PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during the game against the Phoenix Suns during a preseason game on October 10, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much. The rule against trolling also applies to members of this site that visit other fan sites.
Wait, didn’t we already do this? It seems like just a few days ago that the Spurs met the Suns in preseason. Well, guess what? They’re doing it again tonight, except this time it’s in San Antonio. You can hope for a better outcome than the 98-102 loss on Saturday. But it’s preseason, so I have a riddle for you: When is a loss not a loss? … When it happens in the preseason, where the games don’t count.
The Spurs have been piling up the non-losses this preseason, with an 0-3 record so far. They could make it 0-4 tonight, and 0-5 on Friday when they face the Kings. At least both games are in San Antonio, and the Spurs won’t have to travel before the season opener against the Thunder on October 20th in the Frost Bank Center. Coincidentally, the Thunder is also winless in the preseason, which goes to show that good teams are too smart to run players really hard in exhibition games that are glorified practices.
The last two preseason contests are on DAZN, with the season opener on NBC/Peacock. In a little bit of personal news, I will be marrying my long time partner this weekend, which means that I might be missing some Spurs games the first week of the season as we travel to a secret destination for a honeymoon. No worries, I will be all basketball all the time by Halloween. I’ll be pre-posting the game threads, so they might not be as detailed as usual for the first week of the season. GO SPURS GO!
Game Prediction:
Dillon Brooks will turn over a new leaf and show his nice side by giving all of the Spurs players teddy bears during shootaround. Later on, it will be discovered that the bears were stuffed with broken glass.
San Antonio Spurs vs Phoenix Suns (Preseason) October 14, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT Streaming: DAZN, League Pass TV: DAZN Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 14: A sponsorship view of the press conference setup prior to Game Three of the National League Championship Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Milwaukee Brewers took care of business in the first two games of the NLCS, but now the series heads to Los Angeles, where the Dodgers are sure to put up a big home-field-advantage fight.
The last time the Dodgers fell behind 0-2 in a best-of-seven series was back in 2021 when they ultimately lost to the Atlanta Braves in six games. The last time they came back to win a best-of-seven after going down 0-2 was in 2020 when they defeated the Braves en route to a World Series title.
There were some questions as to whether or not a struggling Shohei Ohtani would be in the lineup for the game, but it was reported on Tuesday night that he would indeed still be playing.
Can the Brewers take advantage and take a commanding 3-0 lead to get one step closer to the World Series or will the Dodgers swing the tide in their favor?
Milwaukee Brewers (2-0) at Los Angeles Dodgers (0-2) — 6 PM MDT
Pitching Matchup: LHP Robert Gasser (5-5, 3.87 ERA) vs. LHP Blake Snell (4-1, 1.90 ERA)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 18: Bob Uecker celebrates after the Brewers won the NL Central Division at American Family Field on September 18, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Brewers head to Chavez Ravine up 2-0 in the National League Championship Series. A win today would give the Brewers a commanding 3-0 series lead.
It is a 7 p.m. Central start on FS1. University of Houston product Robert Gasser goes for Milwaukee, while the Dodgers have Blake Snell going, which likely means an 87 pitch, 3.2 inning, one run outing before the Dodgers go to the pen.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 13: A Los Angeles Dodgers groundscrew worker paints the postseason logo on the field before the Milwaukee Brewers workout prior to the NLCS at Dodger Stadium on October 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, well, well. The Los Angeles Dodgers now have their backs against the wall and are starting off the Dodger Stadium portion of the 2026 National League Championship Series down 2-0 to the Milwaukee Brewers. Can Blake Snell and Shohei Ohtani figure it out? Will Robert Gasser, old friend William Contreras and the rest of the Brewers really put LA’s attempt at a three-peat in serious jeopardy by taking a 3-0 win tonight? It’s time to find out.
In case you’re not here for the baseball and you just want to hang out, let us know what you’ve got going on tonight. We’d love to hear about it.
Anyways, the floor is now yours. Here’s a clip of Walt Weiss (with hair) hitting a dinger back in the 1989 World Series.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 03: Noah Clowney #21 of the Brooklyn Nets in action during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center on April 03, 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 Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A couple of days ago, Hoopshype, perhaps tongue in cheek, perhaps not, posted a ranking of MVP candidates for the preseason…
Boston's Hugo Gonzalez is the preseason MVP so far, per HoopsHype's Global Rating. pic.twitter.com/VjFrT89ZNC
Hugo Gonzalez (the bete noir of those afflicted with Marks Derangement Syndrome) was listed at the top of the list despite only playing two games for the Celtics. But if scroll down a bit you’d find the names of three Nets, two of which were no surprise. After all, the Nets are 3-0. There was Julius Randle at No 7, Michael Porter Jr. at No. 14, and, ta-da, Noah Clowney at No. 15.
