October 15, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans forward/center
Karlo Matkovic (elbow) didn't play in the second half of Tuesday's 130-128 preseason loss against the Houston Rockets, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports. He was ruled out for the rest of the contest due to right elbow soreness and was seen icing his elbow on the Pelicans' bench. Matkovic is working to earn a regular rotation spot during training camp, but he won't have much fantasy relevance unless the Pelicans' frontcourt experiences multiple injuries again. In three preseason games, Matkovic has averaged 6.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.7 minutes. His elbow issue may prevent Matkovic from participating in New Orleans' final preseason game against the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: Will Guillory
October 15, 2025
Detroit Pistons center
Jalen Duren (hamstring) returned to the lineup for a 13-minute shift against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 118-100 loss on Tuesday night. He was very impactful in limited action, tallying eight points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Duren shot 3-for-6 from the field and made both of his free throws. The talented big man sat out Detroit's first two preseason contests due to hamstring tightness. Seeing Duren back on the court against Cleveland is great news for fantasy managers, especially with the regular season approaching.
Isaiah Stewart moved to the bench on Tuesday and will have limited fantasy potential as long as Duren stays healthy.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
October 14, 2025
According to Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott, guard
Jalen Green (hamstring) will be reevaluated in 10 days after reaggravating a left hamstring injury during preseason play in China. Unfortunately, that will rule him out for the opener versus the Sacramento Kings on October 22. It also appears there's a good chance he won't suit up for subsequent meetings with the Clippers and Nuggets. The 23-year-old was traded to Phoenix in the offseason in the deal that sent
Kevin Durant to the Rockets. In his final year in Houston, he averaged 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and a career-high 35.4% shooting from behind the arc. All things considered, fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised to see Green miss at least a few contests. It could also take him some time to ramp up to a full workload. However, unless the 2021 No. 2 overall pick suffers a setback, the latest report won't impact his fantasy value.
Grayson Allen is the favorite to enter the starting lineup until Green can return to the court.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Duane Rankin
October 14, 2025
According to Will Guillory of The Athletic, New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward
Trey Murphy III (foot) is available to suit up for Tuesday's preseason contest versus the Houston Rockets. The 25-year-old had been out of action due to left foot soreness. Murphy is capable of providing outstanding fantasy value during the upcoming campaign as he averaged 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.1 steals in 35.0 minutes per contest across 53 outings last season.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Adam Aaronson
October 14, 2025
According to Ky Carlin of USA Today, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse said center
Joel Embiid (knee) could suit up for Friday's preseason finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Embiid participated in a team scrimmage on Sunday without any restrictions and was a partial participant in Tuesday's practice as planned. If he does take the floor on Friday and everything checks out, fantasy managers should expect him to be ready for the start of the regular season.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Ky Carlin
October 14, 2025
Tony Jones of The Athletic reports that Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward
Paul George (knee) participated in team activities during practice on Tuesday. George's recovery continues to trend in the right direction after undergoing knee surgery in July. The veteran forward appeared in just 41 games during an injury-plagued first season with the Sixers, averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per contest. Despite the encouraging update, it remains uncertain whether George will be available for the regular-season opener against the Celtics on October 22.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Tony Jones
October 14, 2025
Chicago Bulls guard/forward
Kevin Huerter (groin) practiced on Monday and might be available for action on Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports. Groin tightness has kept Huerter off the floor during the preseason, and he isn't expected to feature in Tuesday's game against the Denver Nuggets. But Chicago's preseason finale on Thursday appears to be Huerter's target date, and he is trending toward being ready to play. Huerter had a great run with the Bulls last season, averaging 13.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals. However, he will likely be relegated to a reserve role for this season, which will be a big blow to his fantasy prospects.
