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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
LaMelo Ball (rest) is back in the starting lineup for Monday's preseason game against the Knicks after sitting out Saturday. The standout guard is averaging 12.5 points, 5.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 18.6 minutes per contest across two preseason appearances for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Cody Williams will start in Monday's preseason matchup with the Knicks after turning heads at training camp and earning praise from Anthony Edwards. He joins a first unit featuring LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert as the Minnesota Timberwolves evaluate their rotation.
Kingston Flemings is in the starting lineup for Monday's preseason game against Oklahoma City with CJ McCollum resting. Through three preseason appearances, the rookie guard is averaging 11.3 points, 2.7 assists, 1.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 20.8 minutes per contest as he steps into an extended role for the Atlanta Hawks.
Washington Wizards center Deandre Ayton entered the starting lineup for Monday's preseason contest against the Brooklyn Nets, filling in while primary starter Anthony Davis rests. Ayton is expected to anchor the backup center position for Washington throughout the 2026-27 season. The start provides the veteran big man an expanded opportunity in the first unit during exhibition play as the team finalized its roster rotation.
Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu has been ruled out for Monday's preseason matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder for rest, per Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network. Okongwu is sitting alongside several other Hawks starters for the team's penultimate exhibition game. The big man's next opportunity to take the court will arrive on Friday when Atlanta hosts the Dallas Mavericks.
Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum will not play in Monday's preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to rest, per Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network. Most of Atlanta's regular starters are being held out for the penultimate exhibition. In Saturday's 119-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers, McCollum logged 12 points (2-4 FG, 7-7 FT) and five rebounds over 19 minutes of action.
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson will sit out Monday's preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of planned rest, per Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network. Johnson is coming off a strong performance in Saturday's 119-117 win over the Pacers, where he tallied 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting, seven rebounds, and three assists in 25 minutes. His next action comes Friday against the Dallas Mavericks.
Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been removed from the injury report and is cleared to play in Monday's preseason exhibition against the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network. After resting previously, Alexander-Walker is expected to see action during the first half of the contest before handing off playing time to Atlanta's younger roster members in the second half.
Washington Wizards center Anthony Davis will sit out Monday's preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets for maintenance purposes, per Josh Robbins of The Athletic. Davis is getting the night off to rest ahead of the regular season, with his next opportunity to suit up coming in Friday's preseason contest against the New Orleans Pelicans as Washington continues to fine-tune its new-look frontcourt rotation.
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis returned as a full participant during Monday's practice session after missing two straight games due to an undisclosed minor issue. Despite his return to practice, Sabonis remains listed as questionable for Tuesday's preseason contest against the Portland Trail Blazers. If he sits out, his final opportunity for preseason action before the regular season will come Friday against the San Antonio Spurs.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr plans to start forward Gui Santos to begin the 2026-27 regular season with both Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody sidelined long-term by knee injuries. Santos steps into an amplified role after previously demonstrating strong production as a starter in 2025-26, when he averaged 14.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals over 30 starts for Golden State.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr plans to insert rookie first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg into the starting lineup to begin the 2026-27 season, according to NBC Sports Bay Area. Lendeborg is slated to gain an expanded starting role with both Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody expected to be sidelined for an extended period due to knee injuries. The rookie forward will have an early opportunity to establish himself in the team's main rotation.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope stated that the team's overall success this season hinges heavily on chemistry and how well the roster's diverse personalities mesh together. Caldwell-Pope highlighted the importance of players genuinely liking each other as the franchise navigates the challenges of the upcoming campaign and builds cohesion on and off the court.
Kawhi Leonard is set to make his Toronto Raptors preseason debut Tuesday against the New York Knicks at Scotiabank Arena after head coach Darko Rajaković confirmed he was a full practice participant. The matchup marks Leonard's first home appearance in a Raptors jersey since the 2019 NBA Finals. Coming off a season averaging 27.9 points with the Clippers, the 35-year-old forward recently signed a $60 million extension with Toronto, with teammate Jamal Shead noting his strong conditioning focus.
The Golden State Warriors signed wing Tyler Burton to a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 deal after waiving guard Miles Kelly. Burton, a 6-foot-7 undrafted wing out of Villanova, provides frontcourt depth while Golden State is missing top wings Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody. Burton previously averaged 10.8 points and 4.2 rebounds across 10 games with the Memphis Grizzlies last season, and his new contract can be converted into a two-way or minimum deal.
Rookie guard Darius Acuff is expected to start in Sacramento's backfield alongside veteran Ben Simmons for the Kings' regular-season opener against the Clippers on October 21. Acuff enters the starting lineup as part of the team's early-season plans, providing backcourt depth and playmaking alongside Simmons as the Kings look to establish their rotation for the upcoming campaign.
Sacramento Kings veteran Ben Simmons is projected to remain in the starting lineup alongside rookie guard Darius Acuff for the October 21 regular-season opener against the Clippers. Simmons is aiming to play all 82 games this season after struggling with durability in recent years, having last appeared in more than 51 games during the 2020-21 campaign. His playmaking and rebounding secure a key role, though his health remains a primary concern.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle will not play in Monday's preseason matchup against the Utah Jazz. The Spurs planned ahead of the preseason to rest several key regulars for this contest, meaning Castle's absence is entirely routine and not injury-related. He sits out alongside teammates Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Devin Vassell, with his next opportunity to suit up coming Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns.
San Antonio Spurs forward Devin Vassell will not play in Monday's preseason game against the Utah Jazz. Vassell is joining the rest of San Antonio's usual starters on the sidelines as part of a planned rest day for the team's key regulars. His next opportunity to suit up and return to game action will come Wednesday evening when the Spurs host the Phoenix Suns at home.
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox has been ruled out for Monday's preseason game against the Jazz due to an undisclosed injury. After being a late scratch from Thursday's starting lineup, Fox will miss his third consecutive exhibition contest. While the exact extent of his issue remains unclear, the Spurs have provided no indication that the veteran point guard is in danger of missing Opening Night, choosing to exercise caution alongside several resting teammates.
