Dončić’s two daughters, Gabriela and Olivia, live in their home country of Slovenia with their mother, Dončić's former fiancée.
“Nothing is more important to me than my daughters,” Dončić said in a statement to The Athletic. “I will do whatever it takes to make sure they have both parents present in their lives.”
Dončić and his longtime girlfriend ended their engagement in March, leading to an ongoing custody battle over the daughters.
The two began dating in 2016 and were engaged in 2023.
His then-fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, had filed for child support from Dončić last March, but later withdrew her suit. According to The Athletic, Dončić filed his petition in Slovenia, where he lives in the offseason, but local laws prevent it from being made public.
In August, Dončić hosted his teammates for a minicamp in an attempt to build team chemistry after the team overhauled the roster during the offseason. The All-NBA player’s decision to have the minicamp in the home country allowed him to remain close to his two daughters.
He did not compete with the Slovenia national team this summer, as he focused on the legal matters while also recovering from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.
“I love my daughters more than anything, and they will always come first in my life,” Dončić wrote in a post on Instagram in May. “As I continue working toward joint custody of my daughters, I have been forced to make a difficult decision between traveling and playing for the Slovenian national team and being with my daughters this summer. Unfortunately, it has been made extremely difficult for me to see them over the past eight months.”
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with the media after winning Game Six of the NBA Finals on October 11, 2020 at AdventHealth Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Given how divisive it is, there will never be a uniform opinion on the Lakers’ 2020 title.
What shouldn’t be up for debate, regardless of the validity of the title, though, is that it’s a shame they never got to properly celebrate it. Because of everything going on in the world in 2020, a parade was never a viable option.
And that’s something that still bothers LeBron James.
In his return to his Mind the Game podcast prior to training camp kicking off around the league, LeBron James spoke about his time in Los Angeles and brought up the fact that the Lakers never really got to celebrate their title.
“It bothers me, [on a scale of] 1-10, 20. Just to be able to celebrate with the Laker faithful. I don’t know what the route would have been. I’m thinking go down Olympic, just all the way down Olympic and then end up downtown right by Staples Center. Everybody want to call it Crypto but it’s Staples Center to me. It would have been super, duper dope. But we did that. We did that and that banner’s up there. That banner’s in that arena forever along with the other ones that’s been able to go up in the history of the Lakers franchise.”
Even if the Lakers wanted to celebrate, the league didn’t exactly give them much time to do it. Their six-week offseason didn’t exactly lend itself to much time to plan things.
Now, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where they get to ever truly celebrate the title. Perhaps in the future if/when the Lakers win another title, they can have members of the 2020 team tag along. But would it feel the same?
It would likely have to happen in the distant future as it’s hard to imagine LeBron being on a different team and celebrating a title in LA with the Lakers. Hopefully, though, it’s something the team has to contemplate in the future because that 2020 team does deserve to be celebrated and given it’s flowers.
When it’s Big Blue Madness, basketball season is officially underway in the Bluegrass.
Friday night, a sold-out Rupp Arena welcomed the men’s and women’s teams in their first looks at both of them ahead of their upcoming seasons. It was a raucous crowd, with excitement building for the season.
Women’s Team shows off shooting ahead of highly anticipated season
The Women’s Basketball team tipped off the festivities as they entered the arena. Coming off a Sweet 16 berth last year, Kenny Brooks and the Cats have a lot of momentum coming into this season. The crowd at Rupp Arena clearly concurs, giving each player and Brooks a rousing ovation when they were introduced.
In the “Hot Shot” competition, Team 1 featured Asia Boone, Me’Arah O’Neal, Gabby Brooks, and Savvy Swords. They put up a solid 16 points to tip off the drill. They were followed by Team 2, featuring Clara Strack, Diana Collins, Emily McDonald, and Jemma Amoore. Behind a blistering start, they started draining shots from deep to take the lead.
On Team 3, a fan joined Ajša Sivka, Maddyn Greenway, and Dominika Paurová. They tied Team 1 with 16 points, meaning Team 2 won the drill.
Then came everybody’s favorite: The 3-point shooting contest. Asia Boone tipped it off with a solid 15 points, with Me’Arah O’Neal draining her final two shots to put up 18 points. A confident Emily McDonald made six in a row early and came up just one point shy of the lead with 17. All three advanced to the final round; Boone made all five shots on the final rack to accumulate 20 points.
McDonald responded by hitting her final shot to tie the score. It came down to O’Neal, who made all five from straightaway and then her final two shots on the last rack to tie the score at 20. That brought the tiebreaker to half-court, with a moneyball rack and the first player to make a shot winning the contest. Boone rattled one in after multiple rounds of attempts to take home the trophy.
