks.


And now we get our first glimpse of how the Sixers will manage back-to-backs this season.

Philadelphia released their injury report ahead of their matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday and they’ve listed LeBron James as questionable with back management. Joel Embiid was not listed at all, indicating those two will be staggered across the weekend. Embiid said after their home opener win that he was only going to play in one of them, and it’s safe to assume that will be the case for LeBron as well.

The Sixers should be able to dispense of the Bucks without James’ services. Milwaukee is playing on short rest themselves, having hosted the Chicago Bulls on Friday. How the Embiid-less Sixers fare against the size of the Detroit Pistons on Sunday will be a much harder challenge.

The rest of the injury report remains the same as it was for the first two games of the season. Dean Wade is again listed as questionable with an ankle sprain. He has yet to make his Sixers debut since rolling his left ankle in the team’s final preseason game. Dominick Barlow remains out, still over a week a way from his next evaluation, and Tacko Fall is out as well with his quad injury.

Lakers’ ‘Iron Man’ streak comes to an end vs. Clippers

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Jake LaRavia of the Los Angeles Lakers arrives at the arena, Image 2 shows Jake LaRavia #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to the media after a game against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Image 3 shows Jake LaRavia #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings on October 8, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California

Jake LaRavia’s “Iron Man” streak with the Lakers will come to an end on Friday night. 

The fifth-year forward will sit out of his team’s home game against the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena because of a sprained right ankle that he suffered during the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s season-opening win over the Warriors. 

Jake LaRavia will miss his first game because of an injury or illness since joining the Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images

It’s LaRavia’s first missed regular season game because of an injury or illness since he signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Lakers in July 2025 after having played in all 82 regular season games in 2025-26.

He was one of 18 players to play in 82 regular season games last season.

LaRavia played in 90 straight games, the 82 regular season games and eight playoff games, in 2025-26 before being a DNP-CD (did not play, coach’s decision) for the Lakers’ final two playoff games of their four-game second round sweep against the Thunder.

Jake LaRavia’s impressive preseason carried over into the regular season before his injury. NBAE via Getty Images

The 6-foot-8 forward suffered the ankle injury midway through the fourth quarter, with the Lakers up by 33 points, when he attempted to drive into the paint with LJ Cryer guarding him.

Cryer impeded the drive, with the 2022 first-round draft pick awkwardly twisting his right ankle/lower leg before hobbling and falling to the floor.

LaRavia laid on the court and writhed in pain before team trainers helped him back to the bench.

He was able to put weight on the leg before going back to the locker room after subbing out of the game.

While coach JJ Redick didn’t have an update on the veteran forward immediately after the game, he was encouraged about his status compared to how it felt in the immediate aftermath of the injury.

Jake LaRavia (12) was having a strong season opener before leaving with an injury. NBAE via Getty Images

“I’m probably more positive than when it first happened,” Redick said.

LaRavia was having a strong game before going down with the injury, scoring 10 points on 4 of 5 shooting off of the bench.

“I saw him being himself,” Redick said. “Again when he is shooting with confidence and making catch-and-shoot 3s, that’s an added bonus. We have a group of guys that do a lot of things to impact winning that don’t necessarily show up in the box score, certainly won’t show up in a highlight reel on Instagram. He’s a winning player.”

The former Wake Forest Demon Deacon was seen on an exercise bike alongside Adou Thiero, who’s also sidelined because of left knee swelling, at shootaround Friday morning before being ruled out.

Warriors vs. Grizzlies injury report: Charles Bassey out, Brandin Podziemski probable

Brandin Podziemski dribbling with his left hand
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 10: Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors moves the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the second half of the preseason game 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 are set for their home opener tonight, as they host the Memphis Grizzlies. The Dubs are hoping to collect their first win of the season, but, needless to say, it won’t be easy given how many improvements they need to make following Wednesday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

It also won’t be easy because the Warriors are once again dealing with some notable injuries and absences, though they’re hopefully getting some reinforcements as well. Here’s the full injury report.

Warriors

Out — Charles Bassey (right patellar tendinopathy)

Bassey, who was injured in last week’s preseason finale, missed Wednesday’s opener and will miss today’s game as well. The Dubs will certainly be hoping that Bassey makes some significant improvements in the next 24 hours, because they’ll be deeply undermanned at center on Saturday in Phoenix, as Al Horford won’t be available in the second half of the back-to-back.

Out — Jimmy Butler III (right ACL repair surgery)
Out — Moses Moody (left patellar tendon repair surgery)

No new news for either of these two. The team is likely targeting a return around the All-Star break for each of them.

Out — Kristaps Porziņģis(not with team)

Also no new news for Porziņģis, who seems likely to have played his final game for the team … and possibly in the NBA.

Probable — Brandin Podziemski (bilateral low back soreness)

And finally some good news! Podziemski looks primed to make his season debut, after some late-occurring preseason back soreness kept him out of the opening night loss. Playmaking and shot creation beyond Steph Curry was a huge concern on Wednesday, and Podziemski should really help there.

Grizzlies

Doubtful — Cedric Coward (left wrist sprain)

Last year’s 11th overall pick figures to build on a successful rookie campaign, when he started over half of Memphis’ games, averaged 13.6 points, and finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting. He’ll be in the Grizzlies’ starting five when healthy, but suffered a mild wrist injury in Wednesday’s opener.

