As the team practiced in Hawaii, the 4-time NBA champion sat down for an interview with Larry Beil. The elephant in the room had to be addressed immediately. Stephen Curry was sitting with one ice bag wrapped around his knees. However, he said it’s nothing to worry about.

“All maintenance,” Curry said to ABC7. “I think there’s a running joke in the locker room, like I think five bags after practice means you should retire. I’m only at two, so we’re good. We’re good. I got plenty to work with.”

What was initially expected to be a one-week absence eventually kept him out for 27 straight games. The setback was tied to right knee bone bruising and patellofemoral pain. This issue added to a season in which he missed 39 games overall because of his right knee. The Warriors felt the impact of his prolonged absence.

Golden State went 13–26 without him and finished the 2025–26 regular season at 37–45, landing 10th in the Western Conference. Before the injury troubles disrupted his season, he averaged 27.2 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds. He has also made it clear that managing his body is now part of the job.

Stephen Curry also played down the concerns two weeks ago: “So, it’s kind of part of the longevity aspect of this. And I’m not afraid of it. I know what I need to do to, again, prepare myself to be ready to play.”

The four-time NBA champion would reiterate the sentiment during his recent sit-down in Hawaii.

“It’s a concern, but it’s something that, now that I know what it is. You can kind of get ahead of it and manage it in a way that allows me to do. What I need to do on the court, be available for my team but have all the preparations to make sure that it’s able to recover.

“And I’m able to be out there most nights. So, it’s a new normal. I’m not afraid of saying that because I kind of know what I’m dealing with, and just requires me to approach things a little differently but still play.”

The concern grew after a video from Stephen Curry’s China tour showed him limping. It quickly surpassed six million views, putting his knee back under the microscope.

That added to questions that had already surfaced earlier in September, when Monte Poole reported that the issue was something the Warriors could not simply overlook.

“From what I’ve been told, it can be managed, but it has to be managed, and that’s a new thing for Steph. People always say he is the most conditioned guy in the league, and now he has to manage a knee.”

The locker room may joke about the concern surrounding him, but his teammates don’t seem bothered by it. Gary Payton II told the San Francisco Chronicle that even when Curry appeared to have a slight limp, he saw no reason for alarm.

“When he had his little limp? He’s just having a hard day! Workout day. It’s nothing crazy.” Payton then put the situation into three simple words: “It’s just Steph.”

Even the Warriors are not worried about the Stephen Curry injury. They offered him a two-year $116 million extension, keeping that championship window open. The 38-year-old took part in the training camp scrimmage. He was part of Golden State’s blue group.

The lineup featured Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Yaxel Lendeborg, Al Horford and Draymond Green sharing the floor. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr later confirmed that the group would start against the Clippers on Sunday. Another piece of good news for the fans was that Curry’s knee did not trouble him as he found his rhythm, knocking down a few triples.

The post “You Should Retire”: Stephen Curry Reveals Warriors Locker Room Discussion While Detailing His Knee Condition appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“The Mavericks are holding onto center Moussa Cisse, who will have his contract for the 2026-27 season fully guaranteed in a matter of minutes,” sources told ClutchPoints’ Bret Siegel. “Cisse signed an offer sheet with the Knicks earlier this summer only for Dallas to match and keep him.”

Moussa Cisse looked like someone who could become available if the Mavericks needed to clear a roster spot. But Dallas has now made sure that will not happen by keeping the 24-year-old center. That decision comes with the team already facing a difficult roster squeeze and Dwight Powell still trying to earn his way back onto the roster.

Because of this, the Knicks had some reason to believe Cisse could eventually return to the market. New York signed the restricted free agent to a two-year, $4.7 million offer sheet in July. Dallas matched the offer, but the agreement included an Oct. 1 guarantee. Until that deadline, Cisse’s first-year salary was only partially guaranteed. That created a scenario worth monitoring as the Mavericks worked through their crowded frontcourt.

Marc Stein reported that Dallas wants Powell back. With only 15 standard roster spots available, the Mavericks appeared to have a decision coming. Cisse could have been the odd man out. He is not anymore.

