Category: NBA

How Warriors star Steph Curry manages delicate balancing act as dreamer, realist originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

LAIE, Hawaii – Social media still was at its infant stage when Steph Curry was drafted by the Warriors in 2009. 

The first iPhone was released two years prior in 2007, and Twitter came a year before that. Facebook was just passing MySpace in popularity as Curry made the move to the Bay Area. Podcasts were kind of around, but far from their eventual rise into everyday life, and Instagram hadn’t even been born.

Curry always has heard the noise, well before anybody could have an opinion on a myriad of platforms. He saw the headlines about being too small at little Davidson College, and he knew the doubts about his brittle ankles early in his Warriors career. Now that hot takes have become part of the air we breathe, Curry continues to be every bit in the know about the. 

Since Kevin Durant’s departure in 2019, and even more so since the Warriors’ last championship in 2022, the theme has been Curry being let down by the franchise’s decision makers. That they haven’t given him enough help as he ages and pushes his prime further than they could have guessed. He doesn’t ignore the talking points, nor does he allow them to affect him and his team. 

There are sprinkles Curry can understand, and others he shakes his head at. 

“I’m not an idiot,” Curry says to NBC Sports Bay Area in an exclusive interview after the Warriors’ fourth day of training camp in Hawaii. “I know what it means in the sense of that window we had. We were coming off of ‘22, there were opportunities to get better, add new talent, and some worked out, some didn’t, and the jury is still out on how we end this entire journey with a competitive mindset. 

“We knew there’s never really going to be a scenario where we’re going to be in the favorites conversation from a championship-contending perspective. … So, all I have to say, I’ve had a really amazing career and journey. I want to win. All the other chatter doesn’t necessarily matter to me in terms of how I grade our seasons.” 

The Warriors have lost in the second round of the NBA playoffs twice since their 2022 championship, and failed to reach the playoffs entirely twice. They’ve been an NBA play-in tournament team each of the last three years, hitting a new low of 37 wins last season. Curry missed 39 games to injury last season, and his new normal is life with runner’s knee. 

Jimmy Butler is rehabbing a torn right ACL he sustained in January, 11 days before Curry went down. Moses Moody is rehabbing a ruptured left patellar tendon, and Kristaps Porziņģis’ health status is a walking question mark. Dynasty is a word of the Warriors’ past. Expectations haven’t been lower in what feels like forever. 

Experts predicted the Warriors could win north of 50 games last season after the promise of Butler’s arrival at the 2025 NBA trade deadline. Then came an awkward offseason, a slow start to the regular season and injuries no team can survive. The same 37 wins the Warriors ended last season with are about what’s being predicted of them for this upcoming season. 

Internally, the Warriors are cautiously optimistic of their outlook. Externally, an aging team welcomes doubts and more challenges. 

“We’re embracing all of it,” Curry says. “It’s just funny and more entertaining with the external conversations and chatter about us, because we want to be relevant, we want to be competitive. We all know that. And when we’re not, it’s loud, so we embrace it.”

Curry had his Jim Mora moment at media day. He was flabbergasted at the thought of the Warriors not even being a playoff team, but along with missing them in two of the previous four seasons, the Warriors have been without a playoff appearance in four the last seven seasons. 

The man was too stunned to speak 😅 pic.twitter.com/LG8iRJSPwy

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) September 28, 2026

Greatness and irrational confidence can be siblings on a basketball court. Curry’s still a dreamer who has climbed the NBA’s tallest mountains and at the top celebrated being a four-time champion. He’s also a realist who might need to squint through binoculars to get a glimpse at the start of his next hike. 

It didn’t go unnoticed when Curry, at the podium in Phoenix after the Warriors’ play-in tournament exit, said the Warriors don’t need to keep saying “championship, championship, championship” every day. He knew a shift in mindset, and maybe even philosophy, was needed. 

He has commended Steve Kerr’s ability to adapt and change, bringing a new offense that veterans like Curry and Draymond Green will have to be on board with, and adding a new voice with a wealth of knowledge in Frank Vogel to lead the defense. Curry isn’t blind to where the Warriors are, and the word “championship” still isn’t leaving his vocabulary going into Year 18. 

“Of course, we’re going to use the championship word. Of course, that’s the mentality,” Curry says. “It’s why we work as hard as we do, and you have to kind of have that in the back of your mind as a goal. But the last couple years, we’ve maybe talked about it too much, where you’re not really just honing in on the details of what it means to just play good basketball, and then the habits then produce a championship caliber team.” 

Further explaining himself, Curry takes a stroll down memory lane. Not to the dynasty years of five straight trips to the  NBA Finals from 2015 through 2019, but to the building blocks that stacked on top of one another and created a castle of dominance. 

“That’s kind of going back to ‘13, ‘14, and kind of reminding ourselves what it took to get to that level,” Curry continues. “It’s OK to take a step back and be honest about yourself that we didn’t play well enough to have the audacity to even say that word. We have to earn that back.” 

Looking in the mirror and taking the easy way out could have been Curry’s next course of direction. It’s not who he is, what he’s made of and how he’ll ever operate. He’s a Warrior through and through. He’s a Warrior for life. 

The lifespan of being in a Warriors jersey is shrinking, and that isn’t to say Curry will ever look elsewhere. Curry is 38 years old and under contract for two more years, plus a player option for a third. The Warriors aren’t rebuilding, nor are they reloading. Not yet, at least. 

Their greatest player ever is trusting a new process towards the end of his career and walking the tightrope that few, if any, have survived to the other side. 

Curry mocked reporters who said he wouldn’t win another championship by putting up a zero against his right eye at the podium in 2022, and screamed, “What are they gonna say now!?!” while soaked from champagne inside in the Warriors’ locker room. The final chapter is now here, and the competitor within remains. 

“That’s always been the case, and it never changes,” Curry says of still chasing one last title. “That’s why we work so hard. It’s why the energy of starting a new year is so fresh, because all 30 teams, within reason, feel like they can have a great year. And if that ends up being a chance for a championship, then you know everything that has to go into that. 

“You need good fortune health-wise. You need the team identity to kind of take shape quick, and all the ups and downs of an 82-game season. That’s why the NBA is in such a great place, because it’s a fresh opportunity every year.”

Opportunities for Curry and the Warriors are dwindling as each page turns. The book hasn’t been closed, and as Curry the realist soaks each day in, the dreamer inside him has created countless believers. He’s rearing to buckle up for one last ride, accepting the unknown of where the road will lead. 

