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NBA News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Friday, October 17, 2025

Chet Holmgren Cleared to Play for Thunder Against Nuggets

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Oklahoma City Thunder's promising big man, Chet Holmgren, has been cleared to play in Friday's preseason game against the Denver Nuggets. Holmgren had been dealing with a shoulder issue, but Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports that he is now available. This is positive news for the Thunder, as Holmgren's health is paramount for their upcoming season. His availability suggests the shoulder concern was minor or has fully resolved, allowing him to get valuable minutes before the regular season begins and continue building chemistry with his teammates.

Mikal Bridges Cleared to Play in Knicks' Preseason Finale After Rest

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Mikal Bridges, who had been resting, is officially set to be available for the New York Knicks' preseason finale on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets. The news, reported by Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News, confirms his readiness to suit up for the exhibition game. This availability indicates he's ready to rejoin the team on the court as they conclude their preseason schedule, signaling his preparedness for the upcoming regular season.

OG Anunoby Sidelined with Ankle Injury for Knicks' Preseason Finale

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OG Anunoby will not play in the New York Knicks' preseason finale against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, as he is dealing with an ankle injury. Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News confirmed Anunoby's absence from the contest. This injury will keep him off the court for the final exhibition game, with his status for the regular season opener to be monitored closely as the team assesses his recovery timeline.

Karl-Anthony Towns Out of Preseason Finale Due to Quadriceps Injury

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Karl-Anthony Towns has been ruled out of the New York Knicks' preseason finale on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets due to a quadriceps injury. The update, reported by Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News, confirms his absence from the final exhibition contest. His status will be a key focus as the team prepares for the start of the regular season, with concerns about his readiness for opening night looming.

Doug Christie Outlines Russell Westbrook's Pivotal Role with Sacramento Kings

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Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie has detailed former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook's role, emphasizing he will run the second unit and be expected to "be Russ first and foremost." Christie stated Westbrook will ensure stability and run the second unit at a high level behind Dennis Schröder. The 36-year-old veteran, who averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game coming off the bench for the Denver Nuggets last season (2024-25), is ready for the task. Christie, Westbrook's 10th NBA head coach, also noted Westbrook's versatility to play multiple positions and guard a power forward, a sentiment echoed by teammate Malik Monk. Monk praised Westbrook's ability to provide offensive and defensive versatility and leadership, highlighting his extensive experience and competitive nature. Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer, has averaged double-digit points in all 17 seasons of his career and is expected to bring direction and leadership to the Kings.

Daniel Gafford Limited to Individual Work Due to Ankle Injury

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Daniel Gafford (ankle) was restricted to individual work during Friday's practice, according to Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com. The Dallas Mavericks center is managing an ankle injury, which is limiting his participation to solo drills as he progresses in his recovery. Further analysis on this update is available on RotoWire.com.

LaMelo Ball Sidelined for Preseason Finale Due to Right Knee Contusion

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LaMelo Ball will not be playing in Friday's preseason finale against the Knicks. The Charlotte Hornets guard is sidelined due to a right knee contusion, preventing his participation in the final exhibition contest. More analysis on this update is available on RotoWire.com.

Brandon Miller Ruled Out for Preseason Finale with Right Wrist Soreness

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Brandon Miller has been officially ruled out for Friday's preseason finale against the Knicks. The Charlotte Hornets player is dealing with right wrist soreness, which will prevent him from participating in the team's final exhibition game. Additional analysis regarding this injury update can be found on RotoWire.com.

Jaylen Brown Day-to-Day with Hamstring Injury After Limited Practice Participation

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Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown is considered "day-to-day" with a left hamstring injury sustained during Wednesday's preseason finale against the Toronto Raptors. Head coach Joe Mazzulla provided an encouraging update Friday, noting Brown was a limited participant in practice, able to engage in most activities but not the live portion. This positive development, also reported by Jay King of The Athletic, suggests Brown avoided serious injury, despite being seen clutching his hamstring on Wednesday. His availability for the Celtics' regular-season opener next Wednesday, October 22, against the Philadelphia 76ers, remains uncertain as the team is expected to take a cautious approach to prevent re-aggravation. Brown, who underwent minor knee surgery in June, is slated to shoulder the Celtics' scoring load this season in Jayson Tatum's absence and had a strong preseason, including a 21-point performance against the Memphis Grizzlies.

VJ Edgecombe Cleared to Play in Friday's Preseason Game Against Minnesota

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VJ Edgecombe, who has been dealing with a hip issue, is officially cleared to participate in the Philadelphia 76ers' preseason game on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This update, reported by Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com, confirms his availability for the upcoming contest. Edgecombe's return to the court for the preseason opener is a positive development for the 76ers as they continue their preparations for the new season.

Mitchell Robinson's Workload Management and Soreness Raise Concerns for Knicks Season

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Mitchell Robinson is questionable for the Knicks' preseason finale due to workload management and soreness, having been held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday. The Knicks plan to manage his workload for the foreseeable future, potentially leading to missed regular season games even when healthy. ESPN NBA analyst Richard Jefferson emphasized Robinson's critical importance to the Knicks' season, stating his health is paramount for championship contention against strong Western Conference bigs. Both Jefferson and Tim Legler agree that Robinson's health is incredibly important for high-stakes playoff games, as his absence would prevent the team from utilizing its double-big lineup and force Karl-Anthony Towns to play center.

