It remains to be seen whether Walker Kessler (jammed finger) will make his preseason debut for the Lakers on Tuesday.
“I would say we’re not committed to that,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said at Lakers practice on Saturday.
The Lakers’ new franchise center has missed all three exhibition games after jamming his finger against the backboard during training camp.
Los Angeles Lakers player Walker Kessler (14) poses during media day at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, Calif., Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Redick said Kessler at first fully participated in Saturday’s practice, but then his injury started bothering him.
“He was a live participant initially, and then we were doing a drill and he hit his finger,” said Redick, who added that Kessler went on to do everything else Saturday except for the live action drills.
“… So, [he] was in for about half the practice,” Redick said. “We’ll see [Sunday] if he can do live.”
The Lakers play the Warriors on Tuesday in their penultimate exhibition game.
So, the team has two more chances to try to get Kessler on the floor to get a glimpse of what their Big 3 will look like ahead of their season opener on Oct. 21.
Redick emphasized that Kessler’s injury is of no concern.
“Yeah, he’s fine,” Redick said.
Redick added that Collin Sexton (lower leg) is “a little bit further behind” Kessler in terms of making his preseason debut. He said Arthur Kaluma participated in Saturday’s practice, but Ziaire Williams is still dealing with a foot contusion.
“Again, it’s not a concern,” Redick said of Williams.
Luka Doncic is looking forward to see how things shape up when everyone becomes available, especially Kessler, whom the Lakers acquired in a sign-and-trade from Utah, giving up two unprotected first-round draft picks and two first-round pick swaps, signing him to a four-year, $130 million deal.
“I’m very excited,” Doncic said Saturday. “Obviously, kind of involved, not signing him. but there was a lot of communication with [Lakers general manager and president of basketball operations] Rob [Pelinka] and JJ about him, so I’m very excited to just share the floor with him.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 04: Didier Fuentes #72 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game two of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Just because the Atlanta Braves are done for the year here in 2026, that doesn’t mean that the rumor mill needs to stop. In fact, apparently we’re still learning new details about trades that didn’t happen all the way back in August around the Trade Deadline.
We learned a while back that the Braves were reportedly willing to send Spencer Strider out to Texas in exchange for Jacob deGrom and now we’re learning about a player who they were willing to keep when trying to swing a deal for the biggest name of the deadline, Tarik Skubal.
According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, the Braves refused to include Didier Fuentes in any trade talks with the Tigers for Skubal. The words that Abraham used is that the Braves “wouldn’t part” with Fuentes. I’d imagine that if Alex Anthopoulos is unwilling to move the 21-year-old hurler for a pitcher the caliber of Skubal then that means that Fuentes is likely set to be here for the long haul and could be an important part of the team going forward.
The good news for the Braves is that it’s not like pitching was the issue for them – especially during their Postseason run. Sure, Fuentes had an up-and-down experience in October, himself, but that’s to be expected from someone as young as he was. Plus, the “up” was a massive flash of brilliance in Game 2 of the NLDS which is when Fuentes retired 11 batters in a row during a crucial part of the contest. Walt Weiss repeatedly contended that Fuentes was his “best” reliever and the faith that was placed in him during the playoffs was proof of that belief.
It also seems to indicate that the Braves have bigger plans for Fuentes. After all, he did initially start life as a big leaguer in 2025 as a starter and this appears to be an indication that Fuentes could return to that role in some point. I don’t think they’d be willing to hold on to him if they figured that he was simply going to be a high-leverage reliever going forward.
There’s also no telling as to who all else was involved in the trade talks – though MLB Trade Rumors did name JR Ritchie and AJ Smith-Shawver as prospects who were deemed to be available. We’re likely not going to hear Anthopoulos lay out the whole trade discussion between the Braves and the Tigers unless he decides to randomly drop a bombshell during some random appearance on the radio (similarly to how he sort of randomly revealed earlier this Summer that the Braves were close to acquiring Kyle Schwarber a few years ago) so we likely won’t get to know whether or not Fuentes was the difference between Skubal wearing navy blue-and-red instead of Dodger blue any time soon.
