NBA Basketball 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 7, 2026, 2:05 PM ET
Injury Report
The Knicks' hopes of locking up Karl-Anthony Towns to an extension before the regular season are fading, with Towns himself saying the chances don't look good as negotiations stall. Charlotte will be without Coby White for the rest of the preseason after the guard suffered a left calf strain during training camp. The Clippers' wing depth took a hit as Max Strus is set to be reevaluated in four weeks after a partial plantar fascia tear in his right foot. Philadelphia's frontcourt rotation is thinner after an MRI confirmed backup center Ariel Hukporti suffered a torn Achilles, sidelining him indefinitely.
League & Innovation
The NBA is testing smart basketballs and referee wrist wearables during preseason games, gathering tracking data that could shape future officiating and analytics. Across the Atlantic, Euro League members rejected an NBA merger offer this week, opting instead to pursue their own expansion plans rather than fold into a proposed NBA Europe league.
Off the Court
Tyrese Haliburton is giving back to his alma mater, buying tickets for Iowa State students to attend the Pacers' preseason game in Ames, covering the full student section for the homecoming matchup.
Season Outlook
ESPN's Basketball Power Index projections for the 2026-27 season rank all 30 teams, with the Celtics and Thunder emerging as the top Finals favorites while the Wizards and Nets sit at the bottom of the playoff-odds ladder.