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Sixers Bell Ringer: Starters look sharp in Sixers preseason finale

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 16: LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers points as Joel Embiid #21 looks on against the Boston Celtics in the first quarter during the preseason game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 16, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Preseason Bell Ringer rankings:
Jaylen Brown – 1
VJ Edgecombe – 1
LeBron James – 1

The Sixers closed their 2026-27 preseason campaign on Friday with an 125-120 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics in South Philadelphia on Friday night.

The big story was that the Sixers’ regular starting lineup — well, four fifths of it — was in action for this one. VJ Edgecombe was out, but just for rest according to Nick Nurse. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was slotted into his spot for the initial five.

The Sixers continue to look like a team that is absolutely stacked with talent but has a bit of way to go in terms of solidifying the on-court chemistry, at least early on the game. Things definitely tightened up throughout the second frame and on compared to a disjointed first, showing signs of the team this squad could really be after playing together more consistently.

The main starters played into the second half of this one as well, playing through the third before subbing out for the night. The good news is that they all played well enough to be our Bell Ringer candidates tonight.

Let’s get to it.

Jaylen Brown: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks

<p>(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images

Jaylen Brown just never really looks out of sorts. Even in the beginning of this one where the overall offense of the Sixers was a bit disjointed and sloppy, Brown was able to produce. He made a habit of getting right to the rim early and often, seldom having to rely on pulling up for a contested midrange shot. In the first half, Brown put up 14 points on 5-for-11 field goal shooting (one triple) with six rebounds and three assists. By that point, he had already made a number of defensive plays as well, with two blocks and a steal by the break.

From his skills in isolation and getting to the rim, to his passing, to his aggression on the boards, to his defensive prowess… Sixers fans know all too well what Brown is capable of when he’s at his best. It’s just nice to get to see him doing it in a Philadelphia jersey now.

Brown finished this one with 20 points on 8-for-14 field goal shooting with eight rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks. He played 31 minutes.

LeBron James: 8 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

<p>(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images

Even when LeBron James only seems to be doing a little, he still does a whole lot. LeBron didn’t post some unbelievable stat line on Friday night but it certainly doesn’t mean he wasn’t involved. In his South Philly debut, the king went to work running the offense quite a bit, working the two-man game with Tyrese Maxey most often and a little with Labaron Philon Jr. Even outside those instances, it’s clear that he is focused first on creating opportunities for his teammates before worrying about getting shots up himself, and his passing is absolutely elite. He had a floor-leading seven assists in this one.

And people tried to tell me he was going to be a complete ball hog… Sure, it’s preseason, but it really doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a problem.

Lebron finished the game with 8 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, a steal and a block in just under 25 minutes.

Tyrese Maxey: 22 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal

<p>(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images

My goodness, is Tyrese Maxey in a great spot to thrive with this Sixers squad. I know that probably seems obvious simply because of the level of talent around him, but it’s also that the talent around him compliments him perfectly. Not only does Maxey now have, for example, the two-man game with Embiid that has pretty much always been successful in the half-court offense, he now adds the two-man game with and transition aggression of Lebron James. Not only that, but the amount of space he now has to operate with considering the amount of attention all of his teammates garner from opposing defenses is greatly improved over the last few years, meaning less forced contested shots and more buckets falling from all over the floor. Maxey’s playmaking himself continues to improve as well, especially with so much off-ball movement from this lineup.

The bottom line is that Maxey is really being set up for success with this roster and I think Friday night was an excellent example of him taking full advantage of that. From getting out in transition to those two-man games to a few just stellar Maxey-magic finishes, the guard was able to contribute consistently throughout his time in this one.

Maxey finished with 22 points on 7-for-11 field goal shooting with three rebounds, six assists and one steal.

Joel Embiid: 27 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

<p>(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images

I’ll be honest, the first half was a very mixed bag for Joel Embiid. It started out a bit like we’ve seen so far this preseason — a bit sloppy, a little lackadaisical even. There were some turnovers, he couldn’t seem to stay on his feet, and just wasn’t getting anything going to start things off.

Then, something switched. Things tightened up as the first half went on, and Embiid started looking like the player we all know he can be. He started working the two-man game with Tyrese Maxey more, using his body to create space to sink some midrange jays, and powering up through contact at the rim for close buckets and drawing a ton of fouls in the process. He was active on the boards and solid on the defensive end. This was truly a night and day turnaround from how he looked at the beginning of the game.

He even got up for a dunk, and I mean got UP. (Yes, I gasp every time he does it, but I guess I’m grateful he physically can.)

And this was just one example of Embiid looking spry and agile once he really got himself going on Friday night. Certainly a good sign.

Embiid finished the game with a field-leading 27 points (7-for-13 field goal shooting), eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in 29 minutes.

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Sixers Bell Ringer: Starters look sharp in Sixers preseason finale

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 16: LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers points as Joel Embiid #21 looks on against the Boston Celtics in the first quarter during the preseason game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 16, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Preseason Bell Ringer rankings:
Jaylen Brown – 1
VJ Edgecombe – 1
LeBron James – 1

The Sixers closed their 2026-27 preseason campaign on Friday with an 125-120 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics in South Philadelphia on Friday night.

The big story was that the Sixers’ regular starting lineup — well, four fifths of it — was in action for this one. VJ Edgecombe was out, but just for rest according to Nick Nurse. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was slotted into his spot for the initial five.

The Sixers continue to look like a team that is absolutely stacked with talent but has a bit of way to go in terms of solidifying the on-court chemistry, at least early on the game. Things definitely tightened up throughout the second frame and on compared to a disjointed first, showing signs of the team this squad could really be after playing together more consistently.

