According to the Sixers‘ latest injury report, James will be sidelined le due to sciatic nerve management. The same issue sidelined him for the early stretch of last season and appears to have flared up once again.

Fresh off reaching another career milestone against his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, James continues to flash the all-around game that proves what he is still capable of delivering in his first season in Philadelphia.

Paired with rising co-star Tyrese Maxey—who recently cleared the air regarding his dynamic with former head coach Doc Rivers—the Sixers have sparked early postseason optimism across an energized fanbase.

Sixers full injury report

Beyond James, Philadelphia has already ruled out Dominick Barlow. Forward Dean Wade is also listed as questionable for tonight’s matchup against the Bucks. Here is the team’s full injury report ahead of tip-off:

Key takeaways

• LeBron James was sidelined by the 76ers against the Milwaukee Bucks.
• LeBron James previously reached a career milestone against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
• Dominick Barlow was ruled out while Dean Wade is questionable for Philadelphia tonight.

Trading a player of Antetokounmpo’s stature and one under contract may make little sense, but the Bucks didn’t really have much of a choice. Although Giannis didn’t publicly request a trade, reports state he and his camp pressured Milwaukee to trade him away, and the Heat were always circling around him, waiting for the moment to pounce.

Much has been said over the years about Miami’s front office with Pat Riley’s refusal to go after NBA stars and complete blockbuster trades. At one point, he had enough. The Heat went nuclear, sending virtually every single chip they owned to the Bucks to acquire Antetokounmpo. The main reason why the Bucks were pressured to trade Anteokounmpo before the 2026-27 NBA season is because they would’ve been playing him on a contract year if not.

Giannis would’ve entered contract year

Signed to a three-year extension, Giannis’ deal runs through the 2027-28 campaign, but only if the Greek-Nigerian star says so. Next offseason, Antetokounmpo has a player option and could become an unrestricted free agent if he declines to exercise it.

That meant Milwaukee either traded him, or risked losing him to free agency. Based on everything the Bucks got in return for Giannis, it’s safe to say they made the right choice.

Giannis’ trade to the Heat

Antetokounmpo wasn’t sent to Miami on his own; he was joined by Bobby Portis, who was also traded by the Bucks to the Heat. In return, the Bucks received Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks (2026, 2031, and 2033), a pick swap in 2030, and a second-round pick in 2033, as reported by ESPN.

Key takeaways

• Giannis Antetokounmpo traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat before the 2026-27 season.
• Player option next offseason allows Antetokounmpo to become an unrestricted free agent by declining it.
• Bucks acquired four players plus four future draft selections and a 2030 pick swap.

Dybantsa will not play for the Wizards today vs Bucks as he was officially sidelined after sustaining an injury during Washington’s preseason finale against the Detroit Pistons, head coach Brian Keefe confirmed to reporters during his pregame press conference.

The rookie represents a core piece of Washington’s long-term vision alongside stars Anthony Davis and Trae Young. While D.C. fans eagerly anticipate seeing the trio anchor a revamped Wizards squad, the team will have to navigate opening night without their prized young talent.

Unlike veteran-heavy teams adjusting to late-career stars—such as the Philadelphia 76ers managing LeBron James’ uncertain future—the Wizards are betting on a hybrid approach, pairing elite, established stars with high-upside youth to re-establish themselves in the Eastern Conference.

Predicted lineups for Wizards and Bucks today

Davis and Young are slated to headline Washington’s starting unit against a retooled Bucks squad. Milwaukee enters a new chapter led by guard Tyler Herro following the offseason departure of franchise icon Giannis Antetokounmpo, who signed with the Miami Heat.

Here are the projected starting lineups for tonight’s Wizards-Bucks matchup:

• Milwaukee Bucks:
  • PG: Ryan Rollins
  • SG: Tyler Herro
  • SF: Jaime Jaquez Jr.
  • PF: Kyle Kuzma
  • C: Myles Turner
• Washington Wizards:
  • PG: Trae Young
  • SG: Bilal Coulibaly
  • SF: Kyshawn George
  • PF: Anthony Davis
  • C: Alex Sarr

Both organizations kick off the regular season with playoff ambitions. For Washington, tonight marks an opportunity to pivot toward competitive basketball after consecutive rebuilding years. For Milwaukee, it serves as the official opening chapter of the post-Giannis era, a franchise reset following a historic decade that yielded an NBA Championship and an NBA Cup title.

Key takeaways

• AJ Dybantsa will miss Washington’s season opener against Milwaukee due to an injury.
• Anthony Davis and Trae Young are expected to lead Washington’s predicted starting lineup.
• Bucks are expected to be led by Tyler Herro.

