Category: Basketball

Warriors' Pat Spencer torches NBA teams prioritizing length, athleticism over IQ originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors veterans Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Al Horford have seen the NBA change dramatically over the course of their lengthy careers, and probably have plenty of thoughts and opinions about today’s game.

However, it was one of Golden State’s more junior players that delivered a scathing league-wide critique on Sunday after the Warriors’ 111-103 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at Chase Center.

Second-year guard Pat Spencer, who scored 12 points with three rebounds and four assists on 3-of-7 shooting from the field and 1 of 2 on 3-pointers in 21 minutes against the Lakers, took aim at some NBA teams over their roster-construction priorities (h/t The San Francisco Standard’s Danny Emerman).

“If you’re a guy who can connect the dots, but also do some other things, knock the 3-ball down, there’s always going to be a place for you in the league,” Spencer said postgame. “Unfortunately, there’s a lot of organizations that are stuck in the bottom that continue to value length and athleticism over IQ. And they tend to stay in the lottery every year.”

The 29-year-old Spencer, a former college lacrosse star-turned-hooper, who is on a two-way contract with Golden State, impressed in limited action during the 2024-25 NBA season with his do-it-all, high-IQ-style of play off the bench.

In 39 regular-season games last season, Spencer averaged 2.5 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game on 40.6-percent shooting from the field in just over six minutes per game before averaging 4.5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game on 64-percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from 3-point range in the playoffs.

Spencer currently does not project to be part of Warriors coach Steve Kerr’s rotations this season, but he showed last year that if his number is called, he will bring the intangible traits that he believes are deserving of a roster spot in today’s NBA.

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Tatum's ‘unprecedented' rehab, and more early thoughts from Celtics camp originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The first week of the Boston Celtics’ 2025-26 season is in the rearview mirror after training camp officially began last Tuesday.

Some thoughts on the week’s biggest storylines with preseason games on the horizon: 

Tatum’s ‘unprecedented’ rehab

The night before the Boston Celtics huddled for Media Day, Jayson Tatum released a rather jarring video of his progress since Achilles surgery. Less than five months removed from the rupture, Tatum showcased his recent return to basketball workouts. 

We wondered if Tatum’s teammates, who have seen him grinding away in the weight room throughout the offseason, were as surprised as the rest of us.

“He looks like he’s going to be ready for opening night,” joked superstar running mate Jaylen Brown. “Just somebody with a crazy work ethic and passion for the game. So I’m not surprised.”

Even seeing Tatum’s relentless effort on a daily basis, his teammates still marveled at how far he’s come in a short time. A sampling of their reactions:

• Xavier Tillman: “It is crazy impressive. I mean, I’m seeing this guy do like box jumps and stuff like that. And I’m like, ‘Huh!? What!?’”
• Jordan Walsh: “I mean, the dude’s a machine. He’s recovering at a crazy rate.”
• Josh Minott: “That’s inspiring, seeing his progression. I mean, they’re saying it’s like unprecedented.”
• Derrick White: “It’s been impressive. Just goes to who he is and what type of worker he is.”
• Sam Hauser: “To see him moving like that already is pretty special. And it’s just a credit to all the work he’s been doing behind the scenes, when there’s no cameras around. You watch the way he’s working, rehabbing, it makes you want to do a little extra.”
• Payton Pritchard: “I already expected this from Jayson, to come back like this … I just never put things past certain people, and he’s one of those guys.”
• Joe Mazzulla: “He’s done an amazing job just accepting the journey that he’s on … The work ethic that he’s put in, but also the mentality that he’s shown and the leadership that he’s shown in working and training, it’s second to none.”

Alas, Tatum’s accelerated rehab has caused issues for some inside the Auerbach Center.

“I was a little bit mad at [Tatum] a couple of weeks ago because all of a sudden his next step was he could use the treadmill and I like to use the treadmill,” said Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens. “And it just kind of felt like we were on the same timing. So I got kicked off the one machine that I can use in that whole building. 

“So I’m glad that he’s making strides and getting back on the court, for my own good.”

Slim Tillman ready for new season

Beyond Tatum’s prognosis, perhaps the most common question we fielded from Celtics fans throughout the offseason centered (pun fully intended) on how the Celtics would patch together their frontcourt after the departures of Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet. 

We’d tell the inquisitor about the opportunity in front of Neemias Queta. We’d talk about the additions of Luka Garza and Chris Boucher. We’d even note the addition of Amari Williams on a two-way contract. But we’d routinely forget to include Tillman in the conversation.

Even with an overstocked frontcourt last season, it was jarring that Tillman played just 231 minutes in 33 regular-season appearances. The same player who was a key role player for the 2024 title team after his midseason addition had become a bit of an afterthought.

Tillman’s knee balked for much of last season, leaving him unable to maximize the minutes he received. His playing time evaporated late in the season, and he logged just 35 total minutes after the All-Star break. 