Either way, it seems like everyone involved got their way. The Braves held on to a very talented hurler with a bright future, the Dodgers added to their constellation of stars and the Tigers got a return that they’re happy with. It’s a very interesting story and all we can do is wait to see how the long-term situation plays out.
MACAO, CHINA - OCTOBER 9: Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets jumps the opening tip against Morez Johnson Jr. #14 of the Dallas Mavericks during the 2026 Macao Games on October 9, 2026 at The Venetian Arena in Macao, China. 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Houston looked pretty good on Friday morning in their 135-117 win over the Dallas Mavericks. Fred VanVleet’s return to the lineup was triumphant and Alperen Sengun snagged a triple double in just 22 minutes. Were the Rockets perfect? Of course not. 21 turnovers leap off the stat sheet and defense was optional in the second half, but in a preseason overseas, you have to expect some issues.
For Dallas, Dusty May has stated that he expects Kyrie Irving to play one of the two games. Since Irving didn’t play on Friday, well the process of elimination sort of does the work for us. Kevin Durant is also listed as a game-time decision. Again, the league wants the stars to play and the teams know that, so we’ll see how May and Ime Udoka play this.
Houston’s next (and final) preseason game is on Thursday in Houston against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Then there’s no basketball until the following Wednesday (October 21) when Houston takes on these same Dallas Mavericks to open the season.
Tip-off
5am CT
How To Watch
NBA TV and Space City Home Network
Injury Report
Rockets
Kevin Durant: GTD
Mavericks
Do you really care?
The Line (as of this post)
I can’t find one and honestly, if you really need this line, please get some help.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 3: Joel Embiid #21 and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during practice on October 3, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers in their home preseason opener. The 76ers have played 2 games so far, winning the first and losing the second. They sat their starters in the first game and won and played all of their starters in the second game and lost. Philly has one preseason game left after this one, at home against the Celtics. The Celtics have 2 more preseason games, one at home against Charlotte and the final game on the road at Philadelphia.
Jaylen Brown’s play with the 76ers will be a point of interest for Celtics fans all season. He was the only regular starter to play in both games. Nick Nurse has said that he will play his starters in one of the 2 games against Boston and it will likely be their home game. Since the Celtics starters sat out the first game. I expect them to play at least the first half in this one. But, with Joe, you never know.
The 76ers made one of the biggest moves of the off season, trading Paul George to get Jaylen Brown. They also signed LeBron James, Dean Wade, Ariel Hukporti and Anfernee Simons as free agents. They drafted Labaron Philon, Jr with the 22nd pick in the draft. Along with Paul George, they lost Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre, Jr and Andre Drummond.
I’m not going to post possible starters for this game. Both coaches are unpredictable and I’m sure whatever lineups I pick, the coaches will start someone else. Philadelphia started Caldwell-Pope, Edgecombe, Brown, Wade and Hukporti in their first game. They started Maxey, Edgecombe, Brown, James and Embiid in their second game. The Celtics started Conley, Scheierman, Walsh, Gonzalez and Garza. He may go with the starters in this game or possibly even all the end of the bench guys.
The Celtics have just one player on the injury list and that is Ron Harper, Jr who is a game time decision with a shoulder injury. The 76ers have 5 players listed as out including Taco Fall (hip), Dminick Barlow (back), Adem Bona (foot), Ariel Hukporti (Achilles), and Anfernee Simons (hamstring). I’m sure there will be at least a few players out for rest as well. With Hukporti out for the season and Bona nursing a sore foot, they are weak at the center.
