Category: NBA

After six long months, your Dallas Mavericks are once again back on the floor playing real NBA basketball tonight. In a weird quirk, they’ve got the Houston Rockets, who they just played twice in Macau just a couple weeks ago. So, even with the newness of Dusty May and company taking over, the Rockets have already seen some of it.

It’s the start of a new season, and just like these teams, we here on the game of the week picks have wiped the slate clean. But, just for housekeeping’s sake, here’s how we did last season.

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Last year’s results

David: 31-30 (+$223)

Tyler: 26-37 (-$987)

Overall: 57-67 (-$764)

For me, this clean slate can’t be a more welcome sight. After our feed debut yesterday, in which we each hit our best bet, vibes are high! Lets get into the cap.

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Game intangibles

Dallas Mavericks (0-0) at Houston Rockets (0-0)

Tipoff: We’re set for tip just after 7:40 p.m. from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas

How to watch: MavsTV, KFAA Channel 29, or NBA League Pass for those out of market will have you covered on this one

Game lines

Spread: Rockets -9.5 (-115)

Moneyline: Dallas is +315 to pull off the upset

Total: Over/Under is set at 230.5 points (-106/-114)

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David’s plays

• Cooper Flagg over 21.5 points (-106)
• Game total over 230.5 (-106)
• Kyrie Irving over 20.5 points (-104)
• Zaccharie Risacher under 8.5 points (-108)

I think there will be points tonight. Lots of them. These teams just played two incredibly high-scoring preseason games and I do not expect anything different tonight. The lines for Flagg and Kyrie are simply too low. They will be the team’s leading scorers most nights and I expect around 25 from each of them against Houston. Risacher had a terrible preseason and I think he plays minimal minutes with Max Christie back tonight.

Tyler’s plays

• Marcus Smart over 6.5 points (-106)
• Reed Sheppard under 9.5 points (-136)
• Cooper Flagg over 1.5 3’s made (+162)
• Rockets first quarter -3.5 (-102)

The Smart and Sheppard plays are sort of correlated for me. Ime Udoka loves him some Marcus Smart, that even goes back to the Boston days. Ime Udoka also hates him some Reed Sheppard, as that guy can’t ever seemingly earn a role on a team that desperately needs shooting. I agree with David that Flagg, despite likely seeing a ton of Amen Thompson, will get his. I think that he will get those points by knocking down some outside shots. And finally, this first quarter will be simple. One team knows exactly who they are and what they want to be, while the other is breaking in a new coach, several new pieces and trying to reintegrate Kyrie Irving. Almost seems too easy.

DETROIT — Jalen Duren looked like a heavyweight boxer who had just gone three rounds 45 minutes before the Detroit Pistons faced the Boston Celtics for the NBA’s 2026-27 season opener on Tuesday afternoon. Duren, wearing white cutoffs and black Pistons sweatpants, was already dripping with perspiration as he put in extra work on his driving and pull-up mid-range shooting with an assistant coach prior to tip-off. The rare 3 p.m. local start time didn’t take away any of the intensity from a meeting between two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, and it was clear even before jump ball that neither side would be easing into the new season.

It felt like the Celtics landed a knockout punch midway through the third quarter when Paul George ripped the nets for another three-pointer to put Boston up 22 points. The Pistons appeared to have the same structural problems that tanked a 60-win team in the playoffs last season: not enough shooting or creation next to star Cade Cunningham, and too many lineups that lacked two-way balance. That’s when Detroit subbed Javonte Green into the game for the first time, and immediately flipped the switch.

The Pistons beat the Celtics, 121-113, for the biggest opening night comeback in league history. Detroit was fueled by a 23-0 fourth quarter run where its defense held the Celtics scoreless for five minutes in crunch time.

“I think the comeback just embodied the culture and what we’re trying to build here,” Duren said after the win. “We’re a team that’s known to be gritty, known to get it out the mud, known to never quit.”

Pistons INSANE 23-0 run vs Celtics. pic.twitter.com/piJbJL5rz3

— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) October 20, 2026

Duren needed to get off to a good start after missing the first week of training camp with a lingering contract dispute that caused hurt feelings on both sides. That storyline can be put to rest now after he finished with 22 points and nine rebounds on 8-of-13 shooting, an excellent performance that almost felt quiet in real time because of how he accumulated his numbers. Everything was in the flow of the offense on lobs, putbacks, and dunker’s spot finishes, and his best work might not have even showed up in the box score.

The Celtics optimize every aspect of the game under Joe Mazzulla, with shot location and generating extra possessions being paramount to their success. Boston crashes the offensive glass as hard as any team in the league, and it added perhaps the single greatest offensive rebounder alive this side of Houston’s Steven Adams by inking Mitchell Robinson to a three-year deal over the summer. Well, Robinson was mostly invisible in this game, with Duren and his teammates boxing out hard on every possession. Yes, Robinson did turn an ankle in the first half before returning, but that’s both part of the game and a major part of the deal with Robinson in particular. The Pistons out-rebounded the Celtics with a 49-39 edge on the glass.

“It’s not only their bigs, but their smaller players, too. They’re known to crash from the corners. My mindset tonight was whether I get the rebound or not, I just got to keep them off the glass,” Duren told me after the game.

This will be remembered as the Javonte Green game for good reason. Green didn’t play in the first half, but head coach JB Bickerstaff knew he needed a spark in the third quarter as the Celtics were turning it into a rout. Part of Boston’s game-plan is ignoring non-shooters on the perimeter, but they didn’t get the memo that Green has turned himself into a viable outside threat in recent years. Green knocked down 5-of-8 threes, most of them wide open, to give Detroit new life. His defense was just as important by getting into the gaps and helping make Jayson Tatum settle for tough jumpers that he was consistently bricking. Tatum finished 6-of-23 from the floor.

Green ended the night +21 in 18 minutes. The Pistons looked far more formidable in his minutes than they did with John Collins or Ron Holland on the floor, and it makes sense. Green doesn’t hesitate to shoot from three on offense, he has active hands and tons of bounce on the defensive end, and he consistently plays a team game by moving the ball to the open man. He’s everything you want out of a role player, and he’s one of the few Detroit reserves who actually offers a two-way game when his shot is falling like it did Tuesday.

Duncan Robinson was also excellent. He knocked down 5-of-9 threes by sprinting around screens and firing with just a sliver of space. When he didn’t have a clean look, Robinson would hit the brakes, go into his shot, and get fouled by Celtics defenders who were rushing to close out on him. With Robinson, Isaiah Joe, and Kevin Huerter, the Pistons actually have some options to improve their spacing around Cunningham this season, though building lineups that can actually compete defensively with viable three-point shooting will continue to be Bickerstaff’s biggest challenge.

