CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 24: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic during the second half at Rocket Arena on March 24, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will have their final home preseason game on Sunday evening. This is their second of three exhibition contests.
The Cavs did some things well in their first outing this past Thursday. Peyton Watson looked solid in his first outing with his new team, Jaylon Tyson picked up where he left off last season, and Meleek Thomas had a solid debut. Those are all positive signs heading into the season.
There were, however, things that the Cavs hope will change by the start of the season. Mainly, the defense and rebounding left much to be desired. Cleveland struggled to provide resistance at the point of attack. And when they did force missed shots, they weren’t there to clean up on the glass. That will need to change if they want to be a top-five defense.
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 02: Myles Turner #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks blocks a shot by Brandon Miller #24 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum on January 02, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Game three of the preseason pits the Milwaukee Bucks against the Charlotte Hornets tonight. After falling to the Wolves, the Bucks erased a 24-point deficit against the Thunder to win 128-126. Myles Turner (19 points), Kel’el Ware (18 points, 12 rebounds), and Brayden Burries (16 points) led the way with some big outings. They face an injury-stricken Charlotte sid—still trying to figure out its rotation and evaluate its younger guys—with the opportunity to go above .500.
The Task Ahead
The Charlotte Hornets enter the 2026-27 season without arguably their most recognizable player since Alonzo Mourning (yes, I said it!): LaMelo Ball. Charlotte shipped the star point guard, along with Josh Green, to Minnesota in exchange for Naz Reid and a plethora of draft assets. Charlotte also sent Miles Bridges to Phoenix for Grayson Allen and more draft assets. The Hornets front office ostensibly wants to build around the younger core of Kon Kneuppel and Brandon Miller, both of whom posted red-hot shooting splits and produced offensively for Charlotte, especially towards the tail end of the season; that said, they did benefit greatly from Ball’s playmaking. The Hornets will hand over floor-general duties to Coby White, who impressed during his half-season in the Queen City.
The Hornets are in an odd spot: they look better than openly tanking franchises on paper, but they still lack the pieces to make a true postseason run like they did last year. Writers tend to rank the Charlotte Hornets around 11th in the Eastern Conference, but they could easily be a postseason dark horse or, come April, simulate Tankathon lottery results. Charlotte has played just one preseason game so far: a 124-90 blowout loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. Second-year wing Liam McNeeley led all Hornets with 14 points, followed by Allen and Reid (13 points each).
Injury Report
The only player listed on the Bucks injury report is rookie Nate Ament, out with an ankle sprain. Ament landed awkwardly after being fouled against the Thunder and played no further part in the game. Jenkins says Ament’s return is unclear, but he’ll target the season opener.
Several Hornets likely won’t suit up for tonight’s preseason duel. Kon Kneuppel (hamstring), Kylan Boswell (knee), Grant Williams (hamstring) and Coby White (calf) will miss the entire preseason, while Brandon Miller (leg) and Christian Anderson Jr. (ankle) are day-to-day.
Player to Watch
This game could be interesting as the Bucks and Tyler Herro continue to find their fit. Herro has had a relatively quiet start to this preseason, posting 11 points on nine shots against Minnesota and 13 on as many attempts against the Thunder. Herro is the Bucks’ primary scorer and a three-level weapon who can create his own shot, but he’s shooting much worse than you’d hope for from your No. 1 option. It’s just the preseason, but Herro needs to prove he can be a reliable first-choice scorer instead of a streaky shooter—he can do that tonight.
A big shooting night for Ryan Rollins. He’s looked hot in his two preseason appearances and, although he seems to be prioritising playmaking, he could turn “selfish” against the Hornets. I predict Rollins scores over 20 points for the first time this preseason tonight.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 10: Aaron Wiggins #2 of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers during a preseason game on October 10, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Luther Schlaifer/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Editor’s note: this is the first piece from new staff writer Garrett Brown. He’ll be contributing to our site’s coverage. Please give him a warm welcome as we’re excited for him to join our team at Peachtree Hoops.
A champion lands in the A.
Aaron Wiggins brings versatility and championship experience to an Atlanta Hawks team looking to take another step forward.
The first player Atlanta traded for this offseason, Wiggins helped establish the direction of the Hawks’ summer. Improving depth and adding defensive flexibility became priorities, and the former Oklahoma City wing offers both while bringing experience that should benefit a young roster.
In the modern NBA, Wiggins fits the mold of a 3-and-D wing. Last season with the Thunder, he shot 36 percent from beyond the arc on 4.2 attempts per game. His shooting gives Atlanta another perimeter option alongside Jalen Johnson, particularly when opposing defenses collapse into the paint.
However, Wiggins can contribute beyond catching and shooting. He has shown the ability to attack closeouts, finish around the rim and handle the ball when needed. That versatility should help him keep possessions moving when the initial offensive action breaks down.
His career-high performance against Sacramento on February 1, 2025, demonstrated his scoring potential. Wiggins finished with 41 points on 16-for-30 shooting, including six three-pointers. Atlanta will not expect those numbers regularly, but that outing illustrates his ability to provide additional offense when opportunities arise.
Defensively, Wiggins can guard multiple perimeter positions and make an impact away from the ball. His active hands help disrupt passing lanes, while his awareness allows him to rotate into position for a potential steal or block. Those habits should fit Snyder’s emphasis on creating offense through defensive execution.
With Zaccharie Risacher and Jonathan Kuminga gone, the Hawks have responsibilities to redistribute on the wing. Wiggins should help fill that void, although Atlanta’s improved depth means he will need to earn consistent minutes through reliable shooting and disciplined defense.
His championship background adds another layer to that role. Alongside Lu Dort, Wiggins gives Atlanta another player who understands the preparation and commitment required to win at the highest level.
“There’s championship pedigree and experience that I bring, but with that as a basketball player, there’s competitiveness and just the motivation to win again that exists within me,” Wiggins said.
