The Knicks’ famous fans were out in force to see the 2025-26 NBA champions receive their rings and open up the season, with the hopes of successfully defending their title.
Many of the celebs who took in the Knicks’ playoff run last spring returned on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden as Spike Lee showed off his usual flair for the team, sporting an orange-and-blue pinstriped suit, along with “Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay, comedian Tracy Morgan and actor Ben Stiller.
Spike Lee looks on from the court prior to the Knicks’ ring ceremony before their season-opener against the 76ers on Oct. 20, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Getty ImagesEdie Falco and Steve Schirripa pose for a photo before the Knicks’ home opener against the 76ers at the Garden. Getty Images
“I know I’m going to cry tonight,” Morgan told “NBA Showtime” ahead of the game. “Been a long time and then we going to turn the page. It’s time to defend now. .. We going to run it back. … I’m not scared. We not scared of nobody.”
Other celebs on hand included Fat Joe, Edie Falco, Steve Schirripa, John Turturro, Action Bronson and Sam Morril.
Jordyn Woods, who tied the knot with Karl-Anthony Towns in August, was courtside for the game, with a gold bag in honor of ring knight.
Roger Goodell Watching The 76ers-Knicks Season Opener And LeBron James Philadelphia Debut.
The NFL Commissioner Sits Courtside At Madison Square Garden As The Knicks Raise Their Championship Banner Before Tip-Off.
Tracy Morgan and OG Anunoby hug before the Knicks’ home opener against the 76ers at the Garden. NBAE via Getty ImagesActors Ben Stiller and his wife, Christine Taylor, look on before the Knicks’ home opener against the 76ers. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
Singer Bon Jovi was courtside for the game, along with NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell.
Mets owner Steve Cohen was seen at the game, and failed presidential candidate Chris Christie was spotted in the stands.
One notable star was not there for the ceremony: “Dune” star Timothée Chalamet.
The important news!! Jordyn Woods just informed us at the Knicks home opener that the lucky bag is in retirement pic.twitter.com/KUsoqyChQN
Chalamet had been one of the Knicks’ biggest A-list fans making trips to New York and various road games during the championship run.
“The Knicks fan base needs to be studied and observed. We move,” Morgan said. “We take over stadiums. We take it over. What the Knicks did doesn’t go down in basketball. That happens in soccer. We pulled four million people together and we got a glimpse of greatness.”
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 20: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics and Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons go up for a rebound during the game on October 20, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For more than five of the last eight minutes, the Boston Celtics were held scoreless. Jayson Tatum tried to stop the bleeding with a layup off the glass, but missed and fell to the floor. On the other end, the Detroit Pistons rushed five-on-four, as former teammate Javonte Green drained a wide-open 3-pointer.
Tatum, unable to get back in time to contest Green’s three, admits the Celtics have some adjustments to make going forward.
“I think our communication has to be better,” Tatum told reporters after Boston’s 121-113 season-opening loss, per CLNS Media.
Tatum and the Celtics built a cozy 22-point lead as Detroit struggled mightily to muster up any offensive rhythm. Boston rode Paul George’s 38-point outburst and set themselves up for an easy victory line trot. But then the Pistons, eager to avoid embarrassment in front of their home crowd on Opening Night, made the Celtics pay for their plethora of miscues throughout the second half.
The same Boston defense that held Detroit to 45 points on 38.6 percent shooting in the first half allowed a 76-point second half.
The Pistons went on an unreal 23-0 run in the fourth quarter, completing their largest come-from-behind victory over the Celtics in the last 30 seasons, according to ESPN Insights. Detroit flipped the script, shooting 52.4 percent in the third and fourth quarters and knocking down 11 threes, fueled by Green’s five made 3-pointers amid his 19-point second half.
Too often, the Celtics paid the price for their inefficient offense. Detroit, meanwhile, turned Boston’s misses into quick scoring opportunities by pushing the pace in transition.
Time and again, the Celtics failed to get back quickly enough to contest.
“It probably started on defense,” Tatum said. “A couple of times we gave up the offensive rebound, they were scoring, we were fouling. That kind of slows the game down. Obviously, in the first half and early in the third, we were at our best when we were getting stops, and we were able to push the pace.”
Tatum, in particular, struggled to find his offensive spark in the second half, going 1-for-10 from the floor — and 6-for-23 overall.
The Celtics still managed to give themselves one last fighting chance, as George’s seventh 3-pointer cut Detroit’s lead to six at 116-110 with 41 seconds left in regulation. But Boston couldn’t complete the comeback, suffering its first blown 20-point lead of the season.
“We did a lot of good things, and obviously there’s a lot of stuff that we gotta do better,” Derrick White told reporters, per CLNS Media. “So we just gotta continue to grow and learn and see what we did wrong, and we’ll be better at it.”
Boston suffered the consequences of a combination of woes. White hurled a Hail Mary fadeaway 3-pointer with 5:25 left, and George missed badly on a layup with 4:48 left, allowing Detroit to coast amid its game-changing run in the fourth.
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 20: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics smiles during the game against the Detroit Pistons on October 20, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics missed 10 consecutive shot attempts at one point.
“You get better shots, that definitely helps,” White said. “Crashing definitely helps. Transition defense. Those two things can kind of set your defense up to get matched up and be able to find their shooters. I think there was a couple of times we didn’t find their shooters and then they would miss and we didn’t get the rebound.”
