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The 2025-26 NBA season is here! We’re rolling out our previews — examining the biggest questions, best- and worst-case scenarios, and win projections for all 30 franchises — from the still-rebuilding teams to the true title contenders.

2024-25 finish

• Record: 51-31 (lost to the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals)

Offseason moves

• Additions: Guerschon Yabusele, Jordan Clarkson

• Subtractions: Precious Achiuwa, P.J. Tucker

(Stefan Milic/Yahoo Sports Illustration)

The Big Question: Can Mike Brown improve these Knicks?

The Knicks pulled off somewhat of a stunning upset, ousting the defending champion Boston Celtics in a six-game second-round playoff series. They ran into their ceiling a round later, losing to the fifth-seeded Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals. They defied expectations, only to fall short of them.

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It is a weird situation. On the one hand, nobody figured them for the league’s final four, not with two 60-win teams plying their trade in the East. On the other, they got there and had a real chance to make the Finals. For that, the Knicks decided to part ways with Tom Thibodeau, the coach who got them there.

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There is no doubt that over the course of Thibodeau’s tenure the Knicks overachieved. They reached the playoffs in four of his five seasons on the bench, winning four playoff series — more than the franchise’s 13 other coaches this century combined. And their best player, Jalen Brunson, is a 6-foot-2 point guard.

Brunson also happens to be one hell of a player. He averaged 26 points (49/38/82 shooting splits) and 7.3 assists per game at the helm of a top-five offense, garnering MVP votes for a second straight season. He was incredible in the playoffs, making clutch play after clutch play. How much longer he can maintain this pace as an undersized superstar remains to be seen, but at 29 years old he is squarely in his prime.

He is also bolstered by one of the league’s best playoff rotations, featuring Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson. The additions of Guerschon Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson make the Knicks deeper. With Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the Celtics and Pacers, respectively, New York has as clear a view of the NBA Finals as it has had since 1999.

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The Knicks saw a chance and took it. Kind of. Upon firing Thibodeau, the Knicks sought interviews with a handful of employed coaches, all of whom turned them down. In the end, they landed on Mike Brown.

Brown is a good coach. He took what he learned offensively as an assistant for the 2022 NBA champion Golden State Warriors and applied it to the Sacramento Kings, ending the franchise’s 17-year playoff drought. They thought they were better than they were, too, and fired him in the middle of last season.

[Get more Knicks news: New York team feed]

That’s the thing. Sometimes it isn’t the coach. Sometimes it is the personnel. And the Knicks have not had the personnel to reach the Finals. They have what some might consider a fatal flaw — the defense of Brunson and Towns. Neither is a stopper. Not close to it. Only they have to be on the floor together. And together they submitted a middling defense last year. Can Brown scheme around two defensive issues?

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More likely, Brown will lean into his team’s incredible offensive prowess, using more Brunson-Towns pick-and-rolls and movement in the offense, hoping to squeeze more from what was already a top-five outfit.

With Tatum and Haliburton out of the picture and the East’s last two champions in a gap year, the path to the Finals is open for the Knicks. They think they have the personnel now, but do they have the coach?

Best-case scenario

Brown coaches the Knicks up as one of the league’s elite offenses and finds a way to field a serviceable defense, perhaps benefitting from the presence of Robinson, who missed a good chunk of last season with an injury. Brunson maintains as one of the league’s elite playmakers. Towns, who has reached the finals of both conferences the last two years, carries that confidence into this season. Bridges and Anunoby find some consistency as reliable two-way performers, and the Knicks are the class of the East.

If everything falls apart

Brunson steps back from the MVP race. He and Towns cannot scrape together a top-10 defense. Bridges and Anunoby are as inconsistent as ever. Yabusele and Clarkson are not playoff difference-makers. Brown is no better than Thibodeau. The Knicks slam their heads against a sub-Finals ceiling once again, even in a watered-down Eastern Conference, and the outlook for the 2026-27 season is no better. Maybe they take another crack at trying to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but do they have the assets to get him?

