Starting 5: Closing Out the Preseason in Style

Basketball News 18-Oct-2026
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Starting 5 Daily Newsletter

Starting 5: Finishing the preseason in style

Friday's 12-game slate was packed with highlights as teams got in their final runs before the regular season tips off on Tuesday.

NBA.com Staff
October 17, 2026 12:36 PM

The Association crew breaks it down as the 2026-27 NBA preseason concludes with a highlight-filled 12-game night.

Wemby's one-of-a-kind brilliance closes out the preseason on a high note.

5 STORIES IN TODAY'S EDITION 🏀

Oct. 17, 2026

BUT FIRST … ⏰

Three sleeps left…

Next up, the regular season begins. We open 2026-27 on Tuesday, Oct. 20 with a star-studded tripleheader on NBC and Peacock.

WNBA Finals Tip Off: While we await opening night in the NBA, the 2026 WNBA Finals begin this afternoon in San Francisco with Game 1 between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream (3:30 ET, NBC/Peacock).

1. CELTICS RALLY PAST RIVALS, JOKER DROPS MORE DIMES

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

A sold-out Philly crowd got their first glimpse at the new-look Sixers as LeBron James made his home preseason debut alongside fellow newcomer Jaylen Brown (in his first preseason game against his former team), Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid as the Sixers faced the Celtics.

After his first pregame chalk toss as a Sixer in Philly, LeBron didn't take long to get the fans on their feet, throwing down an alley-oop dunk from Maxey early in the first quarter for two of his eight points on the night. The Sixers led by as many as 14 in the third quarter before the Celtics rallied back.

Celtics 125, 76ers 120 (OT): Leading a group of reserves, Hugo González (21 pts) sparked a Boston comeback to force overtime, where the Celtics closed out the 76ers to finish as the NBA's only undefeated team (4-0) this preseason. | Recap

Steady Process: Embiid (27 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast in 29 min), Maxey (22 pts) and Brown (20 pts, 8 reb) combined for 69 points for Philly.

In Denver's preseason opener, Nikola Jokić dropped the "personal favorite pass" of his career with a ridiculous behind-the-back cross-court dime to Cam Johnson. In Denver's preseason finale, Joker was at it again, catching and whipping a half-court behind-the-back pass in a single motion for a Trevon Brazile reverse slam in transition. It was one of his game-high-tying eight assists on the night.

Nuggets 121, Lakers 106: Jamal Murray scored 10 of his game-high 21 points in the first quarter as the Nuggets built a 17-point lead and fended off every Lakers rally to close the preseason on a high note. | Recap

Lakers Trio: Austin Reaves led Los Angeles with 19 points, while Luka Dončić and Sandro Mamukelashvili each posted 15 points with three 3s.

2. TOP DRAFT PICKS SHINE IN PRESEASON FINALES

The first four picks from this year's vaunted draft class were in action on Friday night in their final tune-ups before making their regular-season debuts next week.

Jazz 119, Suns 116: Down the stretch of a back-and-forth game on the road, No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson played the role of closer, scoring six of his 13 points in the final five minutes to lead Utah to victory. He added six dimes and six boards in the preseason finale. | Recap

Dynamic Duos: Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. combined for 36 points for the Jazz, while Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green each put up 18 points on 6-for-13 shooting to pace the Suns.

Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

Grizzlies 116, Hornets 98: No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer (19 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast) and Ty Jerome (17 pts, 4 ast, 3 3PM) combined for 36 points to lead six Grizzlies in double figures as Memphis pulled away in the second half to finish the preseason at 3-1. | Recap

Buzzworthy Rookies: Charlotte first-rounders Hannes Steinbach (19 pts, 7-9 FG) and Christian Anderson (15 pts, 6 ast) led the Hornets, who finished the preseason 1-3.

Bulls 133, Timberwolves 116: With Bulls legend and 2008 No. 1 overall pick Derrick Rose in the house, 2026 No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson showed out once again this preseason, filling the box score (16 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast, 2 blk, 2 3PM) in the Chicago win. | Recap

Rookie Leaders: Wilson (15.8 ppg) ranked second in scoring among rookies this preseason, while Boozer, Peterson and AJ Dybantsa also finished in the top 10.