The Pistons won 14 games three seasons ago. They made a massive jump to 44 wins two years ago, and another big leap to 60 wins and the No. 1 seed in the East last season. Detroit doesn’t really have much room to improve in the regular season, but there’s still tons of upside left in their playoff approach. The Pistons would have been the victims of a 1-8 first-round upset if Franz Wagner didn’t get hurt for the Magic. Duren was out-played by an inferior player in Wendell Carter Jr. in the series, and he didn’t look much better in round two as Detroit was eliminated by an uninspiring Cavs team.

“We’ve seen the bottom, so we’re not afraid of it,” Duren said of his team’s slow start through the first three quarters. “I’d never say we were scared or worried. We knew we had to pick it up, and we did.”

It’s not obvious where the Pistons’ next step is coming from yet, but that’s okay. It’s a long season, and Detroit will discover plenty of things along the way, just like they did on opening night with Green’s unexpected explosion. The East is better than ever, but the Pistons aren’t going to be scared of anyone. The Knicks’ opening night loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in the very next game only reinforced the idea that the conference is wide open. New York deserves to be the favorite as the defending champs, but there’s about seven other East teams that can realistically dream of making an NBA Finals run, and Detroit is one of them.

The early tip-off time didn’t feel like a nuisance in and around the arena. Before the game, fans decked out in Celtics and Pistons gear embraced each other outside to welcome back NBA basketball. It was nice to see a mutual respect from both sides at the start of a long season. When the top-8 of the East is as bunched up as it appears to be entering the new year, every game matters, and for one afternoon the Pistons got the better of the Celtics.

While it’s just one night, this game did give both teams plenty to chew on. The Celtics were “guarding” Ausar Thompson with a big man who roamed off him 15-feet away from the perimeter, daring him to shoot. Thompson still found a way to make an offensive impact even with arguably the league’s ugliest jump shot by cutting to the rim, spraying out quick passes for three-point attempts, and getting out in the open floor. His 360 scoop layup in the first half was a thing of beauty. He finished the game +12 in his 33 minutes, and harassed Tatum with his all-world perimeter defense. Other teams will have to wonder if playing off him to that degree is really worth it.

360 SPINNING LAYUP.

Sweet move by Ausar Thompson on NBC and Peacock 😳 pic.twitter.com/e46aKoXRZu

— NBA (@NBA) October 20, 2026

George looked unreal in his Celtics debut after coming over in the controversial Jaylen Brown trade. He finished with 38 points, five rebounds, and five steals on 7-of-12 shooting from three. He’s going to be a natural fit in the Celtics’ system if he can stay healthy. Tatum looked great in the first half and terrible in the second. I thought Boston needed more Payton Pritchard to loosen things up offensively. Why is Joe Mazzulla bringing him off the bench? Hugo Gonzalez, the king of Time Decay RAPM, was dreadful in his 10 minutes, finishing -15. I thought Baylor Scheierman looked great, and the Neemias Queta minutes were more promising than Robinson’s.

An 82-game regular season is just too damn long, but there’s nothing like NBA games that actually feel meaningful. Duren called it a playoff atmosphere after the game, and it really did seem like it. I was exhausted just watching his pre-game workout before he went out and dunked everything at the basket while winning the battle on the boards that truly dictates wins and losses. Overreact to this game if you want to. I’m not going to judge you. For one sunny fall afternoon in the Midwest, it just felt so nice to be back in the gym.

The Utah Jazz announced today that they have waived Blake Hinson and signed Kobe Bufkin to a two-way contract. This comes as somewhat of a surprise, as Hinson really showed flashes of scoring ability towards the end of last season, shooting a blistering 46.8% from beyond the arc. It’s also very disappointing after Hinson’s endearing postgame interview after a preseason win over the Denver Nuggets.

Kobe Bufkin was the 15th overall pick in 2023. He hasn’t played much in the NBA, only getting playing time in 43 games over 3 seasons. His career averages are: 4.2 points per game to go along with 1.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. I can’t say I understand the logic of this move by the front office as he is a worse shooter, and is shorter than Hinson. Also worth pointing out that they could have waived any other player who was on a two-way contract to make room for Bufkin. I really don’t think that the front office views Harrison Ingram or Tre Alexander as a greater talent than Hinson. Maybe the hamstring strain that Hinson was listed with on the injury report was more severe than previously thought? Or maybe the front office just values ball handling more than shooting for the two-way players. Whatever the reason for Hinson being waved it is a massive disappointment as most Jazz fans (myself very much included) believed that he could provide great depth, and legit NBA shooting to the team.

The Boston Celtics’ season opener against the Detroit Pistons started with nerves and excitement followed by confidence and joy, but ultimately resulted in sheer disappointment. The Celtics blew a 22-point second-half lead, falling 121-113.

It was just one game out of 82 and after Boston’s longest offseason in 10 years, you take it with a grain of salt. But before moving on, it’s important to learn from it to avoid repeating future mistakes, though.

Outside of the poor shooting numbers from Tatum and the stagnating offense in the second half, the most glaring mistake was letting Detroit beat them on the boards.

The Pistons outrebounded the Celtics 49 to 39 over the course of the game. They won on both the offensive and defensive glass, 14 to 12, and 35 to 27, respectively. With the possession battle being such a crucial part of Joe Mazzulla’s philosophy, I would have expected a different outcome.

Last season, Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta were both in the top-20 best rebounders across the league. Mitch (13^th) averaged 8.8 rebounds per game, while Neemi averaged 8.4. In the opener, they combined for just 7 total rebounds, 3 from Robinson, 4 from Queta. Boston’s effort on the glass was led by Jordan Walsh at 6, followed by Paul George with 5, by far their two most active players all night.

On the other side, Jalen Duren picked up 9 rebounds, John Collins had 5, and Paul Reed added in another 6. Though not a big, Ausar Thompson led all players with 11 boards.

Sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce your way, but it felt like Detroit consistently had better activity and positioning. They rallied to the paint as a team, usually sending at least two or three bodies to box out or gather up longer rebounds. It’s a big reason they were able to effectively neutralize Queta and Robinson in the matchup.

Mitchell Robinson wasn’t very happy with his performance. He tweaked his ankle early in the game, but it didn’t end his night as he decided to play through it. When asked about it after the game, he didn’t use it as an excuse, instead shouldering the blame.

“I got my a** kicked on the glass,” he said. “I can’t have no starts like that. It’s cool to get out there and put on that Boston jersey for the first time in a regular-season game, but overall, I still didn’t do what I needed to do. I gotta compete better. I feel like I didn’t compete at a high level that I normally do and I was kind of slow on a lot of things.”

Boston still had to work for their boards; very few were uncontested. That’s likely going to be the case most nights, which only means they have to work harder. The three-pointers will be the headline, but Detroit’s energy is what caused the game to flip. They limited the Celtics to single possessions, fueling their long, unanswered runs. They also picked up 24 second chance points compared to Boston’s 16, which helped them overcome their slight disadvantage in the shooting splits.

