Preseason results are thoroughly meaningless. With players shuffling in and out of the lineup as everyone ramps up for the regular season, it’s hard to place too much emphasis on the wins and losses.

Instead, it’s all about the process and if the team is doing the right things in the minutes the starters and regular rotation players are on the floor together. And in those moment, head coach JJ Redick is pleased with what the Lakers have been able to do.

“I like where we’re at,” Redick said after Thursday’s win over the Kings. “I think getting a bunch of guys more than like that 20 to 21 minutes is good for live play. Again, we’ll look to continue to build up, in terms of playing time, for a lot of these guys over the next two games. Would love to get some news on some people in the next few days and be able to see what we look like at full strength in at least one of these games and just build that rhythm with each other.”

Against Sacramento this preseason, the Lakers have looked great. The offense has featured lots of 3-pointers and impressive moments from Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Defensively, the performance of the team’s wings as part of a new identity on that end of the floor has been one of the big standouts.

The exception in the middle of that was the loss to the Warriors in which the Lakers rested a lot of players. It’s easy to overlook, especially since the team looked great in the other two contests.

One of those aforementioned wing standouts has been Jake LaRavia. After fading into the background as the season progressed last season, LaRavia has looked as good as ever this preseason. He, too, feels the team is in a good spot through the first week of exhibition games.

“I said after the game, I think we’re just playing really good basketball on both sides of the ball,” LaRavia said. “Obviously we’re going to make mistakes and things are going to look sloppy at times, but I think, for the most part, our chemistry is really good right now on both sides. I think we’re doing a good job communicating to each other, helping each other out and just having fun together.”

Playing well in Week 1 of the preseason means little if it doesn’t translate to the games that matter. But it’s been a very encouraging start to a new era of Lakers basketball.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

October 11, 2026

Wizards sign Alondes Williams to Exhibit-10 deal

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: Alondes Williams #31 of the Washington Wizards celebrates after a play against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Capital One Arena on February 19, 2026 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. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Washington Wizards have signed Alondes Williams to an Exhibit-10 contract, the team announced Sunday.

The Washington Wizards have signed G Alondes Williams to an Exhibit 10 contract.

In a related move, the team has waived F/C Skal Labissiere.
— Wizards PR (@WizPRStats) October 11, 2026

The deal, which doesn’t count toward Washington’s 15-man roster, allows Williams to participate in training camp with the Wizards while the team secures his G League rights. The 27-year-old has exhausted his two-way eligibility, so Washington will likely sign him to a G league contract following training camp.

If Williams is waived by the Wizards and later signs with their G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go, he can earn a bonus of up to $90,000.

Williams averaged 11.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists across four appearances with the Wizards last season. He shot 61.5% from the field and 35.7% from 3-point range during that stretch.

His best showing was a 25-point outburst in Washington’s 131-118 win over the Indiana Pacers in February.

October 11, 2026

Cardinals’ uncertainty reinforces appreciation for Suns ownership

Football: View of Arizona Cardinals fan with paper bag over head in stands during game vs Detroit Lions at University of Phoenix Stadium. Glendale, AZ 12/16/2012 CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X155946 TK1 R3 F161 )

If you’re somebody who invests emotionally in the Phoenix and Arizona sports scene, you woke up yesterday to a notification that probably left you a little stunned. Not necessarily because of the transaction itself, but because of the manner in which the organization handled the situation and a potential trade that now appears imminent. The more I thought about it, the more I found myself arriving at a familiar conclusion: I’m happy with the current state of Phoenix Suns ownership, flaws and all.

Of course, I’m referring to the news that the Arizona Cardinals are reportedly finalizing a trade involving third-year wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Breaking: the Arizona Cardinals are finalizing a deal to trade WR Marvin Harrison, sources tell me and @RapSheet.

The team informed Harrison this morning that he will be inactive for Sunday’s game vs Detroit as details of the trade are finalized. pic.twitter.com/x6n0Hsfzzj
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 10, 2026

I’m not overly upset about the transaction itself because, quite frankly, it felt imminent. For two and a half seasons, it felt like we weren’t getting the same player we watched at Ohio State. That dominant, game-changing wide receiver who could dictate how opposing defenses approached the game never really materialized in Arizona.

“Masarati Marv” (who I’ve grown to call “Mazda Marv”) has been underwhelming, to say the least. You can point to scheme, you can point to connectivity with quarterback play, and you can point to any number of circumstances that may have contributed to his struggles. But whatever the reasoning, Harrison has certainly underdelivered relative to expectations.

The frustrating aspect of the potential transaction, however, is the simple fact that a suitor has yet to be named. That’s right. He is being to traded to…um…no one knows quite yet.

The one certainty is that Marvin Harrison’s time in Arizona is done. Arizona feels comfortable enough to know it can and will trade Harrison, which is why he will be inactive Sunday. But no Harrison trade will be completed until after Sunday’s games are played. https://t.co/qEGc9qtht0
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 10, 2026

Like, what? Ex-squeeze me? Who gets a full-blown Adam Schefter breaking news notification that they’re being traded, yet the trade hasn’t happened, and we don’t even know which teams are involved? “Hey folks, the Suns are trading Jalen Green. Eventually”. Only in Arizona, my friends. Only in the defunct sports orbit knows as Arizona.

This is where, as a fan of Arizona sports, you can’t help but look at the landscape and appreciate what Mat Ishbia and the Phoenix Suns currently represent as an organization. Do they have their flaws? Absolutely. No organization operates perfectly, and considering the microscope professional sports franchises operate under, perfection is an impossible standard. Ishbia has made his mistakes, some of which the Suns will continue paying for into the next decade. But in the same breath, they’ve recognized the need to pivot, reset their approach, and attempt something different.

Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals seemingly have a PhD in mismanaging every aspect of their organization. You know, the team thank earned a D+ grade for the way they treat families, F- for their locker room, and D- in ownership, per the 2025 NFLPA team report cards?

Take the Marvin Harrison Jr. situation, for example. Maybe multiple bidders are involved, and the Cardinals are doing everything they can to drive up the asking price. That’s certainly one possibility. But it feels far more likely that information leaked from somewhere within the organization, national reporters caught wind of it, and now the entire football world knows the Cardinals are looking to move Marvin Harrison Jr. As a result, the perception of his value as a trade asset potentially diminishes. Opposing teams interested in acquiring him now know Arizona wants to move on, which could compromise whatever leverage the Cardinals might have possessed during negotiations.

But like, why not announce a team? Does that mean no deal is in place yet, thus devaluing any leverage the Cards have and ensuring the return is less than optimal? https://t.co/C2nI2LeuZ1
— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) October 10, 2026

It reminds me of the Eric Bledsoe situation in 2017, when it became abundantly clear that he no longer wanted to be in Phoenix (because he told us so). The Suns ultimately moved him for Greg Monroe and a pair of draft picks, negotiating from a position in which everybody knew a separation was coming.