Dallas is heading to Macao for two preseason games against Houston, with all 15 standard contracts already accounted for. Powell remains in the mix as the Mavs make their final camp decisions. But the team has chosen to protect Cisse’s place rather than leave his future hanging.

Cisse would have been an inexpensive upside play for the Knicks. The 6-foot-11 center from Guinea went undrafted out of Memphis in 2025 and spent his first professional season on a two-way contract with Dallas. He appeared in 38 games, averaging 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 13.9 minutes per night. His efficiency around the basket stood out. The 24-year-old shot 57.4% from the field.

There was enough there for New York to take a chance in July. Now, the Knicks have to look elsewhere. Ian Begley effectively put the situation to rest for anyone still waiting to see whether Dallas would release Cisse.

“Just a PSA to Knicks fans waiting on Cisse news: you can head to bed … I would be shocked if DAL waived him.” The timing is not ideal for New York.

The Knicks have reportedly been aggressive in their attempts to find “an impactful center to their bench unit,” according to Brett Siegel. Their search could involve the trade market, with Pacome Dadiet and Miles McBride among the contracts expected to be considered in potential deals. The team also has several options in camp.

Andre Drummond is expected to take over Mitchell Robinson’s spot. Apart from him, Drew Eubanks and former top-five pick James Wiseman are competing for opportunities. Even Tony Bradley has joined the center battle.

Bradley has faced the Knicks in the postseason during his stints with the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks, and he now has a chance to compete for the final standard roster spot.

New York’s center competition features three veterans coming off very different seasons. Drew Eubanks appeared in 42 games for the Sacramento Kings in 2025-26, averaging 5.2 points and 3.0 rebounds before a torn UCL in his left thumb brought his season to an early end in March. James Wiseman’s year with the Indiana Pacers was even shorter.

He played four games and averaged 3.3 points and 2.0 rebounds while working his way back from a torn left Achilles tendon suffered the previous season. Tony Bradley saw action in 38 games for Indiana, putting up 4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds, then appeared in just three games after joining Atlanta. That’s why the Knicks are taking their time to finalize the center spot.

The post Knicks’ Hopes of Plugging Roster Void Takes Severe Blow After Mavs Retain 24-Year-Old Player appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“I’m very religious,” said Josh Hart, per the SNY Yankees. “I know Jesus is at God’s right hand, but Cam Schlittler might be at his left.”

Born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, not far from Boston, Cam Schlittler can easily be considered the Red Sox’s latest threat. After decimating the Red Sox in the 2025 Wild Card Series as a rookie, Schlittler crushed them again in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series this year.

As the Yankees shut out the Red Sox 9-0 in the series opener, Schlittler threw 6.1 scoreless innings. He allowed only 2 hits and struck out 10. Schlittler threw 117 pitches on Tuesday. It is the highest by a Yankees starter in the postseason since CC Sabathia threw 121 pitches in the 2012 ALDS. His latest start was as impressive as his 8-inning, 12-strikeout gem against the Red Sox in Game 3 of the 2025 ALWCS. Manager Aaron Boone also praised him for his impressive start.

“Awesome. He was great,” Boone said, per MLB Network. “The only thing was, obviously, a higher pitch count. They made them work a little bit there in the first inning…but he was terrific.”

Regardless of Hart’s comparison to God’s left hand, Schlittler is surely carving his place beside the legends of the game. With his latest start, Schlittler joined an elite group of five aces in MLB history. Apart from Justin Verlander, Sandy Koufax, Randy Johnson, Kevin Brown, and Cliff Lee, Schlittler became the sixth pitcher to record at least two scoreless playoff starts with 10 strikeouts. Verlander did it three times, while Koufax, Johnson, Brown, and Lee have done it twice, per SNY.

“It’s very well known that if you want to be a legend, which is obviously the goal, you’ve got to do it in the postseason,” said Schlittler, per SNY. “Go out there and have dominant starts and put the team in the position to win.”

