The NBA is back!
Monday signaled the end of the NBA offseason as teams returned for Media Day. As always, all 30 teams will participate, starting bright and early with the Charlotte Hornets.
We had you covered with live updates and news as teams met for the first time this season.
Teams will begin training camp on Tuesday, Sept. 28. The regular season will open on Oct. 19 with a pair of star-studded matchups.
All times are Eastern.
Running Diary: Updates from 2021 NBA Media Day
5:20 p.m. — Reigning Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo details the addiction of the playoff atmosphere, winning a championship and the fulfilling feeling that comes with it.
Giannis on becoming addicted to the playoff atmosphere, to winning and to the joy of delivering a championship to the community. 💯#NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/U6SLZgfUFR
— NBA (@NBA) September 27, 2021
5:04 p.m. — Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes is...ready!!
Coming soon… #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/2wVqhRvaEa
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) September 27, 2021
4:46 p.m. — How about a media day Woj bomb?
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., has agreed on a five-year designated max extension that could be worth up to $207 million, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 27, 2021
4:41 p.m. — Norman Powell on re-signing with the Trail Blazers.
Norm Powell on re-signing with the Blazers: "Neil and Chauncey were very forward with how they felt about me. Dame and CJ both reached out to me before free agency started. Dame texted me and told me he wanted me back."
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) September 27, 2021
4:33 p.m. — Damian Lillard talks about his belief in his Portland Trailblazers.
Dame speaks on his belief in this year's @trailblazers team!#NBAMediaDay on @NBATV pic.twitter.com/PVKj2WoOLs
— NBA (@NBA) September 27, 2021
Dame also showing off his Gold medal from the 2020 (we know it happened in 2021) Olympics.
Damian Lillard x Olympic Gold #RipCity | @Dame_Lillard pic.twitter.com/5ubxknBxSm
— Orlando Sanchez (@orlandokgw) September 27, 2021
Dame on his new head coach Chauncey Billups.
Damian Lillard: "When I was first coming into the league, Neil would always tell me I reminded him of Chauncey. It's definitely a fit. I can see where his experience as a player at a championship level can really help our team."
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) September 27, 2021
3:53 p.m. — Kawhi is here to be a Clipper and potential play this season.
"I'm here. I'm here to be a Clipper. I'm not going to any other team. I'm here for the long run."
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) September 27, 2021
Kawhi Leonard explains his decision to sign the 4-year deal as opposed to the 1+1 and then the 5-year max deal. pic.twitter.com/37Oc9fNrGx
3:36 p.m. — Is Kawhi Leonard really day-to-day?
Kawhi Leonard says “day to day” when asked about a timeline if he can return this season. He says part of the challenge was being injured when he felt like he wasn’t injured. pic.twitter.com/W8e6p47W2P
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) September 27, 2021
Clippers head coach Ty Lue with an update on Kawhi's injury status...
Asked if he hopes Kawhi Leonard will be back for the playoffs, Ty Lue cracked, "I hope he comes back on Oct. 21st!" Lue said that they don't want to put any pressure on Kawhi. "If that's next season, it's next season. We don't want to force him to come back too early."
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) September 27, 2021
3:30 p.m. — Luka Doncic weighs in on being the MVP favourite heading into the 2021-22 season.
Luka Doncic on being an MVP favorite: "I don't care about that. My goal is to win the championship, that's it."
— Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) September 27, 2021
3:07 p.m. — It's going to take some getting used to seeing DeMar DeRozan in a Bulls uniform, but here he is.
DeMar DeRozan on what he’s learned about Chicago so far:
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) September 27, 2021
“Just being around and seeing how energetic of a sports city it is, not just basketball but baseball & football... the appreciation for sports is on a higher level than I thought before I came here.” pic.twitter.com/9JAUGzZrYe
More from DeRozan...
DeMar DeRozan: “It took me 13 years to get to the point I’ve gotten mentally, physically, emotionally. I learned so much about myself as a player in San Antonio, it grew me more as a leader. This time around (in Chicago) it’s putting everything I’ve learned all together."
