Category: Basketball

With the preseason already up and running, it’s time for our signature Roundtable, where Brew Hoop staff put their meteorologist hats on and forecast the future, hoping their words don’t come back to bite them (like last year—eek!). This time, despite the name, it was less roundtable and more secret ballot—so you know what you’re getting isn’t peer influenced. As a result, writers had a lot to say, meaning you’ll get your fix in two doses instead of one. Let’s get to it!

Editor’s note: This pair combines to form the first of four Roundtables this year—we’re checking in more often in our continued quest to, like the Bucks, “Compete. Together. Get Better.”

What record will the Bucks end up with and where will they finish in the Eastern Conference standings?

Jack: 26-56, 12th. I was way too high on the Bucks last season, so I’m hedging my bets this year and trying to be modest. The team is in transition and could be a mess at times.

Jackson: 27-55, 13th in the East. Even with all the drama of last year, the Bucks still managed 32 wins. This team could be scrappy and surprise some, but I’m expecting another 50+ loss season.

Zac: 28-54, 12th in the East. The Bucks are fun again, but they’re also young. And while this season will be so much better for the soul, the East is just too deep and these Bucks too raw for them to do much damage.

Aiden: The Bucks will finish 25-57. That should put them 13th in the Eastern Conference standings. I believe the Bucks will have a similar record to the 2025-2026 season with their new depth and coaching staff, along with the new game plan they will bring, but the output will be much better. We will be looking at new key players for our team and their shining moments, along with a lot of player development.

Nate: 42-40, 8th. I am going to count last year as the official bottom-out season. This year we know several players will take a step forward, and a young, high energy team could do some damage and find itself on a hot streak post-All Star Break.

Dax: 30-52, 12th in the Eastern Conference. The way the East shakes out, I see the Bucks only being better than the Nets, Bulls, and Hornets (sneaky pick). I can’t project this year’s team to be better than last year’s with the loss of Giannis, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I were forced to eat my words.

Where will the Bucks finish in the league rankings for offence and defence? 

Jack: 23rd, 24th. I think the anti-tanking rules will hurt Milwaukee’s chances of finishing above 20th in either category. That said, it’s not like the Bucks don’t have the tools to be a decent offensive team; if nothing else, they’ve got talent that caters to getting buckets. Defensively, they could be a mess trying to have Herro guard at the point of attack, along with the Ware-Turner experiment.

Jackson: Offense: 20th, defense: 28th. I think this offense has a chance to put up big numbers at some points. They have a lot of intriguing options across the roster with Tyler Herro, Rollins, Brayden Burries, Jamie Jacquez Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., Kel’el Ware, and Caris LeVert to a certain extent. Defensively, there’s just not a lot to write home about on that end. KPJ will get some steals, and I think Ware and Myles Turner will be a decent big man rotation, but there really aren’t plus-plus defenders on this iteration of the Bucks. Taylor Jenkins will certainly get the most out of them on both ends, but I just don’t know how much that’s going to be.

Zac: 26th in offence, 20th in defence. Offensively, the Bucks have more depth than they’ve had in recent years, but they don’t have a bona fide number one option anymore, so will take a slight step back from last year’s 24th placing. On defence, they’ll improve on last year’s 26th placing and Taylor Jenkins will get this team to a point that they’ll be dogs (dawgs?), but that’ll take time and they’re playing catchup in a league full of “win now” squads.

Aiden: 25th in offensive rating and 23rd in defensive rating. Taylor Jenkins will reignite a competitive nature within this team and create a grit-and-grind system that will use the players’ length and athleticism to make their defence a talking point. The offence will take a drop-off as players fill out their new roles and figure out where the points will come from, but the defence will lead them to defy predictions.

Nate: 8th, 15th. Offensively, this could be a very solid and exciting team: up and down the roster there are myriad ways to put pressure on the rim and space the floor, and Taylor Jenkins feels like just the coach to figure out how to best put together an effective offensive attack with this personnel. Defensively, I believe Jenkins will get the best out of his players, and I am high on a handful of players’ defensive ceiling, but currently I am just not as sold on our ability to defend at a very high level just yet. Turner still brings elite rim protection (6% block percentage, good for fourth overall) and Rollins had a habit of putting opposing guards in strait jackets, but our defense on the wing remains a big question mark. I think Jenkins will definitely find a way to maximize both Dieng and Jaquez Jr. at the small forward position but I sort of envision this process being a one-step forward one-step back progression and may take more time to materialize than the offensive side of the ball. By being a net neutral-to-positive team, the young Bucks will find a way to hang in to games and then figure out how to close them later in the year.

Dax: 24th in offensive rating, 25th in defensive rating. A team doesn’t get better on offense with the loss of a consistent 30 PPG scorer who facilitates well; however, I don’t think it gets worse. Tyler Herro is a bona fide scorer who’s averaged 20 PPG in, at best, 1A-1B roles. And Jaime Jaquez Jr. can’t be disregarded on offense. He would have been the Bucks’ fourth-leading scorer, even while in a sixth-man role. This offense is more balanced, but lacks a “freak.” The defense will also miss its staple in the DPOY race; however, again, there’s a counter. Taylor Jenkins emphasizes defense, Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. lock down the perimeter, and Myles Turner is more than serviceable in the paint. Both sides of the ball will remain similar to last year.

Who will emerge as the Bucks’ most valuable player?

Jack: If we are talking most valuable, let’s go with Jaime Jaquez Jr. Firstly, he’s a great player in his own right just from a production standpoint—and I think there will be plenty of production—but his value will come via his ability to be a leader on this young team. Jaquez just seems like a guy who can be a calming presence in the locker room and help teach the young fellas how the league works. I reckon he’s going to quickly become one of coach Jenkins’ favourite players. Also, think he’ll be in Milwaukee a while.

Jackson: He was in spurts last year, so I’m going to go with Ryan Rollins. The leap he made last season was a sight to behold, and now with more responsibility being thrust to him, I imagine his numbers will only grow more. I don’t think he’s going to be in All-Star conversations, but of all the players on this Bucks roster, I trust Rollins the most to be the guy when the time comes.

Zac: Brayden Burries will emerge as the Bucks’ most valuable player, but it won’t be obvious until the second half of the season, after the Bucks start to really embrace the youth movement (and have made a trade or two). Then, Burries will prove me prophetic, showing off the offensive and defensive upside that makes him the team’s most valuable player (and asset) in the long term, even if the season-long stats say it’s someone else (namely Ryan Rollins or Tyler Herro).