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2025-26 schedule

• Season opener: Oct. 22 vs. Cleveland

Who else but the Knicks are capable of winning 55 games in the East? The Cleveland Cavaliers? Somebody has to win games, and the road could not be clearer for New York. Take the over.

More season previews

East: Atlanta Hawks • Boston Celtics • Brooklyn Nets • Charlotte Hornets • Chicago Bulls • Cleveland Cavaliers • Detroit Pistons • Indiana Pacers • Miami Heat • Milwaukee Bucks • New York Knicks • Orlando Magic • Philadelphia 76ers • Toronto Raptors • Washington Wizards

West: Dallas Mavericks • Denver Nuggets • Golden State Warriors • Houston Rockets • LA Clippers • Los Angeles Lakers • Memphis Grizzlies • Minnesota Timberwolves • New Orleans Pelicans • Oklahoma City Thunder • Phoenix Suns • Portland Trail Blazers • Sacramento Kings • San Antonio Spurs • Utah Jazz

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Liverpool are experiencing something of an injury crisis at present, and another name has just been added to the long-term list.

Alisson is the headline absentee, with the Reds’ first-choice goalkeeper thought to be out until the end of the month, with new defender Giovanni Leoni and Wataru Endo both facing spells on the sideline.

Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch have also had recent issues, but the pair travelled for international duty, representing France and Netherlands respectively, with the latter turning out twice, so the picture looks more positive for that duo.

Although the Reds spent a fortune on Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike this summer, options beyond that pair are limited, with no other specialist no.9s in the squad.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool U21s manager Rob Page revealed that striker Jayden Danns is likely to face a couple of months on the sidelines.

He picked up a hamstring injury last month, taking a free-kick in a Premier League 2 game against Ipswich Town, and after a full medical exam, it seems he could be out until the New Year.

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“It could be a couple of months,” Page told the Echo. “It’s not going to be a quick fix.

“It’s a setback for him, but Dannsy is very positive about everything in life, especially football. If anybody can get through this setback, it’s him without doubt.”

Danns turned out for Liverpool’s senior side in the Carabao Cup earlier this season (Image credit: Getty Images)

In FourFourTwo’s opinion, while Liverpool are a long way off having issues up front, a couple of injuries could quickly see the likes of Danns called upon.

The 19-year-old already has 10 senior appearances to his name, with three goals scored, so could be a viable option in a crisis.

As Rio Ngumoha has shown, Arne Slot is not afraid to give young players a shot when he feels like they can add something, and the winger proved the worth of that outlook when he notched a last-minute against Newcastle United. Unfortunately, however, Danns is not going to be an option in the same way for a couple of months.

Danns is valued at €800k, according to Transfermarkt. Liverpool next face Manchester United when Premier League action returns this weekend.

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Viktor Hovland wanted to play, but he couldn’t. And his withdrawal from Sunday singles at the 2025 Ryder Cup caused a stir as the Americans made a furious rally that came up just short.

The lasting image of Hovland from Europe’s 15-13 win was him fist-pumping in a putt on the 17th hole during a Saturday foursomes win over Russell Henley and Scottie Scheffler. He was 1-1-1 at that point, but a neck issue flared up during that match, forcing Hovland to sit in the afternoon. He withdrew on Sunday after an MRI revealed a disc bulge. With Hovland unable to go on Sunday, the controversial Ryder Cup “Envelope Rule” went into effect. Due to a captain’s agreement, Hovland’s Sunday singles match against Harris English, who was in Keegan Bradley’s envelope, was halved.

After taking time to rest his neck, Hovland is back in action at the DP World Tour’s India Championship this week. Hovland felt bad about being unable to play on Ryder Cup Sunday, both for himself and for English, who had his Ryder Cup cut short.

“The whole situation was pretty upsetting, just the fact that I didn’t get to play, and I felt really bad for Harris, who also didn’t get to play a match, even though there was nothing wrong with him,” Hovland told reporters in India. “He just didn’t get to play, and he was upset about that, and I feel very bad for not being able to compete.”

