Dante Exum injury update: Australian suffers ‘serious’ wrist injury in Dallas Mavericks preseason

The Dallas Mavericks have suffered another injury blow, with backup guard Dante Exum set for a stint out after sustaining a ‘serious’ injury in training camp.

The 29-year-olds injury was announced by Shams Charania of The Athletic, and is another setback for the Australian who has had an injury plagued career to date.

It is also a source of frustration to Jason Kidd and the Mavericks, who also have superstar Luka Doncic suffering from injury issues ahead of the season.

What is Dante Exum’s injury? And how long will he be out for?

MORE: Updated NBA Power Rankings after Karl-Anthony Towns trade

What is Dante Exum’s injury?
Dante Exum is said to have suffered a serious wrist injury during the Dallas Mavericks’ preseason training camp.

Dallas Mavericks G Dante Exum has sustained a serious right wrist injury that could require surgery, sources tell @TheAthletic. Treatment options are being evaluated for Exum, who emerged as a key reserve guard on Mavs NBA Finals run last season. Tough early season blow for Mavs. pic.twitter.com/NZXqc0UET8

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 4, 2024
It is not known exactly how Exum sustained the injury.

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How long will Dante Exum be out?
The Mavericks themselves have not made an official statement on the injury, so there is no definitive timeline on when Exum could return.

However, it is said to be a serious enough injury that it may require surgery, with the Mavericks ‘considering treatment options’ according to sources.

This indicates he probably will miss the season opener later in the month, and may miss the first lot of games for the Dallas Mavericks as they look to recover from losing in last season’s NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics.

If he was to miss significant game time, it would be a cruel twist of fate for the Australian, who has battled an injury ravaged career to play a key role off the bench for the Mavericks in their finals run, and also represented Australia at the Paris Olympics.

Dallas Mavericks upcoming schedule 2024-25
After training camp in Las Vegas, the Mavericks will play four preseason games in preparation for the upcoming season. Dallas’ season opener comes on Oct. 24 against a Victor Wembanyama-led San Antonio team.

How many points did Bronny James score today? Full stats, results, highlights from Lakers NBA preseason debut

Bronny James officially made his NBA preseason debut with the Lakers.

The rookie struggled offensively as he began the night shooting 0/5 from the field. But with less than a minute remaining, he was able to make his first bucket and score his first two points.

Bronny James scores his first points in the NBA preseason 👏pic.twitter.com/tHTpnqZPlY

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 5, 2024
Bronny played well on the defensive end of the ball, however. He finished with three blocks while playing for a total of 16 minutes. He had a nice chase down block almost immediately after he entered the game in the second quarter.

It had some people reminiscent of his dad’s famous chase downs.

BRONNY JAMES CHASEDOWN BLOCK 😳 pic.twitter.com/7FwjUpNXfU

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 5, 2024
Overall, though, it was a fairly uneventful night for Bronny. He only played six minutes in the first half, and then played six minutes in the second half before re-entering the game due to it being a blowout.

He finished with two points, one rebound, one assist, three blocks and a turnover. He had a +/- of -15 in 16 minutes played.

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Lakers vs. Timberwolves live updates, highlights from 2024 NBA preseason game
(All times Eastern)

1:00: The game is over as the Lakers lose, 124-107.

12:55: Bronny scores his first points of the preseason! It happened in the final minute of a blowout game, but he was at least able to score in his NBA preseason debut.

12:46: Bronny headed to the bench for a few minutes, but he’s back out on the court now.

12:40: It’s been a rough shooting night for Bronny so far. He’s up to five shot attempts and hasn’t made a single bucket. Three attempts have been near the basket, while one was a 3-point attempt and the other was just inside the 3-point line.

12:31: Bronny didn’t record an official assist, but he set up a nice play with a hockey assist. A few possessions later, he had another nice pass, but his teammate missed the shot attempt. He also recorded yet another block, giving him three for the game.

12:30: Bronny is on the court to start the fourth quarter.