It perfectly encapsulates exactly why Mazzulla emphasizes the possession game. More possessions amount to more opportunities, meaning that you are more tolerant to faults. I’m sure we’ll see plenty more nights where the offense stagnates and shots don’t fall. The best way to combat that is to crash the offensive glass and try to generate better looks when the defense doesn’t have a chance to set, or is scrambling to do so. On the other end, limiting opponents to one possession also ensures that you don’t fall in too deep of a hole, or in this case, don’t let them dig themselves out of the one you put them in.

Again, this is only game one of 82. The Celtics have plenty of time to correct themselves. Thanks to the early start, they have two and a half nights to review film before their first home game of the season, a matchup with the rival New York Knicks. Mitchell Robinson and crew will have a chance to redeem themselves while going up against his former teammates, including last year’s rebound leader, Karl Anthony-Towns.

We did it. We are here. The Phoenix Suns tip off the 2026–27 season tonight in Portland, and it’s been quite some time since we last watched Phoenix Suns basketball that actually counted. You’d have to go back 177 days, to when the Suns lost Game 4 of their first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

And now here we are. A new season, new hope, and hopefully a new outcome: a championship. It’s something that has never happened in Phoenix, and as season number 59 tips off, this might not be a team with legitimate championship aspirations. But that doesn’t mean we won’t watch, consume, analyze, form opinions about, and care deeply about every step of the journey.

Sports have a funny way of reeling us in. Maybe it’s by birthright, geographical allegiance, or perhaps you simply liked the colors. Whatever brought you here, we’ve once again arrived at the beginning of another journey, hoping that somehow, someway, this one ends differently than every season that came before it.

And to prepare for that journey, we have one final question to ask our Bright Side roundtable.

What record do you predict the Suns will finish with, and where will that land them in the Western Conference standings?

I ultimately see the Phoenix Suns finishing as the sixth seed in the Western Conference with a 47–35 record. That’s two games better than last season, and I think that improvement is entirely justifiable.

The starting unit is better than what existed a year ago. Royce O’Neale is out of the rotation, and Miles Bridges has replaced him. That’s a net positive. Mark Williams will be injured for the majority of the season, but Phoenix has a pair of young bigs who can provide different looks and options behind him, so I’m not necessarily concerned about the starting unit.

The second unit? I think there are plenty of firecrackers there, and they’re going to play with the intensity that Phoenix Suns basketball has become known for. The Suns have more depth than they did a year ago, thanks to continued development and the continuity that comes with keeping much of the roster together.

And one of the biggest reasons I believe this team will win more games than it did last season? Health. So many people like to point to the final 30 games of last season, when the Suns went 14–16, as evidence of why expectations should be tempered. But so few acknowledge how unbelievably injured Phoenix was during that stretch. Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, and Mark Williams all missed significant time. Is it any wonder the team couldn’t squeeze out a couple more victories?

Of course, we’re once again banking on health playing in our favor, and that will ultimately have a significant impact on what this team can accomplish. But even with Williams hampered for much of the season, I believe Phoenix has enough talent, depth, and continuity to compete. With a sixth-seed finish, the Suns would have the opportunity to face the third seed in the opening round of the playoffs.

Want an early-season prediction? That third seed will be the Houston Rockets. And the Suns will win that series. drops mic

What did the rest of our writing team have to say about their predictions? Here you go.

Brandon Duenas: 48-34 – 6th seed in the West, just avoiding the play-in. I think this team is better than just a three-win improvement, but at the same time, the element of surprise is gone with this team, and the West can be a gauntlet. As long as they take care of business against teams they are supposed to beat, they should be in decent shape. The ceiling is closer to 54 wins if everything clicks and they are healthy, but I am going be more cautiously optimistic and say they exceed their Vegas O/U win total by 9 games or so (depending on where you get your numbers).

Holden Sherman: 44-38, 7th in the West.

Bruce Veliz: 47-35, 8th in the West.

Tom Mildenberger: Coming into the preseason, I’ve been at 42 games for the Suns. After seeing the bench, I just think there are going to be grind-out wins because of the effort and impact shooting of the second unit, so I think I’m going to raise my predicted win total. While I’m still sketchy on the Suns’ potential to win a playoff series, I do very much think they will escape the play-in tournament. Last season, that would have taken 50, so that’s where I’m going to land. 50 wins for the Suns, but the Spurs and Rockets finish in front of OKC, so we match up with the Thunder again.

Mark Bowser: With my belief in Ott above, the year-two continuity of the roster, Bridges out to prove he belongs on a good team, roster depth, and the Western Conference’s questionable depth, this will prove to be another step in the right direction. No play-in, land the 6 seed, 46-36, and an upset in round one of the playoffs.

CJ Navage: Paaaaaaiiiiinnnnn to quote the infamous Clubber Lang. I’m an optimist, but fans should set the bar low and be pleasantly surprised if the Suns do better than lowered expectations. A blow has already been struck with the loss of Mark Williams, who knows what else the season will bring? I suppose a positive attitude would be to think Ishbia will do what it takes during the season, no matter the cost, which has largely been true so far in his ownership tenure. Buy a player? Fire a coach? Trade? Ok. It’s a business.  

Kevin Hunpherys: The Suns are going to finish with a 48-34 record and finish sixth in the Western Conference this season.

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Now it is your turn to make your predictions!

Happy start of the NBA Season! With the Rockets’ season kicking off at home against the Dallas Mavericks, I figured now was a good time to get into my pre-season predictions. Just a note before we start: all odds come from FanDuel, which you can view here. Additonally, if you want a more in depth breakdown of any certain player you can check out our season preview series here.

How many games will Houston win, and what seed will they be?

To start, I predict Houston will record 55 wins. This would be three more wins than last season and would likely leave Houston as a top-three or top-four seed. For context, FanDuel has Houston at +1000 for seventh seed, +2000 for first seed, +850 for second seed seed, +1300 for eighth seed, +470 for fourth seed, +450 for third seed, and +320 for 55+ wins.

Who will be the top scorer?

For my top scorer I have Alperen Sengun, however I would not be surprised if Amen Thompson was the leading scorer, and I would be content as long as Kevin Durant is not the leading scorer BECAUSE WHY ARE WE PLACING THAT MUCH OF A BURDEN ON 38-YEAR-OLD KEVIN DURANT?

Breakout young player?

I was between Jabari Smith jr. and Reed Sheppard for breakout player, but for me once a player has seccured their second NBA contract, they are now longer qualified for breakout young player. I think Reed Sheppard will defenitley have a smaller role at times this season because of the return of Fred Vanvleet, and the additon of Marcus Smart, however, I think a smaller role may be better for him, as it will give him less pressure. Instead of being thrust into the rotation as the backup point guard after playing very few NBA rotation minutes the prior year, Reed will get consistent spot minutes allowing him to serve as an off the bench sniper. Think Gerald Green’s role of a off the bench siniper, but as a better player.

