CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 08: Gabe McGlothan #41 of the Boston Celtics guards Meleek Thomas #15 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter of the preseason game at Rocket Arena on October 08, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 124-113. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cavaliers fans and fans across the country.
The Cleveland Cavaliers had a busy offseason. To simplify things, they exchanged Max Strus, Dean Wade, Dennis Schroder, and Keon Ellis for Peyton Watson, Mario Hezonja, and Meleek Thomas.
Watson, Hezonja, and Thomas enter the year with very different expectations, and have each shown something different during these exhibition games.
Watson has the potential to be a breakout player. The 24-year-old, 6’8” wing has shown flashes of being a two-way impact player during the first four years of his career with the Denver Nuggets. The Cavs are giving him more opportunities to help him develop. And they gave him a four-year, $88 million deal, believing that he will be a consistent, high-level two-way player.
Hezonja isn’t joining the Cavs with those expectations. Cleveland is hoping that the once top-five pick can be a versatile, do-everything backup four that is on a veteran minimum deal. Not nearly as much is invested in this low-risk, high-reward gamble.
The Cavs are high on Thomas. The 20-year-old second-round pick has shown glimpses of being an efficient, score-first guard during Summer League and at times in the preseason. Thomas probably won’t be a high-impact player right away. It’s rare that a rookie taken in the second round makes a meaningful contribution on a contending team, but maybe Thomas can be the exception.
So, which one of these three players has impressed you the most in preseason based on your expectations coming into this preseason?
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 12: Tre Johnson #12 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against Nolan Traore #10 of the Brooklyn Nets during the first half of a preseason game at Capital One Arena on October 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the second straight year, Nolan Traore will be the youngest player on the youngest team in the NBA, a 20-year-old on a team whose average age is, again, a little more than 24. At 20 years and five months old, he is six weeks younger than Mikel Brown, the Nets No. 6 pick in the 2026 Draft. (Brown is also three weeks older than Ben Saraf.)
But in the NBA, youth only gets you so far and now in his second year, Traore is starting to show he belongs. It’s early and there’s only a small sample to work from, but as C.J. Holmes points out in the Daily News Tuesday, the 6’4” point guard with a shooter’s touch has growing confidence.
Traoré’s scoring has climbed with each appearance. He had 10 points against the Charlotte Hornets, 12 against Philadelphia 76ers and 17 Monday. Through three games, he’s averaging 13 points while shooting 65% overall and 57.1% from 3-point range. The percentages come from a small sample, but the confidence behind the attempts is clear.
A far cry from this time last year when there were doubts about about the No. 19 pick even inside the executive offices at 168 39th Street in Sunset Park. Like the top four picks in Nets historic draft, at least by numbers, he was considered somewhat of a reach. ESPN’s final mock draft had him going at No. 22. Never mind that he had once been seen as at top 5 prospect in the generational draft or the general assessment that he was the quickest guard in the Draft.
While fans wanted a finished product, others inside the front office understood that it was going to take time. He was new not just to the NBA, but the USA. He needed time to develop physically as well as mentally. And at the end of last season, after a 13-game stint with Long Island, he was putting up numbers, even if inconsistently. In the last six weeks in Brooklyn, he put up 13 points a game along with four assists and it seems he was more under control. But he had a lot to work on. As Brian Lewis reported, of every player who attempted at least 100 layups, his 44.4% was dead last.
Then over the summer, after arthroscopic surgery on his knee, he grew, like physically grew. He picked up an inch in height and about 12 pounds of what sure looks like muscle. He spoke about his transformation at Media Day.
“Definitely the more I play, the more confident I’ve gotten,” Traore told The Post. “I get a little better every game. I just feel great, and I hope it’s going to keep going.”
“My knee is completely fine now, so there’s no concern,” Traore, 20, said. “For me, [the offseason] was more the physical aspect. Obviously the shooting, too. I worked a lot on it and I feel good now. Changed a few things, too.