That’s got to be encouraging for the 22-year-old, 6’10” big. Full of potential, Clowney has yet to secure a long term commitment. Sean Marks & co. have until next Monday to decide on whether to offer him an extension or let him become a restricted free agent come July. In that case, the Nets would still hold his rights and be able to match any offer he gets elsewhere. Bottom line: it’s unlikely the Nets will make an offer.
And although preseason MVP rankings seem a fool’s errand, Clowney has played well, as Brian Lewis reports.
After an understated opener, Clowney has logged consecutive solid outings.
Starting in a victory over Jaylen Brown and the Sixers, Clowney had 11 points on 3-for-4 shooting and 2-for-3 from deep to finish plus-12. And in Monday’s win in Washington, he followed up with 15 points on 5-for-8 from the floor and 4-for-6 from behind the arc.
Clowney added four assists and a steal without a turnover.
Clowney who only turned 22 a few weeks back, has had his ups-and-downs with the Nets, once hitting seven 3-pointers in a game and once batting away seven shots in another (then following up with another 4 in the next game) over the course of his three years in Brooklyn. He has not been a bust. If fact, he wasn’t bad at all last season, averaging 12.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in 66 games, all but six starts. He also went to the line an average of 3.4 times a game. But fans and the front office wanted more.
Things changed dramatically for him the night before the Draft when the Nets traded his front court mate Nic Claxton and a second rounder to Chicago for Julius Randle and a first. Randle has assumed the 4 spot meaning it will take some doing to average 27 minutes a game.
Jordi Ferandez, asked for an assessment of his game, had this to say.
“Just steady,” coach Jordi Fernández said. “He’s been consistent so far. The whole training camp, the whole, all these preseason games. Very proud of him. You see him with 15 points.
“[We] challenge him. We’re challenging him to rebound. But yet four assists to zero turnovers, that’s pretty impressive. He’s just been very good — not too high, not too low. He’s always ready. And that’s the Noah Clowney that we need, because we know that he makes a lot of winning plays.”
That’s got to encouraging too. He also has some supporters outside the Nets, specifically Coach Thorpe of True Hoop. In fact, he put him in some rarefied company even more so than whoever put together the Hoopshype rankings.
Coach Thorpe of TrueHoop on Noah Clowney:
“Only three players 21 or younger averaged at least 12 points and took at least 3.4 or more free throws per game: Clowney, Cooper Flagg, and Stephon Castle And he did that in only 27 minutes per game.”https://t.co/siJiwqUT4r
Indeed, Thorpe included Clowney in a list of “Ten guys who might make a difference”, noting ”His defense will have to keep improving, but to me Clowney has the look of a starting level power forward who might even play some small ball five.“ Hmmm.
Wednesday night in Miami is going to be a big game for Nets fans. It’s Mikel Brown Jr.‘s preseason debut, the highest Nets pick in 16 years since they played in New Jersey. But it’s also going to the last preseason game Clowney will play for the deadline for the Nets to extend him. Should be enough motivation.
The Portland Trail Blazers have reportedly resolved their television broadcast debacle — for now — after firing play-by-play voice Braiden Bell for past tweets that included misogynistic and racist remarks about women and Asians.
Travis Demers, the Blazers’ radio play-by-play voice for the last seven seasons, will take over television duties on a trial basis, according to OregonLive, which citied league and team sources.
Demers will call games on a game-by-game basis alongside feature color analyst Lamar Hurd and courtside reporter Brooke Olzendam.
Former Portland Trail Blazers television play-by-play broadcaster Braiden Bell. X/braidenbell
Demers, who previously filled in on the TV broadcast, reportedly impressed decision-makers when he called Portland’s preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors last week.
The Blazers reportedly are keeping their options open as they assess their television broadcast.
Deni Avdija (8) of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the basket against Charles Bassey (28) of the Golden State Warriors during the second half of a preseason game at Moda Center in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Getty Images
The shakeup comes after 29-year-old Bell was hired and fired in the same day due to resurfaced posts made as a teenager.
Bell reportedly beat out 10 different candidates, such as veteran play-by-play voice Kyle Draper, for the job, in part because the team felt he was a “rising star.”