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 05: Jaime Jaquez Jr. #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks in action against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter during the preseason NBA game at Fiserv Forum on October 05, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 05: Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Terrence Shannon Jr. #4 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter in a preseason NBA game at Fiserv Forum on October 05, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 05: Brayden Burries #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter during the preseason NBA game at Fiserv Forum on October 05, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 05: Tyler Herro #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks passes the ball against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter in a preseason NBA game at Fiserv Forum on October 05, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Aiden: There may be two cliché answers for who will be the Bucks’ MVP this season: Tyler Herro and Brayden Burries. For me, Burries will be our MVP by the end of the season. He will have some growing pains, as all rookies do, but once he gets comfortable with the NBA pace and pressure, I see him becoming the Bucks’ connecting piece, leading on both the defensive and offensive ends, even as a point-of-attack defender at times. His stats by the end of the season might not shout that he is our MVP, but I believe his motor and IQ will be a magnet for wins, and he will mark a turning point in the Bucks’ future trajectory.

Nate: Ryan Rollins. I think the one thing missing more than almost anything last season for the Bucks was steady playmaking, and by steady I mean each night having a reliable ball handler who could respond to varying looks and mismatches thrown at them by the other team. While some players showed flashes and either could not stay consistent or healthy, Rollins was tasked with stepping in as the starting point guard last season after Kevin Porter Jr. went down in the first game of the season. While I agree that there is an abundance of guards in the league, there is a real shortage of highly effective guard play as the team’s floor general. Further, I think that becoming a highly effective floor general usually takes years to develop, and I believe with all of the tools he has in his toolkit, Rollins can be that floor general for this team.

This is easy to speculate on, but what would that really look like? Well, Rollins last year went for an impressive 17.3 PPG/4.6 RPG/5.6 APG while averaging over 32 MPG. The reason why it was impressive is that he became just the 11th player to log a slash line like that age 23 or younger, with the other 10 going on to multiple All-Star Games, and he was just as dangerous if not more dangerous on the other side of the floor: when on the floor, opposing teams were held to almost 6 points fewer per 100 possessions, while his steal percentage was in the 84th percentile for his position last season. So again, how does he improve upon this and become this year’s MVP and franchise floor general? Well, beyond the numbers he can slash, let’s assume that his usage and minutes remain constant. Then, if he can turn his assist percentage up from 27% last season to 32% this season, his rebounding percentage up from 8% to 11%, and takes four more shot attempts on the same splits, then Rollins would move into being a 21/7/7 player for the whole season. While there is a long season ahead of us and anything could happen, I see no reason to not be optimistic when the reality of him becoming that sort of player is right there in front of him at the ripe old age of 24. To be clear: if he slashes that he will become more than just our team’s MVP but at that point a potential All-Star. I am riding the Hopium Express—and there are seats still available to anyone who wants to join me.

Dax: Ryan Rollins will be the Bucks’ MVP. While the Bucks had few bright spots last year, Rollins was one of them. All odds were against him: starting his career as an end-of-the-bench guy, playing under a coach in his twilight years, and hearing the noise that comes with a struggling team and a star wanting more. This didn’t shake him, as he finished fifth in MIP voting. Now, under developmental leader Taylor Jenkins, the sky’s the limit for the young floor general. Let’s not forget Jenkins being in the corner of Ja Morant.

Which Buck will make the biggest leap?

Jack: With Giannis gone, Ryan Rollins is my pick to take a huge leap. Honestly, the way he dealt with last season’s drama and just kept his head down was amazing. With a clear mind and a coach who we assume will put him in the best spots to succeed, I could see him pushing himself into All-Star consideration. Yep, I said it.

Jackson: I think Kel’el Ware is in line to make the biggest jump. We’ll see what Taylor Jenkins decides to do with the starting lineup, but even if Ware plays behind Myles Turner, I think he gets an expanded role with some more playing time. I could see a world where he gets 25+ minutes a night and starts to show some of the potential he’s flashed on a more consistent basis.

Zac: It feels like cheating but if I said anything else it’d be a lie, so I’ll reiterate my answer from our offseason chinwag: I think Ryan Rollins doubles down on his improvement from a year ago but this time gets the recognition for it (at least from a league-wide perspective). He increases his points to about 20 a night—those off-season workouts with James Harden pay dividends at the stripe—and, more importantly, becomes one of the leaders on the team, cementing his place as the team’s point guard of the present and the future.

Aiden: Kel’el Ware will make the biggest jump for the Bucks this season. I’m expecting Ware to be a top 3-5 finisher in the Most Improved Player award, and I would not be surprised to see him win it. The big man positions are wide open, and he is in prime position to become the Bucks’ next star big man.

It’s widely accepted amongst the league that Ware’s upside and potential are through the roof; he just needs the right situation and to be driven to compete every possession. Ware averaged 18 points and 14 rebounds, along with 3 blocks a night when playing more than 30 minutes last season. You’d expect that this number is slightly inflated from limited samples, but anywhere near that kind of production and he will solidify himself as one of the best young players in the league.

Nate: Ousmane Dieng. Milwaukee’s favorite Frenchman, Dieng is a former first round pick who will finally get a full season to ball out. His rookie season he broke his wrist twice, and in that year the Thunder became a contender. When he was healthy, Dieng had limited opportunities to earn minutes, and was primarily used as a 5. With Milwaukee, he just signed essentially a “prove-it” deal and will get plenty of minutes at the 3 and 4, which seemed to be a more natural fit for him on this team last season. Watching someone with length and IQ on the wing was a breath of fresh air for all Bucks fans, and if he can limit his turnovers I can see him starting and becoming a fan favorite glue guy. While I am also high on Jaquez Jr. and his potential ceiling with us, Dieng comes in motivated and with something to prove.

Dax: Kel’el Ware will make the biggest leap as he jumps ship, and it’ll come with minutes. Sure, Myles Turner starts to begin the season, but Ware is a threat. Turner doesn’t fit the timeline, and Ware may be the blueprint. He’s seven-foot, a double-double threat, and shot nearly 40% from three last year. What’s not to love?

Agree with our forecasts or are we like your local weatherman, predicting clear skies when there’s rain? Let us know in the comments and, more importantly, share your predictions. And don’t forget to tune back in tomorrow for Part II, where things get a little whackier.

It was the second loss in as many games for the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, falling 124–117 to the Chicago Bulls. 

In reality, the wins and losses don’t matter right now. Case in point? The closing five for Phoenix consisted of Jamaree Bouyea, Pat Spencer, Koa Peat, Ryan Dunn, and Haywood Highsmith. If the Suns ever find themselves in a position where that’s their closing five during the regular season, we can go ahead and assume the title of the Eagles’ reunion album has come true and hell has frozen over. So don’t get caught up in wins and losses at this time of year. This is an opportunity for experimentation, for progress, and for players to get their sea legs underneath them as they prepare for the gauntlet that is an 82-game season.

Even when I see Devin Booker go 0-of-8 from beyond the arc, I’m not overly concerned. Yet. But for somebody who shot 33% from three last season, with the hope that he can elevate his game this year, it certainly isn’t the greatest start. Again, temper expectations.

