October 23, 2025
Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach Tiago Splitter will serve as the team's interim head coach after head coach Chauncey Billups was placed on "immediate leave" by the NBA after being arrested and indicted on charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. Splitter played seven seasons for the Spurs, Sixers, and Hawks from 2010-2017 after an international career that began in Spain. He became the first player born in Brazil to win an NBA Championship with the Spurs in 2014. The 40-year-old was just added to Billups' staff last offseason after serving as an assistant coach with the Nets and Rockets over the last few seasons.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Shams Charania
October 23, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward/center
Al Horford will come off the bench for the second game in a row to open the season with his new squad. Horford will be limited to about 20 minutes, according to Steve Kerr, as the Warriors try to manage the veteran's workload. Kerr said before the season that the lineup with Hoford,
Draymond Green, and
Jonathan Kuminga will be fluid, but for Thursday's matchup with the Nuggets, Horford will again come off the bench. In his Warriors debut, Horford had five points, five rebounds, and one assist over 20 minutes. Kerr also said that the plan is for Horford to take Friday's second half of the team's back-to-back off against the Blazers. That could create some Friday night value for
Quinten Post and
Trayce Jackson-Davis, who will remain in limited roles when Horford and Green are available.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Nick Friedell
October 23, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans center
Yves Missi (ankle) is considered day-to-day, according to coach Willie Green, who added that the big man will be listed as questionable for Friday's home opener against San Antonio. Missi started and played 23 minutes on Wednesday night in the Pels' loss to the Grizzlies, finishing with five points, seven rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block. If he is forced to miss time, the Pelicans could go with a smaller rotation, or they could give more playing time to rookie center
Derik Queen, who had three points and five boards in his NBA debut. Big men
Kevon Looney (knee) and
Karlo Matkovic (back) are already sidelined, so the Pelicans could be very short in the frontcourt against
Victor Wembanyama on Friday.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Will Guillory
October 23, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups have been arrested as part of a pair of investigations related to illegal gambling, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Rozier was arrested Thursday morning at a hotel in Orlando, Florida. Billups' arrest was made in Oregon and is part of a separate but related illegal gambling case linked to an illegal poker operation tied to the mafia. The Department of Justice will have a press conference at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday to provide further information about the arrests. Rozier didn't play in Miami's season opener on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic, while Billups' Trail Blazers suffered a 118-114 defeat on home court against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
--Taavi PailkSource: Shams Charania
October 23, 2025
Golden State Warriors guard/forward
Moses Moody (calf) will not play in Thursday's meeting with the Denver Nuggets. A calf problem will keep Moody sidelined for a second straight game. However, he could be back in action as soon as Friday. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has said he's "hopeful" Moody can play on Friday night as the team completes a back-to-back set against the Portland Trail Blazers. With Moody unavailable,
Will Richard made his NBA debut on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers, posting five points in 14 minutes. He could maintain a rotational role on Thursday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
October 23, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward/center
Al Horford will play in Thursday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets and rest on Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers, Anthony Slater of ESPN reports. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has announced that the Warriors will not use Horford in both games during back-to-backs this season, and Friday will be his first rest day. In Thursday's game, Horford is expected to play a crucial role as the Warriors try to contain
Nikola Jokic.
Quinten Post, who played only nine minutes in Tuesday's season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, will likely take on a larger role on Friday in Horford's absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: Anthony Slater
October 23, 2025
Indiana Pacers point guard
T.J. McConnell (hamstring) will sit out Thursday's season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The veteran playmaker sustained a left hamstring strain a couple of weeks ago in a preseason game and likely won't be back in action until November. On Oct. 9, the team announced that McConnell is expected to miss at least a month. There's no
Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) in the Pacers backcourt this season, and McConnell's absence puts even more pressure on the rest of the guards to perform well.
Andrew Nembhard and
Bennedict Mathurin appear poised for big campaigns, while
Ben Sheppard could also feature more in the rotation until McConnell returns.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
October 23, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard
Isaiah Joe (knee) is not ready to join the action on Thursday against the Indiana Pacers. The 26-year-old sniper is nursing a knee contusion at the start of the season.