“Offseason was a lot of [time in the] gym. That was the main thing. Focusing on just getting better as a player, watching clips from the playoffs or watching reads. Working on my shot, too.”
His teammates and his coach noticed.
“I like his aggressiveness shooting the 3, and his shot looks very confident. Credit to the work he’s put in the whole summer. And just want to challenge him to improve defensively. There’s just a couple of hiccups that he could’ve been better; but I know he is tough and he’s up for the challenge.” head coach Jordi Fernández said postgame.
Traore also said the Nets more open offense this year is a big help to his individual game.
“It’s helped me a lot,” Traore told Lewis. “I think I’m better when the defense is not set because I can take gaps quickly and make plays off of that. So the more we play fast, the better I’m going to be.”
And the better Traore is, the better off Brooklyn will be.
Things will change, of course, Thursday night in Miami, the team’s final preseason game. Mikel Brown Jr. will finally make his NBA debut and there will be more competition for minutes among him, Brown Jr., Demin and Keon Ellis who Fernandez has started, liking his point-of-attack defense and 3-point shooting. Traore knows he will have fight for minutes and a role.
As Holmes wrote.
The opening-night depth chart remains unsettled, and Brown’s return will make the competition more complicated. Traoré has made an encouraging start. His best argument is to keep producing whenever Fernández gives him the ball.
“It was more focused on just having the same form every time, basic stuff,” Traoré said.
Pack your patience, Dub Nation. Eight days before the 2026-27 NBA regular-season opener, it is abundantly clear there will be moments of frustration as the Warriors apply the revamped offense coach Steve Kerr is trying to install.
One such moment came Tuesday night in a 101-89 preseason win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Barely two minutes into the game, Kerr was hopping off the bench signaling for a timeout, displeased with seeing a flaw reappear after being directly addressed one day earlier: Turnovers that give easy points to opponents.
“We have, I think, 90 (actually 84) turnovers through four games,” Kerr told reporters Monday after practice. “I haven’t harped on them until now because I know we’re really teaching a lot of things that are new for our guys. But now is the time. We only have two exhibition games left. We start the season a week from (Wednesday), so much of the film session was about our decision-making and showing poor decisions from the other night. Time and score, risk/reward type stuff.
“I give our guys a lot of credit; they really took the film session to heart. In the scrimmage part of our practice today, they did a great job.”
Or so Kerr thought – until the third minute of the game.
When Kerr signaled for timeout with 9:27 remaining in the first quarter, it was three seconds after Brandin Podziemski flipped an errant hook pass that was stolen, launching Los Angeles toward an easy transition bucket.
Golden State’s immediate response was an 8-0 run for its first lead of the game (12-11). Problem solved? Well, no. The Warriors in the second quarter committed nine giveaways, giving the giddy Lakers 12 points that fed their 63-50 halftime lead.
“Just mindless turnovers that completely allowed the game to get away from us,” Kerr told reporters at T-Mobile Center in Las Vegas. “The first quarter, you could see we’re still need a lot of work on everything that we’re talking about. Winning the game in the margins.”
Not until the second half, mostly against LA’s second and third wave of reserves, did Kerr’s message seem to be absorbed. While the Warriors were cleaner and more careful, the Lakers submitted a woefully pathetic performance, with almost twice as many turnovers (18) as field goals (10) over the final 24 minutes.
“Much better second half, overall, the energy and effort,” Kerr said. “But we’ve got to execute better. We have to finish in transition, make the easy plays and we’re not close yet.”
The second-half recovery – nine turnovers, giving LA the Lakers only four points – was enough to secure Golden State’s third victory in its first five preseason games. The finale comes Friday night at Chase Center against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Kerr and his staff, as well as every member of the roster, understand that what matters most in the preseason is not the score, but process and execution.
“We’re not anywhere close to where we want to be,” Kerr said. “But we are working on the right things, we have a clear vision, the players are great guys, they’re committed, they want to do well. But our execution is just scattered at this point. You just got to keep working. It’s not going to happen overnight.”
