NBA Player News

Walter gets the start in Game 3, replacing Jamal Shead, who had filled in for the injured Immanuel Quickley. Walter is averaging 10.5 points in 28.0 minutes per game in the playoffs.

The 7-foot-5 Fall, who was signed to an Exhibit 10 contract in early September, did not play in any of the 76ers’ preseason games due to a hip injury. He’ll remain with the franchise on a two-way deal, potentially adding frontcourt depth once he’s cleared to return. Adem Bona is still recovering from a foot injury, while Ariel Hukporti went down for the season with a ruptured Achilles in Philadelphia’s preseason opener

Dybantsa, the first overall pick in June’s draft, sprained his left ankle during the second quarter of Friday’s preseason finale. Wizards head coach Brian Keefe said after the game that the rookie did not return out of precaution. The Wizards open their regular season on Wednesday against the Bucks, so Dybantsa will have a few days to rehab the ankle.

While it may not be a standard contract, Carter gains a little more security with the move to a two-way contract. The 13th overall pick in the 2024 draft, the 6-foot-2 guard failed to carve out a consistent role for himself in Sacramento before the Kings traded him to Atlanta in late June. Carter was waived by the Hawks in mid-September, catching on with the Celtics shortly thereafter. He’s unlikely to be a factor in redraft leagues this season.

Grimes, a starter for most of the preseason, came off the bench in Friday’s finale. That may be the role he’s expected to fill, especially as the Lakers await Collin Sexton’s return from injury. The second unit needs a perimeter player who can create offensively, even if the Lakers can stagger the minutes of stars Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Grimes can provide scoring, making him a worthwhile pick in later rounds.

While Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler both played 31 minutes in Friday’s preseason finale, Dončić played 19 minutes. However, that was the plan, with the Lakers holding their star point guard out for the entire second half. Like Reaves, Dončić will now carry an even heavier workload with LeBron James out of the picture. Even with turnover concerns, Luka will be one of the best fantasy players, regardless of league format.

For the first time this preseason, the Lakers had their new “big three,” Reaves, Luka Dončić, and Walker Kessler, on the floor together. Shot attempts were close, but the Lakers still need to build chemistry between their star guards and Kessler, the new starting center. Reaves shot 1-of-7 from beyond the arc, but fantasy managers drafting in the next few days shouldn’t worry.

With Aaron Gordon sitting out Friday’s preseason finale, the Nuggets inserted Brazile into the starting lineup. The rookie, who dropped 22 points on Wednesday against the Clippers, had another solid outing to end his first preseason. Brazile may not play heavy minutes, but he’s clearly done enough to crack the Nuggets’ rotation right away.

After sitting out Wednesday’s exhibition against the Clippers, DeRozan played 27 minutes off the bench on Friday. He’ll be asked to do what he’s done throughout his career: score, albeit in a reserve role. With Julian Strawther (knee) out for at least six weeks, DeRozan’s scoring ability becomes even more important. While this may lower DeRozan’s fantasy ceiling, he remains a solid option for fantasy managers punting three-pointers.

Braun finished his preseason with a solid performance on Friday, shooting 50 percent from the field and recording a solid stat line. Like Cameron Johnson, he’s looking to rebound from a disappointing 2025-26 season. With the talent Braun is surrounded by in Denver, he’ll have every opportunity to do so as a finisher playing off of Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray.

Horford, who is expected to play around 20 minutes per game during the regular season, logged 15 minutes on Friday. That was all he needed to put up quality offensive numbers, shooting 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Even with Kristaps Porziņģis out indefinitely due to illness, Horford’s limited minutes aren’t enough to make him a viable option in standard fantasy leagues.