Boston Celtics Roster Chris Cenac, Jr Mike Conley Luka Garza Paul George Hugo Gonzalez Ron Harper, Jr Sam Hauser Payton Pritchard Neemias Queta Mitchell Robinson Baylor Scheierman Jayson Tatum Jordan Walsh Derrick White
2-Way Players Dillon Mitchell Amari Williams Exhibit 10 Players Devin Carter Tucker DeVries Hayden Gray Gabe MccGlothan Milos Uzan Injuries Ron Harper, Jr (shoulder) game time decision
Players to Watch
Jayson Tatum and Paul George
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Philadelphia 76ers Roster Jaylen Brown Kentavious Caldwell-Pope VJ Edgecombe Justin Edwards Joel Embiid LeBron James Tyrese Maxey Labaron Philon, Jr Dean Wade Jabari Walker
2-Way Players Caleb Love Rayan Rupert
Exhibit 10 Players Taco Fall Dillon Jones Duke Miles Jameer Nelson, Jr Saint Thomas
Injuries Taco Fall (hip) out Dominick Barlow (back) out Adem Bona (foot) out Ariel Hukporti (Achilles) out Anfernee Simons (hamstring) out
Players to Watch
VJ Edgecombe and Jabari Walker
Head Coach Nick Nurse
What to Watch How Jayson Tatum Plays – Jayson Tatum played in just 16 games last season, plus 6 playoff games. He looked good and averaged almost 22 points and 10 rebounds, however, he didn’t seem to have the same explosion that he did before the injury. He also played along side of Jaylen Brown for the past 10 years and will be playing as the Alpha without him for the first time in his career. We didn’t get to see him in the first game, so hopefully he will play in this game. How About the New Guys– Conley looked good in the start on Thursday and may or may not play in this one. How will Paul George’s game fit with Jayson Tatum and how will he play in the Celtics’ system. Does he still have a lot in the tank and can he still play at a high level? Will Mitchell Robinson start or come off the bench and how will his game fit with Mazzulla Ball? Can he hit his free throws? Chris Cenac, Jr, Dillon Mitchell and Devin Carter all impressed in game 1. Can they do it again in this game?
Offensive Rebounding – The Celtics dominated the boards on Thursday against the Cavaliers. They had 21 offensive rebounds to just 6 for the Cavs. Can the starters do just as well? Rebounding will be a key for the Celtics this season. The 76ers had 10 offensive rebounds in their first game and 6 in their second. The Celtics need to once again dominate the boards in this game.
3 Point Shooting – The Celtics picked up where they left off last season, shooting 47 three pointers and hitting 36.2% of them The 76ers reserves shot 46 threes in the first game against New York and hit 34.8% of them. In their second game against Brooklynwith the starters in, they shot just 27 threes and hit just 29.6% of them.
X-Factor It’s the Preseason – The preseason is a time for the coaches to get a look at players who may or may not make the team, to experiment with lineups and different plays. Wins and losses are not as important as learning things about the players and the team. We certainly won’t see the regular rotation for either team and that’s ok.
SAN FRANCISCO – Playing their fourth game of the preseason, the Warriors had their regulars back on the floor Saturday night at Chase Center against the Sacramento Kings.
Steve Kerr again opened the game with a starting five of Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Yaxel Lendeborg and Draymond Green. A tight contest all game concluded with a 111-106 Warriors win.
Less is more for Curry in the preseason, and he continued to only play the first half. Curry in 14 minutes scored eight points on 3-of-6 shooting and made two of his four 3-point attempts.
Golden State’s biggest story wasn’t two quarters of Curry. Lendeborg opened more eyes by displaying an array of skills that have Warriors fans already dreaming of a Rookie of the Year campaign. Lendeborg put up 23 points in 23 minutes on 10-of-14 shooting and also had 10 rebounds and six assists.
Kings top pick Darius Acuff Jr. was a problem for the Warriors and exposed their point of attack weakness. Acuff dropped 25 points in 27 minutes and blew past a list of Warriors.
Ben Simmons made his Kings preseason debut and scored seven points in eight minutes.
Here are three takeaways from a Warriors win that improved their preseason record to 2-2.
Follow Yaxel’s Lead
He’s 24 years old, spent six years in college – including three in junior college – and hasn’t played a regular-season game in the NBA. Yet Lendeborg continues to play like a seasoned veteran. The game just looks easy to him, especially on the offensive end.
Lendeborg scored eight of the Warriors’ first 12 points and finished the first quarter with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting and six rebounds. The Warriors’ first two possessions were a two-man game of Green and Lendeborg. Green first found him cutting behind the defense for an easy layup and then hit him in the right corner for a three after getting to the middle of the paint.
But the most interesting part was how the second possession began. Lendeborg brought the ball up the court before relocating and knocking down a three. Kerr already feels comfortable using Lendeborg as a ball-handler and is giving him the freedom to learn on the fly.