Coming off this game, the Warriors have more to critique than celebrate. More areas of concern than confidence.
Consider that on a night when advanced vets Draymond Green and Al Horford were allowed to rest, solid point-of-attack defense and rim protection were MIA. Luka Dončić didn’t play, so Austin Reaves consistently got to the cup, torching a procession of defenders.
Consider that Yaxel Lendeborg, Golden State’s Great Rookie Hope, rolled his left ankle in the third quarter. He left briefly, got checked out and later returned. This is, at the very least, worth watching.
We’re almost there, y’all. A mere two preseason games stand between us and the start of the NBA regular season. There have been some great storylines thus far that have made all of these preseason games worth watching, and our Minnesota Timberwolves are getting their identities and rotations firmly established as the team looks to start the year strong.
On deck this Wednesday we have the Detroit Pistons, who are due to give their starting players some burn as the team has only played in two other preseason games so far. Regular Detroit starters Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren did not play in their last game against the Washington Wizards, so it would seem likely that the Pistons would like to get their usual starting five a bit of run before the regular season starts.
Whether or not Wolves head coach Chris Finch will continue to trot his preferred starting lineups out there for extended stretches of time remains to be seen. Regardless, there are plenty of things to both build off of and tweak coming off of a fairly complete victory over the reigning champion New York Knicks.
Lamelo Ball’s effect is real. The open looks just keep coming.
The Timberwolves were shooting lights-out from deep against the Knicks, amassing 18 made 3-point shots at a 53% clip. Jaden McDaniels was four for five, Anthony Edwards was five for eight, and Ayo Dosunmu shot three for four from long range. While it may be a bit unrealistic to expect the team to shoot over 50% from perimeter most nights, that volume will need to be maintained in order to beat top teams like the Pistons.
Despite their embarrassing early playoff exit a season ago, this Detroit team returns with high expectations and will again be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Their identity will be predicated on the infectious defensive presence of Ausar Thompson, highlighting capable 3-point specialists in Duncan Robinson, Kevin Huerter, and new addition Isaiah Joe, while their talisman in Cade Cunningham contributes positively in every aspect of the game. Tough matchups are abound here, and continuing to make the deep shots at a high clip will be able to stretch the defensive congestion that the Pistons will feature.
Not only do the Timberwolves starters need to continue to excel in this area, but the bench players will also need to do their part in creating diverse offensive looks for Detroit to deal with. A return of Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jonathan Kuminga could force the Pistons to defend the paint a bit more honestly than was the case against the Knicks on Monday night. This should create opportunities for reserves like Trey Lyles, Isaiah Evans, Jaylen Clark, Bones Hyland, and Cody Williams to let it fly from beyond the arc.
Mitigate Turnovers & Fouls
Despite playing limited minutes, the Timberwolves starters had a propensity for turning the ball over at a high rate and committing fouls against the Knicks. Joan Beringer’s three fouls in 14 minutes of play were not exactly encouraging, and Jaden McDaniels’ four fouls and four turnovers in 24 minutes would have been a bigger topic of conversation had he not scored 22 silky-smooth points. LaMelo Ball had seven assists, but that also came with five turnovers of his own.
These are areas that will need to get cleaned up against top-flight teams like Detroit. Without the aforementioned blistering three-point percentage keeping New York chasing the game, it would have turned into a dogfight.
The Pistons are a pesky team. They will pressure, and they will get their steals. They have plenty of dudes that can draw pressure and fouls, especially with new frontcourt addition John Collins. Minnesota will have to play tough and intelligent basketball to win a matchup against this smartly retooled Detroit team.
Ball cannot afford to be lackadaisical with his handles. The silly fouls will need to stop to both keep players in the game and maintain possession of the ball. Failure to do so will allow the Pistons to go on runs and capture the momentum of the game.
All Eyes on Cody Williams
While his surprise inclusion in the starting lineup would never have happened if Kuminga or Shannon Jr. played against the Knicks, it spoke volumes of Finch’s confidence in Cody Williams that he got the nod for this game.
