New country. Same T-Jass pulling off trick shots.
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
Oct. 10, 2025
NBA China Games: Suns & Nets square off NOW for the first of two games in Macao
Top 5 Spotlight: A trio of top five picks lead a four-game Friday night
GM Survey: Check out the top players at each position, coaches & offseason moves
West Roundup: Wallace’s circus shot, CP3’s return highlight wins by OKC & LA
East Roundup: Knicks beat Wolves (and jetlag), Bulls top Cavs & Bucks best Pistons
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Will a champion be crowned tonight?…
NBA TV Friday: Start your day with Suns-Nets from China (8 a.m. ET) followed by a four-game night led by Magic-Sixers (7 p.m. ET).
WNBA Finals, Game 4: After A’ja Wilson’s game-winner entered Finals lore in Wednesday’s Game 3, the Aces have a chance to claim their third title in four years with a win tonight in Phoenix (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).
LeBron To Miss Start Of Season: Lakers star LeBron James, who is entering his record-setting 23rd NBA season, is expected to be sidelined for at least three to four weeks due to sciatica on his right side.
The countdown to Amex Tip Off continues as Opening Night of the 2025-26 NBA season is now just 11 days away.
1. LIVE ON NBA TV: NBA CHINA GAMES TIP OFF IN MACAO
The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns are squaring off in Macao in the NBA China Games.
And tipoff is right now.
Really?! Today’s Starting 5 is hitting your inbox at the same time as tipoff between the two teams at The Venetian Arena in Macao to open the 2025 NBA China Games.
So, take a minute and turn on NBA TV or League Pass on the NBA App and come back to keep reading.
Welcome back! Now let’s dive into today’s matchup.
David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images
A New Dawn: As the Suns play their first-ever game in China, they’ll look to create chemistry with a new roster built around All-Star Devin Booker.
With additions like Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Mark Williams and rookie Khaman Maluach, new head coach Jordon Ott will use the preseason to install his sets, find his best lineups and establish a new culture.
- Grayson Allen On Brooks: “He’s a great teammate to have, a good guy to have in the locker room. So I’m glad he’s on our side this year instead of having to go up against him.”
Foundation Building: The Nets began the offseason by adding five first round picks in the draft. To balance the roster with some vets, they added 2023 champ Michael Porter Jr., Terance Mann & Haywood Highsmith in multiple trades and re-signed last year’s leading scorer Cam Thomas.
- Rookie Danny Wolf On This Season: “I know we’re the youngest team in the NBA, so [the goal is] just continue to learn and get better and grow together and that’s all we can ask for.”
Ryan Stetz/NBAE via Getty Images
Experiences like these – flying to the other side of the globe, exploring a new country together, running basketball clinics together – can help teammates bond and build chemistry that can translate to what happens on the hardwood. It can also introduce players to a new group of fans.
- MPJ On Global Fan Support: “Being so far from home, halfway around the world and people still know who you are and want to come see you play. So I think coming out here and being able to play in front of them is definitely a blessing for us and for them.”
Those shared experiences aren’t limited to the NBA players. When creator Tristan Jass isn’t sinking trick shots, he plays pro ball in Canada – including a recent run with Tyrese Samuel, who is trying to make the Suns roster. Now, they’re taking in a new country together.
- T-Jass On The Experience: “We’re both chasing our dreams in our own way. Growing up at camps and stuff you hear all the older guys saying basketball can take you around the world, and take you places you never imagined. And it’s true.”
The 2025 NBA China Games conclude on Sunday with the second game between the Suns and Nets at 7 a.m. ET on NBA TV.
Before that game tips off, see how well you can do – and if you’re better than the Suns and Nets players – at naming the players that played in the last NBA game in Macao prior to today – a 2007 matchup between the Cavs and Magic.
2. TOP FIVE PICKS TAKE CENTER STAGE
Alex Slitz/NBAE via Getty Images
Three hoopers inspired Ace Bailey most of all. He watched them closely at a young age, and constructed his game accordingly.
