NBA Basketball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 7, 2026, 10:02 PM ET
Portland and Ownership
New Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon vowed to bring a championship to Portland in a message to season-ticket holders, even as his tenure begins under a cloud. Meanwhile, the Buss siblings have formally opposed their sister Jeanie's plan to sell the family's remaining Lakers shares.
Injury Report
The Hornets will be without guard Coby White for the rest of the preseason after he suffered a left calf strain during training camp. In Los Angeles, Clippers wing Max Strus is set to be reevaluated in four weeks following a partial plantar fascia tear. The 76ers also took a serious hit, as Hukporti was diagnosed with a torn Achilles, thinning an already limited frontcourt.
League and Media
Broadcaster Mike Breen apologized Wednesday after LeBron James refuted a story Breen had shared about Joel Embiid. The NBA is also testing new technology in the preseason, including smart basketballs and wrist wearables for officials. On the international front, Euro League members rejected a formal NBA offer to merge into NBA Europe and will pursue their own expansion plans.
Community and Power Rankings
Tyrese Haliburton bought tickets for the student section at his alma mater, Iowa State, to watch the Pacers game. Finally, ESPN's Basketball Power Index has released its projections for the 2026-27 season, ranking all 30 teams and stacking the Finals favorites.