Wiggins believes that competitive energy can be contagious, helping teammates push one another and improve together. For a young Hawks roster, his everyday approach could prove as valuable as his individual production.
Head coach Quin Snyder also recognizes the importance of adding championship experience. He connected that background to defending consistently, establishing strong habits and giving Atlanta opportunities to run.
“I think first, to add players with championship-level pedigree, that’s something in and of itself that’s an excellent addition,” Snyder said. “Fundamentally, you do understand the importance of defending….that’s something our team began to really embrace. It’s a crucial element of our team…and when we’re grounded there and with our habits, that’s when we’ll be able to run. Those [Wiggins & Dort] guys have experienced that.”
Wiggins does not need to become a featured scorer to have a successful first season with the Hawks. Making open shots, attacking available lanes and executing defensive rotations would give Atlanta dependable production. Pairing those contributions with the winning habits he brings could make him an important piece of the Hawks’ next step.
Could Washington Wizards rookie AJ Dybantsa end up having the best career among players selected in the past three NBA drafts? | Getty Images
The most recent episode of the Thinking Basketball podcast, hosted by Ben Taylor and Cody Houdek, featured a fascinating thought exercise: what would a draft lottery look like if we put the past three drafts into a single prospect pool?
It was an interesting conversation that involves weighing the relative merits of players about whom we have varying levels of knowledge. The 2026 draft has yet to play a single regular season game, so they have to be ranked among players who have played one or two full seasons. In Bub Carrington’s case. “full seasons” is literal — he has yet to miss a game. All 82 both years.
I’m engaging in the exercise myself because their conversation was interesting, and it went directions and included and ordered players in ways I didn’t agree with. This is not to say they’re wrong, we’re picking based on who from this group will have the best careers, and reasonable minds can reach different conclusions.
Could Washington Wizards rookie AJ Dybantsa end up having the best career among players selected in the past three NBA drafts? | Getty Images
For example, their top two was Dylan Harper and Caleb Wilson, which…I can’t get there. And I think both players are going to be really good. They Ajay Mitchell going tenth. I couldn’t get him in my top 15. Their full picks are below along with mine.
All that said, give their episode a listen — and then listen to some of their backlist and future episodes. It’s an engaging episode and a great show, and I learn a lot by listening to them.
Taylor and Houdek ended up selecting a top 10 — they’d planned 14 but punted the last four — I’m going the full lottery plus one, just for the heck of it. My consideration list runs 28 players deep — four from the 2026 draft, 13 from 2025, and 11 from 2024.
My draft of the drafts (comparing the relative merits of each draft class) goes 2026, then 2025, then 2024. The YODA evaluations of this year’s draft had four players with scores consistent with being the top overall pick in nearly any draft. In 2025, it was one. In 2024, it was zero. The top overall pick in 2024 — Zaccharie Risacher — had a second round grade in YODA and has already been traded.
For the top pick in this draft class, I have three candidates: AJ Dybantsa, Cooper Flagg, and Cameron Boozer. Those are the top picks in 2026 and 2025, and the third overall selection in 2025. In the “just missing the cut” group I have Darryn Peterson, Caleb Wilson, and Dylan Harper. While I think Harper is going to be terrific, I just can’t get him into that top group.
Choosing between the top three is about hair splitting. All three have great potential. I expect all three to be top-shelf NBA players over the next 10-15 years.
The Wizards chose Dybantsa first in a historically strong draft class because they believe in his athleticism, scoring, and overall ability. So do I.
Flagg went at the top in 2025 because he was clearly the best prospect in the draft and had virtually every marker of future success — strong NCAA production at a young age (he’s still the third youngest in the three combined draft classes), and good size and athletic tools.
Boozer had every statistical marker of becoming an elite NBA player — he was the most productive player in college basketball at age 18. He didn’t turn 19 until July. That kind of production from a collegiate player of any age is rare. At that age? It’s once in a generation kind of stuff. He “fell” in the draft because of questions about his size, athletic tools (he’s not blessed with quick feet or outstanding leaping ability) and perceived limitations on his ceiling.
When I evaluated Boozer, I thought the size questions were misplaced. He makes up for height with long arms, and his strength, craft, guile, and impact impressed.
So, who’s the top pick? While I was impressed with Flagg’s rookie season, and I think highly of Dybantsa and his future, I think Boozer is more likely to have the best career of the three.
For the second selection, I’m obviously choosing between Flagg and Dybantsa. My pick is Dybantsa because of the superior athletic tools.
At four, I’m considering four candidates. Peterson and Wilson from 2026, Harper from 2025, and Alex Sarr from 2024.
As previously mentioned, Peterson and Wilson each scored at the level of top overall picks in nearly any draft, according to YODA. Harper just completed a strong rookie regular season (92 PPA — average is 100 — 92 is a very good score for a teenage rookie), capped by outstanding performances in the NBA Finals. Sarr made a gargantuan leap in his second season, which included being one of the league’s busiest and most effective rim protectors.
This may be rank homerism, but my pick is Sarr. Based on watching every game he’s played the past two seasons, I think he has Defensive Player of the Year potential (especially in seasons when his countryman Victor Wembanyama doesn’t play 65 games) and has shown enough offensive chops to believe he can be a major contributor on that end, as well.
I’ll go Wilson, Harper, and Peterson with the next three picks — a modest preference for Wilson’s size and physical tools, and more hair splitting to choose Harper’s potential over the next decade ahead of Peterson’s.
That brings me to pick No. 8, and I think there’s a significant step down in quality. The top seven are all guys I can see appearing on All-NBA rosters and contending for major awards, including MVP. I see the next few more in that Bradley Beal type of level — potentially very good players who appear in multiple All-Star games, but are more fringe to All-NBA conversations. Like Beal or his backcourt buddy John Wall, third-team All-NBA, not first or second.
