NBA Player News

Embiid was held to four points (1-9 FG, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, two assists and one block in 20 minutes during Wednesday's 117-116 win over Boston.

Embiid looked very rusty, as he opened the game with four straight misses and bricked all four of his three-point attempts. Some rust is to be expected given that he wasn't able to suit up until the final game of the preseason, and he's expected to be eased back into things with some minutes restrictions.

Towns generated 19 points (5-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 8-9 FT), 11 rebounds and two assists in 31 minutes of Wednesday's 119-111 win over the Cavaliers.

Towns went from questionable to doubtful, back to questionable, and eventually available for Wednesday's game. The 30-year-old big man said postgame that he's dealing with a Grade 2 quadriceps strain, but it looks like he plans to continue to play through the injury. Towns saw a full allotment of minutes against Cleveland and delivered a double-double. Towns finished with the third-most points on the team and the second-most rebounds.

Adebayo totaled 15 points (4-13 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 12 rebounds and two assists in 34 minutes during Wednesday's 125-121 loss to the Magic.

Adebayo had a night to forget offensively but still managed to grind his way to double digits given his shot volume and a decent effort from the free-throw line. It was a much different story for the big man on the glass, where he secured a game-high 12 boards for his first double-double of the 2025-26 campaign. Norman Powell stepped up for 28 points in Wednesday's season opener, but the Heat will need more out of Adebayo moving forward, especially while Tyler Herro (ankle) is sidelined.

Maluach will come off the bench during Wednesday's game against the Kings.

After starting the preseason finale, Maluach will be in the second unit. The team will run with Devin Booker, Ryan Dunn, Grayson Allen, Dillon Brooks and Oso Ighodaro in the first five.

Beringer will come off the bench during Wednesday's game against the Trail Blazers.

After starting the preseason finale, Beringer will be in the second unit. The team will run with Donte DiVincenzo, Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert in the first five.

Williams isn't part of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Kings.

Williams will play just 20-24 minutes in the contest, and part of his limitations include coming off the bench. The 23-year-old center didn't play in the preseason, and the Suns are continuing to ease him along. Oso Ighodaro will start at center Wednesday.

Horford will play in Thursday's game against the Nuggets, but will be inactive due to rest Friday against Portland, 95.7 The Game reports.

As previously reported, Horford won't play both ends of back-to-backs this season. He'll suit up for the opening leg of Golden State's back-to-back Thursday before taking a seat Friday. Horford played 20 minutes off the bench in his Warriors debut.

Gafford (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Spurs, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gafford will miss the regular-season opener due to a right ankle sprain that kept him out of preseason action. Dereck Lively should handle the bulk of the work at center in Gafford's absence, with Dwight Powell serving as the backup five. Gafford's next chance to play will be Friday's game against the Wizards.

Collins will come off the bench for Wednesday's game against the Jazz, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

Collins started in two of the Clippers' four preseason contests, but he'll come off the bench for the regular-season opener. The 28-year-old power forward should be one of the top options off the bench for the Clippers. James Harden, Bradley Beal, Kawhi Leonard, Derrick Jones and Ivica Zubac make up the first five Wednesday.

Williams will play somewhere between 20 and 24 minutes during Wednesday's game against Sacramento, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.

Head coach Jordan Ott indicated Williams would have a "target number" for minutes in the season opener, and it looks as though the talented young center will see a workload of 20-24 minutes. The 23-year-old has dealt with a plethora of injuries since entering the NBA in 2022, and he's appeared in just 106 games through three seasons as a result. Phoenix will look to ease Williams into the 2025-26 season, likely with the hope of keeping Williams healthy throughout a long campaign. Even with the minutes restriction, Williams is a double-double threat. He averaged 15.3 points and 10.2 rebounds across 26.6 minutes per game in 2024-25.