Starting 5: Kyrie eyes return in NBA China Games finale, inside a 7-game Saturday slate

A triple-double and a duel wowed the crowd in China…

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5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

Rematch In Macao: The Rockets and Mavericks will run it back in China Sunday

A Classic Rivalry: Jayson Tatum’s Celtics face Jaylen Brown’s 76ers on NBA TV

Stars Find New Footing: Anthony Edwards is embracing LaMelo Ball’s impact on the Wolves, while Giannis Antetokounmpo has found Heat culture to his liking

Ready to Eat: A look at 10 teams hungry to return to the postseason

Amex Season Previews : Let’s take a look at the competitive Southeast Division

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BUT FIRST … ⏰

Two young phenoms light up Friday night before a packed Saturday…

Grizzlies 104, Bulls 100: Caleb Wilson (21 pts, 5 3PM) went off, scoring 20 points in the second half, and had a look to win it in the waning seconds for Chicago. But Cameron Boozer (10 pts in 12:22) and Memphis won the day, as the No. 3 pick took the latest game in their rivalry. | Recap

Next up, a seven-game Saturday, featuring the first clash between the new-look 76ers and Celtics (8 ET, NBA TV), as well as a Western Conference contest between the Spurs and Suns (10:30 ET, ESPN2).

WNBA Finals Are Set: The Atlanta Dream, returning to the Finals for the first time since 2013, eliminated the New York Liberty, while the Golden State Valkyries knocked off the Las Vegas Aces for their first Finals trip in just their second season.

Game 1 will be Saturday, Oct. 17, at 3:30p ET on NBC/Peacock from San Francisco.

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1. KYRIE EXPECTED TO PLAY IN SUNDAY’S CHINA GAMES CONCLUSION

The Rockets won the first game held by the NBA in China in 2004, as Yao Ming returned to his native country, bringing basketball to new shores.

22 years later, in front of Yao and an excited crowd, Alperen Sengun (16 pts, 10 reb, 10 ast) and the Rockets took the first of a two-game set in Macao Friday, earning a 135-117 win over Cooper Flagg (19 pts) and the Mavericks. | Recap

• Legends in the Spot: Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Ray Allen, Mitch Richmond and Yao were among the NBA luminaries in attendance Friday
• Jackie Chan and David Beckham were courtside for the festivities as well

Saturday is Fan Day in Macao, featuring player appearances and musical performances at the Venetian Arena, building buzz for the rematch.

Then, Kyrie Irving, who last played in March 2025 and has been out of action due to injury, is expected to make his preseason debut in Sunday’s contest (6 a.m. ET, NBA TV), while Kevin Durant is expected to rest.

• Born Scorers: Durant is eager to see Kyrie return to action, as is Cooper Flagg, who also reflected on what he takes away from facing Durant.
• “KD, I feel like I’ve learned a lot from him,” Flagg said of his fellow big wing. “Just getting to your spots.”

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2. TONIGHT’S NATIONAL TV SLATE: 76ERS-CELTICS ON NBA TV, SPURS-SUNS ON ESPN2

Two of the East’s premier contenders will get an early feel for each other Saturday night as the 76ers head to Boston to take on the Celtics (8 ET, NBA TV).

• It’s a glimpse of a classic rivalry renewed, fresh off the blockbuster trade that sent Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia and Paul George to Boston
• “Just that archetype of two-way player, 6-foot-9, scores on all three levels,” Jayson Tatum said of learning from George at Media Day. “The way that I play, and his ability, a lot of things translate for me.”

For his part, Tatum reflected on his challenge in leading the new-look Celtics.

“Leadership is about a lot of different things. Awareness is the biggest one. Self-awareness, awareness of the group,” said Tatum. “And just understanding we all have roles and we’re just kind of simply in this together.” | Read More

• For Philly, LeBron James (10 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast) did a bit of everything against Brooklyn Thursday, as he, Brown and the refreshed 76ers look to keep building chemistry.

Victor Wembanyama is refueled and refocused as the Spurs journey towards the new season, including taking on the Suns tonight (10:30 ET, ESPN2), as both teams seek their first win of the preseason.

His mind has not completely left the Spurs’ loss to the Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals, as detailed by the AP’s Raul Dominguez, but the climb up the mountain begins again Oct. 20.

