NBA

Of the 17 NBA franchises featuring a Wildcat, eight have multiple Kentucky players. Detroit and Sacramento each have a trio of Wildcats on their roster while ...

1 overall (Derrick Rose – 2008, Wall – 2010, Davis – 2012, Towns – 2015). In the 2022-23 season alone, former UK players are slated to make nearly $330 million. Booker and Towns each earned their third NBA All-Star selection. – Los Angeles Clippers Of the 17 NBA franchises featuring a Wildcat, eight have multiple Kentucky players. Duke, with 24, is the only other school with more than 20 players in the NBA.

On a recent Sunday afternoon, a basketball fan in a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey took his seat for a preseason NBA game in a sold-out arena.

The crowd went nuts anytime Hachimura touched the ball. Scores of people packed in to watch a pair of preseason games between the Washington Wizards — featuring This would have been unremarkable if not for the fact the game was taking place 5,000 miles away from US shores and the Cavaliers weren't even part of it.

The NBA Japan Games 2022 have come and gone, but Japanese fans are eager for more live viewing opportunities and the growth of the league in their country.

“Just to play in front of Japanese fans, it was a very special moment for me and the team and the country,” he said. “It was one of the great memories in my life,” he added. “I attended Game 1 and Saturday Night of the NBA Japan Games, Kokushi said. “This whole trip was special and different.” “It was a special moment for me, and this team, this country,” he said. “That’s what the game is about,” he said. While many Japanese kids play basketball in junior high and high school, its popularity as a spectator sport remains limited, so reaching adolescents at the age when basketball is a bigger part of their lives makes sense. “The best way to enjoy sports, not only the NBA, is to watch them live in an arena,” said Makoto Kokushi, a Los Angeles Lakers fan from Tokyo who works in the printing and publishing industry. Tanaka, for one, became an NBA fan in 2007 as a junior high school student when the league was still on TV, a fandom which has now persisted 15 years and counting. “Trying to build inspiration, confidence, fun for the next generation of kids that look up to us and love basketball, love sports.” “This showed us tons of Japanese guys love NBA Games.” And those experiences imprint, and make a level of difference.”

With the NBA set to begin the 2022-23 season on Tuesday night, the Duke men's basketball program has 25 members of The Brotherhood on opening-day rosters.

16, Atlanta), Moore (No. 15, Charlotte), Griffin (No. 26, Dallas) and Keels (No. That includes 1984 Duke graduate Adam Silver The overall No. ), Charlotte (

Who will win each conference and the NBA Finals? When will LeBron surpass Kareem as the all-time scoring champ? Our experts are making their predictions.

Tim MacMahon: Bucks over Warriors in 6 Tim Legler: Warriors over Bucks in 6 [What to know for '22-23](/nba/story/_/id/34795174/nba-season-preview-2022-23-contenders-stars-big-questions) James is 1,325 points behind [Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4145/kareem-abdul-jabbar)'s mark, so we should expect the record to be broken some time near the 2022-23 season's second half. And while our expert panel places the defending champs among the contenders to reach the Finals again in 2023, we weren't as kind to the Celtics. [LA Clippers](/nba/team/_/name/lac/la-clippers) were a trendy pick among our panel, and rightfully so.

NBC Sports weekly NBA Power Rankings are back to start the season, and it has the defending champion Golden State Warriors on top.

Not having ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/okc_primary-icon/) [Chet Holmgren](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/66330/chet-holmgren) for the season sucks, but there’s still talent on this team worth watching in [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30582/shai-gilgeous-alexander) and [Josh Giddey](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/64758/josh-giddey). The Bulls are going to rely on a backcourt combo of [Ayo Dosunmu](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/51185/ayo-dosunmu) and [Alex Caruso](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30418/alex-caruso) to improve their defense. ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/nop_primary-icon/) [Zion Williamson](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/50955/zion-williamson) will play in the opener against Brooklyn despite turning his ankle in the preseason. Look for another All-NBA season from [Pascal Siakam](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30322/pascal-siakam) and a step forward from Rookie of the Year [Scottie Barnes](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/63426/scottie-barnes). Not having ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/chi_primary-icon/) [Lonzo Ball](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30428/lonzo-ball) to start the season hurts, both defensively and he is their best guard at pushing the pace. The Hawks new All-Star backcourt of ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/atl_primary-icon/) [Trae Young](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30576/trae-young) and [Dejounte Murray](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30324/dejounte-murray) were clearly still getting used to playing next to each other in the preseason, with a lot of “your turn/my turn” going on. It’s just preseason, but the Cavaliers’ new backcourt of ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/cle_primary-icon/) [Darius Garland](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/51040/darius-garland) and [Donovan Mitchell](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30439/donovan-mitchell) showed some real chemistry playing off each other. The pressure is on the Clippers this season — this is a championship level roster on paper, one that overachieved last season basically without its stars and now get a healthy ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/lac_primary-icon/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29695/kawhi-leonard) and [Paul George](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29583/paul-george) to make that run. We didn’t see much of the twin towers of ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2017/11/08/nba-power-rankings-detroit-minnesota-crash-top-five-party/min_primary-icon-2/) [Rudy Gobert](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29944/rudy-gobert) and [Karl-Anthony Towns](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30157/karl-anthony-towns) together in the preseason — they only played together in the final game against Brooklyn (and were -16 in the minutes both were on the floor). The Grizzlies lost more than they gained this offseason with DeAnthony Melton (76ers) and ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/mem_primary-icon/) [Kyle Anderson](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30067/kyle-anderson) (Timberwolves) going out the door. Could ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/phi_primary-icon/) [Tyrese Maxey](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/58302/tyrese-maxey) be second on this team in scoring this season? This is a championship-level roster — better than the one that went to the Finals last season thanks to the addition of ](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/nba-power-rankings-week-1-warriors-cavaliers-top-the-list-shocking/bos_primary-icon/) [Malcolm Brogdon](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30331/malcolm-brogdon) as a sixth man.