Bad shot attempts plus an outnumbered defense in transition helped seal Boston’s fate faster than anyone could’ve anticipated.
“It’s kind of all those things that we gotta do better,” White added.
To kick off the season, the tale of two halves caught up to the Celtics. They weren’t the same team coming out of the tunnel after halftime as they were when they entered it with a 58-45 lead. Boston carried its preseason momentum into the regular season for the first two quarters of the opener before letting it slip away, putting itself in a position where it desperately needed to claw back for a chance at redemption in its final few possessions.
The loss gives the team plenty to review before returning home to host the New York Knicks on Friday night at TD Garden.
“We’ll go back and watch, and separate out of the 76 points which came from our offense and which came from our defense,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters, per CLNS Media. “Some of those things were a byproduct of our lack of offense in that third quarter. So we’ll separate the points of the 76: which ones came from our offense — we have to fix our offense to prevent some of those — and which ones came from our half-court defense.”
Perhaps it’s early-season rust or a new cast still figuring itself out. Regardless, letting a 20-point lead slip away against a Pistons offense that looked just as out of sorts as Boston did remains inexcusable.
While the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers have officially opened a new NBA season on Tuesday night, Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James was catching strays during pregame.
Comedian and actor Tracy Morgan was being interviewed by the NBC Sports broadcast team and called out James on national television.
Tracy Morgan calls out Bronny James ahead of NBA season opener between Knicks and 76ers on Tuesday night. NBAE via Getty Images
“Bronny looks like he’s got JUCO ball written all over him,” Morgan said.
Morgan followed up his statement on James by saying, “I just want to say what I feel. What you want?”
Morgan, 57, who is a well-known, passionate Knicks fan, is watching his team play James’ father, LeBron James, who is currently playing in his first game as a member of the 76ers after he departed from the Lakers over the summer.
Bronny James catches a stray from famous comedian Tracy Morgan ahead of Knicks and 76ers opener NBAE via Getty Images
Before he was talking about Bronny, Morgan was saying that the Knicks are not “Scared of nobody.”
Both came out of the 2024 NBA Draft, when Los Angeles selected Knecht in the first round and then took Bronny James in the second round.
When Knecht first joined the team, he was regularly in the Lakers’ starting rotation, but injuries would shortly accumulate, and he was never the same.
Bronny James catches a stray from Tracy Morgan ahead of Knicks vs 76ers opener. NBAE via Getty Images
Bronny James has spent time back and forth between the G League and the Lakers’ active roster.
Last season, he saw an increase of playing time, by appearing in 42 games and averaging 8.9 minutes per game, 2.9 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
Through the preseason this year, Bronny James’ production has trended downward, scoring only 11 points in five games, while averaging 16.4 minutes per game.
As the Lakers are set to usher in a new era of basketball — playing without LeBron James for the first time in eight years — the 2026-2027 season will be a make-or-break year for Bronny.
The Lakers will open their season against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night when they tip off at 7:00 p.m. PT.
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 20: Jayson Tatum #0 and Head Coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics talk during the game against the Detroit Pistons on October 20, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Paul George’s heat check three with 8:32 to play in the third quarter of Tuesday’s season opener marked his third straight triple. More importantly, it gave the Celtics a commanding 72-50 lead over the Pistons in what was shaping up to be a tone-setting victory.
Detroit closed the game on a 71-41 run. Duncan Robinson exploded for 21 points, with 15 coming in the fourth to help the Pistons cement the largest comeback in Opening Day history (at least since the NBA’s play-by-play era began in 1997).
The Celtics will head back to Boston with absolutely nothing to show for their trip to Little Caesars Arena except for a big fat disappointing loss.
Ironically, they’ve started the 2026-27 campaign the same way that they ended last year’s — with a monumental collapse. Boston’s unwillingness to finish of their commanding 3-1 lead over the 76ers last spring gave the front office the green light (from a general public perspective) to make serious changes.
They obliged and made it #DifferentHere.
As I write this, Jaylen Brown is warming up for his Sixers debut at Madison Square Garden ahead of Knicks Banner Night (Imagine reading that sentance a year ago). Boston moved on from Brown in favor of George, who was not remotely the problem today. He finished with 38 points, five rebounds, five steals, and made seven threes in the process.
Regardless, if the lead eclipsed the 20-point mark is largely irrelevant. Boston led by 12 points early in the fourth quarter of this one. Much like Game 5 against Philadelphia last spring, or Games 1 and 2 against the Knicks in 2025, they failed to do enough to ultimately secure a win.
Detroit got out in transition and created clean looks from deep. Not a single Celtic could do anything to stop the bleeding. There was no calming presence on the floor for Boston — an alarming lack there of really.
Jayson Tatum, who the team fully committed to as their guy this summer, did not give them enough to get across the finish line in this game. He was 1-10 from the field in the second half and didn’t grab a single rebound after the break. This was a game where the Celtics needed all of the rebounding help they could get.
It’d be unfair to pretend like Tatum didn’t do anything well. He managed to get himself in plenty of great positions to score, at least earlier in the game. He just didn’t take advantage.
The good looks stopped in the fourth. Tatum took just five shots, and none of them were “oh, I can’t believe that didn’t go in” shots. It was more of a “why didn’t he do something different?” type of looks. If the Celtics are going to continue to be a staple towards the top of the Eastern Conference, they’re going to need Tatum to level up his consistentcy towards the end of games.
