Category: Basketball

3 observations after Maxey-Edgecombe backcourt debuts in preseason loss to Knicks originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Tyrese Maxey-VJ Edgecombe tandem now has one NBA (preseason) game under its belt.

Maxey and Edgecombe sharing the floor was the most significant Sixers item Thursday from the team’s 99-84 preseason-opening loss to the Knicks in Abu Dhabi. 

In his preseason debut, Edgecombe tallied 14 points, six rebounds and three assists. Maxey had 14 points, four assists and four boards.

Key Sixers out with injuries included Joel Embiid (left knee), Paul George (left knee), Jared McCain (right thumb) and Trendon Watford (right hamstring). 

The Sixers’ second preseason game in Abu Dhabi is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. ET. Here are observations on their defeat Thursday:

The Maxey-Edgecombe backcourt 

The Sixers paired Maxey and Edgecombe together to start the game alongside Kelly Oubre Jr., Dominick Barlow and Adem Bona. 

That unit played with good defensive intensity out of the gate, pressuring the Knicks and hunting for turnovers. An Oubre steal on Mikal Bridges led to a Maxey fast-break bucket.

Edgecombe and Maxey’s chemistry as a duo will take time to build. Maxey threw a pass out of bounds late in the first quarter when he expected Edgecombe to stay on the wing and the rookie instead started to cut. The two talked things over as the Sixers headed to a timeout.

Individually, Edgecombe in the first quarter showcased many of the talents that made him the No. 3 pick. He grabbed a defensive rebound, pushed the ball ahead and tossed up a lob that Bona finished in high-flying fashion. Bona got another alley-oop slam about a minute later courtesy of Maxey. 

VJ ➡️ 🆎. pic.twitter.com/5NtgkrLxmH

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 2, 2025

Edgecombe displayed his passing instincts again when he received the ball on a backdoor cut and dropped off a dish to Johni Broome for an easy hoop. 

that rookie connection 🤝 pic.twitter.com/cIXRrQ8qLN

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 2, 2025

Edgecombe tried for a giant highlight in the second quarter, soaring high and attempting to dunk over Knicks center Mitchell Robinson. He didn’t quite pull it off, but Edgecombe drew a foul and knocked down both of his free throws. 

Meanwhile, Maxey was the Sixers’ top producer in the first quarter, running the show and scoring 10 points. He hit a smooth floater on the Sixers’ last possession of the period. 

A shooting day to forget

The Sixers’ outside shooting was about as bad as it possibly could have been in the first half at 1 for 20 from three-point range. The Knicks (8 for 39) were also very subpar in that area Thursday.

The final numbers for the Sixers were 34.6 percent from the field and 8.6 percent (3 for 35) beyond the arc. 

All teams have poor shooting days and preseason results deserve little scrutiny. Still, we’ll note that the Sixers went 34.1 percent from three-point territory last season, which ranked 27th in the NBA. 

They need stars like Maxey and George to have better shooting seasons, and for role players to sink a higher percentage of the open jumpers those stars create. 

No bench standouts  

As is the norm in the preseason, the Sixers used a long bench. The team’s first five subs were Justin Edwards, Jabari Walker, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon and Broome.

After that, the Sixers played Kennedy Chandler. The 23-year-old point guard on an Exhibit 10 contract scored 10 points. Chandler entered ahead of two-way contract player Hunter Sallis, who made a mid-range jumper soon after checking in and posted eight points and three rebounds.

No Sixers bench player had an exceptional outing and the Knicks’ second unit was superior, turning their win into a blowout in the third quarter.

Edwards struggled offensively Thursday, missing all eight of his field goals and committing three turnovers in 16 minutes.

Jonathan Kuminga changes Warriors jersey number ahead of 2025-26 NBA season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Jonathan Kuminga enters the 2025-26 NBA season with a new contract — and a new jersey number.

The young forward returned to Warriors practice Thursday after signing a two-year, $48.5 million contract with Golden State, and he appears to have exchanged his No. 00 jersey number to No. 1.

From the looks of it at Warriors practice, Jonathan Kuminga has changed his jersey to No. 1 @NBCSWarriorspic.twitter.com/qdUF268sXI

— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) October 2, 2025

The contract agreement ended a summer-long standoff between Kuminga and Golden State.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters Thursday that Kuminga participated but scrimmaged for only half of the scrimmage time as the team continues to ease him back into action.

Kerr added that Kuminga “looked good” and “did a nice job” on his first day back.