Which team will be holding the Larry O'Brien trophy when it is all said and done?

The [Nuggets](https://www.si.com/nba/team/denver-nuggets) are deep and will have a chance to tweak their roster during the season as well. The East, once again, is tough, but I like the Bucks, who will get Khris Middleton back and who added Joe Ingles to the mix, to get out of the conference. [Nets](https://www.si.com/nba/team/brooklyn-nets) bow out of the postseason in a similar manner to last season? But the Bucks will get the best of the Nuggets in a marquee matchup between the two players who have won the last four MVPs. [Warriors](https://www.si.com/nba/team/golden-state-warriors), the [Nuggets](https://www.si.com/nba/team/denver-nuggets), and maybe even the Suns if they can [rebound from last season’s bizarre Game 7 loss](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/05/16/luka-doncic-leads-mavericks-game-7-victory-over-suns)—but arguably no team projects to be as balanced on either side as the Clippers. But—and this is a big, deep breath of a but—Brooklyn still has one of the most talented cores in the NBA, and the return of Joe Harris, coupled with the acquisitions of Royce O’Neale, Markieff Morris and T.J. [Nikola Jokić](https://www.si.com/nba/player/nikola-jokic) has ever played for, and it’s time for him to prove he can be the best player on a championship team. [Clippers](https://www.si.com/nba/team/los-angeles-clippers) have had since their celebrated 2019 haul of [Kawhi Leonard](https://www.si.com/nba/player/kawhi-leonard) and [Paul George](https://www.si.com/nba/player/paul-george). You can find our [award predictions](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/10/17/nba-award-predictions-mvp-rookie-of-the-year) and [burning questions here](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/10/18/nba-burning-questions-russell-westbrook-warriors-ben-simmons-daily-cover). It will be a seven-game war between these two but I think Kawhi outduels Giannis and LA takes the title. They are deep and if 100% whole and clicking I'll take them over my default pick in an absolutely stacked East in Milwaukee, who at least have fewer questions to answer than some of the other contenders. And while I think that very well could happen, I still think the East goes through Giannis and the Bucks.

Coming into the new NBA season, things feel more wide open, with more possible contenders than last season. At the same time, however, we could have on our ...

And if the former happens, why not look to trade Durant and bottom out in the hopes of a big prize that could jump-start a rebuild. There’s a fair bit of parity among the top teams in the NBA coming into the season. He came into training camp in tremendous shape as a sign that he’s looking to be a lot more serious than in seasons past but the Harden that shows up in the fall and winter is often different than the one that has played in the spring. For everyone else, however, including the teams that might only be fighting to make the playoffs or the play-in games, expect to see an intense race to the bottom for a chance to draft Wembanyama. Now, the Suns will have to deal with this fallout as the very foundation of the organization has been rocked and is about to be upheaved, all the while also dealing with an unhappy Deandre Ayton, who returns after the off-sheet he signed with the Pacers was matched by the Suns. But things can change at the trade deadline this season or even in the 2023 off-season. What should be a strong Warriors team coming in to defend its title might actually be a fractured club, though, thanks to the ugly altercation between Green and Poole that blew up all over social media. Memphis won 56 games last season and finished second in the Western Conference and there’s no reason to believe they can’t do the same or even better this season. There’s not much weakness to point to with this roster other than the injury bug. Their acquisition of Christian Wood from the Rockets appears like a good move, but he’s only ever put up numbers on a bad Houston Rockets team and is entering a contract year where he’ll be asked to come off the bench. That’s the question of the season for the Nuggets. As mentioned off the top, there are quite a few legitimate contenders to consider coming into the season.

Starting this Tuesday, the Golden State Warriors are putting their NBA title on the line. That ring that they will be given before the game against the LA ...

Kawhi Leonard's return to the court is largely why. They are the team to beat without a doubt. The difference with last year is that Thompson is 100 percent from day one. That ring that they will be given before the game against the LA Lakers makes them the hunted in 2022/23. The Warriors lost Gary Payton II, but signed Donte DiVincenzo. Given that the backbone of the team is still on the roster, expectations are high.

NBA LIVE: Celtics, Sixers collide to open season as Embiid begins MVP quest · Watch an average of 9 LIVE NBA Regular Season games per week on ESPN on Kayo Sports ...

