2026-27 Amex Season Preview

Best sights, sounds, moments from 2026 NBA Media Day

Check out the news and highlights from around the League as NBA teams met the media to gear up for the season ahead.

Ben Lambert, for NBA.com

Kawhi Leonard discussed the upcoming season in Toronto Monday, as 28 teams met with the media to begin the new campaign.

The Bucks, Bulls, Cavaliers, Celtics, Clippers, Grizzlies, Hawks, Heat, Hornets, Lakers, Jazz, Kings, Knicks, Magic, Nets, Nuggets, Pacers, Pelicans, Pistons, Raptors, Spurs, Suns, Thunder, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, Warriors, Wizards and 76ers met with the press Monday for NBA Media Day 2026 before the new season begins on October 20.

Major moments included: LeBron James’ introduction in Philadelphia, Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto and Stephen Curry’s thoughts on extending his contract with Golden State.

Get excited for the new season and catch up on the day with NBA.com’s live blog!

Quotes of the Day

  • “I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round. I know that.”
    —LeBron James
  • “I need pressure. I need a winning situation.”
    —Kawhi Leonard
  • “We want our worst day to keep getting better. That’s when we’re really going to have something special.”
    —Jazz coach Will Hardy
  • “How do you make your teammates better?”
    —Pelicans coach Jamahl Mosley, challenging Zion Williamson
  • “None.”
    —AJ Dybantsa, on pressure he feels as the No. 1 pick
  • “There’s a pride in representing the Bay. This is home.”
    —Stephen Curry

SEPTEMBER 28 / 5:59 p.m. ET

Minnesota Timberwolves logo A Minnesota match made in heaven

The Timberwolves’ newest star, LaMelo Ball, is excited to take the floor alongside Anthony Edwards.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 5:37 p.m. ET

Utah Jazz logoA new Media Day look for JJJ

It’s Year No. 9 for Jaren Jackson Jr. and Media Day No. 1 with the Utah Jazz.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 4:40 p.m. ET

San Antonio Spurs logo Wemby reflects on San Antonio’s Finals experience

The Spurs plan to use their 2026 NBA Finals loss as fuel for the 2026-27 season.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 4:03 p.m. ET

Denver Nuggets logo DeRozan has seen his fair share of Media Days

18-year vet DeMar DeRozan is heading into his first season as a Denver Nugget.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 3:38 p.m. ET

Chicago Bulls logo The stars of Chicago

The future’s bright in the Windy City.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 3:29 p.m. ET

Brooklyn Nets logo ‘If we get the chemistry right, it could be perfect’

MPJ played with a great passing big man in Denver. Can new teammate Julius Randle give him some of that in Brooklyn?

SEPTEMBER 28 / 3:11 p.m. ET

Los Angeles Lakers logo The Lake Show opens

Positive vibes for the purple and gold.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 2:32 p.m. ET

New Orleans Pelicans logo Cat lovers unite

A cat’s always good to put a smile on your face.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 2:24 p.m. ET

Minnesota Timberwolves logo Edwards: ‘I’m happy’

Anthony Edwards spoke about his new teammates, noting that LaMelo Ball brings size, passing and scoring, while Jonathan Kuminga was always tough for the Timberwolves to stop.

Edwards said Ball should take some playmaking responsibility off his shoulders, allowing him to attack and defend more aggressively.

“I feel like I’m a natural 2-guard at heart,” said Edwards. 

SEPTEMBER 28 / 2:11 p.m. ET

Golden State Warriors logo Trusting in Steph

The Chef’s eyes are still set on Playoff success.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 1:42 p.m. ET

Denver Nuggets logo Joker’s wild

The aura of a three-time Kia Most Valuable Player.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 1:16 p.m. ET

Golden State Warriors logo ‘There’s a pride in representing the Bay’

Stephen Curry cited a desire to play in front of Bay Area fans, reimagine his approach to the game and continue his relationship with the Warriors in explaining his decision to sign a two-year, $116 million extension.

“This is home. This is what we’ve built,” said Curry. “Being able to finish the story the right way is a big part of what I control.”

SEPTEMBER 28 / 1:11 p.m. ET

San Antonio Spurs logo That Alien aura

It’s what the youths say, Wemby.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 1:02 p.m. ET

Boston Celtics logo JT on PG

Two of the smoothest big wings in the game will team up this season.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 12:48 p.m. ET

San Antonio Spurs logo Wembanyama on the team’s rise

“We’re fighting for the top spot of the mountain,” said the Spurs’ superstar. “We’re going to have to move people in our way.”