It was a modest outing, but that is enough to consider what Williams’ role may be when the regular season gets in full swing. Williams only had six points, one rebound, and one block in 15 minutes of play, though he was two for two from deep (two for three overall) and finished the game at a +4 in box plus-minus. Not too shabby for a guy that few expect to earn any meaningful minutes this season.
His decision making and confidence seem to be improving in every matchup. Williams still has all the physical tools to be a plus defender, and he has been making strides in his limited minutes. It is becoming less outlandish to wonder whether or not there may be an end-of-bench role for him this season afterall, despite many projecting him to be a deep stash that will see spot minutes in the event of injury.
While Williams’ Utah Jazz game film often leaves much to be desired, the opportunity to develop good habits in a positive winning environment could be what he needs to right the ship. I’ll stop short of calling him the next Nickeil Alexander-Walker, though there is a reason that Tim Connelly kept Williams over John Konchar in the salary-dump trade of Josh Green.
Expect his preseason minutes to grow in these last few games, and don’t be surprised if we see more of him in the regular season than initially anticipated.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 11: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Jevon Carter #2 of the Orlando Magic dive for a loose ball during the first quarter of a preseason game at Rocket Arena on October 11, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers wrap up their exhibition slate with a rematch against the Orlando Magic. The Cavs won the first meeting on Thursday 119-105.
Share your thoughts as the game unfolds. If you aren’t a member of the community, sign up so you can talk to your fellow Cavalier fans and make your voice heard!
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: Jordan Clarkson #00 and Landry Shamet #44 of the New York Knicks defend the basket from Jonathan Mogbo #2 of the Toronto Raptors during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden on April 10, 2026 in New York City. 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 Pamela Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 0-3 Knicks visit the 1-1 Toronto Raptors tonight at Scotiabank Arena for the fourth of five preseason contests. Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart are all supposed to sit for rest after playing in last night’s loss to the T’Wolves. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard is penciled in for his first preseason appearance with the Dinos since their 2019 title run.
Tip off is 7:00 p.m. EST on MSG. This is your game thread. This is RaptorsHQ. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Extend kindness to your fellow humans. And go Knicks!
Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg (1) drives down the court against Los Angeles Lakers guard Adou Thiero (1) in the first half in a pre-season game at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 124 - 98. (Photo by Yalonda M. James/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors will play their fifth game of the preseason with Tuesday night’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM PT in Las Vegas and can be watched on NBA TV.
The Warriors improved to 2-2 this preseason with a 111-106 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night. Stephen Curry remained on a 14-minute restriction but made the most of his limited playing time, finishing with eight points on 3-of-6 shooting from the field, including two three-pointers. The rest of Golden State’s starting lineup played more than 20 minutes, highlighted by another impressive performance from rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. The 11th overall pick continued to show that his success at the collegiate level can translate to the NBA, stuffing the stat sheet with 23 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and a steal. Lendeborg’s combination of size, activity, and versatility has been on full display throughout the preseason, particularly on the glass, where he once again led the Warriors in rebounding.
Yaxel Lendeborg stuffed the stat sheet in a win over the Kings 📊
As the Warriors prepare for Tuesday night’s matchup against the Lakers, their starting lineup is beginning to take shape. After opening the preseason with a more traditional lineup featuring Al Horford at center, Golden State has since utilized a “small” unit featuring Draymond Green at the five, Lendeborg and Gui Santos in the frontcourt, and Curry and Brandin Podziemski in the backcourt.
In years past, moving Green to center typically meant sacrificing size in favor of additional shooting, playmaking and versatility. However, this latest iteration of the Warriors’ small-ball lineup offers a different dynamic. With Lendeborg and Santos alongside Green, Golden State can be aggressive on the glass without sacrificing the positional size and offensive versatility that have long defined its success around Curry. With the regular season approaching, Tuesday’s matchup should provide another opportunity for this group to build chemistry and establish itself as a potential starting unit.