While Schlittler held back the Red Sox batters, the Yankees lineup provided him with run support. Austin Wells took an early 1-0 lead with an RBI single off Payton Tolle in the second inning. Following Tolle’s exit after 4.2 innings, Ben Rice launched a solo homer off Erik Miller. The Red Sox bullpen could not stop the Yankees. Rice drove in a run in the seventh inning, and the Yankees scored another run on a double play. To conclude their attack, the Yankees scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, including Ben Rice’s grand slam.

After Game 1, the Yankees dominated the Red Sox again in the second game of the series, winning 9-2. With a series sweep at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees eliminated the Red Sox from the postseason and advanced to the ALDS. They will play the AL East toppers, the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees will visit Florida, as Games 1 and 2 are scheduled at Tropicana Field. While the Yankees are undecided on their Game 1 starter, debating between Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon, Cam Schlittler will take the mound in Game 2.

In five career starts against the Rays, Schlittler has logged a 2.67 ERA in 27 innings. He has allowed 9 runs on 22 hits and struck out 34. Notably, Schlittler posted an incredible 1.16 ERA in away games compared to his 2.98 ERA in home games. He has also not allowed more than one earned run throughout September. The Yankees will bank on him for another incredible start to lift them to the ALCS.

The post “I’m Very Religious”: Yankees’ 25YO Star Called God’s ‘Left Hand’ by Josh Hart in an Honest Confession appeared first on EssentiallySports.

He was scheduled to appear in Sunday’s Fan Fest scrimmage before starting work with the team the following week. He was also to team up with analyst Lamar Hurd and sideline reporter Brooke Olzendam, and had this stint worked out for him, he would have made history as the youngest play-by-play announcer. But none of that will take place anymore. The Blazers clarified why.

“The Portland Trail Blazers have zero tolerance for racist, sexist, or harmful comments,” the team announced. “Social media posts made by our recently announced play-by-play broadcaster are in clear violation of team and league policies, as well as our values and expectations. Therefore, we will not be moving forward with this broadcaster.

“The play-by-play role carries a long legacy of excellence, on the broadcast and in character, and we hold that standard without exception. We did not meet our own bar in this process, and for that, we apologize to Blazers fans and to Rip City. We believe strongly that everyone who is part of Rip City should feel welcome and safe, and we will make sure that our new broadcaster reflects these values. We will do better.”

He has not made a comment on his firing. Bell, 29, was brought in from the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury to replace veteran announcer Kevin Calabro. The latter had served as the television voice of the franchise for nine seasons. So, Bell had some big shoes to fill, though that is no longer the case.

Bell had been using the same account for over a decade, back when it was Twitter and right through his sportscasting career when it became X.com. The tweets were dug up by local Portland journalist Devon Haskins, who shared screengrabs in an article for KGW. Haskins made it a point to note that there were no offensive tweets on that account during Bell’s adult life after 2015.

While in the process of reporting the story Thursday afternoon, the KGW reporter reached out to the Blazers for comment. The team responded to Haskins several hours later, saying they had fired Bell.

The rapid hiring and dismissal took place during a broader period of restructuring across the organization following the team’s acquisition by owner Tom Dundon earlier this year.

As of now, it is not clear if the team will approach Kyle Draper, the very candidate Bell edged out in the hiring process. Whatever it is, they will need to make a decision before the 2026-27 season starts. That means the organization has less than three weeks.

Changes in the broadcasting booth

Since taking control, Dundon, who also owns the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, has instituted sweeping operational adjustments across administrative, coaching, and media departments that have been met with criticism.

The broadcasting booth has seen significant turnover, with longtime analyst Michael Holton, veteran anchor Neil Everett, host Jamie Hudson, and statistical analyst Tom Haberstroh among those affected by recent workforce reductions. On the radio side, play-by-play announcer Travis Demers also departed after seven seasons following the expiration of his contract.

While the franchise cited policy and character standards for Bell’s swift termination, media observers and fans have noted that the rapid turnover aligns with a tumultuous media period for the franchise. Embittered Blazers fans feel this is another sign of the organization falling apart after multiple layoffs and a buildup to a relocation of the team.