At Lendeborg’s size, he’s an automatic mismatch initiating offense as a playmaker, and using his length around the rim. He went coast to coast multiple times and couldn’t be stopped. Lendeborg in the first half scored an easy 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting and also had eight rebounds, three assists and no turnovers.
The end of the third quarter was another perfect example of what Lendeborg can do. He came with eight seconds remaining, grabbed a rebound off a missed free throw, took it the other way and found Brandon Williams for a three at the buzzer.
Even when they aren’t being seen as championship contenders, there still are so many talking points about the Warriors. Curry and Green always will garner headlines. So will Lendeborg’s rise throughout his rookie year, and Jimmy Butler’s rehab.
Santos can still get lost in the spotlight shuffle, despite coming off a breakout season. Saturday night was a reminder why he can’t be forgotten.
The forward started off slow in the first quarter and found his groove in the second. After taking just one shot and scoring two points off two free throws in his first seven minutes, Santos was a perfect 5 of 5 from the field in the second quarter for 10 points. All his work was done around the rim, with the furthest shot he made being eight feet away.
It was a display of fancy footwork for Santos. A patient approach of rip-throughs and euro steps was his ticket to scoring and the Kings’ defense didn’t have an answer.
Podziemski scored a modest 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including 3 of 7 from 3-point range and 3 of 4 at the free-throw line. He cut to the rim and found his way to the free-throw line early. He also hit back-to-back threes in the third quarter.
Plus, Podziemski’s seven rebounds were second to Lendeborg’s 10.
It won’t get talked about much but Podziemski’s ability to draw fouls is huge in his growth. Podziemski shot 63.3 percent from the free-throw line as a rookie and has improved ever since. He was up to 75.8 percent in his second season and 79.7 percent last season.
If Podziemski can be 80 percent or above, he can average north of 15 points per game and stack 20-point performances.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Mikel Brown Jr. #0 of the Brooklyn Nets speaks during a press conference at Brooklyn Nets Media Day at Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center on September 28, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
No word yet on whether Mikel Brown Jr. will make his preseason debut Monday night in Washington vs. the Wizards and overall No. 1 pick, A.J. Dybantsa. A lot presumably will depend on how he does during practice on Sunday afternoon at HSS Training Center.
Last we heard from Brian Lewis at the Nets Fan Fest last Sunday, the No. 6 pick had been undergoing contact drills with the team’s coaching staff, having rolled his left ankle during workouts prior to the start of training camp. If he doesn’t play Monday, then it’s likely he and fans will have to wait till the final preseason game Wednesday in Miami vs. the new-look Heat.
The wait has been excruciating for fans anxious to see how the 20-year-old will perform, particularly when paired next to Egor Demin. In his first two preseason contests — both wins — Demin has looked like a different player and he didn’t look bad either during last season or Summer League. Fans see the two, the highest Nets back-to- back picks in 30 years, as the backcourt of the future. Brown Jr. and Demin do, too, each calling the other his “brother.”
In the meantime, fans have had rely on what others are saying about MBJ, starting with the man who picked him back in June, GM Sean Marks. Marks told Sirius/XM recently Brown Jr. has been acting more like a veteran rather than a rookie, organizing team dinners, taking teammates under his wing and emerging as a vocal leader on and off the court:
“He doesn’t act like a rookie. He has a presence about him that you’d say, he’s kind of been there, done that before. Took guys to dinner, took guys under his wing. He’s a vocal leader,” said Mark describing his “swagger“
”He shares the ball, very encouraging teammate… He wanted the best for others, and that really resonated within the locker room.”
Julius Randle, the team’s veteran leader with 13 years experience and it’s most accomplished player, agrees. He also thinks the Louisville product is the real deal.
“Usually when you’re a young player, you want to try to get a basket every single time, but he’s coming off a pick and roll and really understands how to read and play the game,” Randle said.
None of this is that much of a surprise to two people who have mentored him, his father Chris Brown Sr. and Bootsy Thornton, a shooting guard who played for St. John’s and coached Brown Jr. in Orlando. C.J. Holmes of the Daily News spoke to both in recent days.
Dad told Holmes what Mikel’s day entails.