Leading bench contributor?

Now for this category, it depends on what you count as a contributor. Are you going off scoring numbers and stats, or overall impact? Depending on your answer, I have two different options for leading bench contributor: one being Marcus Smart, and the other being Tari Eason.

To start off with Smart, having someone besides Fred VanVleet who can run the offense will be nothing short of exceptional, but that’s not even where Smart fully shines. Houston is potentially adding another top NBA defender to its roster that already includes Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr., along with other good defenders. Now imagine if Marcus gets his three pointer back to leauge average, or even above league average, and we are COOKING. Now the case for Tari over Marcus is that Tari is likely, in my opinion, to have higher counting stats, and the possibility that Marcus may end up starting if Fred misses time or sits out back-to-backs, but I think you can really have either Tari or Smart penciled in for the largest bench contributor. I did also consider Bogdan Bogdanovic, but I feel he is more of a cleanup crew end of the bench kinda guy who will see spot minutes on occasion.

How far will Houston go?

Now for the million-dollar question: do I expect Houston to win a championship this year? Unfortunately, as much as I would like to say they could win, I can’t say that in good conscience, as San Antonio and Oklahoma City appear to be in a tier of their own. Now could Houston win a title? Sure, but I could also wake up one day with an extra toe. I think my prediction is a second- or third-round exit, and I can see either one happening. It likely will depend on if they can avoid the Spurs/Thunder till the WCF.

Now with all that out of the way, I want to know YOUR season predictions for the Rockets season. Who do you expect to be the leading scorer? How many games do you have Houston winning? Let us know in the comments, and as always, make sure to check back at The Dream Shake for all things Houston Rockets news, analysis, and more.

The New York Knicks celebrated their NBA championship Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, yet hardly anything went according to plan. And LeBron James found himself smack dab in the swirl of the fierce and funny festivities.

James made his Philadelphia 76ers debut memorable, helping his new team defeat the Knicks, 106-100. Asked by NBC sideline reporter Zora Stephenson if he was enjoying spoiling the Knicks’ ring night, James grinned and said, “Yeah, I do. It’s pretty special.”

Last seen in Los Angeles bidding a hasty farewell after eight seasons with the Lakers — Times columnist Bill Plaschke wrote that “He left before the door could hit him in the butt” — James, 41, began his 24th NBA season by contributing 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the 76ers’ victory.

And James did so even while jawing with courtside Knicks fans about using a helicopter to commute from his new home in New York to Philadelphia. Of course, famed director and Knicks fan fixture Spike Lee couldn’t stay out of it.

“Hey, LeBron, just because you have a helicopter and you live in New York doesn’t mean we’re gonna cheer for you,” one fan yelled, according to NBC broadcaster Mike Tirico. Another fan dinged James for being soft simply because he lived in L.A. for so long.

James couldn’t let that one go, yelling back, “Ain’t nothing soft in the Midwest. I don’t know what the f—- you talking about. I’m not from the West Coast, I’m from Ohio, baby.”

Lee, resplendent in a bright orange and blue pinstriped suit with matching hat, stood from his front-row seat, seemingly serving as conciliator. Much of the exchange was caught on camera by NBC, with Tirico and fellow broadcaster Reggie Miller providing commentary.

Read more:Plaschke: LeBron James got out before Lakers could throw him out

“[James] said hello to somebody over here,” Tirico said. “Spike Lee is over for a look and a chat. ... LeBron is taking the helicopter rides back and forth from Philadelphia to New York and engaged here in some front-row convo.”

Miller chimed in, “That’s the last thing you wanna do is get LeBron going here in this building.... And guess who’s playing peacemaker? Spike Lee! He’s over here playing peacemaker. Boy, I have seen everything.”

Fanatics is supplying James with the helicopter as part of a multiyear, exclusive trading card and collectibles contract signed in 2024. Although the deal raised the antenna of investigative reporter Pablo Torre — who won a Pulitzer Prize for uncovering the Clippers’ salary-cap circumvention with Kawhi Leonard — NBA commissioner Adam Silver called the helicopter arrangement “perfectly appropriate.”

Silver was at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. The Knicks celebrated their first NBA championship in 53 years with a ring ceremony and raising a banner to the rafters. They did their best to laugh off a typo on the T-shirts fans received that proclaimed the team as the 2026-2027 champions.

Despite the testy exchange with fans and enduring their “We don’t want you” chant while he shot free throws, James softened what he had said to Stephenson, sidestepping a suggestion by a reporter that the 76ers ruined the Knicks’ celebration.

“I wouldn’t say that,” James said. “It was a great night for New York fans. Fifty-plus years. I was a part of that at one point where we hadn’t won a major championship in Cleveland in over 50 years. The fans will never forget this moment.”

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Seeing Draymond Green in a non-Golden State Warriors NBA jersey would feel wrong to basketball fans.

But it’s a reality Green and the basketball world might have to reckon with. The 36-year-old, four-time NBA champion will be an unrestricted free agent next offseason after signing a one-year deal over the summer.

The Warriors signed Steph Curry to a two-year deal this past offseason, proving their intention of ensuring Curry retires with them.

But Green and Curry aren’t in the same boat. Green knows this, and explained as much during a recent interview with CNBC.

“I would love to retire a Golden State Warrior. However, I’m also not Steph Curry, right? So I don’t have every luxury that Steph Curry has, and that’s okay. It’s such a rare thing to be on one team your entire career. And if I can accomplish that feat, I would love to,” Green said.

“I would love to play basketball next year… if that’s not here, I’m not going to retire. If I don’t [retire with the Warriors], great. But I’m extremely grateful for the journey that I’ve been on here. I don’t know how many years I have left in the NBA, let alone at this place. For me, it’s all about enjoying what’s in front of us.”

Green is guaranteed one more season in Golden State. Perhaps his performance this season will determine whether he ends his career in the same place he started it.

The Golden State Warriors did not do much to revamp the roster this offseason, but head coach Steve Kerr has spent the summer emphasizing a shift in the team’s approach mentally and tactically. Kerr’s top assistants were replaced and Frank Vogel joined the staff to lead the team’s defensive scheme. On the other side of the ball, Kerr has been emphasizing integrating some new approaches to offense. Guard De’Anthony Melton talked at length to reporters about the changes.

Asked De’Anthony Melton to help explain what’s different this yr in #Warriors’ offense.

“Everybody over here is just so used to split-actions being run constantly. And I think now, it’s not going to be as many splits.”

Or splits will come later in possession, different angles. pic.twitter.com/Mmw2UFbiBP

— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) October 20, 2026

Melton explained how the team’s new gameplan shifts the team’s emphasis away from split actions, which have been the Dubs calling card under Kerr. Of course, split actions are still going to be a key component of Golden State’s offense, but Melton expects them to be less frequent as the initial setup. Melton also reiterated Kerr’s comments at the end of the preseason that the team has not yet found its complete footing with the new scheme. We’ll see if they are able to find a rhythm early in the season.

