Boston completed a 4–0 NBA preseason with a 125–120 overtime victory over Philadelphia. The league's October 17 Starting 5 newsletter reviewed the final exhibition games before the regular season begins on October 20.
These results do not count towards the 2026/27 regular-season standings. Teams used the closing games to test combinations and give reserves and newcomers opportunities.
Boston recover, Denver win
Philadelphia led by fourteen in the third quarter. Joel Embiid scored 27, Tyrese Maxey 22 and Jaylen Brown twenty, but Hugo Gonzalez's 21 points helped Boston's reserves force overtime and complete the comeback.
LeBron James contributed eight points in his home preseason debut with Philadelphia. Boston finished as the only unbeaten exhibition team, according to the newsletter.
Denver defeated the Lakers 121–106 behind Jamal Murray's 21 points. Nikola Jokic delivered eight assists, including a behind-the-back pass for Trevon Brazile. Austin Reaves led Los Angeles with nineteen.
Young players complete preparations
Darryn Peterson supplied thirteen points, six assists and six rebounds in Utah's 119–116 win over Phoenix. Cameron Boozer scored nineteen as Memphis beat Charlotte 116–98, while Caleb Wilson contributed sixteen in Chicago's 133–116 victory over Minnesota.
Golden State beat Portland 128–118 with twenty points from Stephen Curry. San Antonio defeated Sacramento 126–97, Orlando overcame Miami 136–115 and Atlanta beat Dallas 135–111.
The announced opening-day schedule pairs Boston with Detroit, Philadelphia with New York, and Oklahoma City with San Antonio. Those fixtures begin the competitive standings after the preseason testing period.