SNA · Basketball
Follow African basketball, the BAL, national teams and diaspora players in the NBA: news, results and analysis on Sport News Africa.
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Atlanta beat Golden State 79–65 at the Chase Center overnight on 19 to 20 October in Brazzaville. With 30 points and 16 rebounds, Angel Reese led the Dream to the first win in their history in a WNBA Finals. The series is level, one win apiece.
From Joel Embiid to Pascal Siakam, via Jonathan Kuminga and the young talents of the new generation, African players and those from the diaspora will be closely watched in the 2026-2027 NBA season. With team ambitions, individual progress and new faces arriving, several players deserve close attention on NBA courts.
Cameroon, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, Congo
Washington want to move on from a 17-win season with a squad that now brings together Trae Young, Anthony Davis and a young generation bolstered by AJ Dybantsa. Brian Keefe's challenge goes beyond stockpiling talent: he must share out responsibilities, build a defence and balance player development with the pursuit of results.
Utah have fresh reasons to look up: Darryn Peterson joins Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen, while Jaren Jackson Jr. should finally be able to settle into the project. After 22 wins in 2025–2026, though, any step up will depend first on a defence that gives opponents fewer easy shots.
Toronto are reunited with Kawhi Leonard and face one precise question: how do they keep their running game while becoming more reliable when the defence has time to set? The Raptors come off a 46-win season and a first-round exit. Their new forward must add an answer in the tough possessions without diminishing Scottie Barnes' central role.
NBA Finals runners-up this spring, San Antonio are no longer just looking to support Victor Wembanyama's development. The Spurs must turn a 62-win team into a lasting title contender. Their decision to bring together De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper puts ball-sharing and defensive balance at the heart of the season.
Sacramento face two jobs at once: rebuilding a competitive team around Domantas Sabonis and letting Darius Acuff Jr. learn to run it. After a 22-win season, the overhaul of the squad cannot wait for a climb up the standings. The Kings' success will also be measured by the responsibility they genuinely hand their young players.
The Dream play Game 2 of the final overnight from Monday to Tuesday, at 1 am in Brazzaville. Beaten 68–64 in the opener, Atlanta above all must avoid another offensive stall in the closing minutes.
United States
Morant arrives, Lillard returns and Avdija must keep his place in the playmaking. Portland wants a more reliable offence without losing its rebounding strength. The keys to the 2026–2027 season.
United States
Phoenix must hold on to its defence and extra possessions, replace lost shooting and organise its frontcourt without Mark Williams. The keys to its 2026–2027 season.
United States
Brown and James join Maxey, Embiid and Edgecombe. Nick Nurse must share out the creation duties and organise a frontcourt rotation without Hukporti.
United States
Al Ittihad beat Union of Alexandria 88–85 in the final of the Damascus international friendly tournament on 16 October. The Libyan club now turn their attention to the African qualifiers in Tripoli, starting on 21 October.
Libya, Egypt
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