12:27: The third quarter has ended. Bronny didn’t play at all during the third.

11:42: We’re at halftime of the game. Lakers are trailing 58-49.

11:31: Bronny is back to the bench after playing six minutes at the start of the second quarter.

11:25: Bronny has started the game 0/3 shooting, but is helping out in other ways. In five minutes, he’s recorded two blocks and an assist.

Bronny James blocks Rob Dillingham (who has been impressive) from behind and then pushes the ball in transition before finding Rui Hachimura in the corner. Nice sequence here from the rookie. pic.twitter.com/vxK475SVRW

— Hot Hand Theory (@HotHandTheory) October 5, 2024
11:19: It only took two minutes of action before Bronny got a number in the box score. He was credited with a block on Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s shot attempt.

BRONNY WITH A BLOCK 😤pic.twitter.com/GkRyIWCHb1

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 5, 2024
11:15: Bronny James is on the court to start the second quarter.

11:13: The first quarter ended and Bronny James has not entered the game yet.

10:43: The game has tipped off.

10:40: The game should tip off soon. It’s worth noting that LeBron James and Anthony Davis will not play in tonight’s game. The Lakers also released their starting lineup, and Bronny is not a starter. But he should play some solid minutes with some of the regular starters seemingly getting some rest.

MORE: NBA’s top 30 players, ranked: Where stars land ahead of 2024-25 season

Lakers vs. Timberwolves start time
Date: Friday, Oct. 4
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. PT
The Lakers and Timberwolves will take the floor for preseason action at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif. on Oct. 4 at 10:30 p.m. ET, which is 7:30 p.m. local time.

How to watch Lakers vs. Timberwolves
TV channel: NBA TV
Live stream: Fubo
Friday’s preseason game between the Lakers and Timberwolves will air on NBA TV in the United States.

Cord-cutters can find the action on Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Bill Simmons names confusing reason he’s worried about Jalen Brunson this season

If NBA defenses are allowed to be as physical as they were last season, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons wonders if New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson can hold up.

In the second half of the 2023-24 NBA season, many fans, analysts, and even members of the league, noticed a change to the game.

Referees were suddenly allowing more physicality from defenders. Some of the top foul-baiting tricks from offensive players were going un-called. Free throws and scoring decreased. The NBA itself said there was no directive from the league to change the game, but clearly, something had shifted.

It’s unclear if this was just a blip in the radar, or if defenses will be allowed to be more physical once again in 2024-25.

On “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” Simmons said he thinks increased physicality could impact Brunson’s game.

“I think it’s going to be really hard for somebody like Brunson this year,” Simmons said. “If the game is going to be super physical, the way they called it in the second half of last year and the playoffs — Brunson’s, what, six feet tall? Huge offensive burden to begin with, but also now you’re going to be able to bang him around a little bit? That’s going to be really hard to do for nine months.”

Kirk Goldsberry, Simmons’ guest on the podcast and a former San Antonio Spurs executive, noted that Brunson did “pretty well in the playoffs, obviously.”

Brunson has already thrived in this ‘new era’
Brunson may be undersized, listed as 6-foot-2, 190 lb, but he is a stocky guard who plays a physical brand of offense. Brunson is one of the best post-up guards in the NBA and frequently invites contact to draw fouls.

While Simmons is correct that Brunson has not had to deal with increased physicality for an entire season, Brunson has already had great success against physical defenses.

After the All-Star break last season — when this league-wide physicality became more apparent — Brunson averaged 31 points per game on 47.4% shooting and 38.1% from three, while shooting nearly seven free throws per game. Brunson had to carry a heavy offensive burden because of injuries to key Knicks players, and he thrived, earning him a fifth-place MVP finish.

Brunson took it up a notch in the playoffs, where he averaged 32 points per game (though his efficiency fell), scoring 40-plus points five different times, as the Knicks came within one win of the Eastern Conference Finals, despite numerous injuries to rotation players.

The Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers both put bigger, longer wings on Brunson and had them shadow Brunson throughout the game. The Sixers, in particular, devised an effective defense against Brunson, having the 6-foot-8 Kelly Oubre Jr. trail Brunson on pick-and-rolls and use his length to make Brunson uncomfortable. While Brunson struggled in the first two games of the series, he eventually figured it out, scoring 39, 47, 40, and 41 points in Games 3-6 to eliminate Philadelphia.

Furthermore, Brunson has more help this year. With the additions of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks figure to have far more shooting and spacing on the floor. The court should be even more open for Brunson to drive, and Bridges and Towns can both score and create, which will ease the Knicks’ reliance on Brunson.

Perhaps the 38 combined games after the All-Star break and through the playoffs is too small of a sample, but there isn’t much to suggest that physical defenses will bother Brunson.

Channel, times, TV schedule for Abu Dhabi series

For the first time ever, two of the best teams in the NBA will tip off the preseason overseas. The Celtics and Nuggets are flying to Abu Dhabi for an exciting set of preseason games.

It’s the latest move by Adam Silver and the NBA to further globalize the league, which continues to rise in popularity around the world with each passing season. The series itself should draw plenty of international attention. We don’t often see the past two NBA champions face off in the preseason, let alone on such a huge stage.

WATCH:Celtics vs. Nuggets live on Sling

These games will feature Nikola Jokic, who has won three of the past four NBA MVP awards, as well as perennial MVP candidate and Olympic gold medalist Jayson Tatum. Interested in catching this star-studded preseason series? Of course you are!

Here is everything you need to know about the NBA’s Abu Dhabi series, including TV and streaming information for the games between the Celtics and Nuggets.

How to watch Celtics-Nuggets preseason games: TV channel, live stream
TV channel: NBA TV
Live stream: Sling
The preseason games between the Celtics and Nuggets will air live on NBA TV. Cord-cutters can stream the games on Sling.

Sling gives subscribers the ability to watch NBA preseason, regular season and postseason games. You can join Sling for as low as $15 for your first month, a $25 savings.

Celtics are looking like the same team from last year after first two preseason games

After a loud, media-filled offseason for the Boston Celtics, they are proving they are still the NBA champions in the beginning games of the preseason. Through the Abu Dhabi games against the Denver Nuggets, the Celtics are undefeated.

While it’s common knowledge that preseason games are pretty meaningless and don’t show how a team will perform in an 82 game season. But, you can see what players have improved parts of their game, which a lot of Celtics have.

Both the superstar Jays, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have improved immensely. Tatum was criticized for his shooting percentage from deep this offseason and in the Finals, and he seems to have fixed it like he said he did.

In the past two games, Tatum has gone 6-14 from deep, a 43% 3pt percentage. Brown, on the other hand, became an inside force after his offseason controversy.

In the past two games, Brown has combined for 29 points, 21 of them from the second game. In the first half of the second game, Brown had 16 points and three assists.

The bench has also improved, especially Payton Pritchard. In the first game, Pritchard had 27 points. In the second game, Pritchard was one of three bench players with 10+ points.

If there is anything to pull from these games, it’s the Celtics are still the same dominant team, and are ready to try to go back-to-back.

Lakers rookie dives into role, expectations as preseason tips off

In a sense, Bronny James is the Los Angeles Lakers’ most significant rookie. After all, the team’s decision to bring him on board may have helped them re-sign LeBron James. Still, there’s no doubt that Dalton Knecht is currently their best pick from the 2024 NBA Draft.

Selected with the 17th overall pick, Knecht averaged 21.7 points per game on 39.7% shooting from three-point range in 2023-24. Contrast that with James’s numbers at USC — 4.8 points per game on 26.7% shooting from deep — and it highlights the legitimate difference and their potential impact next season.

At 23 years old, Knecht is a little older than most of the players in his class. Though he only played three years at the Division 1 level, the Colorado native spent two seasons at Northeastern Junior College. However, while a prospect’s age is usual a focal point for teams, it’s not a detriment to Knecht in this situation. The Lakers are a serious organization with a future Hall of Famer who would like to ride off into the sunset.

