Category: Sports News

Knicks fans get the privilege of seeing their team before 28 other fanbases to kick off this 2025-26 season, as New York prepares to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday in the NBA’s Abu Dhabi Games. Though the core of the roster remains intact from last year’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals, a new head coach and roster spot battle make these exhibitions more intriguing than usual.

Here are the five biggest things to watch this preseason for the Knicks...

How the starting five evolves

After the Knicks’ defeat at the hands of the Pacers, a lot of attention turned to their starting lineup of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns. Whether by choice (playing more Miles McBride for Hart) or by force (Mitchell Robinson’s injury) then-head coach Tom Thibodeau heavily relied on that five despite declining returns, until he was forced to switch with his back against the wall.

Many expect the Knicks to go with the adjusted five of Robinson in for Hart, or perhaps McBride, under the new leadership of Mike Brown. These games should give us some clarity on what to expect, or serve as a stage for some experimentation.

Ultimately, New York will need to be comfortable with a combination of looks in a matchup-dependent league with a couple of injury-prone options for that fifth spot. Expect a fluid process, perhaps newcomerGeurschon Yabusele gets a chance, but no final decisions anytime soon.

The new-look offense

One of the biggest changes expected from Coach Brown this season is the injection of a quicker, facile offense. He’s preaching an increased tempo, output from three, and means to get paint touches, a large part of the promise in hiring him to replace a Conference Finals-reaching coach. 

How this actually conveys on the floor is still a mystery. Brown stated Brunson will get the ball in his hands to close games; how bought in will he be to the new system in the prior 43 minutes? 

As part of his wish for 40+ threes a night, Brown wants Brunson taking more on catch-and-shoots. If that happens, who is going to be generating that shot for him, and how? There are real roster limitations to consider — Towns as a playmaker has been a mixed experiment — should we expect much more ball handling out of Bridges? 

It should be fun watching this play out in a low-stakes environment. It will obviously take a good bit into the regular season for this team to really click, but the seeds will be planted in the coming days and weeks, and we can get a glimpse of what’s to come. 

Different team emphases

Under Thibodeau, no matter the matchup or roster change, the Knicks would inevitably fall neatly back into their Thibs-ball identity: slow the pace, pound the glass, play smashmouth defense. While some of these qualities won't be going anywhere, this will be the first time in years fans see the Knicks emphasize new things on the court and maybe culture a new identity.

It will be interesting to see what that is. Brown has been less revealing on the defensive specifics, but expect the Knicks to still favor offensive rebounding with Robinson healthy and the many bigs around him.

Previously, New York exclusively played drop coverage in pick-and-roll and emphasized protecting the rim above all, sometimes sacrificing too many open threes to the opposition. What will Brown’s fundamentals be, and how will he get Towns to buy into the scheme?

Battle for the final training camp spot

As of right now, the Knicks currently have two veteran options for one open minimum slot this season — Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet. They can also trade one of their young pieces to make room for both vet guards.

Shamet spent most of last year rehabbing a preseason injury with the Knicks before rejoining the team for some solid spot minutes down the stretch and in the playoffs. Brogdon is two years removed from winning Sixth Man of the Year, but has battled injuries throughout his career while bouncing between lottery teams since that award.

Potentially dealing one of Tyler Kolek or Pacome Dadiet, two of few remaining team prospects, just to make room for a 10th or 11th man is an aggressive move, but also the type a championship-contending team sometimes needs to make. Neither played a material amount of NBA minutes their rookie year, so this preseason on may be serving partially as their tryout.

While preseason may be low-stakes for the fans and starters, it could be deciding some players’ livelihoods. Let’s see what the Knicks end up doing for their final roster spot, and if its ultimate recipient can be an impact guy in the playoffs.

How the young core looks

Beyond making the roster, it’s imperative the Knicks see some dividends from their current crop of young talent. Their last batch of knockout draft picks have been largely dealt, along with most of their upcoming picks, and the current roster is as capped out as can be.

While they will have some future flexibility, ensuring their only prospects for the foreseeable future develop positively is key to current and later success. Injuries and randomness happen, and the Knicks will find themselves depleted at some point this postseason, badly needing somebody to step up.

It could be Brogdon or Shamet, or the hero could be a homegrown project. Even if they aren’t ready this year, the young players blossoming into real talent on team-friendly contracts will help the Knicks remain competitive beyond the peak of this core.

Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy details team's plan for Seth Curry's contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors are a family affair.

From the front office to the coaching staff and — with the Warriors’ signing of Seth Curry — even on the court.

Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy made it known just exactly why they signed the younger Curry.

