NBA Player News

Lively posted 12 points (5-5 FG, 2-4 FT), three rebounds, two assists and two steals over 14 minutes in Monday's 121-116 preseason loss to the Grizzlies.

Lively played just 14 minutes off the bench Monday, but he managed to connect on all five of his shots from the field. Lively was the Mavs' starting center for the first half of the 2023-24 regular season, but he ceded that spot to Daniel Gafford after the latter was acquired from the Wizards at the trade deadline. Lively will likely be the first big man off the bench for the Mavericks to start the 2024-25 campaign.

Clarke tallied 17 points (7-13 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-5 FT), four assists, one rebound, one block and one steal across 21 minutes in Monday's 121-116 preseason win over the Mavericks.

Clarke was the first big man off the bench for the Grizzlies on Monday, and he was one of three reserve players to play 20-plus minutes during the preseason opener. Clarke returned from an Achilles injury late during the 2023-24 regular season, and he missed the final three games of the campaign due to a hand contusion. The 2019 first-round pick will use the preseason to establish a consistent frontcourt reserve role behind Jaren Jackson (hamstring) and rookie first-rounder Zach Edey.

Carter is considered day-to-day after getting confirmation he suffered a sprained left ankle during Monday's preseason loss to the Pelicans, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Carter has struggled to stay healthy, playing more than 60 regular-season games only once during his six-year career. However, it seems he avoided a serious injury after appearing visibly frustrated while getting helped off the court Monday. The Magic have three preseason games left until they open the regular season against the Heat on Oct. 23.

Bamba (knee) will not play in Tuesday's preseason game against the Nets, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

Bamba will miss his second straight exhibition. He's been limited at training camp, and there hasn't been much clarity on the severity of his knee issue.

During an appearance on The Wake Up Call, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Jackson (undisclosed) won't play in Tuesday's preseason game against the Hawks.

Jackson has been limited in practice since Oct. 4, but the Pacers have yet to clarify what injury he's dealing with. Jackson's next chance to play is Thursday against the Cavaliers.

Sengun recorded 17 points (6-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block across 22 minutes in Monday's 122-113 preseason loss to the Jazz.

Sengun missed the final 18 games of the 2023-24 season with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain but was deemed healthy for training camp in late September. If fantasy managers needed confirmation of his status, this performance cleared every possible question mark regarding the promising big man. It's unclear who will operate as Houston's go-to player on offense this season, but there's no question Sengun has the most upside from a fantasy perspective. He's expected to take another leap in his game after posting averages of 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.7 blocks and 0.5 three-pointers in 32.5 minutes per game over 63 regular-season appearances in 2023-24.

Drummond notched 11 points (5-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt), seven rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block across 14 minutes in Monday's 139-84 preseason win over the NBL Breakers.

Drummond is one of the best players in the league when it comes to racking up stats in limited minutes, so he should have fantasy upside even if he's slated to operate as Joel Embiid's backup. Drummond certainly made his presence felt in the preseason opener. He should continue to feature regularly as the 76ers manage Embiid's workload before the regular-season opener against the Bucks on Oct. 23.

Theis posted 13 points (6-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt), two rebounds, an assist and two steals across 21 minutes in Monday's 106-104 preseason win over the Magic.

There are several positives to extract out of Theis' first start with New Orleans, as he co-led the team in minutes played while being just one of two starters who scored in double digits. However, and perhaps even more importantly, he outplayed rookie Yves Missi in both production and time on the court, with Missi logging 16 minutes off the bench and putting up five points, five rebounds, two steals and a block. It's only one game in preseason, but it seems Theis has a leg up in the race to open the regular season as New Orleans' starting center.

Coach Gregg Popovich said Monday that he is, "sure" that Wembanyama will play in Wednesday's preseason matchup against the Magic, Jeff Garcia of KENS 5 San Antonio reports.

Wembanyama sat out the Spurs' preseason opener against the Thunder; however, Popovich expects him to make his preseason debut Wednesday, according to Garcia. The 20-year-old is coming off a phenomenal rookie season, during which he averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks and 1.2 steals across 29.7 minutes per game in 71 regular-season outings.

Carter (ankle) agreed to a three-year, $59 million contract extension with the Magic on Monday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Carter is expected to play a sizable role this season in Orlando's frontcourt, and this deal confirms the confidence the team has in the 25-year-old. The Duke product is looking to bounce this season after a down 2023-24 campaign, during which he averaged 11.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 made threes in 55 regular-season appearances.