Mark Pope welcomes back Karl-Anthony Towns
First of all, the thunderous applause started when Malachi Moreno was introduced. Then, things got real. A tall white sheet acted as a projector screen to play an intro video for Mark Pope, who appeared on a gigantic pedestal to address the crowd in Rupp Arena. Dressed in all black, including a Kentucky varsity jacket, Pope then said he had one more Cat to introduce. Pope unveiled that he was wearing a Karl-Anthony Towns No. 12 jersey, a fitting welcome home for one of the greatest Cats of all time.
Coming off winning the 2026 NBA Championship with the New York Knicks, Towns was greeted to a raucous ovation from the Rupp Arena crowd. In just one season with Kentucky, Towns averaged 10.3 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game. Keep in mind, he played on Kentucky’s platoon squad. NBA scouts knew what Towns had, and he was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft.
In the NBA Playoffs this past Spring, Towns averaged 15.9 points per game and 10.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 55.1% from the field and 45.6% from 3-point range. Towns tipped San Antonio Spurs’ Dylan Harper’s final inbounds pass in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, enabling Josh Hart to hold serve underneath the basket against the Spurs’ Stephon Castle and cement the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, with the Knicks coming back from down 29 points in the second half.
Mark Pope Shines Spotlight on coaching staff
I think it’s great that Pope took several minutes to highlight his assistant coaches and staff, particularly what each of their roles are. Pope introduced each of them, with all of the members in various entrances to different sections in the upper deck of Rupp Arena.
Earlier this week, Pope said there’s great synergy with this current coaching and basketball staff. That was on display Friday night at Big Blue Madness.
Lighting it up from deep
Mark Pope said earlier this week that he thinks this Wildcats’ team’s shooting will be elite and they have a depth of shooters. In the 3-point shooting competition, we saw glimpses of what that can look like. Mason Williams tipped off the competition with 24 points. Then, Alex Wilkins showed off his shooting potential with a blistering 31 points. Milan Momcilovic participated and got hot at the end to finish with 22 points.
Then, it was reigning 3-point champion Trent Noah, who went 4-5 on the final rack to finish with 18 points.
The final round came down to Wilkins and Ousmane N’Diaye. N’Diaye finished with eight points, with Wilkins following it with a raining performance at 21 points and deciding to dunk in the final ball for the win.
Milan wins fan $10,000
A fan named Jake from the crowd got two half-court shots to win $10,000. He missed both, but he was able to select one player on the team to shoot from half-court to win him the money. He chose Milan Momcilovic. Wise choice. Momcilovic calmly let it fly, banking it in and winning Jake $10,000.
McBride and N’Diaye WOW in dunk contest
Justin McBride started off the dunk contest with an explosive between-the-legs dunk. In the final round, Ousmane N’Diaye threw a pass off the backboard that he put back for an emphatic slam. McBride followed with a thunderous windmill reverse dunk that netted him a 50 score from the judges.
Keon Ellis came to play for the Nets for one major reason: Jordi Fernández.
“In this game — and it is a business — having someone like Jordi being the head coach, someone you’re familiar with, [is big]. You know all the schemes, you know what he’s about, you know what they want to run,” Ellis said Friday after practice. “It’s a safe space right there. He’s familiar with my game, I’m familiar with how he rocks. That was the No. 1 thing.”
“He knows how I play, and I know how he wants his team to play. I know I can have a big impact in that way.”
Keon Ellis signed with the Nets this summer after spending last season with the Cavs, and later the Kings. Getty Images
The two were together with the Kings from 2022-24, when Fernández worked under then-Kings head coach Mike Brown — and Fernández left such an impact on Ellis in that time that he wanted a reunion.
Last season didn’t go as planned as he averaged 6.7 points split between Sacramento and Cleveland after a February trade, one season after posting 8.3 ppg for the Kings. He shot 36.3 percent from 3-point range but had been at 42.9 percent over his first three NBA seasons.
Jordi Fernandez, while an assistant with the Kings, previously coached Ellis for two seasons. Getty Images
The Nets are banking on more than just his shooting touch. The hope is the 26-year-old can be a defensive stopper. Last season, Ellis ranked in the 93rd percentile in steals (2.7), in the 95th percentile in blocks (1.5) and the 96th percentile in both turnovers forced (1.6) and deflections (6.4) per 100 possessions. His stop percentile of 4.4 ranked near the top of the league.
“I think Keon’s got the best hands in the NBA, and that’s hard to teach,” Fernández said. “At the same time, you want to be disciplined and follow the schemes, whatever the game plan is. I trust him. I know he’s very diligent with his work and everything, and I know he can perform at a high level. He’s going to help us a lot at the defensive end.”