Tillman came back to camp 12 pounds lighter and eager to remind people that he can be a key presence as an undersized and versatile big. Even without much playing time last season, he is one of Boston’s more experienced frontcourt players and should get every opportunity to reestablish himself. 

The center spot will be in the spotlight as the Celtics kick off preseason play this week with visits to Memphis (Tillman’s old stomping grounds) and Toronto (Boucher’s former home). 

Kevin DuCharme/NBC Sports Boston

Harder, faster, stronger

Maybe it’s time to add Daft Punk to the TD Garden playlist, because so much of the talk around these Celtics in the first week of camp is how much harder and faster they yearn to play this season.

From the moment Boston completed its summer overhaul, the suggestion has been that the Celtics would mask some of that talent drain by simply holding the turbo button this season. Payton Pritchard sported a bloody gash on his neck after what he termed a “war”-like practice on Friday.

It’s not a coincidence that Boston aims to play harder and faster when the Pacers and Thunder were the last two teams standing last season. You need talent and skill, but those teams clearly benefited from an all-gas, no-brakes playing style. Now the Celtics will try to match with some sort of controlled intensity. 

The harder/faster hype kicked into overdrive when Walsh suggested the Celtics might go with full hockey subs in order to keep the energy level maximized. Mazzulla — and later Walsh — eventually walked back that idea. But the suggestion is undeniable: The Celtics plan to crank up the aggression to mask some of the skill that departed this summer.

Every fantasy basketball championship is built on consistency. While chasing high-upside breakouts can be tempting, the safest fantasy basketball players to draft in 2025 are those who deliver reliable production night after night. These high-floor NBA picks combine excellent per-game averages with proven durability—giving you the stable foundation every winning roster needs. In this guide, we reveal our three All-Floor teams featuring the most dependable fantasy producers for the 2025 season, from elite guards like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to dominant big men like Nikola Jokic.

First Team All-Floor

Guard: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

The 2025 MVP is versatile on both sides of the ball and can rack up fantasy totals quickly. He's a three-level scorer who is especially adept at drawing fouls, which result in additional trips to the charity stripe. He's also very durable, with only 13 missed games over the past two seasons.

Guard: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Edwards is the offensive centerpiece of the Timberwolves and has a talented supporting cast around him. He's a dynamic player who makes highlight-reel-worthy plays on a nightly basis. Although he takes abuse when he slashes inside and draws a lot of attention from opposing defenses, Edwards has played 72-plus games over the last four seasons.

Forward: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Although he underwent knee surgery in the offseason, a breakout campaign could be in store for Brown. He's the heir to the throne of Boston's offense with Jayson Tatum out until April at the earliest, and he'll have little competition at the wing once he's back to 100 percent. He's missed a few more games than other people on the first team, but his tremendous upside earns him a spot.

Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis is a nightly double-double threat and is arguably one of the most dynamic players in the league. He can burn you on both sides of the ball, and the only knock on his game is his work at the free-throw line. He can play hurt and only misses games in the most extreme circumstances.

Center: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Jokic's inclusion in the first team is no surprise. Jokic will pop with triple-doubles almost every week, and few players in the league can match his prolific numbers. He can spur the Nuggets to victory through sheer will, and it's a miracle that he's stayed healthy throughout most of his career despite his tremendous volume. He's missed only 15 games over the past two seasons.

Second Team All-Floor

Guard: Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers

In the past, Doncic's lack of conditioning and overall fitness have been a concern, but it appears he's taken steps to correct that narrative in the offseason. According to reports, he has shed several pounds and is in the best shape of his career. With LeBron James nearing retirement, Doncic is poised to take the reins of LA's offense, and he's already made an impact since joining the team last February. Like Jokic, he has triple-double potential whenever he takes the floor and is a dream addition to any fantasy squad.

Guard: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Although the recent hiring of Mike Brown might alter the offensive scheme for the Knicks, it shouldn't adversely affect Brunson. He's one of the most productive and consistent guards in the league, and he's coming off a career season where he was the driving force behind New York's playoff run. He's been impacted by injuries in the past, but he's averaged 70 games over his three-year tenure with the Knicks.

Forward: Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

Mobley could be one of the most underrated players in the league, but he won't fly under the radar with us. Although he was limited by injury during the 2023-24 season, he's been very durable otherwise. He matches his excellent attendance with a superior interior game and the ability to stretch the floor with adept mid-range shooting. He'll often finish with a double-double and will rarely disappoint.

Forward: Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers

Siakam had a very productive 2024-25 season and was typically the team's top scorer. With Tyrese Haliburton out and Myles Turner off to Milwaukee, Siakam should be the offensive centerpiece for a squad that will need Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard to step up. There's little doubt that Siakam's role will expand, and he's managed to remain injury-free for the past four seasons.