This isn’t meant to be a puff piece for Ishbia and the Suns. But when you juxtapose how the two organizations operate, you can’t help but notice the stark differences. Ishbia has consistently showcased his desire to be competitive, his willingness to invest financially in the team, and his ability to adjust when a particular strategy isn’t working. He hasn’t always made the right decisions, but he’s demonstrated a willingness to recognize when something needs to change and act accordingly.

Meanwhile, Michael Bidwill operates as both owner and team president of the Arizona Cardinals, overseeing an organization that continues to struggle with its direction. He employs Monti Ossenfort as general manager, somebody who, in my opinion, has repeatedly demonstrated an inability to consistently identify and develop talent. And when you look at the results, it’s difficult to have much confidence in the direction of the franchise.

Monti Ossenfort's resume as the Arizona Cardinals GM:

-Allowed Zach Allen and Byron Murphy to walk
-Cut DeAndre Hopkins
-Cut Kyler Murray
-Traded Marvin Harrison Jr.
-ZERO Pro Bowlers acquired
-Allowed a Jacoby Brissett public holdout
-16 and 39 record
— Johnny Venerable (@JohnnyVenerable) October 10, 2026

The key to successful leadership is surrounding yourself with people who are experts in their respective fields. And if you have a hankering to be the ultimate decision maker, you can still make those decisions based on the advice and expertise of the people you’ve hired. Trust those around you, empower them to do their jobs, and good things can happen. Ishbia-style.

But in the case of Bidwill and the Arizona Cardinals, that quite simply has never seemed to be the case. He’s an owner who inherited the franchise, operates as though he’s the smartest guy in the room, and continually fails to put anything resembling a contender on the field. If this were any other business outside of the NFL, his track record would be viewed as a failure. The only reason it isn’t is because the NFL is one of the largest and most lucrative businesses in the world. Financially, it’s practically impossible to fail when you’re operating within a league that generates that much revenue.

So year after year, suffering Cardinals fans are left watching an inept organization attempt to fill its stadium while its fan base becomes increasingly despondent. When’s the last time you went to a Cardinals game? Chances are, the stadium was filled with opposing fans. It’s difficult to build loyalty when it feels like the organization itself isn’t making a legitimate effort to reward that loyalty.

That’s where the difference between the Cardinals and the Suns becomes increasingly apparent. The Suns might not be the greatest team in the NBA this season. They might lose more games than we expect them to. But if that happens, it won’t be because of a lack of effort from ownership or a lack of direction at the top. There’s a culture in the process of being established, one built around accountability, competitiveness, and a willingness to evolve. And that stands in stark contrast to what’s happening over in Glendale.

October 11, 2026

Watch Trae Young, Daniss Jenkins get ejected after pushing incident

Trae Young put on a passing display to open Saturday night's preseason game against Detroit, with eight assists in the first quarter. Then, in the third quarter he was done for the night after this happened following a Ron Holland dunk.

Trae Young and Daniss Jenkins each received double techs after a scuffle during Wizards Pistons

Both were ejected from the game. pic.twitter.com/WFVr59AMDf
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 11, 2026

There isn't really much there, just a little pushing between Young and Daniss Jenkins. The officials gave a double technical for the pushing coming up the court, then a second one to each player because they kept barking at each other and didn't walk away. That second tech led to the ejections.

Jenkins left the game with a dozen points.

Young finished the night with two points on 1-of-4 shooting, he had eight assists but also five turnovers in 23 minutes.

Vet to vet pic.twitter.com/qlpezzNobZ
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) October 10, 2026

It's just a preseason game, but the Wizards need Young to stay healthy and stay on the court this season. They paid him a massive four-year, $212 million contract to do just that.

October 11, 2026

Knicks Bulletin: ‘We’re gonna have each other’s back, regardless’

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 30: Jalen Brunson #11 talks to OG Anunoby #8 and Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round 1 Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2024 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

No Knicks basketball on Sunday; what did you expect on the day we all have for resting and disconnecting? (As if I ever do lol)

However, New York folks keep logging practices and sending quotes out to the world for us to enjoy.

Here’s the latest from Tarrytown before Monday’s clash against the LaMelo-Ant Wolves.

"It's great that you're able to get vets like him into camp, because you get to know them. You never know what to expect if you don't really know somebody. You get to know their personalities just as much as you get to know their game. He's been doing a nice job."

– Mike Brown… pic.twitter.com/NOqKLpKQAO
— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) October 10, 2026

Mike Brown

On receiving an invitation from former Giants head coach Tom Coughlin:

“When he asked me to come by the event, I actually called my dad. I said, ‘Hey dad, I just spoke with Tom Coughlin and going to go do this and this,’ and my dad got excited, too.

“I’ve always been a fan of his from afar. … What he did was really, as a coach, was remarkable. And that’s what I knew him as back then. To go through a year at 9-7 [in 2011] and [10-6 in 2007], to me that’s what a season is about. You figure stuff out over the course of the year. You may not be in first place all the time, but you’re preparing for the postseason. And both those teams, in my opinion, they did it textbook.

“They took their lumps, they figured out how to get through the challenges and adversity throughout the course of the year and when it was time to go for it, they did it.”

On the differences between his personality and Tom Coughlin’s:

“His presence and demeanor were almost the opposite [of me]. I’m a little goofy, he’s more serious, he’s not goofy at all. And you can feel his presence.”

On Bruce Brown’s performance at camp and the effort he’s shown while competing for a roster spot:

“He’s been doing a nice job. He was with the group [against the Wizards on Thursday] — him, Jaden [Akins], Tyler Nickel, James Wiseman and [Pacôme Dadiet]. Those guys made a couple of mistakes, but man, they played hard. And I’m not just saying hard defensively. Even offensively, getting to their spots in transition, moving the basketball, touching the paint.

“And then defensively, speaking on Bruce, he was great on the ball. … Watching him still do those things, knowing that he’s fighting for a spot, with the success he’d had in a year, he’s still embracing his journey, is a lot of fun to see because he’s going about it the right way.”

"Everything's going to work out. I'm not really too stressed over it, putting too much into it. Obviously, we have high expectations. It's good we're able to just focus on the season and keeping it moving."

Josh Hart on the Knicks tabling contract extension talks for now: pic.twitter.com/WAavzWRqcf
— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) October 10, 2026

Josh Hart

On the Knicks postponing contract extension negotiations:

“Everything is going to work out. I’m not really too stressed over it. I’m not putting too much into it. We have expectations, so it’s good we are able to focus on the season.”