He was robbed of a Ryder Cup moment he may never have again

By:

Alan Bastable

When the final day of the Ryder Cup started at Bethpage Black, the Europeans held a 12-5 lead after Hovland’s withdrawal. They needed just 2.5 points from the remaining 11 matches to win the cup. Europe’s large lead suggested that Hovland’s WD would not be an important storyline in the final proceedings. But as the Americans put red on the board early, Hovland’s half point looked like it might prove to be the deciding tally in Europe claiming a road win. But Ludvig Åberg beat Patrick Cantlay, while Matt Fitzpatrick, Shane Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton and Robert MacIntyre all put half points on the board to get Europe to 15 points.

After Europe finished off the Americans on Sunday, captain Keegan Bradley voiced his frustration with the rule that gave Europe a half point for Hovland’s injury.

“The rule has to change,” Bradley said. “I think it’s obvious to everybody in the sports world, in this room. Nothing against Viktor. But that rule needs to be changed by the next Ryder Cup.”

Hovland understands the frustration with the rule but also noted that it’s part of the fabric of what is supposed to be a friendly exhibition.

The rule has been in place since 1979, but hasn’t been used since 1993. The rule has only been enacted twice. In 1991, American Steve Pate suffered bruised ribs in a car accident a few days before the event. He sat until Saturday afternoon but reaggravated the injury. Pate couldn’t play, and David Gilford’s name was pulled from the envelope. The U.S. went on to win 14.5-13.5. In 1993, European Sam Torrance had to sit with an infected toe. Lanny Wadkins agreed to sit for Team USA, so no name was pulled from the envelope. The U.S. won 15-13.

“It’s tough. I think we’re so used to in sports that if you can’t play because you’re hurt, obviously that should be a loss of point,” Hovland said. “But I think in the spirit of the Ryder Cup and the spirit of the game and the history of it, knowing that this Ryder Cup is just a part of many, many Ryder Cups to come, I think it’s more of a gentlemen’s agreement that okay, you were hurt this time and maybe the next time there’s a guy on the U.S.’s team and we’re all kind of sympathetic about the person being hurt and not being able to play.

“I think there’s kind of a mutual understanding that if we were healthy we would all go out there and play. I don’t think people are using that to really finagle the system and try and squeak by.”

Suggesting a rule change is easier than finding one that makes sense. As Hovland noted, forcing the team with an injured player to take a loss would be an easy system to game.

“If you do change the rule and you give away a point, now there’s also the angle that okay, knowing that the other team is going to put out their best player most likely in the first few groups, they can just kind of put me out as a sacrificial lamb and take the L against their best player,” Hovland said. “So there’s other ways around it, and I don’t think there’s any ideal way to do it. I think that’s just a better way overall to do it, even though it’s just a tough situation, and at the end of the day, I think we’d all be wanting to go out there and play.”

European captain Luke Donald sees no need to alter the rule. The players want to play. If they can’t, the envelope is there — as it has been since 1979.

“The rule is the rule and it’s been in place for a long time,” Donald said after his team’s victory at Bethpage Black.

Editor’s note: For more on the ‘envelope’ and the history behind it, clickhere for this story written by GOLF’s Dylan Dethier.

TORONTO — The good news is, itâ€s only exhibition. Nothing matters but health.

The bad news is, in their first and only real dress rehearsal for opening night, the 2025-26 Toronto Maple Leafs left several issues to clean up before their debut.

“Lots, obviously,†Morgan Rielly said Thursday, following a 3-1 defeat at Scotiabank Arena to the Detroit Red Wings. “If you look at our game tonight, I thought it was just sloppy.

“We turned it over too many times, and they were able to come through with speed and control. So, thereâ€s lots of areas to work on.â€

The scoreboard was gentle to the home team. So was the scheduling of the Yankees–Red Sox rubber match, which distracted Toronto sports fans still in the throes of baseball fever.

Goaltender Anthony Stolarz — who mixed a couple 10-bellers into his 40-save performance and played the puck with confidence — was easily the Leafs†best player on the night. But youâ€d be hard-pressed to name the second-best man in blue.

