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Chet Holmgren Uncertain for Season Opener
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren (quadriceps) remains uncertain for Tuesday's season opener at San Antonio after missing all five preseason games with a quad contusion. Head coach Mark Daigneault said everyone participated in Saturday's practice in some capacity but did not reveal how much work Holmgren got in. The 24-year-old averaged 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks across 69 games last season. There hasn't been any indication of a lengthy absence, but fantasy managers should check Monday's injury report before setting lineups. Isaiah Hartenstein would get the biggest bump if Holmgren sits, while Aday Mara could also pick up extra minutes.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Trail Blazers Waive Jeremy Sochan
The Portland Trail Blazers have waived forward/center Jeremy Sochan after he spent the preseason competing for a roster spot. The 23-year-old signed a one-year, non-guaranteed deal in August and averaged 6.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists across four exhibition games. Sochan saw his role shrink last season, averaging just 3.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 44 games with the Spurs and Knicks before barely playing during New York's title run. Portland now has an extra roster spot, but Sochan wasn't going to take many minutes away from Deni Avdija or Toumani Camara. His outside shot is still a concern, so he'll need to find the right situation before there's much fantasy appeal.
Source: Portland Trail Blazers
Source: Portland Trail Blazers
Bruce Brown Waived by Knicks
The New York Knicks have waived guard Bruce Brown, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, clearing the way for James Wiseman to make the regular-season roster. New York was only $3.2 million below its self-imposed second-apron hard cap, making it difficult to keep both players. Brown appeared in all 82 games for Denver last season, averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals in 24.4 minutes. The 30-year-old has been useful when given steady minutes, but he'll need to clear waivers and find another rotation role before carrying much fantasy appeal.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Devin Carter Lands Two-Way Deal with Celtics
The Boston Celtics are converting guard Devin Carter's Exhibit 10 contract into a two-way deal, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. Carter made an impression in his only preseason appearance, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals against Cleveland before an illness kept him out of the final three games. The former No. 13 pick averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 18.4 minutes across 38 games for Sacramento last season. With Derrick White and Payton Pritchard ahead of him, Carter will need injuries or a strong G-League run to carve out much fantasy value.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Jazz Claim Tony Bradley Off Waivers
The Utah Jazz have claimed center Tony Bradley off waivers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Bradley returns to the franchise where he spent his first three NBA seasons after averaging 5.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in limited preseason work with New York. The 28-year-old joins Utah on a non-guaranteed deal and adds depth while Jusuf Nurkic (foot) and Kyle Filipowski (back) are sidelined. Jaxson Hayes should see more center minutes early, with Jaren Jackson Jr. also capable of sliding to the five. Bradley owns career averages of 4.3 points and 3.8 rebounds and remains off the fantasy radar unless injuries push him into the rotation.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
James Wiseman Secures Knicks' Final Roster Spot
James Wiseman is set to make the New York Knicks' regular-season roster as a reserve center, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The former No. 2 pick averaged 8.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in 11.5 minutes during the preseason while shooting 13-for-16 from the field, including an 18-point, 10-rebound spot start against Toronto. Wiseman has played only five NBA games over the past two seasons after tearing his left Achilles in October 2024. With Mitchell Robinson now in Boston, Wiseman is behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond in the center rotation. There probably won't be much fantasy value here unless one of them misses time.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Jase Richardson Considered Day-to-Day with Back Soreness
Orlando Magic guard Jase Richardson (back) is day-to-day with low back soreness, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Jason Beede. Richardson left Friday's preseason finale against Miami after seven scoreless minutes, finishing with two rebounds and two assists. The second-year guard started Orlando's first two exhibitions while Jalen Suggs was sidelined, including a 12-point, four-assist outing against Cleveland. Richardson averaged just 4.4 points in 10.9 minutes as a rookie and returned to the bench once Suggs was cleared. Unless the injury opens a bigger role, Richardson remains a limited fantasy option.
Source: Jason Beede
Source: Jason Beede
Franz Wagner Dealing with Right-Shoulder Soreness
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (shoulder) remains under evaluation after leaving Friday's preseason finale against Miami with right shoulder soreness, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Jason Beede. Wagner appeared bothered by the shoulder after a three-point attempt in the third quarter and finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and six assists in 19 minutes. The 25-year-old averaged 20.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in only 34 games last season, so another injury is worth monitoring. If Wagner can't play Wednesday against Atlanta, Tristan da Silva should be in line for more minutes with Noah Penda (hamstring) also sidelined.
