NBA Basketball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 6, 2026, 2:07 PM ET
NBA Basketball
Sixers Training Camp
LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey sat out espn.com the 76ers' preseason opener against the Knicks, but James has already made a significant imprint behind the scenes. Reports from his first Sixers training camp detail private team dinners espn.com, group chats, and discussions about "the vision" for the season. Meanwhile, 76ers center Hukporti exited early espn.com with a right leg injury just five minutes into that same preseason opener.
Knicks & Towns Contract Saga
Karl-Anthony Towns says the chances "don't look good" for a new extension before the regular season, with the Knicks and Towns far apart espn.com in negotiations. Towns himself confirmed the uncertain timeline espn.com, casting doubt on a deal being reached soon.
Injury Report
The Hornets will be without guard Coby White for the rest of the preseason after he suffered a left calf strain espn.com during training camp. Spurs free-agent addition Tobias Harris is also sidelined with a calf strain espn.com and will miss the preseason. Clippers wing Max Strus suffered a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot and will be reevaluated in four weeks.
Pistons & Duren
Jalen Duren expressed relief at returning to the Pistons, calling Detroit "home" espn.com despite a prolonged and occasionally contentious negotiation process.
NBA Rule & Tech Changes
The NBA is experimenting with new lottery rules aimed at curbing tanking, which could significantly impact espn.com this season's competitive landscape. Additionally, the league is testing smart basketballs and wrist wearables espn.com for referees during the preseason.
Fantasy Basketball
ESPN's Eric Karabell released his "Do not draft" list, advising managers to fade espn.com players like Kawhi Leonard and LaMelo Ball at their current average draft positions.