The play prompted a loud “f*** Embiid” chant from the Celtics fans to create plenty of feeling in the match. There was plenty of spice early in the third as Embiid and Marcus Smart got tangled up after a rebound, leading to a scuffle between the two as they had to be broken up. But Boston got a huge response out of Tatum and Brown late in the period including going on a 9-0 run at one stage to come storming back into the contest and take the lead. Philly charged ahead early in the second term, extending its lead to double digits behind the lead of Harden and Tobias Harris. Harden’s elite play helped the Sixers get out to a 29-24 lead at the end of the first term. The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers open the NBA season on Wednesday (all times AEDT) in a thrilling showdown between two bona fide title contenders.

The RotoWire NBA crew offers their favorite bets for opening night. Will Joel Embiid dominate the glass against a shorthanded Boston frontcourt?

[Jordan Poole](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player/jordan-poole-4791) 25+ points, 4+ rebounds and 4+ assists (+1000) [Al Horford](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player/al-horford-2816) and [Luke Kornet](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player/luke-kornet-4151) are not slowing down Embiid inside. [Tyrese Maxey](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player/tyrese-maxey-5158) is one of the first names that comes to my mind. [Robert Williams](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player/robert-williams-4382), and Harden hoists enough threes that he should comfortably sink two or more. [Jayson Tatum](https://www.rotowire.com/basketball/player/jayson-tatum-4108) 20+ points, Embiid 10+ rebounds, Harden 2+ threes parlay (+260) [NBA Picks](/betting/nba/picks/) series.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 35 points and the Celtics beat the 76ers 126-117 on Tuesday night in the NBA season opener.

The 10-time All-Star frustrated the Celtics, displaying the mobility he was missing a year ago. He was able to get to the free throw line often. The 76ers are looking to contend with the top teams in the Eastern Conference with Harden embarking on his first full season in Philadelphia after being swapped for Ben Simmons late last season in a trade with Brooklyn.

Everything you need to know about 76ers-Celtics and Lakers-Warriors as the 2022-23 season tips off.

Harden then allowed [Jayson Tatum](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4065648/jayson-tatum) to coast by him for a layup on the following possession, and Embiid then committed his third foul at the other end. [Marcus Smart](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2990992/marcus-smart) gets tangled up with Philly's [Joel Embiid](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3059318/joel-embiid), who hooked his arm and drew a foul. While [Marcus Smart](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2990992/marcus-smart) was the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year last season, it was Horford (third in NBA) and [Robert Williams III](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4066211/robert-williams-iii) (11th) who had the highest Defensive Real Plus Minus (DRPM) scores on the team. For all of the understandable focus on [Stephen Curry](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3975/stephen-curry)'s heroics in that series, Boston lost because its offense couldn't get it done against Golden State's defense. [LeBron James](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/1966/lebron-james) at power forward. He has already drawn three 3-point shooting fouls, including a completed four-point play, and also became the first player in the NBA to shoot the free throw for the new take-foul rule at the 6:13 mark of the first quarter. [Steph Curry](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3975/stephen-curry) era, but the franchise has leaned into their total titles in new signage around the Chase Center. [Jaylen Brown](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3917376/jaylen-brown) then came over and got in Embiid's face. [What to know about all 30 teams](/nba/story/_/id/34795174/nba-season-preview-2022-23-contenders-stars-big-questions) [Al Horford](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3213/al-horford) is plus-12 in 18 minutes played even though he's only 1-for-4 from the field for 3 points. [Golden State Warriors](/nba/team/_/name/gs/golden-state-warriors) received their rings after winning their fourth title in the past eight seasons. "We don't want to be one of those teams -- and you very rarely see that in the NBA -- where teams are swaying according to who their opponent is starting," Ham said during his pregame remarks.

The 2022-23 NBA season returns Tuesday. Here are our predictions on who will win the NBA Finals and additional award winners.

Two teams out West that could be in for something special if the stars align are the Pelicans with a healthy Zion Williamson and the Kings with their depth-filled roster. The Atlanta Hawks could jump back into the top tier of teams after landing Dejounte Murray while the Pacers and Detroit Pistons should both be fun to watch but not at serious playoff levels just yet. [Rookie of the Year](https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/here-are-nba-rookie-year-favorites-2022-23), it’s fair to say [Sacramento Kings](https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/kings) forward Keegan Murray is the rookie who will contribute the most out of the gate and claim the award. Based on my NBA Finals predictions, it would be safe to presume that Jokić and Antetokounmpo are once again in the conversation, along with Ja Morant, Curry and Tatum. New Orleans could be in for a 2021-22 Grizzlies jump in the standings while Sacramento could have a 2020-21 Grizzlies mini-breakout year. Rudy Gobert is probably in line for his record-tying fourth Defensive Player of the Year award now that he’s tasked with cleaning up alongside Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota. An underrated name here could be Cleveland Cavaliers second-year center Evan Mobley, who came on strong as a rookie and has more potential in him. 8 overall pick to the New Orleans Pelicans. Generally, teams that thrive in the postseason atmosphere possess superstars who defy the opposition’s tactics offensively and deploy a foundation of switchable defenders who are disciplined and can handle multiple positions. He brings both of those factors and raises the level of quality on the court. Another one is Dyson Daniels, the No. Most teams have a clean slate right now, especially with Kawhi Leonard returning to the

SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors received their 2021-22 NBA championship rings during a special pregame ceremony Tuesday during Champions Ring ...

