Kawhi Leonard returned to Toronto in familiar Raptors colors, delivering a vintage performance that brought back memories of his championship-winning run. Elsewhere in Tuesday's NBA preseason action, the Oklahoma City Thunder edged the Indiana Pacers in overtime, the Golden State Warriors rallied past the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers secured impressive wins.
Here’s a quick look at what’s driving the NBA headlines:
- Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points in just 17 minutes as the Toronto Raptors defeated the New York Knicks 148-98.
- Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a 20-point deficit to beat the Indiana Pacers 114-112 in overtime, despite Tyrese Haliburton's impressive return.
- Golden State Warriors erased a 20-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 101-89 in Las Vegas.
- Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Deni Avdija delivered standout performances to lead the Magic and Trail Blazers to victories.
1. NBA Cup 2026: All 30 Court Designs Revealed
The NBA has unveiled all 30 court designs for the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup, introducing bold colors and distinctive team details ahead of the fourth edition of the league's in-season tournament. The specially designed floors will be used throughout Group Play, the Quarterfinals and Semifinals, giving the competition a consistent visual identity while allowing each franchise to showcase its personality.
Nike Inspiration and Team-Specific Details
The designs draw inspiration from Nike Basketball's 2026 Standard Issue Collection, extending its distinctive aesthetic from fan apparel to the courts. Key features include oversized team wordmarks on both sides of the floor, with court colors contrasting against each team's Statement Edition uniforms. The host team's logo will also appear over the Emirates NBA Cup trophy at center court, with the trophy featured in the painted area.
Teams have added their own touches around the out-of-bounds areas. Boston incorporates its traditional parquet pattern, while Indiana features the outline of its home state alongside other team-specific details. The tournament's slogan, “30 Teams. 8 Advance. 1 Champion.”, will appear near the corner three-point line on every court.
NBA Cup 2026 Schedule and Format
Group Play begins on Friday, October 30, with a 10-game schedule that includes a Prime Video doubleheader. The New York Knicks will visit the Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers against the Golden State Warriors at 10 p.m. ET. Eight teams will advance to the single-elimination Knockout Rounds, with the Quarterfinals scheduled for December 4 and 5. The NBA Cup Championship will take place on December 11 at Indianapolis' historic Hinkle Fieldhouse.
2. Tuesday's Best: Kawhi Leonard Returns, Thunder Survive Haliburton's Challenge
Raptors 148, Knicks 98: Kawhi Delivers a Memorable Homecoming
Kawhi Leonard made his first appearance in Raptors colors in seven years, having last represented Toronto in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals, when the franchise captured its first NBA championship. His preseason return was an emphatic one. Leonard recorded 21 points, five rebounds, two steals and four three-pointers in just 17 minutes, helping Toronto cruise past the Knicks.
The forward even enjoyed a friendly bounce on a corner three-pointer from almost the same spot as his famous Game 7 buzzer-beater against Philadelphia in the 2019 playoffs. Leonard received a standing ovation during pregame introductions and quickly connected from beyond the arc. He finished 4-for-8 from three-point range, scoring all 21 points before halftime as Toronto established an overwhelming 86-47 lead.
Scottie Barnes also contributed 19 points, six rebounds, two steals and one block in the comfortable victory. Asked whether the familiar bounce brought back memories of his iconic playoff shot, Leonard responded: “No, not at all. A lot of my shots do that.”
Thunder 114, Pacers 112 (OT): Haliburton Impresses in Oklahoma City
Tyrese Haliburton returned to the Paycom Center, the site of his Achilles injury during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, approximately 16 months after the incident. The Indiana Pacers guard showed encouraging form, finishing with 24 points, three assists, two blocks and four three-pointers while trading blows with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who recorded 15 points and six assists.
However, Oklahoma City ultimately prevailed in overtime. Indiana's Kobe Brown forced the extra period with a late game-tying layup, but Zhaire Smith responded with consecutive jump shots to put the Thunder ahead for good. Jared McCain led Oklahoma City with 20 points and six three-pointers, while Jalen Williams added 16 points. The Thunder overcame a 20-point second-quarter deficit to secure the narrow win.
3. NBA Preseason Roundup: Warriors Rally, Magic and Blazers Impress
Warriors 101, Lakers 89: Golden State Completes Comeback
The Golden State Warriors produced a strong second-half performance to overcome a 20-point deficit and defeat the Lakers in Las Vegas. Austin Reaves led Los Angeles with 28 points and seven assists in 25 minutes, but Golden State responded through Brandin Podziemski and Yaxel Lendeborg, who scored 17 points apiece.
The Warriors outscored the Lakers 51-26 in the second half to complete the comeback. De'Anthony Melton also made an impact defensively, recording six steals, including an impressive one-handed interception that led to a fast-break score. Meanwhile, rookie Lendeborg, the No. 11 overall pick and 2026 Summer League MVP, continued his productive run by scoring at least 17 points for the third consecutive game.
