NBA Basketball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 12, 2026, 3:40 PM ET
Contract Extensions & Front Office
Brandin Podziemski has agreed to a five-year, $110 million extension with the Warriors, locking in one of the young cores of the Golden State roster. In New York, the Knicks have tabled extension talks with Karl-Anthony Towns, a move Towns publicly called "news to me" and described as disappointing.
Preseason Returns & Injury Updates
Kyrie Irving made his long-awaited return for the Mavericks in their China preseason game, scoring 17 points in his first appearance in 586 days. In Los Angeles, Walker Kessler is nearing his preseason debut for the Lakers after completing a full practice following a finger injury. Kings center Maxime Raynaud avoided a serious injury and will be reevaluated in two weeks.
Cooper Flagg & Rookie Watch
Cooper Flagg's rise looks increasingly inevitable, with the NBA China Games showcasing his evolving game and emerging leadership. The broader league spotlight also turned to memorabilia, as a game-worn, autographed Michael Jordan road jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals sold for a record $14 million.