Category: Basketball

In the second half of their careers, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant had their differences, but have never lost their respect for one another.

On Thursday morning, Durant revealed what it was like playing beside Westbrook for eight seasons (2008-2016), as he was left “inspired.”

Durant shared a story on X detailing his time as teammates with Westbrook, where he asked former Oklahoma City Coach, Maurice “Mo” Cheeks what’s harder: “workout after practice or before??”

Durant asked the question because he would always find Westbrook finishing up his workouts in the morning.

“Mo like, ‘Coming in before practice is probably harder,” Durant wrote. “Since then, it’s been my routine… a lot of people looked at the emotions on the court, and though Russ was loud, nah to me, he was quiet and methodical.”

Durant went on to write that Westbrook would always lead by example, leaving everything out there, while experiencing true freedom.

“I seen it inspire people from all walks of life, crazy thing is, he didn’t say much, just showed up.” Durant wrote. “For 18 years. This basketball life is sacred to us as professionals, what we put into that court means everything. Some of us wish we could go back and do things with a little more intent, and some can just wipe their hands and be satisfied with the time spent.”

When Westbrook and Durant were teammates in Oklahoma City, the two were on the brink of becoming one of the greatest duos in basketball, as they made the Western Conference Finals five times, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2012 with James Harden.

The trio of Westbrook, Durant, and Harden ultimately ended up losing in the 2012 NBA Finals to the LeBron James-led Miami Heat. Harden would leave the two behind after he was traded to the Rockets.

Durant became the league’s MVP in 2014, and would go to the Western Conference Finals with Westbrook two more times in 2013 and 2017, when they were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors.

Durant reached free agency that offseason and would end up signing with the Warriors.

This sparked a rivalry on the court that would last between the two, while the Warriors would become the team to become the league’s juggernaut.

Durant and the Warriors would go on to win two NBA titles [2017, 2018], where he was crowned Finals MVP in both series, while Westbrook would win MVP in 2017.

In his post, Durant hinted at wishing he had handled his departure from Oklahoma City by saying, “Some of us wish we could go back and do things with a little more intent, and some can just wipe their hands and be satisfied with the time spent.”

Durant ended the post by reminiscing about their time together as teammates and went on to send his love to Westbrook and his family and congratulate him on an “Iconic career.”

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The Lakers are set to begin their first season without LeBron James since the 2017-2018 season, and are ready to fully embrace the Luka Doncic era. Clearly, the NBA still sees plenty of value with Los Angeles to be shown in the national spotlight quite often.

During the NBA’s schedule release on Thursday afternoon, it was revealed that Los Angeles will have 34 nationally televised games, tying them for the most in the NBA. Three other teams, the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, and the Philadelphia 76ers, each appear 34 times as well.

Ten of the Lakers’ nationally televised games will be broadcasted on NBC, 10 on Prime Video, nine on ESPN, and five on ABC.

The Lakers’ season will begin on October 21, on ESPN, when they host the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena. The team will have two more nationally televised games the following week against the Portland Trail Blazers on Peacock, on October 27, and the Warriors again on October 30, on Prime Video.

James will be making his return to Los Angeles in a family affair on Christmas Day, when the team is set to host the Philadelphia 76ers, during the 2:00 p.m. slate of the day. Not only will it be the first time James is facing the Lakers, but also the first time he competes against his son Bronny.

The two teams will face each other again when Los Angeles travels to Philadelphia on March 4 and will play at 4:00 p.m.

Both of their matchups against the NBA Champion New York Knicks will come after Christmas as the team will travel out to Madison Square Garden on January 30, which will be aired on ABC.

Their second matchup against them will come nearly a month after the NBA trade deadline, on March 11, aired on Prime Video.

Two of their three matchups against the Western Conference Champion San Antonio Spurs will be on the road when they play them on November 27, aired on Prime Video at 6:30 p.m., and on February 6, at 5:30 p.m. on ABC. Their lone home game against them will be on Sunday, April 4 at 7 p.m., and will be aired on Telemundo, NBC, and Peacock.

Their first matchup against the Boston Celtics will take place on the road on January 7 at 7:00 p.m. and will be aired on Prime Video. Boston will come to town nearly a month later on February 2, at 5:00 p.m., aired on NBC and Peacock.

That rivalry, regardless of team status, is sure to deliver ratings for the NBA.

The NBA released the full schedule for the 2026-27 season Thursday, Aug. 13 with nearly 240 games slated to be broadcast on national television networks or streaming platforms: ABC, NBC, ESPN, NBCSN, Peacock and Amazon Prime Video.

The defending champion New York Knicks, the San Antonio Spurs, the Los Angeles Lakers and the new-look Philadelphia 76ers featuring LeBron James will each have 34 national broadcasts – the maximum allowed by the league.

Some teams you won't see much on the big stage include the New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks, who each will make only two appearances on a national broadcast.

The regular season begins on Tuesday, Oct. 20 with a triple-header on NBC and Peacock. Three games will be shown on Wednesday, Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving; while Christmas Day, which falls on a Friday, will have its annual five-game showcase. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 18 features a four-game slate, while quadruple-headers are also scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 30; Monday, Feb. 15; Sunday, Feb. 28; Sunday, March 7; and Sunday, March 14.

OPINION: 10 NBA matchups we can't wait to watch in 2026-27

NBA OPENING WEEK: Ranking all the national TV games from worst to first

RANKING 2026 CHRISTMAS SLATE: Where does LeBron vs. Bronny James land?