The days have filled up quickly. Since Summer League, Chris said, Mikel’s alarm has gone off at 6:30 a.m. He reaches the facility around 7:30 and works with the team through early afternoon. Then comes the lifting, recovery and a massage. Most evenings, he returns to shoot around 7 p.m. and finishes close to 10 p.m.
Some of the work is learning the people who will share the court with him. Chris said his son studies his teammates’ tendencies and the shots they are trying to add. Mikel watches film with the coaches every day, sometimes going through the same material several times so he can carry it into the next practice.
“It’s one thing to make the NBA, it’s another thing to stick in the NBA,” Chris Brown Sr. said.
Thornton thinks that in the Nets system, with its emphasis on versatility and quick decision-making, Brown Jr. is a point guard but one who doesn’t shy away from the big shot.
“I envision him as a point guard, to be honest with you,” Thornton told Holmes. “He’s a point guard who can score.”
Thornton also said that he expects Brown Jr. will help the Nets immediately with his scoring and passing, adding that he’ll rack up so-called hockey assists, making the pass that leads to the pass that sets up the score.
One issue that the team and Brown Jr.’s recognize is that Brown’s slight frame is likely to make him a target for opponents. Indeed, Chris Brown Sr. told Holmes said the Nets have focused on Mikel’s base and core, building the foundation that will help him absorb contact and keep his balance through a drive.
Personally, Brown Jr. admits he has to be more patient, as he told Holmes.
At Louisville, defenders could sit in the paint and crowd his drives. The space in Summer League caught his attention. So did the touches he spoiled by rushing into it. Brown recalled getting stuck on drives, playing off one foot and making the wrong decision. He’s since worked on finding his spots and stopping on two feet, bringing his body under control before deciding where the ball should go.
“I just got to really slow down,” Brown added. That won’t affect his mindset, Brown Jr. advised.
“That swagger is going to stay regardless. And I’m a high-risk, high-reward guy. Obviously I know sometimes it’s better to hit the single and that’s what I’ve been talking to my coaches about, and I’ve gotten better at that.”
The Nets, as an organization, have embraced that swagger, producing a six-minute video of him at Media Day.
“I ain’t no model. I am a basketball player,” he’s quoted as saying. “I take the orange ball and put it in the orange hoop.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 13: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks to drive to the basket pasZach LaVine #8 of the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 13, 2025 in San Francisco, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors return home for Saturday night’s preseason matchup as they take on the Sacramento Kings. The game will be played at 5:30 PM PT in San Francisco and can be watched on NBC Sports Bay Area.
The Warriors suffered a 123-118 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in their most recent preseason game Wednesday night, however, Golden State was without most of its key players, as they did not make the trip to Portland. The matchup marked the Warriors’ third game in four days, a stretch that began in Hawaii, as well as the second night of a home-road back-to-back.
Despite being shorthanded, the Warriors remained competitive behind strong performances from Dalen Terry and Miles Kelly. Terry finished with 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field, including four three-pointers, while playing a game-high 43 minutes. Kelly led the team in scoring with 24 points, doing most of his damage from beyond the arc as he knocked down six of his 11 three-point attempts.
Tonight’s matchup against the Kings marks Golden State’s fourth game of the preseason. The team’s usual starters are expected to return to the lineup, including shooting guard Brandin Podziemski. The 23-year-old will enter his fourth NBA season and is fresh off signing a five-year, $110 million contract extension ahead of Saturday night’s game. Podziemski was the only Warriors player to appear in every game last season and figures to play an important role for the team once again this year. Through two preseason appearances, he is averaging 11.5 points per game.
Breaking: Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski has agreed to a five-year, $110 million fully guaranteed rookie-scale contract extension, his agent tells @ShamsCharania.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 05: Giancarlo Stanton #27 and Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees look on from the dugout during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game two of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on October 05, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Remember the line from “The Great Gatsby” in which the protagonist fights the notion of being unable to repeat the past? Although it is a slippery slope, the Yankees, more than any other team in baseball, must—in the first step towards a journey to the top spot in the sport—look to their past. It isn’t about trying to recreate exactly what we once saw because that can never be done; it’s a necessary effort to understand the disconnect between the fan base and management as to what exactly dictates desired success and how far off they are from each other.