Early on, he has impressed his new teammates.
“Strong start,” Michael Porter Jr. said. “Keon has been hooping these first two days. He plays the right way. He plays defense. He can really shoot the ball, and he’s been just overall very solid.”
The most important thing for both Ellis and Fernández is there is a comfort level already in place. Each knows what the other expects.
“You have a guy with many intangibles, is a super pro. He has probably the best hands in the NBA, can shoot the ball, can handle, is a good human,” the Nets coach said. “He’s coming here and is about business. It was a no-brainer.
“It’s not for me to say [how much of an impact he will make]. It’s for me to believe every time he guards he’s going to be good on that player, and every time he shoots the ball, I believe it’s going to go in.”
1. Lakers’ perimeter defense is better than expected
If you asked any scout what the Lakers’ biggest hole was heading into the season, the response would’ve been unanimous: perimeter defense.
Only, the players say that’s wildly incorrect.
In fact, Lakers coach JJ Redick cut practice short Wednesday because the competition became so intense. There are nine new players. There are two starting positions open alongside Doncic, Reaves and Kessler.
And it’s obvious that those spots will be won by defensive effort.
Kessler, who is the Lakers’ defensive anchor down low, has been impressed by what he has seen so far.
Los Angeles Lakers players Collin Sexton (10) and Walker Kessler (14) pose during media day at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California, Monday, September 28, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“I think we’re going to be a nasty defensive team, I’m just being honest,” Kessler said. “Just seeing these guys hound the ball on the perimeter.”
Kessler said people “aren’t taking into account” how good the Lakers’ perimeter defense will be, adding that this roster has the intelligence and skill to surpass expectations.
But one question in particular stumped Kessler.
Who stood out?
“I mean, Thi [Adou Thiero], Ziaire [Williams], Quentin [Grimes], Bull [Matisse Thybulle], Van [Jarred Vanderbilt], Jake [LaRavia] — I could go through the whole team,” he said.
“Everyone’s got their own strengths, weaknesses. But I think that these guys are really good at not allowing their weaknesses to show and really focusing on their strengths, and [making] sure that’s what’s pushing them forward, especially on the defensive side.”
2. Lakers believe they’ll be championship contenders this season
It was obvious last season that the Lakers were heads and shoulders behind the top teams in the West, including the Thunder and Spurs.
They lost their four regular-season matchups against the Thunder by an average of 29.3 points and then were swept out of the playoffs by Oklahoma City in the second round. Oh, then the Thunder lost to the Spurs in the Western Conference finals.
The Lakers responded by completely overhauling their roster last summer, adding youth and speed.
But let’s be real: It still seemed as though they were a few tweaks away from being able to contend. And they definitely needed time to jell, especially considering the Thunder and Spurs have been deep into the playoffs with their rosters.
But the Lakers don’t think it will take time.
They believe they’ve arrived.
Austin Reaves, Head Coach JJ Redick, and Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers pose for a portrait during NBA Media Day at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Said Redick: “I’m confident we’re gonna develop as a team into a championship-level team this year.”
When Reaves was asked if he agreed, he didn’t hesitate.
“I do,” he said. “Let me tell you, trying to score on Matisse and Ziaire, especially with Adou out there, too, and then Walker on the back line is not easy. I had to deal with that all day yesterday and today, and it’s not fun. So, defensively, we’re going to be much better.”
That’s great news for a team that finished 19th in defensive rating last season. As for their new defensive star? Kessler also believes the Larry O’Brien Trophy is within the team’s grasp.
“I believe so,” he said. “No question. Yeah, undoubtedly.”
3. Get ready for Luka
A fire was lit under Doncic as soon as he was shockingly dealt by the Mavericks to the Lakers in February 2025.
Those flames were fanned when LeBron James left Los Angeles in free agency.
The Lakers are his team.
And he’s ready.
Los Angeles Lakers player Luka Doncic (77) is pictured during media day at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California, Monday, September 28, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
He says he’s fully healthy after missing last postseason because of a strained hamstring. He recently made five consecutive half-court shots, stunning Reaves into pausing his own news conference to marvel at the feat.
He helped handpick the roster, telling Lakers brass that he wanted Reaves and Kessler as his teammates. And he paid for the entire Lakers team to fly to Slovenia so he could host a minicamp, something he had never previously done in his career.
Doncic led the league in scoring last season (33.5 points per game), was third in assists (8.3) and finished fourth in MVP voting.
Here’s to betting he puts up an MVP-caliber campaign this time around.
The Miami Heat announced Friday, Oct. 2 that they are hosting "A Night in Vice City" to promote the highly-anticipated release of "Grand Theft Auto 6."