As Kuminga seeks a clean slate with the Warriors after a drama-filled offseason, perhaps a jersey number is just one of the many changes he will encounter this season.

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Steve Kerr details why Warriors adding Seth Curry finally made sense this season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph and Seth Curry finally are living the dream of every sibling around the world after teaming up on the Warriors for the 2025-26 NBA season.

But there’s a reason it took more than a decade for the Curry bros to unite in the NBA, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr believes the time finally feels right.

“I think it’s awesome,” Kerr said Wednesday of Seth joining his brother in Golden State. “When I got here, I think Seth had just played in Santa Cruz about 11 years ago. And then he set off on his own course and made a really good career for himself. I think the timing feels right on this. I don’t know if the timing was right over recent years. We probably didn’t have playing time for him. He was in a place where he was going to teams and playing a lot [and] making money.

“And it just feels like they’re both at a point in their careers where this makes a ton of sense. I’m thrilled to have Seth and to see the two brothers side by side today at our meeting. It was pretty awesome.”

After going undrafted in 2013, Seth signed a non-guaranteed deal with Golden State but was waived and later signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Warriors will be his 10th NBA team as he enters Year 12 in the league.

With former Warriors guard Klay Thompson serving as Steph’s partner in crime for 13 seasons, earning the “Splash Brothers” nickname, there was no room or opportunity for Steph’s real brother, Seth, to fit on the Warriors.

But when Thompson left Golden State for the Dallas Mavericks last offseason, the Warriors have been trying to find someone to fill the void of Thompson’s consistent sharpshooting abilities, experimenting with players such as Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield.

Now, Seth also addresses that void, as he averaged a career- and league-best 45.6 percent from 3-point range on nearly 3.0 attempts per game last season with the Charlotte Hornets.

So not only is it a feel-good, wholesome storyline, but the brotherly bond hopes to benefit the Warriors as they push to get back to championship contention with their aging core.

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Micky Van de Ven had a bad five minutes on Tuesday in Norway.

Tottenham's equaliser had been ruled out for a foul by him - a decision which caused him to argue bitterly with the referee.

Moments later he absolutely clattered into one of Bodo/Glimt's attacking players, earning him a yellow card and a talking to. He looked fit to burst.

I immediately cast my eye around the team to see who could calm him down. Then I remembered he was the captain and none of his team-mates appeared comfortable trying to rein him in.

As it turned out, Van de Ven didn't completely lose it. He stayed on the pitch and headed in the goal which sparked another comeback - but he trod a very thin line that night in Norway - something Spurs keep doing this season, not just from a disciplinary point of view, but in other areas too.

With the departure of Son Heung-min and injury to James Maddison, two of the obvious leaders in a Spurs shirt are now absent. Cristian Romero is captain, but it would be generous to describe him as an even-tempered presence on the field.

Van de Ven was the obvious choice to take over the armband on Tuesday, but Thomas Frank is going to have to ask some of the squad's other players to take a leading role as well.

The goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, Joao Palhinha and maybe Pedro Porro need to shoulder some of that burden.

Either that or Tottenham's January plans will need to have 'leadership qualities' at the very top of the agenda.

Deciding which players to target and which to avoid is the foundation of any winning draft strategy. This year, however, a few key players are causing serious debates among fantasy analysts. Are they breakout candidates or injury risks waiting to happen? We're looking at five of the hardest players to rank—the ultimate boom or bust list for your 9-category fantasy basketball league.

Most Difficult NBA Fantasy Players to Rank

Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

Leonard has been productive the last two seasons. In 2023-24, he averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.1 three-pointers. Last season, he provided 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.1 three-pointers per game. He played 68 games two seasons ago, but just 37 games last year.

Leonard's injury history is what makes him so difficult to rank. He has played in 57 or fewer games in four of the last five seasons. However, he has been productive when he is on the floor. Since joining the Clippers, he has averaged 24.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.1 three-pointers over five seasons. The Clippers improved their depth by adding John Collins, Bradley Beal, Chris Paul and Brook Lopez during the offseason, but Leonard is still expected to lead the team alongside James Harden. Leonard's current ADP on Yahoo is 45. If he plays in around 65 games, he will likely be worth it for managers who drafted him. However, if he plays fewer than 50 games, he can really bring down your fantasy squad.

Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz

Markkanen was great in his first two seasons with the Jazz, averaging at least 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds in both campaigns. He also shot at least 48.0% from the field in each season. His efficiency then plummeted last season, leaving him to shoot 42.3% from the field. That contributed to him averaging just 19.0 points per game. His production on the boards also took a hit with him providing just 5.9 rebounds per game. Injuries and the Jazz tanking down the stretch left him to play in only 47 games.

