Weekly NBA Roundup
Hosted by Big Dill
About This Episode
Generated sports podcast with host Big Dill based on prompt: NBA news from the past week. Cover any summer league games, trade talk, or other league news.
Transcript
Welcome to another episode of "Big Dill Sports," where I'm your host, Dillon. Today, we’re diving into the latest NBA preseason action from October 13th through the 17th as teams gear up for the regular season starting October 22nd. So, grab your favorite snack and let’s talk hoops!
Kicking things off on October 13th, the Hawks edged out the Heat in a 119-118 overtime thriller in Atlanta. Bam Adebayo was stellar for Miami before a knee contusion took him out—don't worry, he’s reportedly fine. Meanwhile, Atlanta showed off their depth with Jacob Toppin leading all scorers with 26 points, and rookie Asa Newell impressing with his defense and hustle.
Jumping to October 14th, the Cavaliers wrapped up their preseason by dominating the Pistons 118-100. Donovan Mitchell was sharp with 17 points, but it was Lonzo Ball who turned heads with a near triple-double performance off the bench. Watch out for rookie De’Andre Hunter though, who left early with a knee issue; the Cavs are hopeful he'll be ready for their opener.
October 15th was a busy day. The Hornets blew out the Grizzlies 145-116. Miles Bridges was unstoppable with 29 points and 10 rebounds. The team looked fluid with 34 assists—a promising sign for their cohesion this season.
Meanwhile, the Celtics snuck past the Raptors 110-108, thanks to Derrick White’s stellar 33-point performance. Jaylen Brown's early exit with a hamstring issue is concerning for Boston as they start the season without Jayson Tatum.
On the West Coast, the Clippers dominated the Kings 109-91, led by John Collins’ quickfire 24 points, while the Mavericks cruised past the Lakers 121-94 in Las Vegas. P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II showed promising depth for Dallas, overshadowing Anthony Davis’ first game for the Lakers since that blockbuster trade shaking up both rosters.
Speaking of trades, let's hit the big news: Kevin Durant signed a massive two-year extension with the Rockets, making him the highest-paid NBA player ever. This move underscores Houston's commitment to building around him, Alperen Şengün, and Amen Thompson. Portland also locked down young talents Shaedon Sharpe and Toumani Camara, ensuring a strong foundation for their future.
Injury watch is crucial to preseason wrap-ups. Miami’s Bam Adebayo and Cleveland’s De’Andre Hunter both suffered knee contusions. Boston’s Jaylen Brown, now day-to-day, will be crucial for the Celtics as he steps into a leadership role with Tatum sidelined.
Now, for the part of the show where I highlight the player who was a 'big dill' this preseason. Drumroll... it's Derrick White! His performance against the Raptors was nothing short of spectacular, setting the tone for what could be an All-Star caliber season for him.
Looking ahead, teams will tweak rotations, manage player loads, and keep an eye on trade and buy-out possibilities. The first games of the regular season are just around the corner, promising new storylines and the chase for the championship.
That’s all for today on "Big Dill Sports." Thanks for tuning in, and as always, keep your head in the game and your snacks close. Catch you next time!
## Preseason Recap (Oct. 13–17)
Between October 13 and October 17, NBA teams played the final stretch of preseason contests as they ramped up for the regular season opener on October 22. During this period, teams experimented with rotations, evaluated young prospects, and managed workloads for veterans. Over these five days, 36 preseason games took place, providing a final look at lineups, conditioning, and tactical adjustments before the season proper begins ([foxsports.com](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/2025-nba-preseason-schedule-dates-times-channels-how-watch)).
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### Oct. 13: Hawks 119, Heat 118 (OT)
In a wild overtime affair in Atlanta, the Hawks edged the Heat 119–118. Miami’s Bam Adebayo tallied 13 points and nine rebounds in 19 minutes before exiting with a right knee contusion; the injury was ruled precautionary after he landed awkwardly in the third quarter ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/heat-c-bam-adebayo-feels-fine-after-knee-contusion--flm-2025-10-14/?utm_source=openai)). Atlanta, resting stars Trae Young and Kristaps Porziņģis, was buoyed by bench standouts: Jacob Toppin led all scorers with 26 points, while rookie Asa Newell chipped in 19 points and eight rebounds, earning praise for his energy and defensive instincts ([peachtreehoops.com](https://www.peachtreehoops.com/atlanta-hawks-preseason/65362/asa-newell-atlanta-hawks-miami-heat-overtime-recap-analysis-quotes-video?utm_source=openai)). Caleb Houstan knocked down the go-ahead three in OT, and Charles Bassey recorded five blocks and 17 rebounds, showcasing the Hawks’ depth despite a 56-foul marathon ([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20251013_MIA%40ATL/?utm_source=openai)).
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### Oct. 14: Cavaliers 118, Pistons 100
The Cleveland Cavaliers closed their preseason with a convincing 118–100 win over Detroit. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 17 points and three steals, while Jarrett Allen posted 15 points and six rebounds ([fearthesword.com](https://www.fearthesword.com/cavs-scores-results/39258/cavs-recap-vs-detroit-pistons-nba-preseason-cleveland-cavaliers?utm_source=openai)). Lonzo Ball enjoyed a breakout night off the bench, registering nine points, nine assists, four rebounds, and three blocks in 20 minutes, earning high marks in several player-grade evaluations ([fearthesword.com](https://www.fearthesword.com/cavs-analysis/39254/player-grades-cavs-vs-pistons-lonzo-ball-finds-his-groove?utm_source=openai)). Rookie De’Andre Hunter delivered 14 points before exiting with a right knee contusion in the first half; he will be monitored but is optimistic for availability in the regular-season opener ([fearthesword.com](https://www.fearthesword.com/cavs-injury-report/39262/deandre-hunter-leaves-cavs-vs-pistons-with-knee-injury?utm_source=openai)).