Steve Kerr says Kristaps Porzingis will be at Chase Center tomorrow to meet with the medical staff. No other updates yet @NBCSWarriors
For now, Steve Kerr is leaning towards a starting five of Curry, Podziemski, Santos, Lendeborg and Green on opening night pic.twitter.com/CpLereH8BL
Head coach Steve Kerr told reporters that Porzingis is expected to return to the Warriors' facilities Tuesday to meet with Rick Celebrini, their director of sports medicine and performance.
There's no indication of when exactly the 31-year-old will return.
"No update beyond that," Kerr said. "He'll be in the building ... meeting with Rick and the performance team."
Kristaps Porzingis injury update
Porzingis was acquired by the Warriors in February via a deal with the Atlanta Hawks, but since he's only appeared in 15 out of 27 possible regular-season games after the trade. He's been out at various times with a lingering respiratory illness that causes a dramatic increase in heart rate upon standing, severe fatigue, and dizziness.
Porzingis was brought in to answer Golden State's issues at the center position, giving them more size and versatility to defend the interior against other bigs in the league or penetrating perimeter players. He signed a two-year, $40 million contract extension in June, reaffirming his commitment to the Bay Area.
Whether or not he will have a starting position upon his return isn't the topic of conversation. The Warriors' first order of priority is a checkup on the 7-foot-2, former All-Star and NBA champion. They want to know how he is doing, how he feels and if he's ready.
"All of that will be determined once we get him back here and have discussions, figure out where he is, all that stuff," Kerr said of Porzingis being a starter.
The Warriors face the Los Angeles Lakers in a preseason meeting at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In the meantime, Porzingis's status remains unknown.
Until Porzingis returns, it's small ball in the Bay. Kerr said he is leaning towards a starting lineup of Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Yaxel Lendeborg and Draymond Green. However, he added that Al Horford could also be a potential starter at center playing 20 minutes a game but likely will have him come off the bench.
Going into halftime of the Warriors’ preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena, Golden State looked gassed. The Warriors had just been outscored 34-21 in the second quarter to trail by 13 points at halftime in Las Vegas.
But the Warriors’ defense turned it up coming out of halftime, holding the Lakers to only 13 points in the third quarter and another lowly 13 points in the fourth for a 101-89 win. In the second half, the Warriors outscored the Lakers 51-26.
Steph Curry in 22 minutes scored 11 points on 3-of-9 shooting. Yaxel Lendeborg and Brandin Podziemski were the Warriors’ leading scorers, each scoring 17 points.
The Lakers guard scored 28 points, with 23 coming in the first half, on 10-of-18 shooting and went 4 of 7 beyond the arc. Very few Warriors could contain him. None could early on.
Here are three takeaways from a Warriors win that improved their preseason record to 3-2.
Bassey Gets Starting Nod
Steve Kerr on Monday announced that Al Horford didn’t scrimmage that day and wasn’t making the trip to Vegas for the Warriors’ fifth of six preseason games. The decisions already were preplanned as part of Horford’s maintenance, who has been given rest twice this preseason. Kerr in his pregame press conference told reporters that the Warriors were going to be even thinner in the front court, because he was giving Draymond Green the night off.
The Warriors’ depth was tested, and the first to wade in the waters was third-string center Charles Bassey. There were moments where Bassey showed how he can help when the Warriors are shorthanded, and others where the Warriors were exposed.
For instance, when Bassey first came out, Lendeborg was forced to play small-ball center and quickly was dunked on by Lakers center Walker Kessler. Speaking of Kessler, he was a problem for Bassey throughout the first half and went into the break as a plus-15 with 11 points and nine rebounds. Bassey had a team-high three turnovers at the half and was in the way on a handful of possessions.
Yet Bassey finished as a team-high plus-11 in 26 minutes. Bassey also led the Warriors in rebounds with 12, including five on the offensive end. At the end of his box score also are a team-high five turnovers.
Second-half Steph
Through Curry’s first three preseason games, he played 13, 14 and 14 minutes. He never once played in the second half. That finally changed with the regular season in view.
