{"id":917289,"date":"2026-10-05T19:02:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T19:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/917289\/"},"modified":"2026-10-05T19:02:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T19:02:25","slug":"starting-5-major-preseason-debuts-on-the-horizon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/917289\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: Major preseason debuts on the horizon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Preseason hoops is underway, and the Joker is already in midseason form.<\/p>\n

See what else stood out from this weekend\u2019s opening three games, plus potential first looks at LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and LaMelo Ball with their new teams tonight.<\/p>\n

\"Nikola<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

Sunday Spotlight: Wagler wins it in Honolulu, Jazz earn complete dub in Colorado<\/p>\n

Saturday Rewind: Giannis starts strong in Canada as Heat win preseason opener<\/p>\n

Tonight On NBA TV: Sixers host Knicks, retooled Lakers open preseason in Sacramento<\/p>\n

On League Pass: Ant & LaMelo could get their first run together, plus more possible debuts<\/p>\n

Fantasy Finds: Six potential steals in your fantasy draft, according to RotoWire<\/p>\n

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

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

The preseason continues with five games tonight, including potential Sixers debuts for James and Brown as Philly hosts New York (7 ET, NBA TV<\/a>), followed by the Lakers visiting the Kings (10 ET, NBA TV<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Three more games tip off on League Pass, including a potential first look at Ball with the Wolves as Minnesota visits Milwaukee (8 ET<\/a>).<\/p>\n

W Playoffs: The Valkyries beat the Aces, 71-60, and the Dream topped the Liberty, 92-82, on Sunday to take 1-0 leads in the WNBA Semifinals. Game 2 of each series is set for Wednesday.<\/p>\n

1. SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT: WAGLER HITS GAME WINNER, JAZZ ROCK IN BOULDER<\/p>\n

\"Keaton<\/p>\n

The opening weekend of preseason ball ended with a splash in Honolulu<\/a>, as a young rookie pulled up like a seasoned vet.<\/p>\n

Clippers 104, Warriors 101: This year\u2019s No. 5 pick, Keaton Wagler, scored nine of his 15 points in the 4th quarter, capped by a go-ahead stepback jumper with 12.8 ticks left to lift the Clippers past the Warriors at the Stan Sheriff Center. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Welcome Party: Rui Hachimura, another offseason addition for the Clips, added 21 points in the 1st half,<\/a> going 8-of-11 from the field and 4-of-5 from deep
\nRookie Spark: Then Wagler, who led Illinois in scoring last season as a freshman (17.9 ppg), helped fuel a 22-13 closing run as LA rallied from six points down
\nBackcourt Buckets: Darius Garland matched Wagler with 15 points, going 3-for-3 from deep while adding a game-high six assists
\nDub Standouts: Charles Bassey (12 pts, 8 reb) led Golden State, while Steph Curry added 10 points, two assists and a pair of 3s<\/p>\n

\"Lauri<\/p>\n

Garrett Ellwood + Bart Young\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

It only took Nikola Joki\u0107 five minutes on Sunday to deliver perhaps the dime of the preseason<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But it was the Jazz who rolled to a win in Boulder, Colorado.<\/p>\n

Jazz 109, Nuggets 97: Lauri Markkanen (17 pts, 3 3s) and Keyonte George (15 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast) combined for 32 points as Utah took an early lead that it never relinquished, securing a win at the University of Colorado\u2019s CU Events Center. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Full Groove: Jaren Jackson Jr. (11 pts, 4 reb) and Ace Bailey (10 pts, 5 reb) joined Markkanen and George in double figures, while Blake Hinson added 14 points, including eight in the 4th to slam the door
\nPeterson\u2019s Debut: Utah\u2019s No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson notched his first bucket with a smooth pump-and-pop baseline floater<\/a>. He finished with three points and six boards
\nNuggets Leaders: Julian Strawther led Denver with 14 points, while Joki\u0107 (3 pts) dropped a game-high seven assists<\/a>, including five in the 1st quarter
\nWatch It Again: That included his absurd behind-the-back dish<\/a> and a full-court dime<\/a> to Christian Braun<\/p>\n