Before the late ’90s dynasty, the Yankees had lean years as a trigger-happy team in the hands of George Steinbrenner. Winning it all was all that mattered, and the inability to see certain moves through created plenty of turmoil. That is not what we want, but nearly as disappointing is the current feeling that the front office is content with a ticket to the dance and let it be what it will once it arrives.
The Yankees are now coming up on nearly two decades without a World Series title. And with a winning club for the entirety of this run plus resources second to none in the American League, it is unfathomable that not only have they not won a title, but they also haven’t come close to one—going down 3-0 before losing the World Series in five in misery back in 2024, their sole appearance to the Fall Classic since 2009.
Plenty of the Yankee teams in this period have been good, even very good, but have any of them been great enough long enough that you could justify management’s conformism with just running it back enough times until they eventually pull through? There are tough breaks here and there, but if we look through the list of the most dominant teams in the sport over the past 10 years or so, how many Yankee teams could make the list? How many times did it truly feel like an injustice that they came up short? It has routinely seemed like the 2018 Red Sox, the 2020 Dodgers, and the 2022 Astros have been more well-rounded, naming a few.
So much of the focus is on Aaron Boone for continuously dropping playoff series against teams with a better record. Obviously he has a lot of blame there, but can we stop to figure out why the Yankees keep coming up against superior opposition in the postseason in the first place? Take these last two seasons, for instance: the Yankees couldn’t even be the best team in their division. And it’s not as if, outside of Aaron Judge’s missed time, you could point to a high level of underperformance in the regular season that’s a factor among other sustained contenders. In fact, several of the key players performed well above expectations, such as the likes of Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler.
Disappointment comes in different shapes and sizes. The one from the last two seasons is much more about the built-up frustration of a long drought than the letdown of a team you truly believed would win it all. The here we go again feeling has gotten a little too familiar.
That said, the Yankees don’t have a talent issue, but you can count on one hand the number of times during this run that they fell short of a title, and you truly felt like they got the short end of the stick as the top team. That should be the goal—not to build just one of the very good teams, but to be the absolute best, and then if you are, eventually the breaks are going to go your way—eventually you’ll make your own breaks.
The Kings are looking for their 1st win of the 2026-27 NHL season as they set their sights on Vegas in tonight's matchup. The Kings are coming off a 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers, and in that game, Alex Laferriere was the Kings' lone goal scorer. The Kings have had a slow start to the season, with a 0-2-1 record. The Kings are looking to change that tonight against Vegas.
Projected Kings Lines
Here are the projected lines for the Kings tonight:
Artemi Panarin - Quinton Byfield - Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore - Erik Haula - Alex Laferriere
Joel Armia - Scott Laughton - Jared Wright
Andre Lee - Samuel Helenius - Corey Perry
Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke
Brian Dumoulin - Drew Doughty
Mikey Anderson - Cody Ceci
Darcy Kuemper
Anton Forsberg
Projected Golden Knights Lines
Here are the projected lines for the Golden Knights tonight:
Ivan Barbashev - Jack Eichel - Mark Stone
Brett Howden - William Karlsson - Mitch Marner
Trevor Connelly - Tomas Hertl - Raphael Lavoie
Marc Gatcomb - Nic Dowd - Braeden Bowman
Shea Theodore - Brayden McNabb
Parker Wotherspoon - Rasmus Andersson
Jeremy Lauzon - Noah Hanifin
Carter Hart
Adin Hill
Game Notes
The Kings will miss Mats Zuccarello (upper-body injury), Alex Turcotte (undisclosed), and Kevin Fiala (leg surgery) tonight. They also scratched Erik Gustafsson. The Golden Knights are without Victor Olofsson (undisclosed), and they have scratched Dylan Coghlan.
Tonight's matchup pits Darcy Kuemper of the Kings against Carter Hart of the Golden Knights. The Kings need to be at their best, as the Golden Knights are coming off a 4-3 shootout win over the Maple Leafs, including a comeback from a 3-0 deficit. The Kings take on the Golden Knights tonight at 10:00 PM EST as they look for their first win of the season.