The highlight of the game was clearly the second unit. By the time all five starters had taken their seats on the bench, the Suns were trailing by three points. What followed was an impressive display of energy from Collin Gillespie, Luke Kennard, Ryan Dunn, Jordan Goodwin, and Khaman Maluach. They were more than a spark off the bench. They were a hurricane of activity.

For the second consecutive game, we’ve seen the collective energy rise when this group takes the floor. And that’s what makes it so encouraging. It isn’t one player creating disruption or providing a burst of energy. It’s the entire unit working together, applying pressure, and making life miserable for the opposition.

Knowing the Suns have that kind of production coming off the bench is exciting for the upcoming season. If the starting unit plays well, this group has the potential to extend leads. If the starters struggle, they possess the energy and defensive intensity to erase deficits and swing momentum back in Phoenix’s favor. And when you begin thinking about the different combinations Jordan Ott can experiment with, mixing and matching members of this second unit with the starters, the possibilities become even more intriguing. There’s plenty of reason for excitement in what we’ve seen from this group through two preseason games.

There were challenges along the way. The Suns also looked undersized compared to the Bulls and struggled to secure rebounds. Phoenix finished with 16 rebounds classified as “team rebounds” last night, a reflection of how hard they had to work collectively to secure possession rather than having a dominant presence inside who could simply take the ball away from the opposition. With Mark Williams out for the foreseeable future, and the Suns potentially undersized at the five if they elect to start Oso Ighodaro, rebounding could become a legitimate concern for this team.

We know Phoenix possesses tenacity and desire, two admirable attributes when it comes to chasing down rebounds. But that also requires expending additional energy and effort when the solution could be as simple as having more size on the floor. So as we anxiously await the third preseason game on Saturday, there are plenty more thoughts I have about what we’ve seen through these first two games. I’ll put those together in other articles as we continue working our way toward the regular season.

For now, I’ll close with a reminder to avoid getting caught up in the losses. Focus on the progress, the development, and occasionally recognize where that progress has yet to materialize. That’s what this time of year is for.

Bright Side Baller Standings

Goodie’s 7 points weren’t earth-shattering against the Pistons, but his effort was, garnering him the first Bright Side Baller of the season.

Bright Side Baller Nominees

Preseason Game 2 against the Bulls. Here are your nominees:

Dillon Brooks
24 points (7-of-9, 3-of-5 3PT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 5 turnovers, -7 +/-

Collin Gillespie
12 points (4-of-8, 3-of-6 3PT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, +5 +/-

Jordan Goodwin
5 points (2-of-4, 1-of-2 3PT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 6 steals, 2 turnovers, +1 +/-

Khaman Maluach
8 points (2-of-3, 0-of-0 3PT), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, +1 +/-

Jalen Green
12 points (4-of-10, 1-of-4 3PT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 4 turnovers, -8 +/-

Luke Kennard
8 points (3-of-5, 0-of-1 3PT), 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 0 turnovers, +4 +/-

Time once again to do your duty and cast your ballot.

The Dallas Mavericks had a few holes last season that had them stuck near the basement at 12th in the Western Conference. Perhaps the biggest hole was a lack of shooting. in what could go down as one of the team’s savviest under-the-radar offseason move, the Mavericks added Bosnian-Turkish sharpshooter Tarik Biberović after a series of trades following the NBA Draft.

The 25-year-old forward has spent nearly a decade playing professional basketball in Europe, establishing himself as one of the better shooters in the EuroLeague before making the jump to the NBA this summer. Dallas acquired his draft rights as part of the six-team deal that brought Santi Aldama to the Mavericks, while adding Biberović on a two-year deal.

Biberović enters the NBA with a clear calling card: he can shoot. Last season with Fenerbahce, he averaged 10.7 points and 3.1 rebounds in 36 regular-season games while shooting 39.9 percent from 3-point range and 95.1 percent from the free-throw line. He was even better in the playoffs, averaging 15.8 points and making 52.9 percent of his 3-pointers.

That shooting touch could be a massive benefit to the Mavericks. Dallas shot just 34.4 percent from three as a team last season, and Biberović’s ability to stretch the floor could give a new-look offense another weapon around Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving.

Biggest question

He can shoot, but can he defend? Shooters shoot, but how well will his defensive skills translate to the NBA? Can Dusty May trust him enough on both sides of the ball to give him meaningful minutes?

Biberović is 6-foot-7 and 218 pounds, giving him enough size to play either forward spot, but NBA athleticism is a different challenge than what he has faced in Europe. Dallas already has a crowded group of wings and forwards, including Zaccharie Risacher, Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington, and Morez Johnson Jr., all of whom will be getting minutes ahead of the rookie.

While considered a slightly below-average defender in Europe, Biberović’s defense has reportedly been ahead of expectations during training camp. Coach Dusty May specifically said Biberović’s defense has been “a little bit further along” than he anticipated. That’s important. If he can defend his position, rebound and make the right rotations while providing elite shooting, there is a legitimate role for him. This could be the difference between being a specialist who gets played when the Mavericks need offense and being a legitimate rotation player.

Best case scenario

Biberović quickly proves that his EuroLeague shooting translates to the NBA. If he can shoot somewhere around 38-40 percent from deep while making defenses pay for leaving him open, Dallas has a useful rotation piece. The dream scenario is that he becomes the kind of player opposing defenses simply cannot ignore. Put him alongside Flagg or Irving, and suddenly driving lanes become a little wider. Help defenders have to think twice before leaving him. A possession that previously ended with a difficult shot can instead become a kick-out 3-ball. That is the value of a player like Biberović.

He doesn’t necessarily have to score 15 points per game to provide it. If he can give Dallas 15-20 minutes a night, knock down a couple of 3-pointers, rebound at a decent clip and hold his own defensively, he could become one of the more interesting bench pieces on the roster. There is also something to be said for the experience he brings as well. He isn’t a typical rookie. He has already played professionally for years and was part of Fenerbahce’s 2025 EuroLeague championship team. The NBA game will be new. Basketball won’t be.

Worst case scenario

We never like to look at this side, but we have to. Here, Biberović’s shooting doesn’t translate quickly enough, and his defense keeps him glued to the bench. This is the obvious concern with any international player making the jump to the NBA at 25. The NBA is faster, longer, and more athletic than anything he’s seen, and Biberović is going to have to figure out where his shots come from within an offense that is less structured than the one he played in previously. May has already acknowledged that learning to find shots within the flow of Dallas’ offense will be part of the adjustment.

