NBA Preseason 2026: New-Look Teams and China Game Results
For broader context, explore our sports betting online coverage. Official NBA box scores, rather than speculative exhibition forecasts, support this recap.
Final preseason checklist before the October 20 NBA opener
Verified editorial update: October 15, 2026 (PHT). This dated update supplements the original report; archived results, images and previous analysis remain below.
The 2026 NBA preseason is still underway as of October 15 in the United States. It would be premature to call every team’s preseason record final. The league lists NBA ID Member Days on October 15–16, and the NBA’s regular season begins October 20, with opening-day rosters due October 19.
- Results: treat exhibitions such as the Dallas–Houston China Games as completed events, but avoid converting those scores into regular-season standings.
- Rotation context: playing time, minutes restrictions and trial combinations can distort one-game statistical comparisons.
- Player availability: an active preseason appearance does not establish an opening-night starting lineup.
- Final check: confirm completed preseason scoreboards and the October 19 roster deadline before making definitive roster or form claims.
A useful comparison is the move from preseason experimentation to the league’s confirmed opener: Boston–Detroit, Philadelphia–New York and Oklahoma City–San Antonio on October 20 U.S. time. The related opening-week PHT timetable provides exact October 21 Philippine viewing times. This page preserves its original new-look team analysis rather than inventing final preseason statistics.
Sources checked: NBA official season dates · NBA opening-week schedule. All listed future fixtures remain subject to organizer changes.
What has NBA preseason 2026 already taught us? Portland’s new backcourt is no longer theoretical: Damian Lillard and Ja Morant both appeared as the Trail Blazers beat Golden State 123–118.
Lillard scored 15 points in 19 minutes; Morant added 8 points and 5 assists. Tyrese Haliburton also returned for Indiana with 7 points and 6 assists in 16 first-half minutes. These are confirmed appearances—not projected availability.
This article remains a new-look team watchlist. For active scores, use the separate NBA live scores guide.
Preseason Developments: What Changed by October 14?
NBA China Games result: Houston won the opener 135–117 behind its offense in Macao, and Dallas answered with a 132–115 victory in the rematch. The NBA highlights Kyrie Irving scoring 17 points in his return on October 11. These are verified results—not projected lineups. NBA October 9 game and NBA October 11 game.
| Game | Result | What the box score confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Portland vs Golden State | Trail Blazers 123–118 | Lillard 15 points in 19 minutes; Morant 8 points and 5 assists; Deni Avdija 23 points |
| Indiana vs Minnesota | Pacers 123–112 | Haliburton returned with 7 points and 6 assists in 16 minutes |
| Milwaukee vs Oklahoma City | Bucks 128–126 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 without missing a shot |
One exhibition does not answer every chemistry question. It does replace vague “might play” language with verified minutes, roles and production.
NBA Preseason Results: Completed China Games and Time Zones
Updated October 14: The two Macao games have concluded. The October 10 Memphis–Chicago and October 11 LA Clippers–Toronto entries below are historical schedule listings; consult the NBA game center for verified finals rather than interpreting their older “Scheduled” status as current.
| Philippine date | Tip-off PHT | Match | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 9, 8:00 PM PHT | Houston Rockets 135–117 Dallas Mavericks — Macao | Final | |
| October 10, 8:00 AM PHT | Memphis Grizzlies at Chicago Bulls | Archived listing — final not checked here | |
| October 11, 6:30 AM PHT | LA Clippers vs Toronto Raptors — Vancouver | Archived listing — final not checked here | |
| October 11, 6:00 PM PHT | Dallas Mavericks 132–115 Houston Rockets — Macao | Final |
Times are conversions from official NBA listings and may change. Use the NBA schedule near tip-off.
Who Has Actually Played—and Who Is Only Expected?
| Player | Status checked Oct. 9 | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Damian Lillard | Appeared | 15 points in 19 minutes vs Golden State |
| Ja Morant | Appeared | 8 points, 5 assists in Portland debut |
| Tyrese Haliburton | Appeared | 7 points, 6 assists in 16 minutes |
Planned rest, reported availability and a confirmed appearance are different claims. Check the official game page again close to tip-off.
Which New-Look NBA Teams Are Worth Watching?
Portland: Can Lillard and Morant Share Control?
The opener offered the first real evidence. Both guards appeared, Avdija led Portland with 23 points and the Blazers won. The next question is repeatability: who initiates when both stars share the floor, and can the backcourt defend against stronger regular-season lineups?
Dallas: What Will the China Games Reveal?
Dallas split its two Macao exhibitions against Houston, losing 117–135 on October 9 before winning 132–115 on October 11. Cooper Flagg’s creation role, rotation experiments and Kyrie Irving’s 17-point return in the second game are meaningful preseason observations, but neither game counts in regular-season standings. NBA Game 1; NBA Game 2.
Lakers: How Does the Post-LeBron Offense Settle?
Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves now drive the direction. Preseason should be read for secondary creation, defensive cover and frontcourt combinations rather than the final record.
Philadelphia and Miami: Can Star Collections Become Coherent Units?
Names create attention; possessions reveal fit. Watch where creation begins, who plays off the ball and whether spacing remains functional when multiple high-usage players share the court.
San Antonio and Oklahoma City: What Carries Into Opening Night?
The teams meet when the regular season begins. Oklahoma City’s preseason game against Milwaukee showed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander already sharp, but controlled exhibition minutes are not the same test as an October 20 game that counts.
How Should Fans Read NBA Preseason Results?
- Start with minutes: A 15-point performance in 19 minutes does not forecast an 82-game average.
- Track roles: Starting, first off the bench and closing a quarter can reveal more than the final margin.
- Verify availability: Planned rest and a last-minute absence change what a result measures.
- Compare multiple games: Repeated lineup patterns are more informative than one hot shooting night.
When Does the NBA Regular Season Begin in Philippine Time?
The NBA lists October 20 as the US opening date, which becomes October 21 in Philippine time. Boston visits Detroit at 3:00 AM PHT, Philadelphia visits New York at 7:00 AM and Oklahoma City visits San Antonio at 9:30 AM.
That is the transition from experimentation to games that affect the standings. NBA Cup Group Play begins October 30 in the United States.
What Should Readers Check Before NBA Odds or Predictions?
Confirm availability, workload expectations and the exact market. Preseason rotations can change after warm-ups. The site’s basketball markets guide, odds explainer and implied probability guide explain mechanics without promising an outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Portland’s preseason opener?
Portland beat Golden State 123–118. Damian Lillard scored 15 points in 19 minutes and Ja Morant added 8 points and 5 assists.
When are the next NBA China Games in Philippine time?
Both NBA China Games have been played: Houston 135–117 Dallas on October 9 and Dallas 132–115 Houston on October 11, at 8:00 PM and 6:00 PM Philippine time respectively.
When does the 2026-27 NBA regular season start?
October 20 in the United States; the opening games fall on October 21 in Philippine time.
Do preseason games count in the standings?
No. Preseason results do not count toward regular-season records.
Official Sources and Verification
- NBA Starting 5: confirmed October 8 returns and results
- NBA game page: Portland 123, Golden State 118
- NBA official preseason schedule
- NBA China Games 2026
- NBA Canada Games 2026
- NBA 2026–27 key dates
Checked: October 14, 2026 PHT. Official NBA box scores: October 9 and October 11.
Responsible Use of Sports Information
This preseason coverage is informational and intended for adults aged 21 or older. Roster strength, previous records and exhibition performance do not guarantee a game or betting result. If you choose to bet, set limits and use only funds you can afford to lose. See the site's Responsible Play information.