Tonight is the night. After going through the dark days of tanking, a disappointing lottery, a promising draft and months of opinions on everything from the court design to the front office from the fan base, October 21 is the start of a new era. With the promise of a backcourt for the future and the addition of veterans including a three-time All-Star, the 2026-27 Brooklyn Nets will make their official debut! We’re glad, almost giddy to be back….

For the first game of the year — and for the second year in a row, the Nets will face the Charlotte Hornets on Opening Night. After completing a promise-filled season last year and trading their franchise star in Lamelo Ball to the Timberwolves this offseason, the Hornets will find where they stand in a newly loaded Eastern Conference. For the Nets, the organization’s long rehuild will head into a new era.

Where To Watch

Catch the action at 7:30 p.m. ET on the YES Network. You can also stream it live on DAZN. 

Injury Report

Aside from Tyler Bilodeau (shoulder sprain), everybody is good to go.

For the Hornets, it’s not looking so good. Rookie of the Year runner-up Kon Knueppel will be out with a hamstring injury. Fellow backcourt mate Coby White will be out with a calf injury, along with Grant Williams (hamstring) and rookie Kylan Boswell (knee).

The Game 

First and foremost, the Nets will not feature their projected starting lineup in the season opener. Mikel Brown Jr. will not be in the starting lineup. The No. 6 draft pick is still recovering from a rolled left ankle suffered early in camp. Although he played well in his lone preseason game — 15 points in 18 minutes — the Nets performance team is being cautious. MBJ will play with a minutes restriction and off the bench. His first official minutes as an NBA player will begin when he’s introduced not as a starter but from the bench. Think 24 minutes. That should still be enough to get his feet wet against NBA level competition… 

Mikel Brown Jr. on starting vs. coming off the bench:

“If I come off the bench or I start, it’s still going to be me regardless. I don’t look at that stuff. If I start, I start. If I come off the bench, I come off the bench. Just continue to do what I do.” pic.twitter.com/2oKiCDJfgu

— Erik Slater (@ErikSlater_) October 16, 2026

With that being said, Keon Ellis will likely be the starter for tonight, as his feisty defense mixed with his 40.7% career 3-point percentage should match up well with a stronger and more confident Egor Demin against the weakened Hornets. They sure looked good together every time they played.

Julius Randle will also be making his Nets debut tonight. After playing well during the preseason with averages of 14 points a game on 44% from the field, Randle looks to make his mark as a Brooklyn Net, as he did across the river where he was a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection as well as Most Improved Player. In a number of interviews, he’s spoken about he and his family are happy to be a part of the team.

And with Michael Porter Jr. at the other forward spot, Brooklyn will for the first time since the end of the Big Three era have two proven 20-point scorers on the roster. Combined the two averaged 46 points a game last season in Brooklyn and Minnesota.

 Perhaps the most crucial debut in the starting lineup will be Day’Ron Sharpe who after Nic Claxton was dealt to Chicago in the Randle trade, he will be the starting center. He has been one of the NBA’s top offensive rebounders per 36 minutes off the bench. Now, he’ll finally get those 36 minutes!

It will be intriguing to see how the Nets bench will play. With Nolan Traore showing upside in his sophomore year, his ability to set the pace and get to the rim should give the Hornets’ guards trouble as well. Don’t be surprised whether tonight or in the future him combined with his 20-year-old teammates Demin and Brown Jr.

Player to Watch: Mike Brown Jr.

Most game previews, we look at the opponents’ top players, but on a special night like this, we’re going with a member of the home team. Admittedly, the Nets had hoped for a higher pick in the Draft Lottery. Despite the No. 6 pick being mathematically the most likely, fans as well as the organization had hoped for a top four pick.

It’s not that they didn’t like the Louisville product — they had him at No. 5 on their internal mock. They just like others (read Cam Boozer and Caleb Wilson) more. But since the Draft, they and the fans have come to forget the lottery. Brown Jr. is a rare player with multiple tools, including surprising athleticism (39.5” max vertical) and deep range (leading the NCAA in three’s from beyond 25 feet with 27.) More than that though as Sean Marks has said, he doesn’t act like a rookie. Now we’ll see if he plays like one!

Putting aside players to watch, fans should also be watching the head coach. Jordi Fernandez from the time he was hired back in April 2024 has been asked to prioritize getting a top pick, aka tank. Now, it’s only about winning.

The Vault

I mean if you ask me, this is the perfect song to begin a new era.

• Brooklyn Nets Game Notes – Brooklyn Nets
• Charlotte Hornets Game Notes – Charlotte Hornets
• The Brooklyn Nets should be improved this season, but still face a long climb in a strong East – AP
• First-round pick Mikel Brown Jr. looking to help Nets prove critics wrong – Brian Lewis – New York Post
• Jordi Fernandez ready to kick off post-tanking Nets era with ‘good sense of urgency’ – Brian Lewis – New York Post
• How the Nets are empowering Julius Randle to orchestrate the offense ($) – Brian Lewis – New York Post
• Nets enter season opener with new firepower and plenty left to prove ($) – C.J. Holmes – New York Daily News
• Nets’ Egor Demin reveals mental shift in key area that could drive sophomore leap – Erik Slater – Clutch Points
• Nets vs. Hornets game preview: How to watch, injuries, lineups – Shareef Phillips-Keaton – USA TODAY
• Nets guard Keon Ellis discusses opportunity with new-look roster – Shareef Phillips-Keaton – USA TODAY
• Nets 2026-27 season preview and prediction – Rafael Canton – SNY
• 2026-27 NBA season preview: Rankings, predictions, odds / Brooklyn Nets – ESPN

Aday Mara needed just one game to suddenly make the Thunder seem much better suited to handle Victor Wembanyama this season.

The Thunder’s 7-foot-3 rookie had a strong debut Tuesday and helped Oklahoma City hold the Spurs’ phenom to a career-worst shooting night in a 116-104 road win in a Western Conference finals rematch.

Mara scored seven points while adding two rebounds and one block in 12 minutes, including a pivotal third-quarter sequence where he blocked Wembanyama and then scored on the other end.

OKC really drafted the Wemby stopper

Mara just OWNED Wemby on BOTH ends pic.twitter.com/jtXIMwcS8m

— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) October 21, 2026

“He was awesome,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “Great poise, great impact. He had probably one of the stretches of the game — it’s a critical thing there when he blocked the shot and went down and finished the other end. He didn’t seem overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the game.

“I’m not really surprised by how he’s performed in preseason. I think he’s proven to be a very impactful player. His minutes weren’t high tonight but his impact was. Clearly, somebody we trust, put him in that game and we’re only going to trust him more after seeing how he performed in a high-level game.”

