Tonight, the NBA world is set for a look at the top 3 picks from this year’s Draft.
Last night? It belonged to Olivier Sarr — older brother of 2024 No. 2 pick Alex — who got the best of their family duel on Sunday with this game-winner.
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
Oct. 13, 2025
Macao Moments: The best of NBA China Games 2025, plus what’s ahead this week
Sunday Spotlight: Sarr calls game, Celtics showtime at TD Garden and Jokić being Jokić
Roundup: The Greek Freak is back, Reaves heats up and Magic clamp down
Rising Rooks: Flagg, Bailey and Harper headline a rookie Monday night showcase
More Matchups: Revamped rosters meet on NBA TV, title contenders in action on League Pass
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Monday hoops and a special announcement…
Five games tip-off tonight, including an NBA TV doubleheader as the Hawks host the Heat (6 ET), before Cooper Flagg and the Mavs face Ace Bailey and the Jazz (9 ET).
Just Announced: Live games and 24/7 basketball programming will power the new NBA App streaming platform and a reimagined NBA TV – including live NBA games, original shows including The Association, behind the scenes programming and global basketball events. Tap here for more.
1. CHINA GAMES 2025 WRAP-UP & WHAT’S NEXT
From Abu Dhabi to Melbourne to Vancouver, the 2025-26 preseason has touched all corners of the globe.
Its final international stop? Macao, where the NBA China Games 2025 delivered both on and off the court this past weekend.
- Repeat Rallies: The Nets and Suns traded comeback wins in China – first with Phoenix erasing an 18-point deficit for an OT dub on Friday, then with Brooklyn rallying from 14 down on Sunday to split the series 1-1
- Stars Shine: The big names came to play, as Devin Booker dropped 18 in both matchups, while Cam Thomas paced Brooklyn with 22- and 16-point outings
- Icons Courtside: A slew of superstars took in the action from the floor seats, including Shaquille O’Neal, Yao Ming, David Beckham and Jackie Chan, who received a roaring ovation as they entered Venetian Arena for Friday’s matchup
- Fan Day Flair: More NBA legends were on hand for Sunday’s showdown after serving as judges for the ‘Fan Day’ Dunk Contest, featuring some show-stopping slams
Beyond the games, the weekend was a celebration of global connections between players, fans and creators – a reminder of how hoops unites people worldwide.
- “The energy was off the charts,” said Booker following Friday’s win, after spending several minutes signing autographs for fans. “I haven’t heard that type of love in a very long time.”
- “One thing I do know for sure,” added creator Agent on Sunday. “[Is] they love basketball out here.”
Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images
What’s Next: With Opening Night just eight days away (Tuesday, Oct. 21), the preseason wraps up this week with six more national games following tonight’s NBA TV doubleheader.
- Tuesday (Peacock): In a rematch of the 2024 NBA Cup championship, OKC travels to Milwaukee to face Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks (8 ET)
- Wednesday (ESPN & NBA TV): After visiting Utah tonight, Cooper Flagg and the Mavs meet the Lakers in L.A. (10:30 ET, ESPN), following Raptors-Celtics (7:30 ET, NBA TV)
- Thursday (ESPN2): One night later, KD’s Rockets take on Trae Young and the Hawks for the second time this preseason (7:30 ET)
- Friday (NBA TV): A Western Conference doubleheader highlights the final night of preseason ball as the Nuggets face the Thunder (8 ET), before Kings-Lakers (10:30 ET)
2. SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT: SARR BEATS BUZZER, CONTENDERS CLASH
Kenny Giarla + Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images
From driveway duels to an NBA “brother-beater.”