Center: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

There were some initial concerns about Wembanyama's durability after an injury torpedoed his rookie campaign, but he silenced the critics by appearing in 71 games last season. Wembanyama is one of those generational players whose upside is uncapped, and he should have one of the highest floors on this list. Nikola Jokic was the only barrier keeping him from first-team honors.

Third Team All-Floor

Guard: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Young is the definition of consistency, as the talented point guard continues to churn out a high floor nightly for the Hawks. He had some injury struggles during the 2023-24 season, but he's usually good for at least 70 games. Young is an adept dime-dropper who can put up double-doubles with regularity, and Dyson Daniels' presence on the floor has helped to boost Young's production. 

Guard: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

With Kevin Durant off to Houston, all eyes will be on Booker as the unquestioned leader in Phoenix. He's one of the best shooting guards in the league and is a productive multi-category fantasy threat. He's capable of enormous totals, and we will probably see more than a few 40-point explosions in the new offensive scheme. Although such upside is his best asset, his floor is very dependable and invaluable.

Forward: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

Orlando will be a team to watch this season as they add Desmond Bane to the starting lineup, and Banchero will continue to be the team's top offensive option. Although he flies under the radar a bit due to the small market, he's deserving of a second-team spot. He can rack up rebounds and points regularly, and although his 2024-25 season was thwarted by an oblique injury, he's only 22 and is just beginning to come into his own. Banchero is still developing and has some shooting issues he needs to fix, but his sheer volume will make up for the deficiency.

Forward: Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

Barnes is the offensive engine for the Raptors, who are finally starting to put together a competitive roster. The team depends on consistent fantasy production from Barnes, and he almost always delivers. While he's had some injury setbacks over the past two seasons, it's easy to forget that he just turned 24 in August, and his body should be able to handle the volume. While we value durability, his nightly contributions were strong enough to merit an addition to the third team. His thumb injury appears to be behind him, and he should be ready to go for the regular season.

Center: Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

Sabonis doesn't get the attention he deserves. Two seasons ago, the center actually outdueled Nikola Jokic for the highest triple-double total, and he nearly repeated that feat last season. He displays MVP-level production without getting any votes for the crown, but that could change if Sacramento's playoff chances improve. A triple-double is a regular occurrence for Sabonis, and he's proven to be very durable. He's only missed 15 games over the past three seasons.

Honorable Mentions

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Derrick White, Boston Celtics

The Lakers entered training camp with hopes of finally establishing chemistry between stars Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. But the trio have yet to see the court together. On Sunday, they all stayed on the bench during the Lakers’ 111-103 loss to the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.

With Doncic (rest) and James (glute) already out, Reaves was rested Sunday after an already full first week of training camp. The fifth-year guard had the highest workload on the team entering the first preseason game that took place after three days of practice. He scored 20 points against the Phoenix Suns as one of the few offensive bright spots in Friday’s blowout loss.

Without their top offensive playmakers, the Lakers got a lift from guard Gabe Vincent, who made his preseason debut after nursing a knee injury. He had 16 points and five assists while center Deandre Ayton, who scored just one point on two shots in Friday’s preseason game, scored seven points, all in the first quarter, with seven rebounds.

Read more:Why Luka Doncic didn't play in Lakers' preseason opener against Suns

“We came with more intention,” Vincent said compared to the Lakers’ 103-81 loss to the Suns on Friday. “We were more focused. Obviously it's different with those three not playing. They're a huge part of our team and everything that we do. But next man up.”

After their first two preseason games, the Lakers have one week of practice until their first home preseason game against the Warriors on Oct. 12. Coach JJ Redick said that although Doncic was scheduled to rest for the first two preseason games after he played in EuroBasket with his national team, the Slovenian superstar is still expected to play before the team officially opens its season on Oct. 21. The Lakers have four preseason games remaining.

Whether James, who was held out of early training camp practices because of nerve irritation in his glute, will play in the preseason remains to be seen. Entering an unprecedented 23rd NBA season, James is on a slower ramp-up schedule than previous years, Redick said.

The Warriors took a similarly cautious approach with their aging superstars as Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler III and Al Horford were all limited to one half. The 37-year-old Curry still scored 14 points in 15 minutes, draining five of seven shots from the field and drawing loud cheers from a nearly full Chase Center crowd when he laid up an acrobatic shot through contact and pointed two finger guns into the ESPN baseline camera.

Redick called it a challenge to get a proper evaluation of his team in a 48-minute preseason game when his top three stars are out, but after Friday’s preseason opener, he was looking for better organization on offense early in the shot clock, playing with pace and more physicality.

“We've got to be more physical getting open,” Redick said before the game. “We've got to be more physical with our screening. That doesn't change based on who's in the lineup, so that habit, we can build that.”

“Championship habits” is one of three pillars Redick has preached relentlessly during training camp, along with championship communication and championship shape. He said he would judge the latter in part by whether players are sprinting back on defense.