On how contract uncertainty will affect him throughout the season:

“There will be days where we don’t think about it. There will be days where it’s top of the mind. We’re humans.”

On why he isn’t frustrated by the lack of a contract extension:

“No, because at the end of the day, I’m still under contract in New York. We have a hell of a team that’s going to try and repeat. [And] I’m in an amazing situation off the court, so it’s not frustrating.

“Obviously, you want to get some of those things done, but if it doesn’t, it’s nothing where you lose sleep over. We’re blessed to be out here playing basketball for a living.

“So, you know, it’s not frustrating. You just got to make sure you’re able to block out the noise and whatever rumors that whoever, a random person said, their sources said, et cetera, on Twitter. Just got to block that out and keep it moving.”

On the differences between Mitchell Robinson and Andre Drummond:

“It’s tough to replace someone like that. Obviously, an amazing rebounder, amazing defensive player. Drum, he gives you a different look. Offensively, a way better passer than I thought he was. He’s extremely light on his feet, obviously can knock down shots.”

"He's going to be professional. Not just him – everybody. Everyone's going to be professional and continue to do their jobs."

Jalen Brunson was asked how he expects Josh Hart to handle not getting an extension done with the Knicks before the start of the season: pic.twitter.com/RQmIDyFgze
— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) October 10, 2026

Jalen Brunson

On Josh Hart remaining professional despite his contract uncertainty:

“He’s gonna be a professional. Not just him — everybody. Everyone’s gonna be professional and continue to do their jobs. No matter what the situation is, things are gonna happen. There’s always gonna be a roller coaster every season. Ups and downs emotionally. No matter what, when we’re out there on the court, we’re gonna have each other’s backs.”

On preventing contract negotiations from becoming a distraction for the Knicks:

“There’s only potential distractions when you read and believe what people are saying. No matter what’s being said, no matter what’s being talked about consistently or not, you believe what you wanna believe, you hear what you wanna hear. It’s on us as teammates and individuals and professionals to understand what the nature of it is. People are gonna talk about it. So we gotta control what we can control and do our jobs.

“We’re gonna have each other’s back, regardless. We’re human, as well. There’s gonna be days we have good days, bad days, whatever. I think the way we won was just because of how connected we were as a group, so we gotta keep that.”

On when he realized Andre Drummond had long-range shooting skills:

“When he made three threes last year. I remember that. I was questioning myself, like ‘Where did this come from?’ That’s what happens when you work on your game.”

On Mike Brown’s personality:

“I think you’re always getting the real Mike Brown.”

Recent reports asserted that the second apron is hurting “lower” and “middle” class players. That’s untrue. Since the implementation of the second apron, the number of players on team rosters has remained the same and annual salaries have increased by nearly $1.3 billion…
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) October 9, 2026

Bruce Brown

On the NBA’s second apron hurting middle-class players:

“The new CBA is good for max guys, new free agents and rookie extension guys. The middle guys, it kind of sucks for us. There’s not a lot of people getting that full midlevel.”

Adam Silver

On reports and Bruce Brown’s claims that the second apron hurts lower- and middle-class players:

“Recent reports asserted that the second apron is hurting ‘lower’ and ‘middle’ class players. That’s untrue. Since the implementation of the second apron, the number of players on team rosters has remained the same and annual salaries have increased by nearly $1.3 billion resulting in pay increases of approximately 30% for all classes of players.”

Wait a minute….@spidadmitchell https://t.co/uZ1bK9FJSA
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) October 11, 2026

October 11, 2026

Raptors beat the Clippers, 114-106, in first game post-Kawhi trade

VANCOUVER, CANADA - OCTOBER 10: Nimari Burnett #25 of the Toronto Raptors dunks the ball during the game against the LA Clippers during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 10, 2026 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 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 Jordan Jones/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Following hectic offseason drama surrounding Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers, leading to the trade that ended up bringing The Klaw back to Toronto, the Clippers and Raptors have been in plenty of headlines together. The new eras of both clubs met up on Saturday for the NBA Preseason in Vancouver, where Toronto took down Los Angeles, 114-106.

While Rui Hachimura continued to prove that he plans to have an offensive breakout year with LA this season, putting up 14 points, the Raptors, in large part, relied on RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, who are attempting to prove they can be valuable role players around Kawhi and Scottie. In 23 minutes, Barrett put up 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Immanuel Quickley had 18 points in 19 minutes, with a respectable 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Colin Murray-Boyles was a leading offensive leader as well, going into the second half with 9 points. CMB is a special defensive player, but if he can continue to work on his offensive game, the sky’s the limit.

The Raptors played some of their best basketball in the first quarter, holding the Clippers to only 18 points as a team. A player who got fans riled up, many of whom have never even heard his name before — Nimari Burnett — made fans loud when he hit a corner three that bounced off the backboard before landing home late in the first quarter. Burnett, the 6’5” undrafted player from this year’s 2026 draft class on an Exhibit 10 contract with the Raptors, put up 10 points on 4 of 6 shooting from the field and 2 of 3 from three-point range.

Nimari Burnett just paid homage to Kawhi Leonard lol. pic.twitter.com/59F7gTM9yZ
— Pensare Basketball (@PensareBBall) October 10, 2026

Burnett’s surprise performance was a nice boost for the team in the first quarter, but the team’s offence definitely picked up speed starting the second quarter. Barnes asserted his presence in the paint, especially evident through his 10 rebounds. The new Raptor, Kyle Anderson, was scoreless in his offensively lackluster performance; however, he made great heads-up defense and even passing plays, like his touch pass to Jakob Poeltl late in the second quarter. The ball movement in general last night was mesmerizing and quite clean, with only 15 turnovers compared to Los Angeles’ 20. Regarding Poeltl, all his buckets came from nice positioning on the court. However, he only had 9 points, 3 of which came from his 3 out of 6 performance from the free-throw line. Poeltl continues to seem not present enough to be the centre of this basketball team, especially only ending the night with 4 rebounds.

Another player with a noteworthy performance was Jamal Shead. In 19 minutes, he scored 13 points and 2 assists, and displayed nothing but good defence. His steal around the 4-minute mark in the second quarter, leading to a pass straight to Jaden Bradley — who had a productive game himself — is an example of his incredibly high basketball IQ.

The game culminated in a slight slump from the Raptors in the second half of the game, but they got the job done. The preseason has been more than a valuable experience for the Raptors to find out who will fit on this team and what their roles will be.

October 11, 2026

Kings center Maxime Raynaud out at least two weeks with right knee injury

Kings center Maxime Raynaud out at least two weeks with right knee injury originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Maxime Raynaud will miss at least the next two weeks with a right knee injury, the Kings announced Sunday.

An MRI revealed a right patellar subluxation — a partial dislocation of the kneecap — and the second-year center will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks.