Curry went into halftime having played 16 minutes already. While he did make two threes in the first two quarters, Curry got stuck the one time he tried to drive and was part of a group getting worked by Reaves on the other side. Curry also was one of three Warriors with two or more turnovers in the first half.
For the first time this preseason, Curry was on the court to start the third quarter. He played the first six minutes and watched the rest. Curry in that span scored four points off one three and one free throw. He missed two other 3-point attempts and one runner.
Getting up to 22 minutes was a next step for Curry. It just wasn’t his best showing of the preseason, going 3 of 7 from deep and missing both his 2-point attempts without much burst.
Lendeborg Battles Through
A limping Lendeborg is the last thing anybody wants to see. When it’s the preseason, it’s not even worth pushing at all. However, the rookie was good to go after a short scare.
Lendeborg’s night looked to have ended in the third quarter shortly after limping and vividly yelling “f–k!” trying to walk out a twisted left ankle. He stayed in the game to shoot his free throws and made his first but missed his second. The Warriors had seen enough. They fouled immediately after to get him out of the game.
Reporters in Vegas noted Lendeborg wasn’t limping on his way to the locker room.
He had played 23 minutes and with a team-high 17 points on 5-of-11 shooting at the time. And his night actually wasn’t over. Lendeborg returned at the 1:38 mark of the third quarter and played the rest of the period.
Lendeborg did band work to stretch his ankle and did not play in the fourth quarter.
A key piece of the revamped Boston Celtics secured his short-term future with the franchise.
Guard Payton Pritchard, the 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year, has agreed to a two-year, $44.2 million contract extension with the Celtics, with the 2029-30 season being a mutual option, according to ESPN.
As star forward Jayson Tatum missed much of last season, Pritchard took on more responsibility, becoming one of Boston’s primary shot makers; Pritchard averaged career highs in scoring (17.0 points per game), rebounding (3.9) and assists (5.2).
Tatum was one of the first to comment on Pritchard's Instagram post, writing simply: "Bag💰💰💰"
Pritchard started 50 of his 79 games last season, but appears likely to resume his role as Boston’s sixth man. In the team’s preseason game against the 76ers Saturday, Oct. 10, which was something of a dress rehearsal for the Celtics, Pritchard came off the bench, before eventually leading the team with 25 points on 7-of-12 shooting.
The Celtics are embarking on a new era after trading away former star Jaylen Brown to the 76ers. Boston will be incorporating Paul George, who scored 13 points on 3-of-10 shooting against his former team, into the lineup.
Either way, Pritchard figures to remain a central scorer and one who often closes games on the floor because of his shooting and scoring.
It's tough to envision Payton Pritchard in any uniform other than Boston Celtics green. Now, nobody will have to, at least for a few more years.
The Celtics and Pritchard have agreed to a two-year, $44.2 million contract extension that keeps him in Boston, his agent told Shams Charania of ESPN. Pritchard has two more years on what is a steal of a contract ($7.2 million this season, $7.8 million in 2027-28) then he will get a massive raise starting in 2028-29 to likely $21.3 million. The deal includes a mutual option for the 2029-30 season.
This is the max extension the Celtics can give Pritchard under the CBA, and it rewards his years of quality play. That said, this is a good deal for both sides.
Pritchard — a key part of the 2024 championship Celtics and the 2025 Sixth Man of the Year — somewhat quietly had his best season as a pro last season, when stepping up to fill in with Jayson Tatum injured and Jrue Holiday traded. Pitchard, 28, started 50 games for the Celtics and averaged 17 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game — all career highs — while shooting 37.7% from beyond the arc.
Boston has locked up a couple of other key role players this offseason, Neemias Queta (four years, $56 million) and Jordan Walsh (three years, $15.75 million).
What are the key storylines The California Post will be monitoring tonight?
Kessler’s debut
Walker Kessler has yet to make his preseason debut because of a left pinky finger injury.
