The NBA closed out the preseason with twelve games, and the most notable for Spanish fans took place in Philadelphia. Hugo González led the Celtics, who played without any of their starters and still won in overtime against the Sixers with all their stars. It was the final tune-up before the regular season begins on Tuesday.
Hugo González leads Celtics bench unit
Boston left Tatum, White, Pritchard and company on the bench, and Sam Cassell coached in place of Joe Mazzulla with rookie Chris Cenac Jr. as a starter. Across the court, the Sixers featured LeBron James in his home debut, alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown, facing his former team. Philadelphia led by as much as 14 and entered the fourth quarter up 94-84, but the Celtics won that period 31-21 and forced overtime (115-115), after Justin Edwards missed the game-winner at the buzzer. In the extra period, a three-pointer by Dillon Mitchell with a minute and a half remaining sealed the victory (125-120). Hugo González scored 21 points in 19:56, shooting 6 of 10 from the field, 3 of 7 from three-point range and 6 of 8 from the free throw line, adding 4 rebounds, 3 assists and zero turnovers. In one sequence, he stole the ball from Jaylen Brown and finished with a dunk on the fast break. Embiid finished with 27 points and LeBron played 24 minutes with 8 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. The Celtics close the preseason 4-0.
Spurs dominate Kings
San Antonio finished the preseason with its most dominant performance: 126-97 over Sacramento. The lineup featuring three point guards came out hot (42-18 in the first quarter) and the lead reached 37 points. Victor Wembanyama needed just 17 minutes to record 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals before sitting out the entire second half. Dylan Harper, with 19 points and 14 straight to open the second half, led the scoring. De'Aaron Fox added 16 against his former team. The Kings, with 20 points from Zach LaVine and a double-double from Domantas Sabonis, finish the preseason winless (0-5).
Bucks win in overtime in Indianapolis
The Pacers scored 71 points in the first half, with Pascal Siakam posting 24 in 21 minutes (8 of 8 in the second quarter), and went into halftime with a 15-point lead. But Indiana sat all its starters after the break, and Tyler Herro (25 points, 5 of 7 from three) led Milwaukee's comeback. The game ended 117-117 at the end of regulation, following a basket by Kel'el Ware, and the Bucks won it in overtime (128-127). There was tension from the start: Ryan Rollins and Tyrese Haliburton received technical fouls after a collision, and Myles Turner was booed in his return to Indiana.
Pistons hold off Raptors comeback
Detroit played its starters in the first half, while Toronto didn't use any of its regulars. The Pistons led by as much as 14 (94-80) early in the fourth quarter, but the Canadian bench turned it around and took the lead (102-99). The game was decided by a rookie: Ebuka Okorie scored all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter without missing a shot from the field, and made the crucial free throws in the final seconds (129-125). Cade Cunningham added 18 points and 7 assists in 26 minutes, and Malachi Smith, with 24, led the Raptors.
Magic beat Heat but lose three players
Orlando dominated the Heat (136-115) after trailing in the first quarter, in which Bobby Portis added 10 points. Nikola Vucevic entered due to fouls on Wendell Carter Jr. and led a 17-8 run. The Magic took their first lead in the second quarter (63-60) and never relinquished control. Paolo Banchero (24 points) and Desmond Bane (23, 7 of 12 from three) led the offense. The victory came at a cost: Franz Wagner left in the second half with right arm soreness, and Noah Penda and Jase Richardson also finished banged up. For the Heat, who were without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, Ryan Conwell stood out with 21 points.
See also:
- Oklahoma City Thunder preview for the 2026-27 NBA season
- Jorge Díaz-Graham signs with the Dallas Mavericks
Flagg and Irving debut together with a loss
Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving shared the court for the first time, but the Hawks dominated from start to finish (135-111). Atlanta took control before the end of the first quarter, went into halftime leading 73-54 and led by as much as 29. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 25 points and Jalen Johnson posted a double-double (20 points and 14 rebounds). Flagg responded with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Spanish player Sergio de Larrea played 25 minutes and added 8 points and 4 assists. Guillermo Díaz-Graham, recently arrived after his brother Jorge's release, did not appear in the box score. Santi Aldama remains sidelined following knee surgery.
Warriors close with victory over Blazers
Golden State won 128-118 over the Blazers with new faces on the perimeter. The Warriors led by as much as 25 points thanks to a strong third quarter (38-33). Stephen Curry scored 20 points with 5 assists, and Yaxel Lendeborg and Brandin Podziemski each added 17. In Portland, Damian Lillard (23 points) and Ja Morant (19) showed the backcourt pairing they'll start the season with.
Jazz rally in Phoenix
Utah won 116-119 over the Suns thanks to a fourth quarter of 29-21. Phoenix had led by 13, but the Jazz turned it around with Lauri Markkanen (19 points) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (17) as key contributors, and rookie Darryn Peterson adding 13 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. For the Suns, Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green each scored 18, and Devin Booker added 16 with 6 assists.
Nuggets win in Los Angeles
Denver defeated the Lakers 106-121 at Crypto.com Arena following a first quarter of 36-22 that set the tone for the game, with a maximum lead of 17 points. Jamal Murray (21 points and 6 assists), Nikola Jokić (17 points and 8 assists) and Christian Braun (16) led the visitors. Luka Dončić played just over 18 minutes and scored 15 points, and Austin Reaves added 17.
Bulls close preseason in style
Chicago won 133-116 over the Timberwolves, who did not bring Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Rudy Gobert or Jaden McDaniels. The game was tight in the first half (tied at 18, 20 and 45), but the Bulls closed the second quarter with a 13-6 run and never lost control. Rookie Caleb Wilson (16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists) once again impressed. For Minnesota, Isaiah Evans scored 21 points with 5 three-pointers.
Boozer guides Grizzlies
Memphis topped the Hornets 116-98 after starting down 6-17. They took the lead with 1:40 left in the first quarter, and with a three-pointer by Ty Jerome at the halftime buzzer reached 50-38 and achieved a maximum lead of 22 points. Rookie Cameron Boozer, with 19 points and 7 rebounds, and Jerome, with 17, were the standouts. The Hornets, with 19 turnovers in the first half, had Hannes Steinbach (19 points and 10 rebounds) as their best player.
Pelicans edge Wizards
New Orleans won 107-106 over Washington in the tightest game of the night, after the Wizards rallied with a fourth quarter of 36 points. Saddiq Bey scored 19 points in 17 minutes, and Jeremiah Fears added 14 with 5 assists. For the Wizards, Anthony Davis posted a double-double (14 points and 11 rebounds) and rookie AJ Dybantsa scored 12 in 15 minutes.