NBA TV and streaming schedule for 2026-27 season

Here are all the NBA games scheduled to be broadcast on national TV networks or streaming platforms in the 2026-27 season (All times Eastern):

Tuesday, Oct. 20 — Boston at Detroit, 3 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Oct. 20 — Philadelphia at New York, 7 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Oct. 20 — Oklahoma City at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, Oct. 21 — Minnesota at Miami, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, Oct. 21 — Golden State at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m. | ESPN

Thursday, Oct. 22 — Cleveland at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Thursday, Oct. 22 — Denver at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Oct. 23 — New York at Boston, 7 p.m. | Prime

Friday, Oct. 23 — Houston at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m. | Prime

Monday, Oct. 26 — Golden State at Denver, 10 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, Oct. 27 — Detroit at New York, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Oct. 27 — Portland at L.A. Lakers, 11 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, Oct. 28 — Philadelphia at Indiana, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, Oct. 28 — Oklahoma City at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Oct. 30 — New York at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. | Prime

Friday, Oct. 30 — L.A. Lakers at Golden State, 10 p.m. | Prime

Monday, Nov. 2 — Oklahoma City at Cleveland, 7 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Wednesday, Nov. 4 — Philadelphia at Detroit, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, Nov. 4 — Dallas at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Nov. 6 — Philadelphia at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. | Prime

Friday, Nov. 6 — Portland at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m. | Prime

Monday, Nov. 9 — Washington at Detroit, 7 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, Nov. 10 — Boston at Philadelphia, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Nov. 10 — Oklahoma City at Portland, 11 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, Nov. 11 — Cleveland at New York, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, Nov. 11 — Golden State at Houston, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Nov. 13 — New York at Indiana, 7 p.m. | Prime

Friday, Nov. 13 — Golden State at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m. | Prime

Monday, Nov. 16 — Orlando at Boston, 7 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, Nov. 17 — Detroit at San Antonio, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Nov. 17 — Utah at L.A. Clippers, 11 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, Nov. 18 — Milwaukee at Miami, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, Nov. 18 — Golden State at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Nov. 20 — Toronto at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. | Prime

Friday, Nov. 20 — Houston at Denver, 10 p.m. | Prime

Monday, Nov. 23 — Brooklyn at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, Nov. 24 — Boston at Washington, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Nov. 24 — Dallas at Denver, 10 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, Nov. 25 — Miami at Philadelphia, 5 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, Nov. 25 — Minnesota at Oklahoma City, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, Nov. 25 — San Antonio at Portland, 10 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Nov. 27 — Miami at New York, 7 p.m. | Prime

Friday, Nov. 27 — L.A. Lakers at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m. | Prime

Monday, Nov. 30 — L.A. Lakers at Houston, 7:30 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, Dec. 1 — New York at Chicago, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Dec. 1 — Utah at Golden State, 11 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Saturday, Dec. 12 — New York at Miami, 8:30 p.m. | ABC

Monday, Dec. 14 — Philadelphia at Orlando, 7 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, Dec. 15 — San Antonio at Cleveland, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Dec. 15 — Denver at Portland, 11 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, Dec. 16 — Washington at Boston, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, Dec. 16 — L.A. Lakers at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Dec. 18 — L.A. Clippers at Miami, 7 p.m. | Prime

Monday, Dec. 21 — New York at Cleveland, 7 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, Dec. 22 — Detroit at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Dec. 22 — Dallas at Golden State, 10:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, Dec. 23 — Houston at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. | Prime

Wednesday, Dec. 23 — Denver at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m. | Prime

Friday, Dec. 25 — San Antonio at New York, 12 p.m. | ABC/ESPN

Friday, Dec. 25 — Miami at Boston, 2:30 p.m. | ABC/ESPN

Friday, Dec. 25 — Philadelphia at L.A. Lakers, 5 p.m. | ABC/ESPN

Friday, Dec. 25 — Oklahoma City at Minnesota, 8 p.m. | ABC/ESPN

Friday, Dec. 25 — Denver at Golden State, 10:30 p.m. | ABC/ESPN

Monday, Dec. 28 — Cleveland at Boston, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Monday, Dec. 28 — Minnesota at Denver, 10:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Dec. 29 — Miami at Dallas, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Dec. 29 — Houston at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Thursday, Dec. 31 — Denver at Minnesota, 4 p.m. | Prime

Monday, Jan. 4 — Chicago at Indiana, 7 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, Jan. 5 — Minnesota at Houston, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Jan. 5 — Phoenix at Denver, 10 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, Jan. 6 — Oklahoma City at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, Jan. 6 — New York at Golden State, 10 p.m. | ESPN

Thursday, Jan. 7 — Minnesota at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. | Prime

Thursday, Jan. 7 — Boston at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m. | Prime

Friday, Jan. 8 — Miami at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Jan. 8 — Phoenix at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Monday, Jan. 11 — Denver at New York, 7:30 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Monday, Jan. 11 — L.A. Lakers at L.A. Clippers, 10 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, Jan. 12 — Washington at Philadelphia, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Jan. 12 — Sacramento at Golden State, 11 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, Jan. 13 — New York at Boston, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, Jan. 13 — Houston at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Thursday, Jan. 14 — New Orleans, vs, San Antonio, 2 p.m. | Prime

Sunday, Jan. 17 — San Antonio, vs, New Orleans, 10:30 a.m. | Prime

Monday, Jan. 18 — Detroit at Cleveland, 12 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Monday, Jan. 18 — Philadelphia at Atlanta, 2:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Monday, Jan. 18 — Minnesota at New York, 5 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Monday, Jan. 18 — Houston at Memphis, 7:30 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, Jan. 19 — Charlotte at Dallas, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Jan. 19 — Utah at Denver, 10 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, Jan. 20 — Chicago at Brooklyn, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, Jan. 20 — Miami at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Thursday, Jan. 21 — Philadelphia at Boston, 7:30 p.m. | Prime

Thursday, Jan. 21 — L.A. Lakers at Golden State, 10 p.m. | Prime

Friday, Jan. 22 — New York at Atlanta, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Jan. 22 — Minnesota at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Sunday, Jan. 24 — Oklahoma City at Golden State, 8:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Monday, Jan. 25 — Toronto at Boston, 7 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Monday, Jan. 25 — Sacramento at Denver, 9:30 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, Jan. 26 — Houston at San Antonio, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Jan. 26 — Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers, 11 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, Jan. 27 — Detroit at Cleveland, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, Jan. 27 — Denver at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Thursday, Jan. 28 — Atlanta at New York, 7 p.m. | Prime

Thursday, Jan. 28 — Miami at Milwaukee, 9:30 p.m. | Prime

Friday, Jan. 29 — Cleveland at Toronto, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Jan. 29 — Charlotte at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Saturday, Jan. 30 — Philadelphia at Miami, 12:30 p.m. | ABC

Saturday, Jan. 30 — Denver at Oklahoma City, 3 p.m. | ABC

Saturday, Jan. 30 — San Antonio at Golden State, 5:30 p.m. | ABC

Saturday, Jan. 30 — L.A. Lakers at New York, 8:30 p.m. | ABC

Sunday, Jan. 31 — Houston at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Monday, Feb. 1 — Miami at Indiana, 7:30 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Monday, Feb. 1 — San Antonio at Golden State, 10 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, Feb. 2 — L.A. Lakers at Boston, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Feb. 2 — Minnesota at Portland, 11 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, Feb. 3 — New York at Detroit, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, Feb. 3 — Utah at Houston, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Thursday, Feb. 4 — Boston at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m. | Prime