The Kings announce a minimum two-week absence for Maxime Raynaud after an MRI confirmed a right patellar subluxation in his knee. pic.twitter.com/tnIt3mcein
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 11, 2026

Raynaud left the Kings’ 111-106 preseason loss to the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center with 2:32 remaining in the second quarter.

Raynaud went down while setting a screen on Steph Curry for rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. The 23-year-old big man took contact to the outside of his right knee and was taken to the locker room in a wheelchair.

Kings center Maxime Raynaud goes down with a right knee injury, eventually carted off the floor at Chase Center in the second quarter.
Teammates & coaches show support, including Ben Simmons who remained with him while he was down. He looked to go knee-to-knee with Stephen… pic.twitter.com/Dja4VkmvCF
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) October 11, 2026

The diagnosis is a positive sign given how the injury looked in the moment. ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported the MRI ruled out serious ligament damage, and Kings general manager Scott Perry said afterward, “he’ll be back.”

With Raynaud’s reevaluation date on Oct. 25, he will miss the beginning of the 2026-27 regular season. The Kings open the campaign on Oct. 21 against the Clippers in Los Angeles, return to Sacramento for their home opener against the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 23 and host the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 25.

Raynaud’s injury will open up playing time for players such as Dylan Cardwell and Precious Achiuwa.

Raynaud, a 2026 All-Rookie Second Team selection, led Sacramento in rebounding last season at 7.5 per game, so the Kings will be without a valuable part of their rotation early this season.

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October 11, 2026

On This Date in Knicks History: NY signs Trey Burke

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 28: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on January 28, 2019 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Imagine being 25 years old and having to prove that you are not washed up. I have thought a lot about James Wiseman over the last few weeks. He’s heading (he hopes) into his sixth NBA season, playing for (he hopes) his fourth team. Along the way, he’s suffered at least two major injuries, missed an entire season due to one, and has gone from second pick in the draft to fighting for scraps on the Knicks. The trajectory is sorta Dickensian, lacking only a redemptive third act to complete the tale satisfactorily.

At 25, I was two years into marriage and parenthood and fumbling my way around a professional ladder. The résumé was starting to look okay, though, and the New York Post had not published articles about my failed attempts to fully realize my potential. I had not been accepted and rejected by three NBA fanbases. That would have been quite a heavy yoke for my young shoulders.

Today’s anniversary neatly aligns a similar player with Wiseman on my mental screen: Trey Burke.

Burke was a collegiate star at Michigan, the ninth pick in the NBA Draft, and a member of the league’s All-Rookie First Team, with votes for Rookie of the Year. He was picked ahead of Giannis, CJ, Steven Adams, Timmy, and a few other guys who will still wear NBA jerseys in the 2026-27 season.

Burke had squared off against Chris Paul and Stephen Curry and shown real potential. But after averaging 12.8 PPG in his first year, things changed. Midway through his sophomore season, coach Quin Snyder moved him to the bench in favor of rookie Dante Exum to give the second unit scoring punch and develop Exum. Burke handled the change professionally and exhibited defensive improvement, but his shooting percentages declined. The Jazz missed the playoffs.

Burke’s role shrank further. In year three, he appeared in 64 games with zero starts, averaging 10.6 points, 2.3 assists, and 1.8 rebounds in 21.3 minutes. He thrived, briefly, as a bench scorer while Exum was out, but the mid-season acquisition of Shelvin Mack and Raul Neto’s emergence squeezed him out of Snyder’s rotation. Burke sat for long stretches late in the season (including multiple DNPs), but seems to have upheld a professional attitude about the demotion.

In the offseason, the Jazz traded Burke to Washington. He played backup point guard behind star John Wall under new head coach Scott Brooks. Burke appeared in 57 regular-season games (no starts), averaging 12.3 minutes per game, seeing limited action on a team that reached the semifinals.

Burke was in the final year of his rookie-scale contract. The Jazz had exercised the team option for 2016–17, making the roughly $3.4 million salary fully guaranteed. When the Wizards acquired him, they assumed that guaranteed obligation. After the season, Washington simply declined to extend a qualifying offer (which would have made him a restricted free agent), allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.

New York signed him on October 11, 2017, then waived him three days later. Three days is barely enough time to learn where a team keeps the extra towels, much less convince an organization to reconsider its opinion of your professional future. Burke joined the Westchester Knicks instead, where the paychecks and crowds are more modest, but opportunity remains for a motivated player with plenty of high-test left in the tank.

He proceeded to average 26.6 points per game, which earned him another contract with the big league club in January. Once back, Burke appeared in 36 games (nine starts) and averaged 12.8 points and 4.7 assists in 21.8 minutes per game while shooting a career-best 50% from the field. He provided a scoring spark and playmaking for a Knicks team ‘in transition.’ His highlights that season included a career-high 42 points and 12 assists in an overtime loss to the Charlotte Hornets. The team finished a dismal 29-53 under coach Jeff Hornacek, but at least Burke gave us something to hang a little hope on.

I was in transition, too. During that time, I Ubered to make extra scratch while enduring the vagaries of a freelance design/marketing/web/writing career. If you needed it, I could do it—and cheap! But at night, I ferried Binghamton University students back and forth to downtown clubs and talked Knicks to anyone who would listen. During those years, if you had a driver who was irrationally optimistic about guys named Dot, Zo, and DSJ . . . might have been me. And yes, I was high on Trey, too, but he didn’t stay long.

In his second year at MSG, Burke played 33 games (seven starts) for New York before being traded. He averaged 11.8 points in 20.9 minutes (35% 3PT). He stood out as a scoring-oriented guard who could run the offense in spurts under first-year coach David (17-65) Fizdale. Then on January 31, 2019, the Knicks traded Burke to the Dallas Mavericks as part of the Kristaps Porziņģis deal (which brought on my briefly beloved Dennis Smith, Jr.).

Burke spent the bulk of his remaining NBA career on second units, primarily with Dallas, but interrupted by a short stint with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019–20. Post-NBA, he played in the G League with the Stockton Kings (2022–23) and Mexico City Capitanes (multiple seasons), along with stops in Puerto Rico (Mets de Guaynabo and Leones de Ponce), and China (Guangdong Southern Tigers).

Today, Burke is rostered with the Astros de Jalisco in Mexico’s CIBACOPA league. He has been with the team through the 2025–26 season (including the Basketball Champions League Americas), averaging solid scoring numbers as a veteran guard. Basketball-Reference reports that he is 33 years old.