Kevin Durant, Paul George and Jayson Tatum.
He got his first up-close look at Durant on Wednesday. Tonight, he could come face-to-face with another generational talent.
Utah pays a visit to San Antonio (8 ET, League Pass) for the second contest of its preseason slate following a loss to Houston in its opener. Bailey, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, could go against a one-of-a-kind talent in Victor Wembanyama.
- Aces High: The 19-year-old posted a game-high 25 points on an efficient 11-for-16 shooting to go with six rebounds, making the starting five in his preseason debut
- Up Close: Opposing him was Durant, dropping a casual 20 points in 23 minutes, and giving his two cents on the shining future ahead for Bailey
- “I’m expecting a big year from him and a big career from him,” Durant said. “[Wednesday night] he showed what he can do.”
When he’s not trying to break Wemby’s rim protection, Bailey could find himself playing against someone he teamed up with not so long ago.
- Familiar Foe: Dylan Harper, the No. 2 overall draft selection, could hit the hardwood opposite his fellow former five-star recruit and Rutgers teammate, though he’s day-to-day with a thumb injury
Francois Nel/NBAE via Getty Images
The lottery-pick prowess on display tonight doesn’t end there. Over in the East, the 76ers welcome the Magic (7 ET, NBA TV), giving VJ Edgecombe another chance to shine in the spotlight.
- Edge Of Your Seat: The No. 3 pick is back stateside, having returned from the 2025 NBA Abu Dhabi Games with totals of 24 points, eight boards and eight dishes
- Theatrics Included: Edgecombe rose up for a thunderous one-handed jam in Philadelphia’s second contest overseas. Can he show off tonight?
After young talents call “action,” basketball keeps rolling with the preseason in full swing.
- Mean Green: The Celtics visit the Raptors (7 ET, League Pass) after an 18-point victory over the Grizzlies, with Jaylen Brown and Derrick White combining for 37 points
- Winning Time: The Kings battle the Trail Blazers (10 ET, League Pass) with both in search of their first wins
3. IF 30 NBA GM’S WERE BUILDING A TEAM…
On Wednesday, NBA.com dropped its annual survey of the top decision makers in the game answering 49 questions about the upcoming season.
In addition to predictions for league champion (OKC got 80% of the vote to repeat) and awards like Kia MVP (Nikola Jokić got 67% of the vote to win his fourth honor), the league’s General Managers also selected their best players at each position.
Here’s a look at the ‘All-GM Survey Teams’:
- First Team: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG, 73%*), Anthony Edwards (SG, 70%), Luka Dončić (SF, 40%), Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF, 93%), Nikola Jokić (C, 97%)
- Second Team: Luka Dončić (PG, 17%), Donovan Mitchell (SG, 13%), Jayson Tatum (SF, 20%), Evan Mobley (PF, 7%), Victor Wembanyama (C, 3%)
- * Percentage of vote received as top player at that position
Francois Nel/NBAE via Getty Images
When it comes to which coach the GMs would like to have on the sidelines, the vote has been consistent in recent years.
For the sixth straight season, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra was voted as the best coach in the league. In the 24-year history of the GM Survey, only Gregg Popovich (10x) has ever held that title more often than Spoelstra.
- More Coaching Accolades: Spoelstra edge out Houston’s Ime Udoka as the best manager/motivator of people, while the GMs tabbed Tyronn Lue as the coach with the best in-game adjustments
- Familiar Pairing: Coming off a seven-game classic in the Finals, Indy’s Rick Carlisle was tabbed the coach running the best offense, while OKC’s Mark Daigneault has the best defensive schemes
Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images
The survey questions regarding offseason moves forced the GMs to evaluate their peers, looking for which teams did the most with their summer to improve their teams.
Taking Flight: When it came to which team made the best overall moves in the offseason, two teams known for rising through the skies accounted for 80 percent of the vote – the Hawks (53%) and Rockets (27%).