At this spot, I’m considering VJ Edgecombe and Kon Knueppel, and Stephon Castle from 2024. Once again, I like all three players. I had high evaluations on each in the draft. Castle was okay as a rookie made a Sarr-like leap in year two. The shooting is a question mark, but the defense, playmaking, and physical tools are outstanding. As a rookie, Knueppel’s shooting was already elite, and his movement shooting is plug-and-play on any good team. Edgecombe rated above average as a rookie last season (though behind Knueppel and Flagg).
So, my next three picks are: Castle, Knueppel, and Edgecombe, in that order.
As an aside, holy crap Spurs! In 2023, they drafted Victor Wembanyama. In 2024, they got Castle. In 2025, they chose Harper. That’s loading up!
At this point, I think there’s another step down in talent and potential. The next group are more likely to be high-quality role players who might make an All-Star game or two if everything breaks right, but I don’t think they’ll be competitive for all-league honors (except for maybe Sixth Man or perhaps All-Defense). That’s not to say they won’t be valuable — just that I don’t see “elite” in their futures.
That next group for me is Ace Bailey, Jeremiah Fears, Collin Murray-Boyles, Cedric Coward, Derek Queen, Ajay Mitchell, Matas Buzelis, and Tre Johnson. That’s eight guys for five spots. A few thoughts:
Bailey is a skilled wing with good size and some shooting ability.
Fears is a dynamic playmaker with great speed and not great size.
Murray-Boyles is a potential defensive terror.
Coward is a good shooter and solid all-around player.
Queen is a skilled big man with below average athletic tools, defensive deficiencies, and a higher turnover rate than I’d like.
Mitchell is a strong wings-and-guards defender with some shooting ability, though he’s 24 years old.
Buzelis is long, athletic, and skilled.
Johnson might be a great shooter in the mold of Klay Thompson, but hasn’t shown all-around production or defended well.
So, for picks 11-15, I’m going: Coward, Fears, Buzelis, Bailey, and Murray-Boyles.
AJ Dybantsa | F | Washington Wizards — TB: Caleb Wilson
Cooper Flagg | F | Dallas Mavericks — TB: Cooper Flagg
Alex Sarr | C | Washington Wizards — TB: Cameron Boozer
Caleb Wilson | F | Chicago Bulls — TB: Darryn Peterson
Dylan Harper | G | San Antonio Spurs — TB: AJ Dybantsa
Darryn Peterson | G | Utah Jazz — TB: Kon Knueppel
Stephon Castle | G | San Antonio Spurs — TB: Stephon Castle
Kon Knueppel | W | Charlotte Hornets — TB: VJ Edgecombe
VJ Edgecombe | G | Philadelphia 76ers — TB: Ajay Mitchell
Cedric Coward | W | Memphis Grizzlies
Jeremiah Fears | G | New Orleans Pelicans
Matas Buzelis | F | Chicago Bulls
Ace Bailey | W | Utah Jazz
Collin Murray-Boyles | F | Toronto Raptors
My biggest disagreement with the Thinking Basketball guys was Sarr — I had him fourth, they left him out of the top 10. Another big one: they picked Harper first overall, and I had him sixth.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 4: Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs speaks to the fans during the open scrimmage on October 4, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Keldon Johnson is the longest-tenured member of the San Antonio Spurs. Drafted 29th overall in 2019, Keldon was the bonus draft pick that came to San Antonio along with DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl by way of Toronto when the Spurs sent Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green to the Raptors.
After his first season with the Spurs (which ended in a shortened COVID bubble), Johnson made such an impression that he was invited to replace Bradley Beal on the 2020 US Men’s Olympic Basketball Team. He and Team USA won gold.
Today, KJ turns twenty-seven.
Johnson is the team’s heart and soul. In addition, he is the locker room DJ, Silver & Black Scrimmage MC, and one of the funniest members of the squad.
Last summer, fresh off receiving the 2026 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Keldon had the opportunity to play in his first NBA postseason which took him and the Spurs all the way to the Finals. KJ is back this season looking to return to the Finals and fulfill every players ultimate dream — a Championship.
Happy birthday, KJ.
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BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 10: Paul George #13 of the Boston Celtics looks on before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 10, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
BOSTON — Paul George followed through extra long as his first three-pointer as a member of the Celtics swished through the net. The 36-year-old has hit nearly 3,000 threes in his NBA career, but this was his first time doing so in green.
So, he let out a sigh of relief.
“You want to make every one you shoot right, but to see one go down, finally…” he said afterward, explaining how eager he was to see his first go down after missing his first few shots on the night.
George didn’t shoot great on the whole in the Celtics’ 144-106 preseason win over the Philadelphia 76ers. He hit 3 of 10 field goal attempts and 2 of 7 three-pointers in his Celtics debut, but he impacted the game in other ways, racking up 5 rebounds, 5 steals, and 4 assists in 25 minutes.
And, he was thrilled to play in front of a sold-out TD Garden crowd that felt far more intense than your average preseason crowd.
“It was amazing — it’s everything you feel as an opponent with that energy, that excitement, that passion, to then be on the good side of things,” George said. “It’s electric; it definitely fuels you, makes you play hard; it makes you want to win for that everyone in that arena. And, it is like a badge of honor to wear that green.”
Saturday marked the first time George shared the floor with Jayson Tatum; the two have been on opposing teams throughout training camp, so surprisingly, they haven’t gotten reps as teammates yet.
And the 36-year-old is eager to put the 28-year-old in positions to succeed.
“My job is just to make the game as easy as possible for JT,” George said. “Today was literally our first time being on the same side — all camp we’ve been competing against each other. So today was our first opportunity to learn from each other and get a feel for one another. But again, my job is try to make this as easy as possible for him.”
George believes Tatum has MVP upside — he’s now said so in multiple interviews. So, he views himself as someone who will help unlock that.