Next month, the Warriors Community Foundation and Chase will launch a Championship Ring Sweepstakes, offering Warriors fans a chance to win an authentic 2021-22 NBA championship ring. Additional features on the sides of the ring include seven championship trophies to represent the franchise’s seven NBA championships, the team’s “Just Us” mantra, and more. [approximately 16 carats](https://www.nba.com/warriors/photos/warriors-2022-championship-rings) of yellow and white diamonds set into yellow gold to represent the team’s 16 wins during the 2022 NBA playoffs, marking the first time a championship ring has been made up primarily of yellow diamonds.

The Warriors received their 2022 NBA championship rings on Tuesday night and they certainly did not disappoint.

Additional features on the sides of the ring include seven Championship trophies to represent the franchise’s seven NBA Championships, the team’s “Just Us” mantra, and more." "The rings feature approximately 16 carats of yellow and white diamonds set into yellow gold to represent the team’s 16 wins during the 2022 NBA Playoffs, marking the first time a Championship ring has been made up primarily of yellow diamonds," the Warriors wrote in a statement. "Seven carats of yellow cushion cut diamonds on the bezel represent the team’s seven championships, while 43 baguettes in the bridge represent Stephen Curry’s 43-point performance in Game 4 of the NBA Finals."

The 2022-23 NBA season tips off & last year's finalists Boston Celtics & Golden State Warriors are leading NBA title contenders again along with the LA ...

“FanDuel TV was designed for viewers to watch and wager and Run it Back will bring a 360° view of the NBA including wagering trends to our audience,” said FanDuel’s Chief Commercial Officer Mike Raffensperger. Curry earns the highest figure playing basketball and on the court this season at $48.1 million. 18 nightcap, and the Warriors are leading contenders again and co-favorites to win the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Forbes list of The defending champion Golden State Warriors battle the Los Angeles Lakers in the Oct. The Celtics are a leading favorite to return to the NBA finals for the second straight season, but a slight second choice behind the Eastern Conference favorite Milwaukee Bucks.

The Los Angeles Lakers host the defending champion Golden State Warriors in the second half of an NBA Tip Off Tuesday doubleheader from California.

The Lakers missed the playoffs, and didn’t even make it to the Play-In after building a super team meant to compete for a championship. Injuries riddled the Lakers season, as Anthony Davis went down for a good portion of the season, and LeBron James battled an ankle injury. Steph Curry and the Warriors aren't just celebrating the opening of the regular season tonight. Dressed in white coming into Chase Arena, is LeBron James going to be a saviour for the Lakers this season after what was a historically disappointing season last year? He missed two preseason games but was back for the finale, and will be on the floor on opening night. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have been the anchors in this dynasty and the will be looking to get back to the playoffs healthy this year. Lonnie Walker and Patrick Beverly join AD, LeBron and Westbrook in the Lakers starting five to start the season. AD going into the body of Looney and finishing off the glass. Curry got into the paint and looked to wiggle into space after picking up his dribble in the paint. Reaves on the break, gets the lay up and Poole fouled him! FT is good for the man who is becoming a fan favorite in the Bay. James hits the FT for his first points of the game.

'Tanking already?': Lakers 'stink' in opener as great 'p***ed' at Westbrook saga.

You know in our league there’s teams that can do that,” James added. “It’s time for the Lakers to move him ... I think the wear and tear mentally last year and starting this year, playing with Patrick Beverley ... I hate the fact that they made him and (former coach Frank Vogel) scapegoats. “This guy (Westbrook) used to be so exuberant, playing with great energy and great emotion. James, Davis and Westbrook -- supposed to form a “Big Three” capable of challenging for the title last year -- ended up playing only 21 games together. We’ve been through an awful lot together. “He broke our trust with this incident, but I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt because I think he has earned that and I think our team feels the same way. A roster rebuild that saw the arrival of Westbrook and the departure of several players involved in the 2020 title run was seen by many as the main reason behind the Lakers defensive demise. The Warriors coach says he expects Green -- one of his most trusted on-court lieutenants during a run that has included six trips to the NBA Finals since 2015 -- to rebuild “trust” with teammates and coaches. For most of the past decade, the Warriors have been a model of consistency on and off the court, a well-coached, well-run organisation that has set a standard for the rest of the league. LA was well beaten 32-19 in the third term to trail by as much as 27 points as it was left with no answers on the defensive end to Golden State’s barrage of shooting.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced that 120 international players from 40 countries and six continents are on opening-night rosters for the ...

• Two international players have won the last four Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Awards: reigning back-to-back MVP Jokić (2021-22 and 2020-21) and Antetokounmpo (2019-20 and 2018-19). 19 and Friday, March 31 in Philadelphia. Antetokounmpo and Dončić were voted the No. 25 in Milwaukee and on Saturday, March 25 in Denver. • As part of the 2022-23 NBA App GM Survey, Dončić, Antetokounmpo and Embiid were voted the No. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz each have six.

Stephen Curry began the season with 33 points, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Los Angeles Lakers 123-109 on Tuesday night after receiving their ...

"During the peak of racial tension in our society, he represented a type of nobility and honour that transcended sports", the Celtics Guard concluded. In Boston, the Celtics paid tribute to the mythical N6 of the franchise Bill Russell, who died in July. "Bill Russell was a great man for what and who he stood for", Jaylen Brown noted.

Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Co. received their 2021-22 NBA championship rings in a ceremony ahead of the season opener vs. LeBron James and ...

