Celtics face first opportunity to put their money where their mouth is on b2bs
The Celtics face their first back-to-back of the season with games against the Bulls and Nets. Will Joe Mazzulla rest his veterans early?
Latest news and updates about the Nets
The Celtics face their first back-to-back of the season with games against the Bulls and Nets. Will Joe Mazzulla rest his veterans early?
The Minnesota Timberwolves start the 2026‑27 season 3‑0, blasting the Toronto Raptors in their first home game and lifting their all‑time winning percentage to .42148, edging out the Brooklyn Nets for the league's worst historical record. The win marks a franchise milestone and underscores the Wolves' resurgence after dismantling three former playoff teams. With Anthony Edwards returning from knee woes, LaMelo Ball thriving in his new role, and free‑agent Jonathan Kuminga contributing, Minnesota now looks capable of challenging the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in the West. The Wolves head to Cleveland next on Monday.
As bad as Mikal Bridges and the New York Knicks have been, the Brooklyn Nets might be in an even worse spot.
Pacers center Ivica Zubac sprains his left ankle in the first quarter of the 112-106 win over Brooklyn, exiting on crutches and likely missing Monday’s game in Milwaukee. The injury, to the same ankle that sidelined him last season, shows no fracture on X‑rays but carries swelling, making his status day‑to‑day. Backup Jay Huff steps up with 14 points, 3 assists, and 3 blocks, while Larry Nance Jr. adds 6 points, 6 rebounds. Kelly Oubre Jr. rebounds with 14 points after a slow start, and star guard Tyrese Haliburton confirms he’ll play against the Bucks, marking his first back‑to‑back appearance since his Achilles tear. Meanwhile, wing Johnny Furphy remains on track in ACL rehab, but the Pacers also list T.J. McConnell and Ben Sheppard as out.
A former Brooklyn Nets cybersecurity vice president claims he was fired 16 days after returning from two periods of protected parental leave. In a lawsuit filed on October 21, he alleges his supervisor greeted him with hostility, gave a sudden negative performance review, and removed him from an NBA conference list while he was on leave. The Nets’ parent company, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, denies the accusations and affirms its anti‑discrimination policy. The case hinges on whether the termination violates federal and New York leave laws, though no court ruling has been made yet.
The Brooklyn Nets suffered a humiliating 136-109 defeat to the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 26, 2026, dropping to 0-3 on the season. After a promising 26-24 first quarter, the Nets allowed Indiana to pour in 112 points over the final three periods, shooting 67% on twos and 49% from three. Coach Jordi Fernandez called the performance “unacceptable,” taking responsibility for breakdowns in spacing, pick‑and‑roll communication, and overall effort. The loss highlighted the Nets’ defensive woes: they now rank second‑worst in effective field‑goal percentage allowed and surrender the most wide‑open threes (23.3 per game) in the NBA. Key players like Julius Randle, Michael Porter Jr., and the center duo Day’Ron Sharpe/Moe Wagner struggled to match up, underscoring the need for a defensive overhaul.
Rick Carlisle likens his reaction to Tyrese Haliburton’s self‑lob dunk to a John Wick comeback after the Pacers’ 136‑109 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 26, 2026. Haliburton tossed the ball off the floor and finished a two‑handed dunk – his first off‑the‑feet slam in the NBA – finishing with 24 points and 10 assists. The play, Carlisle says, proves the star guard is fully back from the Achilles injury that sidelined him all of last season, boosting Indiana’s momentum as they improve to 2‑1.
The Pacers’ injury list swells after center Ivica Zubac sprains his left ankle in a 108‑102 win over the Nets, exiting in the second half. The ACL‑torn Johnny Furphy, meniscus‑injured Ben Sheppard, hamstring‑strained T.J. McConnell, and forward Ben Sheppard also remain sidelined, leaving the team with just 14 standard contracts—insufficient for a hardship addition. Coach Rick Calrisle says Zubac’s X‑rays are clean but a return is unlikely tomorrow, making his status day‑to‑day. With no hardship option and key players out, Indiana faces a steep roster challenge early in the 2026‑27 season.