Questionable — Isaiah Stewart (left ankle sprain)

After spending his first six seasons with the Detroit Pistons, Beef Stew is now on the Grizzlies, where he’ll provide a veteran presence at center next to young bigs Cameron Boozer, Zach Edey, and former Warrior Quinten Post. He didn’t play in Memphis’ season-opening victory over the Utah Jazz, and is questionable to debut tonight.

Enjoy the game, everyone! It tips off at 7:00 p.m. PT from the Chase Center on NBC Sports Bay Area.

Lakers key piece eager to make debut vs. Clippers after missing opener

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Collin Sexton speaks at a podium during a Los Angeles Lakers media day, Image 2 shows Collin Sexton arrives at the arena wearing a white t-shirt, blue jeans, and checkered sneakers, Image 3 shows Lakers guard Collin Sexton speaking with reporters after the team's shootaround on Friday, October 23, 2026

Collin Sexton was hoping he could’ve been on the floor for the Lakers’ season-opening blowout win over the Warriors.

He felt “pretty close” to playing on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena as he worked his way back from a strained right soleus (calf) that sidelined him for the entire preseason.

Lakers guard Collin Sexton spoke with reporters after the team’s shootaround ahead of his season debut against the Clippers. Khobi Price

But the 6-foot-3 guard needed a little bit more time before he was ready to make his season debut.

The wait will end on Friday night when the Lakers host the Clippers in their second game of the regular season, with Sexton set to make his debut for his new team after being removed from the injury report.

“I’m super excited,” he said after Friday’s shootaround. “Look forward to it. Just ready to get out there and get it to the guys and be back playing some basketball again.”

The 6-foot-3 Collin Sexton, who the Lakers signed to a two-year, $19.2 million contract in July, has career averages of 18.3 points and 3.6 assists. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Sexton expects to be on a playing time restriction when he makes his season debut but wasn’t sure how many minutes he’d be allowed to play as of Friday morning.

“I haven’t talked to [coach JJ Redick] just yet, but we’ll go over it after shootaround,” he said.

The No. 8 pick in the 2018 draft said it was “definitely disappointing” to sit out of the season opener. 

But it allowed him to apply his focus elsewhere.

“One thing I was able to do is just stay present, just continue to be a leader, and continue to use my voice as much as I can,” Sexton said. “Just continue to come in with the right attitude and the right approach. Sometimes those are things – the only thing you can control, so that’s how it goes.”

Collin Sexton of the Los Angeles Lakers has recovered from his calf injury. NBAE via Getty Images

The former Alabama guard was also able to witness Walker Kessler, who he was teammates with in Utah from 2022-25, have a historic performance in his Lakers debut.

The 7-foot-2 center scored 26 points on a perfect 12-for-12 shooting performance in the Lakers’ dominant win over the Warriors. 

He became just the second player in Lakers franchise history to make at least 12 field goals without missing, joining Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 34 points on 14-for-14 shooting in 1969.

And his 10 dunks were the most by a Laker since Shaquille O’Neal in 2003, according to ESPN, and the most dunks by a player in the league’s play-by-play era (since 1996-97)

“Walker had a great game,” Sexton said. “It was one of those games where [he] just let the jitters out. So, it was pretty cool to see him start his Laker debut like that. I was super excited for him.”

Jaylen Brown seemingly calls out Jayson Tatum over Celtics trade reaction

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges defends against Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown during an NBA game at Madison Square Garden, Image 2 shows Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball against a Detroit Pistons defender during a game

Jaylen Brown isn’t buying ex-teammate Jayson Tatum’s reaction to his trade over the summer.

In an interview posted to his YouTube account, Tatum explained that he was “just as caught off guard as the rest of the world” when Brown was traded to the 76ers over the summer. Tatum claimed he was told personally about the trade by ESPN insider Shams Charania following a pickup game in Las Vegas.

“Shams walks over, he hands me the towel,” Tatum said. “He’s like, ‘Yo, put this over your face. Don’t react. They just traded him.’

Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons. NBAE via Getty Images

“I said, ‘We traded him down the street?’” Tatum explained.

Brown commented a cap emoji on a clip of the interview, insinuating that he doesn’t believe that was Tatum’s reaction to the blockbuster trade.

Tatum also discussed his and Brown’s relationship after nearly a decade together on the Celtics.

“Every time I stepped on the court, that’s when it was time to go to war,” Tatum said. “I looked to my left and my right, and No. 7 was over there, I knew that he was going to do everything it took for us to try to win.

“The way we pushed each other, I definitely made him better, and he made me better. And we made our team better, we made the organization better. We won a championship. We are forever stitched in stone in NBA history. We held up that trophy. It won’t ever be forgotten.”

Knicks guard Mikal Bridges defends against 76ers Jaylen Brown. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

After news of the Brown trade broke, Charania reported on the state of Brown and Tatum’s off-the-court relationship.

“It is a tale of two different people,” Charania explained. “On the court, they were great, but over the last year or so, that personal relationship, it was as close to non-existent as you could have.”

At his 76ers introduction, Brown seemed unhappy with how the Celtics handled the trade and said he and Tatum had “not really” spoken since the trade went through.

Brown and Tatum won the 2024 title together, their second Finals appearance after losing to the Warriors in 2022. They never missed the playoffs in nine seasons spent together in Boston.

