Starting 5, Oct. 4: NBA preseason tip-off is here

The wait is over … the NBA is again!

After 109 days, the 2024-25 preseason suggestions off right this moment in Abu Dhabi with a star-studded matchup between the previous two NBA champions (12 ET, NBA TV).

THE LINEUP 🏀

What’s inside right this moment’s version?

Title Groups Collide: A preseason opener brimming with star energy and championship DNA

Abu Dhabi All-Entry: How Boston & Denver spent the day earlier than Day 1

Starry Evening: The Lakers & Wolves headline two must-see primetime matchups

W Semifinals: A pair of pivotal Recreation 3s get underway tonight

The Clark Spark: Contained in the Rookie of the Yr’s historic season

BUT FIRST … ⏰

What’s in retailer right this moment?

The 2024-25 preseason begins right this moment with a loaded three-game slate, led by the long-awaited NBA Abu Dhabi Video games 2024

Plus, the WNBA Playoffs boast two essential Recreation 3s in its best-of-five semifinals.

1. CHAMPIONSHIP CULTURES COLLIDE IN ABU DHABI

Did somebody say appointment TV? Properly, sit again, calm down and benefit from the present as a result of the 2024-25 NBA preseason is simply hours away, with the Nuggets and Celtics set to sq. off in Abu Dhabi (12 ET, NBA TV).

Friday’s opening matchup doesn’t simply characteristic the previous two title winners, the reigning Kia NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, 2023-24 All-NBA First-Workforce member Jayson Tatum and eight whole All-Stars — it spotlights two franchises which have laid the blueprint for constant success.

Over the previous three seasons, no one within the NBA has extra regular-season wins than the Nuggets (158) and Celtics (172), who every used the identical successful method to summit the mountain high in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

• Homegrown Stars: Each groups discovered superstars within the Draft, with Boston choosing Jaylen Brown (2016) and Jayson Tatum (2017) in consecutive years, whereas Denver landed Nikola Jokic (2014) and Jamal Murray (2016)
• Proper Position Gamers: The Nuggets then constructed on their basis by drafting Michael Porter Jr. in 2018 and buying Aaron Gordon in 2021. One yr later, the C’s added key contributors in Derrick White and Al Horford
• Lacking Items: After 4 straight Playoff exits, Denver strengthened its rotation by including Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown and Christian Braun for the 2022-23 season
• One yr later, Boston, having reached 5 ECF in seven seasons, bolstered its lineup with Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porzingis
• Persistence Pays Off: In 2023, the Nuggets claimed their first-ever title. One season later, the Celtics hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the primary time since 2008

Though the 2 groups adopted the identical championship recipe, they utilized totally different offseason methods, with Boston working it again whereas including two younger shooters and Denver retooling to interchange two core vets.

• C’s To See: Along with retaining 15 gamers from its title workforce — which led the NBA in made 3s final season — Boston added Lonnie Walker IV (38.4 3P% in 2023-24) in free company and drafted Baylor Scheierman (39.0 3P% in NCAA) out of Creighton
• New Nuggets To Watch: Then again, Denver misplaced Caldwell-Pope (10.1 ppg in 2024-25) and Reggie Jackson (10.2 ppg in 2024-25) in free company this summer season earlier than signing Russell Westbrook (11.1 ppg in 2023-24) and Dario Saric (8.0 ppg in 23-24)

Regardless of the totally different offseason approaches, each Boston and Denver enter 2024-25 with the identical purpose, and every of their coaches count on to perform it.

• Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla: “We need to win a championship each single yr … That’s the usual. That’s the expectation.”
• Nuggets Coach Michael Malone: “I stay up for constructing on what we’ve accomplished the final six seasons and successful a championship.”

2. ABU DHABI ALL-ACCESS: THE DAY BEFORE DAY 1

At some point earlier than starting their 2024-25 title quest, each the Celtics and Nuggets took time to present again to the group in Abu Dhabi.

