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
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
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