He’s put together undeniable performances throughout his career. Game 6 in Milwaukee in 2022. Game 6 in Philadelphia a year later. Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals. Even Game 3 against the Sixers in the spring featured a tremendous fourth-quarter showing.
Yet, it doesn’t traditionally feel like he’ll will the team to a win when things aren’t going their way late in games. Without Brown to lean on (not to pretend like he wasn’t out there when the aforementioned collpases happened), Boston needs Tatum to become a more reliable closer.
Tuesday was a reminder that he’s not quite there. Whether Jayson Tatum wanted it this way or not, the spotlight is soley on him. Time to shine.
And the 2025-’26 championship banner slowly made its way to the Madison Square Garden rafters. The team that earned it posed in front of it, then simply stared at it in awe. President Leon Rose and coach Mike Brown wrapped their arms around one another and savored the moment.
The title run of a lifetime and a team that stirred New York in a way few ever have were officially cemented in immortality.
This was a moment just over four months in the making, since they clinched the championship June 13. It was a moment 13 years in the making, the last time there was a new banner in the MSG rafters — for the 2012-’13 Atlantic Division title. A moment 53 years in the making, since the team’s last championship.
The banner remained next to the jumbotron — above the court — for the night. It wasn’t until after the game, when fans had exited, that staff placed it among the other banners — where the NBA Cup banner had already been raised ahead of the ceremony.
Karl-Anthony Towns and his Knicks teammates watch their championship banner being raised before their season-opener against the 76ers on Oct. 20, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The Knicks wore white quarter-zips with gold lettering — fitting for the current NBA royalty. Their jerseys underneath had gold lettering and numbers as well. And on the back of the jersey, there was a championship patch that was impossible to miss.
The executives — Rose and William Wesley — and coaches — Brown, Chris Jent, Brendan O’Connor and Rick Brunson — received their rings first. The rest of the executives and assistant coaches were not part of the ceremony.
The players, one by one, collected theirs next from the legendary Walt “Clyde” Frazier. Bill Bradley, Earl Monroe and the families of Dave DeBusschere and Willis Reed were also involved, giving out the executives’ and coaches’ rings. It was perfectly poetic — the last Knicks championship team bridging the gap to the current one.
The Knicks’ championship banner is set to be raised at the team looks on before their season-opener against the 76ers at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The starters went last — Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and then, finally, Brunson.
“To celebrate one last time with the fans, it means a lot,” Towns said after the Knicks’ 106-100 loss to the 76ers. “We wanted to give them a better version of ourselves tonight than we did, but it was really special to have that moment here again in New York after 53 years.”
Ariel Hukporti — who joined the 76ers in the offseason but tore his Achilles in the preseason opener — was even there to claim his, scooting across the court with his foot in a cast.
And just like that, the championship was officially behind them. The challenge of repeating began in earnest.
“We’re excited to get this season going,” Brunson said. “We’re ready to turn the page as a team. But one thing I wanted to say — the joy that the city had this summer, we would love to replicate that again.”
Then, a game actually had to be played.
Not just any game — one against a 76ers side, now with LeBron James, most labeled the biggest threat to the Knicks’ chances of repeating. And the 76ers delivered the first punch against a Knicks team that at times looked lethargic and emotionally drained.
“Definitely not your normal game day,” Brunson said afterward. “We can make all the excuses in the world about all that stuff. But if you asked me what would I rather have, to finish that and then not have a regular first game or not, I would do that.”
The Knicks’ championship banner is getting raised to the rafters before their season-opener against the 76ers at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostThe Knicks players watch as their NBA championship banner is hoisted into the rafters of Madison Square Garden before their home opener against the 76ers. Carlos Toro for NY Post
7:18 p.m. — the time of the opening tip — marked the official end of all the championship celebrations. A dreamlike few months were put in the past.
And a new journey began.
“I’m just happy,” Brunson said, “we can move forward now.”
The 2025 NBA Cup banner is displayed before the start of the first quarter of an NBA basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026.
Like a thief in the night, the Knicks raised their NBA Cup banner.
“I haven’t seen it yet,” coach Mike Brown said of the NBA Cup banner. “But I think it’s just a recognition of what our journey was like last year. There were obviously a lot of ups and downs throughout the course of the year and our guys rallied and figured out a way to win the NBA Cup. It’s just a recognition to not just our guys, but the fans out there. We got fantastic fans, and to be able to show a little love to them is pretty neat.”
The Knicks’ 2025 NBA Cup banner is displayed before the start of the first quarter of their season-opener against the 76ers at Madison Square Garden. Carlos Toro for NY Post
The Knicks beat the Spurs to win the NBA Cup in December, which represented Dolan’s first opportunity to raise a championship banner since the Atlantic Division title in 2013.
But Dolan became the first owner to decline raising the NBA Cup banner, telling WFAN in January, “We want an NBA championship, we don’t want some consolation prize.”
Dolan caused a stir because Silver had been propping up the NBA Cup as a significant tournament. The Knicks then became the first team to win the NBA Cup and the NBA championship.
They raised both banners on the same day, although the NBA Cup’s appeared out of nowhere and was tucked in the corner.
When considering the face of his league to replace LeBron James and Stephen Curry, Silver identified Jalen Brunson.
Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts during the second half of a game against the Raptors last season. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“It’s hard not to start with Jalen Brunson,” Silver said Tuesday on ESPN. “I’ll be down when they hang the banner tonight for the championship. Here’s a guy who was a second-round pick, was picked up as a free agent from Dallas, and nobody talked about him as the next superstar in the league, but look how he’s led that team to a championship.”
Brunson, 30, certainly wasn’t in the mix before leading the Knicks to the 2026 championship. He is older than some of the other candidates — namely Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham and Victor Wembanyama.
But Brunson has the benefit of the most recent title and the NBA’s biggest market.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 13: Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter of a preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on October 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 101-89. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Per ESPN’s Anthony Slater, newly extended guard Brandin Podziemski will miss tomorrow’s season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers due to lower back soreness.
Brandin Podziemski is out for the Warriors tomorrow night in Los Angeles. Lower back soreness. He played all 82 games last season but will miss the opener this season against the Lakers.
Steph Curry is probable.
The Golden State Warriors’ guard depth takes an immediate hit as they head into a crucial tilt against Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and their Pacific Division rivals. Expected to step up in Podziemski’s place are veteran De’Anthony Melton and newly signed Brandon Williams.
Known for his health and durability last season — during which Podziemski did not miss a single game — he will now have to watch the Warriors’ tip-off from the sidelines.
And part of him doesn’t feel right not playing alongside him.
Curry appeared as a guest on “The Stephen A. Smith Show” on Tuesday and told him, “I miss that dude every day.”
Steph Curry on how he feels about Klay Thompson being in Miami and how much he misses him:
“I miss that dude every day. But that’s part of the NBA, and it’s like one of those situations. Once he left, was that three years ago now? Yeah. You know everything’s not going to be the… pic.twitter.com/Z1w5cQ5KiC
Stephen Curry reveals he misses playing alongside Klay Thompson. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
But even without his former partner in crime, Curry knows that’s how life goes in the NBA.
“You know everything’s not going to be the same because we all grew up together,” Curry said. “Me and Draymond [Green], we grew up as adults. We grew up as competitors, as champions.”
Curry went on to say that when he, Thompson and Green decide the day comes that they all retire, he will be looking forward to having “a glass of bourbon, and reminisce on all the things that we were able to accomplish.”
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson on the Warriors bench as teammates in 2016. Getty Images
For Thompson, he is about to embark on another new chapter after spending the last two years with the Dallas Mavericks.
Over the summer, Thompson was waived by Dallas and immediately signed a 2-year $11.5 million contract with the Miami Heat.
“I’m happy for him in Miami. I know it’s he wants to be in a situation where he can be impactful, have a championship-contending kind of energy going into the season,” Curry said. “… So for him, he deserves an opportunity to play and impact a winning team. I wish it was still with us, but that’s part of the nature of how things evolve in the league.”
Klay Thompson wearing a Golden State Warriors uniform in 2022. Getty Images
Before Thompson packed his bags for Dallas, the Warriors’ iconic trio brought the organization four NBA titles and produced a record-breaking season in 2015 when they broke the record for most wins in a single season, finishing 73-9.
“Nobody’s going to hold that cloud over any of our heads because what we accomplished was so great that we’ll talk about it forever,” Curry said.
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 17: Devin Booker #1 and Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns look on during the game against the Golden State Warriors during the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament on April 17, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With the preseason wrapped up, the Phoenix Suns get ready for their season opener in Portland. This is a fun game for the Suns, who faced the Trail Blazers last year for the seventh spot in the Play-In tournament. Unfortunately for the Suns, the Blazers snuck up on them and stole the win, but the Suns were lucky enough to make the play-in tournament as the eighth seed. Phoenix will look to get off to a strong start and avenge last postseason by winning on opening night, and a huge reason they can do that is how cohesive this squad is.
As we noted throughout the offseason, the team made minimal roster changes. They shipped Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen to bring in Miles Bridges, then signed Luke Kennard. Beyond the two-way acquisitions, almost everyone (sorry, Haywood Highsmith) is still on this roster, and a bunch of them signed new deals to stay. That shows the Suns had just the tip of the iceberg last year, and they can fully capitalize on this opportunity.
Not to mention, Kennard and Bridges will add the areas the team needs. Kennard comes in to try to replicate Allen’s three-point shooting, while Bridges brings more size to the frontcourt, which lacked a natural power forward last season.
That said, key guys like Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin were brought back because of the role and impact they had last season. With both of them back and locked in as the backcourt duo, their chemistry is only going to grow. Add that Gillespie worked well with Mark Williams and Oso Ighodaro last year, getting them both comfortable in that bench unit. That leaves me with no fear that he will do the same with Ighodaro and now Khaman Maluach, who has taken this leap.
With this bench unit mostly intact and a few fun new pieces, I’m confident it will be one of the league’s top bench units. Regardless of who starts at center, a lineup with Gillespie, Goodwin, Kennard, Dunn/Fleming, and Ighodaro/Maluach is set up to be a well-oiled, complementary machine. Most of them can shoot threes, and they make the hustle/winning plays we look for as fans. Of course, there can be some concern about a few pieces, and even if a guy like Koa Peat sees some time, given how deep the roster is, only time will tell.
Looking at the starting lineup, I think a lot will carry over from last season. Obviously, with the Bridges trade and Williams’s injury, the lineup will look different from last season, but not drastically. Devin Booker is still here, and he is the franchise guy who will look to improve as he did last year. We saw the number change, and maybe this unlocks Book to be on one this upcoming season. Three-point shooting is one key area he needs to improve from last year, and with Jalen Green getting some work with Steve Nash this offseason, we could see Book take on more of an off-ball role than in the previous two years.