The main starters played into the second half of this one as well, playing through the third before subbing out for the night. The good news is that they all played well enough to be our Bell Ringer candidates tonight.

Let’s get to it.

Jaylen Brown: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks

<p>(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images

Jaylen Brown just never really looks out of sorts. Even in the beginning of this one where the overall offense of the Sixers was a bit disjointed and sloppy, Brown was able to produce. He made a habit of getting right to the rim early and often, seldom having to rely on pulling up for a contested midrange shot. In the first half, Brown put up 14 points on 5-for-11 field goal shooting (one triple) with six rebounds and three assists. By that point, he had already made a number of defensive plays as well, with two blocks and a steal by the break.

From his skills in isolation and getting to the rim, to his passing, to his aggression on the boards, to his defensive prowess… Sixers fans know all too well what Brown is capable of when he’s at his best. It’s just nice to get to see him doing it in a Philadelphia jersey now.

Brown finished this one with 20 points on 8-for-14 field goal shooting with eight rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks. He played 31 minutes.

LeBron James: 8 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

<p>(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images

Even when LeBron James only seems to be doing a little, he still does a whole lot. LeBron didn’t post some unbelievable stat line on Friday night but it certainly doesn’t mean he wasn’t involved. In his South Philly debut, the king went to work running the offense quite a bit, working the two-man game with Tyrese Maxey most often and a little with Labaron Philon Jr. Even outside those instances, it’s clear that he is focused first on creating opportunities for his teammates before worrying about getting shots up himself, and his passing is absolutely elite. He had a floor-leading seven assists in this one.

And people tried to tell me he was going to be a complete ball hog… Sure, it’s preseason, but it really doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a problem.

Lebron finished the game with 8 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, a steal and a block in just under 25 minutes.

Tyrese Maxey: 22 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal

<p>(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images

My goodness, is Tyrese Maxey in a great spot to thrive with this Sixers squad. I know that probably seems obvious simply because of the level of talent around him, but it’s also that the talent around him compliments him perfectly. Not only does Maxey now have, for example, the two-man game with Embiid that has pretty much always been successful in the half-court offense, he now adds the two-man game with and transition aggression of Lebron James. Not only that, but the amount of space he now has to operate with considering the amount of attention all of his teammates garner from opposing defenses is greatly improved over the last few years, meaning less forced contested shots and more buckets falling from all over the floor. Maxey’s playmaking himself continues to improve as well, especially with so much off-ball movement from this lineup.

The bottom line is that Maxey is really being set up for success with this roster and I think Friday night was an excellent example of him taking full advantage of that. From getting out in transition to those two-man games to a few just stellar Maxey-magic finishes, the guard was able to contribute consistently throughout his time in this one.

Maxey finished with 22 points on 7-for-11 field goal shooting with three rebounds, six assists and one steal.

Joel Embiid: 27 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

<p>(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images

I’ll be honest, the first half was a very mixed bag for Joel Embiid. It started out a bit like we’ve seen so far this preseason — a bit sloppy, a little lackadaisical even. There were some turnovers, he couldn’t seem to stay on his feet, and just wasn’t getting anything going to start things off.

Then, something switched. Things tightened up as the first half went on, and Embiid started looking like the player we all know he can be. He started working the two-man game with Tyrese Maxey more, using his body to create space to sink some midrange jays, and powering up through contact at the rim for close buckets and drawing a ton of fouls in the process. He was active on the boards and solid on the defensive end. This was truly a night and day turnaround from how he looked at the beginning of the game.

He even got up for a dunk, and I mean got UP. (Yes, I gasp every time he does it, but I guess I’m grateful he physically can.)

And this was just one example of Embiid looking spry and agile once he really got himself going on Friday night. Certainly a good sign.

Embiid finished the game with a field-leading 27 points (7-for-13 field goal shooting), eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in 29 minutes.

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3 musings as the Mavericks lose their preseason dress rehearsal, 135-111, to the Atlanta Hawks

DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks is defended by CJ McCollum #3 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of a preseason game at American Airlines Center on October 16, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks fell on Friday night in their final preseason contest, 135-111 to the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Center. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had an efficient 25 points in 27 minutes to lead the Hawks. Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 26 and 12 rebounds in defeat.

The back-and-forth affair early on was punctuated by a Cooper Flagg dunk off a cut and the first of Kyrie Irving’s five 3-pointers. Dallas was foul-happy in the first quarter, committing four team fouls in the first three minutes of play. CJ McCollum connected on two early 3-pointers, and Atlanta took early offensive control. Defense seemed lacking from both teams, though. Dallas rallied right back with a relentless offensive pace. The two teams traded leads, with Atlanta carrying a 39-34 lead into the second quarter on the strength of 16 free-throw attempts.

Quarter two saw the Hawks rain from beyond the arc while the referee show continued apace. Atlanta built up a 17-point lead five minutes into the quarter as the Dallas offense stalled. The Mavericks were so cold in the second that Kyrie Irving, a phenomenal free-throw shooter (88.8%!), missed one. The Mavericks shot a palty 1-of-10 from deep in the second quarter while the Hawks remained electric from beyond the arc — pushing the lead to 73-54 at the half.

Dallas started the second half intent on cutting into the Atlanta lead. Three possessions of solid offense, the Mavericks cut the Hawks lead down to 14 only for Atlanta to knockdown back-to-back threes and regain their 20 point cushion. The Dallas defense was frenetic but poor, and the Hawks kept the pressure on all period. Sergio De Larrea continued his hot shooting on low volume, hitting both threes he took in the period. Dallas entered the fourth down 102-78.