The Lakers were outscored 23-5 in transition Sunday and 42-11 through two preseason games.

With the exception of a 10-0 Warriors run to end the second quarter and a nearly six-minute stretch to begin the third quarter during which Golden State pushed a seven-point halftime lead into a 23-point rout, Redick said the overall competitiveness was “much better” than against Phoenix. But the next challenge will be to put forth that effort consistently. 

It follows a recent theme Redick introduced to the team: Kaizen, the Japanese word for improvement.  

“It's just getting 1% better each day,” said forward Jake LaRavia, who had 10 points and three assists. “And that goes along with just winning the day. We thought when we played Phoenix, we didn't. Today, we thought we did a good amount better, obviously, still not the result that we wanted, but we're working in the right direction.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Al Horford demonstrates how he can elevate Warriors in preseason win vs. Lakers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Al Horford, 39, knows he’s old by NBA standards. He doesn’t sweat it, nor do the Warriors. If his regular season looks anything like his performance on Sunday, neither should the good citizens of Dub Nation.

Horford came off the bench for 14 hyperactive minutes in a 111-103 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Golden State’s preseason opener at Chase Center. He scored only three points, a triple that splashed neatly through the net, but the rest of his game put skeptics on alert.

You can call him Al 🕺 pic.twitter.com/08w26h9Dkz

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 6, 2025

The 6-foot-9 forward/center had four rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal. Moreover, he was plus-13 for his effort.

“Fun,” coach Steve Kerr said of Horford’s showing. “To see the size and the shooting ability, passing ability, just the flow of the game. What an addition he is.”

Horford earned the right to join fellow veterans Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green as spectators once the halftime buzzer sounded.

When Moses Moody picked up three fouls in the first three minutes, Horford hopped off the bench and took the floor, receiving a warm ovation from the sellout crowd. He immediately went to work.

Horford was sprinting the floor. Bouncing about the paint. Rotating with ease and timing. He slides over to trap Bronny James and comes away with a steal. When Nate Williams pump-fakes Draymond Green out of position, Horford rotates over and uses his 7-foot-1 wingspan for the block.

“It’s more a sign of his basketball IQ than it is him flying around trying to impress anybody,” Kerr said. “He’s just always in the right spot. He had (three) blocked shots. The two that I remember, he just rotated over perfectly, recognized the late shot clock, knew exactly where he was, what he needed to do. He’s been around for a long time, he’s seen everything, and it comes very naturally to him.”

For all that Kevon Looney gave this franchise, this was an 18-year veteran, with more comprehensive skills, making spectacular plays, and nobody appreciated it more than Curry, who turned a Horford dime into an easy bucket.

Al Horford 🤝 Steph pic.twitter.com/X4ifkPsDek

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 6, 2025

“Obviously has a high IQ,” Curry said. “An experienced, championship-caliber player that can fit with any lineup out there. He gives us space. He gives us presence on the defensive end. You saw the pass he made to me out of the corner on the give-and-go. There’s just an unspoken chemistry that will continue to get better.

“He’s a multidimensional as a 5-man. Excited to see what that looks like for me, for Jimmy, for JK and Draymond. Any lineup, you can throw him out there at the 5 and he lifts the group.”

Horford spent time with most of the team’s rotation players, and even shared the court with fellow center Quinten Post. That probably won’t be last time Kerr resorts to utilizing two big men together.

Though Horford was not in the starting lineup, he still projects as the likely starter at center. He certainly will be in the finishing lineup.

No player in franchise history has been projected as a starter at such an advanced age, so initial concern about Horford’s health is valid. Any concern about his conditioning, however, should be put to rest. Not one of his teammates brought more velocity.

Horford played 60 games, with 42 starts, last season with the Celtics, as planned by coach Joe Mazzulla. He hasn’t played more than 70 games since appearing in 72 in 2017-18. He averaged 27.7 minutes last season, 26.8 the year before.

The Warriors will follow a similar regimen.

“We’ll do the same thing,” Kerr said. “We have to preserve all our older guys as best we can to have them ready for the playoffs. That’s the idea.

“But no question, he’s still got it. He’s incredible player. Great fit for us.”

It’s a preseason game. The opener. But there was not one clumsy moment for Horford. The pro looked like a pro with enough game to render his age irrelevant.

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What we learned as Steph Curry shines in Warriors' preseason win over Lakers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO – Vibes are sky-high now that Warriors basketball has returned to Chase Center after what felt like an extra-long offseason.

The Warriors opened their 2025 preseason schedule with a 111-103 win Sunday night against the Los Angeles Lakers in front of their home fans.

Steph Curry played like he wishes he could fast forward to the regular season opener already. Curry in 15 minutes scored 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting and went 3 of 5 from 3-point range. As coach Steve Kerr noted pregame, Curry only played the first half.

