Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
As the Brooklyn Nets prepare for their preseason opener, 20-year-old guard Egor Dëmin shared his message for the fan base after enduring two tanking seasons. Dëmin emphasized that the team intends to compete and win every day, expressing gratitude for the community's support and acknowledging the special responsibility of representing the franchise alongside backcourt partner Mikel Brown Jr. as they usher in a fresh foundation.
Following a solid 2025-2026 campaign where he averaged 12.3 points and shot 40.4% from beyond the arc, Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie enters the new season with an opportunity to take a major step forward. With Klay Thompson gone to Miami, Christie is positioned to compete for the starting shooting guard role and potentially become the team's primary three-point threat. Team success hinges on his ability to expand his offensive game beyond the arc and attack off the dribble.
Fred VanVleet returns to the Houston Rockets after missing the entire 2025-26 regular season due to a major injury suffered during training camp. His absence exposed depth issues, dropping the team to 24th in turnovers and forcing Amen Thompson into a lead guard role. VanVleet's leadership, playmaking, and 37.1% career 3-point shooting return to restore proper roster roles, boost bench efficiency, and integrate alongside new star Kevin Durant for the upcoming season.
Entering Year 15 and his third consecutive season starting with a new franchise, Anthony Davis vows for a major revenge season with the Washington Wizards. Davis sent a strong warning ahead of the new NBA campaign, stating that people forgot who he is due to past seasons and taking it personally as he looks to re-establish himself among the NBA's elite.
As the 2026-27 NBA season approaches, Tyrese Haliburton is featured prominently among fantasy basketball ADP risers and fallers. Roundtable Sports has released projected stat lines for Haliburton and the rest of the Indiana Pacers' starters as the team looks to bounce back and the star guard prepares for his return to action with high expectations for his performance and overall stat line this upcoming season.
Washington Wizards big man Alex Sarr is expected to begin full-contact work soon as he progresses in his recovery from mid-June surgery to repair a fractured right foot. Sarr was held out of contact drills during the first week of training camp but remains on track to be ready for the start of the regular season. His exact availability for upcoming preseason action, however, still remains unclear as he nears the next significant step in his rehabilitation process.
After earning the starting spot in Sunday's preseason opener against the Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers forward Max Strus suffered a non-contact right foot injury in the first quarter. Strus limped to the locker room after playing just five minutes, recording one rebound and missing his sole shot attempt. He is scheduled for further testing upon returning to Los Angeles. Strus was slated for an expanded role with Brandon Ingram and Bradley Beal sidelined.
Darryn Peterson logged a team-high 22 minutes in his NBA preseason debut, starting at point guard during Utah's 109-97 win over the Nuggets. Although the rookie guard struggled with efficiency—posting three points on 1-for-5 shooting, six rebounds, two assists, and one steal—his heavy workload indicates an immediate key role in the Jazz rotation. Fantasy managers should monitor his heavy usage despite expected early shooting efficiency fluctuations.
San Antonio Spurs forward Tobias Harris suffered a left calf strain during training camp, will miss the preseason, and is questionable for the October 20 season opener against Oklahoma City. Head coach Mitch Johnson stated the team will take it slow. Harris signed a two-year, $31 million deal in July after averaging 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds for Detroit, providing crucial veteran presence and offensive versatility for the Spurs.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry logged 10 points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, two assists and a steal in 12 minutes during Sunday's 104-101 preseason loss to the Clippers. Curry led the starting five in scoring during his limited action and will likely continue to see restricted minutes throughout the preseason to preserve his health after playing in just 43 regular-season games in 2025-26.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Rui Hachimura racked up a game-high 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, adding five rebounds and one block across 15 minutes in a 104-101 preseason win over the Warriors. Hachimura had the hot hand early, making 4-of-5 three-pointers. With Brandon Ingram sidelined by an Achilles injury, Hachimura is making a strong case to secure a regular starting role to begin the upcoming regular season after entering the starting lineup for Sunday's opener.
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George produced 15 points, four rebounds, and three assists over 21 minutes in a 109-97 preseason win over the Denver Nuggets, shooting 5-for-8 from the field and 4-for-5 on free throws. George briefly exited the game after taking a blow to the face, but quickly returned without missing a beat. He is looking to take another step forward in his fourth year after breaking out with strong averages last season.
Denver Nuggets three-time MVP center Nikola Jokić put on a show during a preseason game against the Utah Jazz on the University of Colorado's campus. Jokić uncorked a stunning no-look, behind-the-back pass from one three-point corner to the other directly down the baseline, bypassing three Jazz defenders to set up Cam Johnson for a catch-and-shoot three-pointer. The Nuggets will open their regular season in an October 22 matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren expressed relief and excitement after signing a five-year, $200 million extension, declaring he wants to be a "Piston for life." Addressing reporters alongside team president Trajan Langdon, Duren dismissed rumors of a rift as speculation. Coming off a Third Team All-NBA season averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds, Duren acknowledged his playoff slump (10.8 PPG) and committed to working on his flaws to build a lasting legacy in Detroit.
Tyus Jones will enter the Denver Nuggets' starting lineup for Sunday's preseason opener against the Utah Jazz, filling in for Jamal Murray, who is sidelined due to personal reasons. Jones joins Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic in the first unit. The guard offers strong potential to rack up assists and defensive statistics whenever expanded minutes and streaming opportunities arise as a starter.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray has been ruled out for Sunday's preseason opener against the Utah Jazz due to personal reasons, as reported by Altitude Sports' Katy Winge. The personal matter is not expected to impact Murray's availability for the regular-season opener. His next opportunity to take the floor will be Tuesday's matchup against Utah, with Tyus Jones taking over as the starting point guard in his absence.
Brice Sensabaugh has been ruled out for Sunday's preseason opener against the Nuggets due to a left hip injury. His absence is being treated as largely precautionary by the Utah Jazz. Sensabaugh will have an opportunity to return to action quickly, with his next chance to play coming Tuesday in a preseason rematch against the Denver Nuggets.
Veteran big man Brook Lopez will come off the bench in Sunday's preseason opener against the Warriors, with Isaiah Jackson earning the starting nod. Lopez and Jackson are locked in a competitive battle for the starting center job ahead of the regular season, though Jackson has spent significant time working alongside the first unit during training camp.
Isaiah Jackson will start Sunday's preseason game against the Warriors, playing the first half alongside Darius Garland, Max Strus, Rui Hachimura, and Derrick Jones. Jackson gets the opening nod over veteran Brook Lopez, with whom he is competing for the starting center role. Last season in 17 bench appearances for the Clippers, Jackson averaged 7.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks across 15.8 minutes per contest.
Brandon Williams provided an energetic spark in his Golden State debut during a 104-101 preseason loss to the Clippers. Playing 16 minutes off the bench, the guard recorded 11 points (4-9 FG, 0-2 3PT), three assists, two rebounds, one steal, and a team-high plus-16 rating. Head coach Steve Kerr called Williams' rare on-ball speed and transition ability a real weapon for the second unit, though Williams acknowledged the need to reduce team turnovers as preseason action continues.