Josh Hart's Back Injury Puts Preseason Finale Status in Doubt for Knicks

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Knicks swingman Josh Hart is questionable for the team's preseason finale on Friday night due to a back injury. As the regular season approaches, the Knicks are carefully managing the health of several key players. Hart's status will be monitored closely, but the team's primary focus is ensuring he is fully prepared for the upcoming regular season. His absence from the final preseason game would be a precautionary measure as New York aims for a deep playoff run.

Draymond Green Clarifies Steve Kerr's Rigorous Coaching Style for Steph Curry

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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green recently dispelled a common misconception, asserting that coach Steve Kerr treats two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry with the same intensity as any other player on the roster. Green stated, “Most people think Steph can do what he wants. No. He’s on Steph’s ass all the time. Defense, turnovers. He coaches Steph really, really, really hard. I don’t think people realize that.” This rigorous approach is crucial for maintaining team culture and trust, a sentiment echoed by Curry himself, who once told Kerr to 'coach me' after a display of frustration over a careless pass. Curry confirmed Kerr 'gets on me more now than ever,' reinforcing that even the team's centerpiece is held to the highest standard.

De'Aaron Fox Remains Doubtful for Opening Night Due to Hamstring

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De'Aaron Fox is currently listed as doubtful for Opening Night on October 2nd, as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury. This update was reported by Jared Weiss of The Athletic. The San Antonio Spurs will likely be without their key player for the start of the season if his condition does not improve, indicating a cautious approach to his return. Further analysis on his status is expected as the season opener approaches.

Reed Sheppard Shines with 29 Points in Rockets' Preseason Finale

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Houston Rockets' X-factor Reed Sheppard delivered an electric performance in the team's preseason finale on Thursday night. Sheppard showcased his scoring prowess by tallying an impressive 29 points in just 29 minutes of play. This standout effort came against Atlanta's regular lineup, highlighting his potential impact for the Rockets as they conclude their preseason schedule and look ahead to the start of the regular season.

Malik Monk Praises Russell Westbrook, Anticipates Impact on Kings' Versatility

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Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk lauded newly signed teammate Russell Westbrook, stating he is one of the "best teammates" he has ever had. Monk, who previously played with Westbrook on the Lakers, shared his insights on the veteran point guard's fit with the Kings, suggesting Westbrook could play an "undersized four" position, thereby adding significant versatility on both offense and defense. Monk revealed that he, De'Aaron Fox, and Zach Randolph had been discussing Westbrook's potential arrival with the front office. He enthusiastically described Westbrook as "another dog," "super energetic," and "another one of me out there," highlighting the positive impact his energy and competitive spirit will have on the team.

Paul George Not Expected for Season Opener Despite Recent 5-on-5 Participation

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Paul George is not expected to be ready for the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener. Coach Nick Nurse confirmed his unavailability for opening night, despite George having participated in some 5-on-5 drills this week. While he won't be on the court for the first game, there is an indication that he may not be far behind in his recovery and could return to action relatively soon.

Myles Turner Returns to Full Practice After Calf Injury

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Myles Turner, who has been dealing with a calf injury, practiced in full on Thursday. This positive update was reported by Eric Nehm of The Athletic, indicating a significant step forward in his recovery. Turner's full participation in practice suggests he is progressing well and nearing a return to game action for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Andre Drummond Sparks Locker Room Camaraderie with Sixers Rookie Hazing

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Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond recently posted an entertaining TikTok, showcasing a return of 'Brotherly Love' and camaraderie within the team after a dismal 24-58 season. Drummond documented a final round of rookie hazing targeting center Adem Bona, who filled in for Joel Embiid and Drummond last year. The prank involved filling Bona's SUV entirely with popcorn and removing a wheel, which was left at his locker. Drummond noted Bona is considered a rookie until his sophomore season officially begins on October 22. This lighthearted moment signals a positive shift in team morale ahead of the new season.

Donovan Mitchell and Cavaliers Face 'Finals or Bust' Season Amidst High Eastern Conference Expectations

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Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell enters the 2025-26 NBA season under immense pressure, as the team is operating with a "Finals or bust" mentality. After finishing 64-18 and securing the East's top seed last season, the Cavaliers suffered their second consecutive second-round playoff exit. Mitchell, described as a "playoff dynamo," is expected to continue his successful approach of ceding some offensive control, which allowed Darius Garland to excel last season. The team's championship aspirations heavily rely on Mitchell's performance and the continued development of Evan Mobley, who earned All-NBA second team honors and Defensive Player of the Year last season. Failure to advance further in the playoffs could trigger a significant roster reshuffle, potentially involving Jarrett Allen or Garland, emphasizing the need for the core to win together. The Cavaliers are projected to exceed 56.5 regular season wins.