Steph from downtown 💦 pic.twitter.com/AvO43B4ozO

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 6, 2025

So did Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. Butler also played 15 minutes and stuffed the box score with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting, four rebounds and two assists. He also was 3 of 4 on free throws. 

Green played 14 minutes and was a step behind Curry and Butler, knocking off some preseason rust. Going just 1 of 6 from the field while missing both of his 3-point attempts, Green had two points, three rebounds and five assists. But he also turned the ball over twice, was called for two fouls and found himself in a mini situation that referees had to review after Green and Jarred Vanderbilt got tangled at halfcourt.

As impressive as Curry’s first half was, it didn’t allow him to be the Warriors’ leading scorer. Moses Moody was. Moody scored 13 points in the first half and ended as a plus-21 with 19 points in 15 minutes. Moody went 7 of 9 overall, and made five of his seven shots from long distance.

Moooooooody 👌 pic.twitter.com/MW2nFQgINu

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 6, 2025

Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ win to open the preseason.

Warriors Start Small

The first starting lineup of the Warriors’ 2025 preseason did not include one of their biggest additions. Center Al Horford began the game on the bench before being the first reserve to enter after three minutes. Coach Steve Kerr instead opted to go with the same lineup that helped propel them in their second-half success. 

Along with Curry, Butler and Green, Brandin Podziemski and Moody also were in the starting five. The lineup played 21 regular-season games together for a total of 211 minutes and registered a 16.4 net rating with a 120.6 offensive rating and 104.2 defensive rating. The Warriors trailed 11-8 when Kerr made his first change, bringing in Hoford for Moody. 

Though Moody had scored five of the Warriors’ first eight points, a nasty dunk and a 3-pointer, he also was whistled for three fouls in three minutes.

Moses Moody throws it down 😤 pic.twitter.com/LYrSkB5hus

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 6, 2025

Curry looked like he was in midseason form right away, scoring 11 points over eight minutes in the first quarter. The Warriors are bound to use multiple starting lineups and combinations throughout the preseason. Curry appears ready to play with anybody.

First Look At Horford 

It didn’t take long to notice what kind of impact Horford will have on the Warriors, whether he starts or comes off the big. A minute and a half after coming onto the floor, Horford showcased his high IQ by finding Curry for a perfectly executed give-and-go. 

Al Horford 🤝 Steph pic.twitter.com/X4ifkPsDek

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 6, 2025

Horford in the first quarter only took one shot, a missed three, yet he still was a plus-4 in nine minutes. He already blocked two shots and dished two assists, as well as adding one rebound and one steal. 

In the second quarter, Horford spent time with 7-foot center Quinten Post, displaying the Warriors’ new two-bigs lineup. Horford also blocked another shot and made his first three as a Warrior. The ball hummed when he was on the court, and the defense had a clear rim protector too.

Like Curry, Butler and Green, Horford’s night was over after the first half. Horford in 14 minutes was a game-high plus-13 for the first half with three points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal and three blocked shots.

Second Half Stars

As the veterans enjoyed the second half as spectators, Kerr began the third quarter with Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Moody, Jonathan Kuminga and Post as his first five. 

Post within the first minute buried a three from the left wing. The Warriors’ first five made shots of the third quarter were all threes – one by Post, two by Podziemski and two from Moody. Spacing will be a key to the Warriors’ success, and it showed up and down the roster. 

Podziemski missed his one 3-point shot in the first half and then made two of his three in the third quarter. Moody’s strong shooting through the first two quarters followed him to the third quarter before he took a seat. 

Then there’s Kuminga. He played 15 minutes overall, coming out for good with six and a half minutes left in the third quarter. The results are what the Warriors want from Kuminga. Stats weren’t eye-popping, but that’s not the point. 

JK 👀 pic.twitter.com/YpmHzpnCKb

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 6, 2025

Kuminga totaled five points, six rebounds, four assists and one blocked shot. He was active defensively, hit the glass and kept the ball moving offensively. For all the negative chatter in the offseason, this was a strong showing of a player bought-in for the betterment of the team.

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Drew Eubanks calls first Kings training camp ‘hardest' of seven-year NBA career originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Kings might be the most conditioned team during the 2025-26 NBA season.

On Day 5 of Sacramento training camp, power forward Drew Eubanks explained how coach Doug Christie’s squad has been working in ways the veteran never has experienced over his lengthy career in the league.

“It’s been really good,” Eubanks told reporters Saturday. “Honestly, this is probably the hardest training camp I’ve had or ever been a part of. It seems like every single day has been a two-and-a-half-hour [or] three-hour practice where we’re getting up and down competing. 

“And yeah, it’s been great so far. Love it.”

Eubanks, who signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Kings on July 8 after being waived by the Los Angeles Clippers, is a seven-year NBA veteran.

