Live updates: Best moments from the 2026 NBA Media Days

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

We’re bringing you live coverage as 28 teams meet with the media Monday to discuss the upcoming campaign, sharing insights, news, notes and fun moments.

Lock in and enjoy today’s NBA.com live blog.

All-Access Coverage: Inside the NBA Media Days

What we know about Monday’s 2026 NBA Media Day:

We have someone capturing content at each and every session, bringing you the latest content from around this big day in the Association.

Major storylines of the day include: LeBron James’ debut in Philadelphia, Giannis Antetokounmpo speaking with the Miami press, Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto and Stephen Curry’s recommitment to Golden State.

The

Dallas Mavericks

and

Houston Rockets

, who are off to Macao to play in the 2026 NBA China Games, had their media days last week.

29 other teams are chasing the New York Knicks,

who won the franchise’s first title since 1973 to cap last season

.

Quotes of the day:

“I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round,” said LeBron James. “I know that.”

“I need pressure. I need a winning situation,” said Kawhi Leonard.

“We want our worst day to keep getting better. That’s when we’re really going to have something special,” said Will Hardy.

“How do you make your teammates better?” Jamahl Mosley said of his challenge to Zion Williamson.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 12:17 p.m. ET

AD on AJ

"He’s got all the tools to be successful in this league… AJ has a special talent."

At Wizards Media Day, Anthony Davis praises rookie teammate AJ Dybantsa, and highlights his role as a mentor for the first-year player 🤝

pic.twitter.com/53G1p2ALpZ

— NBA (@NBA)

September 28, 2026

SEPTEMBER 28 / 11:56 a.m. ET

A fashion statement in San Antonio

The reigning Kia Sixth Man of the Year is bringing some energy with his new facial hair.

De'Aaron Fox isn't a fan of Keldon Johnson's mustache 😂

But, KJ's adamant on growing it LONGER!

pic.twitter.com/xXjqZYTrTN

SEPTEMBER 28 / 11:45 a.m. ET

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

Returning to Rip City

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

DAME IS BACK IN PORTLAND THREADS 🚨

pic.twitter.com/3QNl6nSEcC

SEPTEMBER 28 / 11:22 a.m. ET

A new foundation in Washington

TRAE. AD. AJ.

This newly-formed

@WashWizards

trio ‼️

pic.twitter.com/1KCBC765vC

SEPTEMBER 28 / 11:13 a.m. ET

The King sits down in Philly

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

“You guys know who I am, right?”

LeBron having fun at Sixers Media Day 😂

pic.twitter.com/juYpBI1jbz

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

He said he’s ready to play whatever role the team needs, 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.”

SEPTEMBER 28 / 11:09 a.m. ET

Tap in with the Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are building around Jalen Johnson, bolstering the roster with No. 8 pick Kingston Flemings and former NBA champions Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 11:07 a.m. ET

Ja in his new jersey

1️⃣

pic.twitter.com/lA2cPp9Fgq

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers)

SEPTEMBER 28 / 10:56 a.m. ET

The Joker is back at it

All is right, Jok is back in Denver 😎

pic.twitter.com/MGxCYIWh7q

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets)

SEPTEMBER 28 / 10:54 a.m. ET

A special day in Philadelphia

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

😏

pic.twitter.com/cktKE98ZU9

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers)

SEPTEMBER 28 / 10:50 a.m. ET

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.”

"One of the best two-way players in the league… He never takes days off."

At Miami Media Day, Giannis praises his new teammate, Bam Adebayo, and highlights the importance of leading by example ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season!

pic.twitter.com/zyLtzrVmVR

SEPTEMBER 28 / 10:35 a.m. ET

Hardy: ‘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

Haliburton’s here

Time does indeed fly, Tyrese.

Tyrese Haliburton checking in from Media Day 🤳

pic.twitter.com/UVdiMRTY4u

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers)

SEPTEMBER 28 / 10:15 a.m. ET

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.”

KAWHI LEONARD IS A RAPTOR. 🦖🏀

pic.twitter.com/jHknw5dxPs

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors)

SEPTEMBER 28 / 10:03 a.m. ET

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.

“Everybody understands what this team is about… everybody’s coming in, in great shape. In terms of competing and getting after it, that’s day 1, that’s tomorrow.”

pic.twitter.com/FfRhf2UyBw

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT)

SEPTEMBER 28 / 10 a.m. ET

Starting a new Jazz standard

Tap in with the revitalized Utah Jazz, as they welcome Darryn Peterson, Jaren Jackson Jr. and the recently-extended Keyonte George.

SEPTEMBER 28 / 9:45 a.m. ET

Barrett in the building

The eighth-year wing is repping for Canada.

Sauga’s own checked in. 🫡

pic.twitter.com/E0to1MxMpf

SEPTEMBER 28 / 9:35 a.m. ET

Randle in Brooklyn black

The Nets’ new foundational forward returns to New York to make some noise for Brooklyn.

BIG JULIUS 😤

pic.twitter.com/5d5vzYPpMW

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets)

SEPTEMBER 28 / 9:25 a.m. ET

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.

Raptors Press Conference LIVE | Media Day Sept 28, 2026

https://t.co/CcDtLjdelU

Go Raps! Let's have a great Year!! -Jak

pic.twitter.com/eZx0eQWIOK

SEPTEMBER 28 / 8:32 a.m. ET

The schedule for today’s Media Days

9 a.m. ET

Brooklyn Nets

Toronto Raptors

9:30 a.m. ET

Miami Heat

10 a.m. ET

Boston Celtics

Indiana Pacers

New York Knicks

San Antonio Spurs

10:15 a.m. ET

Utah Jazz

10:30 a.m. ET

Atlanta Hawks

Washington Wizards

11 a.m. ET

Charlotte Hornets

New Orleans Pelicans

Orlando Magic

Philadelphia 76ers

12 p.m. ET

Chicago Bulls

Denver Nuggets

Golden State Warriors

Memphis Grizzlies

Milwaukee Bucks

Portland Trail Blazers

1 p.m. ET

Phoenix Suns

1:30 p.m. ET

Cleveland Cavaliers

Oklahoma City Thunder

2 p.m. ET

Detroit Pistons

Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Lakers

Minnesota Timberwolves

Sacramento Kings

SEPTEMBER 28 / 8:15 a.m. ET

The best of last season

Get hyped for the 2026-27 NBA season with a look back at the best from last year, including Victor Wembanyama’s Stephen Curry-esque 3-pointer against the Oklahoma City Thunder and OG Anunoby’s miracle tip-in against the San Antonio Spurs.