Decision-making and quickness with the puck were lacking. Careless penalties were committed. And odd-man rushes were surrendered.

Torontoâ€s only goal, by Auston Matthews, came on a quick power-play strike. Even-strength offence was a slog and yielded nothing.

In dropping all three exhibition games in this building, the Leafs have often looked slow, sometimes scrambly, and generally uninspired.

Again, none of this matters. Yet.

What does the goalie think is missing?

“The intensity,†Stolarz said. “We just got to get pucks in. I know theyâ€re pre-season games, and youâ€ve got the feeling-out process, but we’ve got less than a week here until opening night. Chief has the bar set pretty high for us, and weâ€re falling just short of that right now.â€

If the coaches†aim was to solidify four lines that click over the course of camp, well, the experimenting will surely continue through October — probably beyond.

“Itâ€s still a work in progress, to be honest with you, but there were guys tonight working on lines and doing good things. But it wasn’t the whole line,†coach Craig Berube said. “You’ve got to have three guys on the same page working and doing the right things.â€

Berube liked Bobby McMannâ€s net-driving Thursday, and a strong first period by his new-look top unit of Matthews, Matthew Knies, and Max Domi. Last week saw an impressive road show in Montreal by his fourth line of Steven Lorentz, Scott Laughton, and Easton Cowan.

Generally, though, the top nine will wrap camp seeking chemistry and consistency. Cowanâ€s spot is far from secure. Add the lingering absence of 1B goaltender Jospeh Woll and a third pair toying with a flip (more on that below), and the Leafs will raise the curtain Wednesday with question marks.

“We still have time to work stuff out,†Rielly reminded, “so I donâ€t think thereâ€s any reason to be too worried about it.â€

Benoitâ€s off-side experiment begins

Eager to generate more offence from the back end, the Maple Leafs are circling Oliver Ekman-Larsson as a candidate capable of producing more.

A five-time 40-point blue-liner, the veteran Swede posted four goals and 29 points last season, his first in Toronto, while spending a chunk of time patrolling his unnatural right side.

The coachâ€s bet: Flipping Ekman-Larsson to the left and putting partner Simon Benoit on the unnatural side could unlock a few more gOELs.

“OEL has got some good offensive abilities, right?†Berube said.

“Itâ€s more so in the offensive zone, where itâ€s a little tougher for a D to get the puck off the wall and things like that to create more offence. So, thatâ€s really the only thing we’re looking at. If it doesnâ€t work, itâ€s an easy switch.â€

If it doesnâ€t work, Ekman-Larsson could flip to the right. Or Berube could insert righty Philippe Myers on the third pair.

If it does work, itâ€ll be because lefty Benoit adapts smoothly to life on his backhand.

“Our game is simple. O is a great puck mover, so my job is to get him the puck,†Benoit said. “Retrieving those pucks, being physical, getting those pucks to him, so he can create some offence.â€

Right-side Benoit made his pre-season debut Thursday as he was set back in camp due to an upper-body injury.

“Itâ€s tough playing your off side,†Rielly said. “I thought he did a good job, and Oâ€s very good at it, too. Itâ€s just about handling passes and turning, trying to get your eyes up ice. Itâ€s a little bit uncomfortable at first, but I think heâ€ll be fine.â€

At the clubâ€s bonding adventure in Muskoka this week, Max Domi and Scott Laughton coaxed the lone rookie, Cowan, into some karaoke.

The farm kid they call “Cowboy†prefers him some Morgan Wallen, but the lads pushed Cowan to belt out “Shallow,†by Lady Gaga.

