NBA Basketball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 16, 2026, 10:40 PM ET
Player News & Injuries
Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis will remain out indefinitely with a private health issue, but he will stay around the team. Jimmy Butler, meanwhile, says he felt he let the Warriors down, as Golden State views his return as its best hope for a rebound.
76ers guard Tyrese Maxey says a healthy Joel Embiid "changes everything" for Philadelphia, underscoring how central the big man is to its outlook.
Season Outlook & Predictions
An annual survey of NBA general managers projects the Spurs to win the title, with Victor Wembanyama at the center of that optimism. Fantasy analysts have also released a final mock draft in which Cooper Flagg and Derrick White go early, and the crew has named players they view differently from the consensus.
Preseason Games
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson finally deployed a three-guard lineup featuring De'Aaron Fox, Harper and Castle in a preseason win. Brian Windhorst's latest NBA intel covers Karl-Anthony Towns' next contract, expansion plans and why rival teams are watching Orlando.
League Business & Betting
The NBA is prohibiting certain bets this season, including player prop parlays, as sportsbooks are told to restrict them. A Las Vegas bettor pleaded guilty to charges tied to NBA and NCAA fixing schemes. A Spanish club is challenging the eligibility of Thunder rookie Aday Mara.
Team & Family Matters
The Buss siblings filed a challenge to Jeanie Buss's petition to remove them as trustees of the Lakers' ownership trust. Hall of Fame forward Cliff Hagan, a five-time All-Star and Kentucky legend, died at 94.
Entertainment & Fan Culture
Steve Lacy delighted a crowd by performing the viral "LeBron, LeBron, LeBron" version of his hit "Oh Yeah?"
Scheduling
The Bucks moved their October 23 home opener to an afternoon tipoff to avoid a clash with the World Series.
Coming Up
The Bucks' home opener takes place October 23 at an afternoon tipoff.