His endorsement of how challenging the Kings’ training camp is appears to be positive. And Eubanks wouldn’t mess around, considering he played four seasons under legendary San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

Sacramento hopes Eubanks can help the Kings off the bench, especially as a reserve behind star center Domantas Sabonis. Eubanks is confident that the tiring regimen only will help the new-look Purple and Black when the season starts on Oct. 21.

“We’re just going to be in better shape once the season starts — more connected,” Eubanks said.

Eubanks has career averages of 5.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists. He will be competing with players such as Dario Šarić for reserve minutes in the frontcourt.

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Three Warriors players flying under the radar as 2025 NBA preseason begins originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – In a world where Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green all play for one team, it’s comically impressive Jonathan Kuminga became the talk of the Warriors’ offseason. 

The Big Three of Curry, Butler and Green will grab headlines, run highlight packages and be the talk of morning shows. Kuminga will be a focal point of Warriors chatter for a number of reasons, too. As will offseason additions Al Horford and Seth Curry, the health and return of De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II staying in Golden State. 

Brandin Podziemski’s Year 3 leap as their next hopeful budding young star certainly will be something to monitor. A handful of other Warriors will be storylines of their own, but as the preseason begins a few already have gone under the radar. 

Here are three Warriors that quickly can remind the outside to not forget about them, even if the spotlight is brighter on others. 

Moses Moody

Rinse and repeat. Moody is entering his fifth season since going No. 14 overall to the Warriors in the 2021 NBA Draft and often has been left in the shadows. At times, that’s because of a constant roster logjam at his position. 

Even so, coach Steve Kerr has fielded questions throughout the last few seasons about why Moody isn’t playing as much and how he can earn more minutes. 

“As it relates to Moses, if we’ve got spacing, he’s one of those guys spaced,” Kerr said earlier this week. “He’s going to get a lot of open looks, and that bodes well for him. He’s an excellent shooter.” 

A point of emphasis offensively for Moody is to be the pick-and-roll guy more, as in the one setting the screen to play out of the pocket and swing the ball or hit open shots. Kerr saw how teams are starting to place guards on shooting big men like Quinten Post, and defending someone like Moody, who isn’t as used to pick-and-roll, with their center. 

The Warriors are looking for more offensive versatility out of someone they believe can contribute at multiple positions, which brings us to our next point. 

Point of attack is the name of the game for the Warriors’ defense, knowing the back is well protected between Butler, Green and Horford. 

“I think Moses will again take on that role, which he did so well after the [Butler trade] of guarding the ball, guarding the other team’s best player, really hounding the ball and that gives him a role that he has really taken to,” Kerr said. 

Moody averaged 10.8 points and 1.2 steals per game after Butler’s arrival. He had 18 games of multiple steals last season, and 14 came after the Butler trade. He slots into the 2, 3 and 4, and seems to have found his best role. 

“Steph plays fast, up and down, and then Jimmy slows it down, uses the whole shot clock. I like them out there together and my role being able to play off both of them gives us some diversity,” Moody said. 

Trayce Jackson-Davis

Jackson-Davis has yet to find consistency in the first two years of his NBA career. He became the Warriors’ starting center the final month of the regular season as a rookie, and began last season in the starting lineup as well. Jackson-Davis started 37 of the 62 games he played last season but fell in the pecking order behind Post, another second-round draft pick who plays the same position as him. 

Conditioning to become a more versatile player was Jackson-Davis’ offseason focus. He has dropped 15 pounds from last season, looking to be a better defender side-to-side who can switch onto wings and guards from the center position. Signing Horford looks to again put him below another center, but the move actually can benefit how Jackson-Davis plays. 

“I think this is actually a really good thing for Trayce, because he will complement the other two guys. He has a totally different skill set,” Kerr said. “… Trayce could play with either Quinten or Al because of his shot blocking and diving, whereas the other two guys are more pick-and-pop. The floor balance makes a lot of sense.” 

The Warriors tried to combat the Houston Rockets with their own two-big lineup here and there in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. Now, they feel like the combination of Horford, Post and Jackson-Davis gives them a much better shot at doing so.

“Obviuously I’m a vertical threat and those guys space the floor with 3-point shooting, but especially defensively I think we can be really, really good as well,” Jackson-Davis said. 

A leaner version of himself has Jackson-Davis ready to be interchangeable in the frontcourt as a center or power forward. 

“That’s just another thing that’s going to be with my conditioning,” he explained. “Being able to guard 4s and being able to move quicker laterally. I think that’s something I’m just going to continue to work on, develop and be ready for when the time comes.”

Gui Santos

Every team needs at least one player, and hopefully more, who is guaranteed to always bring energy. Santos is one of them for the Warriors. 

His role isn’t expected to change much. He’ll come in for a few minutes, grab a number of rebounds, be an energizer and make winning plays. That’s how Santos will stay on the floor, and those traits can be easy to miss.

But they’re what the Warriors love about him.