“[We] don’t want to hide from anything. So, we’re going to face these emotions, face the reality that we have a hundred games to play, 100 plus (including the postseason), and this is the reality of it,” said Wembanyama. “We’re in a great spot. We’re very hopeful, very ambitious, and we’re ready.” | Read More

• In Phoenix, Dillon Brooks has paced the Suns with 17.5 ppg in their two preseason games, as Phoenix looks to build on a veteran core to reach the Postseason again

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3. NEW-LOOK CONTENDERS SQUARE OFF ON LEAGUE PASS

Two revamped teams also play tonight, as the Timberwolves challenge the Heat (8 ET, League Pass).

LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards have put on a show so far in the preseason, as Edwards embraces the new foundation in Minnesota.

The AP’s Dave Campbell has more on the Timberwolves’ fresh chemistry.

“Edwards has been determined ever since to lead the push to get back on track, and Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly took the first step during the summer by acquiring LaMelo Ball so coach Chris Finch could slide Edwards back to his natural shooting guard spot.” | Read More

• “He plays like his hair is on fire. He gets everybody involved,” Edwards said of his new point guard after Monday’s 116-97 win over the Bucks.

In South Beach, another superstar is finding his new surroundings to his liking.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is happily adjusting to the famously-tough Heat culture, according to The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.

“Togetherness. How serious they are. Communication,” Antetokounmpo said of the Miami approach in an exclusive interview with The Athletic. “Yesterday, we had a meeting. It was probably one of the most exciting, entertaining meetings. There were two Navy SEALs, and they were telling their story, and we were doing push-ups.

“I’m not even gonna lie. It gives me goosebumps. It’s almost like being alive again.” | Read More

Also on League Pass: Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors face the LA Clippers as the NBA Canada Games concludes in Vancouver (6:30 ET).

• Pistons at Wizards (7 ET)
• Hawks at Pacers (7 ET)
• Kings at Warriors (8:30 ET)

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4. 10 TEAMS HUNGRY TO GET BACK TO THE POSTSEASON

The NBA’s more competitive than ever, with a host of teams working to improve and reach the Playoffs.

NBA.com’s Ian Dardani took a look at the 10 teams seeking to make the jump into the postseason.

Here, we consider four of their outlooks, as we near the beginning of a new season on October 20.

Brooklyn Nets: “After taking five first-rounders in the 2025 Draft, Brooklyn added another potential building block this summer in No. 6 pick Mikel Brown Jr., a dynamic guard who will look to boost the backcourt alongside Egor Dëmin. If the two click, while Randle and Michael Porter Jr. provide steady scoring, Brooklyn could take a meaningful step forward.”

Chicago Bulls: “[Caleb] Wilson, this year’s No. 4 overall pick who shined in the NBA Summer League, joins Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey to form a promising young core. The Bulls also added All-Star Norman Powell and Nic Claxton, bringing proven production to complement the trio.”

Indiana Pacers: “[Tyrese] Haliburton says he’s “100 percent” healthy, immediately changing Indiana’s outlook in the East. With Pascal Siakam still alongside him and Ivica Zubac now anchoring the middle, the Pacers have the pieces to make last season look like an aberration.”

Utah Jazz: “After finishing ninth in points per game (117.6) last season, the Jazz added one of the 2026 Draft’s most gifted scorers in No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson. They’ll also get a healthy Jaren Jackson Jr., who played just three games for Utah after arriving from Memphis midseason. Jackson, a former Kia Defensive Player of the Year, will form an All-Star tandem in the frontcourt alongside Lauri Markkanen while helping bolster a defense that finished 29th in defensive rating.” | Read More

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5. AMEX SEASON PREVIEWS: SOUTHEAST DIVISION

Next up, a look at the Southeast Division, as our season preview series continues with revamped squads, the arrival of the Greek Freak and a new jolt of life in the nation’s capital.

NBA.com’s Jeff Zillgitt has insight for you on each team, including their season outlooks, potential breakout candidates and must-see matchups – with a selection from each preview below:

Hawks: “The Hawks are deep and defensive minded, especially on the perimeter with Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and [Luguentz] Dort.” | Read More

Hornets: “[Building] around Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel… The Hornets will be fun, and they have a promising future.” | Read More

Heat: “[Giannis] Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, elevates the Heat to contenders, and he is determined to show he can still lead a team to a championship. Bam Adebayo and Antetokounmpo give the Heat perhaps the best frontcourt in the NBA.” | Read More

Magic: “The Magic have lost in the first round of the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, and an edict from management stresses better results.” | Read More

Wizards: “[The] Wizards should yield an increase in their win total over last season… Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Khris Middleton and Deandre Ayton are the vets – all of whom have played in the conference finals or NBA Finals, with Davis and Middleton winning [titles].” | Read More

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