2. SATURDAY REWIND: GIANNIS STARTS STRONG, HEAT ROLL IN CANADA<\/p>\n

\"Keaton<\/p>\n

New team. New season. Same Greek Freak.<\/p>\n

Heat 129, Raptors 105: In Saturday\u2019s preseason opener, an NBA Canada Game in Qu\u00e9bec City, Giannis Antetokounmpo wasted no time making his mark<\/a> with Miami, posting nine points and a game-high seven dimes in 14 minutes as the Heat outpaced the Raptors. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Signature Start: Antetokounmpo\u2019s first preseason points in a Heat uniform came in familiar fashion, powering down the lane for an and-1 finish<\/a>
\nFlawless Night: He later muscled his way to the hoop for another and-1<\/a>, before finishing a perfect 3-for-3 from the field
\nAlso Perfect? Tim Hardaway Jr., a fellow offseason addition for Miami, finished with a team-high 14 points<\/a> on 4-of-4 shooting with three triples
\nComplete Win: By night\u2019s end, seven Heat notched double figures, including Bam Adebayo (10 pts, 6 reb), Andrew Wiggins (12 pts, 4 3s) and Nikola Jovi\u0107 (11 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast)
\nRaptors Shine: RJ Barrett and Tyreke Key scored 15 apiece, while Scottie Barnes (11 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl) showed off his two-way versatility for Toronto, which was without Kawhi Leonard<\/p>\n

2026 Canada Series Continues: The Raptors face the Clippers on Saturday in Vancouver in the second and final NBA Canada Game<\/a> of the preseason (6:30 ET, League Pass).<\/p>\n

3. TONIGHT ON NBA TV: SIXERS HOST KNICKS, LAKERS VISIT KINGS
\n\"LeBron<\/p>\n

Jesse D. Garrabrant + Steve Freeman\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Five basketball players walk into a room.<\/p>\n

One is the NBA\u2019s all-time leading scorer
\nAnother is the 2022-23 Kia NBA MVP
\nTwo more finished among last season\u2019s top-five scorers
\nThe fifth is coming off a Kia NBA All-Rookie First Team selection<\/p>\n

The punchline? They all play for the Philadelphia 76ers. | 76ers Season Preview<\/a><\/p>\n

Tonight (7 ET, NBA TV), those five players \u2013 James, Joel Embiid, Brown, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe \u2013 could all be in action as Philly opens its preseason against the defending champion Knicks.<\/p>\n

On Oct. 20, the two teams will meet in New York to open the regular season on NBC\/Peacock<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"LeBron<\/p>\n

Via Philadelphia 76ers Instagram<\/p>\n

One Question For Philly: With so much firepower, how will all the pieces fit together? On Saturday, fans got an early look as the Sixers held their Blue & White scrimmage<\/a> before a sold-out crowd at Xfinity Mobile Arena.<\/p>\n

Instant Elevation: The chemistry looked strong early, as Maxey found James for an alley-oop that brought the crowd to its feet<\/a>
\nJoining The Party: Then it was Edgecombe\u2019s turn, as the sophomore threw down a big-time hammer<\/a>, followed by a lefty jam from Embiid<\/a>
\nInside & Out: Brown added to the string of driving buckets before showing off his range<\/a>, while Maxey and James also buried triples<\/p>\n

That versatility, and a willingness to make room for others, is something James emphasized at Media Day<\/a>. On Saturday, Embiid echoed a similar message.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can do everything on the basketball court,\u201d Embiid said of his role after the scrimmage. \u201cSo nothing changes. It\u2019s just about making sure everybody succeeds \u2026 that\u2019s how we\u2019re going to win<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

That team-first approach is a major reason why the Knicks won last year\u2019s NBA title. Now, the group returns with its championship core intact and a new challenge: doing it again. | Knicks Season Preview<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a group, we figured out that we needed each other to win<\/a>,\u201d said Jalen Brunson at Media Day. \u201cAs long as you keep putting the work in every single day \u2026 at some point, it all falls in your favor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tonight, Philly gets a chance to build that chemistry against a Knicks team that already knows where it can lead.<\/p>\n

\"Luka<\/p>\n

Via Los Angeles Lakers + Brian Babineau\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