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LeBron James said it's "going to take some time" for his new team-mates to gel after suffering defeat on his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers in a pre-season game.

The 41-year-old American joined the 76ers in July for what he says will be his final contract in the NBA following a glittering career.

James is the highest points scorer in the history of the league and is entering a record-extending 24th NBA season.

James scored 10 points and added four rebounds, five assists and a steal in 18 first-half minutes as his side fell to a 114-108 defeat by the Brooklyn Nets.

"We're still trying to put each other in the position to be successful and complement each other the best way we can on the floor. But it's going to take some time," said James.

"Tonight was a good sample size for us to build on."

James played alongside new team-mates Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown, with the latter leading the scoring with 18 points.

James has won titles with every NBA side he has played for, including two with the Miami Heat, one with the Cleveland Cavaliers and another with the Los Angeles Lakers.

He left the Lakers this summer after spending eight years with the franchise.

James has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player four times, all between 2009 and 2013, and has been an NBA All-Star the last 22 seasons running.

He is aiming to help the 76ers win their first NBA title in 43 years.

Jordi Fernández has constantly preached that he wants his Nets to play hard and disrupt defensively. It’s only preseason, but so far he has gotten just that.

And there was no clearer example than one picture worth a thousand words in Thursday night’s 114-108 win over Philadelphia, with Julius Randle hustling and pressing and diving on the floor for a loose ball.

That’s a soon-to-be 32-year-old veteran whose attitude was questioned in Minnesota.

One salary dumped by a contending Timberwolves squad to the rebuilding Nets. That Randle, the only All-Star on the roster diving for loose balls and picking up full court.

“I mean, you said it, three-time All-Star, has been in the playoffs multiple times, and he’s coming here and the first one to dive on the floor and to pick up full court,” Fernández said. “I couldn’t ask for a better leader and a better vet right there, or a grown-up — because obviously he’s not old. He’s a very young player.

“Very happy because we need that and that’s contagious. Those to me [are] what we call winning plays, right? You dive for a ball, you get it, and then we score. So that picks up the momentum and the energy in the building. So very, very happy with that play And there [were] other plays where we tried to do the same thing.”

Randle finished with a team-high 14 points and a team-high-tying six rebounds, along with two steals and two assists in 21:37.

The power forward said that he and Fernández have discussed his playing some small-ball center in five-out schemes.

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Michael Porter Jr. (left wrist soreness), Day’Ron Sharpe (left shoulder soreness), Mikel Brown Jr. (ankle recovery) and Joshua Jefferson (lower back) were all out.

It’s unclear if any will play Monday in Washington.

“I don’t know,” Fernández said. “We’ll see how they feel. Mike was just sore. Mikel is doing a great job, getting close to get back. So we’ll assess them. … We have a day off [Friday], see how they feel coming back and making those decisions. But we’re happy with where everybody is right now health-wise.”

---

The Nets have signed guard Dion Brown.

---

Mo Wagner started in place of Sharpe.

He said he’s still getting used to Brookyn’s defense, but he notched a game-high four steals.

Chaney Johnson added two more steals, along with a couple of blocks.

“I take a lot of pride in my defense. That’s my calling card,” Johnson told The Post.

Johnson, on a two-way contract, played a lot of center Thursday at just 6-foot-8.

“Yeah, his versatility, multi-positional, really strong, can guard multiple positions,” Fernández said. “He can play on both sides of the floor [and] played multiple positions.”

The bond between Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves is as real as it gets.

And though it was just a preseason game Thursday night, Doncic and Reaves showed why they form one of the most dynamic offensive backcourts in the NBA.

The Lakers duo linked up on the very first play against the Sacramento Kings, with Reaves passing to Doncic as he cut to the basket before scoring while being fouled.

Both played 25 minutes, with Doncic finishing with 23 points on six-for-16 shooting during the Lakers’ 114-110 win over the Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Reaves had eight points on two-for-seven shooting, eight assists and five rebounds.

Read more:Adou Thiero aims for bigger Lakers role after injury-marred rookie season

Doncic, who picked up a technical foul with six minutes and 48 seconds left in the third quarter, and Reaves, who played in his first exhibition game after missing the first two, gave the fans something to be excited about.

Doncic’s moment came in the second quarter when he drilled a 31-foot, one-legged three-pointer off a pass from Sandro Mamukelashvili (19 points).

Reaves’ moment came late in the second quarter when he had a nice hesitation move that froze Emanuel Sharp, allowing him to waltz along the baseline for a layup.

Lakers coach JJ Redick explained why Doncic and Reaves have been so close in their time playing together.

“I think there’s good chemistry with each other,” Redick said. “I think it’s just the natural way they like each other. They like playing together. I think having them together means there’s automatically two ballhandlers on the court. I think that’s like an underrated part of the NBA now ... having two-to-three ballhandlers on the floor at all times.”

Injury update

Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton both missed their third straight preseason game and Ziaire Williams missed his second straight game. Cameron Carr, Dalton Knecht and Arthur Kaluma also didn’t play.

Kessler, the Lakers’ big acquisition at center from the Utah Jazz, has been nursing a finger injury he sustained after hitting the backboard during practice.

“We’ve got to check in tomorrow. ... It’s not concerning. He’ll play in the preseason,” Redick said.

Redick said Williams had “some soreness, but it’s not anything that we’re concerned about.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Bruce Brown had a solid season last year in Denver. He averaged eight points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal in 24 minutes per game. He played all 82 games for the Nuggets and was a fixture of their rotation. 

He's just 30 years old. Under previous collective bargaining agreements, a player of Brown’s archetype would get guaranteed money and probably a guaranteed spot in someone’s rotation.

But in the second apron era of today’s NBA, players of Brown's ilk aren't getting those opportunities.  

That’s why the nine-year vet agreed to a non-guaranteed training camp deal with the Knicks. 

“I played every single game last year. I thought I played well enough to have a guaranteed spot on a team. That wasn’t the case, so now it’s time to just fight and get a job,” Brown said after a solid showing in New York’s preseason loss to Washington. 

“Hopefully play well in the preseason. Whatever you do on this stage, even if it doesn’t work out, just giving yourself an opportunity to showcase yourself to teams.”

Entering training camp, the Knicks signed a group of veteran centers and veteran wings to compete for roster spots. New York will not go into the second apron this season. So the club only has enough salary for one veteran. The Knicks would need to trade a player on an NBA deal if they wanted to keep both a wing and a center on their roster. 