Markkanen has never played in more than 68 games in a season in his career. In five of his eight seasons, he has played fewer than 60 games. He has shot 45.5% from the field for his career, so were his first two seasons with the Jazz a fluke when it comes to his efficiency? The Jazz could be one of the worst teams in the league, so could we see Markkanen rested down the stretch again? When he's at his best, Markkanen is a great fantasy option. However, there are a lot of question marks that make him difficult to rank.

Kristaps Porzingis, Atlanta Hawks

Porzingis was plagued by a mysterious illness at times last season. It got so bad that he even lost his starting job with the Celtics during the playoffs. He played just 42 games during the regular season, averaging 19.5 points and a career-low 6.8 rebounds. It was the first time that he averaged fewer than 20.0 points in a season since his second season in the NBA.

With the Celtics looking to cut payroll this offseason, Porzingis was traded to the Hawks. He could see time at power forward playing alongside Onyeka Okongwu, or he could spend significant minutes playing center. The Hawks certainly have the depth to play smaller lineups with Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Zaccharie Risacher and Luke Kennard all projected to come off the bench. With his ability to rack up blocks and three-pointers, while also providing plenty of scoring, Porzingis can be an extremely valuable fantasy option. However, he has played fewer than 60 games in all but three of his seasons in the league. In what will be his 11th NBA season, it might not be realistic to expect him to remain healthy.

Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets

Porter has spent his entire career with the Nuggets. He is coming off one of his most valuable fantasy campaigns, averaging 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.5 three-pointers last season, while shooting 50.4% from the field. Still, that didn't stop Denver from trading him to the Nets in a deal that landed them Cameron Johnson and some needed cap flexibility to improve their bench.

Porter will go from being a main running mate for Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray to a Nets team that doesn't have many scoring options behind Cam Thomas. Porter has never finished a season with a usage rate higher than 22.7%. He could blow past that mark this year, which would seem to increase his fantasy value. However, it's not certain that he will remain on the Nets for the entire season. If he gets traded, he could assume a smaller role with a contender. If he isn't traded, there is the chance that he gets added rest days down the stretch if the Nets are out of the playoff hunt. With an ADP of 61 on Yahoo, Porter has the potential to be a significant value, or a colossal flop.

RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors

From a counting stats standpoint, Barrett just had the best season of his career with averages of 21.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.8 three-pointers. However, he shot only 63.0% from the free-throw line and averaged a career-high 2.9 turnovers. He was also limited to 58 games for the second straight season.

The Raptors traded for Brandon Ingram last season, but he didn't play for his new squad because of an ankle injury. Immanuel Quickley was also limited to 33 games because of injuries. With both Ingram and Quickley on the floor this season, Barrett could see his usage rate and opportunities for assists decline. However, Ingram hasn't exactly been a pillar of health, playing 55 or fewer games in three of the last four seasons. If he is sidelined again, Barrett could be thrust right back into a fantasy-friendly role. Even with that in mind, he'll still need to improve his free throw shooting if he's going to live up to his Yahoo ADP of 77.

When LeBron James was asked about how a former defensive player of the year and a former No. 1 overall pick could elevate the Lakers roster, the superstar instead offered a different offseason addition’s name first.

“And Jake,” James added quickly during his Lakers media day news conference after a question about center Deandre Ayton and guard Marcus Smart.

Jake LaRavia’s signing came with less fanfare than the moves that brought Smart and Ayton to the Lakers, but the 6-foot-7 wing hopes he can be equally as influential in a quiet connector role behind some of the league’s biggest stars.

“We got a lot of dudes on this team that can score, a lot of dudes on this team that can put the ball in the bucket,” LaRavia said Wednesday at Lakers training camp. “So I'm here to complement those players, but to also just bring energy every day on both sides of the ball.”

Read more:LeBron James looking at slow ramp-up to Lakers season

The 19th overall pick in 2022, LaRavia is a career 42.9% three-point shooter, averaging 6.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. After beginning his career with the Memphis Grizzlies, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings last season, playing in 19 games. His team option wasn’t picked up, putting the 23-year-old on the free agency market.

The Lakers, in need of three-and-D players to pair with Luka Doncic, were quick to call.

“To get a young player — a young player in free agency for a team that is trying to win a championship — it’s an incredible opportunity for myself and our player development department to have him continue to grow,” coach JJ Redick said last week. “Jake, I’m very high on him. His level of commitment to what we’ve asked of the guys this offseason has been very high.”