“Gui is a great vibe,” Jackson-Davis said Saturday. “He plays as hard as he can every time he’s on the court. He’s a very, very high-IQ guy, and that fits really well with this system. And whenever he’s on the court, you can feel his presence – just the energy, how engaged he is and and how tough he is.

“We need all of that.” 

Kerr sees a player who, through development in the G League and proving himself in the NBA, has grown stronger mentally and physically.

“He just looks a little bouncier, a little more athletic,” Kerr said. “He’s still a young guy. He’s put a ton of work in the weight room. He’s growing into his body still. And I thought he looked just more athletic than he has in the past. 

“There’s a confidence level with Gui now that wasn’t there a couple of years ago.” 

Santos went from playing only 23 games two seasons ago while averaging 8.3 minutes per game as a rookie, to then playing 56 games last season and averaging 13.6 minutes per game. Santos will want to see his shooting numbers go up for someone who should get open looks, but he knows his real calling card. 

Though he usually plays in shorter bursts, Santos had 19 games of multiple offensive rebounds last season, in which the Warriors went 14-5. When he had three or more, the Warriors only lost once. Stars shine, and so can Santos in his own role.

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What Warriors rookies did with photos from viral moment with idol Steph Curry originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It’s normal to be starstruck by someone you’ve admired your entire life. But when that person now is your Warriors teammate, those interactions can be hard to get used to.

Golden State rookies Chance McMillian, 24, and Will Richard, 22, quickly learned that during Warriors Media Day last week, when an adorably relatable interaction with franchise superstar Steph Curry went viral on social media.

Even though McMillian and Richard were too shy to ask Curry for a photo right away, the two-time NBA MVP happily obliged after the pair of rookies, patiently waiting, were put on blast.

So, what do youngsters like McMillian and Richard do with a professional photo taken alongside their NBA idol?

“Sent it straight to my mom,” McMillian told The Athletic’s Nick Friedell, noting her immediately reply was one full of pride. “You know how moms get.”

The interaction with Curry immediately racked up millions of views online as a moment that Dub Nation and most NBA fans certainly understood.

“Literally everyone I know sent it back to me or said something to me about it,” McMillian told Friedell. “It was pretty funny.”

McMillian, an undrafted free agent, signed with the Warriors last Monday but was waived a few hours later. He’s expected to contribute for G League Santa Cruz Warriors this season, per Friedell, and the Media Day photo wil serve as a reminder of how far he has come.

“Last year, when I was at [Texas] Tech, I was trying to figure out ways how to move off the ball and get open and I pulled up some Steph clips,” McMillian told Friedell. “And now here I am, we’re in the same locker room. …

“I still am a big Steph fan. I grew up watching him. The Warriors have been my team since Andris Biedriņš, David Lee, those days. So it’s still like not real, but it’s starting to settle in.”

Richard, the Warriors’ No. 56 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, did something similar to McMillian with his Curry picture.

“I sent it to my parents,” Richard told Friedell. “Their first words was ‘We got to frame this.’ That was literally their first words.”

Also like McMillian, and many other NBA youngsters, Richard grew up idolizing Curry. And after signing a reported four-year, $8.69 million contract with Golden State, the two are set to be teammates for a while — or, however much longer Curry, 37, remains in the league.

“I grew up loving the Warriors,” Richard told Friedell. “Watching them, watching Steph. Loving him and Klay [Thompson] and Draymond [Green], and just seeing what they did here so being a part of it is a blessing. It’s a dream come true for me.”

Both Richard and McMillian told Friedell they’ll likely hang their photo with Curry in somewhere in their homes. The hilarious moment led to a cherished memento they’ll treasure throughout their lives and respective NBA careers — a reminder of where they started, and what they can achieve.

“[I’m going to] definitely have it somewhere in the house,” McMillian told Friedell. “But I’ll use it as constant motivation because this is the best shooter of all time. And I’m going to use it as motivation to work hard and get where he’s at. Because not everyone in the world has a vet that’s Steph Curry.”

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The Knicks continued their preseason schedule at the NBA’s Abu Dhabi Games, beating the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, 112-104.

With Josh Hart sidelined due to back spasms, OG Anunoby reentered the starting lineup and made his 2025 preseason debut.

Here are the takeaways...

-- After missing New York's first preseason game on Thursday, Anunoby got out to a strong start in the first quarter against the Sixers. He missed his first shot of the night, but nailed his next two, including a three-pointer, and then found Mitchell Robinson in transition for an alley-oop jam.

After an early breather, Anunoby came back into the game with about three minutes left in the quarter. He hit his second three of the game to extend New York's lead, finishing the quarter with eight points. The wing stayed hot and made another three-pointer to open the second quarter, going 3-for-5 from deep in the first half with 11 points.