Raptors 113, Wizards 112: Alex Sarr was everywhere for Washington early (12 pts, 8 reb, 1 stl, 2 blk, 17 min), but it was his older brother, Olivier Sarr, who called game for Toronto – laying in a game-winning lob off an inbound as time expired to give the Raptors a thrilling win. | Recap
- Wiz Storm Back: Down 16 with 5:12 left, Washington closed the game on an 18-1 run to take a one-point lead with 0.8 seconds remaining. Then Sarr happened
- Core Strength: Immanuel Quickley (18 pts) and RJ Barrett (15 pts) led the Raptors in scoring, while Scottie Barnes stuffed the stat sheet (10 pts, 12 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl)
- New Place, Same Buckets: CJ McCollum turned in a game-high 19 points for Washington, which had six scorers finish in double figures
Celtics 138, Cavaliers 107: Payton Pritchard set the tone off the jumpwith 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting to give Boston a 33-17 lead after the 1st quarter, and the C’s never looked back for a wire-to-wire win over the Cavs. | Recap
- The Simons Show: Boston’s summer acquisition Anfernee Simons went off, nailing six 3s for 21 points, while Derrick White (16), Sam Hauser (15) and Pritchard (14) combined for 45
- Sunday Slamfest: Josh Minott brought TD Garden to its feet with this windmill jam, before Wendell Moore Jr. punctuated the win with a vicious poster
Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images
Nuggets 102, Clippers 94: Nikola Jokić was operating in limited action (12 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast, 22 min), Aaron Gordon added 18 points and 7 boards, and the Nuggets raced past the Clippers late in a game that saw 14 ties and 21 lead changes. | Recap
- Gold Rush: Denver outscored LA 26-19 in the 4th, including 11 points from Curtis Jones in a 2-minute span to grab the lead for good
- LA Spotlight: Kawhi Leonard led the Clips with 17 points, while James Harden dished out a game-high 11 dimes and Ivica Zubac tallied a double-double (11 pts, 10 reb)
3. SUNDAY ROUNDUP: GIANNIS DEBUTS, REAVES & WAGNER SHINE
Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images
Bucks 127, Bulls 121: Giannis Antetokounmpo only needed 21 minutes to post a double-double in his preseason debut (13 pts, 10 reb), while Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma dropped 19 points apiece to lead Milwaukee past Matas Buzelis (19 pts) and Chicago. | Recap
- Stretch & Strength: Turner went 5-of-8 from downtown, while Giannis flexed his trademark power with this tough and-1 finish
Lakers 126, Warriors 116: Everything was falling for Austin Reaves (21 pts, 7-10 fg), including this ridiculous and-1 floater that kissed the sky, while Dalton Knecht and Rui Hachimura each added 16 points to power the Lakers past the Warriors. | Recap
- Bronny’s Bag: Bronny James (7 pts, 1 ast) flashed his playmaking with this smooth finger roll and an alley-oop to Jaxson Hayes. Meanwhile, LeBron James went 1-for-1 from the bench
- Podz Pops Off: Brandin Podziemski turned in a game-high 23 points and 8 dimes for the Dubs, who were without Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler III
Magic 120, Heat 104: Franz Wagner was cooking early (17 pts, 3 ast, 15 min) and the Magic – who boasted the league’s best scoring defense last season – held the Heat to 38.5% shooting to secure the win, despite Kel’el Ware’s third straight double-double (24 pts, 10 reb). | Recap
- Next Gen Magic: Two second-generation NBAers impressed for Orlando: Jett Howard (11 pts, 4 ast), the son of Juwan Howard, and rookie Jase Richardson (13 pts), the son of Jason Richardson
4. MONDAY PREVIEW: TOP ROOKIES TAKE CENTER STAGE
Dustin Bradford/NBAE via Getty Images
A new season offers a clean slate.
It also brings new stars – and some fresh faces are already flashing big-time potential.
Tonight (9 ET, NBA TV), two of those fresh faces could square off in a showdown of top-five picks as Cooper Flagg and the Mavs visit Ace Bailey and the Jazz.
Meanwhile, Bailey’s Rutgers teammate and No. 2 pick Dylan Harper could return to action after a strong preseason debut as the Spurs face the Pacers (7 ET, League Pass).
- How It Started: Four months ago, we knew these three rookies as prospects – young hoopers full of untapped potential, but unproven on the game’s highest level
- How It’s Going: This preseason, they’re showing why they were top picks – displaying the skillsets that had scouts and executives buzzing
So today, let’s compare their pre-Draft scouting reports from NBA.com to the results we’re now seeing against NBA competition.