The Portland Trail Blazers released a statement after their newly hired television play-by-play voice was fired due to old tweets. Trail Blazers/X
The Blazers reportedly considered replacing Bell with Draper, and instead decided to go with Demers on a trial basis.
Demers has called games for the Hillsboro Hops and University of Portland as well as hosting radio programs for SiriusXM College Sports Nation and NBC Sports Northwest.
Kevin Calabro looks on during Round 1, Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs between the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, Monday, April 18, 2022. NBAE via Getty Images
The Blazers also lost legendary television play-by-play broadcaster Kevin Calabro this offseason after 10 years.
Calabro wanted to return to Portland in a part-time role and decided to leave in July after receiving what he deemed a “subprime” contract offer from the Blazers and new owner Tom Dundon, The Oregonian previously reported.
Calabro reportedly was hired by the Minnesota Timberwolves in a limited role in September.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 10: Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics shoots a three point basket during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 10, 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
BOSTON — The Celtics will use the same starting lineup for the second consecutive preseason game, giving Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Paul George, Jordan Walsh, and Mitchell Robinson the nod in their preseason matchup against the Charlotte Hornets.
That’s the same group that started in the Saturday night 144-106 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
But in that one, the bench saw just as much of an opportunity as the starters: Jordan Walsh (11 minutes) and Mitchell Robinson (14 minutes) played fewer minutes than Payton Pritchard (24 minutes), Sam Hauser (21 minutes), Hugo Gonzalez (21 minutes), Baylor Scheierman (19 minutes), and Neemias Queta (19 minutes). So, whether this is the starting group on Opening Night against the Detroit Pistons next Tuesday remains to be seen.
In Saturday’s win, Payton Pritchard (25 points, 7 assists), Jayson Tatum (25 points, 4 assists), Hugo Gonzalez (17 points), and Derrick White (15 points) led the way. The Celtics racked up 15 steals, led by George and Scheierman, who each had 5.
The Hornets, meanwhile, will start Naz Reid, Royce O’Neale, Moussa Diabate, Brandon Miller, and Dennis Schroder. Reid, O’Neale, and Schroder are all offseason additions. This will be the Celtics’ first time facing the Hornets since they traded LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Celtics will play their final preseason game on Friday against the Philadelphia 76ers in Philadelphia. They’re 2-0 in preseason action so far.
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns & Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs battle during the game during a preseason game on October 10, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Phoenix has the Spurs again tonight. What are you looking for?
If you haven’t downloaded the SB Nation app yet, now is the time.
Game Threads are so much better in the app, and with Suns basketball back, you’re going to want to be there with us!
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 16: P.J. Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks is defended by Derik Queen #22 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at Smoothie King Center on March 16, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks host the New Orleans Pelicans in their third contest of the preseason. It’s the first game in the United States after playing the Houston Rockets twice in Macao last week. The Pelicans played the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat last week in their effort to tune up before the start of the regular season. Be aware of the new start time for home games that aren’t on national television. We all get to go to bed a little earlier (unless you’re not in the Western Hemisphere).
Here’s what you need to know before the game starts:
WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs New Orleans Pelicans
WHAT: First home game of the preseason
WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
WHEN: 7:00 pm CST
HOW: NBAtv or KFAA
While there is no official injury report yet, here’s what I’ve been able to deduce: Dereck Lively isn’t playing, as he’s still recovering from the surgery that ended his year last season. I don’t expect Santi Aldama to play either, though he’s been ramping up in practice due to his offseason knee procedure. Morez Johnson and Kyrie Irving each split games in Macao, but I expect both to at least see the floor tonight. Marcus Sasser is dealing with an abductor injury, so don’t expect to see him either.
UPDATE: EVERYONE I WANT TO WATCH ISN’T PLAYING. COOL COOL COOL
Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving and Daniel Gafford (right shoulder stinger) will rest tonight, according to Dusty May. He said Morez Johnson Jr., who has right shin splints, will also miss tonight’s game.
Obviously, offseason isn’t about winning or losing; it’s about seeing what you have against different competition and not getting hurt. My recommendation for tonight is to watch the various two and three-man actions that happen on offense. The team has raved about head coach Dusty May’s offensive mind so far in preseason; let’s see who he has working together.
