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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Orlando Magic floor general Jalen Suggs is available for Tuesday's preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing the team's first two exhibition matches while under the weather. The 25-year-old guard's return to the active lineup means Jase Richardson will likely shift back to the second unit as Orlando finalizes its rotation ahead of the upcoming regular season.
The Boston Celtics signed guard Payton Pritchard to a fully guaranteed two-year, $44.2 million extension featuring a mutual option for the 2029-30 campaign. Coming off a career-best season where he averaged 17.0 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds across 79 games as the 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year, Pritchard remains a vital offensive weapon for Boston, securing a major bargain as he prepares for an even bigger role following his standout championship campaign.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard is available for Tuesday's preseason game against the Kings and is absent from the injury report after sitting out Monday against London. Lillard is slated to start at point guard as he embarks on his comeback campaign from an Achilles injury during his second stint with the Portland Trail Blazers. The veteran guard's return brings a major boost to the backcourt as he prepares for regular-season action.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick expressed strong support for guard Chris Mañon, highlighting the team's investment in his development after strong preseason performances, including a 12-point game against Sacramento. Mañon, who signed a two-way contract, logged 46 G League games last season averaging 11.6 points and 2.1 steals. Known for defensive disruption with a 3.8% G League steal rate, the 24-year-old is building a promising profile within the organization.
Victor Wembanyama enters the 2026-27 NBA season occupying the No. 1 spot in major player rankings, edging out elite stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić as a new campaign gets underway. The San Antonio Spurs phenom looks to build upon his staggering trajectory and cement his status as the league's ultimate foundational talent as analysts and fans anticipate another historic year of defensive dominance and offensive escalation from the generational big man.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia is shooting 6-of-11 beyond the arc through three preseason outings, displaying a reworked jumper and heightened confidence. Head coach JJ Redick and teammate Austin Reaves praised his strong training camp and willingness to shoot. After struggling with his outside shot late last season and in the playoffs, LaRavia has shifted his mindset to focus on controllable inputs rather than individual makes and misses to maximize his impact.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope joins the Philadelphia 76ers on a veteran-minimum deal, aiming to be a key weapon and return to 40% three-point shooting. Having recovered from February pinkie surgery, he believes team success will ultimately depend on players liking each other and making sacrifices in their star-studded lineup. KCP brings championship experience from the Lakers and Nuggets, expecting open looks alongside LeBron James and Tyrese Maxey while competing for vital minutes.
Washington Wizards wing Kyshawn George added eight pounds of lean muscle in the offseason to boost his defensive versatility, which unexpectedly fueled an offensive breakout. In a 131-122 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, the 22-year-old tallied 21 points, four assists, and a 12-point first quarter by muscling into the paint and showcasing a 3-point barrage. George is looking to expand his playmaking and point guard duties in his third NBA season.
Los Angeles Lakers second-year wing Adou Thiero credited veteran Matisse Thybulle with helping him improve his defensive fundamentals, including picking spots to be aggressive and containing ball-handlers. Thiero has flashed significant defensive upside this preseason, tallying four steals and two blocks across 55 minutes, including standout plays against Sacramento. The Lakers are emphasizing a disruptive, full-court pressure scheme to start the year.
Since joining the Los Angeles Lakers, veteran Matisse Thybulle has been actively mentoring second-year wing Adou Thiero. Known for his defensive anticipation and havoc-wrecking style, Thybulle has advised Thiero on picking aggressive spots and maintaining ball pressure. Thiero has shown strong defensive upside this preseason under head coach JJ Redick, collecting multiple steals and blocks as part of the Lakers' aggressive full-court defensive identity.
Following preseason games in Macau, China, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving lauded Cooper Flagg, drawing parallels to former teammates LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Irving highlighted Flagg's elite competitive drive, versatile two-way play, and growing vocal leadership entering his second year. The 19-year-old forward continues to develop rapidly as a foundational centerpiece alongside veteran leadership for the Mavericks.
During the Dallas Mavericks' preseason stop in Macau, China, Kyrie Irving compared rising star Cooper Flagg to former teammates LeBron James and Kevin Durant, citing a rare competitive nature at a young age. Irving praised Flagg's two-way abilities and his emergence as a vocal leader heading into his second year, emphasizing his own role as a veteran mentor for the 19-year-old forward as the Mavericks prepare for the upcoming regular season.
Contract extension talks between Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks are currently paused ahead of an Oct. 19 player option deadline for his $61 million salary. Towns, coming off an All-Star season averaging 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds, seeks a fair deal after helping win a title. The Knicks offered a four-year, $200 million package compared to Towns' max eligibility of four years, $276 million. Financial friction and apron concerns loom over the defending champions.
Jamal Shead has earned the admiration of veteran teammate Kyle Anderson, who noted he frequently enjoyed watching the young guard's ability to impact games without scoring, play hard, and disrupt passing lanes. As the Toronto Raptors prepare for an 82-game season with a young core, Shead is positioned to contribute significantly alongside newcomers like Anderson, who is stepping into a leadership and versatile rotational role under coach Darko Rajaković.
At 33, veteran Kyle Anderson is embracing a mentor role with the young Toronto Raptors without imposing his generation on players like Jamal Shead. Discussing team depth with coach Darko Rajaković, Anderson noted he must be ready to play a small-ball center and handle the ball. Toronto plans to utilize his veteran presence, defensive prowess, and basketball IQ to help guide their young core through a promising 82-game stretch and expected playoff push.
AJ Dybantsa is highlighted as a core piece of the Washington Wizards' new era alongside Trae Young and Anthony Davis following Media Day at CareFirst Arena. As Capital One Arena approaches the completion of major renovations for the 2027-28 season, Monumental Sports & Entertainment executives are evaluating fan feedback to potentially update the franchise's logos and uniform designs, though a return to the historic Washington Bullets team name has been ruled out.
Anthony Davis joins Trae Young and AJ Dybantsa to spearhead a fresh era for the Washington Wizards. With Capital One Arena's major renovations nearly finished ahead of the 2027-28 season, Monumental Sports & Entertainment is actively reviewing fan feedback regarding a possible rebrand of the team's logos and uniform designs. While executives are exploring these visual changes, they have confirmed that renaming the franchise back to the Bullets will not happen.
Trae Young teams up with AJ Dybantsa and Anthony Davis to lead the Washington Wizards into a new era. As Capital One Arena nears completion of major renovations for the 2027-28 season, Monumental Sports & Entertainment executives are closely evaluating a potential rebrand of the franchise's logos and color schemes based on extensive fan feedback, though a return to the Washington Bullets team name is explicitly not under consideration by the organization.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown hosted new teammate V.J. Edgecombe on his Twitch stream just one day before facing Boston. Brown, returning to TD Garden while watching from the locker room, is actively using his streaming platform to build authentic team chemistry and help new players integrate. Edgecombe and Brown previously shared the court in a preseason opener against the Knicks and will open the regular season against New York on Oct. 20.
Sam Hauser remains a vital catch-and-shoot presence for the Boston Celtics, shooting 41.7% from three when sharing the court with Jayson Tatum. Entering the final years of a tradable contract, Hauser faces increased competition from younger wings like Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, and Hugo Gonzalez. Despite better defensive and rebounding skills from the younger options, Hauser's elite shooting value keeps him central to Boston's offensive spacing plans.