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 8: The sneakers worn by Sam Merrill #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game against the Boston Celtics on October 8, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Oct 9, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) is helped off the ice after being injured against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
NEW YORK — New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin is out for the season after injuring his right knee Friday night in a game at Washington, the team announced Saturday.
Shesterkin did not put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off the ice by teammates after an awkward fall into his own net against the Capitals.
Shesterkin came well out of his crease to challenge a shooter midway through the second period and fell as he scrambled back to the net. The 30-year-old Russian jammed his right skate into the right post as he slid back into the crease and collapsed into the net in pain.
“It’s awful, you know? He’s a pillar of this team. It stinks,” Rangers captain J.T. Miller said following the 3-1 loss to the Capitals.
Coach Mike Sullivan said after his team’s four-game winning streak was snapped: “He’s an elite goaltender and you never want to see anyone get hurt. Obviously, he’s an important player for us.”
The 2022 Vezina Trophy winner missed a month last season with a lower-body injury, contributing to the Rangers finishing last in the Eastern Conference.
Shesterkin was off to a strong start this season with a 3-1 record and 1.76 goals-against average. Last week, he became the first Rangers goalie to score a goal when he lofted the puck the length of the ice into an empty net late in New York’s home opener against Tampa Bay.
“We’re not going to let that take the wind out of our sails,” Miller said about Shesterkin’s injury. “We love the way we’re playing most of the time.”
Shesterkin stopped 13 of 14 shots and left with the score tied 1-all. He was replaced by 24-year-old backup Dylan Garand, who gave up the go-ahead goal late in the second but finished with 11 saves on 12 shots.
It was the fifth NHL appearance and second this season for Garand, recalled last week from Hartford of the American Hockey League after clearing waivers. Garand made 22 saves in a 2-0 shutout at Detroit last Friday with the Rangers playing their second game in two nights.
Garand went 2-0-1 with a 1.62 goals-against average and .948 save percentage in three starts for the Rangers last season.
New York acquired veteran goaltender Joonas Korpisalo from the Boston Bruins last summer to be Shesterkin’s backup. But the 32-year-old Finn was placed on injured reserve last week and was week to week with a lower-body injury.
Dylan Harper (2) of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during an open scrimmage at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
This started when a woman accused Harper’s girlfriend, JoJo Lacey, of having an intimate relationship with her boyfriend. The woman also claimed Harper was aware of his girlfriend’s alleged affair with this man but remained in a relationship with her.
A social media post showing this woman’s allegations went viral, amassing over 7.7 million views in less than three days.
A woman has accused NBA star Dylan Harper’s girlfriend of sleeping with her boyfriend and claims Dylan Harper knows about the alleged affair but is still in a relationship with her. pic.twitter.com/Nl4uhzvonO
It didn’t take Lacey long to shut down these rumors. She did so with a post to her TikTok on Friday night. The video started with Lacey’s friend saying, “Do you know what I say? F–k them. Exclamation point!”
“F–k them!” Lacey, who was wearing a yellow dress, responded.
Dylan Harper’s girlfriend, JoJo Lacey, wearing a yellow dress while responding to cheating rumors. (TikTok/@jojolacey).
“Yeah. F–k them!” her friend fired back.
Then Lacey began dancing and said, “Now I want to f–k.”
The post was captioned, “To all the people believing I’d ever cheat on my hubbyy @DylanHarper.”
Harper has the top comment on the TikTok post. He broke his silence by writing, “We just gone let the world talk .” He also included a photo of he and Lacey smiling at each other with the Eiffel Tower in Paris in the background.
Lacey liked his comment.
Dylan Harper and his girlfriend, LoJo Lacey, interacting on TikTok. (TikTok/@jojolacey).
Anthony Gordon scored his first goal for Barcelona as the Spanish champions extended their perfect start in La Liga with a 3-0 home win over Getafe. The England international opened the scoring in the second minute and Gabriel Jesus added another after half an hour for the league leaders, who have won every match they have played this season.
Jules Koundé tucked home the third from Lamine Yamal’s cross to cap Barça’s solid win at the Camp Nou. Barça moved five points clear of second-placed Atlético Madrid, who won 2-1 at Alavés earlier, and lead Real Madrid, fourth, by nine points before Los Blancos host Villarreal later on.