- New Cast: The Hawks made multiple deals to acquire Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard and join Trae Young, Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels in Atlanta
- Bold Moves: The Rockets added Kevin Durant in a seven-team blockbuster trade, along with Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith, while reaching multi-year extensions with Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet (who will miss the season due to injury)
- Impact Players: Durant to Houston was named the single player acquisition that will make the biggest impact, while Desmond Bane to Orlando was the most underrated player addition. Bane and the Magic were predicted to be the most improved team this season
4. THUNDER, CLIPPERS GET DUBS IN THE WEST
Can a preseason bucket earn the title of Shot of the Year?
Cason Wallace made his case with one of the most ridiculous shotswe’ve seen – collecting a missed 3 and launching a high-arching shot over the backboard to beat the shot clock. | More Over The Backboard Shots
Thunder 122, Hornets 116: Isaiah Joe (19 pts, 5 3pm) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (16 pts, 5 ast in his preseason debut) combined for 35 points while Cason Wallace (6 pts, 10 reb, 8 ast, 3 stl) flirted with a triple-double to lead OKC to its second preseason win over Charlotte. | Recap
- Hornets Trio: Tre Mann scored 18 points to lead Charlotte, while LaMelo Ball (15 pts, 4 3pm, 4 ast) and Brandon Miller (14 pts, 3 ast, 2 3pm) combined to add 29 in the loss
Tom O’Connor/NBAE via Getty Images
Clippers 142, Loong-Lions 95: In his first game in a Clippers uniform since 2017, Chris Paul (15 pts, 6 reb, 4, ast, 4 3pm) put on a show, while Kawhi Leonard scored a team-high 18 points with five 3s to lead the Clippers past the Guangzhou Loong-Lions. | Recap
- Frontcourt 15s: Ivica Zubac (15 pts, 5 reb) and John Collins (15 pts, 4 reb in his Clippers debut) combined for 30 in the win
- Lions Leader: Former NBA All-Star Victor Oladipo scored a game-high 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting with five assists in the loss
5. KNICKS, BULLS & BUCKS EARN WINS IN THE EAST
Back in NYC after opening the preseason with a pair of wins in Abu Dhabi, the Knicks were taking on the Wolves and the effects of jet lag after a 13-hour flight that covered 7,000 miles and crossed eight time zones.
Knicks 100, Timberwolves 95 (OT): Mikal Bridges (15 pts, 3 3pm), Jalen Brunson (11 pts, 3 ast) and Karl-Anthony Towns (10 pts, 11 reb) led the way as New York outlasted Minnesota in overtime despite a game-high 17 points from Anthony Edwards. | Recap
- Closing Time: The Knicks outscored the Wolves 16-7 over the final 2:37 of the 4th quarter and OT to secure the win, needing an extra five minutes after Minnesota’s Johnny Juzang’s runner forced OT
Jeff Haynes & Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images
Bulls 119, Cavs 112: Ayo Dosunmu scored 16 points to lead six Bulls in double figures as Chicago beat Cleveland for the second time in three days despite a combined 63 points from Donovan Mitchell (22 pts, 4 ast), Evan Mobley (21 pts, 2 blk) and De’Andre Hunter (20 pts, 4 3pm). | Recap
- Double Buzzer-Beaters: After Chicago’s Josh Giddey (14 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast) hit a quick release catch-and-shoot 3 to beat the 1st quarter buzzer, teammate Zach Collins gave the Bulls the lead by knocking down a corner 3 to end the half
- Final Push: After Cleveland used a 14-6 run to tie the game with under two minutes left, Chicago closed the game on a 9-2 run led by Lachlan Olbrich, who dropped six points on 3-of-3 shooting
Bucks 117, Pistons 111: AJ Green splashed five 3s and scored 22 points, while Bobby Portis and Kevin Porter Jr. added 21 to lead the Bucks past the Pistons despite a huge 1st half from Cade Cunningham (26 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast, 2 stl), who did not play in the 2nd half. | Recap
- (Almost) Everybody Eats: Of the 19 Bucks that played on Thursday, 17 scored, including four points from Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who had younger brother Giannis on his feet
