NBA Player News

Sims is not in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason game against the Wizards, Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News reports.

The Knicks have shifted their entire starting unit for this preseason finale, and Sims will head back to the bench since head coach Tom Thibodeau has decided to roll out what figures to be his starting lineup for the regular-season opener at Boston next Tuesday. Sims is competing with Precious Achiuwa for the backup center role behind Karl-Anthony Towns while Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is sidelined.

Valanciunas (rest) is available and in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason game versus the Knicks.

Valanciunas will return to action for Friday's preseason finale after sitting out the Wizards' previous contest for rest purposes. The veteran big man will replace Marvin Bagley in the starting lineup against New York.

Claxton (hamstring) won't play in Friday's preseason game against the Raptors, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News reports.

Claxton is trending in the right direction, coach Jordi Fernandez told Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.com, but they won't rush the center back for the preseason finale. That said, the Nets expect Claxton to be ready for the regular-season opener against the Hawks next Wednesday.

Bitadze is out of the starting lineup for Friday's preseason finale against the 76ers.

With Wendell Carter (ankle) missing time, Bitadze got the spot start during the club's last preseason game Oct. 9th. However, with Carter back in the starting five, the 25-year-old Bitadze will retreat to the bench for the preseason finale.

Carter is in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason game versus the 76ers.

Carter will replace Goga Bitadze in the starting lineup Friday after missing time with an ankle sprain. However, Carter is unlikely to receive a full workload until the regular season rolls around.

The Lakers waived Kelley on Friday.

Kelley was a long shot to make the roster out of training camp, and the Lakers have decided to cut him loose on the final day of the preseason. He's expected to start the 2024-25 season in the G League with the South Bay Lakers.

Kleber (ankle) participated in Friday's practice ahead of the club's regular-season opener against the Spurs on Thursday, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.

Kleber was held out of the preseason due to a sprained ankle, though his return to practice bodes well for his status to open the regular season. The 32-year-old will likely compete for playing time with Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Naji Marshall and Dwight Powell in a stacked frontcourt behind P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively.

Gafford notched 11 points (4-5 FG, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, three assists and two blocks across 17 minutes in Thursday's 109-84 preseason win over the Bucks.

Gafford made the most of his starting role in this preseason finale, though his fantasy upside looking ahead to the regular season is uncertain. He's likely to split time with Dereck Lively at the five, and that rotation won't help either player boost their fantasy stock. Gafford averaged 11.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game across 74 regular-season appearances in 2023-24 while spending time with the Mavericks and Wizards.

Sengun recorded 21 points (9-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-7 FT), 10 rebounds and two assists across 26 minutes in Thursday's 129-107 preseason win over the Spurs.

Sengun should be among the leaders of this Rockets team, and his fantasy upside is sky-high if he stays healthy, as he can stuff the stat sheet. He should be one of the most reliable big men in fantasy regardless of the format and could be in line to surpass the career-best season he had in 2023-24, when he averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game across 63 regular-season contests.

Collins delivered 10 points (4-12 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), four rebounds and six assists across 22 minutes in Thursday's 129-107 preseason loss to the Rockets.

Collins got the start Thursday since Victor Wembanyama was rested ahead of the regular-season opener Oct. 24 against the Mavericks. The big man will be a serviceable backup and should see steady minutes with the second unit, but as a reserve frontcourt player who doesn't stand out in any particular area, his fantasy upside will be close to minimal.