If he struggles to create separation, gets targeted defensively, or has trouble adjusting to the speed of NBA closeouts, his one elite skill may not be enough to keep him on the court. And the Mavericks have alternatives. Risacher is expected to receive an opportunity. Marshall has established himself as a versatile veteran. Washington Jr. is a staple piece. Morez Johnson Jr. will get big minutes his rookie season. Caleb Martin remains on the roster. There are only so many wing minutes to go around. Biberović will have to earn them with his big skill that the others lack — shooting.

Season goal

Become a trusted rotation player. That’s really all Dallas should be asking from Biberović in year one. If he can establish himself as a reliable shooter, prove that he isn’t a defensive liability, and learn how to play alongside Flagg and Irving, the season will have been a success. Something like 10-15 minutes per game would be a reasonable starting point, with the opportunity to earn more as the season progresses. More importantly, he needs to make the coaching staff comfortable putting him on the floor when the game matters. The 3-point shooting is the ticket into the rotation. Everything else determines whether he stays there.

Overall

Biberović is one of the more intriguing unknowns on the Mavericks’ roster. There is a very real chance he becomes exactly what Dallas needs: a big wing who can punish defenses from the outside and provide valuable spacing around its best players. There is also a very real chance that adjusting to the NBA takes time. The good news for Dallas is that he seems to understand the challenge. He has repeatedly emphasized that he didn’t come to the NBA simply to say he made it. He wants to make an impact and earn his minutes. That’s the right mentality for a player entering a crowded rotation.

The Mavericks don’t need the sniper to become a star. They don’t even need him to become a high-volume scorer. They need him to shoot, be an average defender, play within himself, and make the game easier for the players around him. If he can do those things, Dallas may have found one of the better shooting specialists in its new-look rotation.

There’s nothing quite like basketball season.

Turning on the TV whenever we want and marveling as the best players in the world put on a show is a treat. Watching the Celtics play never gets old, and each season brings a new flavor.

This year is particularly intriguing, for obvious reasons, as they enter a new era with Just the Jay.

Here are 10 things I’m looking forward to as the action begins tonight:

1) A full season of Jayson Tatum

I think we can all agree Jayson Tatum looked even better than we expected when he returned at the end of last season. At the same time, we collectively held our breaths every time he did anything. This year, it will be fun to see Tatum play freely, without any inhibition, and run the operation. He’s ready to remind everyone exactly who he is.

2) Paul George silencing the haters

We need to collectively agree to not compare Paul George to Jaylen Brown. If we do, there’s a very good chance he’ll fall short of our expectations. If we don’t, and we view him as a reliable, sharp-shooting, 36-year-old key contributor, I believe he’ll meet or possibly even exceed our expectations. The key, of course, is health, but I genuinely believe he’ll have a great season.

3) Derrick White shooting the lights out

Derrick White would be the first to admit he didn’t shoot the way he wanted to last year. I expect his splits to rise significantly this season, with a full offseason of work behind him and Jayson Tatum setting him up for high-quality looks. White is arguably the biggest X-factor on the team, and I’m confident he’ll bounce back as a shooter while continuing to excel everywhere else.

4) Battle among the bigs

It will be fun to see who earns coach Joe Mazzulla’s trust – both to start games and finish them – between Neemias Queta and Mitchell Robinson. Both will play, and both will contribute at a high level, but it will be an entertaining subplot to see how it shakes out. My guess is it will depend on the matchup, but Robinson will start more than Queta and Queta will close more than Robinson.

5) No need to pace themselves

The Celtics finished last in pace (97.7) a season ago, and it will be interesting to see if they make a conscious choice to up that number this season. Pace doesn’t equate to good, and lack of pace doesn’t equate to bad, but there is a case to be made that they should play with more of it. At the same time, the Celtics got older this offseason, with George, Robinson and Mike Conley Jr., so it’s possible they’ll stay right where they are. It may take some time to figure out what works best, and that’s OK.

6) Taking the next step

It will be a joy to watch players like Baylor Scheierman, Hugo González, Ron Harper Jr. and Jordan Walsh take the next step. My guess is Scheierman and Harper Jr. make the most significant leaps, but all four are fully capable of taking their games to another level. Scheierman and Tatum is a pairing I want to see a lot of this season.

7) Jockeying with Jaylen

Celtics-76ers games are going to be extremely intense. Watching Tatum vs. Brown will be must-see TV, and oh yeah, LeBron James is there, too. The 76ers are the more talented team, but talent doesn’t always equate to wins. Plus, the Celtics are the deeper team and have more experience playing with one another. I have a hunch they’re going to meet in the playoffs as well and it’s going to live up to the hype.

8) Rookie respect

While it’s unlikely Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell will see heavy minutes, they do have a chance to see some. Cenac, in particular, is a very intriguing player who moves well for his size, can block shots and has shown he’s capable of stepping out and hitting 3-pointers. Mitchell is a high flyer who may occasionally enter as a defensive stopper. Both have a solid chance to blossom into strong NBA players long term.

9) AJ Dybantsa at TD Garden

Brockton’s own AJ Dybantsa will play back-to-back games at TD Garden in mid-December. I think the Wizards are going to be better than people expect if they stay healthy, and that’s one of the sneaky great schedule quirks of the season. He likely won’t sleep in his childhood bed, but he will get to play in front of family and friends twice in a row. Don’t sleep on those matchups.

10) Something to prove

The final one is simple: The Celtics have a chance to prove they’re better than people think. I’m not entirely sure why people are doubting them this season, but in a way, those seasons are more fun than when expectations are extremely high. I think the 76ers and Knicks are a bit better on paper, but the Celtics have as good a chance as anyone at knocking them off. The vibes were immaculate last season, and I expect that to continue this year. The wait is over. Basketball is back, baby.

On Monday, the NBA announced that selected preseason games will include the use of a smart basketball with a Bluetooth sensor that collects data which could eventually be utilized in real-time officiating. Wilson has developed the technology that is currently only considered research, not part of the official game or stat collection.

Additionally, some officials in a specific exhibition games test wrist wearables to communicate with the replay center in designated situations, including reviews, scoring changes and clock malfunctions. The league piloted a program during the summer and though the experiment was considered a success, the technology will not be applied in the regular season.

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Jock Landale made his presence in Atlanta known almost immediately, recording a career night after a trade deadline acquisition.

Landale was on his way to Utah in a trade from the Grizzlies until he was told to “get off the [dang] plane.” He found out he was being rerouted to the Hawks, and so he then made the 6.5-hour drive from Memphis to Atlanta to suit up with his new team.

In his debut with teammates with which he was mostly unfamiliar (save for, of course, his country-mate Dyson Daniels), he dropped 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting with five triples. And, for good measure, he added 11 rebounds and four blocks.

From there, he settled into a role as the burly backup center who can space the floor for his team to operate. In 23 games for the Hawks, he averaged 9.1 points per game on 60% shooting from two and 39% shooting from three plus 4.1 rebounds per game on 19.4 minutes per contest — mostly coinciding with a blistering 20-6 end to the regular season for the Hawks.