Pelicans 107, Wizards 106: Jeremiah Fears (14 pts, 6 ast) flashed the handles as New Orleans survived a late Washington comeback to win in front of their home fans. | Recap

Wizardry: Anthony Davis (14 pts, 11 reb) and Kyshawn George (14 pts) sparked the Wizards — more on George in Section 4 — while No. 1 pick Dybantsa posted 12 points in 15 minutes before exiting late in the first half after rolling his ankle.

3. ROUNDUP: HIGHLIGHTS ABOUND ON THE LAST NIGHT OF THE PRESEASON

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Steph Curry donned a Veronica Burton jersey during pregame warmups — showing his support for the Golden State Valkyries on the eve of the first-ever WNBA Finals game at Chase Center — before leading the Golden State Warriors in their preseason finale.

Warriors 128, Blazers 118: Behind 20 points from Curry, 17-point efforts from Brandin Podziemski and Yaxel Lendeborg, and a near triple-double from Draymond Green (7 pts, 8 reb, 10 ast, 3 stl), the Warriors outlasted the Blazers to hand Portland its only loss of the preseason. | Recap

Blazing Backcourt: Back in the starting lineup, Ja Morant put up 19 points on 8-for-10 shooting and 3-for-3 from downtown, while Damian Lillard dropped a game-high 23 points for Portland.

Déjà Vu: Podziemski did his best Curry "count-them-out" celly impression after getting fouled on the triple for a four-point play.

Bucks 128, Pacers 127 (OT): Kobe Brown's one-handed jam brought Tyrese Haliburton (17 pts, 6 ast in 20 min) out of his seat, but Tyler Herro (25 pts, 5 3PM) and Milwaukee took a close overtime victory. | Recap

Pascal Power: Pascal Siakam (24 pts) put up 22 in the second quarter, helping the Pacers to a 15-point halftime lead.

Bucking The Trend: Kasparas Jakučionis (2 pts, 3 ast in overtime) scored or assisted on the last three baskets to help Milwaukee stop a 6-0 Indy run and grab the win.

Pistons 129, Raptors 125: Cade Cunningham (18 pts, 7 ast) looked in fine form as Detroit held off Toronto in a contest that saw 18 lead changes and 13 ties. | Recap

Magic 136, Heat 115: Seven Magic scored in double figures, led by Paolo Banchero (24 pts, 7 reb) and Desmond Bane (23 pts, 7 3PM), as Orlando took a preseason win against its division rival. | Recap

Fire From The Rook: No. 37 pick Ryan Conwell (21 pts, 7 ast) paced the Miami offense, leading them in scoring.

Hawks 135, Mavericks 111: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (25 pts, 6 3PM) and Atlanta poured it in from deep, shooting 41.2% from 3-point range to dispatch Cooper Flagg (26 pts, 12 reb) and Dallas. | Recap

Dallas Duo: Kyrie Irving (18 pts, 5 3PM) and former Hawk Zaccharie Risacher (18 pts) were the other Mavericks to crack double figures.

Spurs 126, Kings 97: All five Spurs starters scored 12+ points, as did reigning Kia Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson (15 pts), overcoming the Kings despite a near triple-double from Ben Simmons (14 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast). | Recap

4. FANTASY: FIVE PLAYERS WITH HIGH SCORE UPSIDE

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Our NBA.com staff has some breakout candidates to consider for fantasy drafts this weekend, including talented rookies and sleepers.

Check out the others and enjoy more fantasy coverage. | Read More

5. OKC ROOKIE DUO LEADS PRESEASON SURPRISES

As the preseason wraps up, NBA.com's writers shared the biggest surprise teams and players they've seen over the past two weeks. The list includes a pair of OKC first-rounders who made their mark in the preseason and a case for minutes during the regular season.

Note: All stats updated to reflect Friday's games

Aday Mara, OKC: "The 7-foot-3 first-round pick averaged 13.4 points and 7.6 rebounds with the Thunder electing to sit starters for much of the exhibition games. Obviously, OKC wanted to give Mara plenty of reps just in case he's needed in regular season situations — especially as big man insurance against 7-foot-5 Victor Wembanyama." — Shaun Powell

Bennett Stirtz, OKC: "Stirtz is averaging 3.0 threes per game on 48.4% shooting (from deep), while leading the league in total 3-pointers made (15-for-31). With the departures of Isaiah Joe and Lu Dort — who led OKC in 3-pointers made last season — there is a clear void for Stirtz to help fill." — Brian Martin

Check out who else made the list and much more in the 2026-27 Amex Season Preview.

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