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) September 27, 2021
2:23 p.m — Jamal Murray reveals the latest on his injury rehab.
Jamal Murray on his rehab: “I want to come back when it feels like I can play with the same kind of force. … Five months ago I could barely lift my leg off my bed. I’ve come a long way. But I have a long way to go.” #Nuggets
— Chris Dempsey (@chrisadempsey) September 27, 2021
2:00 p.m. — Dillion Brooks has no problem with being "Dillon the Villain".
Dillon Brooks on if he’s leaning into “Dillon the Villain”:
— Clayton Collier (@ClaytonJCollier) September 27, 2021
“Whoever’s talking, I’m gonna talk right back to them.” pic.twitter.com/uYuA3FabBz
1:58 p.m. — We might have to wait a little longer for a Klay Thompson return.
Bob Myers said Klay Thompson can do a lot in camp, "just not contact, no 5-on-5." Said there will be a point -- "maybe January" -- where Klay will know he's ready. But it'll be a patient ramp up and a whole lot of scrimmaging, even high-intensity G-League practices before.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) September 27, 2021
1:53 p.m. — Warriors GM Bob Myers responds to questions about player availability ahead of the start of the season.
Bob Myers wouldn't discuss Andrew Wiggins or any player's vaccination status, but said: "I'm optimistic come the first game at Chase (Center) we'll have our full complement of players (available)." Besides injuries.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) September 27, 2021
1:48 p.m. — Tyrese Maxey responds to the trade rumours that had his name in them.
Tyrese Maxey says the reports of Klutch wanting him out of Philadelphia are not true.
— Chris W. Crouse 🏙 (@NBACrouse) September 27, 2021
Says he and Rich Paul were laughing about the rumors.
🏀🏀🏀 || @FortyEightMins pic.twitter.com/5tugFyZsYK
Maxey also has jokes...
when did this become the roast of Danny? 😭 @DGreen_14 | @TyreseMaxey pic.twitter.com/D6z9QXaqit
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) September 27, 2021
1:19 p.m. — Kyle Lowry looks comfortable with his new team and teammates.
this is gonna be fun@Bam1of1 x @Klow7 x @JimmyButler pic.twitter.com/Zjdc1f9SmV
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) September 27, 2021
1:08 p.m. — Zion Williamson talks about his feelings towards the Pelicans and the city of New Orleans.
"Per me ... I love it here. I love the city of New Orleans. I don't want to be anywhere else."
— Bally Sports New Orleans (@BallySportsNO) September 27, 2021
Zion on his feelings towards the city of New Orleans and the @PelicansNBA. #WontBowDow | @ZionWilliamson pic.twitter.com/wLEsFSi4to
1:06 p.m. — Trae Young talks about the Atlanta Hawks having a chip on their shoulder despite last year's playoff success.
"I've been that underdog my whole playing career... I think it's a good thing to have that little chip on your shoulder."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 27, 2021
Trae Young caught up with @KristenLedlow at #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/M7dT6qa9R2
1:00 p.m. — Scary Terry Rozier and LaMelo Ball feeling confident ahead of the 2021-22 season.
“They ain’t ready for this.” -@T_Rozzay3 #AllFly pic.twitter.com/kmK5oCs7zL
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) September 27, 2021
12:58 p.m. — RJ Barrett is ready to take on new challenges this season.
RJ Barrett is ready to accept the challenge of taking on tougher defensive assignments this season:
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) September 27, 2021
"Being a two-way player is something I've always strived for. It's how I want to be known. I'm all for the challenge, and I won't back down." pic.twitter.com/l4shDIT7Ba
12:55 p.m. — Julius Randle on what he took away from the first-round playoff loss to the Atlanta Hawks last season.
Julius Randle reflects on the series against the Hawks:
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) September 27, 2021
"It was a fairly simple series. I overcomplicated it." pic.twitter.com/MImrzpq0Wj
12:50 p.m. — New coach, a new identity in Boston? Ime Udoka wants to see more unselfishness from his Celtics...