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### Oct. 15: Hornets 145, Grizzlies 116
Charlotte dominated Memphis 145–116 in their final home preseason game. Miles Bridges led all scorers with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Brandon Miller added 18 points and an and-one conversion to sustain the surge ([si.com](https://www.si.com/nba/hornets/news/bridges-29-points-help-hornets-blowout-memphis-in-final-home-game-of-preseason?utm_source=openai)). The Hornets shot 51.0% from the field, moved the ball for 34 assists, and forced 14 turnovers, underscoring their depth and cohesion under coach Charles Lee ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/matchup/_/gameId/401812722?utm_source=openai)).
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### Oct. 15: Celtics 110, Raptors 108
Boston closed out its preseason in thrilling fashion, defeating Toronto 110–108 on a Xavier Tillman Sr. floater with 0.8 seconds remaining ([celticsblog.com](https://www.celticsblog.com/celtics-scores-results/122833/122833-boston-celtics-toronto-raptors-joe-mazzulla-derrick-white-payton-pritchard-jaylen-brown-neemias-queta?utm_source=openai)). Derrick White exploded for 33 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and four blocks against Toronto’s starting five, demonstrating his All-Star potential ([celticsblog.com](https://www.celticsblog.com/celtics-scores-results/122833/122833-boston-celtics-toronto-raptors-joe-mazzulla-derrick-white-payton-pritchard-jaylen-brown-neemias-queta?utm_source=openai)). However, Jaylen Brown departed in the first quarter with left hamstring tightness and did not return; he is listed as day-to-day but remains in primary leadership focus with Jayson Tatum sidelined for much of the season ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/celtics-star-jaylen-brown-hamstring-ailing-season-approaches--flm-2025-10-17/?utm_source=openai)).
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### Oct. 15: Clippers 109, Kings 91 & Mavericks 121, Lakers 94
West Coast action saw the Clippers earn a 109–91 road win over Sacramento. John Collins led L.A. with 24 points and eight rebounds in just 18 minutes, setting the tone early in a balanced effort that improved their preseason mark to 2–1 ([geosuper.tv](https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/49717-john-collins-shines-as-clippers-dominate-kings-in-nba-preseason-clash?utm_source=openai)). Meanwhile in Las Vegas, Dallas throttled the Lakers 121–94. P.J. Washington paced the Mavericks with 18 points, Dereck Lively II recorded a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, and Anthony Davis posted 18 points and nine rebounds despite the loss in his Lakers debut ([geosuper.tv](https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/49720-nba-mavericks-dominate-lakers-in-preseason-matchup?utm_source=openai)). The Mavericks’ depth outpaced L.A., which struggled through turnovers and bench inefficiency.
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## League News & Trade Talk
On October 19, the Houston Rockets and 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant agreed to a two-year, $90 million contract extension, including a player option for 2027–28. The deal raises Durant’s total on-court earnings to nearly $598.2 million, making him the highest-earning NBA player ever, and underscores Houston’s commitment to contention alongside Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/report-kevin-durant-rockets-reach-2-year-90m-extension--flm-2025-10-19/?utm_source=openai)). In Portland, the Trail Blazers secured their young core by signing Shaedon Sharpe to a four-year, $90 million extension and Toumani Camara to a four-year, $82 million deal, locking both through 2029–30 after standout seasons from each ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/reports-blazers-sign-toumani-camara-shaedon-sharpe-extensions--flm-2025-10-20/?utm_source=openai)). Off-season trade chatter briefly resurfaced ahead of the Mavericks–Lakers preseason clash in Las Vegas, revisiting the mid-season blockbuster that sent Luka Dončić to L.A. and Anthony Davis to Dallas—an exchange still stirring debate among fanbases ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/trade-hype-rehash-tap-when-mavs-lakers-meet-preseason-2025-06-03/?utm_source=openai)).
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## Injury & Roster Updates
Several injury concerns emerged in this one-week span. Miami’s Bam Adebayo suffered a knee contusion in the Hawks game but was deemed “fine” after precautionary rest, with no structural damage expected ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/heat-c-bam-adebayo-feels-fine-after-knee-contusion--flm-2025-10-14/?utm_source=openai)). Cleveland’s De’Andre Hunter left the Pistons game on October 14 due to a right knee contusion; the Cavaliers are optimistic he’ll be ready for the October 22 opener after evaluating his status during rest and recovery ([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/cavaliers-deandre-hunter-wont-return-tuesday/?utm_source=openai)). Boston’s Jaylen Brown exited their preseason finale with hamstring tightness and will be monitored day-to-day, crucial as he’s poised to assume a lead role with Tatum sidelined early in the season ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/celtics-star-jaylen-brown-hamstring-ailing-season-approaches--flm-2025-10-17/?utm_source=openai)).
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## Looking Ahead
With preseason action concluded on October 17 and the regular season tipping off on October 22, teams will finalize rotations and load management plans in coming days. The league will shift focus to tournament bracket rosters for the inaugural In-Season Tournament, while front offices continue assessing buy-out scenarios and potential early-season trades ahead of the December 15 deadline. As teams pivot to meaningful games, the performances and developments from October 13–19 will inform strategies, depth charts, and injury management heading into a 2025–26 season that promises fresh storylines and renewed championship aspirations across the NBA landscape.
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