“He’s going to be special,” George said. “He’s going to be special. He knows how to make plays. He knows how to get his own shot. But if my aggression takes the pressure off him, and if I can find ways to steal the extra possessions defensively, or get him some easy baskets, that’s what I’m on that floor to do.”
George wasn’t quite sure of himself on the offensive end on Saturday, which is why hitting that first three-pointer felt so good. But, defensively, he showed flashes of his four-time All-Defense self, earning Joe Mazzulla’s praise after the game. And he’s letting the game come to him as he figures it all out.
“I’m still trying to find my way offensively and figuring out the system; it’s been a challenge, a great challenge, and Joe has been extremely helpful in that,” George said. “The guys have been extremely helpful in that process, but for sure, defensively is where I’ve always taken pride in making plays and trying to win every possession.”
It wasn’t Paul George’s first ‘first day of school’ — but this one was extra special
George has played for 5 NBA teams — the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers, and now, the Celtics. And so, through his 17-year career, he’s learned to appreciate the nerves that come with settling into a new franchise and acclimating to a new fanbase.
“There’s always nerves,” George said. “No matter if it’s Game 1 of your rookie year or year 17. There are always nerves. There’s always an excitement. That’s what makes you keep coming back, makes you excited every morning — when you wake up, you get to play basketball.”
That feeling is only heightened playing for the Celtics, he said.
“But especially here — a team that’s ready to win now, a winning franchise, a winning culture, a winning tradition,” George said. “There’s for sure an added, extra fuel of nerves to come out and perform, and when it’s all said and done, leave everything on the floor and be proud of the results.”
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 10: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 10, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For the first time in his professional career, Jayson Tatum wasn’t alongside longtime co-star Jaylen Brown.
It was different. Not bad. But different.
Instead of taking the floor with the other half of the Jays, Tatum shared it with 36-year-old Paul George — a future Hall of Famer nearing the final stage of his career. Tatum grew up watching George torch the Eastern Conference during his heyday and welcomed PG-13 with open arms as Boston thrashed the Sixers 144-106 in a preseason win at TD Garden on Saturday night.
“It’s kind of surreal, a little bit,” Tatum told reporters, per CLNS Media.
Change, most times, can be difficult. It can even be uncomfortable. But for Tatum, having George along for the ride this upcoming season is a change the 28-year-old superstar is looking forward to.
While Tatum began molding his identity as a young prospect coming out of Chaminade College Preparatory School in Creve Coeur, Missouri, he watched George closely from afar. By the time Tatum declared for the 2017 NBA Draft coming out of Duke, George’s name was repeatedly floated as a suitable comparison for Tatum.
“I was in high school, kind of modeling my game after him and watching film of him when I was in high school. In college, I remember I had to be the first player in college to wear PG-1s. I remember that. … That was 2016 or early 2017. So, like, I’ve always been a fan of PG and just to be able to be his teammate and learn from him, him to take on the role of being a mentor of assistance to myself and other guys, who’ve obviously watched him play for a long time, it’s cool to be a part of.”
It took a while for George to get going. He missed his first four shot attempts before knocking down an open top-of-the-key 3-pointer, extending Boston’s lead to 18 points late in the second quarter and forcing Philadelphia into a timeout. George immediately crouched down, looking directly at the parquet as if letting out a sigh of relief after finally getting on the board for the first time as a Celtic.
Although he finished with only 3-of-10 shooting for 13 points in 24 minutes, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla already envisions what George will bring to the team this upcoming season.
“He’s got great instincts,” Mazzulla told reporters, per CLNS Media. “Great instincts. Great technique. Great positioning. It’s something he takes pride in, but I do think it’s very contagious.”
George grabbed five rebounds, tallied four assists, and recorded five steals in the win. Meanwhile, Brown joined Sixers teammates Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Anfernee Simons, and Tacko Fall in sitting out the preseason duel and instead watched Boston’s offensive clinic — supposedly from Philadelphia’s locker room — elsewhere.
Before the game, Brown warmed up alongside Tatum, albeit on the opposite side of the court. The scene reinforced what had already become official, marking the beginning of a new chapter in both their respective careers and the next page in the historic Celtics-Sixers rivalry.
It’s not only a challenge for the millions of Celtics fans still mourning Brown’s departure and struggling to bear the sight of him playing alongside LeBron. It’s an adjustment for Tatum, too, who spent years sharing the spotlight with Brown and is now Boston’s undisputed alpha.
For the first time in his NBA career, Tatum will enter a season without Brown by his side. The expectations, however, remain unchanged. They didn’t leave with Brown for Philadelphia.
Tatum is now set to share the floor with a player he grew up idolizing — one he’s eager to learn from as the Celtics enter a new era.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Tatum told reporters.
PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 27: Scoot Henderson #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the basket during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 27, 2026 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
I really don’t have much hope for Portland this year.
That is not because the roster lacks talent. It is almost the opposite.
There might be too many talented players who need to do the same things.
Portland surprised everyone last season by winning 42 games and making the playoffs, and a huge reason why was that they could basically run the offense through Deni Avdija all game. His usage jumped to 28.5 percent, he became an All-Star and the Blazers finally had a clear offensive identity. Now Ja Morant and Damian Lillard are walking into that offense, while Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson are still on the roster.
Portland Trail Blazers: Over/Under 41.5 wins
Over: -110 Under: -115 To win NBA Championship: +7000 To win Western Conference: +3500 To win Northwest Division: +3300
Last season: 42-40, eighth in the West, lost in the first round
Key additions: Ja Morant, Damian Lillard returning from injury, Jeremy Sochan, Branden Carlson, Micah Potter Key losses: Jerami Grant, Kris Murray, Matisse Thybulle, Blake Wesley Coaching change: Micah Nori replaces Tiago Splitter.
My biggest problem is that I do not understand how the offense is supposed to work.
