NBA Player News

Nurkic (finger) will be available for Thursday's preseason finale against the Lakers, Amanda Pflugrad of 3TV Phoenix reports.

This is unsurprising, as all signs pointed to Nurkic being available for this contest. This will be the big man's preseason debut after he dealt with a minor finger injury to begin training camp. Nurkic figures to open the 2024-25 season as the Suns' starting center, but his nightly duties may be different under new head coach Mike Budenholzer.

Zeller (rest) won't play in Thursday's preseason game against the Thunder, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Zeller will be held out of another preseason game to ensure he's fresh for the start of the regular season. Onyeka Okongwu and Mouhamed Gueye should see plenty of action at center, as Zeller, Clint Capela (ankle), Larry Nance (rest) and Dominick Barlow (undisclosed) are all ruled out.

Capela (ankle) won't play in Thursday's preseason game against the Thunder, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Capela was pulled from Wednesday's exhibition against the Heat with ankle soreness, and the team won't take any chances of making the injury worse by playing him Thursday in a meaningless preseason game. With Capela, Larry Nance (rest), Cody Zeller (undisclosed) and Dominick Barlow (undisclosed) all out, Onyeka Okongwu should see plenty of action.

Okongwu (toe) is in the starting lineup for Thursday's preseason game against the Thunder, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Okongwu will move past a toe injury, make his preseason debut and start at center due to Clint Capela (ankle) being sidelined. Capela's injury is reportedly minor but may impact his status for Wednesday's regular-season opener against Brooklyn. Whenever Capela misses time, Okongwu will likely be the primary beneficiary.

Reid (shoulder) won't play in Thursday's preseason game against the Nuggets.

Reid will miss his team's preseason finale due to a shoulder impingement. His availability for Tuesday's regular-season opener against the Lakers is in jeopardy at this point, but the issue was initially reported as minor.

Gobert isn't playing in Thursday's preseason game against the Nuggets due to rest purposes.

Gobert and the rest of Minnesota's starters will get the second half of a back-to-back off. Luka Garza is starting at center in Gobert's absence.

Lively isn't starting Thursday's preseason game against Milwaukee.

Lively is set to come off the bench in this one as the Mavs elect to deploy Daniel Gafford at center. Lively should still see plenty of chances despite the role change.

Robbins is starting Thursday's preseason game against the Mavericks.

Robbins will get a look at the starting center spot as Milwaukee will rest a handful of the regular starters, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez and Damian Lillard.

Lopez (rest) is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's preseason game against the Mavericks.

The Bucks have decided to rest most of their key contributors for this preseason finale, so Lopez isn't expected to see action. However, he should be fully available for the regular-season opener against the 76ers next Wednesday.

Collins is in the starting lineup for Thursday's preseason game against the Rockets, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Collins will get the nod at center with Victor Wembanyama out for rest purposes. It will be a solid chance for Collins to get some minutes before the start of the regular season against the Mavericks on Oct. 24, as he's expected to open the campaign in a bench role as Wembanyama's primary backup at center.