NBA Player News

Valanciunas delivered 10 points (5-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT), nine rebounds and an assist in 18 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 102-94 preseason win over the Clippers.

He also committed four turnovers and five fouls, but it was still an effective performance from Valanciunas. Having the 33-year-old big man on the roster could allow the Nuggets to ease up on Nikola Jokic's workload a bit during the regular season, but after Valanciunas averaged a career-low 18.8 minutes per game over 81 regular-season contests last season between Washington and Sacramento, he isn't likely to see his usage increase in Denver.

Jokic produced 12 points (6-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt), nine rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block in 22 minutes during Sunday's 102-94 preseason win over the Clippers.

The perennial MVP candidate came within sniffing distance of a triple-double even with a reduced preseason workload. This season, Jokic has perhaps the best backup he's seen in a long while in Jonas Valanciunas, which could allow the Nuggets to scale back his regular-season workload a bit after he averaged a career-high 36.7 minutes a contest in 2024-25. Even if his minutes drop back into the 33-34 range, Jokic should remain a nightly triple-double threat and the clear top fantasy asset in the game.

Sarr amassed 12 points (4-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal in 17 minutes during Sunday's preseason loss to Toronto.

Sarr impressed on both ends of the floor, scoring efficiently while adding three combined steals and blocks. Coming off a solid rookie campaign, Sarr will be hoping to continue his ascension, as will the Washington coaching staff. Poor efficiency has always been a talking point when it comes to Sarr's upside, so this was an encouraging effort on the offensive end.

Horford will play in Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reports.

Horford missed Sunday's contest against the Lakers for rest purposes, but he will return to the lineup Tuesday. Horford has averaged just 1.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 12.5 minutes per game through two preseason appearances.

Turner logged 19 points (5-8 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 4-6 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one block in 24 minutes of Sunday's 127-121 preseason win over the Bulls.

This was Turner's first appearance alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the duo couldn't have looked better. Antetokounmpo's presence in the paint opened things up nicely for Turner, who proceeded to have a field day from beyond the arc with five made triples.

Ware finished with 24 points (9-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and two steals over 25 minutes during Sunday's 120-104 preseason loss to the Magic.

Ware took full advantage of his opportunity to start, needing only 25 minutes to turn in a double-double. He led the Heat in both points and rebounds, but it wasn't quite enough to secure a victory. Even so, Sunday's performance is a clear indication that the big man is ready for the 2025-26 regular season.

Collins will start Sunday's preseason game against the Nuggets, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.

Collins will enter the starting lineup due to Bogdan Bogdanovic (back) being out of the lineup. Collins played well in the team's exhibition game against the Guangzhou Loong-Lions on Thursday, logging 15 points, four rebounds and a steal in 17 minutes.

Allen isn't part of the starting lineup for Sunday's preseason game against Boston.

Allen's absence from the starting lineup likely means he'll be getting the day off. If that's the case, Allen's next chance to play would come Tuesday against Detroit.

Collins will come off the bench during Sunday's preseason game against the Bucks, Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic reports.

Collins will come off the bench due to Nikola Vucevic (rest) returning to the starting lineup. Collins has had a strong start to the preseason, averaging 14.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game through two contests.

Vucevic, after being left off Chicago's initial starting lineup, is part of the first unit for Sunday's preseason game against Milwaukee, Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic reports.

Correcting a previous report, Vucevic will fill his typical starting center spot Sunday. The veteran big man was rested in the Bulls' previous preseason game. Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, Isaac Okoro and Matas Buzelis make up the rest of the first five.