Morant needs the ball. Lillard has spent his entire career with the ball. Avdija just had the best season of his career because Portland finally gave him the ball. Scoot still needs developmental reps, and Holiday averaged 16.3 points and 6.1 assists last year and is still expecting a real role. Even Portland’s own preseason coverage has centered around how crowded this backcourt is and how many players need touches.
The spacing does not make me feel much better. Morant shot 23.5 percent from three last season. Avdija is much more effective getting downhill than standing around. If you put those two next to Clingan and another non-shooting big or wing, it becomes really easy to picture the same kind of offensive issues Dallas had when it tried to play Anthony Davis with a bunch of wings and limited shooting.
That is why I think Portland went away from what made last season work. Instead of continuing to build around Avdija, Clingan and Camara, they added another ball-dominant guard to a roster that already had too many guards. They may have added talent, but I am not convinced they made themselves a better basketball team.
I do love Nori, and he is probably the thing that gives me the most pause. If he figures out the hierarchy quickly, this could work. But asking a first-time head coach to balance Morant, Lillard, Avdija, Holiday, and Scoot while also maintaining the defense is a lot.
Portland slightly overachieved last season anyway. They went 42-40 despite finishing 20th in offensive rating with a negative net rating, and their expected record was closer to 40-42. I think they are talented enough to hang around the Play-In. I think last year was more their ceiling than the start of a huge jump.
MACAO, CHINA - OCTOBER 9: Kevin Durant #7 and Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets high five during the game against the Dallas Mavericks as part of 2026 NBA China Games on October 9, 2026 in Macao, China at Venetian Arena. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks
October 11, 2026
Location: The Venetian Arena Macao, China
TV:NBA TV and Space City Home Network Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790 / KLTN 102.9 (en español)
Probable Starting Lineups
Rockets: Fred Vanvleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun
Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, Max Christie, Cooper Flag, P.J. Washington Jr. Dereck Lively II
The Rockets looked good in game one. The Mavs looked like, well, the Mavs. Let’s see if it continues.
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 8: AJ Dybantsa #4 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the New York Knicks during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 8, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
“ Hate” is a strong word and doesn’t quite fit here, but “teams that you root against the most” doesn’t have a great ring to it. This isn’t real hate, just sports hate. That said, the season is long, and if you’re an NBA head with a League Pass subscription, you sometimes need something to watch on nights the Jazz aren’t on. Here are the top five teams to hate-watch, or root against, this season. Some are for standings/playoff-race reasons, and some are for petty reasons, but both are valid.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
I know, I know. This isn’t a team Jazz fans find easy to hate. Most Jazz fans root for Rudy Gobert, and now they can root for Cody Williams too. While those players are fun to root for, there are real reasons to hope this team loses. In the upcoming draft, Utah gets the second-best pick of Utah, Cleveland, and Minnesota. This means that Jazz fans should root against all these teams because the worse they do, the better it is for Utah come draft night in 2027. So, even though it’s fun to root for Rudy Gobert, who still has strong roots in Utah, it helps the Jazz in a small way each time they lose. This includes next year, when Utah will still be receiving picks from the Rudy Gobert trade.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
This is for purely petty reasons. I have no problem admitting that I am a hater. I remember last season when the Oklahoma City Thunder tried to ruin the Jazz’s tank to keep their pick. Instead of letting other teams do the same, Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City Thunder tried to meddle, nay, snitch, on the Jazz for what they were doing. You can absolutely attribute the fine the Jazz received to the Thunder and the outside pressure not to continue the tank. That pressure might have folded lesser, weaker-minded front offices like the Kings or Pelicans, but the Jazz held strong, and it worked. Now, Sam Presti has to watch as the Jazz turned the pick that could have been his into Darryn Peterson, who will start competing for the playoffs and beyond for years to come. For that disrespect and act of war, I will enjoy every Thunder loss. Every time the cheap-o Thunder ownership forces the front office to trade off players to save a little cap, I’ll enjoy it. Every time the Thunder fall short, I’ll be there, absorbing the Presti tears like a hate-plant needing water.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
Yes, Donovan Mitchell quit on the Jazz in the Dallas Mavericks series to force a trade he was pushing for behind closed doors. Yes, every time he loses a playoff series, it validates the trades made four years ago. Those are reasons alone to hate-watch the Cavaliers. But on top of that, the Jazz still have 1st-round picks and swaps from the Cavs for the Donovan Mitchell trade. Every loss helps the Utah Jazz in a real way. This upcoming season, Utah has the second-most favorable of the three picks in the UTA/MIN/CLE group. They have a first-round swap in 2028, plus the two most favorable picks in the UTA/MIN/CLE group in 2029. So, hate-away Jazz fans, because the Cavs losing helps Utah a lot.
2. Washington Wizards
This is for the most unhinged haters. We have nothing against the Wizards, really. The Jazz and Wizards are in two different conferences. Both have been seeking a cornerstone star, and both likely have one now. But because of the rumors this summer that the Wizards front office tried to stir up (the ones pushing Ace Bailey and the Jazz’s pick for the #1 pick), and because they drafted AJ Dybantsa regardless, it’s enough to create a real hate watch. Also, for some reason, as fans, you just want to see your pick play better than theirs. I don’t know why, I don’t understand it, but there’s been a lot of animosity between the Wizards and Jazz fanbases. Both want to say their player is better. On top of that, the BYU connection has created some fans internally who have rooted for AJ to somehow prove the Jazz should have traded up for him. All this adds up to me watching a lot of Wizards games and enjoying it when things don’t go well.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
The easiest choice of these. First off, it’s the Lakers. That is immediately a valid reason to have him the Lakers near the top. It’s in the Jazz fan charter or something. On top of that, they traded for a player who didn’t want to be here. Walker Kessler didn’t accept any offers from the Jazz that would have kept him here and made him a core part of this exciting Jazz core. The offers were more than fair and would have made him one of the highest-paid non-all-stars in the league, and at a position that typically doesn’t get overpaid. This is probably my own theory, but I’m guessing Kessler kept turning down Jazz offers until he knew the Jazz’s limit, then leveraged a move to the Lakers because Luka Doncic wanted him on the team. Once again, good on the Jazz for fleeceing the Lakers in the deal. Sure, you can be happy for Kessler getting paid, but I’m a real Utah Jazz fan and will happily root against the Lakers and any player who chose to move to that team. Aside from the Jazz winning, nothing would give me more satisfaction than a dissapointing Lakers and Walker Kessler season.
