{"id":217842,"date":"2025-10-16T13:47:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T13:47:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/217842\/"},"modified":"2025-10-16T13:47:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T13:47:08","slug":"starting-5-oct-16-showtime-across-the-association","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/217842\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5, Oct. 16: Showtime Across The Association"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

On the night the reimagined NBA TV launched, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller reimagined the art of the bucket<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"LaMelo<\/p>\n

Oct. 16, 2025<\/p>\n

The Association: Inside the primetime basketball-cast and the new-look NBA TV<\/p>\n

Revamped Rematch: What GMs think about Houston & Atlanta ahead of 2025-26<\/p>\n

Paolo vs. Zion: Two top picks, two former Blue Devils and two teams ready to respond<\/p>\n

About Last Night: New Dallas duo shines in desert, Tillman calls game at TD Garden<\/p>\n

Roundup: The veteran Clips can\u2019t miss and welcome to the Charlotte Show<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

One sleep \u2018til preseason finale, five \u2018til Opening Night\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Today's<\/p>\n

Five games get underway tonight, highlighted by Kevin Durant\u2019s Rockets visiting Trae Young and the Hawks in both teams\u2019 preseason finale (7:30 ET, ESPN2<\/a>).<\/p>\n

30 Rocks at 30 Rock<\/a> begins today at Rockefeller Center \u2013 a weeklong NBC Sports event featuring 30 team-inspired basketballs, a custom LED court, fan events and appearances by NBA legends.<\/p>\n

1. NEW-LOOK NBA TV & THE ASSOCIATION DEBUT WITH A BANG<\/p>\n

\"Reimagined<\/p>\n

The new era of hoops coverage is live.<\/p>\n

The reimagined NBA TV and NBA App<\/a> premiered yesterday, marking the start of a new 24\/7 home for live games, exclusive content and \u2013 if last night\u2019s any indication \u2013 last-second winners<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Leading the way? The Association, a new weeknight primetime \u201cbasketball-cast\u201d featuring MJ Acosta-Ruiz, David Fizdale, Rudy Gay, Chris Haynes and John Wall \u2013 blending real-time analysis, player perspective and authentic hoops conversation.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Debut: The Association\u2019s studio lights flicked on for the first time in LA, where Acosta-Ruiz, Gay and Wall tipped off a new kind of hoops coverage: \u201cIt\u2019s going down<\/a>.\u201d
\nTitle Talk: The crew wasted no time diving in, debating who could challenge OKC\u2019s throne \u2013 and one team stood out<\/a>
\nInsider Intel: Meanwhile, Haynes weighed in on Russell Westbrook reportedly joining the Kings<\/a>, and what it could mean for Sacramento<\/a>
\nPerfect Touch: The action culminated on NBA TV with a wild finish at TD Garden (but more on that in Section 4)
\nJust The Start: The Association will air weeknights in primetime on NBA TV and the NBA App throughout the season<\/p>\n

\"Loud<\/p>\n

Loud City: The OKC Thunder\u2019s Championship Season<\/a> also premiered Wednesday, offering a cinematic look at the rise of a young powerhouse.<\/p>\n

Narrated by Jalen Williams, the NBA original series takes fans behind the scenes of OKC\u2019s 68-win journey to the title \u2013 from the team\u2019s 2024 Playoff exit at the hands of the Mavericks to training camp, all the way through a Game 7 Finals triumph.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Dallas series \u2026 coming out of that, so many guys had a blueprint of where they needed to grow,\u201d said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, looking back at the team\u2019s climb.
\n\u201cWhen they came back in the gym, they were new players .. they were different mentally \u2026 and they had a vision for how they wanted the season to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

See hoops from a whole new perspective \u2013 catch The Associationweeknights on NBA TV and the NBA App, and stream Loud City<\/a> now on the NBA App, NBA.com<\/a> or YouTube.<\/p>\n

2. TONIGHT ON ESPN2: REVAMPED ROSTERS CLASH
\n\"Kevin<\/p>\n

Mercedes Oliver\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

There were two teams the league\u2019s general managers lauded most for the best offseason moves.<\/p>\n

Atlanta and Houston.<\/p>\n

Per the 2025-26 NBA GM Survey<\/a>, 53% of voters thought the Hawks had won the race. Another 27% pointed to the Rockets.<\/p>\n