New York doesn’t have a third center on a guaranteed deal. So it makes sense for the Knicks to keep a big man – whether it’s James Wiseman, Drew Eubanks or Tony Bradley. 

Brown, though, is putting together a strong case for a roster spot in New York. 

“Everything I’ve seen from (Brown from) afar and as a competitor, I’ve seen within these couple weeks here,” Jalen Brunson said after the Washington game. “He brings a lot to the table. Just him being in the league for a long time gives him an advantage mentally. Physically, I think the things that he can do for us can be very helpful.”

At the moment, no NBA team has surpassed the second apron in team salary. It is not a hard cap, so teams are voluntarily staying below the apron. But they lose several roster-building tools if they exceed the second apron. (ESPN’s Bobby Marks explains those restrictions here)

Brown is one of dozens of veterans getting squeezed by the apron rules. According to spotrac.com, the Nuggets are the only team with a salary above the second apron. And they will presumably make some moves to duck below the apron before the end of the NBA calendar year. 

“The new CBA is good for certain players, right? Max guys, top free agents and maybe rookie extension guys,” Brown said. “But other than that, like the middle guys, it kind of sucks for us. As you see, there’s not that many people getting that full midlevel (exception) anymore – or even the tax midlevel (exception). It’s tough, but that's just the way it is right now. So each time you're out there, you've just to play your best and hope for the best.”

IT WAS ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS

Hours before tipoff of the Knicks’ Game 5 win in San Antonio, a Jalen Brunson tweet from exactly 11 years prior resurfaced on Twitter. 

“One win away”

The Knicks would go on to win Game 5 and the NBA title on June 13, 2026. Eleven years to the day since Brunson’s tweet. 

No, Brunson wasn’t predicting an NBA Finals win that night. He said the tweet was a reference to the Chicago Blackhawks, who were one win away from winning the Stanley Cup. 

For Knicks fans who saw the tweet on the day of Game 5 in June, it probably felt like fate. 

It turned out to be one more remarkable element of the Knicks’ title run. 

With Austin Reaves back in the lineup, the Lakers picked up their second win over the Kings this preseason, winning 114-110 on Thursday.

LA built up a big lead with the starters and regular rotation members on the floor, then saw it dwindle away in garbage time to make the score look much closer than the game ever was.

What was consistent throughout was how sloppy the game was as the two teams combined for 50 turnovers. LA also struggled on the glass, allowing 20 offensive rebounds. They made up for it by getting to the line 38 times.

Luka opened the game with an and-one on the Lakers’ first possession before Austin found a soaring Adou Thiero for a dunk to open up the game in style for LA.

Sacramento did hold an early 10-7 lead, but an 8-0 run featuring threes from Luka and Jake LaRavia pushed LA ahead.

Still, it was a back-and-forth first quarter that saw neither team leading by more than five. Luka was up to his hot-starting ways with 10 points in the opening frame, but the rest of the team had 11 as the Lakers led 21-20 after one.

📍 Luka range pic.twitter.com/Aa8qJv6nHs

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 9, 2026

After falling behind 22-21 early in the second frame, the Lakers exploded for a 19-3 run to blow the game open.

Nearly all of the scoring in the run was done from beyond the arc with threes coming from LaRavia, Luka, Austin, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Matisse Thybulle.

Mamu was one of the stars of the second period with nine points while Austin really found his groove in the frame, scoring six points while dishing four dimes.

A 15-point Lakers lead was trimmed down to 10 points midway through the period, but LA responded with four points from Reaves and layups from Mamu and Kevon Looney to push it back to 16 points.

At the half, the Lakers led 57-43.

Adou Thiero continued his strong preseason by finishing at the rim off a nice dime from Austin earlier in the third.

Austin with the Euro no look to Adou cutting baseline.

He's up to 8 assists. pic.twitter.com/pUrmpnCnxQ

— Raj C. (@RajChipalu) October 9, 2026

After building up a 16-point lead again, the Lakers conceded an 8-0 run to halve the deficit. Much of LA’s scoring was coming at the line as they had five free throws and four field goals past the midway point in the quarter.

Luka was in midseason form by picking up a technical during a timeout while continuing to voice his displeasure with the officials throughout the third. Following a coming together at midcourt with Emanuel Sharp that had Luka particularly upset, he came out of the game for good.

Things got very sloppy between the two sides, with the Kings coming out on top, cutting the lead to five after consecutive buckets from Precious Achiuwa.

LaRavia and Mamu helped restore some order to push LA’s lead back to double digits following a fastbreak finish from the former. Mamu then buried a step-back 3-pointer before a spot-up 3-pointer off a nice pass from Bronny James to make it an 86-70 lead going into the fourth.

The Lakers went to an uber-small lineup in the fourth featuring Bronny, Adou, Grimes, LaRavia and Thybulle. Eventually, LA cycled in fresh faces, including Chris Mañon and Jarred Vanderbilt.

Things got a little haywire in the closing minutes as the Kings made it a contest, pulling within four points with 2:00 left. William Kyle and Vando each scored to push the lead back to eight before Hardy and Bronny helped close the game at the free throw line.

Key Player Stats

Luka tallied 23 points in 25 minutes to lead the Lakers. Austin finished with eight points but had eight assists and six rebounds.

Mamu finished with 19 points off the bench while LaRavia notched 14 points, three rebounds and two assists. Adou Thiero had six points and Quentin Grimes finished with 12.

The Lakers will be back in action on Tuesday when they play the Warriors in Las Vegas at 7 p.m. PT.

You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.

CLEVELAND — It’s been an up-and-down couple of months for Celtics guard Devin Carter.

Carter, who drafted to the Sacramento Kings just two summers ago, was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in June in a salary dump. Then, last month, Carter was waived.

Suddenly, a guy who was the 14th overall pick in 2024 found himself on the outskirts of the NBA.

“It was tough,” Carter said. “I got traded I want to say at the end of June, and then I didn’t get waived until right before training camp started. So it was tough, especially trying to find a home that fast.”

Carter signed an Exhibit-10, training camp deal with the Celtics shortly after he was waived, in hopes of ultimately fighting for a two-way contract (the Celtics have Dillon Mitchell and Amari Williams as their two two-ways, but have one two-way open).

“Everything’s top class,” Carter said of his Celtics. “Great players, great guys as off the court. That matters just as much as who they are on the court. But, the coaching staff’s great. Front office great. Everybody wants to work. Everybody shows up with the mindset ready to get better. So I think that’s a a big thing in a winning organization.”

