NBA Player News

Youngblood supplied three points (1-4 FG, 1-4 3Pt) in seven minutes during Saturday's 112-90 victory over the Jazz.

Youngblood earned his first minutes of the 2026-27 campaign after battling an ankle injury. Portland's backcourt is already loaded with Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson, but with Morant (hamstring) sidelined for an extended period, Youngblood could get some more run moving forward, although it shouldn't have much effect on the Blazers' rotation.

Walker supplied 12 points (5-8 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT) and six rebounds across 19 minutes during Saturday's 109-104 win over Charlotte.

After missing Philadelphia's previous three games with a knee injury, Walker returned and made a noticeable impact with LeBron James and Joel Embiid inactive. Walker posted season-highs in minutes, points and rebounds to help the Sixers win their third straight contest. However, when Philadelphia is healthy, his playing time will shrink substantially.

Claxton (hamstring) was a full participant in Sunday's practice, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.

With Claxton progressing from individual drills Monday to full practice participation Sunday, he appears to be moving in the right direction in his recovery from a hamstring injury that's cost him the start of the regular season. More clarity on Claxton's potential regular-season debut should surface Sunday night, when the Bulls release their injury report for Monday's game in Philadelphia.

Atlanta exercised Newell's third-year option Sunday, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

With Atlanta exercising the option before the Nov. 2 deadline, Newell remains under team control through the 2027-28 season. The move offers roster certainty for the young forward, though it does not directly change his expected role this season or next.

Indiana recalled McConnell (hamstring) from the G League's Noblesville Boom on Saturday.

McConnell has been unavailable throughout the first few games of the campaign due to his issue but could be close to making a comeback for the parent team following a short stint with Noblesville. The experienced guard was quite active last season despite coming off the second unit in most of his outings, and a similar situation may be expected this campaign as soon as he's cleared to see action.

Wells logged four points (2-5 FG, 0-3 3Pt), two rebounds and one steal over 22 minutes during Saturday's 136-105 win over Sacramento.

Wells had the opportunity to operate in an expanded role Saturday due to the absences of Ty Jerome (back) and Scotty Pippen (back). However, Wells attempted a season-low five field goals and failed to score in double digits for the first time in the 2026-27 season. Through six games in October, he averaged 12.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.8 threes over 27.2 minutes per contest.

Jackson logged 21 points (7-10 FG, 5-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes during Saturday's 136-105 win over the Kings.

Jackson scored 12 of his 21 points in the second quarter to extend Memphis' halftime lead to 11, and he finished as the Grizzlies' third-leading scorer behind Cameron Boozer (27 points) and Isaiah Stewart (24 points). It was the first time since April 3 that Jackson scored 20-plus points in a regular-season game, and he'll finish the month of October having averaged 8.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.5 threes over 16.8 minutes per contest.

Spencer closed Saturday's 136-105 victory over the Kings with 10 points (4-9 FG, 2-4 3Pt), five rebounds, 13 assists and one steal in 25 minutes.

Spencer made his first start of the regular season Saturday due to the absence of Ty Jerome (back). Spencer answered the call by tying a career high in assists en route to his first double-double of the season and seventh of his three-year NBA career. He would likely revert to a bench role against the Pelicans on Monday if Jerome is cleared to return.

Stewart recorded 24 points (8-9 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT) and four rebounds across 21 minutes during Saturday's 136-105 victory over Sacramento.

Stewart was one of three Grizzlies players who scored 20-plus points during Saturday's blowout win, and he finished second on the team in points behind rookie Cameron Boozer (27). Stewart has scored in double digits in three of his last four outings, and over that span he has averaged 14.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.8 blocks and 1.5 threes over 18.5 minutes per contest.

Achiuwa registered six points (2-6 FG, 2-4 FT), five rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal over 25 minutes during Saturday's 136-105 loss to Memphis.

Achiuwa was the only Kings starter who failed to score in double digits, but he contributed on the defensive end of the floor with three stocks. He has started in each of the Kings' last four games, and he'll continue to be in the starting five for as long as Keegan Murray (ankle) is out of action. Achiuwa is averaging 12.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.8 blocks over 28.7 minutes per game this season.