Cooper Flagg transtion attacks forced a quick Hawks timeout to start the fourth quarter. While Dallas continued to play within what should be their regular rotation, both Flagg and Kyrie were done for the night following the timeout. De Larrea played well to close out the fourth, but the main goal for both squads was to get out with everyone healthy.

Cooper Flagg looks ready for primetime

Take a second and watch this.

That sort of move simply doesn’t happen last year. It’s not that he couldn’t do it, but we didn’t see much like it from Flagg. He put his head down, got to the rim or he’d have a strong one dribble move into a jumper. But sauce? We didn’t get a lot and that sort of thing comes with an enormous amount of work.

And while Flagg wasn’t terribly efficient in terms of shooting (just 8 of 20), he got to the line for 12 free throws and should’ve had at least 4-6 more. The 12 rebounds were also impressive and if he’s cleaning up the glass and pushing the pace, he looks frightening coming downhill.

I am excited for what year two will bring. The league should be concerned.

Kyrie Irving yields basketball joy

This isn’t news, but it’s certainly fun to type. Irving had a good but weird game. While he was money from beyond the arc, he missed some weird layups and even had a free throw rim out. But no matter, it’s a preseason game.

That special something he had when last playing regular season Dallas Maverick basketball? He still has it. Thank God.

Can the NBA Referees settle down?

We don‘t come to watch the refs. I thought a 7:00 pm (7:15) start time meant games would get over at a reasonable hour. That one was a full two and a half hours because of 48 called fouls and 71 combined free-throw attempts. RELAX, GUYS.

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3 musings as the Mavericks lose their preseason dress rehearsal, 135-111, to the Atlanta Hawks

DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks is defended by CJ McCollum #3 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of a preseason game at American Airlines Center on October 16, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks fell on Friday night in their final preseason contest, 135-111 to the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Center. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had an efficient 25 points in 27 minutes to lead the Hawks. Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 26 and 12 rebounds in defeat.

The back-and-forth affair early on was punctuated by a Cooper Flagg dunk off a cut and the first of Kyrie Irving’s five 3-pointers. Dallas was foul-happy in the first quarter, committing four team fouls in the first three minutes of play. CJ McCollum connected on two early 3-pointers, and Atlanta took early offensive control. Defense seemed lacking from both teams, though. Dallas rallied right back with a relentless offensive pace. The two teams traded leads, with Atlanta carrying a 39-34 lead into the second quarter on the strength of 16 free-throw attempts.

Quarter two saw the Hawks rain from beyond the arc while the referee show continued apace. Atlanta built up a 17-point lead five minutes into the quarter as the Dallas offense stalled. The Mavericks were so cold in the second that Kyrie Irving, a phenomenal free-throw shooter (88.8%!), missed one. The Mavericks shot a palty 1-of-10 from deep in the second quarter while the Hawks remained electric from beyond the arc — pushing the lead to 73-54 at the half.

Dallas started the second half intent on cutting into the Atlanta lead. Three possessions of solid offense, the Mavericks cut the Hawks lead down to 14 only for Atlanta to knockdown back-to-back threes and regain their 20 point cushion. The Dallas defense was frenetic but poor, and the Hawks kept the pressure on all period. Sergio De Larrea continued his hot shooting on low volume, hitting both threes he took in the period. Dallas entered the fourth down 102-78.

Cooper Flagg transtion attacks forced a quick Hawks timeout to start the fourth quarter. While Dallas continued to play within what should be their regular rotation, both Flagg and Kyrie were done for the night following the timeout. De Larrea played well to close out the fourth, but the main goal for both squads was to get out with everyone healthy.

Cooper Flagg looks ready for primetime

Take a second and watch this.

That sort of move simply doesn’t happen last year. It’s not that he couldn’t do it, but we didn’t see much like it from Flagg. He put his head down, got to the rim or he’d have a strong one dribble move into a jumper. But sauce? We didn’t get a lot and that sort of thing comes with an enormous amount of work.

And while Flagg wasn’t terribly efficient in terms of shooting (just 8 of 20), he got to the line for 12 free throws and should’ve had at least 4-6 more. The 12 rebounds were also impressive and if he’s cleaning up the glass and pushing the pace, he looks frightening coming downhill.

I am excited for what year two will bring. The league should be concerned.

Kyrie Irving yields basketball joy

This isn’t news, but it’s certainly fun to type. Irving had a good but weird game. While he was money from beyond the arc, he missed some weird layups and even had a free throw rim out. But no matter, it’s a preseason game.

That special something he had when last playing regular season Dallas Maverick basketball? He still has it. Thank God.

Can the NBA Referees settle down?

We don‘t come to watch the refs. I thought a 7:00 pm (7:15) start time meant games would get over at a reasonable hour. That one was a full two and a half hours because of 48 called fouls and 71 combined free-throw attempts. RELAX, GUYS.

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Trent Noah gets a discouraging injury update

Before the season even began, Kentucky Basketball was already dealing with an injury bug. Forward Milan Momcilovic jammed his finger but is now healthy and played against Little Rock, while guard Jerone Morton suffered a knee injury and will be re-evaluated in several weeks.

Forward Kam Williams continues to recover from a second surgery on the broken foot he suffered in February. Williams returned for the SEC and NCAA Tournaments but required another procedure after his recovery stalled.

Meanwhile, forward Trent Noah re-aggravated his hamstring injury earlier this summer and remains sidelined.

Following Friday night’s exhibition against Little Rock, Kentucky head coach Mark Pope provided an update on Noah’s recovery and explained why getting Williams back on the court is becoming increasingly important.

“With Trent, he’s kind of struggling a little bit right now to regain his health,” Pope said. “It makes it even more important that we get Kam back on time. So we’re hopeful. We’re hopeful.”

