Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Brandon Ingram is scheduled to sit out Sunday's preseason game for the Toronto Raptors against the Washington Wizards. The decision to rest Ingram was reported by Raptors reporter Vivek Jacob, indicating the team is managing his workload early in the exhibition schedule. This absence is for rest purposes and not due to injury, allowing him to get another game off before the regular season begins.
Scottie Barnes is set to return to the starting lineup for the Toronto Raptors' preseason game against the Washington Wizards on Sunday. This update comes from Vivek Jacob of the Raptors' official site, confirming Barnes' readiness to play and his role in the team's initial lineup for the upcoming exhibition match.
RJ Barrett, who had been resting, is confirmed to start for the Toronto Raptors in their preseason game against the Washington Wizards on Sunday. The news was reported by Vivek Jacob of the Raptors' official site, indicating Barrett's return to action and his placement in the starting five for the exhibition contest after a period of rest.
Immanuel Quickley, after a period of rest, is confirmed to be available and will play in the Toronto Raptors' preseason game against the Washington Wizards on Sunday. Vivek Jacob of the Raptors' official site reported this update, signaling Quickley's readiness to participate in the upcoming exhibition match.
Free agent Russell Westbrook is reportedly nearing a deal with the Sacramento Kings, with ESPN's Shams Charania confirming 'strong mutual interest.' Westbrook, without a contract after declining his $3.5 million player option in Denver following a locker room clash, is staying stateside despite offers from China. The Kings, needing a reserve point guard (29th in bench points and assists last season), see Westbrook as a strong fit. He boasts existing relationships within the organization, including former teammates like Domantas Sabonis and Dennis Schroder, plus ties to key front office and coaching staff. Sacramento radio's Carmichael Dave estimates a '70/30' chance of him joining. Financially, the Kings have an open roster spot and are $5.4 million below the luxury tax line. Westbrook, 37, averaged 13.3 points and 6.1 assists for the Nuggets last season, known for his high energy. While not a consistent scorer or strong defender, he could provide valuable bench depth, potentially signing before or during the season. His role might also evolve given the Kings' openness to future roster changes involving key players.
LaMelo Ball showcased an impressive performance in Saturday's preseason victory over the Mavericks, leading the Charlotte Hornets with a team-high 20 points. In just 23 minutes of play, Ball was highly efficient, shooting 8-of-13 from the field, including 4-of-8 from three-point range. Beyond his scoring, he also contributed significantly with six assists, three rebounds, and one block, demonstrating his all-around impact on the game.
Cooper Flagg showcased a strong two-way performance for the Dallas Mavericks in Saturday's 120-116 preseason loss to the Hornets. Across 24 minutes on the court, Flagg posted 11 points on efficient shooting (4-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT). His versatile impact was further highlighted by his contributions of three rebounds, four assists, and three steals, demonstrating his ability to influence the game on both offense and defense.
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson showcased an impressive all-around game in Saturday's 122-116 preseason victory over the Grizzlies. Johnson notched 20 points on efficient shooting, converting 7-of-11 from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line, while attempting one three-pointer. In just 24 minutes of play, he also contributed significantly with seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals. This strong outing highlights Johnson's potential impact for the Atlanta Hawks as the preseason continues.
Bennedict Mathurin showcased a solid performance for the Indiana Pacers in Saturday's 116-101 preseason victory against the Thunder. Across 16 minutes of play, Mathurin contributed 16 points, demonstrating efficiency with his shooting. He connected on 4-of-9 field goal attempts, including 1-of-4 from beyond the arc, and was effective from the free-throw line, making 7-of-9 shots. Beyond his scoring, Mathurin also grabbed six rebounds and dished out one assist, highlighting his all-around contribution in the preseason outing. This output suggests a promising start to his preseason campaign.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort will not participate in Saturday's preseason game against the Indiana Pacers. Dort is being held out of the starting lineup due to rest-related reasons, a common practice during the preseason to manage player workload. This decision ensures Dort receives adequate rest ahead of the regular season, allowing other players an opportunity to showcase their skills.