-- Jordan Clarkson, Miles McBride, and Guerschon Yabusele were new head coach Mike Brown's first substitutions of the game, midway through the first quarter. Clarkson took after Anunoby and hit Robinson for another fast break alley-oop to put the Knicks up 27-22 with about two minutes left in the quarter. The pair connected again with the clock winding down, as the guard cut through the defense and found the big man underneath the rim for another easy dunk.

-- The Knicks shot 60 percent as a team (12-for-20) in the first quarter and led the Sixers, 31-23. They held Philly to 36.8 percent shooting (7-for-19), as Tyrese Maxey paced them with eight points.

-- Malcom Brogdon started the second quarter as he and McBride ran the offense for about four minutes before Jalen Brunson subbed back in to the game. Yabusele showed how he can be a big contributor to the team in the second, hitting a three and getting back on defense to block Justin Edwards at the rim.

New York coasted through the rest of the second quarter, outscoring Philadelphia 28-24, and leading 59-47 at halftime. Anunoby led the way with 11 points and Brunson had nine of his own. Maxey had 16 points for the Sixers, playing nearly the entire first half.

-- With the starters ending their days early, Brown opted for a lineup of Brogdon, Clarkson, Yabusele, Pacome Dadiet, and Landry Shamet to open the second half. Tyler Kolek and Ariel Hukporti were the first group of subs, while Kevin McCullar Jr., Mohamed Diawara, and Garrison Matthews entered with about three minutes left in the third quarter.

All fighting for roster spots and potential rotational minutes, the bench unit showed effort defensively toward the end of the third quarter, forcing a shot clock violation that got the starters off their seats. Although the 76ers won the third quarter 28-23 and trailed, 82-75, heading into the fourth quarter.

-- Philadelphia did not give up in the fourth quarter, cutting the Knicks' lead down to five points with under two minutes left. Kolek followed up a miss with a floater to push the lead back to seven with under a minute left. New York held on for the 112-104 win.

Brunson finished with 14 points, Anunoby scored 13, and Mikal Bridges had 10 points. McCullar, Matthews, and Tosan Evbuomwan each scored six points off the bench.

Highlights

the DEMON is BACK 😈 pic.twitter.com/KcjyCdPtDj

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 4, 2025

things we missed… THIS‼️

OG TO MITCH SLAM💥 pic.twitter.com/7zqiZLsQKR

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 4, 2025

Guerschon Yabusele says no 🐻 pic.twitter.com/WvxC7CwDrG

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) October 4, 2025

Kolek ➡️ Hukporti 💪 pic.twitter.com/jQvVVpddq5

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) October 4, 2025

Up next

The Knicks return home to The Garden to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves and old friends Julius Randle and Donte Divincenzo on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Jimmy Butler questionable for Warriors-Lakers preseason opener with ankle injury originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Jimmy Butler is going through his first training camp with the Warriors after being acquired from the Miami Heat at last February’s trade deadline, but his preseason debut with the team might have to wait. 

Butler rolled his ankle Thursday and did not practice Friday or Saturday. Coach Steve Kerr is calling Butler’s status a “question mark” for Sunday’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center. 

“That’ll be a training staff decision,” Kerr said. 

Steve Kerr reveals Jimmy Butler is "a question mark" for the Warriors' preseason opener after rolling his ankle pic.twitter.com/1INBAWT5eo

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 4, 2025

The Warriors and director of sports medicine and performance Rick Celebrini will be extremely cautious with the health of players throughout preseason, especially veterans like Butler, Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Al Horford. Curry, Green and Horford are expected to play Sunday.

Center Trayce Jackson-Davis also is considered questionable for the Warriors. Jackson-Davis when speaking Saturday at the podium had his right thumb taped up. 

He says it isn’t anything to worry about. 

“Thumb’s good,” Jackson-Davis said. “Just a little precaution.” 

Guard De’Anthony Melton continues to rehab from left ACL surgery he underwent in December. Melton will miss all of the 2025-26 NBA preseason, as well as the start of the regular season. He has been able to go through individual work as the rest of Warriors practice and scrimmage in training camp. 

The Warriors on Wednesday announced Melton will be re-evaluated in four weeks. 

Rookie Alex Toohey also will not be healthy enough to play Sunday, delaying his NBA preseason debut. Toohey has been dealing with an ankle injury that has hampered him in training camp and prior to that as well. 

With their first of two second-round draft picks, the Warriors selected Toohey No. 52 overall in June. Toohey, a 6-foot-8 forward from Australia, played six summer league games and averaged 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. 

The Lakers on Friday played their first preseason game, losing 103-81 against the Phoenix Suns. LeBron James and Luka Dončić both didn’t play in the loss.

Kerr plans to use a deep rotation Sunday without any one player tiring himself out.

“I don’t think anybody will play much more than 15, 18 minutes,” Kerr said. “Maybe a couple young guys get into the 20s. First game, I love to give everybody time. I want to give every player who’s on the active list some minutes.”

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