Two days into training camp, LaRavia said he’s been asked to guard four different positions. He’s played often with Doncic’s group and marveled at the five-time All-Star’s impressive array of shots. One of his main objectives during training camp will be to understand how to best to space the court when the ball is in Doncic’s hands.

“It's gonna make my life so much easier playing with someone like that,” LaRavia said.

LaRavia, who was born in Pasadena but moved to Indianapolis as a child, grew up rooting for the Lakers. Following his father’s fandom, LaRavia said he idolized Magic Johnson.

Read more:'Angry' Deandre Ayton not taking his 'last chance' for granted with Lakers

Now sporting the purple and gold himself, LaRavia is realizing that the team is bigger than just basketball, he said. Compared to his experiences in Memphis and Sacramento, it is obvious the Lakers brand stretches globally.

While suddenly in the spotlight, LaRavia has tried to keep a low profile. He was married a few days before training camp started. He relishes the chance to go unnoticed at local restaurants.

He wants to be recognized only for his wins on the court.

“I understand what this organization wants every year, which is championships,” LaRavia said at media day. “It's a winning organization, and my one goal being here is just to continue to provide rings.”

Gabe Vincent fully participates in practice

James was held out of practice for the second straight day Wednesday, but still participated in individual drills, Redick said. Guard Gabe Vincent, who missed the first day of training camp, returned to practice and appears to still be on track to play in the Lakers’ first preseason game in Palm Desert on Friday against the Phoenix Suns.

Smart (achilles tendinopathy) and rookie Adou Thiero (knee) remained out, although Smart stayed on the court after practice for extra shots. Redick said Tuesday he expected the 31-year-old guard to be fine by the end of the week.

Forward Maxi Kleber sat out as a precaution after tweaking his quad during conditioning Tuesday and will get an MRI exam, Redick said. Kleber, who missed almost all of last season with a foot injury after being traded to the Lakers in February, said at media day he was entering the season fully healthy.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Florida Panthers captain Sasha Barkov is currently in the recovery phase after having major knee surgery.

It was five days ago that Barkov went under the knife to repair a torn ACL and MCL on his right knee, an injury he suffered the day before during a training camp practice at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale.

According to the Panthers, Barkov is expected to miss anywhere from seven to nine months due to the surgery.

On Wednesday, with the NBA’s Miami Heat were taking part in their own training camp practice on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

Barkov, who apparently felt that five days post-surgery was more than enough time to wait, was seen using crutches on the court of FAU’s Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena while paying a visit to the Heat players and coaches.

Over the years, Barkov has been spotted at plenty of Heat games and he hasn’t been shy about saying he’s a big fan of local basketball squad.

The feeling is apparently mutual.

Just ask Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra, who has gotten to know Barkov a bit over the past couple decades.

“He’s so inspiring,” said Spoelstra. “I love for all the guys to see him over there. It’s been an electrifying run that they’ve had the last three seasons, and he’s a major part of it. Yes, he has the talent, but when you start diving into what everybody says about his character, his leadership, his mentorship, about all the right things. He moves a locker room because of what he’s about. That’s real talent.”

As Barkov stood on the sideline, watching practice while leaning on his crutches, several Heat players, coaches and executives, including Alonzo Mourning, came over to say hello and wish him their best.

Panthers captain Sasha Barkov visiting Heat practice today. From Alonzo Mourning, to players and staff, everyone coming by to say hello and check in on him. Wearing a brace and on crutches, Barkov looked upbeat. pic.twitter.com/ig2KKbWRGy

— Will Manso (@WillMansoWPLG) October 1, 2025

To his credit, and to the surprise of no one who knows him, Barkov was all smiles, full of positivity.

“It is heartbreaking to see him on crutches, but then you talk to him and he’s saying, ‘Oh, no worries. I’ll be back in five or six months,’” Spoelstra said, adding that while he loves Barkov’s spirit regarding his recovery, he joked that the Panthers’ medical staff would probably not want Barkov giving out timeline estimates just yet.

“I love that guy,” said Spo. “I love everything he’s about.”

Barkov’s Panthers will play their final two preseason games against the Tampa Bay Lightning – Thursday in Tampa and Saturday in Sunrise – before hosting the Chicago Blackhawks for Opening Night on Tuesday at Amerant Bank Arena.

