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NBA training camp 2026 opened this week and the league wasted no time reminding everyone how wild the off-season was. Media day landed on Monday for 28 teams (Houston and Dallas went early ahead of their China trip), practices started Tuesday and the first exhibition tipped off on Saturday in Quebec City. Giannis Antetokounmpo is now a Miami Heat player, LeBron James is a Philadelphia 76er and Kawhi Leonard is back in Toronto. Opening night is now just over a fortnight away.
Giannis debuts as Heat thump Raptors in Quebec City
The 2026–27 preseason started on Saturday 3 October at Centre Vidéotron, the first NBA game ever staged in Quebec City, and Miami ran away with it 129-105. Antetokounmpo played just over 14 minutes in his Heat debut and was perfect from the floor, going 3-of-3 for nine points with seven assists and four rebounds.
It was the passing that caught Erik Spoelstra’s eye. The Heat coach even reached for a Magic Johnson comparison, noting that Pat Riley saw shades of the big point guard he coached in the 1980s. Tim Hardaway Jr. led Miami with 14 points, while RJ Barrett and Tyreke Key had 15 apiece for Toronto. Leonard sat out as the Raptors ease him in after a limited first practice.
Duren and Detroit finally do a deal
The summer’s longest-running contract saga ended on Thursday night. All-NBA centre Jalen Duren agreed to a fully guaranteed five-year, US$200 million deal to stay with the Pistons, as first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. GM Trajan Langdon had set a midnight deadline, and the final version reportedly dropped a weight clause Detroit had tucked into an earlier offer.
The restricted free agent had skipped the start of camp, and sign-and-trade talk had been bubbling. Now Detroit, which went 60-22 last season before a seven-game semifinal loss to Cleveland, has its All-Star big man locked in.
LeBron, Brown and a new-look Sixers
James, 41, faced the cameras as a 76er for the first time, ready for an NBA-record 24th season. He says he’s in Philadelphia to help Joel Embiid chase a first ring, and he’ll split time between Philly and New York. Embiid turned up noticeably lighter and was a full participant at practice. Jaylen Brown, traded from Boston, completes a very different-looking Sixers roster.
Clippers win a thriller in Honolulu
On Sunday at Bankoh Arena, rookie Keaton Wagler hit a step-back jumper in the final seconds to give the Clippers a 104-101 win over Golden State. Rui Hachimura had 21 points in 15 minutes in his Clippers debut, and Stephen Curry scored 10 in a first-half cameo. Aussie Alex Toohey got eight minutes off the Warriors’ bench for two points, a steal and two blocks.
Other storylines
- Utah beat Denver 109-97 in Boulder, Colorado, with Lauri Markkanen scoring 17.
- Six new head coaches started camp, including Dusty May in Dallas after he led Michigan to the NCAA title.
- Ben Simmons is in camp with Sacramento on a one-year deal that stays non-guaranteed unless he makes the opening-night roster. He sat out 2025–26, so the preseason is his audition.
- Johnny Furphy (Pacers) is still recovering from the ACL tear he suffered in February and isn’t expected to play in the preseason.
- Kyrie Irving, out since tearing his ACL in March 2025, heads to Macao with Dallas for two games against Houston next week.
What it means
There are no standings yet, but the power map has shifted. Miami now pairs Giannis with Bam Adebayo and Klay Thompson. Philadelphia has added James and Brown to Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and Toronto has Leonard back. Detroit locking up Duren keeps last season’s top seed in the East intact.
The reigning champion Knicks, led by Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, host Philadelphia on opening night, so the East’s new contenders get an early test.
How to watch in Australia
- NBA League Pass (Standard from AU$174.99 a season) shows every game.
- ESPN, available through Disney+, Kayo Sports and Foxtel, carries NBA coverage in Australia for 2026–27.
- The regular season tips off at 6am AEDT on Wednesday 21 October with Boston at Detroit.
- Every NBA game with AEDT times and confirmed AU broadcasters: USA Sports TV Guide
- Full rundown of platforms and prices: How to Watch NBA in Australia 2026
One email per day at 7:00pm AEDT. Tomorrow’s NBA games with confirmed AEDT times, exact broadcasters, and pick of the day. Free.
What’s next?
- Live US Sports TV Guide
- How to Watch NBA in Australia 2026
- Previous NBA Wrap — 27 September 2026
- Next NBA Wrap — 11 October 2026
Results accurate as of 4 October 2026 US time. All times AEST (AEDT from Sunday 4 October). Mac Johannson covers US sports for Australian fans.