Devin Carter was a standout in the Celtics’ win over the Cleveland Cavaliers

On Thursday night, Carter laced up for his Celtics debut, and finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in the preseason matchup against the Cavaliers.

“I just wanted to go showcase how much I want to play and how much I deserve to be here,” Carter said. “So, I just think that I’m blessed. All glory to God for the opportunity, and I think I went out there and played as hard as I could. That was what my goal was.”

Carter’s impact was felt; the Celtics outscored the Cavaliers by 22 points in his 24 minutes on the floor; they were outscored by 11 in his 24 minutes sidelined. Perhaps most impactful was his ability to get to the line; he went 6-6 from the charity strip, attempting the second-most free throws in the game.

Celtics Devin Carter 17 PTS (5-9 FG, 1-3 3P), 5 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, +22 vs. Cavs

Kings salary dumped him for nothing. pic.twitter.com/BS3qsKfeKk

— Role Player Performances (@BenchHighlights) October 9, 2026

“I thought he did a really good job getting fouled,” said DJ MacLeay, the Celtics assistant coach who was tasked by Joe Mazzulla with coaching the second half of the game. “He got downhill, attacked, scored. I thought he really put pressure on their defense and got us to the free throw line.”

He finds himself in the same position Celtics players like Ron Harper Jr. and Luka Garza were once in; fighting for a two-way contract in training camp. Last fall, Harper Jr. was one of four players on an Exhibit-10 deal competing for a two-way; this fall, he’s on the first of a three-year deal with the Celtics.

Carter can also draw inspiration from Neemias Queta, who was cut by the Kings three years ago and picked up by the Celtics shortly after. Queta initially signed a two-way contract in the fall of 2024, which was later converted to a standard deal. In July, he signed a $54 million contract extension.

“I talked to Neemi a little bit, because we had kind of the same route, I guess you could say,” Carter said. “We went from Sac, to getting waived, to the Celtics.”

Joe Mazzulla said at training camp that Carter’s mindset and competitiveness has stood out.

“The humility to show up and the openness that he has, of where he’s been in the league and where he wants to get to — and how competitive he is,” said Mazzulla. “He’s very open about wanting to make it. So I’ve appreciated just his mindset, his mentality, the chip on the shoulder that he brings to the game.”

Luka Garza, who was once on an Exhibit-10 contract himself, said after the game that he’s been impressed by Carter’s ball pressure and energy.

“He’s another guy that’s relentless — brought a lot of energy to start,” Garza said. “Was super aggressive, pushed the ball in transition, and I think what stood out just from being in camp and pickup, defensively, is the instincts he has, the way he can guard. He understands that that’s what his superpower is, and then the rest of it, he showed offensively tonight how talented he is and the different things he can do.”

No lottery pick wants to be cut in the middle of their rookie contract. But, Carter doesn’t want to live in the past. He wants to focus on a potential future in Boston, a city an hour away from Providence College, where he starred.

The Celtics’ lone open two-way spot is not promised to Carter, though based on Thursday’s game, he seems like a frontrunner to get it.

“Everything happens for a reason, and I’m just thankful to Brad and the Celtics organization for giving the opportunity to me,” Carter said. “It’s just a blessing.”

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers opened up the exhibition slate with a less-than-stellar 124-113 loss to a Boston Celtics team that didn’t bring their starting lineup. Still, there were some positives to take away from this one.

Peyton Watson was the bright spot of this game.

Preseason basketball can be fool’s gold. You don’t have to look further than some of the takes I had about De’Andre Hunter and Lonzo Ball after their first few exhibition games last season as evidence of that. Those disclaimers aside, Watson looked exactly like the player the Cavs have long needed at the wing in this game.

Watson has the toolset to be the most complete small forward the Cavs have had since LeBron James left nearly a decade ago. That well-rounded skill set was on display as he showed his “creative chops,” in the words of Kenny Atkinson, as a secondary creator, spaced the floor as a shooter, and was disruptive defensively.

Previous playoff runs have been derailed due to a lack of multifaceted players — particularly on the wing. One preseason performance doesn’t mean that he’s the solution to this problem, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

Speaking of promising wings, Jaylon Tyson looked impressive in his season debut. Nearly everything that I said about Watson could also be applied to Tyson. On this night, he looked like a complete all-around wing.

As good as he played, Tyson’s energy remains the best part of his game. The way he attacks in transition and hustles to rotate out to shooters on the perimeter is infectious — or at least it would be in theory if this were a game where the score mattered.

Atkinson has talked about preseason games being important for finding lineup groupings that work well together. Based on what we saw, the Watson and Tyson duo showed promise.

“I love it,” Atkinson said about that pairing before the game. “They complement each other well. Obviously, the size and then defensive chops, too. So if you pair them with one of Donovan [Mitchell] and James [Harden] or even both, that’s really interesting. Because I think you look at Jaylon and Peyton, they’re really kind of two, three, four. They can play any of those positions. We’ll see, but it seems like it could be a really good match for us.”

The lineup possibilities are a huge advantage for that particular grouping. Both being able to play the two through four means that they can go smaller with them on the court or go with a jumbo lineup featuring two bigs and a guard. Having multiple athletic wings in the same lineup isn’t a luxury the Cavs have had in quite some time.

On top of that, they seem to feed off each other’s energy. We saw that here as they rotated and recovered out to shooters on the perimeter and were dynamic in the open court.

Sticking with things that went well, Meleek Thomas looked good in his minutes. He played with energy, was disruptive defensively, and showed some solid touch as a passer. In short, the things he did well in Summer League were evident in preseason, which is encouraging considering how much better the talent was here than in Vegas.

Thomas was the eighth man in the rotation, but the backup point guard spot is hardly decided based on Atkinson’s comments postgame. Especially after Craig Porter Jr. had a solid showing with 10 assists.

If Thomas does break into the rotation, it’ll have to be because he improves defensively. He grabbed a couple of steals — which is exactly what you want to see — but there’s still a learning curve for rookie guards on that end of the floor. And, considering some of the defensive issues Cleveland showed here, they may not be able to afford someone who’s still trying to figure out how NBA defenses work.

“Offense is going to come with the team and power that we got, but if I could be a real presence on defense, then I know I could make a huge impact,” Thomas said afterward.

As of now, it’s difficult to see Thomas as a day-one member of the rotation Atkinson would prefer to cap at 10. That’s okay. Most rookie second-round picks aren’t instant impact players.

Still, this was a strong outing for Thomas. The tight handle that allowed him to get where he wanted on the court in Vegas carried over here.