But then on a fateful day on April 1st against the Orlando Magic, his season was ended prematurely due to a dirty foul from Goga Bitadze.

Ultimately, he was unable to return for the Knicks series — a series where he could have battled Karl Anthony-Towns and Mitchell Robinson down low and provided screening and physicality.

“My ankle injury took a little while to get over,” Landale talked about his steps of recovery at media day. “So initially when I went back to Australia, there was a lot of time spent towards that. I’m going on 31 in a couple of weeks, so I just decided it was time for me to trim up a little bit. Worked on my body in that capacity.”

In the offseason, Landale signed a one-year, $14.1 million contract — almost doubling his career earnings with one swift stroke of the pen. With Onyeka Okongwu returning, he’ll remain the backup center for 2026-27 but it’s possible we could see lineups with the two of them sharing the frontcourt.

Defensively, he’s largely a liability in space, and frankly that won’t change this season. Once Mouhamed Gueye returns from an injury of his own, he or rookie Zuby Ejiofor could be a natural partner off the bench to help cover ground. But as a bigger body than Okongwu, he can certainly be helpful against bruising bigs throughout the 82-game grind and beyond.

Most of all, he sounds absolutely thrilled to be back in Atlanta after contemplating ending his NBA dreams and returning home to Australia.

“It meant a lot,” said Landale about the Hawks’ interest in re-signing him. “A lot of conversations with Quin [Snyder] and Onsi [Saleh] about what the team needs. How I can continue to help out. That was more towards when I was in the moment playing. I really felt as though from day one when I got here back in February, it felt like I was involved. It felt like I was valued. And they really cherished the skillset I brought and the level of maturity.”

There’s no doubt that Landale will be a welcome returnee to the Hawks for hopefully a productive and helpful season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers had opportunities to drastically reshape their core over the summer. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown were available in trades. Reports suggested both the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics were interested in Mobley as a centerpiece for potential deals. And if one of those trades were made, maybe LeBron James would’ve decided to come back as well.

Instead, the Cavs chose not to make Mobley available. They doubled down on their belief in the 25-year-old former Defensive Player of the Year. But in doing so, they took on a much bigger risk than they would’ve if they traded him for a big name.

Moving Mobley for an established star would’ve raised this team’s ceiling in the short term and fit better with the shortened, self-imposed timeline they created by acquiring James Harden last winter. Yet, they decided to keep Mobley, presumably believing he can be the player the team needs to lift this core to a championship now, while also providing long-term stability.

It’s easy to believe in Mobley on his best days. His scoring looks effortless when he’s getting to the rim. He has enough vision and touch as a passer to make him effective when he can clearly see the doubles. And when the outside shot is falling — as it was at times last postseason — he can be a complete scorer. That is on top of being one of the most disruptive defensive players in the league.

Yet, Mobley doesn’t reach those heights as often as you’d like him to. His baseline is a high-level offensive contributor, but not the kind that you build an offense around. There’s tremendous value in a big that can roll out of bed and give you 18 points. But that impact pales in comparison to the All-NBA offensive superstars that were available over the summer.

This has left the Cavs with a very good player. One who can be All-NBA Second Team when he’s put in the right position, although he isn’t likely to be the focal point of an offense. That’s okay, but may not be enough to get the Cavs over the hurdles they’ve continually run into in the postseason.

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Basketball is a team sport, despite how we sometimes frame the narrative. Nothing happens in isolation on the court. That is especially true for big men like Mobley, who are more dependent on their teammates to feed them the ball and hold up their end defensively. This is where the reshaped roster could work to Mobley’s benefit.

Having a full offseason with Harden will make a difference. And based on some of the lineups from training camp in Spain, Harden and Mobley could be the pairing head coach Kenny Atkinson sticks with this upcoming season, even though nothing is set in stone yet.

“A lot of discussion [goes into] who works best with who,” Atkinson said when asked about how he’s going to split the core four after practice yesterday.

“Collaborating with the players on what they like. Then, you have to consider minute stints. You have to match that. Does Evan function better in longer stints? Does JA (Jarrett Allen) function in longer stints? How you combine them plays a role in that. And then who are the three around them? It’s a lot of discussion with the staff and players, but we haven’t decided yet.”

Mobley and Harden only shared the court for about 2,000 possessions last season across the regular season and playoffs. For context, Mitchell and Mobley were on the court for over 4,000 possessions in the regular season and playoffs last season.

The Harden and Mobley pairing had solid results in the regular season as they were in the 77th percentile in net rating (+5.5), 80th percentile in offensive rating (119.5), and the 68th percentile in defensive rating (114). The really encouraging numbers came when Harden and Mobley were on the court without Allen and Donovan Mitchell. Those lineups were in the 97th percentile for net rating (+13.9), 96th percentile for offensive rating (124.2), and 88th percentile for defensive rating (110.4). Those lineup combinations dipped drastically in the playoffs — as to be expected — but the structure of a solid two-man pairing is there. This is also where the addition of Peyton Watson should help most.

Mobley is most optimized when surrounded by four shooters. This is why lineups with him and Dean Wade — Cleveland’s previously longest-tenured stretch four during the Mobley era — historically did well even though Wade was hardly a consistent offensive contributor despite having a respectable outside shot. This is where Watson should help most.

Watson’s three-point shot is more of a question mark than last season’s shooting percentage would suggest (41.1%) due to him only attempting 3.6 threes per game last season (for context, Wade attempted 3.3 threes per game last season). That said, opponents can’t cheat off Watson on the perimeter due to his shooting and ability to attack off the dribble, which will stretch defenses out. Watson has shown throughout his career that lineups can succeed when he plays power forward due to his length and ability to hold up as a rebounder.

Mobley hasn’t benefited from this ideal of a point guard and forward pairing before. The closest we’ve seen was Darius Garland and De’Andre Hunter during the 2024-25 season, yet that year Mobley spent most of his minutes with Mitchell, and Hunter wasn’t an optimal four alongside Mobley due to his poor rebounding and defense. On paper, this latest trio should be the perfect lineup combination to let Mobley’s skills shine.

That all said, the Cavs still need to fine-tune the Mobley and Allen minutes.

Cleveland was bad last postseason when both were on the floor (-6.8 net rating, 25th percentile), and even worse when they played together without Wade (-18.4 net rating, 5th percentile). We’ve seen that duo play extraordinarily well in the regular season, but it hasn’t translated over ot the playoffs as you’d envision it.

There’s an argument to be made that Cleveland’s two-big lineup can’t work in the postseason against elite competition. Playoff opponents have the game plan and personnel to take away what opposing offenses do best. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the Cavs need to trade one of their bigs. It does, however, mean that Watson and, to a lesser extent, Mario Hezonja need to be capable of playing high-leverage playoff minutes at the four.

