For the first time in the 2026 Finals series against the Golden State Valkyries, Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese couldn’t find her rhythm, as a 6’3” defensive powerhouse stood in her way. Valkyries big Kiah Stokes had the night of her life as her elite defense held back the Dream’s deadliest playoff weapon, allowing the […]
The post “Own Up To That Challenge”: Valkyries Star Opens Up After Holding Angel Reese to Just 8 Points Following Game 4 Win appeared first on EssentiallySports .
The Pelicans get good news as Yves Missi’s left‑knee injury turns out to be a bone bruise, not a severe tear, after being carried off following a collision with Zion Williamson. Missi, who posted 13 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks on opening night, remains a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, though his exact return timeline is unclear. Meanwhile, guard Walter Clayton signs a two‑way deal with the Mavericks, joining their rebuild, while the Rockets count on Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams to fuel a faster, more versatile lineup. The Spurs struggle with a 0‑2 start, their new three‑guard trio posting a minus‑11 rating and relying heavily on Victor Wembanyama’s sputtering shot.
The Chicago Bulls looked to channel the energy from their win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday into their home opener against the Washington Wizards on Saturday. Early on, they didn’t disappoint, thanks to Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis. In the first quarter, Wilson and Buzelis complemented one another with back-to-back dunks, per BullsMuse. At […]
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Three games into the Giannis Antetokounmpo era, and the Miami Heat are still looking for their first win. After two-straight blowout losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons, the shorthanded Charlotte Hornets, who lost by 47 the night before, handed Miami its third straight loss to begin the season, 114-107. The result was almost […]
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The new-look Miami Heat have started 0-3 for the first time in 19 seasons after dropping a road game to the Charlotte Hornets, 115-110, on Saturday.
Boston’s defense is forcing turnovers at an excellent pace. Here’s how the Celtics' chaotic shift is unlocking a massive game-by-game advantage.
During the Raptors’ 112-102 win over Washington on Oct. 23, a fan jabbed Kawhi Leonard about a disputed tree‑planting endorsement with the bankrupt firm Aspiration. Leonard’s brief reply, “Always,” sparked talk of the Clippers salary‑cap scandal that led to a $30 million fine, loss of five future first‑round picks, and a $700,000 fine for Leonard. After averaging a career‑best 27.9 points in his final Clippers season, Leonard returned to Toronto in a blockbuster trade and signed a two‑year, $115 million extension. He contributed 16 points and nine rebounds in the win, signaling a fresh start.
Michael Wilbon and Joe Johnson are questioning Cleveland's credibility after another historic collapse. The Cavaliers must prove they can finish games.
Let’s open the season at home on a much different note than that first game. If you don’t have the SB Nation app, it comes in real handy for Game Threads. Just sayin’! You’ll see our team commenting more during the game now. Why? Because we have the app!
The Warriors head to Phoenix on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, for a 7:30 PM ET showdown with the Suns. The game airs on NBA TV and NBC Sports Bay Area and streams live on Fubo (free trial available). Golden State, fresh off a 127‑105 loss to the Lakers, leans on Stephen Curry’s shooting, while Phoenix looks to rebound from a 124‑83 season‑opening defeat, with Devin Booker leading the offense. Both Pacific Division rivals aim to snap early‑season slumps and claim early conference momentum.
The Miami Heat are now 0-3 to start the Giannis Antetokounmpo era. After the loss to the Charlotte Hornets, they've hit a new low.
Update (2:07 p.m. ET, Sunday): Joel Embiid is out for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Detroit Pistons, according to the official NBA injury data.
The Lakers (2‑0) travel to Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 25, for their first road test against the Jazz (1‑1) at the Delta Center, 2 p.m. PT on Spectrum Sportsnet. The matchup highlights Walker Kessler’s return to Utah after a debut 22‑point, 8‑rebond, 6‑block performance that helped L.A. win its first two games. Both clubs share recent trade history, with the Jazz having facilitated deals that brought Luka Dončić and other key pieces to Los Angeles. Utah’s young core—Darryn Peterson, Ace Bailey, and Jaren Jackson Jr.—offers frontcourt firepower, though its defense has shown lapses. The preview previews how L.A.’s talent, especially Dončić, Reaves and Kessler, can exploit those weaknesses and chase a first road win.
The Chicago Bulls are counting on Caleb Wilson to lead them in a new direction. After two games, the high-profile rookie from North Carolina has experienced the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. The Bulls suffered a 43-point loss to the Toronto Raptors in their season opener on Wednesday. Then, the Bulls fought […]
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After blowing a 29‑point lead to the Philadelphia 76ers on opening night, the Cleveland Cavaliers are dissecting the loss to avoid repeat mistakes. Coach Kenny Atkinson points to rising live‑ball turnovers, three‑point variance, and poor second‑half execution as key factors, while players like Mario Hezonja and rookie Peyton Watson stress the mental shift needed to treat any big advantage as a modest lead. The Cavs plan to emphasize ball security, smarter matchups and the simple mantra “pass to the open man” in practice, hoping the frustrating defeat becomes a catalyst for improvement in high‑stakes games.