The event will serve as the backdrop for the Nov. 18 game against the Milwaukee Bucks, which is the night before the Nov. 19 release date for the latest edition of the popular and controversial video game. It also will be the first time Giannis Antetokounmpo faces off against the team that drafted him and facilitated his journey to superstardom.
In a news release, the Heat said that the partnership with Rockstar Games will transform the Kaseya Center into an immersive experience based on Vice City. The fictional location is where the latest edition of the game is based, "the darkest side of the sunniest place in America." In previews for "Grand Theft Auto 6," there's palm trees, alligators, exotic cars, gold chains, dark alleys and art deco buildings on the beach with neon lights. Basically, Miami.
For the game, the court will have a special design, the players will wear a new uniform and there will be other activations throughout the night. There is also a merchandise collection of T-shirts, hoodies and hats.
Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.
You know the drill. If you don’t then follow the handy instruction below to sign up and join the conversation:
CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 28: Labaron Philon Jr. #00 of the Philadelphia 76ers poses for a portrait during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex on September 28, 2026 in Camden, New Jersey. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When Daryl Morey sent Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a draft pick package at last season’s trade deadline, it was not a widely praised move.
Quite the opposite, actually — amongst fans, media members and McCain’s former teammates alike.
With Morey gone and his replacement Mike Gansey having one of the greatest offseasons in Philadelphia sports history, Sixers fans no longer have to lament every productive performance from McCain for one of the NBA’s best teams.
As a reminder, one of the picks the Sixers received in that deal was a 2026 first-rounder, which the team used to select Alabama guard Labaron Philon, Jr. 22nd overall. If not for the additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, Philon would’ve likely been unfairly compared to McCain all season. Now, Philon is free to be himself and play.
And so far, he’s made a strong impression.
Head coach Nick Nurse has been effusive in his praise for the 20-year-old guard. Earlier in the week, Nurse complimented Philon’s compete level after a couple defensive-heavy and physical practices. Nurse also said the young guard’s vision has stood out.
On Friday, Nurse spoke about Philon’s ability as a natural point guard to get his teammates organized.
“What’s showing more is his ability to kind of run an offense,” Nurse said at the team’s practice facility, “get guys where they need — like really, really takes command of getting people where they need to be, making a decisive play call or whatever it is, and getting it executed.
“And then also he’s got a bit of when things are getting a little haywire, and he’s got a little bit of ability to break away and get some space and get into the paint, and then create the offense that way.”
Philon showed off his two-way prowess at Alabama, but not during the same season.
As a freshman, he was the Crimson Tide’s guard stopper, picking up full court and hounding opposing ball-handlers, while All-American Mark Sears ran the offense. As a sophomore last season, it was Philon’s show as he averaged over 22 points a game and was named an All-American himself.
Now, it’s about Philon finding a way to meld those abilities at the NBA level. At his first pro training camp, he’s learning and earning praise.
“Teammates and coaches just encouraging me to be myself, really,” Philon said. “That’s one of the things Coach Rico [Hines] and the guys been telling me — just be yourself and be able to play great basketball, make plays for your teammates, and cheer on your teammates too, and just like be a great leader, be a great teammate. I feel like everybody’s been doing that so far, and that’s what we’ve been preaching.”
There’s no shortage of veteran teammates to learn from.
He asked Brown about his ability to make tough shots in traffic. He’s picked James’ brain about his longevity.
James also provided a fun “Welcome to the NBA” moment on the first day of camp.
“I would say the first play of training camp, LeBron was coming at me full speed,” Philon said. “I was backpedaling, and that’s when the moment really hit. I was like, ‘Alright, like it’s here now.‘”
A benefit of being surrounded by star teammates is getting to practice against them on a daily basis.
“But I would say just being able to stand my ground, like knowing that I can compete against these guys at high levels,” Philon said. “Jaylen’s been making me work every day, all day. So it’s like going against guys like that. I can build more confidence if I’m guarding my teammates in a great way. But those guys are trying to do their best to go at me, and just as a young guy, that’s what you want because if I can guard these guys, I feel like I’m gonna be able to guard anybody across from us or the next opponent.”
But what did he do when James, a physical specimen at 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, came barreling towards him?
“I tried to go for the strip,” Philon said. “He passed the ball across [the court].”
Of course there’s probably no better player for Philon to learn from than Tyrese Maxey.
The Sixers drafted Maxey 21st overall and he was also joining a team with stars and championship aspirations. Even under Doc Rivers, who was notorious for not playing young guys, Maxey forced his way into minutes as a 20-year-old. While Nurse doesn’t have the reputation to the level of Rivers, he also doesn’t have the greatest track record with playing young players.
Philon has a great sounding board in Maxey.