The "NBA 75" logo was also added to commemorate the title coming in the league's 75th season. 6 [is being retired league-wide](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2022/08/11/bill-russell-no-6-permanently-retired-across-nba/10301336002/). [who died earlier this year at 88 years old](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2022/07/31/bill-russell-nba-celtics-legend-passes-away-88/101042728/), was honored before the Celtics' home opener Tuesday night. The Warriors went 11-1 at Chase Center in the playoffs, only dropping Game 1 of the NBA Finals. All that is set on a design that mimics the Celtics' parquet floor. The Warriors never lost again.

The Warriors were a big winner Tuesday night as they got their 2022 NBA championship rings then kicked off a new season with a rout of the Lakers.

He likely will never coach the Celtics again, and his NBA future is in doubt. As they continue to improve – Tatum is in MVP candidate territory and Brown is on the verge of All-NBA status – the Celtics should remain contenders in the East. It was long past time the NBA took similar action. Mazzulla was a behind-the-bench assistant last season, but Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens believed in Mazzulla, who has earned the respect of Celtics players. Last season, Los Angeles was 22nd in 3-point percentage and 18th in 3-pointers made. The son of a high school coach, Mazzulla played at West Virginia and began his coaching career in 2011. Last season, there were more than 1,700 take fouls, new NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations Joe Dumars said. the Lakers), Klay Thompson and Draymond Green aren’t playing for the Warriors, and the wins and titles won’t come as often as they do now. Outside of Boston and the Los Angeles Lakers with their 17 titles, no franchise has won more than the Warriors’ seven championships and four of those have happened in the previous eight seasons. They also defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 123-109, and the Boston Celtics topped the Philadelphia 76ers 126-117 as the NBA opened its 2022-23 season. Celebrating the 2022 championship one more time on Tuesday on Ring Night, the Warriors and their fans better make sure they appreciate these moments and this era. "Inside the NBA" isn’t caught up in breaking news or breaking down all the nuances of the pick-and-roll or analytics.

Stephen Curry and Golden State cruised past LeBron James and the Lakers on opening night.

[Warriors may not be a runaway favorite](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/10/18/nba-finals-predictions-expert-picks-clippers-bucks-warriors-nuggets) in the manner they were during say, the [Kevin Durant](https://www.si.com/nba/player/kevin-durant) years. [Stephen Curry](https://www.si.com/nba/player/stephen-curry) was the only player to play over 30 minutes, and even then it was only a leisurely 33. Not in the current NBA, in which no team is head and shoulders above anyone else, [and superteams have largely gone the way of starry duos](https://www.si.com/nba/2021/10/19/end-of-nba-dynasties). “It was a ring night and that's really what we were focused on finishing the first game. [celebrated its 2022 championship with a ring ceremony](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/10/19/warriors-celebrate-2022-title-ring-ceremony-before-season-opener) and [breezy win over the Lakers on opening night](https://www.si.com/nba/warriors/news/steph-curry-reacts-to-opening-night-win-over-lakers). Still, the Warriors certainly resembled the version of themselves capable of winning it all in Game 1. Something everyone on the team has echoed since the The weeks leading up to the game were filled with [speculation about the Warriors’ future](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/10/12/draymond-green-warriors-jordan-poole-punch-fined). The [123–109 win against the Lakers](https://www.si.com/nba/lakers/news/warriors-blow-out-lakers-in-season-opener-ak1987) followed a similar script to countless Warriors games from their best years. [could pick up right where it left off from when we last saw them](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/06/17/golden-state-warriors-stephen-curry-2022-nba-champions-daily-cover), when Golden State was the last team standing in the playoffs. But he does have the luxury of always being able to fall back on Curry and whoever else has it going when the team needs to make a run. “It reminds me of ‘14-’15,” Kerr said of the team’s depth after the game.

Klay Thompson has cited Barcelona's tiki-taka as inspiration for the Golden State Warriors tactics at the start of the new NBA season.

[It involves a series of short sharp passing, keeping the ball moving constantly. The tactic was also used to great effect by the Spain national team, who clinched back-to-back European Championships either side of a World Cup triumph in 2010. [TNT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfSfdWqwbNQ&t=361s), saying: "You guys are the best without the ball that I have seen without the ball in a long time."

The Warriors open their NBA title defense Tuesday against the Lakers, but first, there's a celebration: Golden State players will receive their championship ...

They, of course, did not win the title the previous season, but that game had a similar “ring night” feel to it.) The third point guard is normally a floor-general type and contrast to the scoring guards ahead of him. Still, NBA players are creatures of habit, and a prolonged ceremony before a regular-season game the team badly wants to win also represents a sharp break from that routine. Sometimes, I have to remember to score the ball.” The Warriors also dumped one of their two-ways and snatched up Ty Jerome on their quest for a point guard. A questioned, motivated Green is typically a great Green for the Warriors. The motivation for him to have a super charged, high impact regular season and playoffs is obvious. Jordan Poole is moving back to the bench with Klay Thompson in the lineup, but doesn’t need to obsess over how his minute and point totals will impact his market. Juan Toscano-Anderson, who knows the Warriors as well as anyone outside of the organization, said the key to defeating his former team is disrupting their offensive flow and taking away their preferred reads. The Lakers are going to have to scrap their base schemes and adjust to Golden State’s defense-bending shooting. Locking up Davis to start the year would be the kind of opening statement Green wants to start his Defensive Player of the Year campaign. Ham said he plans on sticking with one lineup for a while, and not changing his starters game to game, so this is a grouping that the Lakers will likely try for at least a few games until re-evaluating.