“I think any time you can add shooting in this league in this day and age, a guy who’s, what, top two, second-best 3-point shooter of all time by percentage — a couple other guys in this building today, they’re top three,” Dunleavy said Wednesday. “So, all about adding shooting. We’re looking forward to having him.”

Curry, who isn’t yet with the team, is a career 43.3-percent shooter from long range — seventh best in NBA history and six spots ahead of his brother Steph, who sits 13th at 42.3 percent.

While it took time to put pen to paper due to the Jonathan Kuminga situation, Dunleavy says the Warriors are expecting Curry to be at practice on Thursday.

Of course, that’s not the end of it, as Dunleavy stated the team still has to figure out some numbers to make it all make sense.

“As far as the season goes, yeah, he’s on a one-year deal, and we’ll figure it out as we go,” Dunleavy said. “There’s some cap and apron stuff that we’ve got to deal with, but that’s something for our strategy team to figure out.”

For now, the Warriors boast a pair of literal Splash Bros. And in a league where shooting the ball is all-important, it seems like it will be a solid fit.

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Al Horford reveals why Warriors were only NBA team he would leave Celtics for originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Headlines the past few years in Boston belonged to Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. On the court and behind the scenes, Al Horford became a Bean Town legend in his own ways as an integral piece of a historic franchise that won an NBA championship with him two seasons ago and competed for a title in each of the seven years he spent with them.

Horford and his wife, Amelia, needed a number of walks together over the offseason to contemplate their future. They had dug roots into Boston, becoming a major part of the community outside of establishing a basketball legacy. 

Horford was born in the Dominican Republic. He went to high school in Michigan and played collegiately for the University of Florida before being in Atlanta the first nine years of his NBA career. There had been stops in Philadelphia and Oklahoma City, but Boston looked like his final destination. 

Instead, the Warriors signed the five-time NBA All-Star center on Wednesday after months of a handshake deal that was waiting to become official. 

“It was very difficult,” Horford said Wednesday at his Chase Center introductory press conference. “Boston became a second home for me. Just being that community and a part of that city was something very special for me and my family, so it wasn’t an easy decision for me.” 

There were rumors and speculation that the only obstacle getting in the way of Horford becoming a Warrior was the 39-year-old contemplating retirement. Horford immediately squelched any of those thoughts, saying he never entertained that idea. 

But there only was one team that Horford ever considered leaving the Celtics for: The Warriors. 

“It’s a great opportunity to compete and win at a high level,” Horford said. “When I think about the Warriors I think about Steph [Curry] and Draymond [Green] and Steve Kerr. Seeing Jimmy Butler here, what he did in that second half of the season last year after the trade and how they were playing. 

“For me, if there was one place I was going to leave, it was for this.” 

Over the course of Horford’s 18-year NBA career, almost all of his time has been in the Eastern Conference. The only experience he waded into the waters of the West were the 28 games he played for the Thunder in the 2020-21 season. Horford admitted he didn’t have prior relationships with players on the Warriors, including Curry and Green. 

His battles against the Heat when Butler was starring in Miami have been well documented. Horford also has been a problem for the Warriors in the handful of games he has gone against them. 

Horford averaged 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game against the Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals, shooting 60.5 percent from the field (26 of 43) and 62.5 percent on 3-pointers (15 of 24). He also has averaged 14.9 points and 9.4 rebounds per game in 25 regular-season games against the Warriors for his career, both being career highs for him against one team. 

The veteran big man continues to be a versatile defender at the final stages of his career, as well as a near-perfect fit in Steve Kerr’s offense stretching the floor and distributing the ball out of the block. 

“It’s huge to have a space-5,” Kerr said of Horford’s addition. “But it’s not just any space-5 – it’s Al Horford. He rebounds, defends, he’s smart, good passer. Just watching him today, you can see the fit.

“He can play with Draymond and space the floor as a 5. You can play him with Trayce [Jackson-Davis]. Trayce can be the dive man. You can play two bigs with him. He can also play the 5 himself. We can have a 5-out lineup. Al’s versatility, and just the fact that he fits in any lineup, just makes him hugely invaluable.” 

He’s also now the oldest Warriors player that also features a 37-year-old Curry, 36-year-old Butler and 35-year-old Green. No team in NBA history has ever used four players 35 and up in their opening night starting lineup. Horford understands the doubters based on the Warriors’ historic ages, and he still has the utmost confidence this was the right team to help him compete for another ring. 

“It’s fair,” Horford admitted. “It is true, but we have a very solid team. It’s not only the four of us. We have a lot of depth in this group, and a lot of the young guys I feel are going to play a big role in it. For us, it’s staying the course. Obviously health plays a big part in it. The focus is on the season and getting better. 

