NBA Player News

Duren chipped in 17 points (8-11 FG, 1-3 FT), 14 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in 32 minutes during Wednesday's 103-102 loss to the Heat.

Matched up against Bam Adebayo, Duren more than held his own at both ends of the court. The 19-year-old nearly averaged a double-double as a rookie, and while he still doesn't offer much in the way of offensive skills, his numbers should rise in 2023-24 both due to his own physical maturation, and the return of Cade Cunningham to the lineup to give every Pistons a boost.

Ayton racked up four points (2-4 FG), 12 rebounds, one assist, one block and three steals across 23 minutes during Wednesday's 123-111 loss to the Clippers.

Ayton's first regular-season game in a Portland uniform was a mixed bag. The former Phoenix Sun turned the ball over three times, and while his rebounding totals were great, he struggled to put points on the board. Ayton has the inside track to be the full-time starter, but Robert Williams also looked good in the opener, and his presence could cap Ayton's usage to under 30 minutes.

Zubac amassed 20 points (8-10 FG, 4-5 FT), 12 rebounds and four blocks across 26 minutes during Wednesday's 123-111 victory over Portland.

Zubac had an excellent showing and was effective in containing Deandre Ayton during the contest. Zubac's performance was especially good considering he saw only 26 minutes on the floor, which will be his usual allotment. Mason Plumlee is a productive backup at the five, and the Clippers tend to play small ball and run three-forward sets, both of which curb Zubac's usage.

Holmgren accumulated 11 points (4-7 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-3 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one steal in 25 minutes during Wednesday's 124-104 win over Chicago.

Holmgren had a welcome-to-the-league moment when Andre Drummond's crossover sent him to the ground, but it was a smooth night otherwise. Most of Holmgren's shot attempts were flashy, so it'll be interesting to see how his offense scales in coming weeks.

Williams notched 13 points (5-6 FG, 3-3 FT), 15 rebounds, one assist, one block and three steals over 30 minutes during Wednesday's 116-110 win over the Hawks.

Williams' modest scoring doesn't do justice to the active role he served on the majority of Charlotte's possessions while he was on the court. The 21-year-old averaged 9.5 rebounds per game across his final 10 contests last season and could be poised for a step up in 2023-24. Backup Nick Richards supplied seven points and four rebounds in 18 minutes.

Sabonis had 22 points (8-14 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-7 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal over 32 minutes in Wednesday's 130-114 win over the Jazz.

Sabonis' 2023-24 season got off to a good start Wednesday as he shot an efficient 57.1 percent from the floor in the Kings' season opener. He's averaged a double-double in points and rebounds in each of the last four seasons and could be on his way to repeating that effort for the fifth straight year. Sacramento's playoff appearance last year was their first since the 2005-06 season and was driven in large part by the All-Star production of Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox. The Kings will play the Warriors, the team that knocked them out of the first round of last year's playoffs, on Friday.

Valanciunas registered 12 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one block in 29 minutes during Wednesday's 111-104 win over the Grizzlies.

Valanciunas has averaged a double-double in points and rebounds in each of the last four years and continued that trend in the Pelicans' season opener. He also continued to show his willingness to shoot from beyond the arc, and his three-point attempts will be something to monitor over the course of the regular season. The Pelicans will look to continue their winning ways Saturday when they host the Knicks.

Lively isn't in the starting five for Wednesday's season opener against the Spurs.

Lively had started for Dallas in the preseason and was projected to be the team's starting center, but Maxi Kleber will start over him Wednesday. Lively will likely still see an extended run off the bench and could earn his way into the starting unit with solid play to start the season.

McGee won't start Wednesday's game against Utah, Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee reports.

McGee started the Kings' final preseason contest with Domantas Sabonis getting the night off. With Sabonis suiting up Wednesday, McGee will return to a reserve role, where he's expected to split time with Alex Len.

Sabonis (rest) is in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus the Jazz, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.

No surprises here, as Sabonis sat out Sacramento's preseason finale for rest purposes but will suit up Wednesday. Sabonis will replace JaVale McGee in the starting five.