Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Kawhi Leonard is expected to be a key leader for the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2025-26 NBA season. The team's schedule indicates they will open the season on the road, with their final six games featuring four home matchups at the Intuit Dome, all with Leonard contributing to the team's performance.
James Harden is slated to lead the Los Angeles Clippers through their upcoming 2025-26 NBA season. The newly released schedule reveals the Clippers will start their campaign on the road before concluding with four of their final six games played at the Intuit Dome, with Harden being a focal point of the team's roster.
LeBron James is set to embark on a record-setting 23rd NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers, who have just unveiled their 2025-26 regular season schedule. Having opted into his $52.6 million player option, James will lead a retooled Lakers roster that includes new additions like Luka Dončić, Deandre Ayton, and Marcus Smart. The season kicks off on October 21 at home against the Golden State Warriors, with other key dates including a Christmas Day game against the Houston Rockets, Anthony Davis's return with the Mavericks, and Marcus Smart's first game back in Boston on December 5.
Top overall pick Cooper Flagg is scheduled to make his NBA debut on October 22 as the Dallas Mavericks open their season against the San Antonio Spurs, facing fellow generational talent Victor Wembanyama. This game will also mark the first professional meeting between the first two picks of the 2025 NBA draft, Flagg and Dylan Harper. Flagg will be flanked by a mammoth frontcourt featuring Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford.
Myles Turner is preparing for his first game back in Indianapolis on November 3 since unexpectedly departing the Pacers to join the Milwaukee Bucks this summer. Turner has stated that his move was motivated by a desire to compete for a championship, comments that did not sit well with Pacers fans or even team president Kevin Pritchard, who learned of the signing via social media. He will now line up alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, adding a new level of spice to the rivalry between the two teams.
Kevin Durant, recently traded to the Houston Rockets, is slated to revisit both Phoenix and Oklahoma City during the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season. He will be present for the Thunder's championship ring ceremony on opening night, October 21, and make his first return to Phoenix on November 24, a game scheduled to air on NBC. Durant's move to Houston came after the Rockets swapped Jalen Green for him, and he will lead his new team in a Western Conference Finals rematch against the Warriors on November 26, a series that went seven games last year.
Anthony Davis, now with the Dallas Mavericks, is scheduled to make his highly anticipated return to Los Angeles on November 28 for an NBA Cup group game against the Lakers. This game marks his first time back in L.A. since being traded for Luka Doncic in February, and it will be broadcast on Amazon Prime. The Mavericks and Lakers are set to meet three additional times throughout the 2025-26 season.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is embracing a fresh start by changing his jersey number from 13 to 8 for the upcoming season, describing the move as deeply personal, a symbol of new beginnings, and a tribute to his family and father. This change aligns with his recent five-year, $240 million max contract, solidifying his role as the Memphis Grizzlies' defensive anchor and key scorer, averaging 22.2 points per game last season. Jackson Jr. also emphasized the team's new identity centered on extreme discipline and accountability, while acknowledging the business aspect of Desmond Bane's departure to Orlando.
Kyrie Irving recently addressed his 2017 departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers, asserting it was his 'time to move on' and not due to any animosity with LeBron James. He characterized playing alongside James as a unique and high-pressure experience, involving significant media attention and politics. Irving, who admitted to developing 'bad habits' early in his career from losing, emphasized his primary goal was always to win. Now with the Dallas Mavericks, he remains open to a future reunion with LeBron James, amidst ongoing speculation about their potential paths.
Eleonora Boi, the pregnant wife of former NBA player Danilo Gallinari, publicly shared details of her recent shark attack in Puerto Rico, which left her traumatized but recovering well. She was bitten on the thigh while in waist-deep water with their children, prompting Gallinari to rush to her aid. Boi's pregnancy remains unaffected, and she is expected to make a full recovery after undergoing surgery and continuing weekly doctor visits.
Jrue Holiday, now with the Portland Trail Blazers, will make his return to Boston on January 26, 2026. Holiday was traded to Portland on June 23, where the Celtics acquired Anfernee Simons in the transaction. This will mark his first time back in Boston since the trade, two days prior to Kristaps Porzingis' return.
Denver Nuggets player Nikola Joki, a seven-time NBA All-Star, has been revealed with a 98 rating for mid-range shooting in NBA 2K26. This rating places him tied for the top spot in the mid-range category alongside Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving. The ratings are part of a pre-release tease for the game launching September 5, 2025.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry earned an almost perfect 99 rating for three-point shooting in NBA 2K26, leading the specialist category. The four-time NBA champion and two-time NBA MVP also secured a high 97 rating for mid-range shots, placing him among the top players in both key offensive areas for the upcoming game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's Milwaukee Bucks are scheduled to compete in the upcoming NBA Cup tournament, which begins on October 31. Antetokounmpo previously led the Bucks to an NBA Cup victory last year. The team's schedule includes a significant group play game against the Knicks on November 28 as they aim for another strong tournament run.
LeBron James' Los Angeles Lakers are set to participate in the newly announced NBA Cup schedule, with games commencing on October 31. James previously led the Lakers to an NBA Cup title, and his team will have key matchups against the Grizzlies and Clippers during the tournament's group play. Separately, Kyrie Irving recently reflected on his time playing alongside James with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Irving clarified he never disliked playing with James but sought a primary role, while acknowledging their shared championship success in Cleveland.
Jontay Porter, brother of NBA player Michael Porter Jr., has received a lifetime ban from the NBA for his direct involvement in sports betting. The ban was issued after Porter was found to have disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and intentionally limited his participation in games. This included allegedly feigning injuries to exit games early, thereby allowing bettors to win significant amounts on 'under' prop bets.
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. has voiced significant concerns regarding the widespread impact of sports gambling on NBA players and the game's integrity. During a podcast appearance, Porter Jr. elaborated on the immense pressure and threats players face from bettors, citing his brother Jontay Porter's lifetime NBA ban for a gambling scheme as a firsthand example of negative consequences. He advocated for restricting sports gambling to in-person settings in locations like Las Vegas to mitigate these growing issues, asserting that the problem is severe and likely to worsen across professional sports.
Kyrie Irving recently shared new details regarding his 2017 trade request from the Cleveland Cavaliers, stating it was "literally my time to move on" rather than a dislike for playing with LeBron James. Irving emphasized his desire to be the main star on his own team and how the dynamic with James came with immense media attention and expectations. Despite winning a championship alongside James, Irving reflected on developing "bad habits" early in his career from losing and prioritizing individual scoring, wanting instead to focus on winning. He reached the NBA Finals again with the Mavericks in 2024.
Zach LaVine is a key focus for the Sacramento Kings' upcoming 2025-26 NBA season, with teammate Domantas Sabonis emphasizing the need for improved chemistry after LaVine's mid-season acquisition last year. Despite averaging 22.4 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 32 games with the Kings, the team struggled to fully adjust to the new offense. LaVine, along with DeMar DeRozan, will benefit from a full training camp to better integrate into coach Doug Christie's system as the Kings aim for a playoff return.
DeMar DeRozan is entering his second season with the Sacramento Kings, as highlighted by teammate Domantas Sabonis's anticipation for improved team chemistry for the 2025-26 NBA season. Sabonis specifically mentioned working with DeRozan and Zach LaVine under coach Doug Christie's new system. The team aims to fully adjust to their new-look offense, which includes DeRozan as a key player, in order to return to the playoffs.
