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NBA preseason begins in Quebec City

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2026-10-09 06:24 UTC → 2026-10-09 21:52 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The 2026–27 NBA preseason officially commenced on October 3, 2026, at the Centre Vidéotron in Quebec City, marking the first time the Canada Games series has been hosted at this arena. In the opening matchup of the NBA Canada Series, the Miami Heat defeated the Toronto Raptors 129-105. The Miami Heat debuted a revamped roster headlined by the addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo, following his blockbuster trade from the Milwaukee Bucks that involved a package led by Tyler Herro. Antetokounmpo played 14 minutes in the first half, recording nine points, four rebounds, and seven assists while shooting perfectly from the field. Notably, all seven of his assists resulted in successful three-point shots for teammates including Andrew Wiggins, Bam Adebayo, Davion Mitchell, and Tim Hardaway Jr. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra compared Antetokounmpo’s playmaking abilities to those of Magic Johnson, noting his vision and ability to find shooters. Antetokounmpo expressed enthusiasm for the organization’s intense culture, noting that rigorous training sessions, including those with Navy SEALs, have provided a sense of “professional rebirth.” Following his performance, Antetokounmpo addressed the comparisons to the NBA legend, stating, “It is a very beautiful compliment. But I think I am still very far from Magic Johnson, who is one of the best point guards in history, if not the best.” Speaking at a basketball camp in South Florida, the 31-year-old also shared his perspective on his historical standing, noting that while he was not a highly touted prospect early in his career, he considers himself among the top 20 players of all time and aims to break into the top 10. Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard was held out of the preseason opener. On October 9, the Miami Heat improved to a 2-0 preseason record after defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 128-118. The Heat's roster featured Antetokounmpo alongside Bam Adebayo, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Davion Mitchell. Despite the win, Antetokounmpo noted several areas requiring improvement, specifically citing the need for better defense, communication, rebounding, physicality, and transition running. He also emphasized the necessity of building trust and eliminating hesitation in ball handling.

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