At 25, it’s unreasonable to expect Mobley to drastically change who he is. It’s unlikely that he develops an elite face-up game or becomes a high-volume outside shooter. That’s historically not how development works. Yet, he could still fine-tune the areas of his game that he’s already good at.

Marginal improvements combined with lineup combinations that accentuate his abilities could be enough for Mobley to have a career year. After all, a big like Mobley is more reliant on his teammates and lineup construction than a score-first guard like Mitchell.

The biggest gamble the Cavs have made this era is betting on Mobley. So far, that bet has led to consistent regular-season success and mixed playoff results. The former will likely continue this season. Whether or not the latter flips to more consistently positive outcomes will determine if that gamble was worth it.

In his second preseason game, former Duke star Cameron Boozer did pretty well. He got 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, in just 22 minutes. He also shot 4-7 overall and 2-3 from behind the line.

In this video, Gary Parrish and Chris Herrington talk about the impression Boozer is making, with Herrington noting – this will come as no surprise to Duke fans – that he is way ahead of the curve for his age, and that he’s noticeably quicker than he was at Duke. And also that he’s basically good at everything, with the possible exception of being able to protect the rim.

However, you can protect the rim without leaving the ground if you know what you’re doing. There’s no reason why Boozer can’t do that.

• Winners and losers from Memphis Grizzlies preseason loss to Orlando Magic
• Cameron Boozer records 16/6/2 line vs. Magic
• Cameron Boozer Highlights vs. Orlando Magic
• Ty Jerome Praises Grizzlies’ Pace, Cameron Boozer After Preseason Return
• Breaking Down Cam Boozer’s NBA Preseason Debut

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With a hat tip to OG NFL writer Peter King, and to Bill Simmons and the crew at Grantland and The Ringer, and to Zach Lowe, and to Eric Koreen, and to the legion of writers I’m ripping off with this format, here are 10 things I think I think about this year’s Washington Wizards:

1. Trae Young will lead the NBA in assists per game for just the second time in his career. Young’s been a genius-level passer throughout his career but has carried a heavy scoring burden. In Washington, he’s going to be asked to help his younger teammates learn how to excel on the offensive end, and there’s no better way than using his gravity to help give them open looks.
2. Anthony Davis will be a top five candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. Davis has — at times — been an all-time great defender. At other times, he’s been merely very good. Either one would be a major upgrade for Washington. He’s been top five four times previously — a second place behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, a third place behind Rudy Gobert and Joel Embiid and two fourth place finishes. The last top five was in 2020, but even leading the Wizards to league average-ish on the defensive end would be a colossal achievement.
3. Alex Sarr is on the cusp of greatness. Sarr improved a bunch in his second season. History says players usually make their biggest jumps in years three and four…which are coming. Plus, he’ll have Young and Davis and AJ Dybantsa drawing attention, which should give him more open looks from in close and the three-point line.
4. Bilal Coulibaly will be traded by the Feb. 11, 2027 deadline. This one pains me. I wanted Washington to draft him, and I was happy they traded up to get him. At least by my reckoning, he’s improved each season. Except, I’ve watched all the games, and I’m not overwhelmed. Too many utter bricks, wild turnovers, and way-off-target threes that somehow bank in. He’s long, athletic, and good on defense. Opponents seem to have trouble staying in front of him when he decides to drive. But I’m doubting he gets where the team needs him to be.
5. AJ Dybantsa will average at least 15 points and 6 rebounds per game. These benchmarks may sound a bit pedestrian. They are not. Over the past 10 seasons, only 12 rookies have hit these marks: Karl-Anthony Towns, Kyle Kuzma, Lauri Markkanen, Ben Simmons, Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, Paolo Banchero, Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, and Cooper Flagg. Mileage may vary, but I count 9 of the 12 who ended up in the very-good to great range — not counting Flagg. Yet. This would be a good start for Dybantsa.
6. Kyshawn George will seize the starting backcourt job. This connects to No. 4 above. I’ve had some doubts about George — especially his turnovers and rampant fouling. And yet, he’s big, he’s gotten stronger, and he’s skilled, feisty, and tough.
7. Brian Keefe will still be the Wizards’ head coach when they make the playoffs. Whether it’s this season or next. I saw enough smart Xs and Os from the staff to make me think Keefe is a clever tactician. Some of his out-of-bounds sets were designed to leverage good defenders doing their jobs properly, which is devilish. He’s also been effective about getting buy-in from nearly everyone, and he successfully navigated the few who didn’t.
8. Deandre Ayton will play well enough to rehabilitate his reputation…and get traded by the deadline. I don’t see Ayton as a long-term guy in Washington. My best guess is that he plays well off the bench and in spot starts and ends up packaged in a deadline deal to bring a younger player.
9. The Wizards will make the play-in this year. Over/under betting lines suggest it’ll take 37-40 wins to earn 10th and get into the play-in. I still haven’t done my forecast for the year, but I think that’s doable for Washington, and for some bizarre reason — despite all the history, despite having a (currently moribund) podcast called #SoWizards, precisely because of this franchise’s ability to screw up in spectacular fashion — I think I think they actually will.
10. The Wizards will have two All-Stars this season. Davis and Young would be the relatively easy picks. I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s one of those two plus Sarr. Just sayin’.

Enough from me. What do you think you think about the 2026-27 Wizards?

The Thunder are one of the hardest teams in the league to bet on this year because both things can be true at once.

They are probably the best team in basketball.

They also got worse.

Oklahoma City went 64-18 last season after winning 68 games the year before, and they did it despite Jalen Williams playing only 33 games. Their defense was still elite, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won another MVP, Chet Holmgren remained one of the league’s best two-way bigs, and even with major injuries, they were still two wins away from another Finals appearance.

Now the question is whether losing real depth finally brings them back in line with the rest of the league.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Over/Under 61.5 wins

Over: -125
Under: +100
To win NBA Championship: +250
To win Western Conference: +130
To win Northwest Division: -650

Last season: 64-18, first in the West, lost in the Western Conference Finals

Key additions: Aday Mara, Otega Oweh, Bennett Stirtz
Key losses: Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Branden Carlson

The case for the over

I think the first thing you have to remember with Oklahoma City is just how ridiculous they were last year.

They won 64 games with Jalen Williams essentially missing most of the season. That alone shows how high this team’s floor is.

If Williams gives them anything close to a healthy year, that could offset a lot of what they lost this offseason. Shai is still one of the best players in basketball. Chet is still one of the league’s best defensive bigs. Isaiah Hartenstein is back. Ajay Mitchell took a real step. The core that made this team elite is still here.

That is why I cannot look at 61.5 and immediately call it too high.