Mavericks coach Dusty May explains that Kyrie Irving’s availability for the back‑to‑back games was decided on the day, not in advance. Irving suited up on Friday in Indiana, scoring 24 points in a 121‑105 win, but sat out Saturday’s home opener against the Spurs to manage a left‑knee injury. May notes the decision hinged on Irving’s readiness, mentions a minutes restriction, and says the team may still let him play both nights of a back‑to‑back later in the season. With Irving out, Naji Marshall and Max Christie start, while Cooper Flagg misses the Spurs game with a shoulder sprain as Dallas gears up for a Monday trip to Miami.
Perhaps A’ja Wilson was like those of us who were so sure about the revamped Miami Heat team. But two and a half games into the season, the revamped team around Bam Adebayo is not looking promising. The Heat, after starting the season 0-2 with massive margins against the Timberwolves and Pistons, the Charlotte Hornets […]
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The Mavericks open their home season against the Spurs without Kyrie Irving (left‑knee management) and Cooper Flagg (shoulder sprain), forcing Naji Marshall and rookie Zaccharie Risacher into the starting lineup. Marshall replaces Irving at guard, while Risacher steps in for Flagg at forward; Max Christie, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford complete the five. Dallas also lists Santi Aldama, Tarik Biberović, Dereck Lively II and Caleb Martin as out. Coach Dusty May emphasizes confidence in the adjusted roster, noting Marshall’s improved ball security and defensive hustle, and Risacher’s 11‑point, 6‑rebound, 3‑block effort against Indiana. Tip‑off is 7 p.m. CT at the American Airlines Center.
Mitchell Robinson drops by the Knicks locker room on Oct. 25, 2026, but confirms he’s happy with his summer move to Boston, where he’ll start and target 25 minutes per game by the playoffs. The Knicks couldn’t afford a new contract, and owner James Dolan called a second‑apron offer “suicidal,” so Robinson signed with the Celtics as an elite rebounder and rim protector. Meanwhile, Coach Mike Brown criticizes his squad’s lackluster defense in the first two games and laments Mikal Bridges’ 2‑for‑16 shooting slump, urging him to take open looks. The team also addresses a championship ring phishing scam, promising to distribute over 275 rings and jewelry to staff.
The Oklahoma City Thunder officially sign free‑agent wing Micah Peavy to a two‑way contract, waiving Otega Oweh to open a roster spot. Peavy, the 40th overall pick in the 2025 draft, posted 4.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 61 games for the New Orleans Pelicans last season and is known for his defense (0.7 steals per game). After being waived by Memphis, he joins former Georgetown teammate Thomas Sorber in OKC. Peavy, a 6‑7 guard/forward who averaged 17.2 points and a Big East‑best 2.3 steals at Georgetown, entered training camp with an ankle sprain.
The LA Clippers head to Oklahoma City on Oct. 25 for the season’s first clash with the 2‑0 Thunder, who aim to go 3‑0. The Clippers are shorthanded, missing five rotation players—including Brandon Ingram, Bradley Beal and Max Strus—while Darius Garland carries the scoring load (28.0 ppg). Oklahoma City leans on Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander (24.5 ppg) and Chet Holmgren (12.0 rpg, a block leader). The Thunder’s interior defense (9.5 blocks per game) meets a high‑scoring Clippers offense that turns the ball over 21 times per game. With the Thunder’s unbeaten run on the line and the Clippers testing a depleted roster, the matchup promises a battle of defense versus firepower.
The Toronto Raptors (2-0, Atlantic leaders) face the Minnesota Timberwolves (2-0, Northwest leaders) Sunday at the Target Center. Both clubs swing from blowout wins—Raptors defeated the Bulls 135-92 and Wizards 112-102, while the Timberwolves routed the Heat 131-106 and Magic 115-93. Scottie Barnes (25.5 ppg, 10 rpg) and Immanuel Quickley (6.5 apg) anchor Toronto, though center Nate Bittle is out with a foot fracture. Minnesota relies on Anthony Edwards' 30.0 ppg and Ayo Dosunmu's 6.5 assists, with Gobert anchoring the glass (12 rpg). The key battle pits Minnesota’s 40.2% three‑point shooting against Toronto’s aggressive perimeter defense (13.5 steals per game). A win would give the victor a perfect 3‑0 start and sole division lead.
Coach Jose Fernandez’s Dallas Wings lost 77-73 to the Golden State Valkyries in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs recently, leading to blame being assigned. The Wings got 17 points and six assists from star guard Paige Bueckers in the Valkyries’ clinching win, leading to an announcement that saw Kiah Stokes surpass Brittney Griner […]
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The New Jersey Devils defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 on Saturday as Arseny Gritsyuk scored a goal and an assist. New Jersey overcame an early deficit.
Nick Nurse opens up on the current health situation for two rotation players.