No player goes 1-on-1 more than Luka Doncic. There are plenty of impressive reasons why.

"When he plays, the only thing he hears is like the music that's playing in his head," Shammgod says. "And all of a sudden he finds a way to spin out and somehow shoots left-handed over his head -- and he makes those shots." During timeouts, Doncic will sometimes juggle the basketball with his foot, a flashback to his childhood playing soccer in Slovenia. "If you use the contact correctly, it's a big advantage, for sure." He often initiates contact, off the dribble or as he's going up to finish, using his strength to create pockets of space. "It's a fadeaway, so it's tough to block, tough to defend. The one-legged fadeaway has become such a respected part of Doncic's repertoire that he occasionally embarrasses defenders determined to contest it. It's a move that Doncic mastered between his rookie and sophomore seasons, essentially adding a midrange escape clause to his isolation game. "You want to have it where every dribbling move he does is a part of that [step-back] package, because that's his favorite shot," Shammgod says. "That's part of the fabric of who he is, because it can set up so many other things." "Sometimes as a coach you want to run all these plays," says Kidd, who has frequently surrounded Doncic with 3-point threats, employing five-out offenses to open the floor for him to operate. In these moments, the court feels like a canvas for Doncic, who Mavs coach Jason Kidd compared to a young Picasso at the start of last season.

NBA star Klay Thompson has said that Barcelona's tiki-taka is the inspiration behind the Golden State Warriors' tactics at the start of the new NBA season.

It was an evolution of Johan Cruyff’s total football tactics and also built on Frank Rijkaard’s and Louis van Gaal’s desire to play with short passes. It’s easy to step up to the open man and give the open man with us, keep it moving and it just plays to me and Steph [Curry] strengths so much.” The NBA star said, “I give Steve credit [Kerr], he walked in and had a vision just to keep the thing hot.

Listing the top five basketball shoes worn during the opening night of the 2022-23 NBA season.

Meanwhile, James wore the Nike LeBron 20 in the 'Purple & Gold' colorway. The Nike LeBron 20 has flown off the shelves since its release in late September. We knew the 2022 NBA Finals MVP, Stephen Curry, would go big on ring night. Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden wore a new colorway of the Adidas Harden Vol. [complicated history](https://www.si.com/fannation/sneakers/on-court/jaden-ivey-makes-summer-league-debut-in-nike-kobe-6) of the shoes back in July. So it was only fitting that the German company supply the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year with special shoes for the big night. Below is our ranking of the top five shoes from the 2022 NBA Opening Night. Harden has worn different colorways of his 7th signature sneaker with Adidas throughout the summer. [Nike LeBron 20](https://www.si.com/fannation/sneakers/tag/nike-lebron-20) in the 'Time Machine' colorway. Later, the reigning champion Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers. In the first matchup, the Boston Celtics handled the Philadelphia 76ers. However, the shoes still have not been released to the public.

Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry scores 33 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds in season opener - Anadolu Agency.

[Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Just before the game, the Warriors held a special ring ceremony. "I'm thrilled with the win.

Fulwell 73 Productions will produce a 10-part docuseries on the 2023 NBA Playoffs, which is set to be shopped to outlets soon.

At Fulwell 73, Winston is a partner with Leo Pearlman, Ben Turner and Gabe Turner. The 10-part docuseries, which is currently untitled, will soon be brought to market. We’re thrilled to partner with the NBA to offer fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the most exciting ten weeks in sports.”

No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero leads an intriguing group of newcomers in 2022-23.

He played well with the Cavs in Las Vegas (15 ppg, 4.8 rpg) but now might get more reps with the rebuilding Jazz. He hit 61% of his shots while averaging 14.4 points in five games and he led all rookies with 26 total assists (5.2 per game). With Holmgren out, Dieng has the distinction of being the Thunder rookie not named (Jaylin or Jalen) Williams. The Pistons envision a backcourt duo with last year’s No. One role model who’s been mentioned: Draymond Green, right down to the “triple-single” offensive results. As eager as Thunder fans were to see Holmgren play before the August foot injury that wiped out his season, they might get even more excited if the setback shifts OKC into an unabashed “2023 Draft” strategy. No. The only exceptions: New York’s Mark Jackson in 1988, the No. That happened in 2003 with Phoenix’s Amar’e Stoudemire (9th overall in 2002) and again in 2014 with Michael Carter-Williams (11th overall). 18 pick overall in the previous spring’s draft; and Milwaukee’s Malcolm Brogdon in 2017, rising up from No. For one of the newcomers, there will be a special prize in about eight months: the Kia Rookie of the Year Award. Shaking commissioner Adam Silver’s hand on draft night was one thing; suiting up and playing in actual NBA regular-season competition is a whole other level.

Klay Thompson has cited Barcelona's tiki-taka as inspiration for the Golden State Warriors tactics at the start of the new NBA season.

