AnalysisSunday, Oct 18, 2026

Dream coach Karl Smesko was optimistic forward Allisha Gray would return from a finger injury to play in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against the Valkyries.

After winning 60 games and running away with the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons have made several changes to their roster. While moving on from Tobias Harris might hurt more than some expect, the team has improved its overall depth, thanks in part to the promising preseason play of rookie Ebuka Okorie […]

Joel Embiid rejects the notion that anyone on the Sixers’ star-studded roster needs to sacrifice for the team to reach its goals, Kris Rhim writes for ESPN.com. “I’m against the concept of sacrificing,” Embiid said after Friday’s preseason finale. “I think the way I explained it was you do what you do best, and we’re […]

Draymond Green says the trust he has developed in coach Steve Kerr is helping him accept changes to his role in the Warriors’ offense, Luca Evans of The San Francisco Chronicle writes in a subscriber-only story. Green will see less time trailing plays and directing teammates from the top of the key and will be […]

Ralph Sampson isn’t making preseason predictions. The Rockets legend told Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson that the first 10 to 15 games will reveal more about Houston’s new-look backcourt than any offseason hype. The post Ralph Sampson on Rockets: “Nobody Really Knows Right Now” appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

NBA forward Julius Randle has explained how the COVID-19 shutdown changed his approach to basketball development, revealing that being unable to practice forced him to spend more time studying game footage. During the pandemic, Randle was living in New York and had limited access to basketball facilities. Rather than allowing the interruption to slow his […] The post Julius Randle credits film study during COVID shutdown for MIP award appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

Josh Hart predicted it. Really, we all did.

The Denver Nuggets are coming into the 2026-27 season hoping to regain their status as one of the Western Conference’s contending teams following a disappointing playoff flameout in the opening round against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In order to do so, the Nuggets are going to need some of the players on the back-end of their […] The post Nuggets player who will shock NBA world with breakout 2026-27 season appeared first on ClutchPoints.

All-Star Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder will open the 2026-27 regular season against the San Antonio Spurs, the team that ended its first title defense in franchise history last season. Holmgren plans to learn from losing Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. Thunder veteran Kenrich Williams has full confidence in his All-Star […] The post Thunder reserve reveals how Chet Holmgren embraces ‘adversity’ ahead of Spurs duel appeared first on ClutchPoints.

MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, AND YOUTUBE!! As we approach the start of the NBA season, Suns Geek joins the pod to chat all things Phoenix Suns. What is there to be optimistic about this season? Can the Suns actually win a Playoff series? What’s the deal with the Twitter tiff between Mat Ishbia and Kevin Durant? All that, and more, on this episode. Tap in. Make sure to follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Dan (@danduarte1), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheFlamesNBA) o...

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 10: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles against Luguentz Dort #0 of the Atlanta Hawks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 10, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images This is the first of a series of roundtable questio...

Cavs Evan Mobley gave the Cavaliers something to feel good about in their final tuneup before the regular season. Mobley and James Harden helped the Gold team beat the Wine team 96-82 in Saturday’s annual scrimmage at Public Auditorium, writes Jackson Flickinger of Fear the Sword⁠. Their pick-and-roll work repeatedly created openings near the basket, […] The post NBA Notes: Cavs, Evan Mobley, Jazz, Tony Bradley, Kings appeared first on Hoops Wire.

SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 5: Jake LaRavia #12 and Sandro Mamukelashvili #54 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the game against the Sacramento Kings during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 5, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky...

SAN ANTONIO, TX -SEPTEMBER 28: Stephon Castle #5, De'Aaron Fox 34 and Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs pose for photos during San Antonio Spurs Media Day at Victory Capital Performance Center on September 28, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images At the start ...

Heat Giannis Antetokounmpo is getting comfortable with the Heat. His teammates are learning that getting him the ball is only the first part of the job. The next? Keep moving. There’s a decent chance he’ll get it back to you. Antetokounmpo finished with 20 points, 15 rebounds, nine assists and three blocks in just 24 […] The post NBA Notes: Heat, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bulls, Josh Giddey, Spurs appeared first on Hoops Wire.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 08: Adou Thiero #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter in a preseason game at Crypto.com Arena on October 08, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images Injuries not only ro...

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 16: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on October 16, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center 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 Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images In t...

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 06: Josh Minott #00 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket while guarded by Pat Connaughton #21 of the Charlotte Hornets during their preseason game at Spectrum Center on October 06, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Im...

This was an extremely busy offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers as the team completely overhauled its roster around superstar Luka Doncic. Many of the players who contributed to last year’s success are gone, headlined of course by the departure of LeBron James, and in their place are a number of new faces, many of […]

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic is one of the best offensive players of this generation and an absolute nightmare to guard for opposing defenders. The idea of trying to slow him down is sure to bring a lot of stress to many, especially rookies, and that is exactly what happened to Golden State Warriors […]

The Lakers still have a lot of belief in Adou Thiero heading into the season.

What’s the real goal? Is it realistic?

Jazz fans are clear who they want to start for the Utah

Happy Sunday, everybody! It's Josh Robbins here. With the Wizards' season opener three days away, I have a fun article for you: Is the team ready for takeoff? Is the franchise even taking the right approach to the year ahead? I offer 15 thoughts, observations and opinions. The piece is free to read in u/TheAthleticNBA. Please feel encouraged to chime in in the comments section either here on Reddit or in the article's comments section. submitted by /u/JoshuaBRobbins [link] [comments]

Pritchard cares less about whether he starts than the minutes he gets and the impact he makes once he’s on the floor.

WNBA analyst Emily Austin called out the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries for heading to the locker room during the national anthem. The Ballhalla Arena was packed with fans eager to watch Game 1 between the Valkyries and the Dream, who swept their opponents to reach the WNBA Finals.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Allen Graves #22 of the Toronto Raptors goes up for a layup against John Collins #20 of the Detroit Pistons during the third quarter of a preseason game at Little Caesars Arena on October 16, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) | Getty Images Allen...

Al Horford has picked out one of the younger players on the Golden State Warriors roster who he hopes will make a difference. At 40...

Anthony Edwards must use his rivals’ successes to drive him on, ahead of the new NBA season. The Minnesota Timberwolves fell short in last season’s...

Former LA Lakers star James Worthy has expressed his admiration for one of JJ Redick’s new stars. The LA Lakers‘ new roster has offered glimpses...