Oct 10, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (23) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
On a rainy October night in Downtown Phoenix, the Suns locked in and played one of their most complete games of the preseason.
The Suns are now 1-2 and have two more preseason games left on the schedule before their season opener on October 21st. Phoenix was without Devin Booker and Miles Bridges in this one.
Luke Kennard led all scorers with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-10 shooting from deep. He also chipped in with 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 25 minutes. Jalen Green scored 18 points, and Dillon Brooks added 15. Overall, it was another strong showing from the starting unit, even if it was a different starting five this time.
Khaman Maluach got his first start of the preseason, and certainly took advantage of it. He finished with 10 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal on 4-for-9 shooting in 23 minutes. Man Man finished plus-14.
The Suns decided to start Luke Kennard and Ryan Dunn in place of Devin Booker and Miles Bridges. The original plan was for guys not to play in all 5 games, so this was the game off for those two, per Jordan Ott.
Khaman Maluach also drew his first start of the preseason with the Suns going up against Wembanyama’s length. He pulled in 10 boards in his first 11 minutes of action, making the most of his time on the glass.
Luke Kennard let it fly early and often, and showed that he is indeed far more than just a shooter. He was drilling threes, but also attacking closeouts, getting to his spots and cutting without the ball.
Phoenix led after the opening quarter, 35-25. The Suns were actually getting “out-tempoed” in fastbreak points, with the Spurs scoring 15 compared to their 4 in fastbreak points. But it did not feel like it, because they were scoring off turnovers and generating plenty of second-chance points.
Luke Kennard certainly took the “shoot it more” to heart in this one, as he aggressively looked to get his shot both off the dribble
Second Half
Wembanyama did not start the second half initially, but checked in one minute and four seconds into the quarter.
Maluach had a nice offensive board over Wemby and a put-back two. The very next possession, after he ripped down his 12th rebound of the game, he finished at the rim, going right at Wemby… again! Then he drained a three.
Victor Wembanyama misses a 3-pointer, and Khaman Maluach shows him how it's done, hitting a triple (with a replay).
Maluach's jumper looked better in the Summer League, and now? It looks even smoother. pic.twitter.com/FkWnDzPnGw
It was the Khaman Maluach show to open the third. The Suns outscored the Spurs by five in the 3rd quarter to extend their lead to 12 points.
Brooks and Green each went for about 9 minutes of action before heading to the bench for the remainder of the game, handing the rest to the bench crew.
After three, Phoenix led 85-73.
In the fourth quarter, there was a whole lot of Jamaree Bouyea, Haywood Highsmith, and Rasheer Fleming. We even got a Koby Brea and Koa Peat sighting!
Then it got to the sloppy “garbage time” part of preseason, even by preseason standards. The Suns held on despite a late-game run from the Spurs to cut the lead down to four with 12 seconds left.
Up Next
Phoenix will travel to San Antonio to face this same Spurs squad for Game 4 of the preseason on Wednesday. We shall see you all then!
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 10: Bones Hyland #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves moves the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on October 10, 2026 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With the Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat tipping off their regular season against one another in just eleven days, Chris Finch and Erik Spoelstra decided that revealing their cards by playing their main rotation players was too big of a risk. So instead of Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball vs Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, we got Joan Beringer and Bones Hyland vs Pelle Larsson and Simone Fontecchio. And you know what? It turned out to be a pretty fun game!
For the Wolves, this meant a night off for their starting group and Ayo Dosunmo. With the rest bench crew getting some extra run tonight, it was a great chance for players fighting for minutes to make an extra impression on the coaches. Who was able to do it? Well, read on!
Two Stats That Defined The Game:
+75: This was the combined plus/minus stat from the starting group. Hyland (+16), Shannon (+17), Clark (+17), Lyles (+9) and Beringer (+16) all put together some solid performances. Considering those are the projected next five on the rotation, that matters a lot more than the deeper bench struggles that let Miami back in the game before Antonion Reeves’ eventual game winner with 2.3 left on the clock.
+9: Fast break point advantage for the Wolves. A lot of the other counting stats ended up falling close together (not surprising in a one point game), but fast break points are going to be a stat that is worth keeping a close eye on all season as this team’s identity continues to form into a more up-pace unit.
Game Awards
Big Ticket Award: Joan Beringer
The Big Ticket Award is named after the franchise GOAT and is given the best player on the floor for the night. Tonight Beringer flashed all of those skills that make him such a tantalizing prospect. Dunks, monster blocks, running and finishing in transition, and even some work driving from the top of the key and drawing contact. He finished the night with a stuffed stat line:
Even though it was backups for both teams, there was still requisite NBA talent on the floor and Beringer, quite literally, leapt off the screen with his play on both ends. While the Miami broadcast crew may have struggled mightily with his name (yes, more on that later), they couldn’t help but gush as he began to stack impact play after impact play. If Beringer can continue to bottle those moments while limiting the cheap fouls, there will be a whole lot more gushing from opposing broadcast teams as they begin to get to know the young Frenchman.
The “Quick! To the Well!” Award: Bones Hyland
Cause he’s a bucket. Get it?
Bones could have easily taken home the Big Ticket award tonight as he was absolutely lights out tonight shooting, finishing the night with 23 points on 6-9, including a scorching 5-6 from deep. Performances like this are going to put a lot of pressure on the coaching staff to find regular rotation minutes for him as it’s an interesting push and pull with TJ Shannon presumably taking more of the backup point-of-attack duties.