Previous reports from Forbes indicated the Trail Blazers had evaluated cost-efficiency measures, including potential TV/radio simulcasting and remote road coverage, tactics previously employed by Dundon’s Hurricanes.

The Trail Blazers now return to the broadcast market to search for a play-by-play replacement as the team prepares for its upcoming season schedule.

The post Trail Blazers Fire Newly Appointed TV Broadcaster Over Racial Tweets From His Past appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“I think the Stephen A. Smith piece of it is fascinating though, that this was basically how they were treating Stephen A. Smith 2 years ago and putting him on everywhere to the point that people were getting p—ed off,” Simmons said.

He attributes a change in SAS’ power dynamic to the shift in ESPN’s executive leadership and programming priorities. Simmons and Goldsberry highlighted how McAfee has been granted unprecedented latitude across network properties (perhaps referencing how McAfee got a pass at smoking on air recently) including The Pat McAfee Show, College GameDay, and Monday Night Countdown.

“There’s new people in charge of this stuff who are, I would say, it’s fair to say, pro-McAfee,” Simmons observed during a conversation on ESPN’s handling of Charles Barkley’s upcoming retirement.

“And Stephen A., who got this new deal and is on two other shows that aren’t on ESPN… And it seems like they’ve come to a little bit of a, ‘Okay, you’re just gonna do First Take, maybe pop on a couple other things every once in a while, and that’s gonna be his ESPN relationship.’ But that was not the case two years ago.”

Goldsberry pointed out how dramatically public perception surrounding Smith’s standing at the network has transformed:

“Things really flipped, didn’t they? Remember writing ‘Stephen A. is the most powerful talent in ESPN history’ became such a cliché that we all stopped writing it? And all of a sudden you’re like, ‘Ooh, I don’t think he is anymore.'”

Simmons also noted Smith’s absence from major basketball programming resets, including ESPN’s licensing arrangement to air TNT’s Inside the NBA, which features Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and Stephen A. Smith.

“They kept him away from Inside the NBA,” Simmons remarked. Indeed, it was more common to see Smith banter with his frenemies when the Inside Guys were still on TNT during the All-Star Weekend.

Goldsberry pretty much confirmed that there’s a new Stephen A. at ESPN, commenting, “And now Pat McAfee can do anything he wants.”

While acknowledging McAfee’s work ethic and popularity across the network, Simmons cautioned that the grueling demands of hosting multiple daily media properties are “unsustainable.” He admitted that he now worries about McAfee. But he’s worried about Smith calling him out on his YouTube show even more.

The shift in Smith’s television footprint follows a major five-year, $100 million contract extension with ESPN, signed in 2025 after months of speculation and rumors.

While the deal solidified Smith as one of the network’s highest-paid personalities at $20 million annually, the structural terms marked a noticeable shift in his day-to-day responsibilities.

Under the agreement, Smith stepped back from his regular appearances on ESPN’s flagship NBA pregame program, NBA Countdown, narrowing his core network duties to primarily hosting First Take, with occasional SportsCenter and Monday Night Countdown guest spots.

Smith is also one of the late entrants in a club of (ex) ESPN employees, like Simmons, McAfee, Dan Patrick, and Dan LeBatard, who have launched their independent digital platforms. But his new contract structure gave him more liberty to focus on that.

The intentional reduction in network hours was designed to allow Smith to expand his personal media portfolio, which includes a daily SiriusXM show on Mad Dog Sports Radio, a weekly political program, and a growing independent YouTube channel and production enterprise.

In contrast, ESPN’s current executive leadership has increasingly leaned into McAfee as the centerpiece of its cross-platform strategy.

In addition to licensing The Pat McAfee Show for daily midday broadcasts, the network expanded McAfee’s portfolio by featuring him as a college football analyst on College GameDay and adding him to the Monday Night Countdown studio desk alongside Scott Van Pelt and Jason Kelce.