“I would just say the one-on-one talks,” Philon said, “like during practice, like when I’m making great plays, he’ll probably pull me to the side and just like tell me the concepts and the reasons that if this is not open or I don’t have a shot, these are the reads we want to make and stuff like that. … He’s been helping me out pretty well. Ever since I got on the floor and stepped into this building, he’s been helping me.”
Philon has also learned a bit from a former Sixers nemesis — Rajon Rondo, who visited Mobile on occasion when Philon was there. Philon said he’s studied the retired point guard’s defense and wants to be to able get in passing lanes and create turnovers like Rondo once did.
In his second season, Rondo was surrounded by future Hall of Famers Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Much like Rondo in helping the Boston Celtics win a championship, Philon’s focus will be on keeping things simple.
“I feel like for me, the best decision is making the easiest play,” Philon said. “Right now, I don’t really need no showtime or kind of flashy plays. The position I’m in right now, it’s like making the right play every time, it’d be great for me.”
With James and Brown here, Sixers fans have largely forgotten about the Jared McCain trade.
Labaron Philon might make people remember it for all the right reasons.
LAIE, Hawaii – Intensity was replaced by intentionality Friday during the Warriors’ fourth practice of training camp on the campus of BYU-Hawaii.
The day prior was the Warriors’ hardest scrimmage thus far of training camp. Competitive spirit echoes throughout the gym. The blue team wanted to beat the yellow team and vice versa, with those in red jerseys showing they belong too. Hours later, the Warriors continued their team bonding with a luau at their team hotel.
“The culture that they’ve built here over the last 10-plus years has been amazing,” Warriors forward Georges Niang said. “To be actually a part of it, not on the outside looking in, is really cool.”
Friday was a day for the film room and jogging through actions, as opposed to the physicality of Thursday’s scrimmage. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said his team “needed a day like this,” and that Saturday will be “short and crisp” as a final tune up for Sunday’s preseason opener.
Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ fourth day of training camp, which featured comments from Kerr, Niang and Gui Santos.
Film Review
After going over the film, Kerr likes what he sees while knowing plenty of room for improvement is there.
“We’re getting better,” Kerr said. “Our transition offense was way better than it was the first two days, which is a big key for us. Our transition game left so many points on the on the board last year, so we’re working hard on that.
“Defensively, some good stuff. I think the guys are really taking to Coach [Frank] Vogel’s terminology, to his schemes, and a lot of great discussion amongst the players and staff as far as what we’re trying to accomplish. Slowly but surely, we’re getting there.”
The Warriors scored the fourth-fewest points per game in transition (19.7) last season. Only the Boston Celtics (19.4), Brooklyn Nets (19.2) and Milwaukee Bucks (19.2) were below them.
They also ranked 24th in transition possessions per game (18.1), 28th in transition frequency percentage (16.0) and 27th in transition points per possession (1.08). Overall, those stats, plus a handful of others, placed them 10.3 percentile of transition offense throughout the NBA.
“The theme this year is we have to be better,” Kerr said. “We’ve got to be better, and from my perspective, what I have to do better is get more organized. The whole theme of the offense is to be spaced and organized and in concert. As I told you guys, we can’t play out of chaos anymore, because it’s a different era in the league. We’re in a different spot, talent-wise. Where I failed them last year was not helping them close out these games, the multiple games that we lost – five, six games – and it wasn’t necessarily late-game execution as much as it was giving away too many points during the 48 minutes of the game, where we’re turning it over, we’re not executing well enough.
“That’s why we worked so hard over the summer to reimagine our our plan, and that’s what we’re implementing.”
The Praise Continues
Several players shined during Thursday’s scrimmage. Brandin Podziemski’s offensive arsenal was impressive. De’Anthony Melton’s two-way impact was felt, and Niang showed off his shot from long distance.
But there’s another name people can’t stop talking about: Brandon Williams.
Blink, and you’ll miss him. His speed is something the Warriors have missed for years. And it’s a trait that reminds Kerr of a former fan favorite.
“He’s the fastest guy we’ve ever had here,” Kerr said. “[Leandro] Barbosa would come to mind for me. Barbosa was lightning. Brandon’s more on ball. LB was a lot was off-ball transition, running ahead, catching and finishing. Brandon is probably more of a high pick-and-roll speedster, and it changes the calculus. It gives you more options.”
There’s a reason Barbosa famously was called “The Brazilian Blur.” Williams is one of a select few Warriors who doesn’t have a wild nickname on his Basketball Reference page. Niang might have found the perfect one for him.
“He has a unique ability to just take off when he gets the ball,” Niang said. “He’s kind of like the Road Runner, right? He’s just like, ‘Meep meep,’ and gets to places where he wants to. As a guy like myself that moves from slow to slower, I can appreciate how fast he moves.”