Ahead of that highly anticipated matchup, the league announced a tipoff time change. Originally scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23, at 7:00 p.m. ET, the game was moved to 3:00 p.m. ET at Milwaukee’s request.

The reasoning is simple: the Milwaukee Brewers secured a historic spot in the World Series and open Game 1 that same evening. To support the city’s sports fans, the Bucks shifted their schedule so local supporters won’t have to choose between the two games.

It adds another layer of excitement to the start of a wild NBA campaign, an offseason marked by major moves across the league, including the Philadelphia 76ers acquiring former Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who recently addressed his move for the first time.

Bucks and Bulls roster additions for the upcoming season

Looking to rebound from turbulent stretches and re-enter the Eastern Conference playoff picture, both Milwaukee and Chicago made extensive moves during the offseason.

• Milwaukee Bucks
  • Trades & Acquisitions
    • Acquisitions: Tyler Herro (G — via Miami Heat), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (F — via Miami Heat), Kel’el Ware (C — via Miami Heat), Kasparas Jakučionis (G — via Miami Heat), Caris LeVert (G/F — via Detroit Pistons)
  • Draft & Rookie Additions
    • Additions: Brayden Burries (G — 10th overall pick), Nate Ament (F — 13th overall pick), Bogoljub Marković (F — Standard contract), Kam Jones (G — Two-way contract)
• Chicago Bulls
  • Trades & Free Agent Acquisitions: Nic Claxton (C — via three-team trade / Brooklyn Nets), Norman Powell (G — Free agent), Buddy Hield (G — via Charlotte Hornets trade), Orlando Robinson (C — Free agent)
  • Draft & Rookie Additions: Caleb Wilson (F — 4th overall pick), Dailyn Swain (F — 15th overall pick), Jordan Hawkins (G — Two-way contract), Jaylin Sellers (G — Two-way contract), Tobe Awaka (F/C — Two-way contract)

Predicted starting lineups for Bucks vs. Bulls

With opening night fast approaching, both head coaches are eager to set the tone with their new core rotations. Newly acquired guard Tyler Herro is slated to anchor Milwaukee’s backcourt, while veteran guard Norman Powell looks to spearhead Chicago’s balanced attack. Here are the predicted starting lineups for opening day:

• Milwaukee Bucks: PG Ryan Rollins | SG Tyler Herro | SF Jaime Jaquez Jr. | PF Kyle Kuzma | C Myles Turner
• Chicago Bulls: PG Josh Giddey | SG Norman Powell | SF Matas Buzelis | PF Caleb Wilson | C Nic Claxton

Key takeaways

• Milwaukee Bucks moved their Oct. 23 season opener against Chicago to 3:00 p.m. ET.
• The schedule change accommodates the Milwaukee Brewers hosting Game 1 of the World Series.
• Tyler Herro is projected to start at guard for Milwaukee in the opening matchup.

According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks have joined a growing list of teams exploring a potential sign-and-trade for Mathurin. “While the Los Angeles Clippers remain interested in re-signing restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin, the New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and Dallas Mavericks have expressed sign-and-trade interest in the 24-year-old swingman, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto reported. “With that said, there’s work to be done by each team if they’re going to add Mathurin.”

Mathurin’s restricted free agency has become one of the more closely watched situations of the offseason as the Clippers remain unable to finalize additional major roster moves while the league reviews the circumstances surrounding Leonard’s expected trade to the Toronto Raptors. The investigation, which was recently reported could extend into 2027, has left Los Angeles in a holding pattern.

The Wizards as interested suitors

Scotto noted that New Orleans remains a viable contender after attempting to acquire Mathurin via trade before last season’s deadline, when he was still playing for the Indiana Pacers. The Pelicans possess the $15.04 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, allowing them to avoid the luxury tax while sitting $8.22 million below that threshold.

Scotto reported that the organization has explored trading Jordan Hawkins, including discussions with the Memphis Grizzlies involving AJ Johnson, in order to generate greater flexibility. Chicago also remains in the mix after pursuing Mathurin before last season’s trade deadline. Scotto reported the Bulls’ new front office and coaching staff remain high on the former lottery pick, although a sign-and-trade appears to be the club’s only realistic path given its available cap mechanisms.

Stiff competition for the Clippers

The Bucks have also been in contact with Mathurin as they continue restructuring their roster. Milwaukee possesses the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception and still holds a $25.46 million trade exception generated in the Giannis Antetokounmpo deal. However, the Bucks also face roster spot constraints and must trim the squad from 17 players down to the 15-player regular-season limit.

Dallas presents another intriguing possibility. Scotto reported that any serious pursuit would likely require the Mavericks to move or buy out Klay Thompson, who is entering the final season of his $17.46 million contract. Without Thompson, Max Christie would become Dallas’ only traditional shooting guard currently under contract.

