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Matas Buzelis Exits Friday's Preseason Contest Early
K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports that Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (ankle) exited Friday's preseason contest against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second quarter and was ruled out for the rest of the game with a right ankle injury. Buzelis finished with six points and one block in 12 minutes. If the injury doesn't sideline him for long, the 21-year-old could play a significant role in Chicago's offense this season. He averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks last campaign, making him an intriguing fantasy option heading into 2026-27.
Source: K.C. Johnson
Source: K.C. Johnson
Isaiah Stewart Sidelined at Least Two Weeks
The Memphis Grizzlies announced Friday that forward/center Isaiah Stewart (ankle) suffered a left ankle sprain during the team's preseason opener and is likely to miss Opening Night. Stewart was acquired from Detroit during the offseason after averaging 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks last season while finishing seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting. With the 25-year-old sidelined, Zach Edey and Quinten Post could see increased minutes in Memphis' frontcourt, potentially boosting their fantasy value early in the regular season.
Source: Grizzlies PR
Source: Grizzlies PR
Max Christie Logs Solid Outing in Preseason Loss Friday
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Max Christie grabbed 14 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal across 24 minutes in Friday's 135-117 preseason loss to the Houston Rockets. The 23-year-old will likely be the team's primary ball-handler at times, as Kyrie Irving and Marcus Sasser also serve in the Mavs' backcourt. Christie's playmaking ability and three-point shooting could make him a strong streaming candidate throughout the 2026-27 campaign.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Steven Adams Plays 14 Minutes in Return on Friday
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams collected two points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal across 14 minutes in Friday's 135-117 preseason victory over Dallas. Adams returned to the lineup on Friday after undergoing ankle surgery in January. The 33-year-old veteran big man will likely back up starting center Alperen Sengun once the regular season starts. Heading into his 13th campaign, Adams isn't a fantasy-relevant piece unless Sengun gets injured.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Fred VanVleet Turns in Impressive Preseason Debut
Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet posted 17 points (5-for-12 on field goals, 5-for-12 from three, 2-for-3 on free throws), seven assists, two rebounds, and two steals in 24 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over Dallas. Friday's contest marked VanVleet's first appearance since suffering a torn ACL more than a year ago. The 32-year-old looked productive in his return, but Houston could manage his minutes early in the regular season as he works his way back from the serious injury. A limited workload could affect his fantasy value to begin the campaign.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Austin Reaves Dishes Eight Assists in Preseason Debut
Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Austin Reaves posted a team-high eight assists in Thursday's 114-110 preseason win over the Sacramento Kings, adding eight points, five rebounds, and one steal in 25 minutes. Reaves made his preseason debut after missing two games with an ankle issue, shooting 2-for-7 from the field and 0-for-3 from three, but going 4-for-4 at the line. Luka Doncic handled the scoring with 23 points, while Reaves leaned into a playmaking role. After averaging 23.3 points and 5.5 assists last season, he should remain heavily involved as a scorer and facilitator now that LeBron James is no longer in Los Angeles.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Tyrese Maxey Scores 14 Points in Preseason Debut
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey scored 14 points in Thursday's 114-108 preseason loss to the Brooklyn Nets, adding two rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 19 minutes. He shot 5-for-8 from the field and 2-for-4 from three, with 10 of his points coming in the first quarter. Maxey spent more time working off the ball with LeBron James handling some of the playmaking duties. After averaging 28.3 points and 6.6 assists last season, Maxey may give up some creation responsibilities, but the tradeoff could be more catch-and-shoot looks and easier scoring chances.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
LeBron James Runs Offense in Sixers Preseason Debut
Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James recorded 10 points, four rebounds, five assists, and one steal in 18 minutes during Thursday's 114-108 preseason loss to the Brooklyn Nets. The 41-year-old made his only field-goal attempt and went 8-for-8 at the line, while all five assists came in the first quarter. James averaged 20.9 points and 7.2 assists last season, but Philadelphia has no shortage of scoring alongside Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid. Thursday's pass-first showing offered an early look at how James can maintain strong fantasy value even if his shot volume comes down.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Yves Missi Nears Double-Double Against Heat