Hearing that Noah is struggling to regain his health with a hamstring he’s hurt several times already isn’t what you want to hear as the regular season draws closer.

Thankfully, Williams is making good progress and appears close to being cleared to practice.

For Pope, having a healthy or nearly healthy roster is crucial after injuries have repeatedly disrupted his first two seasons in Lexington.

During his first season, Kentucky lost Jaxson Robinson and Kerr Kriisa to injuries, while Lamont Butler missed time off and on late in the season. In Pope’s second season, starting guard Jaland Lowe was also sidelined, while Williams missed a significant portion of that campaign because of his foot injury.

Additionally, forward Jayden Quaintance never fully recovered from his torn ACL in time to contribute on the court.

Recurring injuries have made it difficult for Pope to maintain a consistent rotation and get his best players on the floor together. With another season underway, Kentucky will hope to avoid a similar situation. The Wildcats need Williams and Noah to regain their health and Morton to work his way back.

There is still plenty of time for Kentucky to get healthy, but the Wildcats will need to be injury-free if they hope to reach their potential this season.

Posted on

Trent Noah gets a discouraging injury update

Before the season even began, Kentucky Basketball was already dealing with an injury bug. Forward Milan Momcilovic jammed his finger but is now healthy and played against Little Rock, while guard Jerone Morton suffered a knee injury and will be re-evaluated in several weeks.

Forward Kam Williams continues to recover from a second surgery on the broken foot he suffered in February. Williams returned for the SEC and NCAA Tournaments but required another procedure after his recovery stalled.

Meanwhile, forward Trent Noah re-aggravated his hamstring injury earlier this summer and remains sidelined.

Following Friday night’s exhibition against Little Rock, Kentucky head coach Mark Pope provided an update on Noah’s recovery and explained why getting Williams back on the court is becoming increasingly important.

“With Trent, he’s kind of struggling a little bit right now to regain his health,” Pope said. “It makes it even more important that we get Kam back on time. So we’re hopeful. We’re hopeful.”

Hearing that Noah is struggling to regain his health with a hamstring he’s hurt several times already isn’t what you want to hear as the regular season draws closer.

Thankfully, Williams is making good progress and appears close to being cleared to practice.

For Pope, having a healthy or nearly healthy roster is crucial after injuries have repeatedly disrupted his first two seasons in Lexington.

During his first season, Kentucky lost Jaxson Robinson and Kerr Kriisa to injuries, while Lamont Butler missed time off and on late in the season. In Pope’s second season, starting guard Jaland Lowe was also sidelined, while Williams missed a significant portion of that campaign because of his foot injury.

Additionally, forward Jayden Quaintance never fully recovered from his torn ACL in time to contribute on the court.

Recurring injuries have made it difficult for Pope to maintain a consistent rotation and get his best players on the floor together. With another season underway, Kentucky will hope to avoid a similar situation. The Wildcats need Williams and Noah to regain their health and Morton to work his way back.

There is still plenty of time for Kentucky to get healthy, but the Wildcats will need to be injury-free if they hope to reach their potential this season.

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Julian Strawther’s Season Debut to Be Delayed Until December

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 14: Julian Strawther #1 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after a potential injury during the third quarter of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome on October 14, 2026 in Inglewood, California. 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 Melina Pizano/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The start of wing Julian Strawther’s fourth NBA season with the Denver Nuggets is off to an unfortunate, unpredictable beginning.

During the Wednesday, Oct. 14, preseason matchup at the Los Angeles Clippers, Strawther suffered a left knee sprain that was revealed by an MRI the following day. The Gonzaga Bulldog sharpshooter will be re-evaluated in six weeks and will look to make his 2026-27 debut sometime in December.

Denver is already limited with the bench and three-point shooting support leading into their season opener against center Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Oct. 22. Last season, Strawther averaged 7.2 points on a career-high 46.7 field goal percentage and 38.7 three-point percentage across 57 games played.

The highly anticipated introduction of the newest Nugget and former Zag, point guard Ryan Nembhard, alongside Strawther out on the perimeter will have to wait. Nembhard was signed by Denver to a two-way contract as an unrestricted free agent back at the end of September.

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho

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Julian Strawther’s Season Debut to Be Delayed Until December

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 14: Julian Strawther #1 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after a potential injury during the third quarter of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome on October 14, 2026 in Inglewood, California. 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 Melina Pizano/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The start of wing Julian Strawther’s fourth NBA season with the Denver Nuggets is off to an unfortunate, unpredictable beginning.

During the Wednesday, Oct. 14, preseason matchup at the Los Angeles Clippers, Strawther suffered a left knee sprain that was revealed by an MRI the following day. The Gonzaga Bulldog sharpshooter will be re-evaluated in six weeks and will look to make his 2026-27 debut sometime in December.

Denver is already limited with the bench and three-point shooting support leading into their season opener against center Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Oct. 22. Last season, Strawther averaged 7.2 points on a career-high 46.7 field goal percentage and 38.7 three-point percentage across 57 games played.

The highly anticipated introduction of the newest Nugget and former Zag, point guard Ryan Nembhard, alongside Strawther out on the perimeter will have to wait. Nembhard was signed by Denver to a two-way contract as an unrestricted free agent back at the end of September.

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho

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Pistons vs Raptors final score: Detroit ends the preseason with a win

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 16: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors during a preseason game on October 16, 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

Although Toronto rested their starters due to being on the second night of a back-to-back (who schedules that in the preseason?), it was a competitive game until the final buzzer between the Raptors and the Pistons. Thanks to some late-game heroics from Ebuka Okorie, Detroit finished the preseason with a 129-125 victory.