[It involves a series of short sharp passing, keeping the ball moving constantly. The tactic was also used to great effect by the Spain national team, who clinched back-to-back European Championships either side of a World Cup triumph in 2010. [TNT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfSfdWqwbNQ&t=361s), saying: "You guys are the best without the ball that I have seen without the ball in a long time."

The Golden State Warriors started their NBA title defence with a 123-109 win over the LA Lakers on Tuesday night and Klay Thompson feels confident that the ...

That just plays to me and Steph's [Curry] strengths so much." - NBA.

Is Joel Embiid going to win MVP? Is Jordan Poole the runaway favorite for Sixth Man? We talk NBA awards and how to bet them in this PBT Podcast.

Officer Craig Warren said in the report that Bouknight had glassy eyes and a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath. “Cliff has been there for me every step of the way since he got here,” Bouknight said. Police said that once Bouknight was awake, he refused to comply with commands and appeared confused for several minutes. He had the handgun in his hands. Bouknight was placed under arrest for DWI since he was in a public area and behind the wheel of a running vehicle, in drive, in the traffic way while intoxicated. According to the police report, officers saw Bouknight unconscious inside the vehicle with the vehicle running and in drive.

Everything you need to know to place your NBA bets and set your fantasy basketball lineups for Wednesday's 12-game slate.

[Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4278073/shai-gilgeous-alexander). [Seth Curry](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2326307/seth-curry) (ankle), [Joe Harris](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2528794/joe-harris) (ankle), [T.J. [Donovan Mitchell](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3908809/donovan-mitchell). Warren](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2982334/tj-warren) (foot), [Kira Lewis Jr](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4395698/kira-lewis-jr). [Otto Porter Jr](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2594922/otto-porter-jr). -Moody [Denver Nuggets](/nba/team/_/name/den/denver-nuggets) at [Utah Jazz](/nba/team/_/name/utah/utah-jazz) [Trae Young](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4277905/trae-young) double-double (+159). [Vernon Carey Jr](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4431669/vernon-carey-jr). [Tyrese Haliburton](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4396993/tyrese-haliburton) over 15.5 points. [Jaren Jackson Jr](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4277961/jaren-jackson-jr). [Jalen Brunson](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3934672/jalen-brunson) over 18.5 points. [Ja Morant](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4279888/ja-morant) has done nothing but seize the moment.

The No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft made a strong statement in his first career game.

Ultimately, the Magic went with Banchero, making him the fifth Duke player to be taken with the No. 1 Pick Paolo Banchero Reveals ‘Main Goal’](https://www.si.com/nba/magic/news/orlando-magic-paolo-banchero-rookie-year-award-jamahl-mosley?utm_source=recommendations&utm_medium=in-article&utm_campaign=end-of-story) Detroit’s Cade Cunningham also delivered in the first game of his sophomore season, scoring 18 points on 10 assists, though struggled a bit more from the field with a 6-for-16 performance. Banchero was efficient from the floor as well, making 11 of his 18 shot attempts, and became the first rookie since LeBron James to put up at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in an NBA debut. 1 pick in this year’s draft, did not disappoint in his first NBA game, scoring a game-high 27 points with nine rebounds and five assists as the Magic lost to the Pistons, 113–109. James, of course, entered the league with immense hype and immediate comparisons to Michael Jordan.

The wait is finally over. The NBA is back, and Monday night's opening matchups did not disappoint: from the tunnel fits to a head-to-head matchup in Boston ...

[Their young core](https://www.slamonline.com/nba/steve-kerr-on-the-strong-foundation-the-warriors-have-built/) ( [Moses](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/moses-moody/) [Moody](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/Moses-Moody/), [James Wiseman](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/James-Wiseman/), [Jonathan Kuminga](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/Jonathan-Kuminga/)) came in off the bench and provided valuable minutes. [Draymond Green](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/draymond-green/) and [Kevon Looney](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/kevon-looney/) anchored a strong defensive performance. [](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/moses-moody/) October 18th marked the beginning of the NBA season, but it was also Britney Griner’s 32nd birthday. Near the end of their contest against the Celtics, Stan Van Gundy joked that Mazzulla now has the best winning percentage in NBA history. After the game, The King was quick to recognize this deficiency in the Lakers’ offense, citing a lack of “lasers.” The Dubs had their trademark explosive third quarter, and signature contributions from [Klay Thompson](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/klay-thompson/), [Jordan Poole](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/jordan-poole/), Curry, and [Andrew Wiggins](https://www.slamonline.com/tag/andrew-wiggins/) on offense guided them to a win. Darvin Ham and Joe Mazzulla both made their head coaching debuts on opening night. 6 retired around the League, and every team is wearing a “6” patch on their jersey to honor him. The NBA is back, and Monday night’s opening matchups did not disappoint: from the tunnel fits to a head-to-head matchup in Boston and ring night in the Bay. They have three ECF trips under their belt and a recent appearance in the NBA Finals — they’re not supposed to still be getting better. Both were attacking from every part of the floor.

Visit ESPN for the game recap of the New Orleans Pelicans vs. Brooklyn Nets NBA basketball game on October 19, 2022.

