NBA Basketball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 17, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
Sixers and LeBron's Debut
LeBron James made his Philadelphia debut in front of a sellout crowd, and the highlight was a monster slam that fired up the building. The night ended with a 125-120 loss to the Celtics, a game in which VJ Edgecombe was held out. Joel Embiid insisted no one will take a backseat on a roster loaded with stars, while Tyrese Maxey said a healthy Embiid changes everything for the team.
Nuggets, Warriors and Spurs
Denver will be without Julian Strawther for an extended stretch after a sprained knee that will be reevaluated in six weeks. In Golden State, Kristaps Porzingis remains out indefinitely but will stay with the team, and Jimmy Butler spoke about his desire to return to the Warriors, saying he felt he let them down. San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson finally used a three-guard lineup of Fox, Harper and Castle in a preseason win, and an annual GM survey projects the Spurs to hoist the title behind Wembanyama.
League Business and Legal News
The NBA is prohibiting certain bets this season, including player prop parlays, as sportsbooks face new limits. A Vegas bettor pleaded guilty to charges tied to NBA and NCAA fixing schemes. Meanwhile, a Spanish club is challenging the eligibility of Thunder rookie Aday Mara, and five Buss siblings have filed a challenge to Jeanie Buss's bid to oust them as trustees.
Remembrances and Notes
Hall of Famer Cliff Hagan, a five-time All-Star and Kentucky legend, died at 94. Steve Lacy also drew cheers with a viral cover of "Oh Yeah?" in a LeBron-themed version.
Fantasy and Previews
The fantasy crew held its final mock draft before the season, with Cooper Flagg and Derrick White going early, while experts identified players they view differently than the consensus. Brian Windhorst shared league intel on Karl-Anthony Towns' next deal and expansion plans.
Coming Up
The Bucks moved their home opener to an afternoon tipoff on Oct. 23 to avoid a World Series conflict.