Tyrese Haliburton posts a 24‑point, 10‑assist double‑double as the Indiana Pacers crush the Brooklyn Nets 136‑109 on Oct. 26, 2026. Indiana shoots an efficient 58% (49‑of‑85) and gets contributions from Pascal Siakam (21) and bench scorer Obi Toppin (16). The dominant win highlights the Pacers’ offensive firepower and sets a strong tone early in the season.
Tyrese Haliburton returns to the Indiana Pacers after missing last season, helping them go 2-1 with a game‑high 24 points in a win over the Brooklyn Nets. He dazzles with a self‑lob dunk while the team dons retro ABA jerseys, jokingly likening the moment to Dr. J before quickly walking back the comment. Haliburton finished 8‑of‑13 shooting, added four rebounds, 10 assists and two steals, and is averaging 20.5 points and 9.5 assists over the Pacers' first two games.
The Brooklyn Nets fall 136-109 to the Indiana Pacers, extending their winless start. Despite early steals and a solid start from bigs Mo Wagner (13 points) and Day’Ron Sharpe, the Nets couldn’t contain Indiana’s shooting surge, especially a second‑half barrage of threes that built a 26‑point lead. Nolan Traoré leads Brooklyn with 17 points and five assists, but the team shoots just 8‑23 overall in the third quarter and commits five turnovers. Coach Fernandez calls the three‑quarter performance “unacceptable,” as the Nets search for defensive identity and offensive consistency.
In their first ABA Classic uniform, the Indiana Pacers bounced back from a 37‑point loss to crush the Brooklyn Nets 115‑92 on Oct. 26, 2026. After a turnover‑laden first quarter and an early ankle sprain that sidelined Ivica Zubbác, the Pacers leaned on big forwards Pascal Siakam (15 points), Obi Toppin (8 points, 2 threes) and a surprise performance from reserve Jay Huff (14 points, 3 blocks, 3 assists). Haliburton’s starting lineup clicked, the team shot 45% from three in the fourth, and they built a 65‑56 halftime lead. The win showcases improved flow, reduced turnovers, and depth beyond Zubbác’s injury.
Kawhi Leonard sits out Sunday with left‑knee swelling after posting 16 points and nine rebounds in a win over Washington and 23 points in the season opener. Ja’Kobe Walter is projected to start for the Raptors against Minnesota, averaging 8.5 points in 23.5 minutes. In the Atlantic Division, Sixers forward VJ Edgecombe misses the game vs. Detroit due to an abdominal contusion, while the Knicks add 25‑year‑old guard Dalton Knecht on a two‑way contract, likely to start in the G League. Meanwhile, the Nets, 0‑2, saw promising chemistry from rookie duo Egor Demin and Mikel Brown Jr., who combined for three threes in 47 seconds, sparking optimism from coach Jordi Fernandez.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have struck a deal with DirecTV to air their games on channel 660, starting with the home opener against the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 26. This ends the team’s exclusive reliance on DAZN, which previously forced in‑market fans to pay $120 for a season‑long subscription despite a $20 million rights fee for the Cavs. The new linear broadcast eases access after the Cavs were labeled the league’s least‑accessible team, though details on financial adjustments or refunds remain unclear.
Brooklyn Nets coach Jordi Fernandez explains why rookie guard Mikel Brown Jr. and fellow lottery pick Egor Demin have seen limited shared minutes. Brown, the No. 6 pick, sits out Sunday’s games against Indiana with a preventative back‑injury designation and remains on a minutes restriction after missing preseason time with an ankle issue. The duo only played together for four minutes in the fourth quarter of a 125‑121 loss to Cleveland, hitting six threes and sparking a comeback. Fernandez says the rotation puzzle stems from bench roles, minute limits and preserving player rhythm, not a lack of desire to pair them, and he’ll continue experimenting with lineups.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla deflects media focus on the Tatum‑Brown saga, emphasizing Jayson Tatum’s role while respecting former teammate Jaylen Brown’s contributions. Meanwhile, Sixers center Joel Embiid misses Sunday’s game against Detroit due to plantar fasciitis after a triple‑double win over Milwaukee, and RJ Barrett remains a key piece for the Raptors despite trade speculation. The Nets slide to 0‑2 after a loss to Cleveland, but rookie Egor Demin sparks hope with a 22‑point fourth‑quarter surge alongside Mikel Brown Jr., who is on a minutes restriction after an ankle injury.