While Smith remains an anchor of ESPN’s morning ratings with First Take, Simmons’ commentary underscores a broader evolution in sports broadcasting: the transition from centralized network figureheads to multi-platform talent managing independent digital empires alongside targeted television commitments.

The post Bill Simmons Concerned About Stephen A. Smith’s ESPN Role as Pat McAfee’s Popularity Surges appeared first on EssentiallySports.

The issue started when the Pistons started their offer of around $175 million to $190 million for a five-year deal. Now, Jalen Duren, due to his All-NBA honors, earned him a max contract of up to $287 million. Due to poor performance from the 22-year-old in the playoffs, Detroit was never comfortable offering the max deal. That’s why insiders Shams Charania called it “highly up in the air and questionable,” and Tim MacMahon previously described it as “an awfully nasty negotiation.”

So, the center had three options before the QO expired. He could have signed the $200 million deal. Or he could have signed the one-year, $9.6M qualifying offer that would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer. Jalen Duren was within his rights not to sign either, becoming a restricted free agent and continuing the negotiations amid the standoff. But he chose the first option after the weight-clause issue was resolved.

“Detroit’s decision to include a verbal weight clause in one of its contract offers only added to what was already a seemingly fractured relationship,” The Athletic reported. ” Duren was initially caught off guard by the weight clause proposal, considering he’d never had any weight issues in the past and has played in at least 60 games in each season of his career. The Pistons removed the clause Wednesday, according to league sources.”

The weight clause was never written, nor was it a performance incentive. Detroit added it in after a concerning playoff performance from Jalen Duren. His stats were 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds over Detroit’s 14 postseason games. Plus, his shooting also dropped to 51.4%.

That’s why the Pistons had issues and reportedly viewed the extra weight as the reason for the downhill performance. So, they wanted a monthly check-in by Jalen Duren on the weighing scale. There was another reason why the 22-year-old’s agency view negotiations as sour.

The All-Star center was eligible since last season. There was no agreement, but it was less problematic than the current one. Then the Pistons also prioritized Ausar Thompson’s renewal over Jalen Duren. While the situation with the front office remained tough, JD got the support from his teammates and head coach.

“I expect JD to be here,” J.B. Bickerstaff said yesterday. “I haven’t had a doubt in my mind that he was going to come back and be a part of what we were doing no matter what it looks like. My responsibility is to maintain that relationship with him so that when he’s here, we can do the best to help him and do the best by the team which I know he will.”

In fact, the Pistons head coach also stated that the entire franchise would welcome Jalen Duren with open arms. With a regular season contribution of 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 65.0% from the field. It’s easy to understand why Bickerstaff is relying on the All-Star center.

Even Cade Cunningham was standing behind his teammate amid the contract standoff. Jalen Duren was not allowed at Media Day unless he signed any extension. But his All-Star teammate made sure that the contract situation did not complicate their relationship.

“I felt that way, and JD feels that way,” Cunningham said. “So I’m the person that he knows that it’s somebody that’s been through this type of situation. So really just trying to encourage him and just be support for him wherever he needs.”

There is no doubt that Jalen Duren was a key piece of a Pistons team that won 60 games last season. Detroit also finished atop the Eastern Conference standings, but then came the drop. Playoffs did not transpire as the 22-year-old expected. Now, he gets another chance to prove his worth.

The post Pistons Reportedly Made One Decision That Led to Jalen Duren Sign the $200 Million Extension appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Nnaji posted several pictures from Nuggets Media Day on Instagram, including one showing off his chiseled physique. Jamal Murray, who has been in Denver well before Nnaji’s arrival, could not resist. 

He replied simply, “Drug test incoming.”

The joke landed because Nnaji has made physical preparation a major part of his offseason. Speaking about his goals for the new season, he emphasized physicality and rebounding. 

“I’ll just say my motor on rebounding. I think just putting more of an emphasis on not only the offensive glass but the defensive glass as well. Lifting a lot, feel really strong, feel like I’m in great shape. So, it’s really I think that’s going to take a good jump this year,” Nnaji said.

There is history behind that weight room focus. 