Cade Cunningham led the way for the Pistons with 18 points on an efficient 67% from the field along with seven assists. Jalen Duren was next with 14 points, and his growing offensive game continues to be a fun addition to the offense. He hit a nice fadeaway after a post spin that we didn’t see from him last year.

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Ausar Thompson was full of highlights tonight and did a little bit of everything with 12 points, three rebounds, and four assists. Every time he shows a new improvement on offense, I get way too excited about it. I mean, check out this improved handle:

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And this midrange pull-up:

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Collins also had 12 points to go along with eight rebounds. He hit a nice three from the wing off a Cade assist, and also added this strong jump-stop dunk:

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Rookie Ebuka Okorie only played nine minutes but finished with 14 points while shooting 4-for-4 from the field. He has looked like he has belonged as an NBA player so far, so it’ll be interesting to see where his opportunities come from in the regular season. He put on a little shake-and-bake (a few times) late in the game:

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The Pistons finish the preseason with a 3-1 record, and we’re now on to regular season basketball. There’s a lot to be excited about through the first four games with the flashes we’ve seen from Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren as they take on more creation opportunities. With more shooting around Detroit’s three core guys, I’m intrigued by giving more on-ball reps to AT and JD to help them reach their offensive ceilings.

The 2025-2026 NBA season will start officially on Tuesday afternoon as Detroit opens the year against the Boston Celtics at 3:00 PM EST.

Go Stones.

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Pistons vs Raptors final score: Detroit ends the preseason with a win

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 16: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors during a preseason game on October 16, 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

Although Toronto rested their starters due to being on the second night of a back-to-back (who schedules that in the preseason?), it was a competitive game until the final buzzer between the Raptors and the Pistons. Thanks to some late-game heroics from Ebuka Okorie, Detroit finished the preseason with a 129-125 victory.

Cade Cunningham led the way for the Pistons with 18 points on an efficient 67% from the field along with seven assists. Jalen Duren was next with 14 points, and his growing offensive game continues to be a fun addition to the offense. He hit a nice fadeaway after a post spin that we didn’t see from him last year.

View Link

Ausar Thompson was full of highlights tonight and did a little bit of everything with 12 points, three rebounds, and four assists. Every time he shows a new improvement on offense, I get way too excited about it. I mean, check out this improved handle:

View Link

And this midrange pull-up:

View Link

Collins also had 12 points to go along with eight rebounds. He hit a nice three from the wing off a Cade assist, and also added this strong jump-stop dunk:

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Rookie Ebuka Okorie only played nine minutes but finished with 14 points while shooting 4-for-4 from the field. He has looked like he has belonged as an NBA player so far, so it’ll be interesting to see where his opportunities come from in the regular season. He put on a little shake-and-bake (a few times) late in the game:

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The Pistons finish the preseason with a 3-1 record, and we’re now on to regular season basketball. There’s a lot to be excited about through the first four games with the flashes we’ve seen from Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren as they take on more creation opportunities. With more shooting around Detroit’s three core guys, I’m intrigued by giving more on-ball reps to AT and JD to help them reach their offensive ceilings.

The 2025-2026 NBA season will start officially on Tuesday afternoon as Detroit opens the year against the Boston Celtics at 3:00 PM EST.

Go Stones.

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Preseason Rapid Recap: Bucks 128, Pacers 127 (OT)

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 16: Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during the game against the Indiana Pacers on October 16, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Milwaukee Bucks won a nail-biter against the Indiana Pacers in overtime! Tyler Herro led the Bucks with 25 points on 10/16 shooting (5/7 from deep), while Pascal Siakam dazzled for the Pacers with 24 on 8/10 shooting in less than 20 minutes. It was Kasparas Jakucionis, though, who stole the show late and basically won the game for Milwaukee.

NBA.com Box Score

Game Recap

Milwaukee kept “pace” with Indiana early, able to run good offence, generate good shots, and thus keep the home team out of transition. However, after the Bucks built a 10-5 lead, they gave up an 11-0 run, mostly at the hands of Andrew Nembhard. A scuffle between Ryan Rollins and Tyrese Haliburton soon followed; Haliburton took offence at the way Rollins attacked an offensive rebound. Make no mistake: Giannis or no Giannis, these teams still do not like each other. After their cold spell, the visitors responded with their own 11-0 run to go up 21-16 with four minutes to play; Brayden Burries was instrumental, scoring a quick five points off the pine. Unfortunately, the Pacers answered with a shutout to close the period, capitalising on missed shots and turnovers—primarily from Kevin Porter Jr.—to run out the first on a 13-0 run to go up 29-21.

Pascal Siakam sparked the Pacers to open the second with a quick nine points, extending Indy’s run to 22-3 and forcing Taylor Jenkins to burn an early timeout—Bucks down big, 40-24. Milwaukee answered out of the break with an encouraging 8-2 spurt—headed by threes from Kel’el Ware and Kyle Kuzma—but their inroads were quickly erased by more Siakam buckets, who was unconscious for the entire period. Tyler Herro stepped up later in the quarter to keep the margin from blowing out past ~16, working intuitively in the pick-and-roll to find his spots. Ultimately, the Bucks did well to keep the margin from blowing out to close the half, considering the absolute heater Siakam was on. At quarter time, the Pacers starting forward had 2 points, and at half time, he had 24 on 5/7 from three. Tough. Bucks down 71-56 at half.

Indy rested their entire starting group for the second half, and the Bucks did not. Herro got the motor back up and running out of the half with five quick points, and a Kuzma spinning hook forced an early Pacers timeout. The contrast between how Herro scored on the Pacers’ first unit and their second was stark: he dropped his 19th and 20th points on a fastbreak layup after reading an errant pass, cutting the deficit to 11. From there, Milwaukee’s starters were done. After a few Pacers buckets to stem the tide, the Bucks went on an 11-0 run to cut the lead to five, 89-84, with under three minutes left in the third. Their defence remained steady to close it out, and a KPJ stampede to the rim on the buzzer had the visitors down by a single posession, 93-90, after three.