The Brooklyn Nets, still winless at 0-2 in the 2026‑27 season, host the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center on Sunday at 6:00 PM ET. After a near‑comeback loss to Cleveland (125‑121), the Nets must also cope with the loss of rookie forward Mikel Brown Jr., who sits out on a minutes restriction after an ankle sprain. The Pacers come off a 16‑point defeat to Dallas and will be missing T.J. McConnell, Johnny Furphy and Ben Sheppard, with Braden Smith listed as doubtful. The game streams on YES Network and DAZN.
With the Eastern Conference tighter than ever, the Boston Celtics must take full advantage of their upcoming matchups against lower-tier teams like the Bulls, Nets, and Bucks.
The Pacers visit the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 6:00 PM ET for an early‑season Eastern Conference showdown. Indiana, coming off a win over New Orleans and a loss to Dallas, leans on Tyrese Haliburton and veteran Pascal Siakam to sustain its fast‑tempo offense. Brooklyn, seeking its first victory after defeats to Charlotte and Cleveland, hopes its young roster can slow Indiana’s transition game at home. The game airs on DAZN IND, YES Network and streams live via DAZN. Catch the matchup to see which team grabs early momentum.
The Cleveland Cavaliers fend off a late rally to edge the Brooklyn Nets 125-121 at Rocket Arena on Oct. 25, 2026. Donovan Mitchell (22) and Evan Mobley (20, 10) lead Cleveland’s 1‑1 start, while Jarrett Allen adds 21 points. Michael Porter Jr. tops Brooklyn with 28 points, but a 41‑point fourth quarter isn’t enough as the Nets fall to 0‑2. Cleveland dominates inside, outscoring the Nets 46‑30 in the paint and shooting 51% versus Brooklyn’s 40%. Both teams turnover 23 times, but the Cavs’ free‑throw edge (29‑23) secures the win, moving them to within one game of Detroit in the Central Division.
Barclays Center debuts a sweeping upgrade for the Nets' Opening Night on Oct. 25, blending art, cloud tech and new hospitality spaces. Highlights include a 60th‑anniversary court honoring all 575 former players, Sarah Sze’s LED “WAVE” sculpture, and works by Rashid Johnson and Mark Bradford as part of the Brooklyn Art Encounters initiative. The renovation—part of a $150 million, five‑year plan—adds a reimagined main entrance, expanded event‑level club themed on DUMBO, a new Amex Lounge for Platinum and Centurion members, and a modernized control room. Enhanced ticketing flow and premium lounge views aim to pull fans from home into a more immersive, Brooklyn‑centric arena experience.
The Brooklyn Nets head into a home finale against the Indiana Pacers Sunday night still winless (0-2) after a near‑comeback loss to Cleveland (125‑121). Julius Randle (28 PPG, 7 RB, 6 AST) and Michael Porter Jr. (27 PPG, 7 RB) kept the Nets afloat, but injuries loom—rookie Mikel Brown Jr. remains out with a back issue, and Day’Ron Sharpe faces foul trouble. The Pacers arrive 1‑1, boasting a dominant frontcourt led by Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac, who averages a double‑double and will test Brooklyn’s vulnerable interior defense. Key injury notes: Brown Jr., Tyler Bilodeau (Nets); T.J. McConnell, Johnny Furphy, Ben Sheppard (Pacers) out, with Braden Smith listed doubtful.
James Harden struggled against Brooklyn, but Cleveland's 23 turnovers nearly caused another devastating collapse. The Cavaliers have a bigger problem.
Two games into the regular season, Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson feels his team is still shaking out the cobwebs a bit physically.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost both fourth quarters they’ve played this season, surrendering a 24‑point combined deficit despite a 125‑121 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Coach Kenny Atkinson cites turnovers—16 lost possessions—as the root cause, while players like Donovan Mitchell and Mario Hezonja blame aggressive, late‑game blitz defenses that trap the ball. With only two reliable ball‑handlers and limited chemistry in the new lineup, the Cavs struggle to find open teammates. Both Mitchell and Hezonja say the issues are fixable and expect the early‑season growing pains to pay off later, but the team must tighten ball security now.