Despite the growing list of interested teams, the Clippers continue to prioritize bringing Mathurin back. The 24-year-old is coming off a career-best NBA season in which he averaged 17.6 points per game and remains viewed as an important piece of Los Angeles’ long-term plans.

Speaking on the Greek podcast AnesTea The Podcast, Antetokounmpo reflected on his departure from Milwaukee while acknowledging how difficult the decision was. “I love the city of Milwaukee. When the Miami chapter comes to an end—I don’t know when that will be, but it will happen because I’ll retire at some point—I hope I can return to Milwaukee, if they would have me,” he said.

Although he is embracing the opportunity with the Heat, Antetokounmpo admitted that leaving the organization where he became an NBA champion was a major life change, one he viewed as necessary for his continued growth as both a player and a person.

Why does Giannis want to return to Milwaukee?

Antetokounmpo explained that Milwaukee became much more than the place where he started his NBA career. Over 13 seasons, he developed a close bond with the city and its fans, making his departure one of the toughest decisions of his professional life.

The two-time NBA MVP also recalled how Bucks supporters honored him after his departure by leaving flowers and candles at his mural in Milwaukee. For Antetokounmpo, those gestures reflected the mutual respect that developed between him and the community throughout his time with the franchise.

How is Giannis approaching his new chapter with the Heat?

While Antetokounmpo remains grateful for his years in Milwaukee, he said his full attention is now on helping Miami compete for another NBA championship. The former Bucks star acknowledged that joining a new organization brings uncertainty, including adapting to new teammates and earning the trust of the Heat community.

However, he emphasized that his priority is to stay healthy, support his teammates, respect the fans, and make a positive impact both on and off the court as he begins the next phase of his career.

According to Shams Charania, the Bucks are trading Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks (including the No. 13 pick), one pick swap, and one second-round pick. It represents a fair price for the former MVP and NBA Champion.

Projected Miami Heat starting lineup

With this blockbuster trade finalized, the new-look Miami team is set to field a formidable starting five. The projected lineup features:

• PG: Davion Mitchell
• SG: Norman Powell
• SF: Andrew Wiggins
• PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
• C: Bam Adebayo

Bucks predicted starting five

• PG: Tyler Herro
• SG: Ryan Rollins
• SF: Kyle Kuzma
• PF: Jaime Jaquez
• C: Myles Turner

Celtics left empty-handed

The Miami Heat won the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes on Monday night in a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, leaving the Boston Celtics on the outside looking in.

Why didn’t the Celtics win the deal? Well, it just sounds like Miami offered more for Giannis. Shams Charania detailed Boston’s trade package, which included Jaylen Brown and two first-round picks. Miami threw in three first-round picks along with a bevy of impact players, which looks to have made the Heat’s offer more competitive.

It is still surprising that the Celtics did not hesitate to offer Jaylen Brown, the very player who kept them alive and carried them to the playoffs in a season where many had written them off due to Jayson Tatum’s injury. But Brown was there, and some even believed he deserved MVP recognition for his efforts.

Expectations for the Heat

The Heat, alongside Pat Riley, want to get back to competing immediately. It is tough to move on from Tyler Herro, who is an All-Star and was arguably above Bam Adebayo in terms of overall team impact. However, the Miami squad now has a highly promising roster and it will clearly be considered a legitimate contender with that explosive duo of Bam and Giannis.

Stein reports that the Heat have long been a potential suitor for the Bucks star, and that while Giannis Antetokounmpo might have legitimate interest in the Celtics, it’s not clear what level of interest the Celtics have in return.

Boston was one of the teams that reportedly reached out to the Bucks at the trade deadline regarding Antetokounmpo, but nothing materialized. A potential deal would almost assuredly mean the Celtics would have to part ways with Jaylen Brown, who has the Rockets interested in him and is up for a contract extension this offseason.

What the Heat can offer

As far as the Heat, a potential package would likely include Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Tyler Herro, and some combination of draft picks. This would be a considerable trade involving quality players, but the Bucks will likely look for a star in return, and that is where the Celtics could step in by offering Jaylen Brown.

Another factor that could play a role in where Antetokounmpo is traded is the fact that he reportedly wants to remain in the Eastern Conference, Stein reports. It’s viewed as the path of least resistance in terms of getting back to the NBA Finals as opposed to having to go through the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.

Despite injury issues this past NBA season, the former No. 15 overall pick was still an elite-level player. He averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists with splits of 62.4% shooting from the field, 33.3% shooting from the 3-point line, and 65 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

Another possible destination

The Dallas Mavericks also remain an interesting subplot in all of this. Stein reports Antetokounmpo has long been intrigued by the possibility of playing in Dallas, originally because of the opportunity to team up with Luka Doncic before Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025.