With that out of the way, let’s look at some of the concerning parts of this game, starting with the lackluster defense.

The Cavs spent the lead-up to this game talking about how they want to reestablish their defensive identity. If this performance was any indication of things, there’s still plenty of work to be done on that end.

The Celtics reserves were able to break down Cleveland’s perimeter defense and get to the basket at will. On top of that, neither Mobley nor Allen had an answer for opposing center Luka Garza, who registered 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting and seven rebounds in the first half.

You don’t want to be too critical of defensive effort in a preseason game. But there wasn’t much from this performance that would make you believe that this could once again become a strong point for this team.

Rebounding was also an issue. Atkinson pointed out afterward that this was a “concern coming into the season.” It proved to be in their first game as Boston grabbed 46.9% of their missed shots (98th percentile).

You can’t have an elite defense if you can’t end possessions.

Mario Hezonja also struggled mightily in his debut.

The Cavs have continually gone out of their way to praise what they’ve seen from Hezonja throughout training camp and off-season workouts. The things that he was praised for didn’t carry over to this outing.

It’s foolish to overreact to preseason basketball, both good and bad. Yet, it is concerning when the game looks too fast for a certain player.

Hezonja struggled with the speed of the game. His drives to the basket were walled off by multiple defenders, he didn’t hold up guarding his man on the perimeter, and overall just looked slow. It’s easy to excuse away missed shots. It’s difficult to justify looking this out of place.

Atkinson said Hezonja is still getting “his feet wet” being back in the NBA. “It’s going to be easier when we reduce the rotation and define a role for him a little bit more.”

The Cavs don’t have much financially invested in Hezonja. His contract is unguaranteed, and he’s only making the minimum. That said, the forward depth chart looks pretty thin if Hezonja ends up being unplayable. There really aren’t many ideal options at the four and five outside of Watson, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.

It’s way too early to write off Hezonja. One preseason game doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. That said, this wasn’t what the Cavs wanted to see. We’ll see if that improves in the final two preseason games.

Lakers star guard Austin Reaves made his preseason debut during Thursday’s matchup against the Kings at Crypto.com Arena. 

Reaves sat out of the Lakers’ first two preseason games earlier in the week after hurting his ankle in practice. 

The star guard, who re-signed with the Lakers on a four-year, $180 million contract, was in the starting lineup alongside Luka Doncic, Quentin Grimes, Adou Thiero and Kevon Looney. 

Walker Kessler, Ziaire Williams, Collin Sexton, Dalton Knecht, Cameron Carr and two-way forward Arthur Kaluma weren’t available against the Kings.

Coach JJ Redick said Williams was experiencing soreness, but it isn’t a concern of the team’s.

Kessler, the 7-foot-2 center the Lakers acquired from the Jazz as part of a four-year, $130 million sign-and-trade, hasn’t played in the preseason yet after jamming his finger during a practice.

Redick said the team will examine Kessler’s finger on Friday, before adding that the ailment isn’t concerning and that Kessler will play during the preseason. 

The Lakers have two more preseason games after Thursday: Tuesday vs. the Warriors in Las Vegas and Oct. 16 vs. the Nuggets in Los Angeles.

Halfway through Egor Dëmin’s rookie season, the Nets slid him off the ball. A year later, with Mikel Brown Jr. out, they’ve moved him back to lead guard. 

So, is Dëmin a point guard? A shooting guard? 

Neither, Dëmin says. He’s a player, and he’s a winner. 

And early preseason returns say the Russian might be right. 

“I think back to last year in summer league — and even before that on the predraft when I was in the workout with Brooklyn — I’ve been saying at all times to Jordi [Fernández] and the other coaches that I’m seeing myself as a very versatile player in the future and that I want to be anywhere I can benefit the team,” Dëmin said. “I’m a winner, so I want to win as much as I can. 

“If that means for me to have 25 assists and five points, or whatever that means for me, I want to win first. Working on certain things helps to be even more versatile, whether I’m off or on the ball. And that’s the goal, for sure, is being everywhere and being able to be everywhere. You look at LeBron [James], he can play from 1-through-5.” 

Dëmin started a second preseason game Thursday at point guard and sparked a second Nets win, this one 114-108 over James’ 76ers at Barclays Center. 

With Brown unavailable, Dëmin had 13 points, a game high-tying five assists and finished a game-high plus-13 in 21:36. It was another auspicious outing. 

“Very composed, five assists, one turnover, got to the paint multiple times,” Fernández said. “You just can see how much he’s improved already from last year. I probably wanted him to be a little bit more aggressive shooting 3s, but his willingness to get everybody involved is showing. He played the right way, defended. … He was a good leader handling the ball, communicating with everybody. His voice is growing, so it’s very important.” 

Using his voice is vital for the 20-year-old sophomore, who is rapidly growing into a leadership role on this young, rebuilding Nets team. 

“He’s not afraid to lead,” Julius Randle said. “We know what he does on the court, talent-wise how he is, but he’s not afraid to lead and use his voice. And I try to encourage him to do that even more. You’re not too young to be a leader. So, he’s very vocal. 

“You can tell he’s comfortable in his own skin, with who he is as a player, and really understands the game. So he’s never trying to prove anything out there; he’s just playing the game and making the right plays. But he’s not afraid to use his voice. You can tell he has a point guard background. So he knows how to lead a team and get us organized. He has a bright future.” 

Dëmin started last season as a point guard but too often got turned at the point of attack and couldn’t drive. An offseason spent bulking up and working on his downhill game has paid dividends. 

“Last year, it looked like he touched the paint, he had no plan for it,” Fernández said. “He worked, and he put his mind to it and handling pressure. He’s just like a new player.” 

This new player gives Fernández options if he and Brown can play on or off the ball once the latter returns. 

Dëmin repeatedly touched the paint during the win at Charlotte on Tuesday. On Thursday, he crossed up James and went over Joel Embiid for what likely was the best drive of his life. 

“I’m really trying to be a leader of this group in the most selfless way,” Dëmin said. “I want to win and I want to do whatever it takes to win. I want to make sure that I understand every single person and that’s my way to lead. 

“Obviously, putting as much work as I can to lead as an example of what I’m doing from a development standpoint and being vocal is what Julius talked about is going to be a big part of who I am.”

What does the preseason actually determine? Do the wins and losses matter? The answer to the second question is quite literally, no. The answer to the first is general improvements from individual players, and some idea of what the rotations could look like come the regular season.