Magic 132, Cavaliers 116: Banchero and Wagner Lead Orlando
The Orlando Magic maintained control throughout their matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, securing a 132-116 victory behind efficient performances from Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Banchero finished with 24 points and eight rebounds on 10-of-13 shooting, while Wagner contributed 20 points and eight assists on 7-of-10 shooting. Donovan Mitchell recorded 15 points and eight assists for Cleveland, but the Cavaliers could not prevent Orlando from completing a wire-to-wire win.
Trail Blazers 110, Kings 98: Avdija Leads Portland
Deni Avdija delivered another strong performance as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Sacramento Kings 110-98.
Following his first All-Star selection last season, Avdija continued to demonstrate his value with 26 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Ja Morant and Damian Lillard also contributed 14 points apiece, helping Portland secure the win. Morant added six assists and provided another highlight moment during the contest.
4. NBA TV Preview: Mavericks Host Pelicans, Clippers Face Nuggets
Tuesday's NBA TV doubleheader features the New Orleans Pelicans visiting the Dallas Mavericks at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the Denver Nuggets taking on the Los Angeles Clippers at 10:30 p.m. ET. Two established offensive talents, DeMar DeRozan and Kyrie Irving, headline the storylines surrounding the upcoming games as they prepare for new opportunities in the 2026-27 season.
DeMar DeRozan Begins a New Chapter in Denver
Entering his 18th NBA season, DeRozan remains one of the league's most accomplished active scorers. The six-time All-Star is the Toronto Raptors' all-time leading scorer and ranks 16th on the NBA's career scoring list. However, an NBA championship remains absent from his résumé. After missing the playoffs in each of his last two seasons in Sacramento, DeRozan begins a new chapter in Denver with the ultimate prize in mind.
“My mindset is to win,” DeRozan said at Media Day, adding that he intends to compete and help the team in any way possible. His scoring ability could help compensate for the departures of Peyton Watson, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown during the Nuggets' offseason.
DeRozan also brings considerable playmaking ability. He is one of only five active players with at least 25,000 points and 5,000 assists, joining LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and James Harden. He has averaged 5.3 assists per game since the 2018-19 season.
Denver star Nikola Jokić praised DeRozan's passing, describing him as an underrated playmaker who could embrace the team's style of basketball and introduce new ideas to its system.
Kyrie Irving Returns as Dallas Looks to the Future
Kyrie Irving is also looking to make an impact in Dallas after missing the previous season because of an ACL injury. Although he was sidelined, the 14-year veteran and 2016 NBA champion continued to support his younger teammates, including No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, by providing guidance and leadership.
Irving returned to the court on Sunday in Macao, marking his first appearance in 586 days. He scored 17 points in 22 minutes to help Dallas defeat Houston in the second NBA China Game. Mavericks coach Dusty May praised Irving's physical and mental condition, comparing his creativity on the court to that of an artist and jazz musician.
For Irving, however, his return represents more than a chance to resume scoring. He explained that basketball has rewarded him immensely and that his focus has increasingly shifted towards his legacy and the next generation of players.
5. League Pass Preview: Dylan Harper Looks to Take the Next Step
Dylan Harper is preparing for a bigger role as the San Antonio Spurs host the Phoenix Suns on League Pass at 8 p.m. ET.
Since 1980, only two rookies have averaged at least 15 points per game in an NBA Finals: Magic Johnson and Dylan Harper. Coming off the bench during the 2026 Finals, Harper averaged 18.5 points per game, ranking second on the Spurs behind Victor Wembanyama, who averaged 26 points.
Now entering his second NBA season, the 20-year-old guard is looking to build on that performance after making an encouraging first preseason start. According to The Athletic's Jared Weiss, Harper showed progress in his ability to control the game as a starting point guard, recording a game-high 16 points and four assists in the first half.
Weiss also highlighted Harper's continued ability to attack the basket, alongside improved comfort with his pull-up shooting. These developments could help him become a more complete guard as he takes on greater responsibility in San Antonio's offense.
More NBA Preseason Games to Watch
Four additional games will be available on League Pass on Tuesday, including the Minnesota Timberwolves facing the Detroit Pistons in a matchup that could offer another look at LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards sharing a backcourt.
The remaining fixtures are:
- Brooklyn Nets vs. Miami Heat — 7:30 p.m. ET
- Charlotte Hornets vs. Boston Celtics — 7:30 p.m. ET
- Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks — 8 p.m. ET
NBA Schedule Updates and Upcoming Events
Seven games are scheduled for Tuesday, including the NBA TV doubleheader featuring Pelicans-Mavericks and Nuggets-Clippers. The WNBA Finals schedule has also been adjusted. Games 3 and 4 between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream will take place at Atlanta's State Farm Arena. Game 3 is scheduled for October 21 at 8 p.m. ET, while Game 4 remains on October 24 but will tip off at 1 p.m. ET.
Meanwhile, NBA ID Member Days return on October 15-16, offering members free access to stream up to 14 preseason games on League Pass. The countdown to the 2026-27 NBA regular season is also nearing its end, with opening night scheduled for October 20 and an NBC/Peacock tripleheader set to launch the new campaign.