“I’m excited. I know those guys take care of themselves. They’re going to do everything they need to be on the floor, and we have a lot of experience.”

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Report: Grimes accepting Sixers' qualifying offer, ending his restricted free agency  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

On the final day he could accept it, Quentin Grimes has reportedly decided to sign the Sixers’ qualifying offer and end his restricted free agency.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday afternoon that Grimes will return to the team for one season at the $8.7 million qualifying offer salary and with an inherent no-trade clause. Discussions between Grimes’ camp and the Sixers continued through training camp, but the two sides couldn’t find common ground on either a one-year “balloon” deal or a longer-term contract.

The Sixers’ qualifying offer would have expired Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET.

After acquiring the 25-year-old guard at last season’s trade deadline, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey was open about his plan to re-sign Grimes.

“We’re excited to bring him back,” Morey said at media day last week. “Quentin’s a big part of what we’re trying to do now and into the future, if we can get things resolved.”

With the Sixers dismally shorthanded and on their way to a 24-58 record, Grimes thrived in a high-usage, do-it-all role. When he joined the Sixers, Grimes believed he could do much more than a 3-and-D job. 

“I feel like this whole year in Dallas, I showed I’m capable of playing on the ball, off the ball, making a lot of plays with my teammates out,” he said on Feb. 7. “Luka (Doncic) out or Kyrie (Irving) out, I can step in and fill that role.

“I feel like I can do that here, just playing with the ball in my hands — making plays for Joel (Embiid) and (Paul George), getting guys involved, or getting myself involved off the dribble.” 

Over 28 games last year with the Sixers, Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He shot 46.9 percent from the floor, 37.3 percent from three-point range and 75.2 percent at the foul line. Highlights included a 44-point performance in a win over the Warriors and a career-high 46-point night in the Sixers’ double-overtime loss to the Rockets. 

The Sixers will hope Grimes is able to build chemistry this year with fellow guards Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe, although McCain is out after undergoing surgery to repair a UCL tear in his right thumb.

Grimes did not fly with the Sixers for their preseason trip to Abu Dhabi for games vs. the Knicks on Thursday and Saturday. The team’s regular-season opener is Oct. 22 against the Celtics.

This story will be updated.

Report: Grimes accepting Sixers' qualifying offer, ending his restricted free agency  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

On the final day he could accept it, Quentin Grimes has reportedly decided to sign the Sixers’ qualifying offer and end his restricted free agency.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday afternoon that Grimes will return to the team for one season at the $8.7 million qualifying offer salary and with an inherent no-trade clause. Discussions between Grimes’ camp and the Sixers continued through training camp, but the two sides couldn’t find common ground on either a one-year “balloon” deal or a longer-term contract.

The Sixers’ qualifying offer would have expired Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET. Grimes will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

After acquiring the 25-year-old guard at last season’s trade deadline, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey was open about his plan to re-sign Grimes.

“We’re excited to bring him back,” Morey said at media day last week. “Quentin’s a big part of what we’re trying to do now and into the future, if we can get things resolved.”

With the Sixers dismally shorthanded and on their way to a 24-58 record, Grimes thrived in a high-usage, do-it-all role during the second half of the 2024-25 season. When he joined the Sixers, Grimes believed he could do much more than a 3-and-D job. 

“I feel like this whole year in Dallas, I showed I’m capable of playing on the ball, off the ball, making a lot of plays with my teammates out,” he said on Feb. 7. “Luka (Doncic) out or Kyrie (Irving) out, I can step in and fill that role.

“I feel like I can do that here, just playing with the ball in my hands — making plays for Joel (Embiid) and (Paul George), getting guys involved, or getting myself involved off the dribble.” 

Over 28 games last year with the Sixers, Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He shot 46.9 percent from the floor, 37.3 percent from three-point range and 75.2 percent at the foul line. Highlights included a 44-point performance in a win over the Warriors and a career-high 46-point night in the Sixers’ double-overtime loss to the Rockets. 

The Sixers will presumably hope Grimes is able to build chemistry this year with fellow guards Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe, although McCain is out after undergoing surgery to repair a UCL tear in his right thumb.

Grimes did not fly with the Sixers for their preseason trip to Abu Dhabi for games vs. the Knicks on Thursday and Saturday. The team’s regular-season opener is Oct. 22 against the Celtics.

Signing Grimes will put the Sixers at 14 players on standard contracts, which is one under the maximum. They’ve used their three two way-contract slots on Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker and Hunter Sallis.