Green is another intriguing name, as the guard came to Phoenix last year as the centerpiece of the KD trade on paper, but, with injuries, didn’t meet expectations. The former Rockets guard led the team in points per game and brought them to the No. 2 seed in a deep West, only to be traded the following offseason. That takes a mental toll on a player, and for Green, who came into training camp with some injuries, the combination didn’t pan out well. Luckily for him, this year, he said he feels a lot better and healthier coming into camp, and looks to make the most of his redemption arc this year,
As I said above, he worked with Nash in the offseason and stayed in Phoenix over the summer to maximize his opportunities. He knows next year is the final year of his deal; it is a big prove-it year, and he wants to take full advantage of it, not only to secure a nice payday but also to have somewhere to call home in the future. With no injuries to consider, this should be an exciting year to watch Green in this system.
Jalen Green says he's been working on his playmaking and pace with Steve Nash this summer 👀 pic.twitter.com/2Twcc5fGCU
Then comes Villain Dillion Brooks, who looks to keep that floor rising for this team. He was a huge acquisition to help shift the culture in the Valley, and he looks to build on it this season. Adding Bridges, too, I think, eases the pain of having to show up offensively every night, especially when Green was out. Now that Bridges and Brooks are together, they can hopefully share that offensive load, while Brooks can still disrupt the defense.
When you add it all up, the Suns look like a pretty impactful team on both ends and across the roster. The roster has no position needs and isn’t overstocked in any one position as they head into the season with 14 guys under contract. That’s something I enjoy and feel confident about going into this year; they’re deep, and I saw that last night. From watching the final preseason game against the Utah Jazz, you could see this team’s cohesion on the floor.
Green looked for open guys, and he and Book started hot. Then Brooks got into a rhythm and started to hunt down his shots; Bridges also hit some threes and looked more comfortable. Even Maluach, stepping up for Ighodaro, who was out, made some impactful plays on both ends. This team was scrappy last season, and that mentality is still sticking through from 1-14 on the roster, and that is key. Personally, I’m super excited to see them take the floor.
Both the starters and the bench looked like a complete unit, with one player ready for the wide-open shot or the best opportunity, which didn’t always seem the case last season. That truly has me bought in and excited for the season; last year, I was optimistic, but not this high on the whole roster. Ultimately, we will find out whether this cohesion truly makes a difference. I think we will see it show on the bright side this season for the Suns.
MACAO, CHINA - OCTOBER 9: Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Houston Rockets as part of 2026 NBA China Games on October 9, 2026 in Macao, China at Venetian Arena. 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 Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Dallas Mavericks basketball is back, and there is no shortage of questions heading into Wednesday night’s season opener against the Houston Rockets. Can Kyrie Irving get back to looking like Kyrie Irving? How quickly will Cooper Flagg take another leap? And can new head coach Dusty May get this group moving in the right direction after last season’s mess? Those are the obvious storylines.
But opening night is a chance to see what else Dallas has on its roster and who could potentially emerge as a solidified third option, behind Flagg and Irving. Of course, one game is just one game, but Dallas has talent – young talent. Three players, in particular, are worth keeping an eye on against Houston. One is a former No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft looking for a fresh start, another is a small guard trying to prove he belongs in the rotation, and the third is a rookie big man who could make a living doing the things that don’t always show up in the box score. Any guesses? Let’s break it down.
Zaccharie Risacher
There is something fascinating about the Risacher situation. Not that long ago, he was the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. Now, just two years later, he’s in Dallas trying to figure out how to turn that potential into consistent NBA production. The good news? The Mavericks don’t need him to be a superstar. The bad news? They do need him to be more consistent than in Atlanta.
Risacher’s time in Atlanta didn’t exactly go according to plan, and there’s a reason the Mavericks have an opportunity to take a chance on him. He’s only 21, and a player with his size at 6’8 and athleticism should be given another shot at becoming something. In his two years in Atlanta, he averaged 11.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Those aren’t typically numbers you want to see from a number one pick.
Sometimes a change of scenery is exactly what a young player needs. Other times, it just reveals the same problems in a different uniform. We’ll see which one this is. What makes Dallas an interesting landing spot is that Risacher shouldn’t have to force anything. At minimum, he’ll be the third wheel behind Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving. He won’t have to bear the weight of the pressure of being THE guy. My ask of him against the Rockets is just to keep things simple. Knock down open threes. Make cuts and find open space on the floor. Do the little things that get a coach to trust you.
The Mavericks could use another reliable wing, especially one who can contribute on both ends. If Risacher can become that guy, a revival could be in the works.
Marcus Sasser
The Mavericks need shooting. Period. Although he’s a little undersized at 6’1, the 25th pick in the 2023 draft brings skills most other Mavs don’t have at the top of their list – ball handling and shooting. Sasser can create his own shot and give the offense a little juice when things get stagnant. Do you remember that offense last year? Things got stagnant. In his career, he’s averaged 7.0 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.4 rebounds per game.
If Sasser can come in on Wednesday and create a few good looks, get into the paint and knock down shots, he’ll have a chance to earn a spot in the rotation. Of course, there’s a catch. Scoring a few buckets is nice, but it won’t matter much if the Rockets hunt him on the opposite end. His minutes became limited in Detroit Sasser due to injury and his size defensively. Luckily, the Mavericks have size at all other positions to make up for him.