Antetokounmpo’s close relationship with former Mavericks coach Jason Kidd also helped fuel that interest over the years. Kidd has since exited Dallas, though Stein reports that may not eliminate the Mavericks as a possibility.

The declarations from Turner paint a picture of an organization struggling to maintain basic professional standards under its current leadership. “Doc Rivers, he didn’t fine anybody. Guys were late, guys were showing up to film whenever they wanted to show up. Guys were missing meetings. It was one of the craziest things that I’ve personally experienced,” Turner revealed on a recent Game Recognize Game episode.

Turner further explained that the lack of discipline forced him to adjust his own schedule just to avoid wasting time waiting for others. “It got to the point where I just knew not to show up until an hour after they said the plane was taking off… Giannis is gonna show up whenever he wants,” he added, emphasizing that the star’s behavior set a difficult precedent for the rest of the roster.

Fines for arriving late to meetings

Doc Rivers’ relaxed attitude toward discipline has raised questions about whether such a permissive environment can ever lead to a championship-caliber team. When superstars like Antetokounmpo are allowed to operate without consequences, it often erodes the mutual respect required for a cohesive unit, especially when veteran players are used to the strict structures found in other successful NBA franchises.

In most professional organizations, the cost of being tardy is quite steep to ensure every player remains focused on the collective goal. NBA teams typically levy fines ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 for a first offense of being late to a meeting or practice, with those amounts doubling or tripling for subsequent infractions or missed team flights.

For a team that finished the 2026 season with a 32-50 record, the absence of these financial deterrents may have contributed to their overall collapse on the court. Without the threat of being fined, players often lose the sense of urgency needed to compete at the highest level, leaving the organization in a “dumpster fire” state that ultimately led to Rivers’ departure from the bench.

According to Shams Charania, Giannis has had no contact at all with the Bucks front office since the trade deadline. “I’m not aware of any involvement from Giannis in this search process… My understanding is that there’s been zero communication between Giannis and Bucks top brass since the deadline.”

The tensions, although there have been some doubtful statements, show that there is a break or an almost broken relationship between Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, a love story that could end in a bad way, but that still sees changes being made to stay together.

Jenkins is a student of the game

Jenkins, a Bucks assistant under Mike Budenholzer in 2018-19, went 250-214 as the winningest coach in Memphis Grizzlies history and made three playoff appearances across six seasons with the franchise before being fired in March 2025.

Jenkins was seen as the top available option in the NBA coaching landscape, and his player development pedigree, along with his tenure as a culture setter and someone who drives competitiveness, made him the Bucks’ top target. The Bucks finished 32-50 this season, snapping a streak of nine consecutive years in the playoffs.

Does Giannis want to leave the Bucks?

Antetokounmpo enters the final guaranteed season of his contract next season and has explored trade options with the franchise. Antetokounmpo, when asked whether he had played his last game in a Milwaukee uniform earlier this month, did not close the door on staying with the Bucks.

“That’s a very good question,” Antetokounmpo said. “I don’t know. It’s not up to me. We’ll see.“ It is an answer filled with uncertainty that, in another moment, would have been stated with more confidence; now, the mood and intentions seem to indicate that he wants to leave.

“Before we even talk about an extension, somebody’s got to offer me that,” Antetokounmpo told reporters. “I don’t wear the pants in my relationship. I got to ask my wife. If my wife says yes, yes. If she says no, no. It’s up to her. So you guys got to ask her. Find her on social media. Follow her podcast.”

The lighthearted response is vintage Giannis, a trademark move to navigate the league’s relentless rumor mill. However, beneath the humor lies genuine uncertainty. Following a turbulent season in Milwaukee, questions about his eventual destination have created significant buzz across the league.

That noise only intensified following a recent report detailing the Miami Heat’s aggressive pursuit of the “Greek Freak” at the trade deadline, a move that nearly saw Miami beat out the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves for his services.

Antetokounmpo’s summer blueprint

While his long-term status will dominate headlines in the coming months, Antetokounmpo is prioritizing his individual development. The Bucks star made it clear that he plans to tune out the external noise as he prepares for the 2026-27 campaign.

“Phone on ‘do not disturb.’ Working hard every single day to improve my game, be in the best physical shape that I can be, and just stay away from it, all of it,” Antetokounmpo remarked.

Giannis reacts to Doc Rivers’ decision

When asked about Rivers’ tenure coming to an end, Antetokounmpo offered a brief, blunt assessment of the situation, prior to the press release confirming that he is leaving the organization.

“Shock to me,” Antetokounmpo said during his post-game presser. The superstar went on to praise Rivers for his career achievements and veteran leadership, adding that he intended to call his coach personally following the game to discuss the reports.