In the nightcap (10 ET, NBA TV), Luka Don\u010di\u0107 and the retooled Lakers visit Sacramento, opening a new chapter in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

With James now in Philly, Don\u010di\u0107 and Austin Reaves lead the way for the purple and gold, with a new supporting cast that has head coach JJ Redick excited. | Lakers Season Preview<\/a><\/p>\n

Big Additions: Walker Kessler brings rim protection and finishing to the frontcourt, while Sandro Mamukelashvili gives L.A. a stretch big following the departures of Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes
\n\u201cI think Walker is a perfect fit for Luka and AR,\u201d said Redick last week. \u201cI like everything we did this summer to build around [Luka], to build around AR and provide a ton of depth.\u201d
\nMore In The Mix: Los Angeles also brought in Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes and Jaden Hardy, adding perimeter scoring options after parting with Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart<\/p>\n

For Sacramento, the preseason offers a fresh start after an injury-riddled 2025-26, with this year\u2019s No. 7 pick Darius Acuff Jr., a dynamic guard out of Arkansas, adding another reason for optimism. | Kings Season Preview<\/a><\/p>\n

4. ON LEAGUE PASS: NEW PAIRINGS & FIRST LOOKS
\n\"Anthony<\/p>\n

David Sherman + Geoff Stellfox\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

What happens when two of the NBA\u2019s most creative guards share a backcourt?<\/p>\n

Tonight on League Pass (8 ET), Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball could offer a first glimpse as Minnesota visits Milwaukee.<\/p>\n

The Cornerstone: Edwards enters Year 7 coming off his fourth straight All-Star nod and a career-high 28.8 ppg, having helped guide Minnesota to its fifth straight Playoff appearance
\nThe Addition: But after a West Semifinals exit last spring, Minnesota traded for Ball, adding another career 20+ ppg scorer in hopes of pushing further | Wolves Team Preview<\/a>
\nThe Combination: Both 25, Edwards and Ball have combined for 976 made 3s over the past two seasons, the most of any two current teammates
\nThe Same Page: \u201cWe\u2019re already cool. Super close, like brothers,\u201d said Edwards of Ball in an interview with Wolves announcer Michael Grady. \u201cWe get on the court, ain\u2019t no egos involved. We just want to win<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tonight also marks the start of a new era in Milwaukee as the Bucks begin their first season without Giannis Antetokounmpo since 2012-13.<\/p>\n

New head coach Taylor Jenkins leads the reset, with Tyler Herro, Kel\u2019el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr. arriving in the Giannis trade and Lottery picks Brayden Burries (No. 10 overall) and Nate Ament (No. 13) adding young talent to build around. | Bucks Season Preview<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Grizzlies,<\/p>\n

Joe Murphy + Adam Hagy\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The first looks continue on League Pass. This year\u2019s No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer could see his first preseason action as the Grizzlies visit the Hawks (7 ET), whose offseason additions include No. 6 pick Kingston Flemings and defensive standout Lu Dort.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Detroit hosts a Phoenix squad bolstered by the acquisition of Miles Bridges (7 ET, League Pass).<\/p>\n

5. FANTASY FINDS: SIX POTENTIAL STEALS TO KNOW
\n\"Josh<\/p>\n

Nathaniel S. Butler\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The 2026-27 regular season is 15 days away, which means fantasy basketball draft season is in full swing.<\/p>\n

To help you prep, we\u2019ll spotlight articles from our Fantasy Basketball Hub<\/a> throughout the preseason, starting with six undervalued players to target, according to RotoWire\u2019s Mike Barner.<\/p>\n

Barner\u2019s first potential steal? Josh Hart. As he writes:<\/p>\n

\u201cAcross 52 starts, [Hart] averaged 12.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.6 3-pointers, while shooting 51.5% from the field \u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cOutside of [Andre] Drummond replacing [Mitchell] Robinson, the Knicks return mostly the same team that won the championship last year. Hart should start and play a lot, making him a potential value at his current ADP of 96.\u201d<\/p>\n

Note: All ADP data is from Yahoo, and value is based on nine-category leagues.<\/p>\n

See All Six Players: Get the full list and Barner\u2019s entire breakdown here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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