Thursday, Feb. 4 — Dallas at Denver, 10 p.m. | Prime

Friday, Feb. 5 — Detroit at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. | Prime

Friday, Feb. 5 — Indiana at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. | Prime

Saturday, Feb. 6 — Miami at Minnesota, 3 p.m. | Prime

Saturday, Feb. 6 — Portland at Memphis, 5:30 p.m. | Prime

Saturday, Feb. 6 — L.A. Lakers at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. | ABC

Sunday, Feb. 7 — Boston at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Sunday, Feb. 7 — New York at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Monday, Feb. 8 — Miami at Atlanta, 7 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Monday, Feb. 8 — L.A. Lakers at Phoenix, 9:30 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, Feb. 9 — San Antonio at Dallas, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Feb. 9 — Houston at Utah, 10 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, Feb. 10 — Golden State at Boston, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, Feb. 10 — L.A. Clippers at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m. | ESPN

Thursday, Feb. 11 — New York at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. | Prime

Thursday, Feb. 11 — San Antonio at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. | Prime

Friday, Feb. 12 — Minnesota at Boston, 8 p.m. | Prime

Friday, Feb. 12 — Denver at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. | ESPN

Saturday, Feb. 13 — Dallas at Charlotte, 3 p.m. | Prime

Saturday, Feb. 13 — Philadelphia at Oklahoma City, 5:30 p.m. | Prime

Saturday, Feb. 13 — Golden State at New York, 8:30 p.m. | ABC

Monday, Feb. 15 — Minnesota at Charlotte, 12 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Monday, Feb. 15 — Philadelphia at Dallas, 2:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Monday, Feb. 15 — San Antonio at Miami, 5 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Monday, Feb. 15 — Indiana at Golden State, 7:30 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, Feb. 16 — Toronto at Atlanta, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, Feb. 16 — Houston at L.A. Clippers, 11 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, Feb. 17 — New York at Detroit, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, Feb. 17 — Boston at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Thursday, Feb. 18 — San Antonio at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m. | Prime

Thursday, Feb. 18 — Houston at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m. | Prime

Thursday, Feb. 25 — Oklahoma City at New York, 7:30 p.m. | Prime

Thursday, Feb. 25 — Dallas at Golden State, 10 p.m. | Prime

Friday, Feb. 26 — Cleveland at Boston, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Feb. 26 — L.A. Lakers at Denver, 10 p.m. | ESPN

Saturday, Feb. 27 — Washington at Utah, 3 p.m. | Prime

Saturday, Feb. 27 — Oklahoma City at Detroit, 5:30 p.m. | Prime

Saturday, Feb. 27 — Philadelphia at New York, 8:30 p.m. | ABC

Sunday, Feb. 28 — Denver at San Antonio, 1 p.m. | ABC

Sunday, Feb. 28 — L.A. Lakers at Dallas, 3:30 p.m. | ABC

Sunday, Feb. 28 — Boston at Minnesota, 7 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Sunday, Feb. 28 — Miami at Houston, 9:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Monday, March 1 — Philadelphia at Cleveland, 7 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Monday, March 1 — Washington at Phoenix, 9:30 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, March 2 — Minnesota at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, March 2 — L.A. Clippers at Portland, 11 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, March 3 — Toronto at Miami, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, March 3 — San Antonio at Denver, 10 p.m. | ESPN

Thursday, March 4 — L.A. Lakers at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. | Prime

Thursday, March 4 — New York at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. | Prime

Friday, March 5 — Boston at Detroit, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, March 5 — San Antonio at Houston, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Saturday, March 6 — Indiana at Miami, 3 p.m. | Prime

Saturday, March 6 — Atlanta at Cleveland, 5:30 p.m. | Prime

Saturday, March 6 — Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers, 8:30 p.m. | ABC

Sunday, March 7 — Philadelphia at Boston, 1 p.m. | ABC

Sunday, March 7 — Minnesota at Denver, 3:30 p.m. | ABC

Sunday, March 7 — New York at San Antonio, 7:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock/TELE

Sunday, March 7 — Houston at Golden State, 10 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Monday, March 8 — Charlotte at Indiana, 7 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Monday, March 8 — Dallas at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, March 9 — Cleveland at Detroit, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, March 9 — Portland at Golden State, 11 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, March 10 — Orlando at Miami, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, March 10 — Atlanta at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Thursday, March 11 — Philadelphia at San Antonio, 7:30 p.m. | Prime

Thursday, March 11 — New York at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m. | Prime

Friday, March 12 — Oklahoma City at Boston, 7:30 p.m. | Prime

Friday, March 12 — Golden State at Denver, 10 p.m. | Prime

Saturday, March 13 — Orlando at Atlanta, 3 p.m. | Prime

Saturday, March 13 — Indiana at Houston, 5:30 p.m. | Prime

Saturday, March 13 — Philadelphia at Minnesota, 8:30 p.m. | ABC

Saturday, March 13 — L.A. Clippers at Portland, 10:30 p.m. | ESPN

Sunday, March 14 — Boston at New York, 12 p.m. | ABC

Sunday, March 14 — San Antonio at Oklahoma City, 2:30 p.m. | ABC

Sunday, March 14 — Miami at Denver, 7:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Sunday, March 14 — Golden State at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Monday, March 15 — Toronto at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Monday, March 15 — Atlanta at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, March 16 — Detroit at Indiana, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, March 16 — Denver at L.A. Clippers, 11 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, March 17 — Dallas at Oklahoma City, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, March 17 — Phoenix at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m. | ESPN

Sunday, March 21 — San Antonio at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Sunday, March 21 — Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Monday, March 22 — Indiana at Orlando, 7 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Monday, March 22 — Detroit at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, March 23 — LA Lakers at Miami, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, March 23 — Oklahoma City at Phoenix, 11 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, March 24 — San Antonio at Boston, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, March 24 — Philadelphia at Golden State, 10 p.m. | ESPN

Saturday, March 27 — San Antonio at Detroit, 3 p.m. | Prime

Sunday, March 28 — New York at Orlando, 12:30 p.m. | ESPN

Sunday, March 28 — L.A. Lakers at Houston, 3 p.m. | ESPN

Sunday, March 28 — Oklahoma City at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Sunday, March 28 — Philadelphia at Denver, 10 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Monday, March 29 — Miami at Cleveland, 7 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Monday, March 29 — Phoenix at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, March 30 — New York at Orlando, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, March 30 — Houston at Portland, 11 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, March 31 — Golden State at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, March 31 — Denver at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN

Thursday, April 1 — Boston at Cleveland, 7 p.m. | Prime

Thursday, April 1 — L.A. Lakers at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. | Prime

Friday, April 2 — Golden State at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m. | Prime

Friday, April 2 — Denver at Phoenix, 10 p.m. | Prime

Sunday, April 4 — Boston at New York, 7:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Sunday, April 4 — San Antonio at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Monday, April 5 — Miami at Orlando, 7 p.m. | Peacock/NBCSN

Tuesday, April 6 — New York at Atlanta, 8 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Tuesday, April 6 — Phoenix at Golden State, 11 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, April 7 — Cleveland at San Antonio, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

Wednesday, April 7 — Minnesota at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m. | ESPN

Thursday, April 8 — Philadelphia at Miami, 7 p.m. | Prime

Thursday, April 8 — Golden State at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. | Prime

Friday, April 9 — Detroit at New York, 7 p.m. | Prime

Friday, April 9 — Denver at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m. | Prime

Contributing: Scooby Axson

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA national TV, streaming schedule for 2026-27 season: See the full slate

The Los Angeles Lakers revamped the roster this offseason, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves as the primary focal points for the team.

The duo will help provide the offensive firepower necessary to win games during the regular season, but it's the questions on defense that could determine how the season will play out for the team.

Second-year coach JJ Redick and the Lakers finished the 2025-26 season with a 53-29 record and in fourth place in the Western Conference. The Lakers reached the Western Conference semifinals but were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The roster was plagued with injuries throughout the season, with LeBron James, Reaves and Doncic all missing portions of the year.

With new pieces around star players, there will still be an expectation that the season will be defined by whether or not the franchise wins its 18th championship.

Here are some of the key games that will help shape the Lakers’ season:

Lakers’ key games for 2026-27 season

Golden State Warriors at Lakers, Oct. 21 (Opening night)

• The Lakers will host the Warriors at home to open the season. It will set an early tone for what a healthy roster could look like for the purple and yellow.

Lakers at San Antonio Spurs, Nov. 27

• The Lakers visit Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs for their first true test of the season against a Western Conference contender. 

Philadelphia 76ers at Lakers, Dec. 25 (Christmas)

• LeBron James returns to Los Angeles, where he had spent the past eight seasons of his career. The 76ers are expected to be one of the top contenders in the East. It will be the first of two meetings between the teams.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Lakers, Jan. 1

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will present one of the toughest challenges for the Lakers this season. The series includes three games, but they won’t take place until the back half of the season.

Boston Celtics vs. Lakers, Jan. 7

• The Lakers will host the rival Celtics in a featured game on Prime. It will be just the first of two games on the schedule between the two teams. The second game will happen in Boston.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lakers schedule: Notable games that will shape 2026-27 season

Welcome to Los Angeles, Luka Doncic. 

I know you were upset about The Trade, but now you can decompress amid the stability of one of the greatest brands in sports. You’ve joined the darlings of the NBA. The 17-time champions. It’s all sunshine, sea breezes and engraved diamond rings from here on forward. 

Or is it?

Eighteen months ago, Doncic had the rug pulled from under him after believing he would spend his entire career in Dallas. The last 14 months? 

There have been two ownership changes with the Lakers. The Buss family agreed to sell the franchise to Mark Walter in June 2025, and then Walter sold the team to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner this week. 

What does this mean for Luka? 

Well, he went from tossing his phone across the room amid the betrayal and bewilderment of being perhaps the only top-four player in his mid-20s who was blindsided by a trade, to likely squinting with surprise while reading the stunning news (twice!) on his damaged screen about his new franchise. 

Iger and Kushner may not have experience guiding a team to a championship, but here’s to hoping they’re quick learners. 

Dončić signed a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension that includes a player option for the 2028-2029 season. That means he could leave after the 2027-2028 season if he wants. This much is for sure: His short-lived tenure with the Lakers hasn’t exactly been a model of stability. 

The superstar acknowledged that much while reacting to Wednesday’s news. 

“Being a Laker means everything to me, and I’m excited to get back on the court and bring a championship to LA,” he wrote. “I’ve gotten used to big changes over these last few years, but I know that no matter what, there is no limit to the potential of this iconic franchise. I look forward to meeting Josh and Bob so we can get to work building something special in LA together.”

While players and ownership are typically pretty siloed, Doncic needs to know that the Lakers will be on a championship course. Iger is the former CEO of Disney. Kushner is a venture capitalist and the younger brother of Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

Right now, we have more questions than answers. 

Are there going to be major changes to the front office? Are there going to be shifts in strategy? What the heck is going on? 

Under Walter, the Lakers had a sense of direction. He helped guide the Dodgers to three World Series championships after buying the team in 2012. The Lakers had oversight from Dodgers’ brass. New front office positions were created. There was a marked shift towards data and analytics. 

It’s unclear what the plan will be going forward. 

That must be destabilizing for Doncic, who deeply values continuity. He wanted to become one of the few NBA players who finished his career where it began. All of this change is dizzying. 

Right now his focus is on making the Lakers a championship organization once again. LeBron James left in free agency. The Lakers are his. 

It’s a responsibility he’s taking seriously. 

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He’s hosting a four-day mini camp in Slovenia next week. He’s paying for his teammates’ travel expenses. He had significant influence over the Lakers’ roster moves this summer, including the blockbuster acquisition of Walker Kessler. He’s doing everything he can to build chemistry. 

But there’s a lot of background noise. 

After 47 years of ownership by the Buss family, the Lakers are once again undergoing a major shakeup. They’re front and center in the news. There are so many unknowns. 

Dončić is at the center of the storm. He’s going to shoulder the blame if the Lakers fall short next season. Fingers are going to point at him. 

He’s doing his part.

Doncic was the league’s leading scorer last season. He carried the Lakers on a 16-2 run last spring, averaging a stunning 37.5 points, 8 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game over that stretch. If he hadn’t suffered a strained hamstring that sidelined him during the playoffs, who knows how far the Lakers could’ve gone.

The Lakers are doing their part, too. They immediately made Doncic their priority after acquiring him, even with James on the roster. They added the personnel Doncic wanted. He has seemed happy.