"As a guy like myself that moves from slow to slower, I can appreciate how fast he moves."
Williams and Santos already are building chemistry with the second unit. When asked about Williams’ speed, Santos smiled and his eyes lit up.
“That guy’s fast, man,” Santos said while laughing. “I think yesterday you guys could see it, but he’s really, really fast. When he’s in position and he chooses a side and he’s going to go that way, it’s really, really hard to stop him.”
Adding the speed of Williams, along with his ability to get by his defender and score or make a play, have the Warriors excited about their improvements offensively in transition.
The Minivan
Speaking of great nicknames, Niang, or “Minivan” to others, just might have the best on the Warriors. He also has been a welcome addition on the court as a full-circle moment.
Niang, 33, who is listed at 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, was part of the yellow team in Thursday’s scrimmage. He was surrounded by Williams, Santos, De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II. In that group, Niang essentially is a small-ball center.
Per Basketball Reference’s position estimate tool, Niang spent 8 percent of his time playing center between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks in the 2024-25 NBA season. He missed all last season to an injury sustained in training camp. Playing the position in a Warriors jersey this season doesn’t worry Niang one bit.
For him, after a lost season, it’s all about finding any way to get on the court.
“I think at this point, if you’re on the court, you better feel comfortable,” Niang said. “That’s the biggest thing. You want playing time, you figure out where and how to be comfortable, and you find ways to implement things that you can do that can help your team.”
The Warriors have used several players who aren’t traditional centers at the position over the years. Kerr isn’t one to put someone in a box. He wants versatile players who can make multiple combinations work, and that’s what he sees in Niang.
“Georges is just a hell of a basketball player,” Kerr said. “He can play with any combination. If he’s your small-ball five, offensively you’re going to really be lethal. Defensively, you’re not going to have a lot of rim protection or verticality at the rim, lob threat, obviously. He’s capable of playing small-ball five, but you got to put the right group around him – more for your defense than for your offense.
“And it’s no different than most players. You always have to find the right five-man group to be the best two-way team you can be.”
Niang played 79 games in the 2024-25 season and averaged a career-high 9.9 points per game, while shooting 40.6 percent from the 3-point line on a career-high 5.2 attempts per game.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: The sneakers worn by Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Anne Hathaway made it clear that her Knicks fandom doesn't waver.
Anne Hathaway made it clear that her Knicks fandom doesn’t waver.
During an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Wednesday, Hathaway prioritized another Knicks championship over winning a second Academy Award while playing a game called “Best Thing Ever.”
The game forced her to choose among two things to decide which is the best and which she would “get rid of forever.”
Hathaway won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2013 for her performance as Fantine in “Les Misérables.”
Actress Anne Hathaway during an interview on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Ralph Bavaro/NBC via Getty Image
Earlier in the show, Fallon gifted Hathaway a signed jersey from Knicks star OG Anunoby.
“Are you serious? Oh my god!” Hathaway said before putting the jersey on.
The Knicks gave Hathaway, who is pregnant, a basket of gifts for her baby, along with a card that read, “All my best” signed by Anunoby.
During an April appearance on “The Tonight Show,” Hathaway told Fallon that she considered wearing an Anunoby jersey on the show because “when I’m at the game, I want them to know that I know who they are and that they’re going to win.”
The next night, the Anunoby scored 29 points and the Knicks pulled off a historic win over the Hawks in a series-clinching Game 6 in the first round of the playoffs.
OG Anunoby #8 of the Knicks shoots a free throw during the game against the Spurs during Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 13, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. NBAE via Getty Images
Hathaway has been a fan of Anunoby since he nearly crashed into her and her son while they sat courtside during a game at Madison Square Garden in 2024.
While the assumption in many quarters was that the two NBA expansion franchises — one in Seattle, one in Las Vegas — would begin play for the 2028-29 season, that may not be a realistic timeline for Vegas. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hinted at this last month.
"There was not as much discussion around Seattle as there was around Las Vegas, largely because... it's not even clear what the site will be, let alone the arena yet," Silver said after the Board of Governors meeting. "Therefore, it's a much longer timeline before we can throw the ball up for NBA basketball. On the other hand, in Seattle, we have had operational groups out to Climate Pledge. You clearly have a state-of-the-art arena there. It may require some modifications for NBA basketball. If we were opening in five weeks, we could be ready in Seattle."
The league had initially hoped its new expansion franchises would begin play during the 2028-29 season — if it added ones in Las Vegas and Seattle — but it has explored whether a Sin City team could debut in 2029-30 instead. However, that is just a discussion at this point.