Both revamped rosters clash tonight (7:30 ET, ESPN2) for the second time in 11 days, running it back after Houston took the opener.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the preseason finale for each of these squads, offering one last chance to experiment and evaluate how their newly-acquired pieces fit in before the game gets serious starting next Tuesday.<\/p>\n

\"Trae<\/p>\n

Mark Blinch\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Flying High: With four additions \u2013 including Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is \u2013 against seven departures, the Hawks tied for 2nd in most improved voting
\nUnder The Radar: Asa Newell has also entered the fold as the team\u2019s lone 2025 draft selection, and as the 23rd pick, 7% of league decision-makers see him as the biggest steal
\nAfterburner: Houston was picked to finish 3rd in the West and received 23% of 2nd-place votes following last campaign\u2019s 52-30 regular season and first-round exit
\nTall Task: That last group was one of the league\u2019s premier defensive units, ranking 5th in DefRtg. For this season, they earned the 4th-most votes as best defensive team<\/p>\n

\"Nickeil<\/p>\n

Action has been limited for some of the biggest stars, but there\u2019s much more to come when the regular season gets rolling. New pieces of these two puzzles are falling into place.<\/p>\n

Weaving Nests: Newell scored 19 points as a starter in Atlanta\u2019s contest Monday, while Alexander-Walker and Porzi\u0146\u0123is dropped 13 apiece on Oct. 6 and 11, respectively
\nNew Face, Same Game: Kevin Durant \u2013 the offseason acquisition voted to have the biggest impact \u2013 has looked the part thus far, averaging 17.5 points on 56.5 FG% across two appearances
\nAmen To That: At his side has been Amen Thompson, seen as the most athletic and best breakout candidate by GMs, who is averaging 17.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.0 apg and 1.3 spg
\nRunning Hot: Thompson, who was an All-Defensive First Team selection last year, racked up 21 points and five rebounds last time out on Thursday<\/p>\n

3. LP SPOTLIGHT: PAOLO\u2019S MAGIC vs. ZION\u2019S PELICANS
\n\"Paolo<\/p>\n

David L. Nemec + Layne Murdoch Jr.\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Tonight (7 ET, LP), two former No. 1 picks and fellow Duke Blue Devils, Zion Williamson and Paolo Banchero, lead their teams into one final preseason clash in Orlando.<\/p>\n

The two stars are primed to put injuries behind them, looking to push their teams back up the standings.<\/p>\n

After trending upward in win totals for 4+ straight seasons, both the Magic and Pelicans saw their streaks end in 2024-25, with injuries hindering progress.<\/p>\n

Orlando used the Play-In Tournament to get back into the Playoffs for the second year in a row, but again exited in the First Round. A mix of regained health and key acquisitions looks to reignite expectations for these squads and their stars.<\/p>\n

Feel-Good Story: \u201cIt feels good to feel good,\u201d Williamson said of his offseason training. \u201cI really felt a shift in my body. Whatever my team needs, that\u2019s what I\u2019ll do.\u201d
\nExpectations Welcome: Banchero is \u201c[very] relieved to have some real expectations for our team and for myself,\u201d following Orlando\u2019s aggressive offseason. \u201cAs a competitor, as a winner, as a player, you want to be expected to be great.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Jordan<\/p>\n

Adam Hagy + Edgardo Medina\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Bring Your Rings: The Pelicans front office worked to surround Zion & company with championship experience, bringing in former Warriors champs Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney and installing Pistons champion Joe Dumars as Head of Basketball Ops
\n\u201cI know he\u2019s going to hold me to a really high standard,\u201d said Williamson of Dumars
\nBane & Gain: Orlando went all-in to trade for the scoring support of Desmond Bane, and their offense already seems to be feeling the benefits, ranking second overall this preseason with 124.7 ppg<\/p>\n

Despite the buzz of the exciting offseason deals and the leadership of their top-pick stars, it\u2019s a pair of 2025 first-round draft picks that are pacing these two teams this preseason.<\/p>\n

JaseTime: Jase Richardson (25th overall) leads all preseason players with 70% shooting from 3 (min 10 3PA). \u201cJust coming out, trying to be as aggressive as I can,\u201d said Richardson, who also leads Orlando in minutes per game (21.0)
\nOctober Fears: Helping New Orleans fill the loss of Dejounte Murray to injury, rookie Jeremiah Fears (7th overall) ranks second on the team in preseason points (13.0) and flashed his playmaking on Tuesday versus Houston (20 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast)<\/p>\n