The Thunder and Spurs are both stocked with talent and seem destined to clash in the playoffs for years to come, meaning they both can build rosters with the other team in mind.

In last year’s conference finals, Wembanyama had his way against Oklahoma City to the tune of 27.3 points per game, 10.9 rebounds per contest and 2.7 blocks per game to eliminate the reigning champions.

Oklahoma City’s big-man duo of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein proved helpless in the series, with Holmgren particularly being ineffective.

The Thunder responded by using the No. 12 pick in the draft to select Mara out of Michigan after he helped the Wolverines win the national title.

Adding the 262-pounder suddenly gave Oklahoma City another weapon to throw at Wembanayama, and he provided encouraging results Tuesday.

His highlight sequence came in the third quarter with Oklahoma City leading 82-70 when Mara blocked Wembanyama while he attempted to score on an alley-oop.

Moments later, Mara scored on an alley-oop.

Mara told a Spanish outlet that he received a game ball for his efforts.

“I’m happy it’s official now,” he told CARTV, as reported by eurohoops.net. “I felt good playing, and I felt like I helped the team, so I’m happy.”

The trio of Mara, Holmgren and Hartenstein ultimately held Wembanyama to 13 points on 1 of 12 shooting to allow the Thunder to exact revenge for last year’s playoffs exit.

“There’s always a variance to it,” Daigneault said of slowing down Wembanyama. “I thought he missed shots that he can normally make from the floor. I thought Chet did a great job on him. I thought Mara did a great job on him the possessions he had tonight.

“I thought we collectively had the right amount of response to him.”

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Between a maddening lack of available bodies and a shortened preseason — and a questionable approach to it — the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t exactly entering the new year with the amount of reps and on-court chemistry most expected or wanted.

The new trio of Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler logged just one half together over the course of five unofficial games. Reaves entered training camp with a tweaked right ankle and Kessler suffered a jammed finger before games started. The lack of real reps as a squad is less than ideal for a team looking to hit the ground running, but the Lakers’ early-season schedule may end up working in their favor.

Their first ten games consist of the Warriors, Clippers and Trail Blazers twice each and matchups against the Jazz, Raptors, Heat and Kings. Although the league is much more competitive than it was even last season, the Lakers are projected to be better than every Western Conference team on this slate.

“I believe, as we are right now, we’re good enough to win a lot of games,” Reaves said after practice on Tuesday. “But I don’t think that we’re as good as we can be. I think that with the reps and the in-game competition and going through adversity will only build us to be better in the long haul. Trying to compete and win games early, especially while we’re still building that, everybody’s going to have to have a winning mentality.”

Asked Austin Reaves how the Lakers can remain competitive early in the season despite not getting a ton of reps together in the preseason.

“I believe, as we are right now, we’re good enough to win a lot of games.” pic.twitter.com/niYW4AzSBN

— Connor Moreno (@cmorenoNBA) October 20, 2026

Role players like Ziaire Williams, Adou Thiero, Collin Sexton and Cameron Carr wound up missing some, if not all, of the preseason games. Thiero (left knee effusion) and Carr (right oblique strain) are officially out for the season-opener against the Warriors, while Sexton (right soleus strain) is questionable.

Health will always be a concern over the course of an 82-game season, but with the opportunity to get out ahead in the wins column, how are the Lakers going to balance ramping up their connectivity and remaining competitive enough to win games?

“That’s what it is, it is a balance,” JJ Redick said. “Because, again, you have to keep the perspective of the whole. But these guys know, we had a conversation the other day, every time we step on the floor the expectation is [that] you’re going to compete to win and you’re going to try and win a basketball game and you’re going to do it to our standards.

“The guys understand that. So, I don’t think that’s a difficult balance to find.” 

Los Angeles enters the season with the 18th-toughest schedule in the NBA, a ranking that is only going to rise as the season winds on. That generous start, then, could help the Lakers make up for what they missed in the preseason.

You can follow Connor on Twitter at @cmorenoNBA.

As Kenny Atkinson and the Cleveland Cavaliers gear up for arguably their most consequential season of this era, they are soliciting any and all advice. Former NBA head coach Thom Thibodeau attended the Cavs’ practice on Tuesday, according to Atkinson, to gather his feedback. There has not been any indication that the Cavs have hired Thibodeau in any capacity.

“We’re a continuous learning organization, seeing who can we learn from,” Atkinson said after practice. “I’ll ask for his feedback, what he thought of practice.”

Kenny on Thibs visit:

"We're a continuous learning organization, who can we learn from. … I'll ask his feedback what he thought of practice. … I pretty much feel comfortable with anybody in our coaching circle just to invite or go visit them. … It's great to get feedback." https://t.co/gphOb1GWeypic.twitter.com/N6tiD7yjJS

— RealCavsFans.com (@realcavsfans) October 20, 2026

Thibodeau, 68, did not coach in the NBA last year after being fired by the New York Knicks. Prior to that, he spent five seasons with the Chicago Bulls (2010-2015) and another three years with the Minnesota Timberwolves (2016-2019).

Atkinson said he “pretty much feels comfortable” with anybody in the coaching circle visiting or going to visit them. While the exact reason for Thibodeau’s visit was not explained, it is not uncommon for teams to ask for information from former coaches — or even bring them on board. The Cavs also hired former Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings head coach Dave Joerger as a consultant in 2023-24, before being whisked away to join Doc Rivers in Milwaukee.

In his time as both an assistant and head coach, Thibodeau gained a reputation for building elite defenses. In his first four seasons with Chicago, the Bulls posted a top-six defensive rating. The Knicks teams he coached also consistently finished in the upper tiers of most defensive metrics, despite not having a traditional anchor center. The Cavs, after losing their edge on that end last season, are looking to get back to being a top defense.

Like those Bulls teams that had Joakim Noah at center, the Cavs have a traditional big in Jarrett Allen. And, again, like the Chicago teams of that era, the Cavs do not have a strong defensive backcourt. Atkinson, mostly known for his offensive scheming, very well could be looking to Thibodeau for tips on upgrading the defensive game plan. Thibodeau ran a heavy help defense with aggressive pick-and-roll coverage, a real “hair-on-fire” mentality that relies on disciplined rotations and strong closeouts. The Cavs, many times last season, were one or two steps late on rotations and looked slack in getting back on defense after a miss. With an upgraded Eastern Conference, the Cavs must be better on defense if they not only want to advance to the NBA Finals, but just get back to the Conference Championship as well.

There was plenty of digital ink spilled breaking down the new-look Sixers this summer.

On Tuesday night, the time for words was over as we got our first look at LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and the 2026-27 Sixers — and the early returns were impressive. They spoiled banner night at MSG, taking down the defending champion New York Knicks 106-100.

There are things to iron out, but we’ll focus more on the positives from a gritty opening night win.

Defense wins …

The biggest question surrounding this iteration of the Sixers is how things would work defensively. It’s just one game, but if it’s any indication, pretty damn good.