I’m older, too, and barreling too fast toward 50 for my liking. As a journeyman like Burke, my career has had many unplanned stops. Is Posting & Toasting the writing equivalent of the Guangdong Tigers? I like to think it’s more Westchester Knicks, but you be the judge. I used to get fiercely jealous of others’ success, as if it were a verdict on my own value. Not anymore. Ever an incorrigible optimist, I imagine Burke and some other guys from the class of ‘13 watching Wiseman from afar and rooting for him. Just one more season, kid. Then you’ll break big.

Go Knicks.

October 11, 2026

6 things from the Mavericks’ 132-115 preseason win over the Houston Rockets in Macao

MACAO, CHINA - OCTOBER 11: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game Houston Rockets as part of 2026 NBA China Games on October 11, 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 Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Kyrie Irving gave Dallas Mavericks fans something to smile about just 10 seconds into his first start in more than 19 months on Sunday morning against the Houston Rockets at Venetian Arena in Macao, China. He drove past Jabari Smith Jr. along the baseline for a pretty reverse layup where he looked completely recovered from the torn ACL he suffered in March 2025 for the game’s first bucket, which will only feed the preseason hopes that Dallas can improve quickly after a lost year in 2025-26.

The Mavericks would go on to win the second of two against Houston, 132-115, to earn a preseason split in Macao. Pat yourself on the back if you woke up for it, you absolute sickos. Dallas looked good with Irving’s steady hand back at the helm on Sunday. Really good at times. We’ll try not to overreact.

Dallas turned Houston over 21 times in Friday’s 135-117 loss in the same arena and continued that trend in the first quarter on Sunday, when they forced seven more Rockets’ turnovers. Two free throws from Irving tied the game, 24-24, with 1:02 left in the opening quarter, then two more from Max Christie gave the Mavs their first lead of the game 20 seconds later. Dallas led 28-27 after one, when the second of two nifty drives from Christie fell with just 12 ticks left in the quarter.

The Mavs made it a point to get out on the break throughout the first half, scoring 17 points off the Rockets’ first 11 turnovers in the game’s first 17 minutes. The easy looks and trips to the free-throw line that aggression provided gave Dallas a real lift early in the game. Dallas took a 58-51 lead into the break.

The Rockets battled back all the way from down 15 in the second quarter to back in front early in the third, but Dallas pushed the pace in their favor to win back control and take a 95-85 lead into the fourth.

Kyrie Irving goes up-and-under for his first NBA bucket in 586 days! pic.twitter.com/szn6VurG1x
— NBA (@NBA) October 11, 2026

The Mavs shot 15-of-40 (37.5%) from 3-point range in the win after hoisting 51 of them the first time around against the Rockets. Just becoming a roster of willing shooters under new head coach Dusty May is a welcome development ahead of the 2026-27 season.

The Mavericks and the Rockets will meet again soon, on Oct. 21, for the first game of the regular season for both teams — this time from Houston’s Toyota Center.

Irving’s long awaited return

Dusty May on Kyrie Irving’s return from injury:

“There will be no limitations.”

Dusty said Kyrie will listen to his body. pic.twitter.com/6zfdw5Uf83
— Ron Harrod Jr. (@RonKnowsSports) October 11, 2026

Irving is back, and he still has it all, y’all.

The Mavericks’ reserves borderline assaulted Irving as he made his way through the huddle, dapping up teammates along the way, when his name was called as a member of the Dallas starting lineup for the first time in 19 months. They were so excited for their veteran sensei to return to the court, and regardless of how much time he may or may not have left in a Mavs uniform, so were we.

Irving made some pregame comments at halfcourt, along with Rockets forward Kevin Durant. He thanked the crowd for their hospitality before driving past Jabari Smith Jr. for a nifty reverse layup for the game’s first bucket just 10 seconds into the game. Irving turned the corner against the bigger defender and looked 1000% healed on that first drive.

He caught a grenade six feet beyond the top of the key with half a second on the shot clock late in the third after a PJ Washington miss caromed out to the perimeter. Irving got it up quickly, hoisting and cashing in a desperation heave to pull Dallas to within 22-18 with 2:50 left in the first.

MACAO, CHINA – OCTOBER 11: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Houston Rockets as part of 2026 NBA China Games on October 11, 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 Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Irving just changes the way the Mavs’ offense looks. It’s all-of-a-sudden presentable. It’s not so scattered — not so unhinged. There’s an organization to it all with Irving at the head of the table. He started the break once again late in the second with an outlet pass to Flagg along the sideline that pushed the play forward. Flagg then lifted a beauty of an alley-oop to Daniel Gafford, who looked much healthier and played well inside on Sunday.

Irving absolutely abused Smith Jr. again with 29 seconds left in the first half, spinning off the bigger defender, controlling his body in the air and fading for a finish through the contact. The free throw to complete the 3-point play gave Irving 14 points in the first half.

Irving came back out for more in the third and hit his second 3-pointer of the game 2:32 into the second half after a Zaccharie Risacher steal, finishing with 17 points and three assists in 22 minutes on the floor.

PJ Washington’s slightly less heralded return

PJ Washington was in the starting lineup on Sunday after missing the team’s first preseason game. He made 1-of-4 from the field in the first quarter, including 1-for-3 from 3-point range. He drove through the lane with a purpose with two minutes left in the first, earning a pair of free throws after a hard foul by Tari Eason, then blocked Eason’s driving attempt deep in the lane with 45 seconds left in the first.

Flagg found Washington open for his second 3-ball of the game after a broken play early in the second quarter, as the pace turned a little helter skelter. Flagg then served Washington a perfect little alley-oop after another Rockets turnover with 8:44 left in the first half.

Washington scored 10 points in the first half on 2-of-5 shooting from deep and blocked two shots in the first half as well. He did not return in the second half.

Risacher starts both games

May and the coaching staff really wants to get a look at new Maverick forward Zaccharie Risacher in the preseason. He was in the starting lineup for a second straight time on Sunday morning against the Rockets, and his first pass was nearly intercepted at the top of the key. Then, still two minutes into the game, he fouled Reed Shepard on a 3-point attempt along the baseline. Once again, Risacher’s first 3-point attempt barely grazed the rim a minute after that bad foul, but we were open to the possibility to the idea that he would work his way into things, as he did in the Mavs’ first preseason game on Friday, we guess.

Shepard abused Risacher in a one-on-one situation on the fast break, getting a hand on the ball and not letting go as Risacher raised up for an attempt inside. Risacher scored his first bucket of the game in close, off Caleb Martin’s offensive rebound with 5:15 left in the second to put Dallas up 43-34.

Risacher just isn’t strong going after the ball or with the basketball in his hands. Marcus Smart, who made his first start in a Rockets uniform on Sunday, blocked Risacher’s ambitious dunk attempt as the second half wound down — shouldn’t the 6’10” forward be able to get above the defense of one of the league’s elder statesmen at the guard position?