The San Antonio Spurs saw a little bit of both in their 123-116 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Before the game, head coach Mitch Johnson announced that De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama would start the game. The three-guard lineup that many had speculated about would get plenty of time together, joined by their best movement shooter and last year’s defensive player of the year. But right before tip-off, the Spurs announced that Fox would miss the game with soreness from Thursday morning’s practice, putting Julian Champagnie into the starting five.

San Antonio got off to a great 39-20 first-quarter lead without Fox, led mostly by Harper. The second-year guard had 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in his 16 first-half minutes. Harper looked to be in mid-season form, dominating with his size and strength in the paint. The newer development was Harper’s three-point shooting, particularly off the bounce. Harper knocked down three of his five three-pointers, two of them off the dribble, and another on a catch-and-shoot attempt in the corner.

Harper’s three-point shooting is a development to watch. He will be one of the toughest covers in the NBA if he can combine three-point shooting, particularly off the dribble, with his elite downhill driving ability.

Speaking of downhill driving ability, Carter Bryant looked much more comfortable in his second career preseason. The sophomore was composed (except for a silly turnover in the second quarter when he passed to a teammate who wasn’t looking at him), made quick decisions, and played with more confidence than he showed last season. Bryant finished the game with 11 points, including two three-pointers, and 5 rebounds in 23 minutes.

The rest of the Spurs showed just about what you would expect from them. Wembanyama’s jumper was falling; he was a lob threat in the pick-and-roll, and he created a no-go zone around the rim. Castle was a force getting to the rim and hit his sole catch-and-shoot three-point attempt. Champagnie hit a pair of catch-and-shoot threes and flashed his ability to attack a closeout. Keldon Johnson brought energy off the bench, and Vassell continued to look like one of the best shooters on the team.

Another less positive familiar trend reared its nasty head in San Antonio’s first preseason game. After jumping out to a 23-point lead in the first half, the Spurs let the Hawks chip away at the lead until it was just a 7-point game going into halftime. San Antonio lost the game for good in the second half, albeit with the starters resting and the depth players logging all of the minutes. Preseason losses don’t mean anything, but it’s unfortunate to see the Spurs blow a lead after what just happened in last year’s NBA Finals.

David Jones-Garcia and Ja’Kobi Gillespie led the way for San Antonio in the second half. The guard duo had the ball in their hands frequently and made the most of it. Jones-Garcia had 14 points on 4-for-9 shooting, while Gillespie scored 8 points on 3-for-6 shooting, including a deep three in the fourth quarter. Rookie Tarris Reed Jr. looked like a monster on the glass, grabbing 6 rebounds, 2 of them offensive.

Remember, last preseason the Spurs were playing double-big lineups and players who didn’t make the regular-season rotation. There were hints of what San Antonio will look like come October 20th, but the final product, as they look to make another Finals run, is still a work in progress.

Preseason Bell Ringer rankings:

Jaylen Brown – 1

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It was the first game the starting five of LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe and Joel Embiid all played together, and there is a ton to be excited about.

The Sixers' new Big 5 — LeBron, Embiid, Brown, Maxey and Edgecombe — played (preseason) together for the first time tonight.

Here's a glimpse into the pace they played with, the offensive progression, off-ball movements and more in a highlight reel of the 5 together ⬇️🔥 pic.twitter.com/LYdWew3UNH

— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) October 9, 2026

Jaylen Brown continued his strong preseason against the Nets, tallying 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting. He made up for a slow start with a full house spreading the basketball around by taking over in the early moments of the second half.

Considering he earned Bell Ringer honors in the first game, it felt most sensible to showcase the stars we saw for the first time.

LeBron James:10 points, 18 minutes, 1-of-1 FG, 8-of-8 FT, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal

James looked in control for all of his 18 minutes, finding open Sixers in transition on what seemed like every possession for the first six minutes.

Three Sixers possessions… three Sixers dunks 💪 pic.twitter.com/4360wGJEs1

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) October 8, 2026

Although his only field goal came in the form of an early post-up finish over Drake Powell and Mo Wagner, most of James’ points came at the free throw line. He was a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe, converting drives into points.

Lebron James with his first (preseason) field goal as a Philadelphia 76er, with a little English on it pic.twitter.com/T3xDJMTPEI

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) October 9, 2026

His court vision has the chance to really elevate the games of Maxey, Edgecombe and Brown. It will be a focal point if Embiid can look more comfortable before the regular season begins. He finished with eight turnovers.

Tyrese Maxey: 14 points, 5-of-8 FG, 2-of-4 3PT, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal

Maxey looks incredibly fast and showcased his speed on a nasty baseline dunk over Egor Demin.

Reseee! 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/9auzyrumNv

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 8, 2026

He made two threes and appeared to be in a rhythm early. First three was off a James assist while the second three was running in transition and receiving the return pass from VJ Edgecombe.

Second three-ball of the night for Maxey so far 🎯 pic.twitter.com/JqHRkjO1SI

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) October 8, 2026

He was playing very comfortable off-ball, playing a cutoff-man role to help pace out the offense or push the pace in transition.

LeBron James made his first on-court appearance since signing with the 76ers.

James, 41, made his preseason debut with Philadelphia on Thursday, playing 30 minutes during the 114-108 loss to the Nets on Thursday.

Scoring was not on the agenda for James, who scored 10 points while going 1-for-1 from the field and 8-for-8 from the free throw line.

James, who took a playmaking role for the majority of the game, also put up four rebounds, five assists and a steal.

Thursday’s game was James’ first appearance in a Sixers uniform since signing a two-year, $7.95 million veteran-minimum contract with the franchise in July.

When speaking to reporters in September, James expressed full confidence in bringing a championship to Philadelphia, saying that he hopes to bring his previous winning experience to the team.

“I hope that I can, you know, bring that experience, bring that knowledge, bring the blueprint to the guys that’s trying to accomplish some things that they haven’t done in their career,” James said. “I’ve seen everything that this league has to offer on the floor and off the floor, so I hope that every single day with my approach to the game, approach to the work, that it can translate to every single guy.”

Drama has already started in Philadelphia, however, with reports saying that James let Joel Embiid “hear it” after the Sixers star big man was “a couple of minutes late” to a practice.

During Monday’s preseason game between Philadelphia and the Knicks, Mike Breen relayed the story that someone told him about the two.

“I had somebody tell me before the game that they were out ready to practice, and Joel Embiid walked out onto the court a couple of minutes late, and LeBron let him hear it,” Breen said on the MSG broadcast.

James vehemently denied Breen’s comments through a post on his Instagram story.