In 2022, Nnaji added around 10 pounds of muscle and reached roughly 250 pounds during an offseason program with Denver. The goal then was durability, with the Nuggets focusing on strengthening his ankles and joints.

This summer’s photos suggest a different kind of physical change. Nnaji remains listed at 6 ‘10 and 240 pounds, but his frame looks more defined than the build he worked toward earlier in his career. That matters because he needs to turn those physical tools into a clearer role. 

Nnaji has remained with the Nuggets since they selected him No. 22 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. But his role has fluctuated. Last season, he appeared in 52 regular-season games and averaged 3.7 ppg and 2.6 rpg in 12 minutes per game.

The Nuggets have reshaped their frontcourt around that uncertainty. 

Marvin Bagley III and rookie Trevon Brazile joined a group that also includes Aaron Gordon, DaRon Holmes II and Spencer Jones, while David Adelman is now the head coach. 

Looking at his physique and comments at Media Day, Nnaji’s target is straightforward. He needs to become a more consistent rebounder while using his strength and conditioning to compete harder for possessions. 

Jamal Murray’s “drug test incoming” joke also has a basis in NBA culture. 

Players can face up to six random, unannounced urine tests each year, plus three random blood tests for human growth hormone. Testing is conducted independently, and additional testing can happen for unreasonable cause. 

The joke has become familiar when a teammate suddenly looks dramatically more muscular. Sometimes, even after a high-scoring game.

For Nnaji, the physical change comes at an important time for the Nuggets. The team went 54-28 last season but was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The Nuggets also ranked 21st in defensive rating, the second straight season they finished outside the league’s top 20. 

That leaves Nnaji with more than a new physique to show off. 

He is fighting for a place in a frontcourt that needs reliable defense, rebounding, and physicality around Nikola Jokic. If the stronger version of Nnaji can bring those qualities consistently, the summer work could matter far more than how he looks in a Media Day photo.

Nnaji doesn’t need to become a star. He needs to make smaller plays that keep a second unit functional, particularly on the glass and against bigger lineups. 

For a team coming off an early playoff exit, these details matter. Jamal Murray’s joke may have started the conversation. But Nnaji’s real test is whether the work behind those photos can earn him a bigger role.

Jamal Murray may have been kidding about the next call from the testing department. Nnaji’s actual test begins on the court.

The post “Drug Test Incoming”: Jamal Murray Reacts to Teammate’s Stunning Transformation Ahead of New Season appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Horton steps into the iconic courtside post following the sudden death of legendary public address announcer Lawrence Tanter a week ago. LT, whose unmistakable baritone voice served as the arena soundtrack for Lakers basketball across 43 seasons, passed away on September 23. He had retired in the offseason following a stroke.

The franchise made the official announcement on Thursday, confirming that Horton will make his public address debut on October 8 during a preseason matchup against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena.

Reflecting on the honor of succeeding a revered figure in franchise history, Horton expressed deep emotion about taking over the microphone of a storied franchise while honoring his predecessor’s enduring legacy.

“It’s a dream. I mean, are you kidding me? The Lakers?” Horton said. “Fell in love with Showtime, and when I heard about LT and the opportunity here, I reached out and I had a chance to communicate with LT. He was such a legend, and I considered him to be a friend. So now to be here, obviously, there’s no way you can fill his shoes, and so you just come here with a passion and a goal to be informative and entertaining and be a part of Showtime.”

Horton also recalled an insightful moment during his audition process with Lon Rosen, the Lakers’ president of business operations.

“At first, I showed up, and I’m like, ‘All right, I got to really… Welcome to…’ You know? I’m coming, I’m trying to be this announcer,” Horton recalled. “And Lon Rosen was up in the perch, and he said, ‘Hey! Knock it off! I want to hear your voice.’ And so I just was myself, and that felt really good. He was like, ‘That’s what I want. Just be yourself.’ So that was pretty special.”

Expressing sadness over Tanter’s passing shortly before the season, Horton acknowledged the emotional weight of stepping into those shoes.

