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Publication by EssentiallySports |
October 21, 2026 | Edition #523 |
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Hey NBA Fans, |
Steph’s availability has Warriors fans sweating, Coco Jones had a disturbing encounter in NYC, and Charles Barkley is getting brutally honest about his TV career. Meanwhile, a Knicks banner night reportedly turned ugly, and the Rockets-Mavs showdown is here to spice things up. Oh, and those Knicks championship rings? SHEESH. |
Also, you can now save EssentiallySports as your preferred source for news so you don’t miss out on any fresh NBA updates. Just Click Here! |
Let’s tip things off… |
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Jason Terry used to sleep in his opponents’ NBA shorts before playing them! |
The former NBA guard had one of the strangest pregame rituals in basketball. Before facing a team, Terry would sleep in a pair of its shorts. And no, we’re not talking about some random pair from a sports store. He collected actual team shorts through players and equipment managers around the league! |
The habit started in college. Before Arizona’s 1997 national championship game, Terry and teammate Mike Bibby slept in their Wildcats uniforms. Arizona won the title, and Terry took it as a sign that the ritual was here to stay. |
Once he reached the NBA, he switched things up and started wearing his opponents’ shorts instead. In a 2012 interview with Bleacher Report, Terry even admitted that when he couldn’t get a pair through friends, he’d pay an equipment manager to help him out. |
His collection included shorts associated with legends like John Stockton and Gary Payton. |
Imagine preparing for a huge game and your opponent is literally sleeping in your team colors the night before. |
Bro wasn’t just scouting the competition. He was getting comfortable in their shorts! |
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11 GAMES, 11 STORYLINES TO WATCH |
1. Bucks vs. Wizards | 7 PM ET |
Washington has a new-look team, and Milwaukee is starting over. The Wizards have brought in Trae Young and Anthony Davis to change their fortunes after winning just 17 games last season. Milwaukee, meanwhile, has moved on from Giannis Antetokounmpo and head coach Doc Rivers. This is an early test of which rebuild has the better foundation. |
2. Hawks vs. Magic | 7 PM ET |
Atlanta’s new additions could make this team a lot more dangerous. The Hawks added Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins, bringing extra defensive bite to a roster led by Jalen Johnson and CJ McCollum. Orlando has the young talent to make this competitive, but Atlanta will want its new pieces to click from the start. |
3. Hornets vs. Nets | 7:30 PM ET |
Charlotte has reason to believe it can take a step forward. Brandon Miller remains a key piece of the Hornets’ future, while Naz Reid adds another intriguing option to the frontcourt. Brooklyn, meanwhile, has a chance to show whether its young core can compete more consistently. This could be an important early test for both teams. |
4. Bulls vs. Raptors | 7:30 PM ET |
Toronto wants its defense to set the tone. The Raptors have the length and athleticism to make life difficult for opposing scorers, while Chicago will need to find ways to generate good looks and compete on the boards. If Toronto can turn stops into transition opportunities, the Bulls could have a long night. |
5. Timberwolves vs. Heat | 7:30 PM ET |
Giannis Antetokounmpo begins his Miami chapter against a dangerous Minnesota team. The Heat can pair his power and rim pressure with Bam Adebayo’s interior presence. But Anthony Edwards and new Timberwolves point guard LaMelo Ball give Minnesota an explosive backcourt to counter that size. This is one of the night's biggest matchups, with two major offseason moves taking center stage. |
6. Pacers vs. Pelicans | 8 PM ET |
Tyrese Haliburton’s return is the headline. After missing the entire 2025-26 season following a torn Achilles in the NBA Finals, the Indiana star is back on the floor. His playmaking is central to the Pacers’ identity, so the big question is how quickly he can rediscover his rhythm. New Orleans will look to spoil the comeback and start its season with a statement. |
7. Jazz vs. Grizzlies | 8 PM ET |
Keep an eye on Utah’s young talent. No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson joins a group featuring Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George and Ace Bailey. Memphis has its own questions to answer after a major change in direction, making this a useful early look at how both teams’ new pieces fit together. |
8. Mavericks vs. Rockets | 8:30 PM ET |
Houston’s depth faces a Dallas team looking to make noise. The Rockets have the defensive personnel and rotation options to challenge opponents, but Dallas has an intriguing combination in a returning Kyrie Irving and second-year star Cooper Flagg. If the Mavericks can keep Houston’s defense from controlling the game, this could be closer than expected. |
9. Suns vs. Trail Blazers | 10 PM ET |
Portland’s new backcourt is worth watching. The Trail Blazers have added Ja Morant alongside Damian Lillard, creating an explosive pairing with plenty of upside if the pieces fit. Phoenix will try to spoil the experiment, while Portland has an early chance to show whether its revamped offense can deliver. |
10. Warriors vs. Lakers | 10 PM ET |
Steph Curry vs. Luka Dončić headlines the night. Both averaged at least four made threes per game last season, making this a mouthwatering matchup between two elite shot-makers. Golden State also enters the opener with injury concerns around several rotation players, so Curry could have a lot on his plate against a Lakers team eager to start strong. |
11. Kings vs. Clippers | 10:30 PM ET |
The late-night California matchup could be more competitive than the names suggest. The Clippers have undergone significant roster changes and enter the opener dealing with availability concerns. Sacramento will look to take advantage and establish itself early, while Los Angeles needs its remaining rotation to step up. A strong start could matter for two teams looking to prove they still belong in the conversation. |
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Thank you for reading the latest edition of Essentially Dunk |
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As always, we appreciate your honest feedback. So please tell us… |
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