Yes, losing Lu Dort hurts a lot. I think people are underselling that. He was by far their best perimeter defender and one of the most important tone-setters on the roster. He also shot around 35 percent from three last season, so Oklahoma City isn’t only losing defense. They are losing someone who could stay on the floor offensively too. Joe and Wiggins were also real rotation players who provided shooting, defense, and depth.

But this team has been so deep and so well-built that losing role players may not be enough to knock them down that far.

Mara is also an interesting addition. At 7-foot-3, he gives them another massive frontcourt body behind Chet and Hartenstein, and Oklahoma City does not need him to be anything close to great right away. Oweh and Stirtz need to give them playable regular-season minutes and keep the rotation afloat.

The injury part is real, especially with Chet. He’s already missed significant time in his career, and Williams played just 33 games last year. But if Oklahoma City gets even average health, this is still the kind of team that can win 62 games without it feeling wild.

They already proved that last year.

Prediction: Over 61.5 wins (-125)

The Golden State Warriors’ 123-118 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers told us very little about what this year’s team will be like, but it did indicate that the Santa Cruz Warriors could have a very exciting season.

In a game where nine of the Warriors’ top players didn’t even travel to Portland — Draymond Green was watching the Valkyries beat the Las Vegas Aces — the backups scrambling for roster spots, two-way deals, and some sweet Exhibit 10 bonuses in the G League kept it close against a Blazers team that played their starters about 20 minutes.

Dalen Terry showed he’s in excellent cardiovascular shape by playing 43 minutes and flirting with a triple-double. He finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, turning the ball over four times but nullifying those errors by getting four steals. Not known for his outside shot, Terry connected on four of his five threes Wednesday night and made a strong case for getting the Warriors’ 15th roster spot.

Second-year guard Miles Kelly, a former Auburn star and Dallas Mavericks two-way player, scored 24 points and shot 6-for-11 from three-point range, adding seven rebounds, six assists, a steal, and a block. On one of those shots, Kelly got his path cleared by Portland’s Yang Hansen, who appears to still be adjusting to playing defense in the NBA.

Kelly is still eligible for a two-way contract, something that seemed more relevant after a night where current two-way player Malevy Leons had the same number of turnovers as made field goals (two). Fellow two-way players Graham Ike and LJ Cryer came off the bench and showed good pick-and-roll chemistry, and Ike showed off an outside shooting stroke, going 2-for-3 from deep. Still, it felt like an offensive approach more akin to winning games in Santa Cruz than San Francisco. Ike also showed he was a true Warriors center by getting whistled for a blatant moving screen.

Will Richard played like a man secure in his place on the team. Like his time with the Summer League champions in Las Vegas in July, Richard didn’t force up shots, focusing on defense, team basketball, and shooting. He went 6-for-6 from the foul line and 3-for-3 behind the arc.

Starting center Charles Bassey was -2 in 24 minutes, not bad while primarily matched up with Portland’s starters. He had 13 points and six rebounds, shooting 6-for-7 and enjoying a very active defensive night, with three blocks and three steals. Did you know Bassey had an elegant-looking floater? We see you, Bassey Hive!

Alex Toohey got some extended run, finishing with five points, two assists, and two blocks, and making his only three-point attempt. The Warriors went 19-for-34 from deep, the main reason they were able to hang with a full-strength NBA team for three quarters — the game was tied at 86 after 36 minutes.

But ultimately the lack of size on the floor with most of the team’s big men sitting was too much for the scrappy Sea Dubs Warriors to overcome. Portland had 50 rebounds to Golden State’s 40 and dominated points in the paint, 54-36.

All in all, it was a perfectly unmemorable preseason game that I’ll admit I watched on a split-screen with the Valkyries’ win over the Las Vegas Aces. Now there’s a team that knows how to rebound!

We are so back… kind of.

The San Antonio Spurs will take to the hardwood for their first preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks. It’s the first time we’ll see the Silver and Black since they lost game five of the NBA Finals to the New York Knicks. They’ll face off against one of the teams trying to dethrone the Knicks as the best team in the East.

In past years, the Spurs have taken a cautious approach to the preseason. It was rare to see all five starters play together for the majority of the game. However, San Antonio has plenty of lineup questions coming into the season, and the preseason could give them a chance to experiment. Game one could give fans a hint at who the starters will be coming into the season, or it could be a chance for head coach Mitch Johnson to try a unique lineup against the smaller Hawks.

Atlanta will come into the game with a few players resting. CJ McCollum, Aaron Wiggins, and Lu Dort all sat out Monday’s preseason opener against the Memphis Grizzlies. It’s likely that both of these teams will limit the playing time of their regular rotation players as they ease into the regular season.

San Antonio Spurs (0-0) vs. Atlanta Hawks (0-1)

October 8th, 2026 | 7 PM CT

Watch: DAZN | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: Jayden Quaintance – Out (knee), Tobias Harris – Out (calf), David Jones-Garcia – Questionable (ankle)

Hawks Injuries: Aaron Wiggins – Questionable (lip), Luguentz Dort – Questionable (knee), CJ McCollum – Questionable (nose), Henri Veesaar – Out (knee), Mouhamed Gueye – Questionable (foot)

What to watch for:

Three-guard lineup

The talk of Spurs training camp was the coaching staff finding a way to play De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper together. San Antonio played those three together sparingly last season. All involved parties have said they see the trio playing together more this season. We’ll see how often the Spurs go to this lineup on Monday, and its general effectiveness against a team with many long, agile perimeter defenders in the Hawks.

Wembanyama’s go-to move

We’ll all be watching to see if Victor Wembanyama can establish a go-to move this season. The basketball world has been clamoring for the big man to develop a signature, dominant scoring move. Something he can use at any time and that’s a nightmare for the defense to stop. We’ll likely not know what that move is in a preseason opener, but keep an eye out for any new tricks the fourth-year big man has against Atlanta.

The rookies

The real excitement of the preseason is the chance to see young players suit up for the first time. San Antonio will likely give Tarris Reed Jr. plenty of run in the preseason, with second-round picks Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Maliq Brown playing more in garbage time. Reports out of training camp are that Reed Jr. is making his presence felt, especially on the glass. He’ll have a chance to prove that against real NBA competition on Thursday.

The Lakers’ preseason stint continues on Thursday when they take on the visiting Sacramento Kings. This will serve as a rematch after the purple and gold absolutely demolished them in their preseason opener.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings

When: 7:30 p.m. PT, Oct 8

Where: Crypto.com Arena

Watch: Spectrum Sportsnet, ESPN2

Just like that, we’re two games into the Lakers’ preseason. So far, it’s been exactly what we all expected: a few somethings and a whole lot of nothings.

In their previous loss to the Golden State Warriors, we learned absolutely nothing about the team since they basically rested everyone. It’s fair to assume this trend will continue as the preseason goes on.