But he needs to be assured that he has the proper infrastructure around him. 

And over the last two years, the only thing he has known for sure is that everything around him keeps crumbling.

Here’s to hoping Iger and Kushner put some solid ground underneath him. 

Or else it’s fair to wonder if the Lakers might have to brace for yet another shakeup. 

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Fueled by their relentless depth and star power, the Oklahoma City Thunder lead the pack in early odds for the 2026 NBA Cup.

The path to the trophy won't be easy, however, with the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs looming as short-priced threats right behind them.

As summers inches closer to its end & we move towards the return of the NBA making its return, we take an early look at the latest Emirates NBA Cup odds for this upcoming season.

2026 NBA Cup odds

NBA Cup groups

The league's 30 teams will all compete in randomly drawn groups for the opening round, divided by conference, as listed below: 

🥇: Group winner
🥈: Wild Card

NBA Cup explained

Group Play

Each team will begin the tournament in one of six groups, divided by conference and randomly drawn from tiers based on the previous season's record, to ensure relative competitive balance.

Within each group, all teams will play regular-season games against each other on designated Tournament Nights from October 31 to November 28: Every Friday and also Tuesday, November 25, and Wednesday, November 26.

The records in those games determine who advances to the Knockout Round.

Knockout Round

The Knockout Round is comprised of eight teams, which begins on December 9-10:

• The winners of each of the six groups
• A wild-card team from each conference (the second-place team with the best record)

The Knockout Round is a single-elimination bracket. Teams in each conference with the best record will get home-court advantage in these matchups.

The semifinals and finals take place in Las Vegas on December 13 and 16, with the winner of each conference facing off for the NBA Cup.

Teams that make the knockout round will be awarded portions of an as-of-yet undisclosed prize pool, increasing the further they make it. A Tournament MVP and All-Tournament Team will also be awarded after play has concluded.

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Understanding NBA Cup odds

Sportsbooks will post odds for the NBA Cup during the prior offseason. These odds are adjusted throughout the season as players switch teams, show steady improvement, or are injured. Sportsbooks will also adjust the NBA odds based on handle and liability to certain teams.

NBA Cup odds will usually look like this:

• Los Angeles Lakers +1,300

This means that on a $100 bet, you'll stand to win $1,300 if the Lakers win the tournament. If it's close to the end of the tournament and the NBA has a particularly dominant team, you might see a minus sign (-) ahead of its odds. 

• Denver Nuggets -180

This means you have to bet $180 to win $100 on a Nuggets tournament win.

Above we have listed the American odds. However, these are easy to convert to decimal odds or fractional odds with our odds converter tool. And don't forget to check out our NBA forum if you're interested in chatting with other basketball bettors about NBA odds. 

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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The Hawks and the rest of the NBA found out their entire regular season schedule today (save for the weeks surrounding the NBA Cup knockout bracket in early December).

Atlanta will open the season in Orlando to take on the Magic on Wednesday, October 21, head to Charlotte that Friday, then open their home schedule the following night against the Houston Rockets.

Other notes: the typical tipoff time for weekday home games will be 7 PM local time — a change from the 7:30 PM times it had been for a number of seasons. Good luck fighting Atlanta traffic for those, but that will be the tradeoff for earlier end times.

The Hawks will also have 10 national TV games between ESPN, Prime and NBC/Peacock. The rest will broadcast on local stations WANF (Atlanta News First) and Peachtree Sports Network (PSN) which can be found for free over the air. Radio broadcasts will continue on Sports Radio 92-9 The Game.

The full schedule can be found below.

Today is the day. The date when the entire NBA schedule is finally released and the roadmap through the 2026-27 season is laid out in front of us. We’ve been receiving crumbs throughout the week, little morsels designed to keep us occupied. The Christmas Day schedule. Opening night. The NBA Cup schedule. A game here, a matchup there. But today we finally get the whole thing, all 82 games sitting there waiting to be dissected, analyzed, and inevitably complained about.

I will note that NBA schedule release day doesn’t carry quite the same juice as it does in the NFL. There’s simply more mystery involved with an NFL schedule. You aren’t playing everybody. Your opponents are determined by divisions, rotations, standings, and a handful of ancillary games that eventually create the 17-game slate. When that schedule drops, there’s some genuine discovery involved.

The NBA is much more predictable. You already know you’re playing every team from the opposing conference twice, once at your place and once at theirs, and the remainder of the schedule is filled with games against your division and conference. There are no shocking revelations when the curtain gets pulled back. Nobody is sitting there stunned to learn that the Phoenix Suns will, in fact, play the Sacramento Kings.

Which is why I love that the Suns apparently understand the assignment. Upon revealing their schedule, they leaned directly into the absurdity of schedule release season and made Dillon Brooks and his stare the centerpiece of the entire thing.

2026-27 Phoenix Suns Schedule Release ft. The Villain 😈

📅: https://t.co/3xzH6RpMDPpic.twitter.com/xiZwZ2WzDA

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) August 13, 2026

We can still take a look at the schedule in its entirety and start identifying trends, anomalies, how many total back-to-backs there are, which holidays the Suns are or aren’t playing on, along with the longest road trips, longest homestands, and most brutal stretches.

So that’s what we’ll do. First, your annual schedule graphic:

We’ll start with the longest homestand of the season, which comes near the front end of the schedule. The Suns will be home for seven straight games from November 4 through November 15, facing Portland, Orlando, Houston, San Antonio, the Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte, and the Los Angeles Lakers.

It’s a good way to start the season, and hopefully it’s a stretch that can help propel the Suns toward the top of the Western Conference standings or, at the very least, the top of the Pacific Division. Because they’re going to need it when the end of the season comes around, but we’ll get to that momentarily.

The longest road trip takes place from March 8 through March 17. Phoenix will fly to Miami, then head to Orlando, Chicago, Charlotte, and Memphis before finishing the trip on St. Patrick’s Day against the Los Angeles Lakers. That’s six games in 10 days.

As far as national exposure? 9 games for one of the grittiest teams in the NBA. That’s it.

The Suns have a total of 13 back-to-backs this season. That isn’t the most this year, thankfully, as 13 has them further down the list, as Brooklyn and New Orleans lead the league with 16. The Suns are actually tied with the fewest in the NBA this season.

