NBA Basketball 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 7, 2026, 6:14 AM ET
NBA Preseason Updates
The NBA is experimenting with smart basketballs and referee wrist wearables during preseason games to enhance data collection and officiating accuracy. Meanwhile, the Hornets have shut down Coby White for the remainder of the preseason due to a left calf strain sustained in training camp, limiting his early-season availability.
Player Contracts and Injuries
Karl-Anthony Towns stated that the chances of securing a contract extension with the Knicks before the regular season "don't look good," casting doubt on a timely resolution. In related news, the Clippers have announced that Max Strus will be reevaluated in four weeks after suffering a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot, sidelining him indefinitely.
Roster Moves and Setbacks
The Philadelphia 76ers confirmed that forward Jean Victor Hukporti is out for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon, a significant blow to their already thin center depth. Additionally, Euro League members have rejected a formal NBA proposal to merge into a new NBA Europe initiative, opting instead to pursue their own expansion plans independently.