NBA Player News

Lively closed with eight points (2-4 FG, 0-1 3PT, 4-6 FT), seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal in 24 minutes during Monday's preseason loss to the Clippers.

Lively got the start once again, chipping in across the board in what was arguably his best performance of the preseason. Whether he starts or not on Opening Night, Lively is the preferred fantasy target when comparing him to Daniel Gafford.

Edey finished with 23 points (10-15 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds, one assist and one steal across 19 minutes in Monday's 120-116 preseason win over the Pacers.

The rookie dominated the Pacers in the paint as he scored 23 points while shooting 66.7 percent from the field, tying Desmond Bane's game high in points as well. Edey is set to serve as the Grizzlies' starting center alongside Jaren Jackson in the frontcourt, and Edey has made an impact during the preseason while looking like a potential Rookie of the Year candidate. While preseason competition clearly differs from the regular season, the 22-year-old's play thus far bodes well for his role to begin the 2024-25 campaign.

Turner posted 12 points (5-10 FG, 2-5 3Pt), seven rebounds, two assists and one steal across 17 minutes in Monday's 120-116 preseason loss to the Grizzlies.

Turner made an impact in his limited run Monday, hitting two three-pointers and tying Enrique Freeman with a team-high seven rebounds. Turner's ability to shoot the three has remained fairly solid throughout his career, and he shot 35.8 percent from downtown while attempting 4.2 threes per game in the 2023-24 regular season. The big man is coming off a stellar season, during which he averaged 17.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks across 27.0 minutes per game in 77 regular-season appearances.

Valanciunas (rest) has been ruled out for Monday's preseason game against the Nets, Varun Shankar of The Washington Post reports.

Marvin Bagley will pick up the start with both Alex Sarr (calf) and Valanciunas sitting out. The 32-year-old's last chance to suit up during the preseason will come Friday against the Knicks.

Okongwu (toe) has officially been ruled out of Monday's preseason game against the 76ers, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

This does not come as a surprise as coach Quin Snyder said Monday there was a "good chance" Okongwu wouldn't suit up. The big man is working his way back from a non-surgical procedure on his left big toe that he underwent in April. The club is taking it slow with Okongwu's recovery, though there is optimism that he returns to game action during the preseason -- with his next opportunity coming Wednesday against the Heat.

Bagley will enter the starting five in Monday's preseason game versus the Nets.

Alex Sarr will sit with calf soreness, giving Bagley the opportunity to enter the starting lineup. The 25-year-old is expected to compete for playing time off the bench with Richaun Holmes behind Jonas Valanciunas, but Bagley has yet to appear in more than 50 regular-season outings since his rookie season in 2018-19 (62 games).

Drummond will start Monday's preseason game against the Hawks.

Drummond didn't start Saturday's preseason game against Boston, which was the second night of a back-to-back set. However, with Joel Embiid (knee) not ready for game action, Drummond has been a regular in the starting lineup. With the restrictions Embiid is facing this season, Drummond could be a sneaky fantasy pick at the end of drafts.

Kleber (ankle) won't play in Monday's preseason game against the Clippers.

Kleber won't make his preseason debut Monday night due to an ankle sprain. His last chance to suit up for an exhibition will arrive Thursday against the Bucks. The team is still unsure of Kleber's timeline for a return, but head coach Jason Kidd is hopeful the big man will be ready for the opener, per Justin Russo of the 'Clip & Roll' podcast.

Coach Billy Donovan said Vucevic (rest) will not play in Monday's preseason game versus the Bucks, Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports.

Vucevic won't suit up Monday, though it is expected to be a scheduled day off for the veteran. The 33-year-old's next opportunity to feature during the preseason will come Wednesday against the Timberwolves.

Sarr won't play in Monday's preseason game against the Nets due to right calf soreness.

The severity of the injury remains unclear, but Sarr's next chance to suit up will come during Friday's preseason finale against the Knicks. The Wizards started Sarr at power forward and center in the preseason, but he's expected to open the campaign at power forward, with Jonas Valanciunas anchoring the paint.