Huffman Sports Wire News Break · NBA · Reporting · Published · Huffman Sports Wire Staff
The NBA’s preseason is testing more than new lineups. Wednesday’s evening edition follows Philadelphia’s mounting injury concerns, the latest camp roster moves and experiments that could eventually change how officials track the game.
International negotiations and a new marketing agreement also feature in the report, while Tyrese Haliburton’s comeback and the first appearances of stars in new uniforms keep the focus on the court.
Injury Desk: Sixers lose Hukporti; James and Porzingis remain health concerns
Philadelphia center Ariel Hukporti suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during Monday’s preseason opener against New York. NBA.com reported that an MRI confirmed the injury and that surgery was completed successfully Tuesday. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Hukporti will miss the 2026–27 season, removing a depth option behind Joel Embiid before the regular season begins.
The Sixers’ other frontcourt options are limited, too. Wednesday reporting, citing ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, says Dominick Barlow is expected to miss the next two preseason games with a back issue and Adem Bona is also expected to remain out for those matchups as he recovers from a foot injury. Anfernee Simons was among the players who missed Monday’s opener.
LeBron James’ health management is another Philadelphia storyline. ESPN’s training-camp reporting, discussed by USA Today’s For The Win on October 5, described chronic arthritis in his left foot and monitoring of his lower back following sciatica. The 41-year-old’s daily preparation and workload remain important considerations for the Sixers as they bring their reconfigured lineup together.
Golden State is still waiting for Kristaps Porzingis to return to the team. Bay Area News Group reported that he had been absent for nearly two weeks with a health issue and that Steve Kerr had no new update after Tuesday’s preseason game. The Warriors have not publicly connected the current absence to a specific diagnosis or announced a return date.
Sources: NBA.com · ESPN · The Sixer Sense · RotoWire · USA Today / For The Win · Bay Area News Group / The Press Democrat
Transaction Wire: Exhibit 10 deals and recent roster cuts
Oklahoma City signed guard Anthony Pritchard to an Exhibit 10 contract Tuesday, according to RotoWire’s October 6 report citing SI.com’s Rylan Stiles. Pritchard played for the Oklahoma City Blue last season, and the report described the signing as likely related to securing his G League rights.
Portland’s Jaylen Martin signing is an earlier camp move. RealGM reported on October 1 that the Trail Blazers added the wing on an Exhibit 10 contract while waiving Lee Hyun-jung. Martin split last season between the Delaware Blue Coats and Rip City Remix.
The Associated Press’ October 6 transaction list recorded Utah waiving Terrell Brown Jr., Orlando waiving Johnell Davis and the Clippers waiving Fletcher Loyer. These recent cuts and camp signings reflect the final stretch of roster evaluations ahead of regular-season play.
Sources: RotoWire · RealGM · Associated Press / Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Tech and Global News: Research-only smart balls, European talks and Nestlé partnership
The NBA announced Monday that selected preseason games will test Wilson basketballs fitted with Bluetooth sensors. The connected balls collect data for research into possible future officiating uses; their readings will not change calls in the exhibition games. Officials will also test wrist wearables for communication with the Replay Center during reviews, scoring corrections and clock issues. The league’s announcement says the technology will not extend into the regular season.
In Europe, Barcelona confirmed to the Associated Press on Wednesday that EuroLeague club owners had rejected the NBA’s proposed merger into one European operation at Tuesday’s meeting in Italy. Barcelona’s statement left room to reconsider an amended offer. The current EuroLeague has 20 teams and 13 shareholder clubs, while the NBA and FIBA are considering a 16-team model; individual clubs’ votes were not disclosed.
Nestlé and the NBA announced a multiyear international marketing partnership on Wednesday covering 21 markets across four continents. Milo, Nescau and Nesquik will become official NBA partners, with youth basketball programs, retail promotions and fan events among the planned activities. The agreement takes effect January 1, 2027, with the Philippines joining in October 2027.
Sources: Associated Press / NBA.com · Associated Press / ABC News · Nestlé / PR Newswire
On the Court: Haliburton comeback watch and stars in new uniforms
Tyrese Haliburton’s comeback is a leading storyline in Indiana’s Wednesday preseason matchup with Minnesota. NBA.com’s morning preview identified the game as a possible return after he missed the entire 2025–26 season recovering from an Achilles injury. His recovery is central to the Pacers’ preparations for the coming season.
The week has already produced encouraging first looks at several major offseason additions. Jaylen Brown scored 22 points in 17 minutes as Philadelphia beat New York 120–97 on Monday, while LaMelo Ball contributed 11 points, four rebounds and three assists in Minnesota’s 116–97 win over Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s earlier Miami preseason debut included nine points and seven assists on 3-for-3 shooting, according to NBA.com.
Sources
- NBA.com — Ariel Hukporti’s Achilles injury and successful surgery · Published
- ESPN — Shams Charania reports Hukporti’s season-ending injury · Published
- The Sixer Sense — Philadelphia’s center depth and next two preseason absences · Published
- RotoWire — Dominick Barlow expected to miss two more preseason games · Updated
- USA Today / For The Win — LeBron James’ foot and back management with Philadelphia · Published
- Bay Area News Group / The Press Democrat — Kristaps Porzingis remains away from Golden State with a health issue · Updated
- RotoWire — Anthony Pritchard signs with Oklahoma City · Published
- RealGM — Trail Blazers add Jaylen Martin on an Exhibit 10 contract · Published
- Associated Press / Wyoming Tribune Eagle — Tuesday’s NBA transactions · Published
- Associated Press / NBA.com — NBA tests smart basketballs and officials’ wrist wearables · Published
- Associated Press / ABC News — EuroLeague owners reject the current NBA merger proposal · Published
- Nestlé / PR Newswire — Nestlé and NBA announce a 21-market international partnership · Published
- NBA.com — October 7 preseason preview and Haliburton comeback watch · Published
- NBA.com — Jaylen Brown and LaMelo Ball’s first preseason games with new teams · Published
- NBA.com — Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Miami preseason debut · Published