Risacher made a couple of plays early in the third, though. He got to a loose ball and started a fast break that led to a 3-ball from Irving, before dunking home a put-back on Irving’s missed baseline jumper with 8:23 left in the third. A minute later, he cashed in his first 3-pointer (on five attempts). It wasn’t all bad — Risacher made a couple of plays and hit a second 3-ball in the fourth quarter with the reserves on the court.

Cooper Flagg: That’s the post

Cooper SWATS the shot and Kyrie DRILLS the 3! pic.twitter.com/gjpELrrrLW
— MavsHighlights (@MavsHighlights) October 11, 2026

Cooper Flagg picked Smart’s pocket five minutes into the game, then turned the rip into a fast-break jam with 7:44 left in the first. He scored his next five points at the free-throw line, as Houston made him earn every point by sticking Smith Jr., then Eason on Flagg when Eason entered the game.

Flagg didn’t have a hot hand from the field in the first half, but he affected the game in a number of ways. He made just 1-of-6 from the field to start the game before a wayward leg kick connected with Marcus Smart south of the equator on a baseline jumper attempt with 7:17 left in the second.

Flagg didn’t have as great of a game the second time around as he did in Friday’s game. He ended the first half shooting 1-of-7 from the field with four assists and two steals. Then he created a little space for himself along the baseline less than five minutes into the third for his first 3-ball of the game to put the Mavs up 71-69.

Flagg finished with 14 points and seven assists in 25 minutes against Houston.

Electric Larryland

Sergio de Larrea entered the game for the first time with two minutes left in the first quarter. He smoked an easy layup attempt on the fast break midway through the second before canning his first 3-point attempt after a Dwight Powell offensive board a minute later to give the Mavs a 48-34 lead. To that point, de Larrea was 4-of-4 from beyond the arc for the Mavs this preseason. He finally missed a 3-point attempt late in the third, but his release is pretty, and his game looks slightly more NBA ready than I thought it would at this point.

De Larrea didn’t do quite as much in Sunday’s second game as he did in the first preseason game, but you can tell de Larrea is a player who is going to get some considerable run this season. He’ll have his moments. He drove for one last beauty of a hoop on a baseline reverse lay-in with just over 4:30 left to play, then found Seth Lundy for a 3-pointer on a pretty assist to finish the game with nine points, six boards and a pair of steals in 21 minutes (of plus-31 ball!) for the Mavs.

Christie and Gafford: effective cogs

The Mavericks have all sorts of fun new players we all want to get a look at this preseason. That’s all well and good, but let’s not forget Daniel Gafford and Max Christie. Both played really nicely for the Mavs in the second preseason game. Gafford looks like a different player to start the preseason slate than the hobbled version we saw a year ago, and Christie was solid, shooting 4-of-7 and sinking 2-of-3 of his 3-point attempts.

Players like Gafford and Christie took their some lumps a year ago as the Mavericks’ fortunes turned bleak last season. They will once again have a chance to be meaningful parts of something better moving forward this year. Christie finished the game with 14 points and four rebounds in 22 minutes, while Gafford had nine and three in 15 minutes on the floor.

October 11, 2026

Laying The Foundations: Takeaways From Celtics/Sixers

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 10: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball 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

Two preseason games. Two totally different lineups and rotations. Two wins. There’s a lot to like about how this Boston Celtics team has approached its preseason preparations and the tweaks we’ve seen.

Getting one over the Philadelphia 76ers, short-handed or not, is always welcome, too.

The Winning Formula

This time last year, we heard a lot of scuttlebutt about playing at a higher pace. However, once the season got underway, that scuttlebutt quickly dissipated and was replaced by the league’s slowest, most methodical offense. Half-court possessions featured entry actions followed by isolation or matchup hunting.

Don’t get me wrong, it was effective. The Celtics overcame all expectations to finish the regular season as the second seed.

This summer, we’ve heard very little regarding the pace of play. Yet, on Saturday, we saw the Celtics take control of the tempo and push the rock at will. From rapid decision-making to running the floor in transition, Joe Mazzulla’s team looked to beat the Sixers both up the floor and when they were in rotation.

The result was 35 assists on 50 made shots. The shots were high quality and came from multiple areas of the floor. Most importantly, though, it helped get multiple guys in rhythm, and from there, the Celtics never looked back. Playing fast created a free-flowing offense that supported Boston’s perimeter-based game, with 45.8% from deep.

According to CourtSketch, only seven of Jayson Tatum’s 23 points came unassisted. Eight of Payton Pritchard’s 25 were registered without a defender attached. In fact, only Paul George (10) and Derrick White (11) were in double digits in unassisted points that night.

As a result, the Celtics were finding ways to make their passes count. Their decision to swing the rock not only created defensive rotations and quality scoring opportunities, but also led to points being put on the board with rabid efficiency. Tatum (11), Pritchard (20), and Baylor Scheierman (20) all had double-digit numbers in the ‘points created off assists’ category.

There’s another upside to the ball swinging around on offense, too—everyone becomes more locked in and active on defense. Scheierman finished the night with six defensive stops, more than any other Celtic. George had five, and Hugo Gonzalez had three.

Earlier this summer, Brad Stevens spoke about the Celtics’ tendency to stagnate on offense at times.

“One of the things that I’ve always thought is to be a great offense,” Stevens said during an interview with NBC Sports Boston. “You have to be able to score in isolation against certain matchups, you have to be able to score in pick-and-roll, and you have to be able to score off movement. I think at times in the past, in the biggest moments, we’ve had a tendency to be stagnant. I think this group can be more versatile in those ways.”

Based on what we’ve seen over the last two games, stagnation should be a much smaller concern. Sure, there will be times Boston reverts to bad habits, especially early in the season. Yet if what we saw against the Sixers is any indication of what’s to come, isolation-heavy ‘your turn, my turn’ basketball could be a thing of the past.

A Look At The Playbook

When you’re playing a free-flowing, high-paced game, the need to flow into half-court sets is reduced. Still, it’s always worthwhile to run some set actions before the season starts, mainly to see what works, what wrinkles you can add, and when to change the game plan.

One play that I enjoyed came late in the third quarter.

View Link

This action is out of Boston’s ‘screen the screener’ series and has the option to flow into a ‘gator action’ to attack the rim.

Let’s break it down.

The play starts with Paul George setting a rip screen (back screen) on the left side of the court. That screen creates a switch for Payton Pritchard, giving him a potential advantage off the bounce. After George’s screen, he gets a screen from Neemias Queta, allowing him to flare to the top of the perimeter. With so much attention on the shooting talent around the horn, Queta has been able to roll into the paint without being tagged or met by a low man.