NBA team total back-to-backs for the 2026-27 season:

BKN: 16
NOP: 16
BOS: 15
CHI: 15
CLE: 15
DAL: 15
DET: 15
GSW: 15
IND: 15
LAL: 15
TOR: 15
ATL: 14
DEN: 14
HOU: 14
MIL: 14
ORL: 14
POR: 14
SAC: 14
CHA: 13
LAC: 13
MEM: 13
MIA: 13
MIN: 13
NYK: 13
OKC: 13
PHI: 13
PHX: 13
SAS: 13…

— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) August 13, 2026

Five of their back-to-backs are home-to-home, four are road-to-road, and four begin at home before heading out on the road. Interestingly enough, there isn’t a single instance in which the Suns play on the road and then return home the following night.

There are also four instances in which Phoenix plays the same opponent in consecutive games. Two of those come at the very end of the season, and that’s where things get brutal. The Suns will play Oklahoma City in consecutive games on back-to-back nights, both in Phoenix. Days later, they’ll play San Antonio twice on the road, with one day separating those games. That is an unbelievably difficult stretch to close the season against two teams projected to sit near the top of the Western Conference standings. Depending on where Phoenix finds itself at that point, playoff seeding could ultimately come down to those games.

Even after the Suns enjoy a beautiful six-game homestand in March, the closing stretch of the season is brutal. Phoenix becomes extremely road heavy late, with five of its final seven games away from home, including the season finale against the Lakers on April 11. March overall is an absolute monster. The Suns play 17 games in 31 days, easily making it the busiest month on the schedule.

The Suns have three different stretches in which they play five games in seven calendar days. The first comes from November 4 through November 10, the second from December 30 through January 5, and the third from March 23 through March 29. That final stretch includes both games against Oklahoma City and one against San Antonio.

There are a few other interesting nuggets buried throughout the schedule as well. The Suns have a back-to-back on December 30 and 31, meaning they’ll spend New Year’s Eve in New York after playing the Knicks. Their earliest start of the season comes on Super Bowl Sunday, when Phoenix plays the Cleveland Cavaliers at 11 AM Phoenix time on February 14 before heading to Washington to play the following night again.

Ultimately, the schedule allows Phoenix to establish itself early before demanding quite a bit from the team late. That seven-game November homestand could become important considering what awaits in March and April. There will be stretches to survive, back-to-backs to navigate, and plenty of nights when the standings add weight to the matchup.

We knew the opponents. Now we know the path. And by April, we’ll know whether the Suns were built to survive it.

A few quirks from the Suns’ 2026-27 schedule:

🏀Longest homestand: 7 games
🏀Longest road trip: 6 games
🏀13 guaranteed back-to-backs
🏀4 sets of consecutive games vs. the same opponent
🏀March is brutal: 17 games, including 6 straight road games followed by 6 straight at home https://t.co/vTfFzBD2hd

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) August 13, 2026

We don’t envy the social media departments for NBA teams. Not only do these underpaid peons have to edit videos, create graphics, and track players’ birthdays, anniversaries, and personal bests, but they also have to chase online trends, memorize acronyms, stockpile reactions gifs, and decide which players have “rizz” and occasionally type out the word “dunkmaxxing.”

So when the Golden State Warriors participate in the NBA’s extremely forced Schedule Release Day, they have a tough task. It has to be high-concept, inoffensive, and somehow make describing a basketball schedule interesting, even after the league leaks all the important dates days earlier. This year, the Warriors went with a Scooby-Doo theme.

The case is closed. Opponents exposed. Revealing the Dubs' schedule 🔎@kpnorcal || 2026-27 Schedule Release pic.twitter.com/QPNyDZjS0H

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) August 13, 2026

It’s fine. Would we have had Jimmy Butler trip the Grim Reaper with a basketball and presumably tear his ACL, only to reveal the Reaper has the head of a Philadelphia 76ers logo and the body of cartoon Joel Embiid? Probably not. Is depicting the date of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ visit to the Chase Center as a line of ants, because of Anthony “Ant” Edwards lame? A little bit.

At least Draymond Green just shines a flashlight on a window with (OKC) Thunder in it while Butler and Steph Curry assault the disturbing logo-headed ghosts. But in a way, this video is a perfect introduction to the 2026-27 team. The construction isn’t all that creative, it centers on some old, slow dudes, and it relies on nostalgia for something that hasn’t been relevant for years.

And as befits this year’s schedule, the video just kind of peters out at the end. That’s just like the season, where the Warriors’s last nine games include a five-game cross-country road trip and back-to-back on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

They’ll play their home opener Friday, Oct. 23 against the Memphis Grizzlies after opening on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s a gentle start to the season, with a six-game homestand early on and only two games outside their own time zone in three weeks.

January is the kindest schedule month, with 10 home games versus five on the road, though it ends with a home contest against the San Antonio Spurs Jan. 30 and an immediate rematch Feb. 1. That’s followed by their longest road trip of the season, where they’ll play six games in 11 nights and go from Los Angeles to Chicago to the East Coast.

The team has 15 back-to-backs next season, with six at home, five on the road, and four where the first game is at home and the second comes on the road. The Phoenix Suns will be the beneficiaries of two such contests, and will play three of their four games against the Warriors with Golden State on the second night of a back-to-back. That’s slightly above the NBA average of 14.2 back-to-backs, which will force Steve Kerr to choose his spots for Al Horford carefully, as well as Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody if/when they return.

The two toughest B2Bs are probably a road game against the Boston Celtics Feb. 10 after flying from Chicago and the aforementioned duel with the Thunder, who might at least have already clinched their playoff position by then and be ready to rest players.

OKC will be featured in one of the Warriors’ most high-profile contests, when NBC’s “Sunday Night Basketball” returns Jan. 24. They will be playing on NBC 11 times next season, which is the maximum allowed.

They’re on two prime-time Prime Video games during the NBA Cup, hosting the Lakers Oct, 30 and visiting the Spurs Nov. 13. The Warriors also get the Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings in West Group C, which feels slightly easier than Groups A and B. You may not care about the Emirates NBA Cup, but it may be the Warriors’ best chance at a trophy this season.

Where is the NBA Cup title game happening? The league has left Las Vegas for glamorous Indianapolis, Indiana and Butler University’s Hinkle Fiedhouse, the place they filmed the final game in the movie “Hoosiers.” You know Steve Kerr is excited to finally have the Warriors run the picket fence play, now that Jonathan Kuminga won’t get caught watching the paint dry.