Both teams started the final stanza cold, but a Burries floater, followed by threes from Green and Porter, gave the Bucks their first lead since early in the first. Bogoljub Markovic came in and made an impact with a strong offensive rebound and finish; unfortunately, that goodwill was undone a few possessions later when the rook was late on help, and Kobe Brown posterised him—Bucks up just one, 105-104, with five to play. Both teams got in their own way for the next few minutes, failing to score; however, the deadlock was broken by a breakdown in transition D for the Pacers (off a dead ball!), which allowed Ware to smash home a thunderous dunk, followed by a triple from Cormac Ryan. The Pacers weren’t done, though, and responded with a 9-0 outburst—led by a pair of Braden Smith-Keba Keita alley-oops—to take the lead in short order. Former Pacer Kam Jones, though, nailed a clutch fading three deep in the left corner to tie it at 113 with just over a minute to go. The Pacers built a small lead on free throws, but a crazy sequence followed—including multiple missed Bucks free throws and multiple offensive rebounds—that allowed the Bucks tie it at 117 with a Ware slam and send the game to OT.

After some deer-in-the-headlights possessions to close out the fourth, Markovic sparked the Bucks early in OT, scoring the opening five points of the extra period. Kobe Brown answered with four straight points, followed by a Braden Smith floater, and the Pacers wrenched the lead back, up 123-122 with two minutes left. However, Kasparas Jakucionis—who didn’t get on the floor until late but was huge as a rebounder in his minutes—made three straight heady plays down the stretch to help the Bucks grab and hold the lead until the final buzzer. Milwaukee wins a nail-biter to close out the preseason.

Stat That Stood Out

Milwaukee got 26 second-chance points, while the Pacers got just 12. Much of this was due to the Bucks grabbing 19 offensive rebounds, which has clearly been a key focus in the preseason.

Obscene Overreaction

It was a crime that Kasparas Jakucionis came into the game so late. Jakucionis was stellar in his minutes, generating extra possessions and high-quality shots. The kid needs to play.

Posted on

Preseason Rapid Recap: Bucks 128, Pacers 127 (OT)

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 16: Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during the game against the Indiana Pacers on October 16, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Milwaukee Bucks won a nail-biter against the Indiana Pacers in overtime! Tyler Herro led the Bucks with 25 points on 10/16 shooting (5/7 from deep), while Pascal Siakam dazzled for the Pacers with 24 on 8/10 shooting in less than 20 minutes. It was Kasparas Jakucionis, though, who stole the show late and basically won the game for Milwaukee.

NBA.com Box Score

Game Recap

Milwaukee kept “pace” with Indiana early, able to run good offence, generate good shots, and thus keep the home team out of transition. However, after the Bucks built a 10-5 lead, they gave up an 11-0 run, mostly at the hands of Andrew Nembhard. A scuffle between Ryan Rollins and Tyrese Haliburton soon followed; Haliburton took offence at the way Rollins attacked an offensive rebound. Make no mistake: Giannis or no Giannis, these teams still do not like each other. After their cold spell, the visitors responded with their own 11-0 run to go up 21-16 with four minutes to play; Brayden Burries was instrumental, scoring a quick five points off the pine. Unfortunately, the Pacers answered with a shutout to close the period, capitalising on missed shots and turnovers—primarily from Kevin Porter Jr.—to run out the first on a 13-0 run to go up 29-21.

Pascal Siakam sparked the Pacers to open the second with a quick nine points, extending Indy’s run to 22-3 and forcing Taylor Jenkins to burn an early timeout—Bucks down big, 40-24. Milwaukee answered out of the break with an encouraging 8-2 spurt—headed by threes from Kel’el Ware and Kyle Kuzma—but their inroads were quickly erased by more Siakam buckets, who was unconscious for the entire period. Tyler Herro stepped up later in the quarter to keep the margin from blowing out past ~16, working intuitively in the pick-and-roll to find his spots. Ultimately, the Bucks did well to keep the margin from blowing out to close the half, considering the absolute heater Siakam was on. At quarter time, the Pacers starting forward had 2 points, and at half time, he had 24 on 5/7 from three. Tough. Bucks down 71-56 at half.

Indy rested their entire starting group for the second half, and the Bucks did not. Herro got the motor back up and running out of the half with five quick points, and a Kuzma spinning hook forced an early Pacers timeout. The contrast between how Herro scored on the Pacers’ first unit and their second was stark: he dropped his 19th and 20th points on a fastbreak layup after reading an errant pass, cutting the deficit to 11. From there, Milwaukee’s starters were done. After a few Pacers buckets to stem the tide, the Bucks went on an 11-0 run to cut the lead to five, 89-84, with under three minutes left in the third. Their defence remained steady to close it out, and a KPJ stampede to the rim on the buzzer had the visitors down by a single posession, 93-90, after three.

Both teams started the final stanza cold, but a Burries floater, followed by threes from Green and Porter, gave the Bucks their first lead since early in the first. Bogoljub Markovic came in and made an impact with a strong offensive rebound and finish; unfortunately, that goodwill was undone a few possessions later when the rook was late on help, and Kobe Brown posterised him—Bucks up just one, 105-104, with five to play. Both teams got in their own way for the next few minutes, failing to score; however, the deadlock was broken by a breakdown in transition D for the Pacers (off a dead ball!), which allowed Ware to smash home a thunderous dunk, followed by a triple from Cormac Ryan. The Pacers weren’t done, though, and responded with a 9-0 outburst—led by a pair of Braden Smith-Keba Keita alley-oops—to take the lead in short order. Former Pacer Kam Jones, though, nailed a clutch fading three deep in the left corner to tie it at 113 with just over a minute to go. The Pacers built a small lead on free throws, but a crazy sequence followed—including multiple missed Bucks free throws and multiple offensive rebounds—that allowed the Bucks tie it at 117 with a Ware slam and send the game to OT.