Boston Celtics Daily Links 10/23/26

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 20: The sneakers worn by John Collins #20 of the Detroit Pistons during the game against the Boston Celtics on October 20, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

HeraldJaylen Brown calls ‘cap’ on Jayson Tatum’s reaction to Celtics-76ers trade

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New York Knicks (0-1) at Boston Celtics (0-1) Game #2 10/23/26

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 09: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks to pass the ball past Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on April 09, 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

New York Knicks (0-1) at Boston Celtics (0-1)
Friday, October 23, 2026
7:00  PM ET
Regular Season Game #2 Home Game #1
TV: Prime Video
Radio:  98.5 Sports Hub, Sirius XM
TD Garden

The Celtics home opener brings the reigning NBA Champion New York Knicks to the TD Garden. This is the first of 4 games between these division rivals this season. They will play at Boston once again on January 13 and then two times at New York on March 14 and April 4. The Celtics were 1-3 against the Knicks last season, winning one game at home. They are 309-193 overall all time and 167-69 all time in games played in Boston.

The biggest story of the Knicks roster is that Mitchell Robinson, who was a key member of last year’s championship team, was signed as a free agent by the Celtics. They also lost Jeremy Sochan to Portland and Ariel Hukporti to Philadelphia. They signed Andre Drummond to replace Robinson as a back up center. They also drafted Tyler Nickel with the 49th pick in the draft.

The swap of Jaylen Brown for Paul George makes the Celtics a very different team from last season. They have Jayson Tatum back after missing most of last season with the torn Achilles. They added Mitchell Robinson, and Mike Conley as free agents. And they drafted Chris Cenac, Jr and Dillon Mitchell and signed Devin Carter as a 2-Way player.

The Celtics went 4-0 in the preseason, winning with both starters in 2 games and reserves and Exhibit 10 players in 2 others. They beat Cleveland, Charlotte and Philadelphia twice. The Knicks went 0-4 in the preseason, losing to Philadelphia, Washington, Minnesota, and Toronto. Both teams lost their opening night game and are looking for their first win of the season.

After this game, the Celtics will play home games against Chicago, Brooklyn and Chicago again. They will then play at Orlando and Houston and then home against Milwaukee before a road tripp takes them through Charlotte, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Toronto. They play Dallas and Orlando at home before a West coast trip that takes them through Denver, Sacramento, Golden State, and Washington.

The Knicks will host Orlando and Detroit before playing at Chicago and Philadelphia. They then play at home against Brooklyn and Chicago before a game at Cleveland and then back home to host Milwaukee and Cleveland. Then they have a 4 game road trip through Indiana, 2 games at Toronto, and Minnesota. They finish the month with a 5 game home stand against Portland, Indiana, Cleveland, Miami and Atlanta.

The Celtics started White, Walsh, George, Tatum and Mitchell against the Pistons. I have listed the same starters for this game, but I could see Joe switching things up for this game and possibly starting Hauser, Scheierman or Queta in this one. For the Knicks, I expect the Knicks to start Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Hart, and Towns once again.

Both teams are mostly healthy for their second regular season game. The Celtics have only Devin Carter listed as out with an illness. After missing the final 3 games of the preseason, Carter was diagnosed with mononucleosis and is without a timetable for a return. Mitchell Robinson turned his ankle in Tuesday’s game but is expected to be ok to play in this one. The Knicks have no one listed on their injury report.

Probable Starting Matchups
PG: Derrick White vs Jalen Brunson

Derrick White | NBAE via Getty Images
Jalen Brunson | Getty Images

SG: Jordan Walsh vs Mikal Bridges

Jordan Walsh | Getty Images
Mikal Bridges | NBAE via Getty Images

SF: Paul George vs OG Anunoby

Paul George | NBAE via Getty Images
OG Anunoby | Getty Images

PF: Jayson Tatum vs Josh Hart

Jayson Tatum | NBAE via Getty Images
Josh Hart | NBAE via Getty Images

C Mitchell Robinson vs Karl-Anthony Towns

Mitchell Robinson | NBAE via Getty Images
Karl-Anthony Towns | NBAE via Getty Images

Celtics Reserves
Chris Cenac, Jr
Mike Conley, Jr
Luka Garza
Hugo Gonzalez
Ron Harper, Jr
Sam Hauser
Payton Pritchard
Neemias Queta
Baylor Scheierman

Two Way Players

Devin Carter
Dillon Mitchell
Amari Williams

Injuries/Out

Devin Carter (illness)  out

Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla

Knicks Reserves
Jose Alvarado
Jordan Clarkson
Pacome Dadiet
Mohamed Diawara
Andre Drummond
Tyler Kolek
Miles McBride
Landry Shamet
James Wiseman

Two-Way Players
Jaden Akins
Dalton Knecht
Tyler Nickel

Injuries/Out
None listed

Head Coach
Mike Brown

Key Matchups
Jayson Tatum vs Josh Hart

Hart finished Tuesday’s game with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block and 1 steal. He shot 50% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc.  The Celtics will need to defend him well. On the other side, Hart is a good defender and will look to make it harder for Tatum to score.  Tatum needs to have a good game while not forcing things as he looks to come back from a poor showing against the Pistons. 

Derrick White vs Jalen Brunson
Brunson is key for the Knicks. He finished the first game against the 76ere with 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting 31.6% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to defend him especially well because he is capable of having a big game both scoring and distributing. Against the Pistons, Derrick White shot the ball well and hopefully that continues.