In an extensive interview with Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina, Knecht opened up about his expectations leading into his first NBA season. The sharpshooter says that Los Angeles drafted him “with full confidence.”

“The pick was locked in quick,” Knecht recalls. “I got the phone call and it just shows that JJ (Redick) and Rob (Pelinka) have a lot of trust in me… I think it’s really cool that they have the confidence and that JJ was excited to get me.”

The Lakers were obviously enticed, at least in part, by his shooting ability. For a team that ranked 24th in three-point conversions last season, that’s not a bad call. Furthermore, like Knecht, Redick was a marksman in his playing days.

In fact, he ranks in the top-20 in career three-point percentage and three-point field goals. Consequently, Knecht knows the Lakers head coach “Kind of understands how (his) mind works.” He’s even taken to implementing parts of Redick’s workout routine into his own. Nonetheless, Knecht believes that he can and should contribute in other areas.

”I feel like I put a lot of hard work in,” Knecht said. ”So I’m going to believe in my shot at all times. One thing that I can always do, regardless of how I shoot, is control my effort, defense and rebounding. I’m just communicating to my teammates and being there to space out the floor. It’s just that and learning and guarding my position and being ready and locked in on the defensive side.”

Ultimately, it’s not out of the realm of possibility Redick throws Knecht into the rotation on Day 1. Nor is it difficult to see Knecht handling the pressure well, if so.

Chargers QB to play vs. Steelers despite high ankle sprain; backups both active

It’ll be a battle of Justins today in Pittsburgh between the Chargers and Steelers in Week 3. Justin Fields will continue to be the Steelers’ starting quarterback as Russell Wilson continues to deal with a calf injury. For the Chargers, Justin Herbert is active and set to start after initially being questionable with a high ankle sprain. Tracy Wolfson of NFL on CBS reports reports both Easton Stick and Taylor Heinicke are active as well.

Herbert worked out his ankle extensively during pregame warmups. He had been reportedly pushing to play today after sustaining the injury during last Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers.

Herbert doing drills to test that ankle @KDKA pic.twitter.com/4LmZVO0bmf

— Rich Walsh KDKA (@RichieWalsh) September 22, 2024
Given his injury, Herbert is expected to be pretty stationary on Sunday. The Steelers will surely look to take advantage of this by applying pressure, led by former Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt. Look for the Chargers to offset the Steelers’ pressure with trick plays, screens, misdirections, and a heavy dose of running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards.

For the Steelers, Fields is hoping to lead the Steelers to more points after the offense scored just one touchdown in their first two games. Making that more challenging is the recent injury to offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, the Steelers’ first-round pick who will be replaced today in the starting lineup by 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones.

Expert reveals exact scores for 15 remaining games

Nine teams will try to avoid an 0-3 start this weekend during the Week 3 NFL schedule. There are also a pair of 2-0 teams squaring off Sunday, including the Steelers vs. Chargers. Los Angeles decided to stay on the East Coast after playing in Charlotte last week, picking up a 26-3 win over the Panthers under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh. His defense leads the league in run stop win rate, which bodes well against a Pittsburgh offense that relies heavily on its rushing attack. The Steelers are 1.5-point favorites in the Week 3 NFL odds, so which team should you back with your Week 3 NFL bets and NFL score predictions?

The other matchup between unbeaten teams pits the Vikings vs. Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Houston has one of the most potent offenses in the NFL, but the Vikings lead the league in sacks, so that could be an intriguing matchup to consider with your Week 3 NFL predictions. Before you make any Week 3 NFL picks, be sure to see the exact NFL score predictions from SportsLine expert Eric Cohen.