The Mavericks don’t need Sasser to be a starting-level point guard or some hidden star waiting to explode. They need a dependable bench guard who can keep the offense afloat, make smart decisions, and occasionally provide a scoring burst when the team needs one. Whether Sasser can deliver consistently is another question. His preseason debut against Atlanta was an encouraging step after he missed Dallas’ first three exhibition games with left adductor tightness. Now the real games start. It will be telling to see how Sasser handles pressure and if he’s willing to make the simple play instead of forcing a difficult shot. A strong showing could help him make his case for regular minutes. A rough one could remind everyone why undersized guards have such a narrow margin for error.
Morez Johnson Jr.
There’s a reason the Mavericks took Johnson Jr. over a guard in the 2026 draft. At 6’9, 250 pounds, he’s an athletic juggernaut who plays both sides of the floor. The ninth overall pick is built around doing the uncomfortable stuff. Rebound through traffic. Run the floor. Protect the paint. Finish around the basket. Make opposing big men work for every inch of space. Those things aren’t always going to make the highlight reel, but they can absolutely help a team win games. At Michigan, he averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. Again, not eye-popping numbers, but it’s impact that matters.
The Mavericks have enough players who will want the ball in their hands. Johnson doesn’t need to compete with them for touches. He can make himself valuable by dominating the areas where effort and toughness matter most, which is a pretty good way for a rookie to get on the floor. There was an encouraging glimpse of that during the preseason, when Johnson grabbed seven rebounds in just 14 minutes against Atlanta. That’s the kind of activity that gets your attention. It doesn’t mean he’s ready to play 25 minutes a night, but it shows how he can contribute even when the offense isn’t running through him
The challenge is doing it against NBA competition. The Rockets are a massive team. The jump from big men in college to the NBA is substantial. Johnson will also have to avoid the rookie mistakes that can frustrate coaches, particularly unnecessary fouls and defensive breakdowns. But if he can bring energy, crash the glass, and make life difficult for opposing centers, he’ll put himself in the conversation for a regular role sooner than some might expect.
There is something refreshing about a young player whose path to contributing is so straightforward. Oh and by the way, did I mention his new coach is also his former coach in Dusty May? That’s good too.
Bottom line
The Mavericks have bigger questions to answer than whether Risacher, Sasser, or Johnson can have a good opening night. Irving’s health and Flagg’s development will ultimately tell us much more about where this team is headed. But the supporting cast matters, too.
Risacher is the swing-for-the-fences play: a former No. 1 pick who could become a valuable two-way wing if things finally click. Sasser is the intriguing bench option who needs to prove he can make enough plays to stay on the floor. Johnson is the rookie who could carve out a role by doing the dirty work and making life miserable for opposing big men. None of these guys needs to have a career night against Houston. It would be nice to see some confidence from Risacher, creativity from Sasser, and “dirty” stats from Johnson Jr. If Dallas is going to surprise anyone this season, it will take more than its two biggest names. Wednesday night is the first chance for others to step up.
How to watch
The Mavericks and the Rockets tip off at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams. The game will be televised locally on both WFAA Channel 8 and KFAA Channel 29 locally, as well as on sister stations throughout the Mavericks’ regional viewership area. The game can be streamed on MavsTV or NBA League Pass where available.
The Knicks have dazzling, diamond-encrusted championship rings to match their historic title.
Ahead of Tuesday night’s regular-season opener against LeBron James and the 76ers, the Knicks celebrated their first championship in 53 years with a banner-raising ceremony. They also distributed the gaudy jewelry that was created by renowned luxury jeweler Jason of Beverly Hills along with input from Knicks leadership.
The 22-carat ring made up of just under 800 diamonds and blue sapphires set in white gold features a first-of-its-kind feature: a mechanism that includes raising a miniature recreation of Madison Square Garden’s exterior with a turn of the ring.
The underside of the removable part of the ring recreates the Garden’s ceiling, while the top showcases the arena’s lower bowl.
All the details on the Knicks NBA championship rings.
“The ring was designed to capture the team’s identity and the defining moments of its title run,” Jason Arasheben, founder and CEO of Jason of Beverly Hills, told Page Six Style exclusively. “What makes this ring unique from others I’ve created is how every detail — from the combination of round brilliant and emerald-cut diamonds with radially set blue sapphires to the individual player tributes and championship milestones — tells a story that is distinctly New York Knicks.”
New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado, center, looks at his 2025-26 World Champions ring. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
Numbers of the entire team wrap around the ring top. Each player’s specific ring includes their last name above their number in diamond.
A .16-carat round diamond signifies the team’s 16-point comeback in the clinching Game 5.
There are 16 emerald-cut diamonds that line the inner part of the ring for every playoff victory.
All the details on the Knicks NBA championship rings. Courtesy of Jason of Beverly HillsAll the details on the Knicks NBA championship rings. Courtesy of Jason of Beverly Hills
The shank of the ring is engraved with the phrase “Knicks in Five,” for their NBA Finals victory over the favored Spurs.
The Lakers entered this week in a similar situation they were in last year.
They’re opening the regular season against one of their in-state rivals, the Warriors, after a pair of preseason matchups earlier in October.