There were unsurprising aspects, like VJ Edgecombe and Jaylen Brown doing a terrific job on Jalen Brunson. The reigning Finals MVP scored 21 points but needed 19 shots to get there. Though he might not be the elite defender he was in his prime, the 41-year-old James showed off his elite basketball IQ and physicality, spending a lot of time defending Karl-Anthony Towns.

The biggest surprises on that end might’ve been the two longest-tenured Sixers.

Tyrese Maxey was the best player on the floor and not just because of his game-high 28 points. Maxey posted three steals and three blocks. Opponents routinely picked on Maxey throughout the early stages of his career. We’re at a point now where teams will pay the price for doing so. When he was drafted by the Sixers, Maxey said Jrue Holiday was one of his favorite players because of his two-way ability. As Maxey has gotten bigger, stronger and smarter, he’s been way more impactful on that end.

But there was no bigger pleasant surprise than the way Joel Embiid moved defensively. Brunson relentlessly picked on Embiid last year in the playoffs. Embiid was much more spry, varying the looks like he showed Brunson in the pick-and-roll, even hanging tough on a couple switches. In the second half, the Sixers put James on KAT and Embiid on Josh Hart. That type of strategy wasn’t physically possible for Embiid the last couple seasons.

In his prime, Embiid was a Defensive Player of the Year finalist and one of the best rim protectors in the sport. This was the first time in at least two years where he looked like that guy.

Knicks are 12-31 in the paint with Joel on the floor tonight. Had a couple of big blocks on Drummond.

— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) October 21, 2026

It’s just one game (and it’s fair to be skeptical of Embiid keeping this up over the long haul), but what a tremendous effort on the defensive end.

Mad Maxey

I’ve been saying all offseason I believed Maxey would be this team’s leading scorer. On opening night, he scored 28 and was the only Sixer to score 20-plus. Now, matchups will dictate things on many nights, but Maxey being able to blend his elite off-ball scoring with the on-ball experience he’s gotten over the past two seasons is going to make him lethal.

Maxey scored the first two baskets of the game on a pair of threes — one off an Embiid screen and the other off the dribble in transition after a steal. This team talked all summer about wanting to get out in transition. Maxey led that charge in a big way. His speed paired with his shooting ability make him nearly impossible to guard, especially with the gravity of guys like Embiid, James and Brown.

As mentioned, what stood out even more was Maxey’s work on the defensive end. I’d argue this was the best two-way performance of Maxey’s career. Hell of a night.

Anfernee and KCP for three

It was an abysmal shooting night for both teams. Along with defense, three-point shooting was looked at as a possible sore spot for this loaded roster. That’s likely why Mike Gansey signed Anfernee Simons early in free agency, a move that showed dividends on opening night.

Simons showed off his microwave scoring ability in the first half with a slick finish off a drive and a midrange pull-up off a screen. In the second half, Simons helped the Sixers flip the game, nailing three threes in the third quarter. He has such a quick release and flawless form. I also love the way Nurse used him coming off screens like a true movement shooter — something Nurse didn’t really do for Jared McCain. Credit to Nurse and credit to Simons for being ready when his number was called, despite missing the entire preseason.

Most of the game was a mixed bag for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but like Simons, the veteran wing hit big shots. A pair of KCP threes in the fourth quarter helped the Sixers stay on top. It’s nice for the Sixers to have a stabilizing player. Nobody expects KCP to go off for 30, but he’s going to be where he’s supposed to be and will (hopefully) make open shots.

The Sixers’ bench was a glaring weakness last season. This type of production from Simons and KCP (and hopefully Dean Wade when he’s healthy) could make a huge difference in the postseason.

Offensive rebounds an issue (evergreen)

You had to just laugh as Andre Drummond took it to his former team in the first half. With Towns in foul trouble, Drummond gave the Knicks great early minutes with 10 points and 12 rebounds, including six offensive boards. New York had eight as a team in the first half.

The Sixers did a better job in the second half. The Knicks had six offensive boards, but they also missed a ton of shots and one of those rebounds was on the final possession with the game already decided.

Rebounding has been an issue for Embiid the past couple years, but he had 11 in a solid effort on the glass. James and Brown are also great rebounders for their positions. James pulled down nine boards while Brown had eight. It’s going to be a group effort.

And the backup center will need to be better there.

Backup center an issue (super duper evergreen)

Speaking of, it was not a banner night for Adem Bona. I won’t crush him here because he did miss basically all of training camp and didn’t play at all in the preseason. It’s a hell of an ask to have him out there guarding KAT and battling Drum on the boards. With that said, the Sixers are going to need way more from the third-year big man.

Jabari Walker got a quick look, but this probably wasn’t the best matchup for him against two legitimately big centers. Nurse even briefly used LeBron at the five when Embiid picked up his third foul late in the first half.

Embiid was a +13. Bona was a -1 and Walker was a -6. As the great poet once said, same as it ever was.

I know a lot of people think the Sixers should simply try to get to December when they can sign a veteran to a standard deal. A couple more outings like this could test that. This is an all-in team. Gansey can’t mess around for too long.

It won’t get much easier for Bona and Walker — they go up against Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen when the Sixers host the Cleveland Cavaliers in the home opener Thursday.

Bonus fun fact

Jaylen Brown was a game-high +17.

Take that, nerds.

(In all seriousness, Brown was awesome in his Sixers debut. He looked like a two-way stud.)

Luka Dončić has always earned fans’ respect. 

So much so that before Kobe Bryant attended a Lakers game as a fan in 2019 alongside his daughter, Gianna, he learned some Slovenian so he could trash-talk the then-Mavericks’ superstar from his courtside seat.

Seven years later, Dončić is now the face of the 17-time champion Lakers, the franchise with which Bryant spent his entire 20-season career. 

“We can say that it was meant to be,” Dončić told the California Post in an exclusive interview.

Dončić has consistently mesmerized anyone who has watched him play, even a five-time champion with the Lakers who showed his admiration with attempted subterfuge. 

None of this is lost on Dončić. In fact, if there’s one thing that’s nearly as important to him as winning his first NBA championship, it’s inspiring anyone who watches him play, something that has long come naturally to him. 

Dončić had a cult following when he became the youngest player in EuroLeague history to win the MVP Award at age 19 en route to leading Real Madrid to a championship. 

While playing for the Mavericks, he was so beloved that his fans were likened to “Swifties,” the nickname for Taylor Swift’s passionate fanbase. When Dončić was stunningly traded to the Lakers in February 2025, Mavericks fans were so devastated that they protested outside American Airlines Center, canceled season tickets, chanted for then-Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison to be fired (he was nine months later), and even famously brought a casket to the arena to mourn their superstar’s departure. 

Now Dončić is in Los Angeles, a city with 12 professional sports teams and Hollywood. 

