Basketball: the main stories of 27.09.2026

New York are one win from knocking out the WNBA's top seed. Breanna Stewart scored 34 points with 12 rebounds as the Liberty took Game 1 of the first-round series against Minnesota. Game 2 is in New York on Tuesday, and the Lynx have to win it. Two days ago Minnesota were still in the final-day race for playoff places. They finished first, but now face a first-round exit unless they win away from home.

Several stories came from single reports. According to Eurohoops, which cites several sources, the NBA has sent the EuroLeague a proposal on cooperation, with no details disclosed. SNY's Ian Begley reports that Karl-Anthony Towns turned down Knicks offers worth $45m–50m a year. In Greece, Olympiacos beat PAOK 101:96 in the Super Cup final, with Sasha Vezenkov scoring 25 points and taking 10 rebounds. One report says the losing side are close to signing Donatas Motiejunas, 36, on a fully guaranteed deal to the end of 2026-27.

• Basketball Sphere reports that Partizan are close to a short-term deal with Bandja Sy, 36, before a EuroLeague double round. They were already without Ivan Marinkovic and Joffrey Lauvergne for the Milan fixture.
• CSKA won the Moscow derby at MBA 82:65. MBA coach Sergei Voznyuk said CSKA dictated terms from the first seconds. Andreas Pistiolis said his side cannot settle for 20 good minutes.
• Lokomotiv-Kuban beat Yenisey 81:66, with Patrick Miller scoring 17 points with 11 assists.
• Miami have agreed a deal with Dennis Smith Jr, according to Ira Winderman. He will not join them at the start of camp.
• The Knicks reportedly re-signed Kevin McCullar Jr on a two-way deal. They also signed Nfaly Dante on an Exhibit 10 deal while he recovers from an ACL tear.
• Pacers GM Chad Buchanan said Tyrese Haliburton is fully cleared after missing last season with an Achilles rupture.
• Stephen Curry has reportedly signed a two-year, $116m extension with Golden State that runs to 2028-29.
• ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel reports that Detroit made a push for Kevin Durant this summer and Houston said no.
• Milan beat Trieste in their Serie A opener.
• Rytas play a G League selection in today's FIBA Intercontinental Cup final in Beijing, after beating Shanghai 107:66 earlier in the tournament.