NBA Player News

Claxton closed Wednesday's 114-113 loss to the Cavaliers with seven points (3-10 FG, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks across 28 minutes.

Claxton was inefficient from the floor during Wednesday's regular-season opener, but he managed to contribute in secondary categories, including a team-high three blocks. The 24-year-old averaged a career-high 12.6 points per game while shooting 70.5 percent from the floor last year, and even if he can't replicate that efficiency during the 2023-24 campaign, Claxton should have an opportunity to put together decent performances on the scoreboard as the season progresses.

Bitadze amassed seven points (2-2 FG, 3-4 FT), three rebounds and one steal across five minutes during Wednesday's 116-86 victory over the Rockets.

Although Bitadze's playing time was limited Wednesday, he had an efficient performance off the bench during the blowout win. He averaged 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per game over 38 appearances between the Pacers and Magic last year, and it seems unlikely that he'll have a prominent role during the 2023-24 campaign.

Hartenstein accumulated seven points (3-4 FG, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds and two assists across 26 minutes during Wednesday's 108-104 loss to the Celtics.

Although Hartenstein came off the bench during Wednesday's regular-season opener, he saw his fair share of playing time and was efficient on the floor. He finished second on the team in rebounds during the narrow loss. The 25-year-old appeared in all 82 matchups last year and averaged 5.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in 19.9 minutes per game.

Horford amassed eight points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3Pt), seven rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes during Wednesday's 108-104 win over the Knicks.

Big Al had not come off the bench since his 2019-20 season in Philadelphia. But at 37 years of age and with a star-studded Celtics roster, the timing feels appropriate for Horford to reduce his minutes as a reserve. He still played 26 minutes in the season debut, which led all reserves. Boston has a concerning lack of depth, so it will rely on Horford to be productive. But the Celtics could also repeat last season's policy of resting Horford on the second night of back-to-backs. The Celtics now return to Boston for their home opener Friday night versus the Heat.

Lively ended with 16 points (7-8 FG, 2-3 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 31 minutes during Wednesday's 126-119 win over San Antonio.

Head coach Jason Kidd had stated that Lively could open the season as a starter, and while he came off the bench in this one, he still posted impressive numbers and above-average instincts for a player making his NBA debut. Lively can be an asset in most fantasy formats if he receives enough minutes, but as of now, his bench role limits his upside a bit.

Gobert chipped in 15 points (6-12 FG, 3-5 FT), 13 rebounds, one assist, four blocks and two steals in 32 minutes during Wednesday's 97-94 loss to Toronto.

Gobert finished second on the team in rebounds while tallying a team-high-tying block total. He also ended Wednesday's regular-season opener as one of five Timberwolves players with a double-digit point total in the loss to Toronto. In his first season in Minnesota in 2022-23, Gobert tied for 14th in the league in double-doubles, posting 35 double-doubles in 70 appearances.

Towns supplied 19 points (8-25 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists and four blocks over 36 minutes during Wednesday's 97-94 loss to the Raptors.

Towns finished second on the Timberwolves in scoring despite shooting just 20 percent from three in Wednesday's regular-season opener. He also finished as one of three players with a double-double in the road loss to the Raptors. Across 29 appearances last season, Towns posted a double-double in nine matchups.

Sengun contributed 14 points (6-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-4 FT), eight rebounds and six assists over 28 minutes during Wednesday's 116-86 loss to Orlando.

Sengun is one of the most skilled big men in The Association when it comes to his passing and vision, and that was in full display here with his six dimes, though most of his value tends to come from points and rebounds due to his ability to rack up double-doubles with ease. He came just two boards shy of opening the 2023-24 campaign with that feat, but he posted 28 double-doubles in 2022-23.

Porzingis closed with 30 points (8-15 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 9-10 FT), eight rebounds and four blocks across 38 minutes during Wednesday's 108-104 win over the Knicks.

Porzingis looked fantastic in his season opener. Outside of reaching the 30-point mark and looking like the second go-to option on offense -- ahead of Jaylen Brown -- he also came through when needed, as he drained a clutch three-pointer late in the fourth quarter. HIs 30 points set a Celtics record for points in a Boston debut and his four blocks gave Boston a huge boost on defense. The Unicorn could battle with Brown to earn the role of second scoring option behind Jayson Tatum, and in that regard, Wednesday's outing was a step in the right direction.

Adebayo amassed 22 points (7-13 FG, 8-10 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 32 minutes during Wednesday's 103-102 win over Detroit.

The All-Star center led the Heat in scoring on the night, but it was his defensive presence that made the biggest impact, as the Pistons missed four potential go-ahead buckets in the final 64 seconds. Adebayo averaged better than 20 points a game last season for the first time in his career but just missed averaging a double-double, and he could hit both marks in 2023-24 as one of the foundation pieces of a championship-caliber roster.