After some deer-in-the-headlights possessions to close out the fourth, Markovic sparked the Bucks early in OT, scoring the opening five points of the extra period. Kobe Brown answered with four straight points, followed by a Braden Smith floater, and the Pacers wrenched the lead back, up 123-122 with two minutes left. However, Kasparas Jakucionis—who didn’t get on the floor until late but was huge as a rebounder in his minutes—made three straight heady plays down the stretch to help the Bucks grab and hold the lead until the final buzzer. Milwaukee wins a nail-biter to close out the preseason.

Stat That Stood Out

Milwaukee got 26 second-chance points, while the Pacers got just 12. Much of this was due to the Bucks grabbing 19 offensive rebounds, which has clearly been a key focus in the preseason.

Obscene Overreaction

It was a crime that Kasparas Jakucionis came into the game so late. Jakucionis was stellar in his minutes, generating extra possessions and high-quality shots. The kid needs to play.

Posted on

Flyers Reveal Anticipated 'Hometown Remix' Jersey Schedule

Although the exact design and appearance is still unknown, the Philadelphia Flyers have finally revealed when they will debut their Hometown Remix jerseys this season, along with the rest of the games the team will wear them for.

In just under two weeks, on Nov. 3, the Flyers will debut their new Hometown Remix alternate jersey at home against the Minnesota Wild at 7 p.m.

Overall, the Flyers will play wearing their new threads 13 times this season, 11 of which will be at home at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Here's the Flyers' full Hometown Remix schedule, complete with the 11 home games and four matchups with Metropolitan Division rivals.

Flyers vs. Wild, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

Flyers vs. Canucks, Nov. 27 at 3 p.m.

Flyers @ Maple Leafs, Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Flyers vs. Islanders, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Flyers vs. Panthers, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.

Flyers vs. Red Wings, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.

Flyers vs. Blackhawks, Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Flyers vs. Devils, Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Flyers vs. Rangers, Feb. 20 at 12:30 p.m.

Flyers @ Islanders, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m.

Flyers vs. Blues, March 7 at 3:30 p.m.

Flyers vs. Bruins, March 18 at 7 p.m.

Flyers @ Islanders, March 20 at 3 p.m.

All times listed above are in EST.

(Photo: Philadelphia Flyers, X)
(Photo: Philadelphia Flyers, X)

A healthy helping of afternoon games, for those who are into that, and a stretch of games primarily against Eastern Conference opponents.

The current state of the Flyers, with their 0-6-3 start, certainly casts a dim light on the anticipated reveal of the jerseys, and maybe the jerseys are the most exciting thing to talk about by the time they make their debut on Nov. 3.

That shouldn't be the case, but until the Flyers prove otherwise, it's in the realm of possibility.

In any event, the Flyers may have already (intentionally? accidentally?) leaked the design of their Hometown Remix jersey back in June ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, debuting an orange and black liberty bell design on the floor that has apparently never been seen before.

Not much more is known about the Hometown Remix jerseys nearly three weeks into the start of the season, though the NHL has mentioned in the past that a "broad apparel and headwear collection" will also be available for each of the 32 NHL teams.

If nothing else, the wait is almost over at this point, and soon enough we'll see and know more about the NHL's upcoming Hometown Remix collection release.

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Raptors’ bench full of fight in final preseason game

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 16: Nimari Burnett #25 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on October 16, 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

The Toronto Raptors preseason finally came to an end tonight as they fell to the Detroit Pistons in a well-fought battle that ended 129-125 in the Pistons’ favour. 

In a turn of events that could be surprising to some and completely predictable to others, Toronto went to their bench entirely, sitting most of their rotation players for the entirety of the night. Allen Graves, Alijah Martin, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Jaden Bradley, and Nimari Burnett started for the Raptors. Detroit countered with their starters, seemingly working more on their regular season rotation than final roster decisions. 

This was a great opportunity for everyone who checked in for the Raptors to show what they’ve got. Alijah Martin had a strong showing during the first half, more as a scorer than a distributor. He’d already racked up 15 by the midway point and didn’t play much in the second half, having already demonstrated his abilities. 

Allen Graves looked like he is starting to come into his own. In the first quarter alone, he had a couple of good hustle putbacks that rocked the rim. He’s still struggling with his shot, but it’s way too early in his rookie campaign to worry. He finished the night with 9 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block. 

Malachi Smith led all scorers and had a phenomenal game, looking owed more than the two-way he’s currently on. He ended the night with 24-5-3. Nimari Burnett also had a great showing tonight with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Trayce Jackson-Davis had some solid minutes, finishing with 23 points and 3 rebounds, and a perfect record from the free-throw line if you don’t count the one he intentionally missed to try and force overtime. 

Despite the mismatch in terms of guaranteed contract money, the deep bench held their own. There were the expected little mistakes that you’d see from less-experienced guys, losing their dribble or passes that aren’t on time or target, but despite that, the effort was enough to compensate. The perfect example of this was about halfway through the first. A sloppy pass and dribble through the paint led to the ball rolling loose towards the three point line. Within seconds, Raptors’ bodies were flying on the court to get possession, ultimately earning back the ball and a three-point basket. 