The NBA is expected to choose soon between three potential ownership groups in Las Vegas: Golden Knights owner Bill Foley and former Suns owner Jerry Colangelo; Nancy Walton Laurie and her husband, Bill Laurie, with Lauri being a Walmart heir and Bill having owned the St. Louis Blues; former Bucks owner Marc Lasry, former Turner Broadcasting president David Levy and Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos.
The issue isn't the ownership group, it's the arena. All three groups are looking to build a new arena, likely as an anchor for a resort/casino complex and entertainment district. Exactly where this new arena and resort would go is undecided, which is part of the delay. It takes time to design, get approved and build a state-of-the-art arena.
While Las Vegas has the T-Mobile Arena just off the Strip — home to the NHL's Golden Knights, the WNBA's Aces, and where the NBA has hosted the final rounds of the midseason NBA Cup the past two years — it would need up to $400 million in renovations to host an NBA team, according to the report.
The expectation is that the new owners will pay about a $10 billion expansion fee to the league for the rights to the team, then spend at least a couple of billion more building the new arena.
Silver said a formal decision on both Las Vegas and Seattle expansion and who will own those teams is expected by the end of the year.
In an interview with ABC7 News Bay Area, the 38-year-old revealed who has been the toughest defender he’s ever faced throughout his career.
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry reacts on the court during the second half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. Robert Sabo for NY Post
“It’s a tie for me between Avery Bradley and Jrue Holiday. Yeah, those are the guys,” Curry said.
In head-to-head matchups against Bradley, Curry averaged 26.2 points, 5.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds. While those are still good numbers, the Warriors star gave credit to Bradley, who was NBA All-Defensive First Team (2015-16) and NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2012-13) during his time with the Celtics.
Curry averaged 25.2 points, 6.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game in head-to-head matchups against Holiday, who boasts six selections to the NBA All-Defensive Team. Though he’s never won Defensive Player of the Year, Holiday has been a finalist for the prestigious honor.
Defenders have tried to stop one of basketball’s greatest shooters, but it appears even Curry’s most challenging defensive matchups couldn’t quite contain the Warriors star.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (5) reacts after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers. APNew York Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith #8 looks for an opening as Boston Celtics power forward Brandon Bass #30 and Boston Celtics point guard Avery Bradley #0 defend in the second half in a game against the Boston Celtics. Anthony J Causi
Former NBA star J.R. Smith allegedly roughed up a woman, leading to his arrest earlier this week, according to new court documents obtained by the California Post.
Smith “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly” caused “bodily injury” on Sept. 18 to a female who was a member of Smith’s family or household or with whom he had a dating relationship, a criminal complaint filed on Friday stated.
Smith allegedly committed the crime in Texas “by hitting, grabbing or pushing” the woman “with [his] hand,” according to the filing.
Former NBA star J.R. Smith allegedly roughed up a woman, leading to his arrest earlier this week, according to new court documents obtained by the California Post. NBAE via Getty ImagesSmith “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly” caused “bodily injury” on Sept. 18 to a female.
A warrant for Smith’s arrest was issued by the Southlake Police Department a short time after the alleged incident, and the ex-Los Angeles Laker was formally taken into custody over the matter during a traffic stop in Royse City on Monday afternoon.
Smith’s attorney, Justin A. Moore, said in a statement to The Post on Friday that his client “is eager to see this matter resolved and has full confidence in the legal process.”
“He is presumed innocent,” Moore added, “and we will address this matter in Court. We ask that everyone respect the privacy of all involved throughout the process.”
Former NBA player J.R. Smith is pictured.
Smith was pulled over on a Texas interstate after authorities said an automatic license plater reader alerted a nearby officer that Smith was “a wanted person.”
“The check of the license plate showed an active warrant for a wanted person out of the Southlake Police Department,” Royse City Chief of Police Kirk Aldridge said in a statement to The Post on Tuesday.
“The wanted person was Earl Joseph Smith III [J.R. Smith’s full name] and the charge was for Family Violence Assault Causing Bodily Injury. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver of the vehicle was identified as Earl Joseph Smith III. The warrant was confirmed and Mr. Smith was taken into custody.”
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Former NBA player JR Smith reacts on the second hole during the second round of the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by TD SYNNEX 2026 at Thornblade Club on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Greer, South Carolina. Getty Images
Jail records showed Smith was booked on one misdemeanor count of assault causing bodily injury family violence. He was released on $5,000 bond on Tuesday night, the records showed.
He’s due in court for a hearing in the case later this month, according to court records.
Smith played in the NBA from 2004 to 2020, logging minutes for several teams, including the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and LA Lakers.
Smith won two championships in his career, and also earned the 2012-13 Sixth Man of the Year award.