There’s little prospect of the model changing in a country that welcomes wealthy international owners with open arms
Football, the world’s most popular sport, played by laws drawn up in London in 1863. The Premier League is the UK’s greatest soft power export. Premier League clubs are owned by a deputy prime minister of Abu Dhabi, the public investment fund of Saudi Arabia, a billionaire based in Monaco for tax reasons and a disappointing assortment of investors and private equity funds. And what, really, could be more British than that? Football truly is the national game.
What the Manchester City case has exposed is just how difficult it is to regulate some of the richest and most powerful bodies in the world. While the wait for the verdict was frustrating, it’s perhaps unavoidable given the possibility of legal objection at every turn when a leaked email from City’s in-house lawyer during Uefa’s action against the club had threatened to “spend 30 million on the 50 best lawyers in the world to sue them for the next 10 years”. You didn’t get that with Albert Alexander Sr or Peter Swales.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 19: Jordan Goodwin #23 of the Phoenix Suns plays defense during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 19, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs
When: 7:30 pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Suns+, ESPN 2
Listen: ESPN Phoenix 620 AM, SiriusXM
Two preseason games down. Three to go. Tonight will be the home (preseason) opener for the Suns after they return from their trip(s) to Detroit and Chicago.
Phoenix dropped their first 2 preseason games, but that’s not what’s important about the preseason. Jordan Ott is trying to figure out which combinations work best and who he can trust.
It remains to be seen what rotations will look like on both sides for this one, but if Wemby suits up, it could be a game where we see a lineup change with Khaman getting the start to address the size. Miles Bridges seems to be just fine, but he may not suit up due to an ankle injury in Chicago. Plenty to track tonight!
Tale of the Tape
All of the statistics listed below are from last season.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
We shall see if Miles Bridges suits up. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Phoenix rest him as a precaution, with it being the preseason and all.
Mark Williams — OUT (Torn Left Labrum)
Miles Bridges — DTD (Ankle)
Jordan Ott said the x-ray on Miles Bridges’ ankle was negative. He’s fine but they want to be smart about tomorrow too.
There are numerous position battles throughout the roster; that’s where a lot of focus will be. Between Oso and Maluach for the starting center job, and which of the trio of Dunn, Fleming, or Peat cracks the rotation for that 10th spot, with the top 9 seemingly locked in, barring injury.
Whoever starts in Bridges’ place (if he misses the game) will tip Ott’s hand to who they feel best about. Or maybe it’s just continued experimentation of groups and combinations together. Who knows!
Devin Booker’s shooting woes are a storyline as well. I’m not reading into a rough shooting night in a road preseason game in October, but you know how that discourse goes. Coach Ott instilled faith in him, saying, “If he sees the rim, let it go.”
How will they guardWemby? How will they deal with the trio of guards that start? It could even be a game where we see Jordan Goodwin get a starting nod due to the lineup build of the Spurs, with Wemby being surrounded by shooters and quick combo guards.
"We're going to be really hard to guard… Me and Steph get downhill, Fox has the same ability…There's going to be a whole lot of mismatches…We understand what we all have to do to win. It's going to be great."
It’s a win if the young guys show progress. It’s a win if everyone leaves the game healthy. It’s a win if the starters click again early on. It’s a win if the second and third units show a little more unity.
The final score does not matter to me, but the process of how we got there does. We only have two more of these things after this one, so we could see more of a sense of urgency from the guys battling for spots, minutes, etc.
"We'll take the same preseason approach. Five of these games. Two young guys. They continue to get better. Have different gifts that we're still trying to figure out. Mix and match a little bit even in these last three games."
My prediction? There will be 48 minutes of action (unless we’re tied). Basketball will be played. And people will overreact to whatever happens. Thus is the life of preseason basketball in the association.
I’ll repeat what Voita said in his first prediction. The preseason isn’t about wins and losses. It’s about the development that occurs along the way.
Let’s get our first win of the preseason, folks. How about in a thriller on a Jamaree Bouyea buzzer-beater?
.” He also included a photo of he and Lacey smiling at each other with the Eiffel Tower in Paris in the background.