What was clear tonight is that Bones is a player that knows his game and has full confidence. And while I don’t want to read too much into a game against backups and fringe NBA guys, his defense was noticeably solid tonight. He moved his feet and stayed in front of his man, never overreacting to quick moves or hesitation dribbles like so many do with less experience.
The “I Miss You So Much It Hurts Sometimes” Award: Timberwolves Broadcast Crew
That’s right – an award give to people who were across the country! Look, it’s a preseason game on an opposing team’s broadcast – there are going to be mistakes. But between the “Berh-Ann-Gee”s and “Jaden Clark”s, this was just another broadcast crew that is a reminder about how good we as Wolves fans have it. One of the best parts of the transition to the regular season will be to get to hear Jim Pete and (insert partner of the night) voices again.
Empty the notebook:
Most interesting to me about TJ Shannon’s night was his shooting a couple of midrange jumpers with Miami defenders hanging a bit deeper off screens. Considering the… let’s say consistency… of his hard drives to the left, that midrange (and 3-point) shooting is going to be an important counterpunch. Finished with a nice 19-6-4 stat line on 8/16 shooting.
After a couple encouraging preseason performances, Cody Williams had his worst night of this young season with a 1-7, -17 performance.
Isaiah Evans flashed some good! A couple nice hustle defensive plays (a weak side block and tip away in transition) and knocking down three triples.
Isaiah Evans flashed some bad! Blown by a handful of times on defense and turned the ball over under increased ball pressure. Such is the life of a rookie.
Zyon Pullin continues to impress. He was the go-to guy down the stretch, finishing the game with 22 points on 7-9 shooting.
Antonio Reeves! A game-winning floater just like Chris Finch drew up.
Up Next:
The Wolves hop on a plane and fly north to the concrete jungle to visit Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks on Monday, 10/12 at 6:30pm CT. The game will be on NBA TV.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 10: VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Boston Celtics on October 10, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Preseason Bell Ringer rankings:
Jaylen Brown – 1 LeBron James – 1
The Sixers got off to a 10-2 start against the Celtics, but things looked bleak by halftime.
The Sixers were without Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope due to rest. Dominick Barlow (back), Anfernee Simons (hamstring), Adem Bona (foot) and Tacko Fall (hip) are still nursing injuries.
We saw flashes of the Vj-Maxx connection early in the first, as Tyrese Maxey fed VJ Edgecombe for a transition finish and corner three. Amidst the Celtics’ barrage, and Sixers lenient defense, there were Bell Ringer-worthy performances.
He blazed past him on a drive just seconds into the second quarter. A few minutes later, Edgecombe took Pritchard in the post with a beautiful fadeaway baseline jumper.
He is looking more comfortable finishing through contact and strong at the rim.
Walker looked great in all facets, and is earning himself more minutes this preseason. He battled on the offensive glass and created an easy oppurtunity for himself early.
He showcased an ability to create offense and make quick decisions with a nice pass to a cutting Dean Wade during the Sixers’ 10-2 run to begin the game.
Philon’s shot looks very good, but the question will be if he can survive defensively. The rookie showcased his playmaking potential all night including a smooth bounce pass to Walker in the third.
It may be hard to imagine given the star-studded roster, but Wade will be a fan-favorite by the end of the year. He does all of the little things — sets solid screens, hits the three, can battle in the post, and was fighting for rebounds with Celtics that were considerably taller than him.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 10: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 10, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Payton Pritchard’s 25 points and Jayson Tatum’s 23 led the Boston Celtics to a dominant 144-106 home win over the Jaylen Brown-less Philadelphia 76ers in the C’s second preseason game of the 2026-27 season.
The game provided first glimpses of Paul George and Mitchell Robinson playing in green, and marked Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Neemias Queta, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser’s return to action. All seven sat out of Thursday’s preseason opener against Cleveland.
Boston’s starters included White, Jordan Walsh, Tatum, George, and Robinson. Hauser, Queta, and Pritchard came off the bench for their first minutes of the year.
Ron Harper Jr. was out with right shoulder soreness and Devin Carter, who starred in the game against Cleveland, was out with an illness.
The Sixers deployed a starting lineup of Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Justin Edwards, Dean Wade, and Jabari Walker. Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were inactive for Philly.
The Celtics’ starters looked clunky in their first minutes together, and couldn’t get much going early. Tatum and George both missed a couple midrange shot attempts and Tatum missed Robinson on an early alley-oop attempt. It was Edgecombe who broke the ice with an and-1 reverse layup, and Philly took an early 8-0 lead while Boston was still back-rimming every shot it took.
Tatum was passing well early, regardless of all the missed shots. He got it to White and Walsh for a couple open three-point attempts, but they bricked both. Robinson finally put the C’s on the scoreboard with a putback dunk, and White scored Boston’s second bucket of the game. George clunked another midrange shot attempt, but got fouled and hit 1 of 2 free throws for his first points as a Celtic.
Boston didn’t get it going until about halfway through the first quarter, when shots started falling. Queta and Hauser were the first substitutions of the game and injected some life into the offense, but JT also kicked into gear. He got a dunk off a George steal for his first points of the game, made a nice pass to a slashing Queta for an easy bucket, and hit a couple three-pointers to cut Philly’s lead to 16-15 with less than 3 minutes to go in the opening frame.
Over those final minutes, JT hit a tough midrange shot and hit a cutting Hauser with a clean dime to secure the Celtics’ first lead of the game, 19-18. By the time Pritchard ended the quarter with a couple free throws, Boston had a 24-20 lead over Philadelphia.
The Celtics maintained their momentum from the end of the first quarter with some hot shooting and hard rebounding in the second.
Robinson opened the frame and was active banging down low, but the whole team was active on the boards. One offensive rebound resulted in a Pritchard three-pointer, and Robinson put another back for a bucket of his own.