Honorable Mention
Mitchell Robinson vs Karl-Anthony Towns
Assuming that Robinson starts once again,  he will likely want to have a big game against his former team.  Towns will do his best to keep him from doing so.  Against the 76ers, Towns finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks and 1 steal.  The Celtics will need to keep him off the boards and out of the paint. 

Keys to the Game
Defense – As always, defense is the key to winning this, and every, game.  In the preseason, the Celtics were tops in the league with a defensive rating of 98.6.  In the second half of Tuesday’s game the Celtics allowed the Pistons to score 78 points.  The biggest problem in the Celtics collapse against the Pistons was their failure on the defensive end.  The Celtics must make defense their priority and the offense will feed off of that. 

Rebound –  As with defense,  rebounding will always be a key to winning.  The Celtics have to crash the boards as a team and go after every rebound.  In the preseason, the Celtics were 1st with 55 rebounds per game and 3rd with 16.8 offensive rebounds per game. 
The Knicks were 25th  with 42.4 rebounds per game.  Against the Pistons, the Celtics had just 39 rebounds while the Knicks had 53 rebounds against the 76ers. Robinson and Queta are 2 of the best rebounders in the league but they struggled in the first game.  They need to get back to what they do best and win the rebounding battle against the Knicks.

Effort and Focus for 48 Minutes
– The Celtics have to play with extra effort overall for all 4 quarters. In the first half against the Pistons, the Celtics played hard and stayed focused, taking care of the ball and taking and making good shots.  In the second half, the Pistons were the team that played harder and the Celtics lost focus on both ends of the court.  The Knicks play hard and the Celtics must match that effort and they need to stay focused on playing the right way. 

Move the Ball Carefully –  The Celtics need to move the ball to get the best shots.  The Celtics are much better when they move the ball and don’t lapse into iso ball. hopefully this season we will see much less iso ball than in the past.   But, they have to be careful with the ball and avoid turnovers.  They turned the ball over 14 times against the Pistons.  They need to make the extra pass to find the best shot but they also need to stay focused and make careful passes. 

X-Factors
Home Opener –  The Celtics need to take advantage of home court and the boost their fans can give them.  The Knicks will face a hostile crowd and an unfamiliar arena along with travel which will hopefully give the Celtics the edge.  If the Knicks had one crack in their armor last season, it was playing on the road.  They were just 22-19 on the road last season.  The Celtics need to play hard and with focus and take advantage of playing at home.

Mitchell Robinson Revenge Game –  After 8 years with the Knicks and helping them win a championship, they allowed him to walk in free agency in order to stay under the tax. 
Robinson is going to want to show them that they made a mistake and will want to beat his old team.  The Knicks, on the other hand, will want to show him that they are fine without him.  Hopefully Mitch will play well and not try to do too much. 

Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor in every game. Every crew officiates differently. Some call it tight, others let them play. The Celtics need to adjust to how the refs are calling the game and not allow bad calls or no calls to take away their focus from playing the game.  The Celtics also have to be aware of the new points of emphasis for this season and try to avoid flopping, off‑arm push‑offs, reckless closeouts, delays before free throws, and illegal screens. Paul George was already fined for a flop in the first game.

These 7 looming contract decisions could define the NBA season

The conversation surrounding the NBA, perhaps more than any other North American professional sports league, is usually driven as much by transactions as the games themselves. Trade rumors, contract negotiations and free agency decisions can alter championship races and reshape the landscape of the entire league.

This past offseason saw incredible movement, with some of the biggest stars in the game switching teams via free agency and trades. Though a new NBA season has only just started, another wave of important decisions is already looming for players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant.

From superstars weighing extensions worth hundreds of millions of dollars to veterans trying to secure one final payday, these seven contract situations could play a major role in determining where some of the NBA's most impactful players play next and how the 2026-27 season unfolds.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat

It's easy to assume Antetokounmpo's long-term future is settled after the blockbuster trade that sent him from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Heat this offseason. But Antetokounmpo only became contract extension-eligible on Oct. 1, and the size of his contract remains unresolved. He could make significantly more by waiting to come to terms on a new deal with the Heat.

Antetokounmpo, who has a $62.8-million player option for the 2027-28 season on his contract, is currently able to sign a three-year, $194-million extension. That figure jumps to four years, $276-million on Jan. 6, according to ESPN, and five years, $357 million next offseason. Antetokounmpo told reporters last month at Heat media day that he wasn't taking extension questions because "it's too early." There's an expectation throughout the league that the two sides will eventually agree on a long-term extension, but Antetokounmpo had an intriguing response while discussing his future and the move to Miami.

"I want when this chapter is over, if I'm only going to be here a year or two, whatever it's going to be, I want to leave my mark," Antetokounmpo said.

Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

Negotiations between Towns and the Knicks grew increasingly contentious this offseason, and the team paused talks earlier this month after Towns publicly expressed frustration with the process. Whether they can settle those differences carries major implications for how long the Knicks can keep their championship core together after last year's title. Towns is set to make $57 million this season and holds a $61 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign. He is eligible for a four-year, $276 million extension, though ESPN reported the Knicks' most recent offer was closer to $200 million.

The gap is especially notable since Towns says he's willing to accept less than a max deal to help preserve the roster moving forward. But neither side has been able to agree on a number, and the dispute continues to linger over the franchise.

Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets

After arriving in Houston last season, Kevin Durant enters his 20th NBA campaign facing one of the more intriguing contract decisions in the league. The Rockets can offer Durant an extension, but both sides may benefit from waiting to see whether Houston emerges as a legitimate championship contender this season.

Durant has a $46-million player option for the 2027-28 season after a rockier-than-expected first year with the Rockets. But Durant remains an offensive force who averaged 26 points on 52% shooting and earned second team all-NBA honors last season. If this season goes well, an extension could make Houston the city in which Durant retires. If this season falls short of expectations, contenders around the league would undoubtedly monitor Durant's availability.

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Jokic erased any lingering doubt about his future in Denver when he told reporters (and assured Nuggets fans) during media day last month that he will sign a new long-term contract with the team next summer. Jokic will make $59 million this season and has a player option for the 2027-28 season worth $62.8-million in his current deal. He'll be eligible for a five-year supermax contract that could exceed $350 million depending on the NBA's future salary cap projections next summer. Jokic appears set on minimizing any unnecessary drama and distraction related to the situation.

Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards

Anthony Davis enters his first games with the Washington Wizards facing a pivotal stretch that could shape the remainder of his career. While Davis remains one of the NBA's best two-way big men when healthy, questions about his durability could dictate whether the Wizards, or another team, are willing to commit substantial cap space to him beyond his current contract.

Davis will make $58.4 million this season and holds a $62-million player option for the 2027-28 season. But given the 33-year-old's extensive injury history, his availability will be just as important as his production in determining value. Washington has been non-committal about its plans with Davis beyond this current deal, which could make Davis a player mentioned frequently around the NBA's trade deadline in February if another contender is willing to give him contract security. The first few months of this season will be an audition of sorts for Davis to prove he's durable enough to be a difference maker again rather than a high-risk gamble.

Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks

After missing all of last season while recovering from the knee injury that also cut short his 2024-25 campaign, Irving enters the season faced with a prove-it year. Irving is extension-eligible and set to make nearly $39.5 million this season. His contract also includes a $42.4 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign.

At 34 years old, Irving must demonstrate to the Mavericks and the rest of the league he remains an elite player in order to merit another multi-year contract. Though his pairing with Cooper Flagg could be dynamic, their partnership also raises questions about the franchise's long-term direction. With Flagg expected to be the centerpiece, Irving's performance alongside him this season could help determine if Dallas sees him as part of that future or a veteran asset to be dealt elsewhere.

Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets

Porter is playing on an expiring deal this season, which makes him one of the NBA's most fascinating contract situations. The 28-year-old could emerge as a coveted player around the trade deadline if the Nets determine they can't agree on an extension. Porter is eligible to sign a four-year contract worth as much as $243 million with Brooklyn and said at media day last month his preference would be to remain with the Nets.

Porter averaged a career-best 24.2 points per game as the lead option for a struggling team last season and his size, shooting and championship pedigree on the wing would be valuable to a contender. Brooklyn's decision may ultimately hinge on how competitive the team proves to be after adding veteran forward Julius Randle this offseason. If Porter can replicate last season's production and help push the Nets into the Eastern Conference playoff race, he could significantly strengthen his case for another lucrative long-term deal.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These 7 looming contract decisions could define the NBA season

NBA on Prime returns for Knicks vs. Celtics — Here’s how to watch for free

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An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson dribbles the ball during a game against the Toronto Raptors

After dropping their season-opener against Philadelphia, the New York Knicks are back in action tonight against another team looking for their first win.

The Boston Celtics host the Knicks tonight, Oct. 23, for the first NBA on Prime game of the season.

On Tuesday, the Celtics opened the 2026-27 NBA season with a road loss against Detroit.

Just a few hours later, the Knicks began their title defense against a new-look Philadelphia squad. Despite leading by 10 points three times in the second quarter, the Knicks lost, 106-100, in a game that “put [their] egos in check.”

New Celtics center Mitchell Robinson will face his old team tonight, too; Robinson signed with the Celtics in the offseason after winning the NBA championship as a Knick.

When do the Knicks play again?

The Knicks are back in action tonight, Oct. 23, against the Boston Celtics.

Knicks vs. Celtics start time

Knicks vs. Celtics will tip off at 7 p.m. ET.

How to watch Knicks vs. Celtics for free

Tonight’s Knicks vs. Celtics matchup streams exclusively on Prime Video nationwide, so you’ll have to be an Amazon Prime subscriber to watch the game.

If you aren’t a Prime Video subscriber yet, you can get started with a 30-day Amazon Prime free trial, including Prime perks like the Prime Video streaming service, free two-day shipping, exclusive deals, and more. After the free trial, Amazon Prime costs $14.99/month or $139/year.

TRY PRIME VIDEO FREE

All 18- to 24-year-olds, regardless of student status, are eligible for a discounted Prime for Young Adults membership as well, with age verification. After a six-month free trial, you’ll pay 50% off the standard Prime monthly price of $14.99/month — just $7.49/month — for up to six yearsand get all the perks.

NBA on Prime: 2026-27 Knicks schedule

The Knicks have 10 scheduled NBA on Prime games for the 2026-27 season, not including any potential NBA Cup knockout games.

