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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly scheduled to open the NBA's five-game Christmas Day slate. They will host the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, marking the fifth consecutive year the Knicks have played on Christmas Day. Last season, Mitchell's Cavaliers swept the Knicks in their four regular-season matchups.
Lauri Markkanen racked up 48 points and nine rebounds in Friday's 105-62 win over Belgium during Finland's EuroBasket 2025 preparation game. After a career-high campaign during his first year in Utah, Markkanen took a slight step back in 2023-24, though injuries were the main culprit. He's expected to be 100 percent for training camp in the fall and cannot be traded in 2024-25 after signing a five-year, $238 million extension this offseason.
Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield continued his humorous social media exchange with teammate Jimmy Butler. Hield responded to Butler's Instagram story, which featured Butler wearing a Hield mask, with a playful jab of his own. Their comical back-and-forth has been a consistent source of lightheartedness for the team since Butler joined in February.
Oklahoma City Thunder's NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, received the key to his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, from Mayor Andrea Horwath at a public rally. The ceremony also included the announcement of a street being named in his honor after leading his team to an NBA title. Gilgeous-Alexander expressed his profound pride in his Hamilton roots during the event and was later recognized at a CFL game.
The Boston Celtics have signed head coach Joe Mazzulla to a multi-year contract extension, solidifying his role after leading the team to the 2024 NBA title. Mazzulla boasts an impressive 215-81 overall record and has averaged over 60 wins per season in his first three years. Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens praised Mazzulla's passion and leadership, confirming his continued guidance for the team, even as they enter a 'gap year' with Jayson Tatum sidelined and other players traded.
The Golden State Warriors are reportedly set to begin their 2025-26 NBA season on Tuesday, October 21, by facing the Los Angeles Lakers on opening night. Additionally, the Warriors are scheduled to host the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day, a game that will feature former Golden State guard Klay Thompson returning to Chase Center. These anticipated matchups will be broadcast on the newly revived NBA on NBC, ABC, and ESPN.
New Knicks head coach Mike Brown's arrival is expected to focus on optimizing All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns. Brown's offensive system, which previously saw big men like Domantas Sabonis thrive, could utilize Towns' ability to shoot from outside to create valuable space in the paint, benefiting other Knicks players and enhancing the team's overall offensive flow.
The New York Knicks' hiring of Mike Brown as their new head coach has a primary focus on optimizing All-Star Jalen Brunson. Brunson is expected to be a central figure in Brown's strategies, as the team looks to enhance his performance and leverage his skills in pursuit of their title aspirations.
Mikal Bridges, who recently signed a four-year, $150 million extension with the New York Knicks, is anticipated to benefit significantly from the hiring of new head coach Mike Brown. After an inconsistent debut season where his three-point efficiency declined, Brown's fast-paced and pass-oriented offensive system is expected to help Bridges become more efficient, potentially by utilizing him more as an off-ball cutter. Bridges is also encouraged to embrace more contact, increase his free-throw attempts, and adjust his shot diet toward the rim for greater efficiency.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White recalled his positive experience playing alongside Steph Curry during Team USA's gold medal victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics. White expressed relief at being on the 'good side' of Curry's remarkable scoring outbursts against Serbia in the semifinals and France in the gold medal game, a contrast to their 2022 NBA Finals matchup. He noted Curry's impressive turnaround after an initial slow start in the tournament, culminating in an iconic 24-point performance in the gold medal game.
Oklahoma City Thunder star and NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was celebrated in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, receiving the key to the city from Mayor Andrea Horwath at a public rally. During the event, it was also announced that a street would be named after him, following his epic season leading the Thunder to an NBA title. Gilgeous-Alexander expressed deep pride in his Hamilton roots and was further honored at a CFL game held at Hamilton Stadium.
Malik Beasley has been evicted from his Detroit high-rise apartment due to unpaid rent, according to a report. This situation arises while Beasley is a free agent and is reportedly under federal investigation for alleged involvement in gambling and prop bets. He faces multiple lawsuits, including one for failing to pay $7,355 in rent and another from Hazan Sports Management Group for $650,000.
Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young is reportedly disappointed that the team has not yet offered him a contract extension, despite his eligibility since July 6. The four-time All-Star, an explosive scorer and playmaker who led the NBA in assists last season, is currently questioning the Hawks' commitment to him. While the team has built an exciting core around him with recent acquisitions like Kristaps Porziņġis and Dyson Daniels, and showed defensive improvement last season, they are reportedly evaluating whether to commit a full 30% of the salary cap to Young given his defensive impact and the team's inconsistent performance since their 2021 Eastern Conference Finals run.
Dwyane Wade is set to be a presenter for two inductees at the 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame ceremony: Carmelo Anthony and the 2008 USA Men's National Team. Wade's involvement highlights his extensive connections within the basketball community, as he will also be presenting for Heat owner Micky Arison.
Dwight Howard has selected a notable group of NBA Hall of Famers to present him at the upcoming enshrinement ceremony. The list includes Patrick Ewing, Robert Parish, Dennis Rodman, and Dominique Wilkins. Notably, Howard had initially hoped for Shaquille O'Neal to be a presenter, but O'Neal is not on the official list.
Carmelo Anthony has chosen fellow NBA legends Allen Iverson and Dwyane Wade to present him at his Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on September 6th. Iverson was a teammate of Anthony in Denver, and Wade is a close friend. This honor comes as Anthony is set to join NBC Sports as an analyst.
There's an ongoing stalemate between the Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga regarding his future with the team. Discussions suggest the Warriors might be holding onto Kuminga while still exploring the possibility of trading for Giannis. This situation raises questions about the team's strategic direction and Kuminga's role moving forward.
Jayson Tatum, who underwent surgery for a ruptured Achilles in May, is showing positive progress in his recovery, having been seen walking comfortably without a boot and engaging in workouts at the Celtics' facility. While expectations suggest he may miss the entire 2025-26 season, Celtics president Rich Gotham has not ruled out a potential late-season return, stating the team isn't setting a strict timetable. Tatum's dedicated rehabilitation efforts are putting him in a position for the team to make a decision when he's ready.
NBA veteran Marcus Morris had fraud and theft charges dropped against him after he paid a $265,000 gambling debt owed to two Las Vegas casinos. Morris was arrested on July 27 for writing a check with insufficient funds to cover the debt incurred in 2024. He stated he was blindsided by the arrest and planned to address the matter publicly.
Austin Reaves, currently earning $13.9 million this season, is projected by multiple executives to command an average of over $30 million per season in free agency next summer, with a potential four-year, $120 million deal. Despite a drop in playoff performance and ongoing defensive struggles, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to prioritize re-signing the fan-favorite guard, utilizing their Bird rights after building the roster around Luka Doncic. Reaves' efficient shooting, including 37.7% from three-point range, and his versatility as a shot creator make him an ideal fit for the team.