New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi recorded 11 points and nine rebounds in 19 minutes during Thursday's 128-118 preseason loss to Miami. The 22-year-old shot 4-for-6 from the field and 3-for-5 at the line, with all four baskets coming inside the arc. Missi has started both preseason games under coach Jamahl Mosley after averaging 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 19.7 minutes last season. Derik Queen has worked off the bench so far, giving Missi the early edge at center. If that role holds, his rebounding and shot-blocking could make him useful in fantasy.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Giannis Antetokounmpo Pours in 18 Points Against Pelicans
Miami Heat forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal in 18 minutes during Thursday's 128-118 preseason win over the New Orleans Pelicans. He shot 8-for-13 from the field, doing all of his scoring inside the arc, but went just 2-for-5 at the line. Through two preseason games, Antetokounmpo has 27 points and 11 assists while shooting 11-for-16 in 32 minutes. After injuries limited him to 36 games last season, the healthy start is encouraging, while his early playmaking suggests Miami plans to keep the ball in his hands often.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Anthony Davis Leads Wizards in Preseason Debut
Washington Wizards forward/center Anthony Davis scored a team-high 16 points in Thursday's 111-109 preseason win over the New York Knicks, adding seven rebounds, two assists, and one block in 17 minutes. He shot 6-for-11 from the field and 2-for-3 from three, with all of his work coming before halftime. It was Davis' first game action since suffering ligament damage in his left hand on Jan. 8. The 33-year-old averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks across 20 games last season. Deandre Ayton started at center with Alexandre Sarr (foot) sidelined, but Sarr is expected to reclaim a major frontcourt role once cleared.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Dylan Harper Sharp in Preseason Opener Against Hawks
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper scored a team-high 16 points in Thursday's 123-116 preseason loss to the Atlanta Hawks, adding four rebounds, four assists, and one steal in 19 minutes. The 20-year-old shot 5-for-7 from the field and 3-for-5 from three after averaging 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 22.6 minutes as a rookie. Harper also raised his production during San Antonio's playoff run, and Thursday's efficient showing only strengthens his case for a larger role. Even in a crowded backcourt, he should have a chance to push well past last season's modest workload.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Luka Doncic Set to Suit Up Thursday
Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports that Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic will play in Thursday's preseason matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Doncic sat out Tuesday's preseason contest against Golden State after playing the previous night. The 27-year-old Slovenian posted 21 points in just 16 minutes during his preseason debut Monday. With LeBron James now in Philadelphia, Doncic is expected to shoulder an even larger offensive workload, solidifying his status as an elite fantasy option heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
Source: Daniel Starkland
Source: Daniel Starkland
Collin Sexton Unavailable on Thursday
Per Benjamin Royer of The Orange County Register, Los Angeles Lakers guard Collin Sexton (lower body) will miss Thursday's preseason matchup against the Sacramento Kings with a lower-body injury. However, according to Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com, head coach JJ Redick isn't overly concerned about Sexton's injury ahead of the regular season. The 27-year-old signed a two-year, $19 million deal with a player option during the offseason after averaging 17.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in 26 games with Chicago last season. Sexton's fantasy upside could be limited in 2026-27, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves expected to handle the bulk of the Lakers' offensive responsibilities.
Source: Benjamin Royer
Source: Benjamin Royer
Walker Kessler Sidelined on Thursday
The Orange County Register's Benjamin Royer reports that Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler (finger) will miss his third consecutive preseason game Thursday against the Sacramento Kings. According to Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com, head coach JJ Redick isn't concerned the injury will become a long-term issue. The 7-foot-2 big man played in only five games in 2025-26 after left shoulder surgery, but he could be on track for a career-best scoring campaign as Luka Doncic's primary rim-runner option this season.
Source: Benjamin Royer
Source: Benjamin Royer