DateTimeOpponent
Oct. 237 p.m. ETBoston Celtics
Oct. 307:30 p.m. ETPhiladelphia 76ers
Nov. 137 p.m. ETIndiana Pacers
Nov. 277 p.m. ETMiami Heat
Jan. 287 p.m. ETAtlanta Hawks
Feb. 117 p.m. ETPhiladelphia 76ers
Feb. 257:30 p.m. ETOklahoma City Thunder
March 49:30 p.m. ETDallas Mavericks
March 1110 p.m. ETLos Angeles Lakers
April 97 p.m. ETDetroit Pistons
TRY PRIME VIDEO FREE

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.


The Credits: “The Arrival”

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 22: Tyrese Maxey #0 and LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers react against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 22, 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The 2026-27 NBA season is here.

The Boston Celtics blew a big lead Tuesday afternoon to open the year 0-1. The Philadelphia 76ers have knocked off last year’s Eastern Conference champs and runner-ups in three days. Tyrese Haliburton dropped 23 points and 12 assists in his return to action. And the Lakers opened the season by blowing out the Warriors and helping make Yaxel Lendeborg’s rookie debut a memorable one.

Here are some of the best stories of the opening week of the season as well as key news you may have missed.

Boston Celtics

Dallas Mavericks

Detroit Pistons

Golden State Warriors

Indiana Pacers

Los Angeles Lakers

Memphis Grizzlies

Miami Heat

Minnesota Timberwolves

New York Knicks

Oklahoma City Thunder

Philadelphia 76ers

Portland Trail Blazers

Sacramento Kings

Toronto Raptors

Washington Wizards

NBA — Contract extensions

What to expect from Booker at 30

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 16: Devin Booker #15 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on October 16, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center 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

The Suns’ 2026-27 season kicked off Wednesday evening with a 124-83 pasting by the Portland Trail Blazers. Booker finished the humiliating night with 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting. It is the beginning of the age-30 season for Suns legend Devin Booker, who reaches that mark on October 30th. Booker will continue his assault on the franchise career leaders this season and likely take the top spot in areas such as career minutes played, field goals, and free throw attempts.

If Booker ends up staying with the Suns throughout his career, he will essentially end up owning that record book.

Records aside, what kind of season can Suns fans expect from the player that undeniably must perform to his fullest capabilities if the Suns want to dream about more than a first-round playoff exit?

Here is a list of other active players during their age-30 seasons. I didn’t include players that had won an MVP (Harden, Westbrook) or that played PF or C. There are wings and guards represented here.

There aren’t a lot of close comparisons to go off. On the list above, Lowry (6), Butler (6), and George (9) have more All-Star appearances than Booker (5). Players like McCollum and White aren’t in that All-Star category but have been solid players throughout their careers. Those players cumulatively averaged 3.8 points, 1.1 assists, and 1.0 rebounds, higher than their career averages in their age-30 season. Every player on that list was above his career scoring average.

Booker’s career averages are 24.6 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game. If he averages those numbers vs. his career totals, he would be at 28.4 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game. Those numbers would be a career-high scoring average, the 4th-highest assist average, and tied for the highest rebounding average.  

That season would also give him the Suns’ season single-scoring record. Tom Chambers currently holds the record at 27.2 ppg, while Booker averaged 27.1 in his best season. My guess is Booker would be happy to get that one in his portfolio. Tom Chambers set the single-season scoring record in…his age-30 season.

There aren’t really any recent examples from the Suns to use for comparison. For the guards, Kevin Johnson was an All-Star (non-MVP) who spent his age-30 season with the Suns. He averaged 20.1 points, 9.3 assists, and 3.6 rebounds that year. Definitely a good season, but not the best for a player who averaged 20/10 three times in his career. Walter Davis was 40 years ago, and he was injured and barely played in his age 30 season. Steve Nash won the MVP in his 30th season, but I didn’t include MVPs in the table above. It would be less likely than a case of lightning striking twice for Booker to pull off the same feat. Charles Barkley won his MVP in Phoenix in his 29th season, but still made the 2nd team All-NBA the next year.

Other great guards that played for the Suns didn’t have their age-30 season in Phoenix. Players like Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Stephon Marbury, Connie Hawkins, Jeff Hornacek, Dan Majerle, etc., weren’t Suns at that age. It’s a common theme that the Suns don’t seem to keep players into their 30s. Booker becomes an exception.

Going back to the table and looking at BPM, three of the seven players (Lowry, Holiday, and McCollum) had the highest box plus/minus of their career. White’s was the second highest.

Booker has reached the age where athleticism begins to wane, and experience has to make up the difference. The age 30 season gains importance because the clock begins to tick cacophonously. After the age of 30, only Karl Malone, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Steve Nash, and Wilt Chamberlain have won MVPs. It has been 21 years since Nash achieved the feat.

That would be a bar set too high, but there isn’t any reason to think Booker can’t make a push for the franchise single-season scoring record, return to All-NBA form, and be the leader for a team that is very dangerous come playoff time.

The Sixers passed a major test against the Cavaliers with flying colors

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 22: LeBron James #23 celebrates with Jaylen Brown #7 and Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In the first half of their home opener on Thursday night, the Sixers were being serenaded by boos. And they deserved it, as LeBron James later admitted.

After Tyrese Maxey tied the game at 11 early on, the Cleveland Cavaliers rattled off a 24-7 run to finish off the first quarter. The Sixers fell into a 29-point deficit in the second quarter and headed into the locker room down 69-45 at halftime.