If you’re checking out this post, it’s for one of two reasons:
Injury report news
Discussion and comment thread
If you’re part of the former, please consider signing up for an account. You get way fewer ads and you can comment on things! If you’re part of the latter group: GO GET THE APP. I’m serious. The app has some real time features specifically for game threads like this one and you can comment and get notified really, really easily. It’s part of what’s keeping this whole series of sites going. So go do it for us and in doing so, you’ll see why the experince is simply better.
Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube; we will be going live tonight after the game.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 13: A Los Angeles Dodgers groundscrew worker paints the postseason logo on the field before the Milwaukee Brewers workout prior to the NLCS at Dodger Stadium on October 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last night, the American League (AL) Championship Series took center stage, while the National League (NL) Championship Series was off for a scheduled travel day.
After losing Game 1 at home to the Cleveland Guardians, the Tampa Bay Rays bounced back with a 3-1 victory to even the series at one apiece heading into the next three games in Cleveland. The outcome may have been different if Guardians third baseman José Ramírez had fielded a ground ball cleanly instead of letting it slip through his legs, allowing the Rays to score the first run of a three-run fourth inning.
Today, the schedule shifts, with Game 3 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers the only game on the slate.
Brewers at Dodgers (8:00 PM EDT)
After winning the first two games of this best-of-seven affair, the Brewers enter this evening’s matchup in Los Angeles two wins away from dethroning the Dodgers and claiming just their second NL pennant in franchise history.
The Dodgers, who are chasing a historic three-peat, will not go quietly. Given that the teams were the two best in the NL this season, it would not be surprising if the NLCS returns to Milwaukee for Game 6, and if necessary, a win-or-go-home Game 7.
Brewers left-hander Robert Gasser will make his second career postseason start tonight. The 27-year-old started Game 4 of the Division Series against the San Diego Padres, receiving a no-decision after allowing one run on three hits over four innings. Will Gasser deliver a second consecutive strong postseason outing, or will the Dodgers’ offense rattle the southpaw and force Milwaukee to turn to its bullpen earlier than expected?
Gasser’s counterpart, Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell, has considerably more postseason experience. The veteran southpaw will make his second start of this postseason and 17th of his career. Snell started Game 2 of the Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, receiving a no-decision after allowing one run on three hits and five walks in 3 2/3 innings.
Following right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s shortest career postseason start in Game 2, the Dodgers need a quality start from Snell to begin their comeback. However, another subpar outing could put Los Angeles on the brink of elimination.
What are your predictions for this game? Will Shohei Ohtani finally break out of his slump, or will the Brewers contain the Dodgers’ offense once again?
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 13: A Los Angeles Dodgers groundscrew worker paints the postseason logo on the field before the Milwaukee Brewers workout prior to the NLCS at Dodger Stadium on October 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Brewers at Dodgers
Brewers up, 2-0
First pitch: 8:00 PM EDT TV: FS1/FOX ONE Probable pitchers: Robert Gasser, LHP (MIL); Blake Snell, LHP (LAD)
Several players are exceeding expectations. Everyone is bragging that the defense will be better than anticipated. One practice was so physical that Lakers coach JJ Redick had to alter the drills.
But there’s one player in particular who has quietly struggled amid the outpouring of yellow-and-purple-streaked optimism.
He’s averaging only 2.8 points on 26.7% shooting and 3.3 assists in 17.5 minutes per game over four contests.
He hasn’t been playing like the player who turned heads with 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting (2-for-4 from beyond the arc), five assists and three rebounds against the Bulls when he was a rookie in March 2025.
You know, the player whom Lakers coach JJ Redick said was a few tweaks away from becoming impactful.
“I think the next step is just becoming like an elite-conditioned athlete,” Redick said in March 2025. “Because when he does that, with his physical tools and just his burst and his handle, we think he’s going to be an above-average to really good NBA shooter. He’s going to have a chance to really make an impact.”
He definitely hasn’t been playing like the player who earned playoff minutes for the Lakers last season against the Rockets.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) looks on against the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Bronny will be entering his third season in the NBA. He’s the third-longest tenured Laker. The Lakers need more from him.
So far this preseason, Bronny has more turnovers (12) than points (11).
Bronny is no longer sharing the locker room with his superstar father. The 55th pick in the 2024 NBA draft has to stand on his own two feet.
It’s something that excites him.
“He’s got his own path and I got my own,” Bronny said at Lakers media day last month. “So he knows that I want to make a name for myself and continue my career and keep growing as a player. And he knows that I want to focus on that.”
Bronny has had both a red-carpet-lined path to the NBA as well as the cards stacked against him.