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 28: Khaman Maluach #10 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 28, 2026 at the Mortgage Matchup Center 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Nobody had a better Summer League than Khaman Maluach.
He was knocked to the All-Summer League Second Team because the First Team went all rookies, and whatever, that’s fair. But we all know what we saw.
That’s the kind of dominance you’d expect from a lottery pick entering his second season on that stage. But just because you expected it does not mean we take it for granted. A double-double in all four games. The Summer League leader in rebounding. The first Suns player on an All-Summer League team since 2021.
Pair that performance with a media day where his name came up more than anyone else’s, and the picture gets clear. Mark Williams will miss a large chunk of the season with a torn labrum in his shoulder, and Oso Ighodaro is the clear competition for Khaman. The starting center job should be his, and here’s why.
What the Tape Says
The production was real. Khaman put up 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game in Vegas while shooting 53.2% from the field and 40% from three. Summer League numbers can sometimes lie, but he passed the eye test as well. On Portland’s first possession of the opener, he bodied his man and walled off the rim. That’s a filled-out frame doing grown-man work.
He is the vertical threat this starting unit needs. At 7’1″ with a 7’6¾” wingspan, every Devin Booker ball screen forces the low man to commit. Koa Peat found him for an alley-oop on the Suns’ first bucket in Vegas, and that’s the move. When the tagger has to respect the lob, the corner shooters get a cleaner look.
The “pop” is the new, potentially huge wrinkle. He attempted just 21 threes as a rookie, and 40% across four Vegas games is a small sample, so pump the brakes on calling him a stretch five. But even a willing, competent trail three drags the opposing center out of the paint. That opens a runway for Booker and others to get downhill, which is where Phoenix wins games.
If he is a vertical threat at the rim, and also has the ability to drag a big out to guard him on the perimeter, that’s a deadly combo.
Size Matters
This front office has spent two years chasing length and athleticism. Khaman is the purest version of that plan on the roster, along with fellow incoming sophomore Rasheer Fleming.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 24: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against Khaman Maluach #10 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 24, 2026 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. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Oso has earned real respect, and he is without a doubt a long-term rotation piece. He started 24 games last season, and he’s a high-IQ playmaking hub with real defensive versatility. But the size gap matters. Khaman is listed at 7’1″ and 250 pounds with a 7’6¾” wingspan, while Oso is listed at 6’11” and 235 pounds. That shows up on the glass and at the rim against true centers. In a Western Conference full of size, the Suns can’t start a game giving that away.
Starting Khaman also makes the bench better. Oso slides into a second unit where his playmaking out of the short roll fits the reserve guards. Oso and Collin have developed some insane chemistry that is reminiscent of Steph-Draymond levels of in sync.
The Gillespie/Oso chemistry is Steph/Draymond reincarnated, you love to see it. pic.twitter.com/l1gFv5DubE
When Williams returns, Phoenix has a three-man center room and some serious depth to play with. Newcomer Duop Reath will be a factor in the meantime, especially if foul trouble or health issues come into play.
The Building Already Believes
Media day was a Khaman Maluach appreciation event. Front office members, coaches, and veterans brought him up unprompted.
Booker said Khaman reached out by text this summer asking to work, and the two ended up in the gym late at night together. His verdict: “I’d say he’s taken the biggest leap out of anybody that I’ve seen this summer.” Brian Gregory said Khaman’s body has changed and that he put in the work every single day, often twice a day.
"He has all the intangibles of being a star, and he's going to get that opportunity this year." 🗣️
New guard Pat Spencer said Khaman has the “best energy” he’s seen in the NBA. 10-Year veteran Luke Kennard said he’s one of the hardest workers he’s been around in the league. Even Oso, his direct competition, admitted that Khaman has gotten a lot better.
Khaman’s own words tell you the rest. “Tired is in the mind,” he said, and he defined a successful season by team wins and a playoff run, not his own numbers. That’s the guy you hand the keys to, raw or not.
The bigger picture matters too. Booker played some of his best basketball when Deandre Ayton was a rising young center (occasionally) catching lobs and finishing around the rim. A No. 10 pick with this work ethic, growing next to Booker, is how Phoenix raises its physical ceiling without another trade.
Will it come with growing pains? Of course.
When, Not If
Jordan Ott didn’t name a starter at media day, and the battle runs up to the Oct. 21 opener. “Camp is three weeks. We’re gonna mix around with some lineups,” he said.
This job becomes Khaman’s at some point this season. It feels inevitable. The only question is how many games Phoenix wants to waste finding that out. Start him on Oct. 21st. Live with the foul trouble and occasional miscues. Let him take his lumps next to Booker now, so they’re paying off and corrected come April.
Khaman Maluach is the future, and there’s no reason he can’t be the present either.
