NBA Player News

Collins is not in the starting five for Monday's preseason matchup against the Rockets, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

For the second consecutive preseason game, Walker Kessler will get the start over Collins. The 27-year-old Collins is coming off a back injury that sidelined him to end the 2023-24 campaign, but he is expected to reprise his starting role during the regular season.

Kessler is in the starting lineup for Monday's preseason game against the Rockets, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Kessler drew the start in Utah's preseason opener against the New Zealand Breakers on Friday, and the 23-year-old will do so again Monday. He'll join Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen and Taylor Hendricks in the Jazz's starting five, with John Collins presumably coming off the bench.

Landale won't suit up for Monday's preseason game against the Jazz, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Feigen notes that Landale hasn't picked up any sort of injury, and he's simply getting the night off due to this being an exhibition. He'll have a chance to make his preseason debut Wednesday against the Thunder.

Drummond is starting Monday's preseason game against the NBL Breakers, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports.

Joel Embiid is being held out for rest purposes Monday, so it'll be Drummond who gets the call at center in the preseason opener. The 31-year-old is in line to open the 2024-25 campaign as Embiid's backup, but he could find himself in the starting lineup on occasion as the team aims to keep Embiid fresh.

Head coach Greg Popovich said Monday that Bassey (knee) has participated in 5-on-5 drills during training camp, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.

Bassey is in the final stages of his recovery from a torn ACL in his left knee that he sustained in December. He was limited during training camp, but the 23-year-old appears to be progressing nicely through his rehab program. He won't suit up Monday against the Thunder, but Bassey could see some playing time during the preseason, with his next opportunity being Wednesday against the Magic.

Head coach Greg Popovich told reporters Monday that Collins (rest) has progressed to playing 5-on-5, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.

Collins underwent surgery in April to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. He has been cleared for basketball activities, but he won't play in Monday's preseason opener against the Thunder. Collins is expected to play at some point during the preseason, and his next opportunity to do so will be against the Magic on Wednesday.

Hartenstein won't start Monday's preseason game against the Spurs, Rylan Stiles of FanSided.com reports.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort are resting Monday, while Hartenstein and Alex Caruso have been omitted from the starting lineup. Chet Holmgren is joined by Ousmane Dieng in the frontcourt. It's unclear how many minutes Hartenstein will play versus San Antonio.

Coach Jamahl Mosley told reporters following Monday's preseason game against the Pelicans that Carter will get imaging on his left ankle ahead of Wednesday's exhibition contest against the Spurs, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Carter sprained his left ankle during Monday's preseason game, and he was visibly frustrated as he was helped to the locker room. It seems unlikely that Carter will play Wednesday, and the imaging on his ankle will determine his availability for the rest of the preseason.

Embiid (rest) won't play in Monday's exhibition versus the New Zealand Breakers, Kyle Neubeck of AllPHLY.com reports.

Embiid and Paul George will stay in street clothes for the 76ers' preseason opener. The 2023 MVP lost 25-to-30 pounds this offseason in an effort to be healthier during the playoffs, and it'd be surprising if he plays a significant role during preseason action. Philadelphia has a back-to-back set this weekend, playing in Minnesota on Friday and in Boston on Saturday.

Edey is projected to be in the starting lineup for Monday's preseason game against the Mavericks, Michael Wallace of the Grizzlies' official site reports.

With Jaren Jackson (hamstring) unavailable, the Grizzlies are expected to roll with Edey, Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart and Santi Aldama as their starting five for Monday's preseason opener. Edey tweaked his ankle during the Summer League but has been a full participant during training camp.