He has had the backing of his father who has been the face of the league for two decades and is arguably the greatest player of all-time. But he has also gotten an incredibly unfair amount of criticism for a guy who was selected near the bottom of the second round of the draft.
Bronny has already made great strides to silence the accusations of nepotism. He has proven that he’s an NBA player. But he must take leaps this season or that noise white noise is going to come back with roaring ferocity.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) looks on against the Sacramento Kings during a game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Bronny’s struggles in the preseason are both meaningful and meaningless. It’s not fair to read into them too much. But it’s also fair that Bronny needs to be on edge.
The Lakers need Bronny to make an impact off the bench. They need him to deliver a scoring punch. They need him to be a reliable defender.
Redick acknowledged that Bronny hasn’t looked up to snuff, but he also partially blamed himself for that.
“I thought he had a really nice September and a good summer with us,” Redick said after the Lakers lost their exhibition game to the Warriors on Tuesday, 101-89. “I don’t think he’s played well in the four preseason games, but he’s had good practices. Some of it is just rhythm, some of it’s who he’s playing with, right?
“He’s played a lot of minutes especially in the second half of games with with our two-way guys and tonight he played with Rafael [Castro] who’s been with us for three days. So, some of it is like the group he’s with I think is not necessarily setting him up for success.”
Redick’s comments upset many people across the internet who accused him of making excuses for Bronny. But obviously Bronny is going to have more turnovers alongside two-way players than stars.
It’s hard not to root for Bronny here.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James, right, passes the ball while under pressure from Sacramento Kings’ Adam Flagler during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
James went from suffering a cardiac arrest at USC that could’ve threatened his life to playing meaningful NBA minutes. His teammates and coaches genuinely like him. He goes golfing with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Despite being the son of a billionaire, he’s humble. He’s understated. He works hard.
But it’s no secret that his turnovers must decrease. He must shoot at a higher percentage. He needs to be more consistent.
Not much can be gleaned from the preseason. Bronny has already proven that he belongs on an NBA roster.
But the Lakers also are trying to win their 18th championship. Everyone needs to star in their role — or else.
And his name has been conspicuously omitted when the team’s star name who has impressed them preseason, a list that often includes Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, Adou Thiero, Cameron Carr, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jake LaRavia.
The Lakers fully guaranteed Bronny’s $2.3 million salary for the 2026-27 season, and he has a $2.5 million team option for 2027-28.
Bronny needs to prove that he can be a difference maker.
He needs to do the small things night after night that affect winning.
He needs to play better.
Or else his supporters are going to have a tough time trying to hold the door shut against his seemingly endless stampede of detractors.
BROOKLYN, NY - SEPTEMBER 28: Mikel Brown Jr. #0 of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day at the Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center on September 28, 2026 in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Get ready folks: Mikel Brown Jr. will make his Brooklyn Nets preseason debut against the Heat on Wednesday.
The No. 6 pick in the 2026 Draft has missed most of contact drills in training camp and the first three games of preseason due to a rolled ankle. GM Sean Marks told reporters the injury wouldn’t cost Brown Jr. serious time and his word is staying true.
Brown Jr. will be injected into a lineup that’s won all three of its games. They’re going for a perfect 4-0 with their lottery pick leading the way in the final preseason game — enjoy!
Game Info & Broadcast Details
Who: Brooklyn Nets (3-0) at Miami Heat (2-1)
What: Preseason
Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV/Streaming: YES & DAZN
Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Injury Report: Who’s Out?
Brooklyn Nets:
Joshua Jefferson (back)
Miami Heat:
Bam Adebayo: Groin
Pelle Larsson: Illness
Dru Smith: Calf
Keshad Johnson: Hamstring (Two-Way)
💬 Discussion
Share your thoughts and react, but please be respectful. NetsDaily prides itself on being a safe space for Nets and basketball fans alike to have healthy conversation. Reach out to Anthony Puccio or Net Income with any issues.
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 11: Andrew Vaughn #28 of the Milwaukee Brewers is introduced prior to Game One of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Sunday, October 11, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Things couldn’t have gone better for the Brewers in Milwaukee to start the NLCS. For the first time in their history, they’ve got a 2-0 lead in the Championship Series. Things get trickier today, though, as the series shifts to California and the glaring advantage that the Dodgers hold in starting pitching could become more obvious.