“I’ll never be—nobody could be, who could be LT?” Horton said. “His legacy was built over five decades. I’m going to miss him. I was hoping to talk to him before the first game and to get some thoughts from him, but, we’re going to miss him, and I hope I do him proud.”

For Horton, stepping behind the arena microphone represents a personal, full-circle milestone. He first began public address work as a high school student at Holy Cross High School in New York because he was unable to make the varsity basketball team. Years later, his relationship with Tanter was close enough that LT recorded the official wedding reception introduction for Horton and his wife, Elise.

Lawrence Tanter, affectionately known to generations of fans as “LT,” retired from his courtside post in June following a medical hiatus. Tanter suffered a stroke late in the 2025–26 regular season, missing the team’s final six home games and postseason run.

After his retirement, the Lakers probably auditioned Horton, and he was likely hoping to meet LT. But right as the Lakers announced their revamped broadcasting roster with Danny Green and Sasha Vujacic, ahead of Media Day, LT was gone. GM Rob Pelinka opened the preseason media availability with an emotional tribute to Tanter.

Over his historic 43-year tenure, which spanned 10 NBA championships and 16 Western Conference titles, Tanter became an indelible part of the Lakers’ identity with his understated, dignified delivery, jazz-bred voice, and signature call, “The Laker girlllssss.”

Horton brings more than 35 years of broadcasting experience to the role, having covered major sporting events including the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup Final, and College Football Playoff National Championship.

A seven-time Emmy Award winner and Syracuse University graduate, Horton’s career encompasses reporting for KCAL-TV, hosting on NFL Network, and performing voice work for NFL Films.

As the Lakers prepare for opening night, Horton aims to respect the fundamentals of game presentation LT established in LA while gradually building his own rapport with the Crypto.com Arena crowd.

Balancing enthusiasm with professional restraint, the long-time Southern California broadcaster steps into one of sports media’s most storied seats, carrying forward a tradition forged across four decades of Lakers basketball history.

The post Lakers Announce Successor After Lawrence Tanter’s Sudden Death appeared first on EssentiallySports.

ESPN announced Thursday that Inside the NBA will appear 25 times across ESPN and ABC during the 2026-27 regular season, five more appearances than last season. The TNT Sports-produced program will continue to originate from its Atlanta studio and feature Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal, and Smith. The difference is especially noticeable at the beginning of the season.

During its first year under the new media-rights arrangement, the show had a sporadic presence on ESPN, leaving lengthy stretches in which viewers simply did not know when they would see the quartet together again. ESPN’s new schedule instead starts with appearances on October 21 and 22, then continues weekly through the first four weeks of the season. That means Charles Barkley will not have to wait nearly as long between appearances this time around.

“We’ve complained; we’ve only been on ESPN four times in three months,” Barkley told Dan Le Batard in January. “I don’t like that at all.”

He stressed that he did not want to work constantly but wanted Inside the NBA to have a more regular presence during the first half of the season. He returned to the subject on The Bill Simmons Podcast. Further explaining that the show had appeared only once in November and once in December, with Christmas Day accounting for the latter appearance.

“I didn’t like that at all,” Charles Barkley said, pointing out the confusion among viewers who were left wondering when the program would return. This year’s schedule directly addresses that gap. It could mean a busier farewell season for Chuck.

The show will return for ESPN’s Thanksgiving Eve tripleheader on November 25, an appearance it did not have last season, before moving to ABC for its December 12 NBA Saturday Primetime appearance and the traditional Christmas Day slate. January is even more packed.

Inside the NBA will appear five times on ESPN between January 6 and January 27, before ABC’s regular Saturday coverage begins January 30. By then, the show will have already made 13 regular-season appearances, compared with last year’s much lighter early-season schedule. The momentum continues into February.

The crew will appear four times in the eight days surrounding Super Bowl week, followed by another ESPN appearance on February 17. By the All-Star break, there will have been 19 editions of Inside the NBA—almost the entirety of last season’s 20-game regular-season schedule.

The final stretch before the NCAA tournament hiatus includes five appearances from February 26 through March 13. The show then returns for the regular-season finale on April 11. The playoff schedule has not yet been announced.