4. WEDNESDAY HIGHLIGHTS: AD & COOPER COOK, TILLMAN JUST IN TIME<\/p>\n

\"Cooper<\/p>\n

Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg are clicking \u2013 from Dallas to the desert.<\/p>\n

Mavericks 121, Lakers 94: On a crisp backdoor<\/a>, Davis found Flagg for an early slam, setting the tone for another strong showing as the veteran big (18 pts, 9 reb) and rookie wing (13 pts, 3 ast) helped the Mavs rally past the Lakers in Las Vegas. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Rookie Boogie: After taking flight, Flagg showed off his iso game, spinning to the cup for this and-1 finish<\/a> in the 1st quarter
\nGabe Goes Off: Meanwhile, Gabe Vincent was cooking for Los Angeles, burying six 3s and 22 points in the 1st half
\nDesert Storm: But it was the Mavs who erupted in the 4th, outscoring the Lakers 37-8 in the final frame to complete a 17-point comeback
\nAll Love: Luka Don\u010di\u0107 got the night off for Los Angeles but shared a postgame moment with AD<\/a>, who then gave a fan a moment to remember<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Xavier<\/p>\n

Another night, another game-winner.<\/p>\n

Celtics 110, Raptors 108: Derrick White caught fire, splashing six 3s en route to 33 points, before Xavier Tillman called game, sinking a go-ahead floater with 0.8 seconds left<\/a> to give the C\u2019s a thrilling dub in their preseason finale. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

4th-Quarter Fireworks: Jamison Battle splashed a deep 3 with 7.8 ticks left<\/a> to tie it for Toronto, capping a 14-2 run. But it was too much time for Tillman \u2013 who buried the third game-winner in as many days
\nSteady Hand: Tillman, a five-year vet who won the 2024 Finals with Boston as a reserve, finished with 7 points, 7 boards and his coach\u2019s full confidence
\n\u201cHe\u2019s the ultimate professional,\u201d said Joe Mazzulla postgame. \u201cI don\u2019t care that it\u2019s preseason \u2026 we won, and he was a big part of that \u2026 we\u2019re going to need him as we start the season.\u201d<\/p>\n

5. ROUNDUP: THE CHARLOTTE SHOW, NEW CLIPS SHINE<\/p>\n

\"LaMelo<\/p>\n

Just because it\u2019s worth another look\u2026 \u2b06\ufe0f<\/p>\n

Hornets 145, Grizzlies 116: LaMelo Ball was dishing (23 pts, 8 ast, 1 nutmeg), Brandon Miller was dunking (21 pts, 6 ast, 1 epic finish) and Miles Bridges was doing it all (29 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast) as the trio combined for 73<\/a> of the Hornets\u2019 145(!) points to outpace the Grizz. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Miles High: Bridges splashed five 3s \u2013 including one off a behind-the-back feed from Ball<\/a> \u2013 then joined the dunk party as LaMelo found him for a highlight lob<\/a> of their own
\nAt The Buzzzzer: Summer pickup Collin Sexton (13 pts, 6 ast) helped beat the horn twice<\/a> \u2013 first thanks to a slick dime in the 1st quarter, then a crafty banked finish to close the 3rd
\nGrizz Attack: Rookie Javon Small (18 pts, 8 ast) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (17 pts) led the way for Memphis, which had seven players finish in double figures<\/p>\n

\"James<\/p>\n

Clippers 109, Kings 91: LA\u2019s new frontcourt acquisitions John Collins (24) and Brook Lopez (16) combined for 40 points, while Chris Paul added 8 along with 10 dimes and one 1st-quarter buzzer-beater<\/a>, as the Clips never looked back to top the Kings. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

The Klaw & The Cannon: Kawhi Leonard chipped in 15 points, while James Harden turned quarterback, flicking a \u00be-court alley-oop dot that hit Derrick Jones Jr. in stride
\nSac Spotlight: Last year\u2019s leader in double-doubles, Domantas Sabonis, did it again (15 pts, 14 reb), while No. 24 pick Nique Clifford got buckets (team-high 19 pts) and the love of a Big Red Dog fan section<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"On the night the reimagined NBA TV launched, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller reimagined the art of the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":217843,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[557],"tags":[4891,64,63,590,124174,133078,85,133079],"class_list":["post-217842","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nba","tag-4891","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-nba","tag-nba-starting-5-newsletter","tag-october-16","tag-sports","tag-the-association-debuts-on-nba-tv"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/217842","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=217842"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/217842\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/217843"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=217842"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=217842"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=217842"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}