--Taavi PailkSource: K.C. Johnson
October 14, 2025
Chicago Bulls point guard
Tre Jones (foot) missed Monday's practice but could still play on Tuesday against the Denver Nuggets, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports. Jones appears to be dealing with only a minor issue and may remain in the lineup on Tuesday for his fourth preseason appearance. The 25-year-old has done well during preseason, averaging 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.7 steals in 22.3 minutes. Jones will come off the bench for the Bulls this season, but he'll be a regular part of the rotation, and a strong preseason will increase his chances of earning a meaningful role on the team.
--Taavi PailkSource: K.C. Johnson
October 14, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers guard
Marcus Smart (Achilles) is expected to make his team debut in Tuesday's preseason contest against the Phoenix Suns, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports. Smart has dealt with an Achilles issue during training camp and also battled an illness last week, but the veteran is now good to go. The Lakers will likely ease him into action and limit Smart's playing time. Smart is projected to start out the season as a member of the second unit, but
LeBron James' (sciatica) absence could give him an increased workload.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dave McMenamin
October 14, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward
Jimmy Butler III (ankle) won't be in the lineup on Tuesday against the Portland Trail Blazers, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reports. The veteran star was initially expected to play, but he's dealing with an ankle issue and will receive some extra rest on Tuesday. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr hopes that Butler III can recover in time for Friday's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Clippers. Next week, Butler III will start his first full season in San Francisco, with high expectations on his shoulders as his two-year, $121 million contract extension kicks in. During his 30-game spell with the Warriors last season, Butler III struggled with his shooting, averaging 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.7 steals in 32.7 minutes.
--Taavi PailkSource: Anthony Slater
October 14, 2025
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (wrist) made his 2025 preseason debut in Monday's 114-101 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The Finnish star notched 10 points in 18 minutes, shooting 4-for-9 from the field. Three of his misses came from downtown as Markkanen failed to make a single three-point attempt. He also tallied four rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Markkanen had missed the previous preseason contests due to a wrist problem. Utah closes out its preseason schedule on Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers, giving Markkanen one more opportunity to shake off some rust before the regular season begins. The same applies to
Kyle Filipowski (back), who also made his preseason debut against Dallas.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
October 14, 2025
Miami Heat forward/center
Bam Adebayo (knee) sat out most of the second half of Monday's preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks. The team announced that Adebayo had sustained a right knee contusion. Before exiting, Adebayo put up 13 points and had nine rebounds with three assists in 19 minutes. After a trip to the locker room, Adebayo cheered on his team from the bench, indicating that the injury doesn't seem serious. It's possible he might have even continued playing if it had been an important game. Still, ideally, a player would want to be fully healthy with a week to go before the regular-season opener. Miami begins the action on Oct. 22 against the Orlando Magic.
--Taavi PailkSource: Miami Heat
October 13, 2025
San Antonio Spurs guard
Stephon Castle (knee) is set to suit up and start for Monday's preseason matchup against the Indiana Pacers, according to Alex Golden of the 'Setting the Pace' podcast. The 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year has remained sidelined after he banged his knee in practice one week ago. After a successful first NBA campaign, Castle will have to compete for backcourt minutes with rookie guard
Dylan Harper, who averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while shooting .484 from the floor and .333 from beyond the arc during his lone collegiate season at Rutgers.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Alex Golden
October 13, 2025
ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports that Los Angeles Lakers guard
Luka Doncic (rest) is expected to play in Tuesday's preseason game against the Phoenix Suns. Doncic has competed as a full participant throughout Lakers training camp and is all set to make his first preseason debut. Barring any setbacks, fantasy managers should anticipate that the 26-year-old star guard will be ready to go for the Lakers' regular season opener on October 21st against the Warriors.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Dave McMenamin
October 13, 2025
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Toumani Camara (knee) was held out of practice on Monday due to knee soreness, per Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland. Camara is now deemed questionable for Tuesday's preseason matchup with the Golden State Warriors. Despite the setback, the 25-year-old is still expected to be available on October 22nd for the team's regular-season opener against the Timberwolves. Last season, Camara provided strong all-around production, averaging 11.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals during 32.7 minutes per contest across 78 appearances.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Sean Highkin
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