But because of the nature of preseason NBA basketball, they couldn’t lean too much on the game film in preparation for Wedneday’s opener at Crypto.com Arena.
Austin Reaves had his best game of the preseason against the Warriors. Getty Images
The Lakers were without a significant chunk of their rotation in the first exhibition against the Warriors on Oct. 6 in San Francisco, with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler among the several players who didn’t suit up for the matchup at Chase Center during the first week of preseason.
One week later, Kessler made his preseason debut and Reaves scored a preseason-high 28 points in Las Vegas, but the Warriors were without Draymond Green, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis.
And star guard Steph Curry only played 23 minutes, with Kessler only playing in the first half and Reaves also only playing through a chunk of the third quarter.
So the game tape from those matchups don’t provide too much insight into what to expect Wednesday.
“We’ll do a normal scout,” coach JJ Redick said of his team’s regular season opener. “There’s segments of the game where they’re playing their rotation guys, [we’re] playing our rotation guys, where you can look and glean some stuff from that. And we will. Obviously you look at how they have played historically and what they’ve been good at. So there’ll be a combination of the two.”
Lakers guard Luka Doncic didn’t play in either of the preseason games against the Warriors. Getty Images
Historically, the Warriors are a known commodity even as they become a “fading dynasty”, as Steve Kerr put it last Decemeber.
Their post-split actions will continue to confuse defenses.
Green will quarterback the defense.
And Curry’s historical 3-point shooting will bend the court in ways no other player in NBA history can.
But they’re no longer the juggernaut they once were.
Walker Kessler made his preseason debut against the Warriors. Getty Images
What the Warriors are though is a team that forces teams into mistakes.
The Lakers learned this the hard way in both preseason matchups, including turning the ball over 30 times in the second exhibition last week.
While that was an extreme example, the Warriors have been top-five in defensive turnover percentage in each of the last two seasons.
Making a point of emphasis from the Lakers’ preseason even more important for them in order to open the regular season with a victory.
What the Lakers also learned from playing against the Warriors is that they can be an even better defensive team that expected.
It was a general takeaway from preseason.
“From early in September, and even kind of early training camp-ish, maybe before we played our first game, I thought we could potentially be like around an average defense,” Redick said. “Our standards for that have elevated, and we talked to the group about that. We have the chance to be a good defense. And there’s certain things that we really want to get better at from the preseason.
“The areas of focus for us, transition defense, defensive rebounding, we weren’t good. So if we get better at that, we’ll have a chance to be a pretty good defense, and that’s exciting.”
Feb 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shake hands after the game at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
The moment that months of speculation has led to is here.
The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to South Beach to take on the new look Miami Heat in what will kick off each team’s regular season. Two teams that made massive moves to overhaul their rosters step into the spotlight for the ESPN’s first nationally televised game of the season.
Everyone has had way to much time to overanalyze this game and how each team might attack the others weaknesses, so now it’s finally time to get a look at what they can actually do. There were constant rumors of Anthony Edwards and Giannis Antetokounmpo teaming up earlier this calendar year, but instead they’ll face off to kick off their 2026-27 seasons.
When the Timberwolves opted to deal Naz Reid and Julius Randle in the offseason to obtain LaMelo Ball, they made an active choice that they were going to shift towards a more guard-heavy, perimeter-oriented team. Conversely, when the Miami Heat chose to deal a bevy of players and picks to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, they were aspiring towards a bruising interior presence that would beat other teams down in the paint.
Tracking how each team went about their splashy offseason moves could not have been more different, and yet they are all too similar. Miami and Minnesota both chose to pair their current star with another at a neighboring position – Bam Adebayo with Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Anthony Edwards with LaMelo Ball. The fallout of these decisions should be none more apparent than when they are pitted against each other.
This clashing of styles will show up in the matchup. The Wolves are trying to shoot more threes and give more space for Anthony Edwards and others to operate. Something to watch for will be the three-point discrepancy between the two teams. When the backcourt can shoot like Ant and LaMelo do, not to mention the rim defense that the Heat are expected to boast, it won’t be surprising if Minnesota attacks Miami with their perimeter shooting.
The Heat will be looking to do the opposite when trying to take it at Rudy Gobert and young Joan Beringer to get their points on the offensive end. This all coalesces in a fascinating mismatch where both teams have things they can exploit.
Stopping the bigs
Heading into game one, the defense seems to be the end of the floor that has more questions than the offense. The spacing and shooting should carry them on offense as they find their footing in sets and rhythm, but finding the best way to play defense when it has been drastically changed from the last two years will be something to keep an eye on. It’s easier to play offense when you have the personnel they do, but defense takes much more of an attention to detail to be able to play the right way. Especially when you have Rudy Gobert.
This should be a great test for the Timberwolves right off the bat. They are playing arguably the best frontcourt in the NBA while having the least amount of size in their own in years. Being able to guard both Giannis and Bam is a different beast compared to most other teams. Minnesota will most likely opt to put Rudy on Bam, and have Kuminga shadow Antetokounmpo with Rudy helping near the rim.
This strategy has worked for them in the past when facing dominant bigs, but we will see if they are able to effectively do it when there are two skilled bigs. Adebayo’s ability to make threes off of Giannis drives will also determine if Minnesota will need to pivot to a different strategy. Not to mention when the reserves get into the game and Beringer, still a teenager, has to matchup against one of them.