As Queta rolls, George swings the pass to Tatum — it’s here where a ‘gator action’ could have been implemented had Tatum hit Neemy on the roll — instead, Tatum (who was feeling it from deep) lets off a catch-and-shoot three that ultimately hits the back iron.

Ok, so the play didn’t result in a bucket. Still, the process was solid. There were multiple options out of the ‘screen the screener’ entry, and plenty of ways the Celtics could adapt this play throughout the season.

Give me more of these actions, please!

Wax On, Wax Off

When Mr. Miyagi taught Daniel LaRusso how to block punches, he did so in a way that taught him to deflect his opponent’s strikes. It’s better to redirect a blow rather than to cover up and absorb the impact. Furthermore, deflecting a strike leaves an opening to launch a counterattack.

Basketball is no different. Sometimes, it’s better to deflect than to allow a dribble-drive entry or a bullet pass to find a cutter.

Against the Sixers, the Celtics had some incredibly active hands. On top of their 16 steals throughout the game, they also dominated in mucking things up in the passing lanes, registering a total of 22 deflections.

We often look at steals as a barometer of defensive activity and peskiness. However, deflections are also a key indicator of that. In fact, in some ways, they’re just as important. If you’re consistently poking balls loose, making passes hard to complete, or forcing recoveries on drives, the opposing team struggles to find its rhythm, gets flustered, and sometimes starts to force the issue.

Not only did the Celtics generate easy buckets via pilfers, but they also created a tough environment for the Sixers to succeed. Part of having a younger rotation, awash with size, length, and athleticism off the bench, is sustaining a higher tempo, and if this is what Boston’s defense looks like this season, good luck finding any consistent rhythm throughout the night.

Paul George Looks Like A Good Fit

Saturday was the first time we saw George take to the court in a Celtics jersey. We all have our thoughts on how he wound up in Boston, and whether that deal was smart business by Stevens. Yet, what we can’t deny is that he played well, showed his versatility on both sides of the ball, and appears to be a solid fit into Mazzulla’s system and as a secondary star next to Jayson Tatum.

Most importantly, though, Tatum appears pleased to be sharing the floor with George.

“It was great,” Tatum told the media after the game. “You know, we’ve been teammates for a few months now. It was like my first time sharing the floor with him and being on the same team. Somebody that I’ve obviously admired for a very very long time, when I was in high school and college and competing against him, and now to be on the same team and just see some of the special things that he brings to a team, you know, looking forward.”

Tatum and George will undoubtedly build chemistry as the season goes on. They’ll learn each other’s spots and how to cover each other’s weaknesses while accentuating their strengths. The fact that things looked as good as they did, albeit against a weakened opponent, should be highly encouraging with the new season just nine days away.

Like Mazzulla said recently, it’s easy for everyone to get along during training camp and preseason, as the roster hasn’t been tasked with navigating a period of adversity. So, we’ll see how things look once the games start coming thick and fast. For now, though, the Tatum and George pairing is something I’m cautiously optimistic about heading into the season.

Talking Of Tatum…

How great was it to see him dominating?

Tatum was borderline unstoppable at times. He looked like the All-NBA superstar we had become accustomed to before his injury. Again, this was only one game. A preseason game nonetheless. Yet, if he’s moving that well, processing the game at that speed, and shooting with such confidence, you can’t help but be excited for what’s to come, right?

“I mean, tonight it was just — I thought he had a good carryover from what we’re asking to do on both ends of the court,” Mazzulla said after the game. “His defensive activity was good. I thought offensively he had great flow. The ball found him, but he was able to create opportunities for himself and his teammates, and so I thought the carryover from what our expectation is for him on both sides of the ball is one step of doing it there and continuing to get better and better from it. But I thought his cardio looked good, decision-making looked good, and his activity was good.”

There were times when Tatum’s presence alone caused Philly’s defense to panic. Take this ‘ghost screen’ action as an example.

View Link

Tatum initiated a ‘ghost screen’ as the Sixers looked to contain Derrick White. Most teams that switch actions on the pick-and-roll have a trigger of when contact is created, the switch occurs. Ghost screens are effective because that contact is never created, and thus, the on-ball defenders have to communicate better. As you can see in the clip above, that communication appears to have been delayed, as both White and Tatum’s defender stick on White, allowing Tatum to catch the ball while being wide open in the slot.

Philly’s defense then scrambles to take the shot away from Tatum, with Jordan Walsh’s defender sprinting up from the corner, and one of White’s defenders scrambling over. Rather than forcing the issue, Tatum waits for the two defenders to commit before hitting Walsh, who is wide open in the corner.

Literally one fake screen, and the Sixers found themselves scrambling.

Another aspect of Tatum’s game that should elevate the team is how he likes to reward his bigs in the pick-and-roll.

View Link

Neemy, Mitchell Robinson, and Luka Garza are all going to eat off Tatum assists this season. Be it a pocket pass like in the clip above, or Tatum putting the rock into the vertical spacing corridor, allowing for lob finishes as the roll man gets downhill.

Tatum brings a level of unpredictability as a pick-and-roll creator, secondary or primary facilitator, and off-ball threat via movement and scoring gravity.

If this is how good he looks ahead of the season, imagine what he’ll be doing after the All-Star break, when he traditionally takes things to another level.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to playing the Sixers, I don’t care if it’s a preseason game or Game 7 of the NBA Finals—they’re all must-wins. The Celtics took care of business on Saturday, and they did so in a way that left us all excited for the season to come.

After the summer we’ve all had following this team, a win like this was a welcome palate cleanser. Now, bring on the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, October. 14!

October 11, 2026

Timberwolves Survey: Canis Pulsus Vol. 51 – Season Predictions

It’s been a while since we’ve done one of these! Some things have changed here at Canis Hoopus, but the now long-standing tradition of polling our community has not. Does it take me hours to collect responses, write up summaries, and chop up charts to show you the results? Yes. Do a lot of people read, let alone click on the results piece? No.

But it’s a labor of love.

At some point in the future, I’ll have to start going through some old results and pulling receipts on people.

“Hey, you! Yeah, comments section poster! I saw you once voted Jaylen Nowell as your prediction for NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2022!”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. You think Kuminga needs to come off the bench? That’s rich coming from someone who thought D’Angelo Russell would be the best locker room voice in 2021.”

Regardless, this is still important data collection that must be done. What’s a place to talk about sports if it didn’t continue to track and log snapshots of our groupthink throughout the years? Based on the amount of websites you click “Accept cookies” on, or random mobile applications you’ve mindlessly allowed access to your data (SB Nation app not included, as it’s clearly a very ethical app that you should all have), I assume you love sharing your data!

Alright, that went a little off the rails. Let’s refocus on the ensuing Timberwolves season that is just about upon us. There have been a ton of changes both on and off the court so it’s important we run Canis Pulsus back for this.

