NBA Player News

With the Nuggets not getting much offensively from starters Will Barton and Jeff Green, the bench needed to step up if the team’s season was to continue. And that’s exactly what happened, with Nuggets reserves combining to score 35 points on the afternoon. Hyland and DeMarcus Cousins (10/4/2) were the most productive from a scoring standpoint, but the contributions of JaMychal Green (seven points, two rebounds) and Austin Rivers (3/0/3/5 with one 3-pointer) should not be overlooked, either. Hyland can be a bit erratic when it comes to his decision-making, but the rookie’s fearlessness is an asset that the Nuggets can’t do without. He’ll look to build on this performance in Game 5 Wednesday night in San Francisco.

Strus exited his unofficial Clippers debut in the first half after five minutes. On Monday, it was learned that he suffered a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. With Brandon Ingram (heel/Achilles) also out, Strus’ injury pushes rookie Keaton Wagler up draft boards. The rookie logged 30 minutes on Sunday and could take on a significant workload if Bradley Beal also isn’t ready for the regular season.

The 76ers will open their preseason without multiple key players, including Tyrese Maxey, LeBron James and Joel Embiid. With those expected starters unavailable, KCP, Wade and Hukporti will start. The latter may be the one to watch, as he’ll be competing with the currently injured Adem Bona for the right to back up Embiid. There isn’t much to gain from drafting Hukporti in most leagues, but Embiid’s injury history makes it possible that the former Knick will be a relevant streamer at some point during the regular season.

Four of Atlanta’s five projected starters are available for Monday’s preseason opener, except CJ McCollum. His absence opens up a spot for Flemings, the eighth overall pick in June’s draft. The role may not align with what awaits Flemings once the regular season begins, but starting immediately is a positive sign, even if it’s as a fill-in for McCollum.

Spears notes that Simmons has had a strong training camp, but the Kings organization wants him to ramp up cautiously. Currently going outside the Top 200 in fantasy drafts, Simmons is an upside, late-round selection.

Boswell, whom the Hornets signed to a two-way contract this summer, is dealing with a right knee injury. The Hornets announced Monday that they aim to have the rookie return to basketball activities in late October, just before the G League season begins. Boswell’s absence will not affect fantasy basketball, even with the Hornets losing Coby White to a strained calf.

According to the team, White suffered a strained left calf during training camp. As a result, he won’t play in any preseason games, and team doctors will re-evaluate him just before the start of the regular season. White’s injury means that Charlotte will go through the preseason without three expected rotation players, with Kon Knueppel and Grant Williams dealing with hamstring injuries. If White isn’t ready when the regular season begins, Dennis Schröder will gain added fantasy value as the Hornets’ most experienced healthy point guard.

Claxton was traded to the Bulls on June 22, but his debut will have to wait at least two weeks. It’s unknown if Claxton’s injury will force him to miss time in the regular season, but if it does, Jalen Smith would be the next man up at center, making him a late-round dart throw worthy of consideration in deeper leagues.

Hachimura moved from crypto.com Arena to Intuit Dome in the offseason after inking a two-year deal with the Clippers, and he figures to be an integral part of the team’s offensive gameplan. Hachimura’s current ADP suggests he can be had in the ninth or 10th rounds of fantasy drafts, making him a strong value.

The rookie led all players in minutes and FGA (15). He shot just 3-of-15 from the floor and 1-of-11 from beyond the arc, but he came in clutch when it counted. Wagler scored nine points in the final frame, including a go-ahead step-back 19-footer with 14 seconds left to give the Clippers a 102-101 lead which they would not relinquish. Wagler should be heavily involved in LA’s rotation from Day 1, making him an interesting, late-round selection in 12-team fantasy basketball leagues.

Markkanen didn’t need much court time to get his buckets, and he led all scorers in the 2026-27 preseason opener. Production has never been a concern for Markkanen, as “The Finnisher” is a strong scorer, rebounder and shooter. Availability is the biggest concern for fantasy managers, but given his first-round upside, Markkanen is shaping up to be a draft-day value in Rounds 3-5.