For ESPN’s programming team, the change was deliberate. Senior Director of Programming & Acquisitions Dan Ochs said the objective was to “come out of the gates strong” while maintaining a consistent presence around major NBA matchups in January and February.

There is an added layer to the schedule this time. Charles Barkley has repeatedly indicated that he intends to walk away once the 2026-27 season ends. In September, he again said this would be his final year and that he would step back from public life afterward, while making it clear that he would continue to return to Auburn.

“I’m looking forward to this last year. TV has been great for me. I’m stepping back from public life,” Barkley told WSFA in Alabama last month.

He also indicated that he wants the season to feel more like a celebration after what has been a remarkable run alongside Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith.

Now, Charles Barkley had previously reversed his decision on retirement. But if this season truly is his last, then ESPN would want to make the most of it. After more than two decades, Chuck, Johnson, O’Neal, and Smith could be sharing the same desk for one final season. The schedule gives plenty of those extra moments to celebrate the icons.

The post Major Decision on ‘Inside the NBA’ Emerges Ahead of Charles Barkley’s Retirement appeared first on EssentiallySports.

ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania broke the news of the historic deal on social media, writing, “BREAKING: All-NBA and All-Star center Jalen Duren has agreed to sign a five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed contract to return to the Detroit Pistons, agent Chafie Fields of THE•TEAM tells ESPN. This ends a prolonged restricted free agency dispute between the two sides.”

Charania’s report brought an end to a tense summer of restricted free agency negotiations that had extended into training camp. Just hours prior to the 11:59 p.m. ET deadline for Duren to either accept a $9.6 million qualifying offer or reach a long-term agreement, Bickerstaff stood firmly behind his star center while on SiriusXM’s NBA Radio.

Bickerstaff dismissed any notion that Duren’s absence from the Pistons’ media day and early training camp practices would permanently damage his standing with the organization, reinforcing his belief in the big man’s intentions.

“I expect JD to be here,” Bickerstaff said. “I haven’t had a doubt in my mind that he was going to come back and be a part of what we were doing no matter what it looks like. My responsibility is to maintain that relationship with him so that when he’s here, we can do the best to help him and do the best by the team which I know he will.”

Even before Duren put pen to paper, Bickerstaff declared, “He’s that type of person that he just wants to help the team. He wants to be a part of what our growth and success looks like here in Detroit, and he’s been a huge part of that. So, we prepare as if he’s going to be here because that’s our plan, and the plan that the front office has in place. And then when he gets here, we’ll welcome him with open arms, and we’ll get to work. I know his character and the type of person he is. He’s gonna come here and be ready to go, ready to help his team.”

The contract resolution closes a complex chapter for the Pistons, who entered training camp coming off a stellar 2025–26 campaign in which they secured 60 regular-season wins and the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Duren was instrumental to that regular-season success, earning his first All-Star nod and an All-NBA Third Team selection after averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 65.0% from the field.

However, contract negotiations dragged on due to a sharp contrast in Duren’s postseason performance. Duren’s scoring and rebounding production dipped to 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game during Detroit’s 14 playoff games, leading the front office to hold back from offering a maximum extension worth up to $287 million.

Tensions mounted further throughout the summer as Duren explored sign-and-trade options with teams like the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers, while staying away from team minicamps. Additional friction arose over a proposed verbal weight clause from the front office, which was ultimately removed before the final contract was executed.

Despite the temporary distance between the front office and Duren’s agency, Bickerstaff remained focused on the long-term picture, emphasizing that the team was prepared to manage Duren’s ramp-up period safely once he arrived at the facility.

With backup center Paul Reed filling in during early camp drills, Duren’s return restores Detroit’s elite core alongside franchise cornerstone Cade Cunningham and recently extended forward Ausar Thompson.

With the $200 million deal officially locked in, Bickerstaff’s steady leadership and public backing of Duren have cleared the runway for Detroit to focus entirely on building toward another deep Eastern Conference playoff run.

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