Guards Martin and Smith held the majority of the scoring load early on. They were able to score all over the floor, in traffic, and against defenders, an impressive feat against bigger bodies. 

Ball movement, the Raptors’ system forte wasn’t on display as much as expected. Their defence and active hands held up though, poking the ball away and making things tricky for a Pistons team that has high hopes for the season.

Finishing the first quarter with only three turnovers and only a two point deficit wouldn’t necessarily be the expectation when looking at the starting lineups, but the bench definitely put on a show.  

Jamarion Sharp looked a little behind the play at times, but had a phenomenal block in the second that helped demonstrate flashes of his length and timing that can be an asset.

Detroit was able to build a marginal lead late in the second, entering the locker room with a seven point advantage.

A tough offensive foul call followed by sloppy defence and a turnover meant the Pistons had a double-digit lead within the first minute and a half of the third quarter. None of that seemed to have much of an effect on the Raptors’ intensity though. They kept chipping away, one possession at a time. 

Degenhart had a great three-pointer that brought the deficit to single digits. 

The entirety of the fourth quarter had to be the most fun part of the game. Detroit sat their starters, employing the same strategy as Toronto to see what the bench had to offer. Point by point, the Raptors chipped away. They outscored the Pistons 20-6 in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, giving Toronto their first lead since the first quarter. Burnett, Smith, and Key were the leaders of the comeback, scoring timely long range baskets.

A bit of sloppiness gave way to Detroit in the fading minutes of the game, turning the ball over and giving Detroit some extra scoring opportunities. Credit to them, they didn’t give in until the final buzzer sounded, getting within a single possession repeatedly. Toronto may not have won, but they played well and the bench got some solid run that could help them earn their next contracts. 

Now, Toronto has some time to make final decisions and get ready for next Wednesday, their season opener against the Chicago Bulls. Tune in so you don’t miss a single moment of one of the most anticipated Raptors seasons in a while.

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Raptors’ bench full of fight in final preseason game

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 16: Nimari Burnett #25 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on October 16, 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

The Toronto Raptors preseason finally came to an end tonight as they fell to the Detroit Pistons in a well-fought battle that ended 129-125 in the Pistons’ favour. 

In a turn of events that could be surprising to some and completely predictable to others, Toronto went to their bench entirely, sitting most of their rotation players for the entirety of the night. Allen Graves, Alijah Martin, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Jaden Bradley, and Nimari Burnett started for the Raptors. Detroit countered with their starters, seemingly working more on their regular season rotation than final roster decisions. 

This was a great opportunity for everyone who checked in for the Raptors to show what they’ve got. Alijah Martin had a strong showing during the first half, more as a scorer than a distributor. He’d already racked up 15 by the midway point and didn’t play much in the second half, having already demonstrated his abilities. 

Allen Graves looked like he is starting to come into his own. In the first quarter alone, he had a couple of good hustle putbacks that rocked the rim. He’s still struggling with his shot, but it’s way too early in his rookie campaign to worry. He finished the night with 9 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block. 

Malachi Smith led all scorers and had a phenomenal game, looking owed more than the two-way he’s currently on. He ended the night with 24-5-3. Nimari Burnett also had a great showing tonight with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Trayce Jackson-Davis had some solid minutes, finishing with 23 points and 3 rebounds, and a perfect record from the free-throw line if you don’t count the one he intentionally missed to try and force overtime. 

Despite the mismatch in terms of guaranteed contract money, the deep bench held their own. There were the expected little mistakes that you’d see from less-experienced guys, losing their dribble or passes that aren’t on time or target, but despite that, the effort was enough to compensate. The perfect example of this was about halfway through the first. A sloppy pass and dribble through the paint led to the ball rolling loose towards the three point line. Within seconds, Raptors’ bodies were flying on the court to get possession, ultimately earning back the ball and a three-point basket. 

Guards Martin and Smith held the majority of the scoring load early on. They were able to score all over the floor, in traffic, and against defenders, an impressive feat against bigger bodies. 

Ball movement, the Raptors’ system forte wasn’t on display as much as expected. Their defence and active hands held up though, poking the ball away and making things tricky for a Pistons team that has high hopes for the season.

Finishing the first quarter with only three turnovers and only a two point deficit wouldn’t necessarily be the expectation when looking at the starting lineups, but the bench definitely put on a show.  

Jamarion Sharp looked a little behind the play at times, but had a phenomenal block in the second that helped demonstrate flashes of his length and timing that can be an asset.

Detroit was able to build a marginal lead late in the second, entering the locker room with a seven point advantage.

A tough offensive foul call followed by sloppy defence and a turnover meant the Pistons had a double-digit lead within the first minute and a half of the third quarter. None of that seemed to have much of an effect on the Raptors’ intensity though. They kept chipping away, one possession at a time. 

Degenhart had a great three-pointer that brought the deficit to single digits. 

The entirety of the fourth quarter had to be the most fun part of the game. Detroit sat their starters, employing the same strategy as Toronto to see what the bench had to offer. Point by point, the Raptors chipped away. They outscored the Pistons 20-6 in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, giving Toronto their first lead since the first quarter. Burnett, Smith, and Key were the leaders of the comeback, scoring timely long range baskets.

A bit of sloppiness gave way to Detroit in the fading minutes of the game, turning the ball over and giving Detroit some extra scoring opportunities. Credit to them, they didn’t give in until the final buzzer sounded, getting within a single possession repeatedly. Toronto may not have won, but they played well and the bench got some solid run that could help them earn their next contracts. 

Now, Toronto has some time to make final decisions and get ready for next Wednesday, their season opener against the Chicago Bulls. Tune in so you don’t miss a single moment of one of the most anticipated Raptors seasons in a while.