October 16, 2025
Detroit Pistons guard
Jaden Ivey (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day, Hunter Patterson of The Athletic reports. Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Wednesday that Ivey is "working through some things," leaving his status up in the air for Thursday's preseason finale against the Washington Wizards. Heading into the preseason, Ivey was declared healthy after his 2024-25 campaign ended in early January due to a broken fibula. The 23-year-old logged 14 minutes in Detroit's first preseason game on Oct. 6 but has been sidelined since. This is a bit concerning, but there are currently no indications that Ivey's status for the season opener is in doubt.
--Taavi PailkSource: Hunter Patterson
October 16, 2025
New York Knicks guard/forward
Josh Hart (back) is making progress, but it's unclear if he will be available for Friday's preseason finale against the Charlotte Hornets, Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News reports. Back spasms have disrupted Hart's preparations for the new NBA season, and he has only been a limited participant in practices. Missing preseason has been a big blow for Hart, as he could have used the games to re-establish his spot among the starting five. The versatile veteran was moved to the bench during the 2025 playoffs, and there have been suggestions that new head coach Mike Brown could prefer
Mitchell Robinson over Hart as a starter.
--Taavi PailkSource: Kristian Winfield
October 16, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center
Jaren Jackson Jr. (toe) made his preseason debut in Wednesday's matchup against the Charlotte Hornets, notching 17 points in 22 minutes during a 145-116 loss. Jackson Jr. was very active offensively, taking 20 shots from the field. Unfortunately, he made only seven attempts. Three of his makes came from downtown on nine shots. Jackson Jr. also grabbed a pair of rebounds and had one block with one assist. Seeing Jackson Jr. on the floor Wednesday night will have been a pleasant surprise for fantasy managers, as he was initially expected to miss the start of the 2025-26 regular season due to offseason toe surgery. The Grizzlies star will get one more preseason game on Friday against the Miami Heat to work himself into shape before things get serious.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
October 16, 2025
Sacramento Kings forward
Keegan Murray (thumb) has signed a five-year, $140 million contract extension. He had one year remaining on his rookie deal. The 25-year-old has been a solid performer for the Kings, averaging 13.3 points and 5.6 rebounds for his career. Last season, he registered a career-high 6.7 rebounds per game, though Murray's offensive production dipped to 12.4 points due to poor three-point shooting. Due to a thumb injury, Murray must sit out the start of the 2025-26 campaign. He will be re-evaluated in early November. The Kings will be missing a regular starter until Murray returns, creating an interesting dynamic on the team early in the season, especially after Sacramento snapped up
Russell Westbrook, who will be an additional option in the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA.com
October 16, 2025
Sacramento Kings forward/center
Domantas Sabonis (hamstring) didn't finish Wednesday's preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. He suffered a right hamstring injury during the game, exiting in the fourth quarter after logging 24 minutes. Sabonis finished with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists. Hamstring injuries usually take several weeks to heal, so it's possible the Kings have to begin their season without Sabonis.
Drew Eubanks could land a starting role in his absence, while
Dario Saric and
Maxime Raynaud are also options at the five position.
--Taavi PailkSource: Anthony Slater
October 16, 2025
Boston Celtics guard/forward
Jaylen Brown (hamstring) left Wednesday's 110-108 preseason win against the Toronto Raptors early due to a hamstring problem. He logged only seven minutes of action before exiting the game with hamstring tightness. This was certainly a worrying sight, but Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla downplayed the injury postgame. "Talked to him after, he said he would be fine," Mazzula told reporters. "But I didn't get a full update." Boston starts the regular season on Oct. 22 against the Philadelphia 76ers, and Brown's health will be a key storyline to follow as the season approaches.
--Taavi PailkSource: Celtics on CLNS
October 15, 2025
According to NBA reporter Chris Haynes, New Orleans center
Kevon Looney could be out of action for up to three weeks after suffering a proximal tibiofibular ligament sprain in his left knee. The 29-year-old had been working through knee pain and will now need time to recover. He will have to wait until November to make his debut with his new team. Looney agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the Pelicans in June after 10 seasons with the Warriors. While he is sidelined, rookie big man
Derik Queen could see an expanded role backing up projected starting center,
Yves Missi.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Chris Haynes
October 15, 2025
Shams Charania of ESPN reports that New York Knicks guard
Malcolm Brogdon has decided to retire after nine seasons in the NBA. Brogdon was viewed as a key bench piece by his new team and Charania also added that the 32-year-old was set to make New York's final roster going into the upcoming campaign. However, Brogdon has suddenly decided to move on and retire. The 2016-17 Rookie of the Year with Milwaukee and the Sixth Man of the Year for 2022-23 with Boston closes out his career with averages of 15.3 points, 4.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds across 463 regular-season appearances.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
October 15, 2025
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, free-agent guard
Russell Westbrook has agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. The 36-year-old veteran is expected to serve as a backup to
Dennis Schroder, providing much-needed depth to a Kings bench that struggled to produce last season. While his MVP days are behind him, Westbrook is coming off a solid campaign with the Nuggets, averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds across 75 appearances. He should still deliver occasional bursts of fantasy value throughout the year in a reserve role.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
October 15, 2025
Orlando Magic point guard
Jalen Suggs (knee) was involved in some contact drills during Tuesday's practice, according to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley told reporters that Suggs was "able to do a little bit of contact" during practice, which included three-on-three action. The team has its final preseason game scheduled for Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans and will begin the regular season on Oct. 22 with a matchup against the Miami Heat. Suggs' availability for game action will depend on how his knee responds to the increased workload.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jason Beede
October 15, 2025
Phoenix Suns center
Mark Williams (undisclosed) has made progress in his recovery, as he is now participating in five-on-five drills during practice, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports. Williams has been sidelined for the entire preseason due to an undisclosed health issue, but this recent update gives fantasy managers hope that he can be ready for the start of the regular season. The Suns' opening night is scheduled for Oct. 22 against the Sacramento Kings. Williams has bags of fantasy potential, but injuries have kept him back. Last season, the 23-year-old averaged 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 26.6 minutes with the Charlotte Hornets.
--Taavi PailkSource: Duane Rankin
October 15, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward
Gary Harris (hamstring) will be sidelined for 1-2 weeks due to a hamstring strain, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports. On Tuesday, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said that Harris will be out for at least a week, raising doubts about his availability for the start of the season. The Bucks begin their 2025-26 regular-season campaign next Wednesday against the Washington Wizards. Harris' absence will limit Rivers' bench options; however, he is not expected to play a significant role with the team this season. The 31-year-old has not been a relevant player in fantasy basketball for several years, averaging just 3.0 points per game in 14.8 minutes with the Orlando Magic last season.
--Taavi PailkSource: Eric Nehm
October 15, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers forward
De'Andre Hunter (knee) exited Tuesday's preseason matchup against the Detroit Pistons after the first half, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. The team ruled out Hunter for the rest of the game with a right knee contusion. Hunter had a great performance against the Pistons, scoring 14 points in as many minutes with 3-for-6 shooting from the field. He finished 2-for-3 from downtown and 6-for-7 at the charity stripe. While Hunter's knee issue appears to be minor, it's worth monitoring his status ahead of next week's season opener against the New York Knicks. This season, Hunter is expected to have a starting role with the Cavaliers. Should he be sidelined, it would create an opportunity for
Dean Wade or
Jaylon Tyson to step up and make a greater impact.
--Taavi PailkSource: Chris Fedor
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
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