“He should just stick to hockey,†Berube quipped. “I gotta give him credit for getting up there, though. If they asked me, I wouldâ€ve said no.â€

“Definitely wonâ€t be singing again,†Cowan says. “Wasnâ€t too good at the high notes.â€

One-Timers: The Leafs†two-night trip up north featured two rounds of golf, the second being a Ryder Cup–style tournament in which the Canadians took on the Americans and Europeans. The result? A hard-fought tie. “Shouldâ€ve done overtime,†smiles Quebecker Nicolas Roy… Knies: “Stolie has the best chipping ability Iâ€ve ever seen, but canâ€t drive a ball to save his life.â€â€¦ The Leafs will honour soon-to-retire play-by-play man Joe Bowen during their Dec. 16 home game against Chicago, the same opponent that Bowen made his broadcast debut for the team in 1982. Says Bowen: “I am very much looking forward to this final season and hoping that maybe, just maybe, this is the one!â€â€¦ The Maple Leafs remain the NHLâ€s most valuable team at $4.25 billion, according to Sportico, and the league average is up to $2.1 billion. Thatâ€s a 108 per cent jump over the past three years.

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Your hands are the only connection between you and the club, so it’d be wise for you to make sure you’re gripping the club properly. But despite the huge importance of solid grip fundamentals, for many recreational golfers, it’s an afterthought.

Look, I get it. Dialing in your grip is not the most fun form of practice. But if you’re serious about becoming a consistent golfer, you’d be wise to dedicate some time to figuring it out.

Don’t believe me? Just watch Scottie Scheffler on the range when he practices. Not only does he use a molded grip to make sure his fundamentals are correct, he also obsesses over where his hands are on the club before every shot. If it works for him, it’ll work for you.

In the text below, GOLF Top 100 Teacher Mike Dickson sheds some light on how your lead-hand thumb impacts your grip — and how you can make sure it’s in the best position for solid swings.

Master clubface control by doing this

A key component to controlling the golf ball is controlling the club face. Most amateur golfers struggle with this because of an incorrect grip — especially on the lead hand — which compromises club face control and creates a chain reaction of swing faults.

One of the biggest culprits? The position of the lead-hand thumb. A poorly positioned thumb often leads to slices, casting, a lack of power, and inconsistency. Most players place their lead-hand thumb straight down the center of the shaft. This is the worst place to put it.

Athletes coming to golf from sports like tennis, baseball, softball, or hockey often don’t rely on thumbs to grip their equipment. Typically, the thumbs wrap around or barely touch the object. But in golf, where the club moves much faster, thumb placement becomes crucial to controlling the club face.

It’s not just about how the hands connect to the grip — it’s about how they control the club face.

Rethink your setup routine

Let’s start by examining how most golfers approach the ball: They walk up, set their feet, place the club on the ground, and then try to figure out their grip. This often leads to an awkward and inconsistent setup.

Now compare that to what tour players do:

• They start behind the ball, picking a target and visualizing the shot.
• As they walk into the shot, they grip the club with it held at waist height, not resting on the ground.
• They approach the ball with feet unset, place the club behind the ball, and carefully aim the club face.
• Only after the face is aligned do they build their stance — feet parallel to the target line.

This is the complete opposite of what most amateurs do. And the most important part? The club was gripped while in the air, not on the ground.

Creating a neutral grip

Let’s set you up with a Tour-Neutral grip, starting with your lead hand.

Step 1: Mark your glove

You’ll need a Sharpie for this part. Put on your glove and mark a small dot in the center of the webbing between your thumb and index finger. This spot lines up with an anatomical area known as the snuff box in your wrist.

This dot — not your thumb — should line up with the center of the shaft. This is non-negotiable. Most golfers try to place their hand by looking at the palm, but it’s far easier and more effective to use this marked dot as your guide.

Step 2: Hold the glove to take your grip

Hold the shaft just below the grip with your trail hand, pointing the butt of the club toward your belly button. The shaft should be at a slight angle — not vertical or horizontal.

Extend your glove hand out in front of you. Rotate it about 30 degrees to the right (away from the target), then bend the wrist back slightly.

The first part of the hand to connect to the grip is the heel pad, followed by the thumb pad, which should rest just right of center on the shaft. Once the thumb is placed, wrap the fingers around naturally.

Your trail hand is now perfectly positioned to slide down onto the grip, resting over the lead thumb. You may interlock the fingers if you prefer, but it’s not required. In fact, for players with smaller hands, interlocking can often make the right-hand grip too strong, which may close the face too quickly through impact.