SEPTEMBER 28 / 12:35 p.m. ET

Toronto Raptors logo ‘We’re having some fun today’

Kawhi seems in good spirits as he returns to T-Dot.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 11:45 a.m. ET

New Orleans Pelicans logo Mosley’s challenge to Zion

“The challenge that we want to put on his plate is: how do you make your teammates better?” Jamahl Mosley said of Zion. “As teams start up, can you step in and take that midrange? Can you expand your game?”

SEPTEMBER 28 / 11:30 a.m. ET

Portland Trail Blazers logo Returning to Rip City

Damian Lillard enters the season as the all-time leading scorer in Trail Blazers history with 19,376 points.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 11:22 a.m. ET

Washington Wizards logo A new foundation in Washington

It could be an exciting year in the nation’s capital — there’s a lot of talent in red, white and blue.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 11:13 a.m. ET

Philadelphia 76ers logo The King sits down in Philly

LeBron James is live, addressing the new season as he begins his time with the 76ers.

“We all want to put the work in,” said James. “Nothing can happen unless you put the work in … Everyone is highly motivated.”

James said he’s ready to play any role for the team, and believes they’re “ready to do something special.”

“I think the luxury of my game is I can do everything — literally,” said James. “I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round.”

He credited Tyrese Maxey for helping bring him to the team.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 11:07 a.m. ET

Portland Trail Blazers logo Ja in his new jersey

Can Ja become a cult hero in Portland?

SEPTEMBER 28 / 10:54 a.m. ET

Philadelphia 76ers logo A special day in Philadelphia

The King has arrived for his 24th NBA season, starting a new chapter with the 76ers.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 10:50 a.m. ET

Miami Heat logo The new core in Miami

“Bam’s going to be Bam. He’s going to dominate the game offensively, he’s going to get to his spots, he’s going to be a nightmare defensively,” said Giannis Antetokounmpo on his frontcourt partner. “Fire be with fire … We have to keep pushing each other.”

SEPTEMBER 28 / 10:35 a.m. ET

Utah Jazz logoHardy: ‘I think our players are ready to get to work’

The Jazz coach is addressing the media now, discussing Lauri Markkanen’s leadership role and the new-look squad.

The team will feature a variety of lineups, including leaning into their size at times, Hardy said.

He expects “a rookie season in the NBA” from Darryn Peterson, lauding his professional habits, but noting he will have ups-and-downs as he adjusts.

Hardy called for the team to adopt a “short-track” mentality, noting they need to build experience and winning habits.

“We’re going to try to approach this day-by-day. We’ll never put a ceiling on any team,” said Hardy. “We’ve got to control tomorrow … We want our worst day to keep getting better. That’s when we’re really going to have something special.”

SEPTEMBER 28 / 10:29 a.m. ET

Indiana Pacers logo Haliburton’s here

Time does indeed fly, Tyrese.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 10:15 a.m. ET

Toronto Raptors logo Kawhi: ‘Excited to be back’ with the Raptors

Leonard said he hopes to play more than the 65 games he logged last season, including in the Playoffs, noting he was an All-NBA performer in two of the last three seasons.

He said he hopes to take on a leadership role for the team, inspiring other players to challenge and exceed his level while aiding coach Darko Rajaković.

“I need pressure. I need a winning situation,” said Leonard, noting he hopes to find that in Toronto. “I’ll be leading, trying to help guys get better.”

SEPTEMBER 28 / 10:03 a.m. ET

Miami Heat logo Heat culture revs up for a new season

Erik Spoelstra, in his 19th season as head coach of the Miami Heat, enters the year with 830 wins, good for 17th all-time.

He’s two behind Cotton Fitzsimmons and 34 behind Jack Ramsay as he continues to climb the charts, now with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in tow.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 9:45 a.m. ET

Toronto Raptors logo RJ Barrett in the building

The eighth-year wing is repping for Canada.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 9:35 a.m. ET

Brooklyn Nets logo Randle in Brooklyn black

The Nets’ new forward returns to New York to make some noise for Brooklyn after a two-season Minnesota sojourn following five years with the Knicks.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 9:25 a.m. ET

Toronto Raptors logo The Raptors are underway

Major storylines for Toronto entering the season include: the acquisition of Kawhi Leonard, the development of Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, the return of Immanuel Quickley and the competition for bench roles.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 8:32 a.m. ET

NBA logo The schedule for today’s Media Days

9 a.m. ET

9:30 a.m. ET

10 a.m. ET

10:15 a.m. ET

10:30 a.m. ET 

11 a.m. ET

12 p.m. ET

1 p.m. ET

1:30 p.m. ET

2 p.m. ET

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