At that point, the Sixers had two choices. They could have gone through the motions in the second half and decided it just wasn’t their night, particularly if the Cavs started the third quarter off strong. As Joel Embiid said after the game, past Sixers teams “would have just laid down and tried to move on to the next one.”

Instead, the Sixers opened the third quarter on an 11-0 run and got right back into the game. The end result? The biggest comeback win in LeBron’s career, the Sixers’ biggest comeback win in the past 30 years, and what Embiid first called a “top-five night for me since I’ve been in Philadelphia.” (He later amended that to top-three before admitting that he “just kind of made it up.”)

After the game, reporters naturally asked everyone on the team about the mood in the locker room at halftime. To a man, they responded that they viewed the halftime deficit as an early-season litmus test.

  • Nick Nurse: “There’s some veteran guys in there, and the voices at halftime were like, ‘It’s still a game. Settle down, and let’s start playing our game.’ They were pissed. They were down and pissed both. Getting over what just happened, realizing, ‘Oh my God, we’ve gotta snap out of it.’ And then getting ready to go to work.”
  • VJ Edgecombe: “We know that we’re gonna face a lot of adversity this year. That was one of them. It’s all about how we respond. That was the main thing when we went in the locker room. How are we gonna respond to being down 30 points, 29 points? How are we gonna respond?”
  • Tyrese Maxey: “My only message that I had, I said, ‘Well, it’s time to see what we’re made of.’ We gonna be some frontrunners and give in and only be happy when stuff is good? Or when stuff is bad, are we gonna fight and be resilient? We did that.”
  • Jaylen Brown: “I think I said it’s a great opportunity for us to respond to adversity. There’s gonna be ups and downs all year long. How we respond is gonna be 80 percent of the battle. It’s a good sign that we came out, being down 30, we could have been pointing fingers. We got after it, so I like that.”
  • LeBron James: “It was basically just saying, ‘Let’s see what we’re made of at this point of the season.’ I don’t think we’ve got a locker room full of lay-down guys, there’s a lot of game to be played. We answered the call.”

They did indeed.

After turning the ball over 14 times in the first half—which led to a 22-3 Cleveland advantage in points off turnovers—the Sixers had only two giveaways in the second half. They completely flipped the script on the Cavs by scoring 19 points off turnovers in the second half compared to zero for Cleveland.

That ball security also allowed the Sixers to get their half-court defense set more often. With Maxey ramping up the ball pressure and hounding James Harden, the Cavaliers’ free-flowing offense from the first half was nowhere to be found in the third quarter. The Sixers trimmed 16 points off their 24-point deficit in that quarter alone, getting the Xfinity Mobile Arena crowd back into the game after their dismal first half.

From there, the Sixers started hunting mismatches.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Embiid went on a personal 7-0 run to put the Sixers ahead for good. Brown then took over with a 6-0 run of his own, as it looked like he took it as a personal slight that the Cavaliers dared to have Sam Merrill try to defend him. (Perhaps he took cues from Luka Dončić’s response to Yaxel Lendeborg on Wednesday?)

As Steve Jones of Yahoo Sports noted after the game, the Sixers figured to show that type of problem-solving in the playoffs, when it’s easier to create opponent-specific game plans. Their ability to figure it out on the fly only two games into the regular season is eye-opening.

For the second straight game, one major adjustment was sticking Embiid on a non-shooting wing on defense and having LeBron and Brown able to guard up. Once Dean Wade is back in the fold, he’ll likely get a crack at those types of assignments as well. That defensive versatility is a tool that few other teams can match.

The Sixers still have plenty to figure out, as they all readily admit. They’re still developing chemistry with one another, still figuring out where everyone should be on offense and still learning how to pick and choose their respective spots. But their refusal to lay down and quit against Cleveland spoke volumes about this team.

“It’s great to know that deep down, we’re not gonna have that quit mentality,” LeBron said after the game. “You never want to feel like that. You never want to look around and be like, ‘OK, guys gave up.’ It’s great to know that we’ve got that. But you don’t want to put yourself in too many of those situations.”

Dating back to media day, they all preached about needing to develop championship habits from day one. As the New York Knicks proved during the 2026 NBA Finals, the ability to stay resilient amidst that type of adversity is the very definition of a championship habit. After all, the Knicks would have headed back to San Antonio tied 2-2 had they not overcome a 29-point deficit in Game 4.

The Sixers once again had a dismal night from long range (7-of-28), but the three-point shot is the great equalizer in the modern NBA. We’ve seen time and again throughout the league that almost no lead is safe. Teams have to run hard through the tape or they risk coughing up leads that once seemed insurmountable.

After Game 4 of the Finals last year, Brunson explained the secret behind the Knicks’ never-quit mentality.

“We just keep fighting,” he told reporters. “And now we’re going to continue giving it everything we got. Regardless, even if we don’t win Game 4, I feel like the habits that got us back into the game could have carried over into Game 5.”

On Thursday, the Sixers showed that exact type of resilience against the Cavaliers. Although they’d be far better off not falling into a nearly 30-point hole in the first half, their ability to battle back from that and emerge victorious bodes well for this group moving forward.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Spotrac and salary-cap information via RealGM.