After Nikola Jokic, Russell Westbrook and Denver galvanized the following technology of hoopers at Tuesday’s NBA Cares clinic, the Celtics handed alongside their hoops data on Wednesday.

• X’s & O’s With JT: Jayson Tatum helps a younger group of ballers work on their handles earlier than breaking down the huddle
• “It’s nice being on the opposite aspect of the world and seeing how the sport has grown,” mentioned Tatum. “They’re excited that we’re right here and we’re excited to be right here.”

Exterior the world, the Nuggets teamed up with scholar volunteers for a ‘Nurdle Hunt’ at Jumeirah Seashore, serving to to assemble and take away ‘nurdles’ — small plastic pellets used within the manufacturing of plastic that may discover their approach into the ocean.

• Can’t Cease Coach Malone: Michael Malone won’t ever flip off his aggressive aspect, even when main ‘Workforce 2’ in a pleasant competitors of Nurdle searching

Then, Denver locked in for a last follow and media session, the place veteran massive man DeAndre Jordan took on a enjoyable problem — attempting to unscramble his 17 Media Day headshots.

3. STARRY NIGHT: MORE PRESEASON HOOPS AWAIT

The motion doesn’t cease after the preseason opener in Abu Dhabi. Friday options two extra matchups to get the preseason going because the New Zealand Breakers tackle the Jazz earlier than the T-Wolves face the Lakers.

New Zealand Breakers at Jazz (9 ET, NBA League Go): How will among the finest groups in Australia’s Nationwide Basketball League (NBL) fare towards Lauri Markkanen and the Jazz?

• The Current Historical past: 2024-25 marks the third straight preseason that includes at the very least one NBL vs. NBA sport, with the NBA main the collection 5-1
• Spherical 2: Tonight’s assembly will probably be a rematch from final preseason when Utah defeated New Zealand 114-94 behind Markkanen’s 15 factors and 7 boards
• Gamers To Watch: Three notable 2024 Draft picks are anticipated to swimsuit up for Utah: Cody Williams (No. 10 decide), the youthful brother of OKC star Jalen Williams; Isaiah Collier (No. 29), a standout guard from USC; and former Duke All-American Kyle Filipowski (No. 32)

Timberwolves at Lakers (10:30 ET, NBA TV): What can we count on when Anthony Edwards and the new-look Wolves face LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers, with Bronny James anticipated to make his preseason debut?

• Setting The Stage: The Lakers chosen Bronny with the No. 55 decide within the 2024 Draft, making the NBA’s first lively father-son duo. No father and son pairing has ever performed collectively in an NBA sport
• Measuring Stick: Now getting into his twenty second NBA season, LeBron will look to assist the Lakers bounce again from final yr’s first-round Playoff exit and can get an early check tonight towards final yr’s Western Convention Finalists
• New To The Pack: On the opposite aspect, the Wolves will probably be making their first look since buying and selling Karl-Anthony Cities to the Knicks for fellow All-Star Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, whose availability for tonight are unknown

Preseason hoops continues tomorrow in Honolulu, as Stephen Curry and the Warriors make their first outing of the 2024-25 season towards James Harden and the Clippers in a standalone Saturday sport.

• Warriors vs. Clippers (7 ET, NBA TV | Honolulu, HI)

Then, Sunday delivers a five-game slate to wrap up the weekend, headlined by the second and last sport from Abu Dhabi and the tenth version of the Canada Sequence.

• Nuggets vs. Celtics (10 a.m. ET, NBA TV | NBA Abu Dhabi Video games 2024)
• Knicks at Hornets (5 ET, NBA TV)
• Wizards vs. Raptors (7:30 ET, NBA League Go | NBA Canada Sequence)
• Bucks at Pistons (8 ET, ESPN)
• Suns at Lakers (9:30 ET, NBA League Go)

4. W SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: A PAIR OF PIVOTAL GAME 3s

Lynx at Solar, 7:30 ET, ESPN2 (Sequence Tied 1-1): After splitting the primary two video games in Minnesota, the best-of-five semifinals has shifted to Connecticut for the following two video games.