“He ain’t been late so stop the lies,” James wrote. 

Following James’ comeback, Breen apologized for the initial report, saying that the story was taken out of context.

“I’m so disappointed how the story was interpreted,” Breen told ESPN.

“The whole intent was praising LeBron for already having an impact on the team’s professionalism and accountability, even something so benign as a player getting on the court for practice a minute or two late.” 

The Cleveland Cavaliers opened their first of three preseason games with a loss to the Boston Celtics.

We’re trying a new format for player grades this year. The goal is to separate players into categories and trim some fat from each game. We’ll be focusing more on the standouts (for better or worse) instead of grading every individual player.

Let us know in the comments if this template is enjoyable.

As always, grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.

Player of the game

Jaylon Tyson

14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

No one played enough minutes tonight to really earn this title. And it’s hard for me to give it to a player who didn’t even play in the second half. But Tyson looked like he was taking the next step in his natural progression, scoring 14 points in 16 minutes by being everywhere offensively.

Tyson hit a three-pointer, cut to the basket for a handful of layups, and ran the two-man game with Evan Mobley with efficiency. He has the tools to be a fantastic role player off the bench, and this was a sign that Tyson is ready for that leap.

Grade: B+

Gold Stars

Craig Porter Jr.

5 points, 10 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals

Porter has been challenged to be more of a leader off the bench. Dishing out 10 assists feels like a good start. The fourth-year guard navigated the floor and ran the offense like someone who has experience under his belt. That could be the difference-maker in his race to be Cleveland’s backup point guard this season.

Grade: B+

Meleek Thomas

11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals

After a quiet first half, Thomas opened the second with a string of successful plays. A drive to the basket, followed by a catch-and-shoot triple, capped off by a steal and coast-to-coast finish. Moments later, he’d add to the run with another steal and an outlet pass to Craig Porter Jr. for an assist.

There he is again! @ThomasMeleek | #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/7HrSFxswXx

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) October 9, 2026

In the fourth quarter, Thomas was given the opportunity to dribble the ball more frequently. This led to some slippery moments where he broke down his defender and got into the middle of the floor for a bucket. His shifty handle will be an X-factor in his development.

Grade: B

Passed the Class

Peyton Watson

7 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists

Cavs fans got their first look at Watson in a Cleveland jersey tonight. It was brief, but it was mostly sweet. Watson dished out 4 assists as he pushed the ball in transition and fit in nicely with the rest of the starters. He also buried a corner three-pointer, though he shot just 1-of-4 from downtown.

PWat is getting going! @peytonwatson_ | #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/ofJJg8r6O4

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) October 9, 2026

Watson also defended Mike Conley to start the game. A sign that Cleveland plans on using Watson to shore up their point-of-attack defense. We won’t know how impactful this can be until the real games start. But Watson’s mobility on the perimeter looked strong, even if the defensive effort around him was lacking tonight.

Grade: B-

Donovan Mitchell

There isn’t much for Mitchell to accomplish in preseason other than get his feet under him. He did so tonight, spinning his way around the court for 11 points and doing just enough before bowing out at halftime.

Grade: B-

Sam Merrill

8 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists

We know what Merrill does on a basketball court. He didn’t record a single stat other than scoring, but seeing him drill a 30-foot bomb is always going to get me excited.

Merrill shot 3-for-4 from the floor and scored 8 points before resting the remainder of the game.

Grade: B–

Evan Mobley

8 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist

I thought Mobley would have had more assists tonight given the way he was moving the ball. His handle and vision looked as strong as ever, with Mobley walking the ball up the court and plowing into the lane for his most impressive bucket of the night.

He wasn’t much of a factor on defense, however. We know it’s preseason, but someone still has to grab a rebound.

Grade: C+

Missed the mark

Merio Hezonja

5 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists

Hezonja just played his first NBA (preseason) game in roughly six years. So, we won’t judge him too harshly for having cold feet.

That said, Hezonja looked clumsy in his first few minutes. An ugly turnover and a very hectic sequence dribbling the ball had us all wondering if his return to the league would be more choppy than we thought. He shot 2-for-7 from the field and has much to prove moving forward.

His presence on the glass and multiple assists could be something he hangs his hat on in the future. He’ll just need to get more comfortable on the floor before all of that clicks into place.

Grade: D+

‘Tis the preseason. The Brooklyn Nets began theirs on Tuesday night in Charlotte, putting on quite the performance, particularly at the offensive end, as they aerosol sprayed the “Hornets” en route to a 124-90 victory. Hornets is in parenthesis because Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, and Coby White all sat out.

Thursday, it was the Philadelphia 76ers’ turn to be the showmen. Remember Brooklyn’s “Big 3”? Well, Philly now has a “Big 5” and they all suited up on the floor for the first time this evening as LeBron James and Jaylen Brown joined Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe.

The Nets started Egor Dëmin, Keon Ellis, Noah Clowney, Julius Randle, and Mo Wagner. Michael Porter Jr. and Day’Ron Sharpe sat out. Mikel Brown Jr. remains on the shelf with a rolled ankle.

Hydrogen bomb vs coughing baby? It sure sounded that way going into the game. Few teams, if any, can field a five that matches Philly’s in terms of point blank talent. The Nets certainly can’t on paper.

However, this was a basketball game, not a comic book, even if the Philly’s starting group looked like The Avengers. The Nets had as impressive of a win as the preseason will allow. Here are a few takeaways from the upset.

6:37, 1Q – Brooklyn Nets 15, Philadelphia 76ers 15

• There were already going to be questions about Brooklyn interior defense going into this season with Day’Ron Sharpe stepping in as the lead rim protector. So, with Sharpe sitting out tonight, the bow inside expectedly broke early. The 76ers scored an abundance of their first quarter buckets with baseline cuts. When the regular season starts, the Nets will want to make sure their back court communicates better with the front court. More importantly, they’ll want to make sure Day’Ron Sharpe plays.

• The Sixers weren’t the only ones trying to attack the rim early. Dëmin, who spoke all summer about expanding his shot diet, had quite the two-point take early in the first. He beat LeBron James off the dribble and went through Joel Embiid to score at the rim. I know that sounds like Nets fan fiction, but trust me, it happened. It’s as clear a sign of his growth as you’ll see.