As for the Heat, their preseason slate begins on Saturday when they meet the Orlando Magic in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

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Photo caption: Jun 22, 2025; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, UNITED STATES; Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) speaks to the fans during the Stanley Cup championship parade and rally. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Cooper Flagg is already a household NBA name, thanks to his offensive highlight plays through high school, college and, recently, summer league. But through the first few days of Mavericks training camp, the No. 1 pick understands the defensive culture head coach Jason Kidd is conjuring. 

“Utilizing our size and using that to our advantage,” Flagg said Tuesday. “We have a lot of tall, lengthy, positionless players. Covering a lot of ground with our length will be an advantage for sure.”

Dallas has finished in the bottom half in defensive rating (according to Cleaning the Glass) in 13 out of the last 15 seasons, a disappointment considering some of the accomplished ball-stoppers who have come through the organization during that span. But with a healthy Anthony Davis, the arrival of veteran assistants Frank Vogel and Jay Triano — along with the addition of Flagg — the expectation for the Mavericks is to be a versatile, aggressive defense. 

Flagg, who stands 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan, joins the likes of Davis, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford in arguably the NBA’s most physically imposing frontcourt — on paper. It’s going to take much more than that for the Mavericks to turn their defensive fortunes around, but Flagg’s presence gives the organization a much-needed jolt in its retooling efforts. 

Kidd referenced the importance of creating “championship habits” and the value of communication, all of which starts on the defensive end. Flagg’s versatility lends itself to a Mavericks coaching staff that plans to use him in various ways, from chasing smaller guards around the perimeter to playing alongside Davis as a small-ball big.

[Get more Mavericks news: Dallas team feed]

During summer league, Flagg was particularly effective as a help defender from the weakside, using his lateral quickness to rotate and shrink the floor (he averaged 1.5 steals and 1 block), but training camp is much more advanced in terms of play calls and schemes. There will be a natural adjustment period for Flagg as he becomes more accustomed to his new teammates and coaches. He has spent the first few practices watching and learning tendencies and spacing, and studying defensive drills. 

“The communication and dedication to playing hard and doing it on both ends,” Flagg said. “Having five guys on the court communicating with each other and [buying] in to get stops on every possession.

“It’s different terminology, you just gotta get accustomed to it. Sometimes I mess up and say an old terminology I used at Duke. But if you say something, it’s better than saying nothing and just letting your teammate know where you are. Any communication is good.” 

Offensively, Flagg should serve well as a secondary playmaker alongside D’Angelo Russell. His Vegas stint was largely positive in that aspect, sharing playmaking duties with Ryan Nembhard and being tasked with creation — typically with pressure in front and around him. Kidd has been impressed with how Flagg has operated with and without the ball and praised his overall IQ and attitude toward the game. 

“His ability to dribble and pass is going to be one of his strengths because he does it at a high level,” Kidd said over the summer.

“Just trying to take it one step at a time and enjoy the process every step of the way,” Flagg said. “Don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I’m really excited.”

Zach LaVine perfectly roasts Malik Monk, Keegan Murray's Kings leadership styles originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

On the first day of NBA training camp Tuesday, Kings guard Zach LaVine couldn’t help but poke fun at two very different teammates — the always-outspoken Malik Monk and the usually quiet Keegan Murray — for the way they communicate on the court.

Asked who was the most vocal on Day 1, LaVine brushed off the idea that leadership could be pinned to just one player.

“I know you guys always want to pick out somebody, like who has the best voice and who’s the leader,” told reporters at Golden 1 Center. “You know, unless you have somebody that’s a big talker on the team, everyone has used their voice individually.”

LaVine explained that different players step up in different moments, whether it is veterans setting the tone or role players chiming in to keep the energy high.

“I speak up when I need to, obviously, and then DeMar [DeRozan] speaks to the group,” LaVine added. “You know, Doug [McDermott] talks, Dennis [Schröder] says some stuff, Malik [Monk] doesn’t stop talking.”

Monk, now in his fourth season with Sacramento since signing in 2022, is coming off a career-best campaign, averaging 17.2 points and 5.6 assists, and already has built a reputation as one of the most talkative personalities on the roster.

For LaVine, it was not surprising to hear from Monk, who never has been shy about making his presence felt. What was surprising? Hearing from soft-spoken Murray.

“Even Keegan said something today, so I think it was good,” LaVine joked.

Murray, the Kings’ No. 4 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has posted career averages of 13.3 points and 5.6 rebounds. But for LaVine, hearing him speak up carried just as much weight as his production on the floor.

If Day 1 of training camp was any indication, Sacramento’s leadership will not rest on just one voice — it will be shared across the roster.

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