Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (reconditioning) will not play in Saturday's preseason game against the Wizards, Josh Robbins reports. Duren is working his way back into game shape after missing training camp during ongoing contract negotiations, though he remains hopeful to debut at some point during the preseason. His next chance to get on the court will come Wednesday in Minnesota.
Washington Wizards guard Tre Mann is out for Saturday's game against the Pistons due to general soreness, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports. Mann experienced some soreness after logging 16 minutes in Thursday's preseason-opening win over the New York Knicks, prompting the team to hold him out of the exhibition. His next opportunity to take the floor will arrive Monday against the Brooklyn Nets.
Atlanta Hawks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (rest) is out for Saturday's exhibition against the Pacers, Brad Rowland reports. The 33-year-old veteran is sitting out this contest but should return for Monday's game against the Thunder. Finney-Smith is expected to provide emergency depth at the forward positions for Atlanta and will not carry a significant rotation role while the team remains at full health.
Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (rest) will not suit up for Saturday's preseason game in Indiana, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports. Alexander-Walker is sitting out the exhibition but is expected to return for Monday's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. With him unavailable, Kingston Fleming is in line to see a boost in playing time.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton will miss Saturday's preseason game against the Hawks due to a right ankle injury, Tony East reports. Haliburton tweaked the ankle during Wednesday's win over the Timberwolves, finishing with seven points and six rebounds in 16 minutes. Fortunately, the issue is unrelated to his previous Achilles injury. His next chance to play is Tuesday against the Thunder.
Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez is in the starting lineup for Saturday's preseason matchup with the Raptors, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports. Head coach Tyronn Lue is using the preseason to find optimal rotation groups, meaning a strong showing could solidify Lopez's starting role. As a starter last season, Lopez averaged 10.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.8 triples, and 1.3 blocks per contest on 45/37/74 shooting splits.
Fred VanVleet made a triumphant return to the lineup as the Houston Rockets secured a 135-117 preseason victory over the Dallas Mavericks during the 2026 Macao Games. VanVleet helped steer the offense alongside Alperen Sengun, who posted a triple-double in just 22 minutes. The Rockets will conclude their preseason schedule on Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder before opening the regular season on October 21 against these same Mavericks.
Brooklyn Nets rookie Mikel Brown Jr. is evaluating his status for a potential preseason debut against the Wizards, pending Sunday's practice. Recovering from a left ankle roll, the No. 6 pick has already drawn high praise from GM Sean Marks and teammate Julius Randle for his veteran-like leadership and playmaking. Mentored heavily and focused on core strength to absorb contact, Brown brings immense swagger and high-reward potential to Brooklyn's backcourt.
Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy stated Saturday that Kyle Filipowski is progressing well in his rehabilitation from offseason herniated disc surgery, though he remains without a specific return timeline. The big man dealt with sciatica throughout the 2025-26 season after tweaking his back lifting. With Jusuf Nurkic expected to miss Opening Night due to a foot injury, Filipowski's recovery status remains critical for Utah.
Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (quadriceps) will not travel to Atlanta and won't play in Monday's preseason game. Holmgren has yet to make his preseason debut due to a quadriceps contusion, and his availability for Tuesday's home contest against the Indiana Pacers remains uncertain as the team manages its roster during the back-to-back set.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (rest) will sit out Monday's preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks and will not travel with the team. He is expected to suit up for Tuesday's home matchup against the Indiana Pacers. Williams previously tallied 16 points on 8-for-11 shooting, three rebounds, six assists, and two steals across 19 minutes during Wednesday's 128-126 preseason loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (rest) will not play in Monday's preseason game against Atlanta and is not traveling with the team. However, he and other regulars are expected to return for the second half of their back-to-back set Tuesday when they host Indiana. Gilgeous-Alexander previously recorded 17 points, three rebounds, five assists, and one block across 18 minutes in a narrow 128-126 preseason loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs increased his activity level at Saturday's practice and looked more like himself, according to head coach Sean Sweeney. Suggs has been dealing with an illness for nearly a week that sidelined him for Orlando's preseason opener last Wednesday and limited his training camp reps. While Sweeney noted the team cannot skip steps in his recovery, Suggs' status for Sunday's exhibition against the Cleveland Cavaliers remains unclear as he works back to full strength.
Brooklyn Nets center Moritz Wagner saw action during the first half of an NBA preseason game at the Barclays Center against the Philadelphia 76ers, battling for rebounds in the matchup. Wagner enters the upcoming campaign as part of the Nets' frontcourt rotation as the team prepares through the preseason slate.
Kawhi Leonard's official return to the court will have to wait as he will sit out the Toronto Raptors' upcoming preseason game against his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers. The Raptors enter the exhibition coming off a 129-105 loss to the Miami Heat in which nine players were sidelined. In Leonard's absence, Toronto will evaluate its roster depth and core chemistry, focusing on guard Immanuel Quickley and dynamic playmakers Scottie Barnes and rookie Allen Graves ahead of the regular season.
Memphis Grizzlies rookie Cameron Boozer drew strong praise from Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero following a recent preseason clash. Banchero commended the former Duke standout's poise, stating he looked pro-ready, composed, and played within himself. Boozer continues to impress early in his NBA career ahead of Memphis' upcoming preseason matchup against Chicago, where he will face former AAU teammate and ACC rival Caleb Wilson.
Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero offered high praise for Memphis Grizzlies rookie Cameron Boozer following their preseason matchup. Reflecting on the Duke product's performance, Banchero noted that Boozer looked pro-ready, composed, and played within himself while taking the right shots. Banchero added that Memphis has something to be excited about with the rising young star, joining a chorus of NBA veterans complimenting Boozer.
Entering his 20th NBA season at age 38, Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant continues to display elite offensive consistency. In 2025-26, Durant averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game across 78 contests, shooting 52.0% from the field and 41.3% from three-point range. Rejecting the idea of load management or reduced playing time, Durant intends to maintain his career average of roughly 36 minutes per game as he pushes further up the NBA's all-time scoring list.
Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski has agreed to a five-year, $110 million fully guaranteed rookie-scale contract extension. Negotiated by agent Bill Duffy of WME Basketball, the deal averages $22 million annually after Podziemski sought between $20 million and $24 million per season. The contract includes a fifth-year mutual option for the 2031-32 NBA season along with a trade kicker, securing the young guard's long-term future in Golden State.
Cameron Boozer logged 10 points (3-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds and three assists over first-half action in Friday's 104-100 preseason win against Chicago. The third overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft sat out the second half after an efficient start. Boozer is expected to serve as a centerpiece of Memphis' offense this season, forming a starting frontcourt duo alongside Zach Edey with veteran Jerami Grant also competing for key minutes.