Jalen Williams (wrist) and
Alex Caruso (concussion) also won't play, and
Aaron Wiggins (knee) is questionable for Thursday's matchup, along with
Luguentz Dort (ankle). As a result, the Thunder rotation could look very different. Players like Aaron Wiggins and
Ajay Mitchell will be expected to step up and contribute more than usual.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
October 23, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Cason Wallace (knee) is considered questionable for Thursday's clash against the Indiana Pacers. The 21-year-old had an impressive showing in Tuesday's season-opening victory against the Houston Rockets, but he's now dealing with a knee sprain. On Tuesday, Wallace racked up 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals. If Wallace can't play on Thursday,
Aaron Wiggins could enter the starting lineup and have a significant role. In the win against Houston, Wiggins contributed 10 points in 21 minutes.
Ajay Mitchell, who provided 16 points in 15 minutes on Tuesday, may also benefit from Wallace's absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
October 23, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder forward
Jalen Williams (wrist) will miss a second consecutive game on Thursday against the Indiana Pacers. Williams isn't ready to play at the start of the campaign due to offseason wrist surgery.
Cason Wallace (knee) should continue to start during Williams' absence, although he's dealing with a knee sprain and is questionable for Thursday's matchup. In Tuesday's season opener against the Houston Rockets, Wallace totaled 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Due to the Thunder's injury situation,
Aaron Wiggins is looking at a larger workload against Indiana, and
Ajay Mitchell may also see increased usage.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
October 22, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard
Anthony Edwards (back) will play in the season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers. Edwards missed the final preseason game for rest purposes, but he was listed as questionable for the opener due to lower back spasms. Minnesota confirmed that their superstar is suiting up and will start against the Trail Blazers to open his sixth season. The Timberwolves will need Edwards to play at the highest level to contend, and his fantasy value should make him one of the best statistical players in the league. Last season saw the 24-year-old putting up 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and hitting 4.1 three-pointers per game. Similar numbers should come this season for Edwards to warrant starting in fantasy every night he's on the court for Minnesota.
--Joey HaverfordSource: NBA Injury Report
October 22, 2025
Phoenix Suns guard
Grayson Allen (hip) will be available for the home opener against the Sacramento Kings. The Suns are anticipated to start him this season with a limited roster lacking depth after losing
Kevin Durant and
Bradley Beal. Allen played in three Phoenix preseason games, but he's been dealing with hip soreness to put his status in doubt for the season's start. The 30-year-old sharpshooter averaged 10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.3 three-pointers made per game last season. Allen could improve his fantasy value this season via a larger offensive role and open three-point shots coming from
Devin Booker's facilitating.
Oso Ighodaro,
Ryan Dunn,
Dillon Brooks and Allen will round out the starting lineup with Booker attempting to lead them to an overachieving season.
--Joey HaverfordSource: NBA Injury Report
October 22, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks guard
Kevin Porter Jr. (ankle) won't return to Wednesday's matchup with the Washington Wizards. The 25-year-old was on a roll to begin the contest. Unfortunately, he tweaked his ankle near the end of the first quarter and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. Porter will officially finish this one with 10 points in nine minutes of action. There should be an update on his status soon. Until then, fantasy managers will be left wondering if he'll be able to suit up on Friday in Toronto. In the meantime,
Cole Anthony could be in line for more minutes from off the bench.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Milwaukee Bucks
October 22, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves guard
Anthony Edwards (back) remains questionable for Wednesday's meeting with the Portland Trail Blazers. The 24-year-old popped up on the injury report due to back spasms. Fortunately, he was a participant in Wednesday morning's shootaround. For now, Edwards is a game-time call. However, considering he has only missed six games combined in the last three seasons, it would be surprising to not see him out there for the opener. Of course, that could still happen, which would likely mean more scoring opportunities for
Donte DiVincenzo,
Julius Randle,
Jaden McDaniels, and
Naz Reid.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Jon Krawczynski
October 22, 2025
Dallas Mavericks center
Daniel Gafford (ankle) will miss Wednesday's opening night game against the San Antonio Spurs. Gafford sprained his ankle during the opening practice of training camp and missed the entire preseason. The 27-year-old was listed as doubtful until the Mavericks confirmed that he would be sitting out the home opener. Reporters saw Gafford walking around in slides instead of basketball shoes during the portion of shootaround that was open to the media. The big man averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game last season. 21-year-old
Dereck Lively II is starting at the center position to boost his fantasy value, and
Anthony Davis will play power forward for Dallas' home opener. Gafford is not expected to miss many games, but the Mavericks will likely play it safe with his health so early in the season.
--Joey HaverfordSource: Mike Curtis (Dallas Morning News)
RADIO