• How Necessary Is Recreation 3? When a collection is tied 1-1, the winner of Recreation 3 has gone on to win the collection 58.8% of the time (10-7) with 11 of the 17 collection going the total 5 video games
• Lynx Gamers To Watch: Napheesa Collier is averaging a double-double (14 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.5 bpg) however her scoring effectivity is down (33.3% FG, 16.7% 3P). Former Solar Courtney Williams got here up massive in Minnesota’s Recreation 2 win; can she repeat that effort in Recreation 3?
• Solar Gamers To Watch: Alyssa Thomas (17.5 ppg, 10 rpg, 8 apg, 2.5 spg) and Marina Mabrey (17.5 ppg, 4 3pg) have shared the majority of the scoring load. DeWanna Bonner (13.5 ppg on 28.1% capturing) wants seven factors to cross Candace Parker for 2nd on the all-time Playoff scoring listing

Liberty at Aces, 9:30 ET, ESPN2 (NY Leads 2-0): Can the Liberty avenge their 2023 Finals loss by finishing a sweep of the Aces in 2024? Or will the Aces take step one towards a doubtlessly historic comeback and preserve their three-peat hopes alive?

• Playoff Historical past: The WNBA has used a best-of-five format within the Finals since 2005 and the Semifinals since 2016. In that point, 18 groups have gone up 2-0 in a collection – and all 18 have gone on to win the collection, together with 13 ending in sweeps
• Tables Turned: The final workforce to win Recreation 3 after being down 2-0 was the Liberty within the 2023 Finals towards the Aces, however Las Vegas gained the collection in 4 video games
• Solely One: Within the 2018 Semifinals towards Seattle, Phoenix grew to become the one workforce to power a winner-take-all Recreation 5 after dropping the primary two video games of the collection. Can the Aces defend their house courtroom on Friday and Sunday to affix them?
• Gamers To Watch: Breanna Stewart (24.5 ppg) and Sabrina Ionescu (22.5 ppg) have mixed for 47 ppg (or 58% of New York’s offense). A’ja Wilson (22.5 ppg, 58.8% capturing) is the one Ace capturing at the very least 44% within the collection

5. CLARK NAMED ROY AFTER HISTORIC SEASON

Few gamers have entered the WNBA with extra hype than Caitlin Clark. She was the highest decide within the 2024 WNBA Draft by Indiana following a school profession that noticed her rating extra factors than any participant – males’s or ladies’s – in NCAA Division I basketball historical past.

Not solely did Clark stay as much as the hype, she exceeded expectations by placing collectively a historic debut WNBA season that culminated with a Kia WNBA Rookie of the Yr Award on Thursday.

• Clark appeared in all 40 video games, fueling a seven-win enchancment as Indiana posted its finest report – and made its first Playoff look – in eight seasons
• Elite Firm: Clark joined Candace Parker (the one rookie to win MVP in 2008), Elena Delle Donne (third, 2013), Diana Taurasi (third, 2004) and Tamika Catchings (third, 2002) as the one rookies to complete within the high 5 in MVP voting

The stats are solely a part of the story. Clark, together with ROY runner-up Angel Reese of the Sky, helped spark the WNBA to its most-watched common season in 24 years, highest attendance in 22 years and record-setting digital consumption and merchandise gross sales.

• Field Workplace: The Fever noticed a 319% enhance in attendance in 2024 and had been a part of three video games to attract at the very least 20,000 followers, together with a single-game report crowd of 20,711 on Sept. 19 towards the Mystics

Clark acquired 66 ROY votes from a nationwide panel of 67 sportswriters and broadcasters. Reese acquired the opposite vote after a record-breaking rookie season of her personal.

• Reese posted the highest-ever rebound common (13.1 rpg) and had the longest double-double streak (15 video games) of any participant in league historical past
• Clark and Reese led the All-Rookie Workforce that additionally included L.A.’s Rickea Jackson, Chicago’s Kamilla Cardoso and New York’s Leonie Fiebich