The Dodgers will start two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, the 33-year-old lefty who pitched to a 1.90 ERA in nine starts this regular season and who pitched eight innings of nearly flawless baseball when he shut down the Brewers in Game One of last season’s series to the tune of eight innings, no runs, one hit, no walks, and ten strikeouts. But it remains to be seen whether Snell is in top form at the moment. While he was excellent when on the mound during the regular season, Snell threw only 42 2/3 innings, and he hasn’t had a start that went more than four innings—including a shaky outing against the Braves in the NLDS—since September 11th.
In that start against Atlanta, the “bad” Snell reared his head, even though he was able to hold them to one run in 3 2/3 innings—Snell gave up only one hit but walked five batters while getting only 11 outs on 90 pitches. Milwaukee will look to do what they’ve been doing in this series: grind out at-bats, get the pitch count up, not let him get comfortable. Snell is fully capable of turning in a start like he did in the NLCS last season, but if the Brewers can be patient enough to get a few runners on the bases, the fact that he’s one of the most unhittable starting pitchers in the league may not matter as much.
To counter Snell, the Brewers go with their own lefty, the young Robert Gasser. Bobby Gas has pitched quite well over the last couple of months, and that continued into the NLDS, when he allowed one run on three hits and a walk in four innings in the series-clinching game four in San Diego. He’ll hope things go a little better than they did last year: Gasser pitched against the Dodgers last year and didn’t allow a run, but he did give up a hit and a walk while only getting two outs. Aside from that, Gasser started against the Dodgers in Los Angeles in August; that was the one game of that four-game set that the Brewers lost, but he wasn’t bad, with 6 1/3 innings, three runs, and seven strikeouts.
The big news from the dugout is that, with the lefty Snell on the mound, the Brewers did make a change in their lineup. Andrew Vaughn is in, while Christian Yelich heads to the bench despite his recent success. Vaughn also started in the first game of the series against lefty Tarik Skubal, but it’s surely stressful for Murphy to leave Yelich out of the lineup. There was no room today for Gary Sánchez, whose career numbers against Snell are wild—in 31 career plate appearances, Sánchez is 7-for-23 with five homers and eight walks (giving him a 1.484 OPS). most of those at-bats and all of those home runs are from at least six years ago, though, so it’s been a minute for the former AL East foes.
The Brewers stick with a solid defensive lineup of Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell, and Luis Lara in the outfield plus Joey Ortiz, Cooper Pratt, Brice Turang, and Jake Bauers around the horn. William Contreras is behind the plate (can’t take him out right now!), and Vaughn will be the DH. On the other side, Shohei Ohtani has moved even further down in the Dodger lineup—despite his insistence that he’s on the verge of figuring it out, Dave Roberts has moved him to sixth, lower than he’s batted since his rookie season. Kyle Tucker, who despite an awful season has looked solid in this series, moves up to fourth. With Gasser starting, the Dodgers have also taken Max Muncy out of the lineup, and Miguel Rojas gets the start at third.
First pitch will come sometime shortly after 7pm central. Find the game on FS1, or listen on the Brewers Radio Network.
Kristaps Porzingis is out indefinitely because of a health-related matter.
The Warriors have been without Porzingis throughout all of training camp and preseason contests because of the same health issue, which remains a mystery. Porzingis took to social media to address the public on the obscure matter.
Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings. AP Photo/Scott Marshall
“Hello people, I’m working with doctors and experts to figure out how to be fully back to good health asap. Honestly, I’m getting better and better. I just have to stay patient, and I believe I’ll be feeling great again soon,” Porzingis wrote in a post on X.
“It has definitely been frustrating dealing with some health stuff that you can’t exactly pinpoint, on top of injuries throughout my career, so it has added up for sure, but we will get through it
“Health is wealth. Thank you for all the support .”
Kristaps Porzingis #7 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles during the first half of an NBA game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Getty Images
Porzingis also took the time to call out internet sleuths as a theory that the Warriors center has contracted HIV or AIDS floats around social media.
“I appreciate all the internet doctors trying to diagnose and help, but I’m in the best hands. So everyone can relax now and I don’t have hiv or aids.”
I appreciate all the internet doctors trying to diagnose and help, but I'm in the best hands. So everyone can relax now and I don’t have hiv or aids.
Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis gestures after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics. AP
The Warriors signed Porzingis to a $40-million extension in the offseason and were aware of the health matter. Since then, the team has been extremely tight-lipped on the situation with head coach Steve Kerr providing intriguing updates on Porzingis.
Now, it appears the big man is in jeopardy of the beginning of the season.
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