All articles tagged with #preseason
The Cleveland Cavaliers lost 124-113 to the Boston Celtics in their preseason opener, with Boston’s reserves outworking Cleveland’s starters. While the Cavs’ defense and rebounding were poor, wing players Peyton Watson and Jaylon Tyson showed promising versatility. Mario Hezonja struggled in his debut, and the backup point guard spot remains undecided.
Joel Embiid struggled in his first preseason game for the Philadelphia 76ers, committing eight turnovers and shooting 1-for-5 against the Brooklyn Nets. A viral clip of him missing an easy alley-oop jump raised questions about his physical readiness, especially after backup center Ariel Hukporti suffered a season-ending Achilles tear. While coach Nick Nurse defended Embiid as simply rusty, critics and analysts worry about the team's lack of center depth behind the star.
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings 114-110 in a preseason exhibition, marking Luka Dončić’s return to competitive play after a six-month absence. Dončić scored 23 points in 25 minutes, while Austin Reaves contributed eight points and eight assists. The game featured 50 combined turnovers and a late surge by Sacramento that narrowed the margin, though Los Angeles maintained control through strong free-throw execution. Coach JJ Redick praised the team’s defensive intensity, particularly from new wings Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle, who helped establish a full-court pressure identity. The Lakers are preparing for their regular-season opener against the Golden State Warriors on October 21.
The Philadelphia 76ers' new starting lineup of LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Jaylen Brown debuted in a 114-108 preseason loss to the Brooklyn Nets. While James displayed elite playmaking and Maxey scored efficiently off the ball, the unit struggled with defensive stops and Embiid had a poor performance. Coach Nick Nurse noted significant room for improvement in half-court defense and offensive flow.
The Philadelphia 76ers will field their full projected starting five, including LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, in their second preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 8. This marks the first time the core group will play together, aiming to build chemistry before the regular season begins. The Sixers are missing several players due to injuries, including Ariel Hukporti, who is out for the season with a torn Achilles.
The Minnesota Timberwolves lost 123-112 to the Indiana Pacers in a preseason game at Iowa State, showcasing a new offensive identity led by LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards. While the starters struggled with defensive rotations and turnovers, the offense showed promise. Tyrese Haliburton returned to his alma mater after a 16-month absence due to injury, playing 16 minutes in a symbolic final game at the Hilton Coliseum.
Lakers coach JJ Redick called a timeout 52 seconds into a preseason loss to the Warriors, citing poor execution of scripted plays. The Lakers, missing their entire core rotation, fell behind 45-31 after the first quarter and lost 124-98. Redick emphasized that standards must be met even without star players, while the Warriors capitalized on a dominant first half led by Steph Curry and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Micah Nori outlined his rotation strategy for the team's preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. Nori plans to use a standard first-half rotation, with main rotation players likely playing only one stint in the second half, resulting in 18-20 minutes of action for most players. While Nori has a preliminary starting lineup for the opener, he emphasized that the preseason will feature various combinations, particularly due to a back-to-back schedule on Oct. 12-13. He cautioned against reading too much into the initial starting lineup, stating it is part of the process of finding the right combinations for starting, middle, and ending games.
Utah Jazz rookie Darryn Peterson delivered a strong second preseason performance, scoring 23 points against the Denver Nuggets after a sluggish debut. While the Jazz lost the game, Peterson’s improved shooting and decision-making validated coach Will Hardy’s confidence in the No. 2 overall pick.
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Charlotte Hornets 124-90 in their preseason opener, showcasing a fast-paced offensive style led by Julius Randle and Day’Ron Sharpe. While the scoreline is meaningless, the game highlighted Brooklyn's improved three-point shooting and defensive intensity. Conversely, the Hornets struggled with a shorthanded roster but found positives in the performances of Liam McNeely and Naz Reid.
The Los Angeles Lakers rested their entire starting lineup, including Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler, for a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors won 124-98, with rookie Yaxel Lendeborg scoring 17 points. The Lakers' bench, led by Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili, struggled against the Warriors' depth.
The Detroit Pistons defeated the Phoenix Suns 109-107 in their first preseason game, overcoming a 19-point halftime deficit. Rookie Ebuka Okorie scored the game-winning basket, while the Suns struggled with free-throw conversion and turnovers.
Ariel Hukporti suffered a likely season-ending Achilles injury during the Philadelphia 76ers' preseason opener, leaving the team with a critical gap at the center position behind Joel Embiid.
The Detroit Pistons defeated the Phoenix Suns 109-107 in their first preseason game at Little Caesars Arena. Although Detroit trailed by 19 points at halftime due to poor defensive rebounding and ball security, the Pistons' bench unit dominated the second half. Rookie Ebuka Okorie scored the game-winning layup in the final seconds, capping a 24-5 run in the third quarter that erased the deficit. The Suns' starters built a strong lead, but their reserves struggled with turnovers and execution, allowing Detroit to capitalize on defensive stops and transition opportunities.
The New Orleans Pelicans begin their 2026-27 preseason with a matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking the start of head coach Jamahl Mosley's tenure. Following a 26-56 season, the team faces questions about lineup chemistry, defensive consistency, and the integration of new players like Derik Queen and Bennedict Mathurin. While the primary source provided only box score data for a separate Timberwolves game, secondary sources highlight the Pelicans' focus on testing rotations and Zion Williamson's shooting development.