The Lakers marquee free agency acquisition’s status remains up in the air after both teams had their shootarounds Tuesday morning at T-Mobile Arena.
Kessler returned to live drills in practice on Sunday, and has made it clear he wants to be on the floor.
Whether he will be remains to be seen.
But what is clear is that the Lakers miss his presence inside of the paint as a rim protector, rebounder and roll man in the pick and rolls with star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Steph Curry will get more playing time against the Lakers in Las Vegas. Getty Images
Curry’s minutes
Warriors star guard Steph Curry will get extended playing time against the Lakers after being on the floor for 13-14 first-half minutes in the three previous exhibitions he played in.
Coach Steve Kerr said Curry will play in the second half against the Lakers, likely playing between 20-22 minutes.
The team has been careful with Curry’s preseason workload after he missed 39 regular season games last season because of runner’s knee.
How his body responds to the uptick in playing time will be important with a week left until the start of the regular season.
The Lakers and Warriors are looking to clean up their turnovers. Getty Images
Turnovers
The Lakers and Warriors have both struggled with taking care of the ball during the preseason, posting turnover percentages of at least 20% in their exhibitions entering Tuesday.
And both are looking to clean up their offensive process before the games start to matter in the standings next week.
Which team will make better progress in this area Tuesday night?
With Kristaps Porzingis out indefinitely, Warriors coach Steve Kerr revealed his potential starting lineup for opening night of the regular season.
Kerr said he’s “leaning toward” starting Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski, Yaxel Lendeborg and Gui Santos.
Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (15) drives to the basket against Sacramento Kings guard Emanuel Sharp (34) in the first half of a preseason game at Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. The Warriors defeated the Kings 111-106. San Francisco Chronicle / Polaris
Al Horford, who turned 40 in June, could be a potential starter, but Kerr said he’s leaning against that option.
“Al could be in there, but just given where he is minutes-wise per game, if the guy is going to play 20 [minutes], which is probably the limit or where we’d like him to average, it’s just a lot easier to bring him off the bench,” Kerr told reporters Monday.
“I also like the idea of having Draymond or Al on the court as often as possible to anchor our defense, so, yeah, I’m leaning that way.”
Porzingis has missed the Warriors’ entire preseason due to an undisclosed private health issue. Kerr said Porzingis will meet with Rick Celebrini, the Warriors’ director of sports medicine and performance, on Tuesday to figure out next steps.
Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis comes in as a substitute against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at Chase Center. (Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images) D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
It remains unclear when Porzingis will return.
“All of that will be determined once we get him back here and have discussions and figure out where he is and all that stuff,” Kerr said.
Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are expected to remain sidelined with injuries for the first few months of the season.
Jimmy Butler III of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against the New York Knicks at Chase Center in San Francisco, California, on Jan. 15, 2026. Getty Images
So, when it comes to the Warriors’ starting lineup, Santos could get a big opportunity. The 24-year-old forward started in 30 games for the Warriors last season and averaged 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocked shots per game.
Santos, whom Golden State selected with the 55th pick in the 2022 draft, has been a success story for the franchise. The Warriors signed him to a three-year, $15 million extension in February.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 10: The sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 10, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 8: LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers throws chalk in the air before the game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 8, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Sixers will play their final preseason game this Friday against the Boston Celtics at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
After that, they count.
We’re exactly one week away from the season opener where LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and the Sixers will be at Madison Square Garden for the ring ceremony and banner raising of the defending champion New York Knicks. Next will be the home opener a couple nights later against James Harden and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
If Nick Nurse is true to his word, expect to see the Sixers’ full starting lineup again Friday in what will amount to a dress rehearsal. All of James, Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe should suit up and likely play into the second half. Nurse sounded hopeful Tuesday at practice that Anfernee Simons (hamstring) and Adem Bona (foot) could be available for a tune up on Friday. Both players are set to take on significant roles.
What’s on your mind a week from the real thing? Hit me up in the comments and I’ll do my best to respond to as many of you as possible.