What stands out on 2026-27 Sixers schedule, from back-to-backs to marquee games  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

In a little over two months, the games will begin in earnest for the 2026-27 Sixers.

Following the NBA’s regular-season schedule release Thursday, here’s a look at what stands out about the Sixers’ slate: 

Homecoming games

LeBron James will visit the Lakers for the first time as a Sixer on Christmas. Jaylen Brown won’t return to Boston in the regular season until the Sixers play the Celtics on Jan. 21. 

Former Sixers big man Andre Drummond will head to Xfinity Mobile Arena with the defending champion Knicks on Oct. 30. Paul George and the Celtics’ first trip to Philadelphia is set for Nov. 10. Kelly Oubre Jr. will be back as a Pacer on Nov. 15. 

Lighter back-to-back load 

The Sixers played 16 back-to-backs last season. For what it’s worth, they fared very well in the second leg of back-to-backs, going 12-4. They’d been 2-13 the season prior.

The team has 13 back-to-backs on its 2026-27 schedule. With 41-year-old James and 32-year-old Joel Embiid on the roster, the Sixers surely won’t mind the reduction. 

Plenty of the Pacers early 

The Sixers saw the Celtics at a strangely high rate to start last year, facing Boston in three of their first 11 games. This season they’ll play the Celtics just once in their first 44. 

The 2026-27 calendar includes three games against the Pacers in the first 20. The Sixers will also face the Pistons twice and the Bulls twice during that stretch. 

Massive national audience 

Many eyes outside of Philadelphia will be on the star-packed Sixers next season.

The Sixers “will reach the 34-game national television maximum for the first time in franchise history this season,” per a team press release. They’ll feature on opening night (Oct. 20 at the Knicks), Christmas (a 5 p.m. ET tip-off at the Lakers), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 18 at the Hawks) and Presidents’ Day (Feb. 15 at the Mavericks). 

The Knicks, Spurs and Lakers also have 34 nationally televised games on their schedules.

Road trips and homestands 

The longest road trip for the Sixers is a five-game swing from Christmas through New Year’s Day. 

The team’s longest homestand is four games. The Sixers play six of seven games at home between Jan. 4 and Jan. 16, although the one road game is international (Jan. 10 against the Raptors).

The Sixers’ four-game homestand appears to be nicely timed. It runs from Feb. 5 and Feb. 11, which is the day of the trade deadline. Regardless of how the front office handles the deadline, the Sixers won’t have to worry about any travel. 

A sole mini-series with Magic 

The lone opponent that the Sixers will play twice in a row is the Magic.

They’ll host the Magic, who they beat in last season’s play-in tournament, on Dec. 12. The Sixers will then go to Orlando on Dec. 14. 

Waiting for Western Conference champs 

Late-season games tend to be tricky to be predict. Some teams are far out of contention, some are hampered by injuries, and others are pushing hard for seeding purposes.

Whatever the circumstances, it’s notable that the Sixers will play the defending Western Conference champions two times near the end of the year. They’re set to face the Spurs in San Antonio on March 11 and in Philadelphia on March 21. The Spurs won both late-season matchups over the Sixers in last year’s season series, including a 40-point road victory on March 3.

The news of the majority ownership of the Lakers being sold again – this time from Mark Walter to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner just 14 months after Walter agreed to purchase the franchise and 10 months after Walter officially became the majority owner – sent shockwaves throughout the NBA.

The deal brought more questions than answers. 

Iger answered a few of those questions when he spoke exclusively with the California Post on Wednesday. 

He told the Post he and Kushner intend to honor the agreement made between Walter and Jeanie Buss that stated Buss would remain the team’s Governor for at least the next few years, but added that “if things change, they’ll change.”

Iger shared details about the timing of the deal and how quickly it came together.

But many more questions remain – including what comes next for the Lakers.

Unanswered Questions

Some of those questions can be answered more immediately.

Among them: how franchise superstar Luka Doncic feels about the pending transaction, which will mark the fifth majority ownership he’s played for in the last three years during his tenures with the Mavericks and Lakers.

After the news of the sale was revealed, Doncic posted on social media: “Being a Laker means everything to me, and I’m excited to get back on the court and bring a championship to LA. I’ve gotten used to big changes over these last few years, but I know that no matter what, there is no limit to the potential of this iconic franchise. I look forward to meeting Josh and Bob so we can get to work building something special in LA together.”

Iger told the Post he hadn’t spoken with Doncic as of Wednesday morning, but it appears that’ll soon change. 

Doncic texted Iger and Kushner on Thursday morning and the three of them plan to meet “soon”, a source told the Post.

ESPN reported Thursday Doncic plans to have a video call with Iger and Kushner next week from Slovenia. 

Doncic has spent most of the offseason in Europe and will be hosting his Lakers teammates for a minicamp in Slovenia later in the month.

Beyond that, there’s still the matter of Iger and Kushner officially becoming the Lakers’ majority owners.

Lakers sale timeline pending

The transaction could take several weeks before the Board of Governors approves the deal, with the next board meeting scheduled for September in New York.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver regularly has a news conference after Board of Governors meetings. 

A league spokesperson didn’t respond to a text message from the Post before publication when asked what the exact date of the next Board of Governors meeting.

Any NBA ownership sale requires approval from at least three-quarters of the Board of Governors.

The Board of Governors approved the sale of the Lakers to Walter on Oct. 30, 2025 – 4 ½ months after Walter agreed to buy the franchise. The Board of Governors approved the Trail Blazers sale to an ownership group led by Tom Dundon on March 30 after Dundon agreed to buy the Trail Blazers in mid-August – 7 ½ months after the original agreement.

And it took five months for the Celtics’ sale to an ownership group led by Bill Chisholm to be approved by the Board of Governors.  

It remains to be seen whether Kushner’s previous experience as an NBA owner could expedite the process.

Kushner became a minority owner of the Grizzlies in 2019 before selling his share to become a minority owner of the Heat in May 2025.

He’ll have to divest his stake in the Heat to take control of the Lakers. 

Beyond that, as Iger put it, it’s “premature to speculate at all about what we plan to do, because frankly, we haven’t made any plans yet.”

Too early to know what this means for the Lakers’ basketball and business operations.

Too early to know what this will mean for the Lakers’ long-term plans and futures. 

The nature of the Lakers’ sale – from the timing and the valuation – is unprecented. 

But what is known is that the franchise is on the precipise of another new era.

It will be here before you know it. The Cleveland Cavaliers have their full schedule for the 2026-27 NBA season, and you have a chance to mark your calendars and prepare for another year of Cavs basketball.