But that doesn’t mean we won’t see Luka Dončić or most of the Lakers’ key players in a game or two. At this point, it’s anyone’s guess who will suit up. What isn’t in question, though, is that Los Angeles has more than enough to beat Sacramento regardless of who takes the floor.

With all due respect to the Kings, that’s how bad they are.

So, in Thursday’s preseason home game, it would be nice to see the Lakers come away with some positive takeaways again. If Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler remain inactive, perhaps the role players can continue giving us a glimpse of what they have in store for this season. So far, it’s been fascinating to watch the new faces in Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili, who combined for 27 points last game.

It’d also be nice if the Lakers could spare JJ Redick another first-half headache like the one he had last game. Save that anger for the regular season and playoffs, coach!

In all seriousness, Thursday’s game is another opportunity for the Lakers to build chemistry, get valuable reps and keep the good vibes flowing regardless of who’s on the floor. It’s only preseason, but these games are still important in helping LA hit the ground running once the regular season begins and hopefully, that’s exactly what happens.

Remember, we’re just 13 days away from the season opener. Before we know it, the Lakers’ season will officially be underway. But for now, let’s enjoy the appetizer that is preseason and see if the Lakers can make Thursday’s matchup against the Kings a fun one.

Notes and Updates

• Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton and Arthur Kaluma have yet to play in any preseason game. Let’s see if that changes on Thursday.
• The Lakers will also be celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Night during this game.
• We have an exciting new feature in our app this season. It’s easier than ever to chat in our game threads. Each game, this post will become a live chat and will be easy to find at the top of the Lakers community page, so be sure to download the app and give it a try this preseason!

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.

The Minnesota Timberwolves played a special game against the Indiana Pacers at the Hilton Coliseum on the Iowa State campus as former Cyclone Tyrese Haliburton got his first game action in over 600 days. He addressed the crowd before tip-off, leaving a buzz circulating through the arena. Many were excited to see Hali’s first action at his alma mater, but just a three-hour and 15-minute drive north will bring you to Minneapolis and the Target Center. Timberwolves jerseys littered throughout the crowd to see Ball and Edwards put on a show. They did not disappoint. 

Breaking Down the Starters

Minnesota ultimately lost the matchup 123-11, but there was plenty to take away from a second game of these new-look Wolves as the starters played the entire first half and nearly half of the third quarter.

The Wolves jumped out to a quick 10-point lead early in the contest through smooth ball movement and exceptional defense from both McDaniels and Gobert, but quickly realized that this Pacers team is no Milwaukee Bucks, especially with the return of their star floor general in Haliburton. 

Things got ugly fast, though, as Minnesota went into the half with 13 turnovers, leading to some quick, easy looks for Indiana. The Pacers lit up the scoreboard early as well, shooting 62% from the field and 50% from three after the first quarter.

Sloppy rotations, lack of urgency to close out, and general confusion smothered the Wolves’ defense against a much smoother Pacers team. However, Minnesota was able to reel the troops in and grab 18 points off turnovers from Indiana to close the half. 

All while that was happening on the defensive end of the floor, LaMelo Ball was showing what he brings to this Minnesota team on the offensive end. He finished his evening with seven assists, all in the first half, 14 points on 5-9 from the field, and 4-6 from three. That includes one cold-blooded three to tie the bow on quarter one. What Ball was able to do on the floor, manipulating defenders, was on display, especially for his running mates, Anthony Edwards (19 PTS, 5-10 from the field, 4-5 on threes) and Jaden McDaniels (16 PTS, 6-10 and 4-6 from the same distances). 

Edwards found himself with more space to shoot than he had at any point last season. He started off the game deferring to his teammates, which allowed Ball to get his game going before a detonation happened in the second quarter from the three-point line. One of those shots was an electric back-and-forth between Ball and Edwards.

Not many shots felt forced from Edwards, who seemed to play at his own pace rather than trying to make something happen. That will be huge for the superstar, who was so often overtasked and can now expend more energy on the defensive side of the floor.

McDaniels had a signature quietly efficient game. Sprinkle in a couple of easy looks courtesy of Ball, and it’s starting to feel like McDaniels may put up his most efficient offensive year yet, as hard as that is to believe. The offensive barrage Minnesota laid on Indiana in the second quarter propelled them to a four-point lead at half. 

Out of all the starters, it was apparent that Jonathan Kuminga is still figuring out his role in the offense and even on defense. The Wolves’ abysmal first quarter defensively was due in part to confusion on defensive rotations leading to wide open looks. A handful of contested looks and poor shot selection led to a two point night and 1-for-9 from the field. He was provided a couple of open looks from three-point range, but ended up missing all three attempts.

There weren’t as many impressive flashes as Monday’s game in Milwaukee, but there is still plenty of intrigue that Kuminga will be an effective player for this team at the power forward position. 

Who Stood Out?

With the preseason being a time to get a look at some of the young talent, tons of eyes were following Joan Beringer, who was looking to build on an impressive performance in Milwaukee. He was able to match up against one of the league’s best bigs in Ivica Zubac.

Just like many young players in their sophomore season, it was up and down for Beringer, who went to the bench after his first stint with a -11 plus-minus. He was able to grab eight rebounds, but he is one of the most raw prospects in the league right now. You can see the development happening on the floor with each minute, but you also realize there is still so much work to do with his game. 

As preseason games go, it comes down to the guys who are fighting for the final spots on the roster. When the Wolves made the deal to trade established veteran Josh Green for former 10th overall pick Cody Williams and journeyman John Konchar (who they later cut), eyebrows were raised.

His first two years in the NBA have been rocky, to say the least, but he’s far from a lost cause. He’s gone from sub-40% from inside the three-point arc to making a huge leap to 56% from two in year two. Although he only shot 2-for-7 from the field tonight, he showed characteristics that may give him the chance to stick in the league. 

Anthony Edwards gushed about his defensive potential, which showed on Wednesday through tipped passes, physical defense, and shot contesting.

His offense was also impressive. Nearly all of his passes were led with anticipation and rarely put the ball in danger of a turnover. He only finished with one assist, but could’ve easily had three, producing wide-open looks for Bones Hyland. A Beringer block would lead to a Williams fast break, who proceeded to posterize Quenton Jackson with a two-hand slam.

It’s not likely Williams sees a consistent role for this specific Wolves team, but there are some real NBA tools he has in his bag, and I will be intrigued by his development this season. 

So far, after two games, this team has been pleasant on the eye. Edwards seems to be reaping the benefits of having a de facto ball handler. We don’t know how much more the starters will play as four preseason games remain.

Game highlights

Up next

The Wolves fly down to South Beach to visit the Giannis-led Miami Heat on Saturday, 10/10 at 7:00pm CT. The game will be on DAZN-MIN.