NBA Player News

Lively is on track to be the Mavericks' starting center on Opening Night, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.

Lively has started Dallas' first three preseason contests, averaging 3.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 19.1 minutes per game. While those aren't prolific numbers, the rookie understands his role and has excelled as a defensive anchor and rim roller. Per Afseth, the team believes Lively has shown enough to run with the first unit to begin the regular season. "Look at what Lively has done here on this trip," head coach Jason Kidd said after Tuesday's exhibition versus Real Madrid. "He's doing extremely well."

Richards logged seven points (1-3 FG, 5-6 FT), 10 rebounds and one block in 22 minutes of Tuesday's 113-109 preseason loss to Miami.

Mark Williams appears to be locked in as the starting center, but Richards is penciled in as the primary backup and could still see plenty of minutes. He'll provide fantasy managers with steady rebounds and defensive stats.

Embiid (rest) has been ruled out for Wednesday's preseason game against the Celtics, Ky Carlin of USA Today reports.

Embiid logged a full practice Tuesday, but he'll miss a second straight preseason game for rest purposes. In his absence, Paul Reed should see additional run. Embiid's next chance to make his preseason debut will arrive Monday in Brooklyn.

Nurkic posted 10 points (1-4 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 8-8 FT), four rebounds, two assists and a steal across 16 minutes in Tuesday's 115-107 preseason loss to the Nuggets.

While Nurkic's night didn't look impressive on paper, he successfully defended one of the league's best players. The former Trail Blazer was all over Nikola Jokic, providing the kind of defensive prowess needed inside after the departure of Deandre Ayton, who took Nurkic's place in Portland. Nurkic is slated to be the Suns' starting center, but newcomer Bol Bol could also carve out a role.

Ayton put up eight points (4-10 FG), six rebounds, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot over 15 minutes against the New Zealand Breakers in Tuesday's 106-66 exhibition victory.

In his first game in a Portland uniform following five seasons with the Suns, Ayton filled out the stat sheet nicely given his limited time on the court. The big man led the Blazers with 10 field-goal attempts, an encouraging sign for potentially increased usage now that he's out of the shadows of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Phoenix. Ayton has averaged a double-double in every one of his NBA campaigns thus far, and if Tuesday's performance is any indication, that streak could continue with his new team.

Zubac won't return to Tuesday's preseason game versus the Jazz due to back spasms, Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Zubac finished the contest with four points, one rebound and one block in five minutes. His next chance to suit up will come Tuesday versus Denver.

Gafford posted 15 points (5-6 FG, 5-7 FT), eight rebounds, five blocks and one steal over 20 minutes in Tuesday's 145-82 preseason win over Cairns.

Gafford had a strong showing on both ends of the floor in Tuesday's preseason victory, leading the team in rebounds and blocks while finishing two boards short of a double-double. Gafford has seen a good mix of starting and coming off the bench in three seasons with the Wizards, looking to build on that in his fourth year in Washington in 2023-24. A season ago, Gafford averaged 9.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 assists over 78 appearances (47 starts) for the Wizards.

Head coach Chauncey Billups said Williams is "fine" but likely won't play in Tuesday's exhibition match against the New Zealand Breakers, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Williams doesn't appear to have suffered an injury but is set to sit out Tuesday's exhibition. His next chance to suit up will be Thursday's preseason matchup with Phoenix.

Turner (undisclosed) will not play in Tuesday's preseason game against the Rockets, Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files reports.

Turner played 16 minutes in the preseason opener Sunday, so he's likely just getting a night off for rest. Indiana will be back in action Oct. 16 against the Hawks.

Theis (rest) is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Rockets, Jackson Gatlin of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Theis will return to action Tuesday after missing the team's preseason opener while resting. Theis will replace Myles Turner in the starting lineup against Houston.