Let’s get a few notes out of the way.

Cleveland will have 17 national TV games. Six on ESPN, four on Peacock, four on NBC, and three on Prime.

The Cavs play on multiple holidays this year, including Halloween (against Milwaukee), New Year’s Eve (at home versus the LA Clippers), Martin Luther King Day (versus the Detroit Pistons), and Valentine’s Day against the Phoenix Suns.

Plan your V-Day celebrations accordingly if you want to watch Donovan Mitchell get into another fight with Dillon Brooks.

🖨️ Print it out and hang it up.@SeatGeek | #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/09fMe3voij

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) August 13, 2026

The season opens on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 22nd. The Cavs play their home opener two days later, on October 24, against the Brooklyn Nets. Cleveland gets a three-game home stand here, hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves and Washington Wizards next.

From there, the start of the season is pretty brutal.

Cleveland plays New York four times before Christmas. Then the 76ers and Thunder twice before Thanksgiving. The Cavs also play the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat twice each before the New Year. There will be no time for slouching in the ‘ber months.

The Cavs aren’t being viewed as the same juggernaut they were going into last season. There’s a general sentiment that the Eastern Conference has passed them by. From huge splashes from the 76ers, Heat, and Raptors to the return of Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers. The league isn’t considering Cleveland as much as they did before.

That should be used as motivation. Every game the Cavs play against an opponent who has ‘lapped’ them should be a chance to debunk the narrative. This tough stretch to open the season could be incredibly rewarding if Cleveland hits the ground running.

A few other dates to keep in mind.

Darius Garland makes his return to Cleveland on New Year’s Eve. LeBron James plays in Cleveland on November 6th and March 1st.

And, lest we forget, the Cavs’ first preseason game begins at home on October 8th against the Boston Celtics.

Cue the “Law & Order: SVU” theme music for Jalen Brunson.

During an appearance on the “Today” show on Thursday, the television show’s star and Knicks fan Mariska Hargitay revealed you could see the NBA Finals MVP on screen soon.

“Don’t tell anyone but see him on ‘SVU,'” she whispered to Savannah Guthrie on Thursday. “Don’t tell anyone but we got some things in the works.”

Guthrie knew quickly in her gut it must be true since Hargitay admitted she tells the host “a lot of secrets.”

“I like that! Well, you tell me then, it all comes true,” Guthrie said.

Following the Knicks first NBA championship since 1973, Brunson revealed his offseason plan involved getting on “Law & Order: SVU” alongside Hargitay.

The Knicks star even got approval from “Law & Order” colleague Christopher Meloni, who said he was “absolutely” in support.

“I don’t know if you’ve heard, but he’s a world champion, he can do whatever the hell he wants,” Meloni said.

Brunson and Hargitay have formed a strong friendship over the years.

Hargitay, 62, is a big Knicks fan and holds down courtside seats at Madison Square Garden.

She was along for the crazy championship ride, sharing an emotional moment with Brunson following Game 4 of the NBA Finals when the Knicks came back from a 29-point deficit.

The two hugged on the court and Hargitay was heard saying, “I love you so much, I’m so happy!”

Prior to that, she sprinted onto the court to embrace Brunson’s father, Rick Brunson, who is an assistant under head coach Mike Brown and was a member of the ’99 Knicks squad that reached the Finals.

Hargitay was also on Brunson’s float for the championship parade in lower Manhattan along with her son, August.

Brunson later returned the favor and supported Hargitay at her solo Broadway show “Every Brilliant Thing” in June.

He, along with his wife Ali, visited Hargitay backstage after the show and her husband, Peter Hermann, was also there for the meet-up.

It’s a special bond that even long-time Knicks fan and actor Ben Stiller envies.

“The love that Mariska Hargitay gets from you postgame is the envy of every other Knicks fan, Knicks celebrity fan. She gets a hug after a loss,” Stiller said on Brunson’s “Roommates” podcast with Josh Hart.

On a previous “Today” appearance, Hargitay admitted Brunson is her “inspiration.”

The Houston Rockets and the rest of the NBA are deep into the 2026 offseason, with all the major roster moves and most of the major NBA stories (outside of Russell Westbrook’s recent retirement announcement) concluded at least before the start of the new season.

Players are taking part in their personal workouts, and organizations are preparing for another shot at a championship. That means it is pretty quiet in NBA circles, but that changed Thursday morning with the arrival of the 2026-27 schedule, as the Rockets and the rest of the NBA now know their opening-night matchup, last regular-season matchup, and everything in between.

Like every offseason ahead of the schedule, we know some of the early games. Unlike last season, the Rockets will not take part in the NBA’s opening-night games. Those two matchups will be Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks.

The Rockets do know a few of the games they will be playing, including an early-season game in Austin vs. the Western Conference Champions, the San Antonio Spurs. With Thursday’s schedule drop, we now know every regular-season opponent for the Rockets. Let’s take a look at some of the interesting games and break down the key details of the Rockets’ 2026-27 schedule.

What stands out about the Rockets’ 2026-27 schedule

When looking at the Rockets’ schedule for this upcoming season, a few things stand out. The Rockets were the darling of the NBA last offseason, and their 28 nationally televised games reflected that. However, after a disappointing end to their 2025-26 season, the Rockets saw their nationally televised games drop to 21 for the upcoming season.

The Rockets started on the road last season, playing opening night in Oklahoma City against the then-defending champions. This season, the Rockets open at home against the upstart Dallas Mavericks. They should be welcoming back Kyrie Irving as he plays his first regular-season game with Cooper Flagg.

The Rockets have 14 back-to-back games this season, with four of those at home, which is a huge advantage for any team. The Rockets also have a home-heavy schedule to start the season.

The Rockets have 15 of their first 25 games at home, pending the results of the NBA Cup tournament, which could add additional home games to their December schedule. In the Rockets’ first 10 games, they will play 7 against teams that made the playoffs last season.

One of the teams that didn’t make it, the Mavericks, is expected to be much better than last season, and the Rockets face them twice in the first 10 games.

When it comes to the road, the Rockets’ longest road trip of the season is five games, from January 18th to the 26th. The Rockets will also have a stretch of 20 of 32 games on the road from December 18th to the All-Star Break.

The Rockets are hoping that, with a fully healthy roster, they can finally advance past the first round, and that quest begins October 21st at home against the Dallas Mavericks.