Alex Caruso of the Oklahoma City Thunder is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's preseason game against the Indiana Pacers. His absence is attributed to rest-related reasons, indicating the team's cautious approach to player management during the exhibition schedule. This move allows Caruso to conserve energy and avoid unnecessary strain as the regular season approaches, while providing opportunities for other roster members.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will not be in the starting lineup for Saturday's preseason game against the Indiana Pacers. The decision to hold Gilgeous-Alexander out is due to rest-related reasons, as the team prioritizes his health and readiness for the upcoming regular season. This strategic rest period is typical for key players during the preseason, ensuring they are fresh and prepared for the demanding schedule ahead.
LeBron James is confirmed to be sidelined as the NBA season begins, a significant development for the Los Angeles Lakers. In his absence, teammate Luka Doncic has expressed his commitment to do 'whatever it takes' for the team to secure victories. Doncic stated he is prepared to adjust his role, whether that means taking on more responsibility or less, to ensure the Lakers' success while James recovers. This situation places an immediate spotlight on Doncic's leadership and performance as the team navigates the start of the season without its star forward.
Oklahoma City Thunder's big man, Chet Holmgren, has officially been ruled out for the team's upcoming Saturday game. The decision comes as Holmgren is dealing with a shoulder injury, a development that will see him sidelined against the Indiana Pacers. This update was reported by Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star, confirming his absence from the crucial matchup. Holmgren's status will be a key factor for the Thunder as they prepare to face the Pacers, with further analysis on this situation available for fans and fantasy managers via RotoWire.com. His recovery timeline and impact on future games will be closely monitored.
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry will not play in Sunday's preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers. His absence is due to an undisclosed reason, as reported by Anthony Slater of The Athletic. This decision means Curry will miss the upcoming exhibition contest, with the team likely taking a cautious approach regarding his health and readiness for the regular season. Fans and fantasy managers should monitor for further updates on his status.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has been cleared to play in Sunday's preseason game against the Golden State Warriors, despite dealing with an undisclosed issue. The confirmation comes from Jovan Buha of The Athletic, who reported that Reaves is 'good to go' for the matchup. This update is significant for the Lakers as they continue their preseason preparations, ensuring one of their key players will be on the court. His participation will allow him to integrate further into the team's schemes and build chemistry ahead of the regular season, providing valuable minutes after his brief period of uncertainty.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to return to action, as he will play in Sunday's exhibition game against the Chicago Bulls. The forward had been dealing with an illness but has now been cleared for participation. This positive update was reported by Eric Nehm of The Athletic, confirming Antetokounmpo's availability for the upcoming matchup and providing relief for fans and the team regarding his health status.
Toronto Raptors player Collin Murray-Boyles was notably absent from Saturday's practice session. The reason for his absence is an elbow injury, as reported by Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. This development indicates a potential setback for Murray-Boyles, and his status for upcoming team activities will likely be monitored closely as the Raptors continue their preparations. Further updates on his recovery timeline are anticipated.
Washington Wizards rookie Alex Sarr, who has been dealing with a calf injury, stated on Saturday that he is expecting to play in Sunday's preseason game. The promising young player's return to action will be against the Toronto Raptors, as reported by Josh Robbins of The Athletic. This update suggests Sarr is nearing full health and ready to contribute as the Wizards continue their preseason schedule.
Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy lauded Brandin Podziemski's "ambition" to become a franchise cornerstone once Steph Curry retires. Podziemski, entering his third NBA season after being selected No. 19 overall in the 2023 draft, expressed his desire to earn the trust of the current stars, emphasizing that it goes beyond just on-court skill. While Dunleavy appreciated Podziemski's belief in himself and nightly performance, he refrained from making a hard commitment, stating the future is hard to predict and the current focus is on building the best team for this season's championship pursuit. Podziemski earned All-Rookie honors in his first year and followed up with a solid sophomore season, averaging 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 64 appearances. His long-term role will be sorted out when the time comes.