Ace Bailey
The Pre-Draft Analysis: “Bailey is an elite shooter from anywhere on the court and used his size to get his shot off whenever he wanted in college. He’s great as a spot-up shooter and will attack poor closeouts…”
The Preseason Tape ⬇️
Bailey ranks first among rookies and third among all players this preseason with 22.5 ppg. His shooting stroke has been as advertised, as he’s gone 65.5% from the field and 40.0% from 3. Overcommit to the jumper, and he’s already making defenders pay.
Cooper Flagg
The Pre-Draft Analysis: “Flagg’s floor is higher than most projected No. 1 overall draft picks due to his defensive prowess and versatility, but if he’s able to unlock his full offensive potential, watch out. For his size, Flagg is an elite shooter, passer and ballhandler.”
The Preseason Tape ⬇️
Flagg’s already flashing both sides of that scouting report. Here, he shows off his versatility and instincts, jumping a pass for the steal and pushing transition. But with no numbers, the rookie doesn’t press. Instead, he slows it up just enough to spring an open cutter for a point-blank bucket.
Dylan Harper
The Pre-Draft Analysis: “Harper is a big-bodied, do-it-all playmaker with positional versatility … [he] has the potential to be an offensive engine due to his feel for the game and willingness to find the open teammate.”
The Preseason Tape ⬇️
Harper showed off his offensive feel in his preseason debut on Friday with 9 points and 3 assists – including the dish above, where he navigates into the paint, draws three defenders, then lofts a perfect pass to Luke Kornet for an easy finish.
- Early Connection: Harper later dished another pretty lob to Victor Wembanyama, the former Kia Rookie of the Year who’s off to a dazzling start in Year 3, averaging 13.7 points, 7.0 boards, 5.0 dimes and 1.7 blocks this preseason
5. MORE MATCHUPS: HAWKS-HEAT ON NBA TV, TITLE CONTENDERS ON LEAGUE PASS
Issac Baldizon + Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images
In this year’s NBA GM Survey, eight different teams were selected to finish top-four in the East – the most since 2019-20.
In a conference where it’s anyone’s game, two squads who met in the 2025 Play-In Tournament – the Hawks and Heat – went out and retooled this summer in hopes of making a deeper Playoff push.
Tonight, the two revamped rosters will square off, while a pair of title contenders round out Monday’s slate on League Pass.
Heat at Hawks (6 ET, NBA TV): Norman Powell is already clicking in Miami. The veteran guard ranks second on the team in scoring this preseason (13.7 ppg in 18.6 mins) while shooting 41.7% from deep – stretching the floor for a Heat squad that finished 24th in scoring last year.
- Sophomore Spark: The only Heat player ahead of Powell in scoring? Kel’el Ware, who’s been a force inside (20.3 ppg, 11.0 rpg) and out (50.0% from 3)
- JJ’s Back: On the other side, Jalen Johnson has looked sharp in his first action since last year’s season-ending shoulder injury, leading the Hawks with 15.5 ppg
- ATL Acclimating: Meanwhile, newcomers Kristaps Porziņģis (9.0 ppg, 0.5 blk) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (10.0 ppg, 1.0 stl) have added a combined 19 ppg while bolstering Atlanta’s defense
Julio Aguilar & Carmen Mandato/NBAE via Getty Images
Wizards at Knicks (7:30 ET, LP): Six different Knicks are averaging 8+ ppg across their three preseason outings:
Four from their starting 5 – Mikal Bridges (11.7), OG Anunoby (10.5), Jalen Brunson (10.3) and Karl-Anthony Towns (9.0) – along with new addition Jordan Clarkson (8.7) and Miles McBride (8.0).
- That balance has fueled a 3-0 start for New York, which will look to stay unbeaten tonight against the young Wizards
Loong-Lions at Timberwolves (8 ET, LP): Anthony Edwards (17.0 ppg in 22.9 mins) and Julius Randle (15.0 ppg in 20.5 mins) already look to be in midseason form, posting big numbers in limited action. Meanwhile, another Wolf is making noise.
- Year 4 Fire: After averaging career-highs in points (8.9 ppg) and minutes (19.8 mpg) last year with Utah, Johnny Juzang has stayed hot in Minnesota, averaging 14.7 ppg this preseason
- Familiar Faces: On the other side, two former NBAers lead Guangzhou in Frank Kaminsky and Victor Oladipo – who showed he still has all-world bounce last week against the Clippers