Ime Udoka said he is "very big on unselfishness." He wants the Celtics to be better teammates and enjoy playing with each other.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) September 27, 2021
Ime Udoka said there was some "your turn, my turn" with the Celtics old offense if opponents could halt the initial options. He wants to get rid of that.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) September 27, 2021
12:47 p.m. — Kyrie Irving addresses the media...
Kyrie Irving on if he expects to play in home games this season:
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 27, 2021
"Everything will be released at a due date once we get this cleared up. As of right now, please respect my privacy." pic.twitter.com/W7fqrFkWY5
12:40 p.m. — More Ben Simmons chat from the 76ers...
Tobias Harris: "I have reached out to Ben. I spoke to him. We've talked..."
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) September 27, 2021
Tobias Harris said if he knew things would get to this point, he and his Sixers teammates would have visited Ben Simmons' house the day after the Game 7 loss. ... The Sixers attempted to fly to LA to visit Simmons last week, but Simmons declined.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) September 27, 2021
11:39 a.m. — Joel Embiid on Ben Simmons via 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey from the Philadelphia Inquirer:
Embiid doesn't regret his post-game comment. "I don't have any regrets because I didn't call anybody out on this.... You know I can't lie."
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) September 27, 2021
Embiid also acknowledged reports of the 76ers trying to meet with Simmons in LA.
11:35 a.m. — Pascal Siakam quoting Drake in an answer to how it feels being the one that rookie Scottie Barnes looks up to: "Feelin' young but they treat me like the OG," which Drake said on "Fair Trade" off the new Certified Lover Boy album.
11:27 a.m. — Pascal Siakam is at the podium now at Raptors media day. He's hoping to be back on the court well, progressing after the shoulder surgery. Siakam says he was skeptical in getting the surgery — it was his first surgery — but after talking with the Raptors training staff and Masai Ujiri, it was the right decision to make.
11:10 a.m. — Zion Williamson underwent surgery to repair a fractured right foot this offseason, Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin revealed . Williamson is said to have suffered the injury in a workout prior to Summer League.
11:06 a.m. — "It's a tough situation," Joel Embiid said on NBA TV when asked about what's going on with Ben Simmons , "but I'm focused on winning and making the team better."
76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, meanwhile, said there's "lots of hope" that Simmons will play for Philly this season.
10:46 a.m. — In Miami, much has already been made of Kyle Lowry 's ability to push the pace.
Erik Spoelstra says he loves Kyle Lowry's tendency to push pace:
— Brady Hawk (@BradyHawk305) September 27, 2021
"Getting easy baskets and generating a pace where guys will run and know they will get the ball."
"His pace is one of the things I dreaded most competing against him."
The veteran averaged the league's fourth-most transition possessions per game (5.5) in 2019-20. He ranked 21st in that category last season.
10:45 a.m. — Raptors head coach Nick Nurse provided an update on Pascal Siakam . While Siakam hasn't yet been cleared for contact after undergoing shoulder surgery this offseason, Nurse says the one-time All-Star is in great shape and hopes he won't miss much time.
SN's Michael Grange says the "ball park target" for Siakam's return is US Thanksgiving.
10:19 a.m. — Good news for the Nets: James Harden says his hamstring feels 100 percent and that he's " back ."
10:14 a.m. — Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra says there's no timeline on Victor Oladipo but " there's sunshine ahead ." On May 12, 2021, it was revealed that Oladipo would undergo season-ending surgery on his right quadriceps tendon.
9:50 a.m. — According to ESPN's Zach Lowe , Kyrie Irving isn't expected to attend media day due to New York City's health and safety protocols. He is, however, expected to "accompany the team" to training camp, which will be held in San Diego.
Kevin Durant later said that he's not concerned about Irving's availability, adding that he expects to "have our whole team at some point."
9:28 a.m. — Click here for the full media day schedule and livestream links for each team.
The views on this page do not necessarily represent the views of the NBA or its clubs.