Here's one hell of an interior take for Egor Dëmin. Blows past LeBron James and goes over Joel Embiid. pic.twitter.com/g5ymfyZfNO

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) October 8, 2026

5:52, 1Q – Brooklyn Nets 19, Philadelphia 76ers 15

• Nolan Traoré, Drake Powell, Chaney Johnson, Danny Wolf, and Josh Minott replaced the starters at this point in the first. Perhaps that’s meaningless with absences from Porter Jr. and Sharpe already disrupting the rotation, but it might also be a sign of what Jordi Fernández’s regular season bench will look like.

• This five also played a bit of 2-3 zone. Still attacking the baseline, Philly had little trouble scoring against it.

0:31, 1Q – Brooklyn Nets 31, Philadelphia 76ers 31

• Chaney Johnson took and made a three less than 10 seconds into the shot clock near the end of the first. We know Chaney can shoot, and we know Jordi Fernández has never been brash about encouraging his guys to let it fly. However, Mo Wagner also pulled a semi-contested corner one earlier in the game, which is a bit more eyebrow-raising. So, while the personnel has changed, Jordi’s philosophy on shooting seems to be the same.

10:01, 2Q – Brooklyn Nets 36, Philadelphia 76ers 32

• Once the starters and reserves started to mix, one thing became clear: the Nets are going to stick with the switch. I saw Drake Powell on LeBron James at least twice at the top of the key. Brooklyn largely did that in their first preseason game as well.
• NBA defenses often live and die based on how they defend screens. And, in the second, Brooklyn lived by it, forcing four turnovers in the period’s first four minutes. They were especially physical in their pursuit of these extra possessions, often along the elbow and in the low post. Wagner had James visibly frustrated on more than one occasion.

4:24, 2Q – Brooklyn Nets 44, Philadelphia 76ers 45

• As the Nets look to establish themselves as that gritty team nobody wants to play, wreaking havoc in the backcourt appears to be on the agenda. Traoré poking away this possession from Jaylen Brown to set up Danny with an alley-oop as just one bit of evidence supporting that claim. The Nets ended up turning the 76ers over 22 times by the end of the game.

Nets are giving Philly plenty of problems in the back court. This time it's Nolan Traoré sneaking up on Jaylen Brown to set up Danny Wolf. pic.twitter.com/ylVknOluvE

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) October 9, 2026

1:12, 2Q – Brooklyn Nets 52, Philadelphia 76ers 56

• At the other end, however, Traoré might need to work on his chemistry with Randle. He had a few misplaced dump-offs as the two ran pick-and-roll down the stretch of the second. Those turnovers helped Philly retake the lead entering the break.

HALF – Brooklyn Nets 56, Philadelphia 76ers 58

• Egor was willing and able to probe inside consistently against a legitimate NBA defense, with several takes to the basket outside of that aforementioned one over Embiid. That means it’s real now. He’s not just attacking G-League players or rookies in Las Vegas. He’s doing it against All-NBA defenders. Dëmin’s touch around the rim still needs work, but you’ll surely take the improvement for what it is. It’s also rare to see an athlete identify such a clear weakness in his game and work so deliberately to address it. He’s lived up to everything we’ve heard about his work ethic, and this may be the clearest evidence of that yet.
• This team has the potential to be the gritty, pain-in-the-butt matchup for contenders many of us want them to be. Wagner had King James shouting at the officials like a spoiled monarch on more than on occasion. As Philly’s turnovers were mounting, Drake Powell also drew a foul on an Embiid screen in the backcourt. Embiid got in Ed Malloy’s face, and got a tech. Needless to say, the Nets got the 76ers pissed, and they did it in a game that doesn’t even matter. That’s telling.

9:47, 3Q – Brooklyn Nets 60, Philadelphia 76ers 64

• You don’t often see multi-year All-Stars on the other side of 30 playing in the second half of a preseason game. You see them diving on the court for loose balls even less. Julius Randle did both here. I think Nets fans are going to like him more than they realize.
• Randle’s on-ball gravity at the other end is still a factor as well. He initiated much of Brooklyn’s offense early in the third just by getting in and getting the ball back out to shooters. Having that to fall back on during broken plays or wayward possessions will be huge, and it’s something Brooklyn’s hasn’t had in a long time.

5:02, 3Q – Brooklyn Nets 82, Philadelphia 76ers 75

• Noah Clowney and Danny Wolf can still do that thing where they makes a handful of threes in a flash after having little-to-no points all game. If the Nets are able to make good on their intentions to stay in more games this year, that’ll make those sequences more fun to watch as well.

1:34, 3Q – Brooklyn Nets 90, Philadelphia 76ers 79

• The Nets established their largest lead of the game at this point via an 8-0 run. The 76ers also pulled all their main rotation players off the floor a few minutes before this. Sorry, I feel like I have to mention that.

11:51, 4Q – Brooklyn Nets 90, Philadelphia 76ers 79

• Ben Saraf and Terance Mann both played their first minutes of the night here. Just incase it ends up meaning anything, it’s worth noting. Saraf did connect on his first triple of the game from the right wing, but struggled to run the offense after that.

4:45, 4Q – Brooklyn Nets 107, Philadelphia 76ers 97

• It’s never too late, even in the preseason, to make hustle plays. Grant Nelson had several in the final five minutes of this one, particularly on the offensive glass. As Brooklyn’s offense began to falter down the stretch, he kept them afloat, mining for extra possessions. It was the least flashy “closer” performance I’ve seen in some time, but worked nonetheless, and that’s what matters.

END OF GAME

• I know, it’s only the preseason, but the 76ers started a lineup tonight that’ll at worst be an all-time NBA 2K team. The Nets went toe-to-toe with them, and minus Porter Jr., Brown Jr., and Sharpe. In my opinion, a lot of factors have to align for a preseason game to warrant true optimism from fans, but this one had them all. Don’t got crazy, but you’re allowed to like what you saw.
• Again, Egor’s development, specifically where it’s happening, is beyond encouraging.
• On the contrary, it’s not looking good for Ben Saraf. Not that it would’ve mattered much, but Brooklyn almost let this one slip after giving him the keys to the offense. It’s hard to get around that when you consider the defenders he was facing at that point.

Next Up

Brooklyn’s tour of new look teams in the preseason rolls on with a visit to the nation’s capital on Monday. The Nets will face off against the Washington Wizards at 7:00 p.m. EST.

• Boxscore: Brooklyn Nets 114, Philadelphia 76ers 108 – NBA.com
• Game Highlights: Brooklyn Nets 114, Philadelphia 76ers (Video) – NBA.com
• Sixers’ LeBron James praised by Nets big men Julius Randle, Moe Wagner – Ky Carlin – USA TODAY