NBA Basketball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 26, 2026, 3:50 PM ET
Injuries Mount Across the League
The Thunder received a scare when Jalen Williams espn.com was stretchered off with a significant leg injury, with no immediate diagnosis yet from the team. In Detroit, Jalen Duren espn.com is expected to miss at least two weeks with a hamstring strain, a costly blow for a center who recently signed a five-year extension. Orlando also lost Jalen Suggs espn.com, who had to be helped off the floor late in a win over the Knicks.
Philadelphia's Makeshift Lineup
With the 76ers short-handed, LeBron James espn.com started at center on Sunday against Pistons. Philadelphia then decided to sit Joel Embiid espn.com to manage plantar fasciitis, overruling his public push to play.
Knicks Searching for Answers
New York dropped its third straight game to start 0-3, and Jalen Brunson espn.com admitted the offense has been falling on his shoulders.
Standout Performances
Luka Doncic espn.com poured in 52 points, including eight 3-pointers, as the Lakers beat the Jazz 132-123 to reach 3-0, the season's first 50-point game. In Denver, Nikola Jokic espn.com recorded his 199th career triple-double with 35 points and 15 rebounds, rallying the Nuggets from 23 down against New Orleans before criticizing booing fans.
Player Development
Payton Pritchard espn.com has grown into a reliable isolation scorer for Boston through punishing summer work, while ESPN's breakout tiers project 30 players espn.com poised to ascend to new levels in 2026-27.
Coming Up
The Pistons will be without Duren for at least two weeks espn.com while he recovers from his hamstring strain.