Step 3: Align and address the ball

With your grip set, it’s time to address the ball. I recommend using a visual reference point a few feet in front of the ball — aligned with your target — to help with aim.

If you struggle with alignment, especially on tee shots or putts, take advantage of the opportunity to aim while touching the ball. Carefully square the club face to your target first — then set your stance.

Step 4: Final check

Once you’re in position, glance down and check your grip — especially the lead hand. Poor grips often feel uncomfortable at first, but that discomfort is often a sign you’re doing it right. (And frankly, it’s why I have a job!)

Final thoughts

Now that your hands are properly on the club, you’re ready to start hitting compressed, solid shots that fly straight at your target. Remember, the grip is the only connection you have to the club—and ultimately, to the golf ball.

Get this right, and you’ll be amazed at the difference in your swing, your consistency, and your confidence.

Team India (Pic credit: BCCI) DUBAI: Slow, lethal spin could well be the order of the day when India face Bangladesh in their second Super-4 clash on Wednesday. On paper, India are runaway favourites — 17 wins to Bangladesh’s solitary success tell the story. Add to that the ruthless way Suryakumar Yadav’s men dismantled opponents and the odds of a Bangladesh upset look slimmer than snowflakes in the Emirates.But cricket isn’t played on paper, and Phil Simmons wants his players to believe exactly that. The former West Indies batting allrounder and now Bangladesh head coach threw down the gauntlet on the eve of the clash.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Every team has the ability to beat India. The game is played on the day. It’s not what India did before — it’s what happens on Wednesday, during that three-and-a-half-hour period. We will try to play as best as we can and hope to force mistakes in India’s armoury. That’s the way we win games,†Simmons told reporters.Bangladesh though have a headache as their skipper Litton Das looks doubtful for the match as he suffered a sidestrain during training. They have not nominated a vicecaptain for the tournament.

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Who do you think will win the Super-4 clash between India and Bangladesh?

Both teams come armed with quality slow bowling. India’s trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel will look to squeeze Bangladesh in the middle overs, while Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, and leggie Rishad Hossain — if picked — could be the Tigers’ trump cards.Interestingly, Bangladesh got the better of a strong Sri Lankan side by relying on their three quicks — Shoriful Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, and the wily Mustafizur Rahman.Mustafizur, with years of experience behind him, can control the game in the middle overs, as he showed against Sri Lanka. The leftarm seamer picked up a brilliant 4 for 20 in that match. Mahedi was the other standout performer, returning figures of 2 for 25.India might be winning — but they aren’t flawless. Their catching against Pakistan was all over the place, with four straightforward chances put down — lapses that could have been costly against a sharper opponent.

‘He’s the best man for the job’: Ryan ten Doeschate on Sanju Samson’s new role

Suryakumar knows Bangladesh can’t be offered similar charity. “We have done a lot of fielding practice. It can’t be an excuse. If the catches are gone, they are gone. We go back to the drawing board, do a good session again, and then we come back and play the game,†Surya said after the Pakistan match.Another talking point is Jasprit Bumrah’s returns. The spearhead has leaked 33 runs from his third over across the last three games and went wicketless against Pakistan, conceding 45 from four overs — his third-most expensive T20I outing.Surya may have to rethink frontloading Bumrah’s overs, perhaps holding one back for the middle overs and one at the death. Surya, however, maintained that Bumrah is far from struggling. “Not really. He has played a lot of T20 cricket for India and in the IPL. He is experienced enough to understand what is needed from him. He is a good learner. When he is on the field, he is always active, always has that lovely body language, spreads that positive energy. That’s what we want — a senior bowler coming into such games and delivering for the side,†he said.If there is one area where India look near-invincible, it is their batting. Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill shredded Pakistan’s attack with a sterling 105-run opening stand, and the rest of the batting order has adapted well to the conditions.India will want to keep the momentum rolling as the tournament heads into its business end, while the Tigers come into the clash with their tails up. With the Dubai International Stadium pitch easing out and chasing sides enjoying success, expect fireworks under the lights — and a stern test of whether India can stay flawless when it matters most.

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