Chris Finch on Joan Beringer via @PAOnTheMic 9 to Noon show:
“It might be a 14 minute night, if he’s playing well we might push it to 20-24 minutes to give Rudy a break when needed. It’s all about staying out of foul trouble. He goes after everything which is a great trait but… pic.twitter.com/g3bBiDiFL3
During opening night, there is usually a lot more leeway for going deeper into the bench. Coaches want to get a look at different lineups and don’t want to be too rigid early on in the season. Head coach Chris Finch has historically had a shorter bench (at least in recent years), but is also willing to try out different players and lineups early in the season.
Something to keep an eye on will be how deep the Wolves will actually go into their bench, as well as what the minutes distribution is for said players. Though little can be taken from preseason, it was of note that in the final game against the Bulls, Bones Hyland stayed back in Minnesota while TJ Shannon traveled to play in the “split team” game. With those two players vastly differing in skillsets, it is something to monitor.
Trey Lyles could also be someone to watch for on Wednesday. He is at the fringes of the rotation, but could see some more minutes in this particular matchup because of the Heat’s frontcourt. If Beringer struggles with fouls or being overwhelmed by the more seasoned stars, it could be a chance for Lyles to come in as another big who can help to mitigate the size deficit with his spacing.
Blake Griffin shares a story about the moment he received a t-shirt.
In 2017, the Los Angeles Clippers gave Blake Griffin a five-year, $173-million contract that they said would make him a “Clipper for life.”
When he signed the contract, employees of the team were wearing a controversial shirt that read “Pioneers,” featuring Griffin alongside notable historical figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, and more.
Clippers employees wore T-shirt after Blake Griffin's FA meeting likening him to MLK, Obama, Ali, JFK, Lincoln, Gandhi, MJ,Einstein,Mandela. pic.twitter.com/BZtXqhdrWr
Fast forward nine years later, Griffin appeared on “Pablo Torre Finds Out” and talked about how that moment still haunts him to this day.
Before Amazon kicked off it’s inaugural season covering the NBA on Prime Video last season, Vice President of Global Live Production, Jared Stacy, held a team meeting with the streaming service’s broadcast and production team and told everyone that they are all “Pioneers.”
Including Griffin, whom he reminded had been a “Pioneer” before.
In their pitch to make Blake Griffin a "Clipper for life," team staffers wore a Blake Griffin-themed "Pioneers" shirt, featuring Griffin alongside Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Einstein, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, JFK, Muhammad Ali and Michael Jackson. pic.twitter.com/zKgKKBVIT4
Blake Griffin is set to work in his second season as an NBA analyst on Amazon Prime Video. Getty Images for Prime Video
“He does this whole speech about, you know, ‘We are pioneers, and I really have to single out one guy.’ And he says, ‘Blake, this isn’t his first foray into being a Pioneer,’ and I’m like, ‘Oh no,'” Griffin said. “He brings up the shirt. Found the shirts and bought everybody on the Prime team a Pioneer shirt.”
When he received the first copy of the shirt, Griffin said he ended up losing it and also didn’t realize who was on it at first.
“Literally on the way home it had exploded on Twitter, and I was like, ‘Is that Martin Luther King? Is that Gandhi? Oh my God,'” Griffin said.
During the interview, Torre asked Griffin if he had remembered all the faces on the shirt.
The former six-time All-Star started off strong, but couldn’t complete the entirety of the list as he forgot Nelson Mandela and Michael Jackson were featured in the image.
“I’ve tried to block the shirt out of my memory,” Griffin said while laughing about it.
Blake Griffin is set to work his second season as an NBA analyst on NBA on Prime Video. Getty Images for Prime VideoBlake Griffin shares a hilarious story over his viral Clippers “Pioneers” shirt. Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency / SplashNews.com
While the Los Angeles Clippers promised Griffin that day he would be a “Clipper for life,” their word would be true for only a year and a half, as he was traded by the team to the Detroit Pistons in January 2018.
Griffin spent over three years with the Pistons, then finished his career playing for the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics.
Following the 2023 season, Griffin retired from basketball.
Now, Griffin is about to embark on his second year working in the NBA on Prime Video and is also about to begin his new show, “The Stepback with Blake Griffin.”
Put your shades on because these rings are dazzling!
The New York Knicks received their championship rings on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at Madison Square Garden ahead of their season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers. The arena was buzzing as Knicks and ABC play-by-play announcer Mike Breen led the ceremony to honor New York's first title in 53 years. Knicks superfan Ben Stiller was in the crowd filming the festivities on his phone.
The rings were crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills and feature the Knicks logo in orange gems on the ring face with a line of blue gems surrounding the entire base. The top of the ring opens up to reveal the inside of Madison Square Garden. The back of the band has "Knicks in Five" engraved on it, to commemorate that New York beat the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the NBA Finals. The inside of the band has the number "10 weeks" engraved in black, a call back to Knicks owner James Dolan rallying his team to make sacrifices for the length of the playoff run.
One of the sides of the ring says "World Champions" with the records for each of New York's series wins and the Larry O'Brien Trophy encrusted in diamonds. The other side has the player's name and number with a gold image of the outside of Madison Square Garden.
Jason of Beverly Hills is responsible for several recent championship rings across sports, including for the Carolina Hurricanes, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles and the winner of the WBC Crown Series Undisputed Championship fight between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford.
pic.twitter.com/AMf2vJjMzg
pic.twitter.com/KUsoqyChQN