Source: Jason Beede
Source: Jason Beede
Noah Penda Expected to Miss Significant Time with Hamstring Injury
Orlando Magic forward Noah Penda (hamstring) is expected to miss significant time after partially tearing his right hamstring in Friday's preseason finale against Miami, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Jason Beede. The 21-year-old left late in the first quarter after just two minutes, finishing with one steal. The tear is reportedly a separate injury from the hamstring issue that slowed him earlier in camp. Penda averaged 3.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in 12.8 minutes as a rookie. Tristan da Silva and Jamal Cain could see more wing minutes while Penda is out, especially if Franz Wagner (shoulder) also misses time.
Source: Jason Beede
Source: Jason Beede
Isaiah Jackson Named Clippers' Starting Center for Week 1
Los Angeles Clippers center Isaiah Jackson will open the season as the team's starting center, according to The Athletic's Law Murray. Head coach Tyronn Lue named Jackson the Week 1 starter, with Brook Lopez moving into the backup role. The 24-year-old averaged 7.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 15.9 minutes across 17 games with the Clippers last season while shooting 76.4% from the field. Lue likes the speed Jackson brings at center, and a jump in minutes could make him useful for rebounds, blocks, and efficient scoring starting Wednesday against Sacramento.
Source: Law Murray
Source: Law Murray
Jamal Murray Leads Nuggets with 21 Points in Preseason Finale
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray scored a game-high 21 points in Friday's 121-106 preseason win over the Los Angeles Lakers, adding three rebounds, six assists, and one steal in 31 minutes. He shot 8-for-15 from the field and scored 10 points in the first quarter, though he missed all three of his attempts from deep. That isn't much of a concern after Murray shot 43.5% from three last season while averaging career highs of 25.4 points and 7.1 assists. DeMar DeRozan should handle plenty of second-unit offense, leaving Murray firmly in place as Denver's No. 2 option behind Nikola Jokic.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Nikola Jokic Nearly Perfect From the Field in Preseason Finale
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic finished with 17 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and two steals in 31 minutes of Friday's 121-106 preseason win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The three-time MVP shot 7-for-8 from the field and 3-for-4 from deep, while Jamal Murray led Denver with 21 points. Jokic also posted a triple-double earlier in the preseason, and Friday's efficient outing was another reminder that there is little to worry about heading into Thursday's opener at Oklahoma City. He remains one of the safest anchors at the top of fantasy drafts.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Domantas Sabonis Logs 30 Minutes in Preseason Finale
Sacramento Kings forward/center Domantas Sabonis recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds in 30 minutes during Friday's 126-97 preseason loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He shot 4-for-9 from the field and 5-for-10 at the line while committing five turnovers. The workload was the bigger takeaway after Sabonis played only 19 games last season before undergoing surgery on a torn left meniscus. With Maxime Raynaud (knee) and Dylan Cardwell (calf) sidelined to begin the season, Sabonis should get plenty of work inside, while Precious Achiuwa looks set to handle most of the backup center minutes.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Ben Simmons Fills the Box Score in Preseason Finale
Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and one steal in 26 minutes during Friday's 126-97 preseason loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He shot 5-for-9 from the field and 4-for-4 at the line in just his second exhibition appearance after sitting out all of last season. Simmons started alongside rookie Darius Acuff Jr. and is expected to remain in the first unit for Wednesday's opener against the Clippers. If Simmons keeps getting this kind of run, the assists and rebounds should be useful. The bigger question is whether he can stay healthy enough to hold the role.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Tyrese Maxey Wraps Up Preseason with 22 Points
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey scored 22 points on 7-for-11 shooting in Friday's 125-120 preseason loss to the Boston Celtics, adding three rebounds, six assists, and one steal in 30 minutes. He also went 7-for-7 at the line, though four turnovers took some shine off the night. Maxey averaged a career-high 28.3 points and 3.1 threes last season, but touches will be harder to come by with LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid sharing the floor. The volume could dip, though more clean catch-and-shoot looks may help offset some of that loss.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