[Joe Harris](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2528794/joe-harris) (sore left foot) and [Seth Curry](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2326307/seth-curry) (left ankle) not ready for the start of the season. [Jonas Valanciunas](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6477/jonas-valanciunas) had 15 points and 13 rebounds and New Orleans outrebounded Brooklyn 61-39. [Patty Mills](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4004/patty-mills) had 16 points and Irving managed 15 on 6-for-19 shooting, going 0 for 6 from 3-point range. ... Irving addressed the crowd before the start of the game and made a plea for the return of WNBA star Brittney Griner from a Russian prison. Pelicans: Green said he could tell during the Pelicans' playoff run last season that Williamson had moved beyond the disappointment of injury rehab to excitement for playing again. “It’s very difficult going through injuries, especially when you’re really young and you’ve been working your tail off to try and be prepared to come in and help your team and you suffer a setback,” Green said. “So he had to navigate through all of those things. His basket-shaking dunk with about 8 1/2 minutes remaining brought some of the few cheers from a dejected crowd who watched the home team never lead and trail by as many as 26. A first-round exit — when Simmons never played because of back problems after being acquired for He fouled out early in the fourth quarter with four points, five rebounds and five assists, taking three shots. “It takes time," Simmons said. The No.

Looking spry and explosive, Zion Williamson returned from an 18-month absence with 25 points and 9 rebounds.

Unrestricted free agency awaits Kyrie next summer; in the meantime, Irving has that much time to put opening night in the rearview and prove that it was a fluke. And while Durant, Irving and Simmons are all in uniform, the Nets can’t be accurately judged one way or another until Seth Curry and Joe Harris return to the rotation. Therefore, he comes into 2022-23 with plenty of incentive to (a) put aside his quirks, especially if they interfere with his play or threaten the team’s success, and (b) deliver a star-quality season. Question: When was the last time the Nets were at full strength since Durant and Irving teamed up in the summer of 2019? It’s the first of 82, and the Nets have clearly stated a desire to remain patient with Simmons … Kyrie shot just 6-for-19, missed all six of his 3-pointers, and when the Nets needed a second option, he couldn’t fulfill the role. The good news for the Nets is Kyrie is actually eligible to play at home, which wasn’t always the case last season because of his vaccination status. The success and failure of the Pelicans this season, therefore, will rest with what they can muster defensively. The force and rim-attacking and gentle touch around the basket all resurfaced and rekindled the image of Zion as a dominant player, which he was during most of the 85 games played in his short and injury-interrupted career. That said, the level of disappointment needs to be placed in the proper context: It wasn’t anything like his playoff game finish in Philly two years ago when he bypassed a layup over the Hawks’ Trae Young, and there won’t be any dreadful fallout from this game. He also showed a very solid cohesion with Brandon Ingram and the two Pelicans had a 1-2 inside-outside punch all night, with Ingram dropping 28 points. And yet, Simmons in Brooklyn looked suspiciously like the last time we saw Simmons in Philly.

Here are the results and highlights from the NBA 2022-23 matches that took place on Wednesday - October 20, 2022.

Washington had 17 points and Gordon Hayward added 15 as all five Hornets starters scored in double figures. Rudy Gay scored 16 points, Malik Beasley had 15 and Mike Conley, the lone returning starter, had 13 as Utah had seven players in double-figure scoring. Julius Randle led the Knicks with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while reserve Cam Reddish added 22 points, making 9 of 15 shots from the field. Cavaliers All-Star guard Darius Garland left the game in the second quarter after injuring his left eye in a collision with Raptors guard Gary Trent. Bickerstaff said Garland was bleeding from a cut inside the left eyelid after being poked in the eye by Trent with 3:51 to play in the first half. Jaylen Nowell, who had 13 points, put the Timberwolves ahead for good with his layup with 10:47 remaining. The Mavericks led 67-45 early in the third quarter and 93-80 with eight minutes left, but the Suns kept pushing. LaVine played in three of Chicago’s preseason games and experienced discomfort in recent days — which Bulls coach Billy Donovan said is to be expected, given that LaVine was limited for much of the summer. Jonas Valanciunas had 15 points and 13 rebounds. That knee had him in and out of the lineup last season and required surgery in May. He fouled out early in the fourth quarter with four points, five rebounds and five assists, taking three shots. Patty Mills had 16 points and Kyrie Irving managed 15 on 6-for-19 shooting, going 0 for 6 from 3-point range.

Klay Thompson has cited Barcelona's tiki-taka as inspiration for the Golden State Warriors tactics at the start of the new NBA season.

[It involves a series of short sharp passing, keeping the ball moving constantly. The tactic was also used to great effect by the Spain national team, who clinched back-to-back European Championships either side of a World Cup triumph in 2010. [TNT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfSfdWqwbNQ&t=361s), saying: "You guys are the best without the ball that I have seen without the ball in a long time."

In his much-anticipated NBA debut, Orlando Magic's Paolo Banchero joined some elite company. Banchero, the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA draft, ...

We got to be in this to grow and he showed us a lot tonight." "I felt like I left a lot of points on the board." In the end, the Magic went with Banchero, making him the 5th Duke draftee to be taken with the No. "It means a lot, I guess," the Italian-born player said after the game. Detroit's Cade Cunningham delivered as well, scoring 18 points with 10 assists, although he struggled a bit in his shooting percentages, as he went 6-16 from the field. James, in fact, entered the league with immense hype and comparisons to Michael Jordan.