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Knicks’ $3.7 million plan for employee championship rings revealed

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows The NBA Championship Trophy and the Knicks Championship rings displayed on the court before the ring ceremony, Image 2 shows New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns smiles after receiving his championship ring before a game

BOSTON — The Knicks are handing out 275 championship rings to employees worth almost $4 million, The Post has learned.

The news comes on the heels of a report from The Athletic revealing that the Knicks handed empty boxes to the top assistant coaches – Chris Jent, Rick Brunson and Brendan O’Connor – during Tuesday’s ceremony.

Jent, Brunson and O’Connor will get their real rings “shortly,” said a league source, who added that the distribution of 275 championship rings was always the plan. All the Knicks assistant coaches will eventually receive championship rings, league sources said. 

The NBA Championship Trophy along with the Knicks Championship rings on the court before the ring ceremony. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

“The company is gifting more than 275 championship rings and jewelry to players, coaches, employees and other members of the Knicks family, worth more than $3.7 million, in recognition of their contributions and celebrating this achievement,” an MSG spokesman told The Post. 

The Garden also acknowledged an error involving a mass email sent to MSG corporate staffers several weeks before the ceremony. The email asked the staffers to click on a link to be fitted for a championship ring, sources confirmed. However, the link led to a mandatory cybersecurity class – a tactic the Garden deployed as response to a hacking incident. 

Jalen Brunson #11 receives his ring from Knicks alumni Walt “Clyde” Frazier in a pregame ceremony. Carlos Toro for NY Post

An MSG spokesman called the use of rings an error. 

“The company had previously sent out an email to its corporate team as a simulation of a phishing attack designed to strengthen our security against hackers,” an MSG spokesman told The Post. “MSG was recently hacked and extorted using an employee login and password obtained through a similar phishing attack. Using the rings as a lure to gain employees attention was an unfortunate mistake.”

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) smiles after receiving his championship ring before an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden in New York, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

All current Knicks players received championship rings before Tuesday’s home opener against the Sixers, as did former Knick center Ariel Hukporti, who was at the arena with his new Philadelphia teammates. Team executives Leon Rose and William Wesley also got their rings Tuesday. 

Sixers list James and Wade as questionable for 1st leg of back-to-back

Sixers list James and Wade as questionable for 1st leg of back-to-back  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

All things considered, the Sixers’ injury report was not a lengthy one Friday night ahead of the team’s first back-to-back this season.

LeBron James was listed as questionable for Saturday’s game vs. the Bucks with an official designation of “low back/sciatica management.” The Sixers plan to be cognizant of the 41-year-old James’ load during the regular season with the playoffs in mind. 

Dean Wade was also questionable with a left ankle sprain. Wade worked out on the Xfinity Mobile Arena floor Thursday prior to the 2-0 Sixers’ comeback win over the Cavaliers, but he ultimately did not make his regular-season Sixers debut. The 29-year-old forward injured his ankle a week ago in the team’s preseason finale. 

Dominick Barlow (lower back stress reaction), Tacko Fall (left quadriceps strain) and Ariel Hukporti (right Achilles tendor tear) remained out.

As of Friday night, Joel Embiid was absent from the Sixers’ injury report. Speaking late Thursday evening, Embiid’s expectation was that he’d sit against either the Bucks or the Pistons on Sunday. He logged 34 minutes vs. Cleveland and posted 24 points on 8-for-16 shooting and seven rebounds. 

“I’m not playing both games,” Embiid said. “I’m playing one of them. I don’t know. They’re going to tell me. But I feel good. Whatever they tell me, I’ll do it. 

“I might not agree with it, I might fight it, but I might not win. I kind of give them the freedom to do whatever they want.”

Grizzlies' Quinten Post wants to ‘kill' Warriors in first game vs. former team

Grizzlies' Quinten Post wants to ‘kill' Warriors in first game vs. former team originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Arguably the biggest departure from the Warriors during this past NBA offseason was big man Quinten Post.

The 26-year-old from the Netherlands signed a three-year, $30 million offer sheet with the Memphis Grizzlies in July as a restricted free agent, and Golden State opted not to match.

On Friday, Post is set to make a very quick return to Chase Center to face his old team for the first time. He spoke with Michael Wallace of Grind City earlier in the day to discuss the emotions of coming back to the Bay.

“Yeah, I mean, I was always very grateful to the Warriors organization,” Post explained. “You know, they drafted me, they gave me a chance out of the G League. I didn’t start up [in the NBA]; I started in their G League system. And so it’ll always be a place that’s special to me. The city of San Francisco is great and great organization, but now we’re here.

“I’m really happy to be here, and tonight I just want to kill them, to be honest.”

Now, does that mean Post actually harbors some serious animosity toward the Warriors for letting him go, or is he just excited to compete with his new squad? Who knows.

Post spent two seasons with Golden State after being selected at No. 52 overall in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft and proved he could be a more-than-capable rotation option after spending some time with the G League Santa Cruz Warriors.

The 7-footer averaged 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 36.5 percent from 3-point range in 16.9 minutes across 109 games (49 starts). In his first appearance with the Grizzlies on Wednesday, Post had seven points and a rebound on 3-of-4 shooting (1 of 2 from deep) in 19 minutes during Memphis’ win over the Utah Jazz.

Post likely will come off the bench again Friday behind starter Zach Edey, but it will be interesting to see how the former Warrior performs in this “revenge game” of sorts.

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