Let’s hear it.

Welcome to Canis Pulsus Vol. 51!

For those of you who have been ignoring this series since the 2021 season — Canis Pulsus is designed to give our Canis Hoopus community a published voice.

A pulse, if you will.

We all know that if CH occupied all seats of the Minnesota Timberwolves front office, we would be celebrating our 37th consecutive championship this year. But for now, it’s time for us to exercise our right vote. Are the Wolves finally going to hit the over on total wins? Will LaMelo Ball be the MVP of the team?

It’s a simple concept, really. Just submit your vote as honestly or sarcastically as you would like. All individual submissions will remain anonymous so no one will know if you were the one voter who wrote in Rob Dillingham has league MVP. Once the polls close, the results as a whole will be published on Canis Hoopus and (in theory) be sent to ESPN’s front page to publish as not misinformation.

Canis Pulsus Vol. 51 – Season Predictions (‘26-’27)

Vote link:
https://forms.gle/DnZqWVNHbzjmfkzr9

*Voting ends Wednesday, 10/14*

What record to you think the Timberwolves will finish the season with?
What seed will the Wolves finish within the Western Conference?
The MVP of the Timberwolves will be…
The best defender on the Timberwolves will be…
The best locker room guy on the Timberwolves will be…
The player on the Timberwolves who will impress the most is…
What on-court Wolves “storyline” are you most excited to see develop?
What off-court related Wolves storyline are you most excited for?
Now that season is about to begin, my feelings on the direction of the Timberwolves are…
My hottest Timberwolves season take/prediction is…
The end of the season league award winners will be…
The Eastern Conference winners will be…
The Western Conference winners will be…
The NBA champions will be…
The NBA’s next turmoil team will be…
The NBA’s next turnaround team will be…
My hottest NBA season take/prediction is…

Link to previous Canis Pulsus results

October 11, 2026

The Suns gave us a glimpse of what preseason progress looks like

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during a preseason game on October 10, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

I don’t know how you define progression or what you ultimately expect from the preseason. Progression is subjective, with too many intricacies and variables to truly define it. But whatever we witnessed on Saturday night against the San Antonio Spurs in downtown Phoenix was what I would consider progress.

We witnessed improved ball security. Granted, the Suns still committed 16 turnovers, but that’s a far cry from the 29 they averaged through their first two preseason games. We witnessed consistent effort, but more importantly, we witnessed improved execution throughout the roster. And that’s going to be the key for the Phoenix Suns this season.

I have no doubt the effort will be present night in and night out. That’s not going to be an issue for this team. Execution is ultimately where success and failure will meet, and Saturday night provided encouraging signs that the Suns are beginning to figure some things out.

Jalen Green looked much cleaner running the point. His eyes were up, he was reading the floor, and he was delivering passes with both his left and right hands off the dribble. Khaman Maluach, who earned the start against Victor Wembanyama, appeared more comfortable and aware of his positioning, particularly when pursuing rebounds. Luke Kennard once again demonstrated that he’s much more than a spot-up three-point shooter, showcasing his ability to handle the basketball and participate in multiple offensive actions.

There are still opportunities for improvement, because of course there are. No game is ever perfect, especially at this stage of the season. But the Suns are utilizing the preseason the way they should. They’re experimenting, mixing and matching rotations, giving players extended opportunities to build confidence and comfort within their roles, and gradually developing the execution necessary to complement their effort.

All while preparing for the long trek that lies ahead.

Bright Side Baller Standings

There was no “mailing it in because it’s the preseason” for the Villain on Wednesday in Chicago. 24 points for Dillon on an efficient 77.8% shooting from the field.

Bright Side Baller Nominees

Preseason Game 3 against the Spurs. Here are your nominees:

Luke Kennard
20 points (8-of-15, 4-of-10 3PT), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 turnover, +11 +/-

Jalen Green
18 points (7-of-12, 3-of-5 3PT), 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, +12 +/-

Khaman Maluach
10 points (4-of-9, 1-of-2 3PT), 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, +14 +/-

Dillon Brooks
15 points (4-of-11, 1-of-4 3PT), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, +10 +/-

Oso Ighodaro
8 points (4-of-7, 0-of-0 3PT), 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 0 turnovers, -4 +/-

Ryan Dunn
6 points (2-of-5, 0-of-1 3PT), 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, +10 +/-

Saturday night hoops, Sunday morning votes.

October 11, 2026

Cavs vs. Magic preseason preview: How to watch, odds, and injury report

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.

Support us and Let ‘Em Know with Homage!

Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic
Where: Rocket Arena – Cleveland, OH
When: Sunday, Oct. 11 at 6:30 PM
TV: DAZN, ESPN
Point spread: Cavs -6.5
Cavs injury report: None submitted
Celtics injury report: None submitted
Cavs expectedregular season starting lineup: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Magic expected regular season starting lineup: Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.
Previous matchup: The Cavaliers outscored the Magic 136-131 on March 24. Cleveland won three out of their four meetings last season.

Here’s a look at both teams’ 2025-26 regular-season impact stats via Cleaning the Glass.

	Offensive Rating	Defensive Rating	Net Rating
Cavs	118.9 (8th)	115 (15th)	+3.9 (9th)
Magic	114.8 (18th)	114.9 (14th)	-0.1 (17th)

October 11, 2026

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Charlotte Hornets Preseason Preview & Game Thread: Go time

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.

Projected Starters

Bucks	Position	Hornets
Ryan Rollins	PG	Dennis Schroder
Tyler Herro	SG	Grayson Allen
Jaime Jaquez Jr.	SF	Liam McNeeley
Kel’el Ware	PF	Naz Reid
Myles Turner	C	Moussa Diabate

Game Details

Who: Milwaukee Bucks (1-1) vs. Charlotte (0-1)

When: 6:00 p.m. CDT

Where: Spectrum Center—Charlotte, NC

Watch: MY24

Listen: Check local listings

Prescient Prediction

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.

Mike Brown

Josh Hart

Jalen Brunson

Bruce Brown

Adam Silver

Irving’s long awaited return

PJ Washington’s slightly less heralded return

Risacher starts both games

Cooper Flagg: That’s the post

Electric Larryland

Christie and Gafford: effective cogs

The Winning Formula

A Look At The Playbook

Wax On, Wax Off

Paul George Looks Like A Good Fit

Talking Of Tatum…

Final Thoughts

Canis Pulsus Vol. 51 – Season Predictions (‘26-’27)

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Bright Side Baller Standings

Bright Side Baller Nominees

The Task Ahead

Injury Report

Player to Watch

Projected Starters

Game Details

Prescient Prediction

Vote link:
https://forms.gle/DnZqWVNHbzjmfkzr9