Cohen, a SportsLine NFL expert and host of the Friday “Early Edge NFL Props Show” on SportsLine’s YouTube page, evaluated the entire Week 2 NFL slate and delivers score predictions and analysis for each matchup. He finished last season on a 39-28 roll on NFL picks and was profitable for bettors. His exact score predictions were a hit on social media last year and he even hit an exact score in the playoffs, Kansas City’s 27-24 upset victory in Buffalo in the AFC Divisional Round. Anyone who followed Cohen’s NFL predictions was profitable. You can only see Cohen’s Week 3 NFL exact score predictions at SportsLine.

Top Week 3 NFL picks
After diving into all 16 games from the NFL’s third week, Cohen is high on the Ravens (-1) to beat the Cowboys in Dallas, 27-24. Baltimore came up a toe short in its season opener at Kansas City before blowing a 10-point fourth-quarter lead against the Raiders last week. The Ravens are just a few plays from entering this game with a 2-0 record, which would likely put this spread closer to a field goal.

MVP Lamar Jackson covered the spread in every game following a Baltimore loss last season, and he is facing a Dallas defense that allowed 190 rushing yards in a 44-19 loss to the Saints last week. Saints running back Alvin Kamara rushed for 115 yards and scored four touchdowns, making this an ideal spot for new Baltimore running back Derrick Henry to have a breakout game. The Ravens are on a nine-game winning streak against NFC opponents, and Cohen expects them to push that streak to double digits on Sunday. See his other Week 3 football score predictions at SportsLine.

How to make Week 3 NFL score predictions
In addition, Cohen is picking one exact score that pays a colossal 180-1. Nailing this result is key to making winning Week 3 NFL picks. You can only see it at SportsLine.

Model shares 2024 Week 3 NFL predictions

Two undefeated teams square off in an NFL Week 3 showdown when the Minnesota Vikings host the Houston Texans on Sunday on CBS and Paramount+. Sam Darnold and the Vikings are coming off of a big win against the San Francisco 49ers, holding off the defending NFC West champions 23-17. Meanwhile, C.J. Stroud and the Texans are coming off of two tight victories, narrowly defeating the Chicago Bears 19-13 in Week 2. You may be able to stream Sunday’s game live on Paramount+, which you can now try free for the first seven days and get 50% off your first year when you sign up here (expires 9/23/24).

Kickoff from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis is at 1 p.m. ET. The Texans are 1.5-point favorites in the latest Vikings vs. Texans odds via SportsLine consensus, and the over/under for total points scored is 46.5. Sunday’s game will be streamed live on Paramount+ with their must-have Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan, which you can now get for 50% off your first year plus a 7-day free trial.

Paramount+ is the only place to watch every minute of every NFL on CBS game this season. A subscription also gives you access to other sports content including the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, NWSL, Serie A, and countless movies and shows. You can now get 50% off one year of Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, plus a free 7-day trial. The offer is valid until 9/23/24, so sign up right here.

How to watch Texans vs. Vikings
Vikings vs. Texans date: Sunday, Sept. 22
Vikings vs. Texans time: 1 p.m. ET
Vikings vs. Texans TV channel: CBS
Vikings vs. Texans streaming: Paramount+
Week 3 NFL picks for Texans vs. Vikings
Before tuning into Sunday’s Vikings vs. Texans game, you need to see the NFL picks from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season on an incredible 187-130 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season. It is also on a 41-22 roll on top-rated NFL betting picks since Week 7 of 2022.

For Vikings vs. Texans, the model is choosing Houston to cover the spread on the road. One issue Minnesota could face in Week 3 is that Justin Jefferson (quad) may not be 100% healthy. Houston’s defense will also be ready to make Jefferson’s job more difficult after he has a very good game against a solid 49ers defense.

Stroud has yet to throw an interception this season and Stefon Diggs is fitting into his role with his new team. Fellow wideout Nico Collins leads the league with 252 receiving yards through two games and now he’ll go against a Vikings secondary that gave up 319 passing yards last week. In addition, the Texans have won four of their last six games on the road, while the Vikings are 1-4 in their past five games when playing as the underdog. You may be able to stream the game here.