NBA Basketball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 7, 2026, 2:05 PM ET
Preseason Injuries
The Knicks' hopes of locking up Karl-Anthony Towns to an extension before the regular season are fading, as Towns himself admitted the chances don't look good espn.com for a deal. Charlotte will be shorthanded after the Hornets shut down espn.com guard Coby White for the rest of the preseason following a left calf strain. The Clippers' wing depth took a hit as Max Strus will be reevaluated in four weeks espn.com after a partial plantar fascia tear. Philadelphia's frontcourt is thinner after backup center Ariel Hukporti suffered a torn Achilles espn.com, confirmed by MRI on Tuesday.
League & Offseason News
The NBA's experimental push continues, with the league testing smart basketballs espn.com and wrist wearables for officials during the preseason. The Euro League has rejected an NBA offer espn.com to merge into a proposed NBA Europe, opting instead to pursue its own expansion plans. New lottery rules aimed at curbing tanking could shift team behavior espn.com this season, with five key changes to monitor.
Team & Player Notes
Tyrese Haliburton is giving back to his alma mater, buying tickets espn.com for Iowa State students to attend the Pacers' preseason game there. Jalen Duren expressed relief at returning to Detroit espn.com, calling the Pistons "home" after a tense negotiation.
Season Outlook
ESPN's Basketball Power Index has projected all 30 teams espn.com for the 2026-27 season, with Finals favorites stacking at the top of the rankings. For fantasy managers, Eric Karabell's do-not-draft list espn.com highlights players like Kawhi Leonard and Lonzo Ball to avoid at their current ADP. If you missed the offseason, Jim McCormick breaks down all the key moves espn.com and draft tips ahead of the campaign.