Baylor Scheierman and Hugo Gonzalez also provided some good energy off the bench. Scheierman made a nice pass that resulted in a Hugo Gonzalez bucket, then got a steal on the very next play. Gonzalez drew an offensive foul on one play and knocked down an open three-pointer soon after to put the Celtics up 38-28 four minutes into the quarter.
While the first quarter was close, the second quarter was a one-sided bloodbath.
Pritchard (who scored 11 points in the quarter) got hot and hit a few three-pointers to keep Boston rolling, JT came back in to play the last half of the second quarter, and George — who was racking up steals and deflections left and right — finally got his shot to fall.
The C’s really started to pull away in the latter half of the second quarter. Hauser got a steal and passed it forward to JT for an easy transition dunk. The next play down, White got another steal and got it to George, who hit an open three-pointer that forced the Sixers to call a timeout in an attempt to stop the bleeding. But, by that point, Boston was already up 53-35.
George hit another three-pointer a few minutes later to secure a 21-point Boston lead with less than a minute to go in the half. Boston ended the half with a 63-42 lead and won the quarter 39-22.
Pritchard led the C’s in first-half scoring with 15 points and 4 assists. Tatum had 14 points and George racked up 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals.
Edgecombe led Philly with 14 points, 3 assists and 4 steals.
The second half opened with a couple ugly missed free throws from Robinson, but Walsh put on a show as the C’s kept their collective foot on the Sixers’ neck. He got a slick block that resulted in a White three-pointer, then got a three-pointer of his own while capitalizing on Robinson’s gravity down low.
Philadelphia seemed to increase its effort on the court, but it didn’t make too much of a difference early in the third quarter. White got a couple buckets, Walsh got another three-pointer, and Tatum hit a three-pointer to put the C’s up 85-61 with about five-and-a-half minutes to go in the quarter. George got his fifth steal of the game on the next play and dunked it to extend the lead even further.
Despite the big lead, the Celtics didn’t take their foot off the gas. Philly’s shots were no longer falling, as Boston’s defensive activity stifled the Sixers’ offense, but everything was going right for the C’s. Tatum made a nice underhanded pass to Pritchard for a deep three-pointer, then got a steal on the next play. After a Gonzalez layup and another Pritchard 3, Boston had a 31-point lead with less than 2 minutes to go in the third quarter.
With the help of another three-pointer — this time from Hauser — and a couple Pritchard free throws, the C’s ended the quarter with a 104-69 lead.
With the win all but secured, the Celtics opened the final frame with Pritchard, Hauser, Scheierman, Gonzalez and Garza on the floor. Garza immediately racked up two offensive rebounds — one off a miss of his own — and made a putback layup for the first points of the quarter.
The squad kept up Boston’s torrid pace on both ends of the court. Garza got another putback layup and Scheierman got a couple of steals, which resulted in three-pointers for both Hauser and himself.
After the C’s took a 124-88 lead with 6:52 to go, Boston subbed in Dillon Mitchell and Chris Cenac Jr. But the fun didn’t end there. Gonzalez hit another three-pointer and Mitchell made a layup soon after. Cenac got a couple easy buckets, including a strong dunk which gave the Celtics a 138-94 lead with 3 minutes to go in the contest.
With the help of Gonzalez’s fourth three-pointer of the night (he hit all four attempts), the Celtics finished with a 144-106 win — the highest scoring preseason win in franchise history.
Tatum, who didn’t play a minute of the fourth quarter, ended the game with 23 points on 47.4% shooting from the field and 40% shooting from deep, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal.
Pritchard had 25 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds.
George finished his first game as a Celtic with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals.
Robinson had 6 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist.
Gonzalez, White, and Hauser finished with 17, 15, and 11 points, respectively.
On the other end of the court, Edgecombe finished with 19 points, 4 assists and 4 steals.
Overall, Boston dominated the Sixers on the boards, 70-41, including an 18-7 difference in offensive rebounds, and put up 11 more shot attempts than Philadelphia.
The Celtics’ next preseason game will be against the Charlotte Hornets at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at home in TD Garden. The game will be broadcast on NBC Sports Boston and locally live-streamed via Peacock.
Boston will face Philly again in its preseason finale on Friday, Oct. 16, before the regular season begins with a road game against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: AJ Dybantsa #4 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons on October 10, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards’ clash with the Detroit Pistons on Saturday was arguably one of the greatest preseason contests in franchise history. The Wizards’ 114-108 overtime win at Capital One Arena had everything fans could have asked for.
The first quarter was virtually every Wizards supporter’s wet dream for the upcoming season. Trae Young and AJ Dybantsa were throwing endless lobs to Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr. DC’s defense turned into offense at every opportunity, with outlet passes leading to 19 fastbreak points in the opening period alone.
Tre Johnson also caught fire to close the first with three triples to help build a 40-20 lead after the first 12 minutes of action.
The Washington Express lost some steam in the second quarter as the Wizards went nearly four full minutes without scoring. The first bucket of the quarter was emphatic: Dybantsa served up another lob dunk to Sarr.
Dybantsa also showed off some transition wizardry with a behind-the-back move to get past three Pistons defenders for an And-1. Dybantsa and Johnson each had 12, while Davis and Kyshawn George had 10 apiece as Washington led 56-50 at the half.
Trae Young scored his first and only field goal of the game to start the third quarter, then got ejected minutes later following an altercation with Daniss Jenkins. He left the game with 2 points, 8 assists, and 5 turnovers as the Wizards’ lead shrank to 80-78 through three quarters.
Brian Keefe rode the third-stringers in the fourth quarter as the Pistons took a 94-87 lead with five minutes to go, in what was shaping up to be a loss. That’s when Will Riley, Justin Champagnie, and Felix Okpara shined.
Okpara hit a three-pointer, then put a Piston on a poster in back-to-back possessions. The game went into overtime, where the Wizards came out on top 114-108.