He’s a different type of superstar than the Lakers have ever had: He’s European, he’s a team-first player and he’s shy. So, he’s the opposite of other fan favorites, such as Magic Johnson or Bryant. 

The big question? 

Can Dončić win over LA? 

It’s something LeBron James struggled with despite playing eight seasons for the Lakers and leading the franchise to its first championship in 10 years in 2020 before he left for the 76ers in free agency in July. 

Austin Reaves believes things will play out differently for Dončić.  

“I think with the Bron situation it was a little different just because Bron and Kobe were battling for the best player in the NBA for multiple years, so Lakers fans at the time probably hated LeBron,” Reaves told the California Post. “Not that they didn’t accept him when he was here, but they still probably had the ‘Kobe is better’ type of mentality. But they don’t have that with Luka. He was kind of after Kobe. They don’t have a reason not to embrace him like a Kobe or someone else who was a Laker legend.”

Dončić is doing his part to endear himself to Laker fans.

Last season, he led the league in scoring (33.5 points), was third in assists (8.3) and finished fourth in MVP voting. 

And off the court, he has poured himself into contributing to the LA community. That includes committing $500,000 to fire recovery efforts through the Luka Dončić Foundation in February 2025, partnering with Jordan Brand to pay for Lakers fans’ parking near Crypto.com Arena before his first home game against the Mavericks, paying for the entire cost of restoring a vandalized mural of Kobe and Gianna in downtown in April 2025 and donating $5 million to 77 young athletes around the world after signing a three-year, $165 million extension with the Lakers in August 2025. 

Ahead of the Lakers’ season opener against the Warriors on Wednesday, Dončić is funding free Metro Bike Share rides for 30 minutes. He also took out a full-page ad in the LA Times in which he promised fans the Lakers will give everything they have this year.

“I think it’s just very important to me to do a lot of connection with the fans,” Dončić told the California Post. “Before every game at home, I sign things and I take pictures. When we go on the road, I take pictures. I think for me, it’s giving back to the fans the way they supported me. The way they care for me. It’s very important to give back to them.”

In many ways, the Lakers struck gold with Dončić. 

Not only do they have someone who’s an impossible-to-solve puzzle for defenders with his constant changing of pace, but they have a player who’s deeply loyal. 

Dončić wanted to spend his entire career in Dallas, an increasingly rare sentiment for superstars who are quick to jump franchises while chasing championships. When Dončić was dealt to the Lakers, he threw his phone across the room. He felt hurt. Shocked. Betrayed. 

But over the last season and a half, a dramatic shift has occurred. 

“After that, at training camp last year, I felt I was where I belonged,” Dončić told the California Post. “I feel very good in LA. I’m very excited. Very happy. Obviously it’s a beautiful place to live. But just being with the Lakers organization, being a part of it, it’s such an honor. It’s amazing to be here.”

Dončić has embraced the whiplash-inducing change he never envisioned. 

When asked if he wants to retire as a Laker, he didn’t hesitate. 

“Hopefully, yeah,” Dončić told the California Post. “But as you know in this NBA business, you never know what’s going to happen. But I feel like I’ve found something here that’s very comfortable for me. And hopefully [that happens].”

His buy-in was obvious last spring when he had a stunning stretch in March, averaging 37.5 points, 8 rebounds and 7.4 assists while carrying the Lakers to a 15-2 record. And it was undeniable over the summer when he paid for his teammates to fly to Slovenia where he hosted a four-day mini camp so they could build chemistry and get to know the real him. 

“He didn’t choose this,” Lakers assistant coach Greg St. Jean told the California Post of Dončić getting traded to Los Angeles. “But he’s embracing it. And I think when he looks back on his career, this opportunity is going to be one of the best things that ever happened to him, becoming a Laker.”

Dončić’s popularity boomed overnight when he was dealt to the Lakers. It became one of the biggest national stories at the time — and not just in sports. 

Several companies took advantage of the moment, including Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, which wrote on Instagram, “It’s not like we traded Luka,” in response to the backlash it was receiving for ending its free checked bag policy. 

Dončić was front and center. He was a buzzword. And he was also the clear No. 1 priority in a locker room he was sharing with James, who’s arguably the greatest player of all-time. 

It was a lot. 

Especially for someone like Dončić, who prefers hardwood floors over red carpets and sunlight over spotlights. When asked what he wants fans to most know about him, he flashed a shy smile. 

“I’m a very simple guy, probably just stay home mostly,” Dončić told the California Post. “I’m just a chill guy, a simple guy.”

He’s not outspoken. He’s not the type of player who advocates for himself. He’s not statuesque. He’s not LA. But ironically, that’s why LA is falling in love with him.  

“He’s not the fastest or can’t jump the highest, so people can see themselves in him,” said Michael Morales, a 42-year-old longtime Lakers fan. “And that makes it exciting to watch him score 50 points on the huge guys out there.”

Dončić lets his play do the talking. 

Last March, he became the first player to average 40 points over six road games since Michael Jordan in 1986. Yet he fell in NBA.com’s MVP rankings at the time from No. 2 to No. 4. Still, he declined to advocate for himself, saying, “I never did that, so I’m not going to.”

That doesn’t mean he doesn’t deeply want to win an MVP award, especially as the face of one of the most globally celebrated franchises in sports.     

“It would definitely mean a lot,” Dončić told the California Post. “Obviously a championship, that’s what you play for every game. That’s what you train for everyday. But obviously it would be nice to win the MVP also. Not everybody can say they have an MVP, so obviously that would be nice. 

“But that comes with the team first. If you don’t play good, you’re never going to win championships or MVP. So, we’ve got to play good. I’m very excited to go to war with these people. I think we had a great training camp and we’re ready to go.”

Doncic’s fans have come to appreciate his understated nature as part of his charm. On the court, he’s a trash-talking, offensive wizard. Off it, he’s a quiet guy who loves his friends, family and golf.

Reaves believes it’s inevitable that Doncic will win over Los Angeles as deeply as he won over Dallas. 

“He’s going to be here for another 10 years or so, for however long he wants to play,” Reaves told the California Post. “I think just with more time and seeing his brilliance on the court every single night, I think people have no choice but to love what he does and how he does it.”

But there’s no denying that Doncic isn’t the typical superstar Laker fans have idolized. 

So, how is somebody like that supposed to win over a fanbase accustomed to charismatic superstars who love cameras as much as A-list actors? 

It’s a hard question to answer. 

But then again, Doncic got the stamp of approval from Bryant, one of the all-time Laker favorites who was known to be very stingy with his respect.  

It’s something Doncic often thinks about as he dons a purple and gold jersey. 

“I was playing and he talked to me, it was actually insane,” Dončić told the California Post. “I was a little bit starstruck to get that respect from the guy that Kobe was which was unbelievable to me.”

It’s something that left a deep impression on Doncic. 

It’s something that seems almost prophetic now.