NBA Player News

The Trail Blazers announced Friday that Williams experienced a grade 1 left hamstring strain during training camp and he is expected to miss two weeks.

After an injury-plagued 2023-24 campaign that saw Williams make just six appearances, he is already off to a rough start in 204-25. While Williams could return in time for Portland's regular-season opener against Golden State on Oct. 23, hamstring injuries can often linger.

Jackson was limited in Friday's practice due to an undisclosed injury, Tony East of SI.com reports.

Jackson's status for Tuesday's preseason opener against the Hawks is now in question. When healthy, Jackson is expected to serve as Indiana's backup center to Myles Turner.

Sharpe is being evaluated for a hamstring injury Friday, Evan Barnes of Newsday reports.

Sharpe has fully recovered from a right wrist effusion from last year but now appears to be dealing with a new hamstring injury. His status for Tuesday's preseason opener against the Clippers is in question.

Coach Jordi Fernandez said Friday that Claxton will miss Tuesday's preseason opener against the Clippers due to hamstring soreness, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News reports.

Claxton will sit for the preseason opener, and he could be a limited participant throughout the preseason after missing Thursday's scrimmage during practice. The 25-year-old will likely be good to go for the regular season, but the Nets will see what it has for depth at the five with Day'Ron Sharpe (hamstring) and Noah Clowney before the start of the year.

Horford will come off the bench for Friday's preseason opener against Denver, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

Luke Kornet will get the start for the first preseason matchup, and Horford is expected to receive minutes off the bench. With Kristaps Porzingis (foot) expected to miss at least the first month of the season, preseason will likely show who replaces him in the starting lineup to begin the year -- though Horford is still the favorite to step into the starting five.

Kornet is in the starting five for Friday's preseason opener against the Nuggets.

With Kristaps Porzingis (foot) out, Kornet will get the starting nod in Boston's preseason opener. Until Porzingis can return, Kornet will likely compete with Al Horford for the starting center job.

Coach Mike Malone said Jokic will have a reduced workload during Friday's preseason opener against the Celtics, Katy Winge of Altitude Sports reports.

Malone mentions that he would like to give some playing time to everybody on the roster Friday, so expect Denver's starters to play limited minutes. Jokic will likely continue to receive limited minutes throughout the preseason. However, once the regular season rolls around, Jokic should return to his typical average of around 34 minutes per contest.

Boucher (knee) has done a lot of work this offseason to ensure his mind is in the right place to start the 2024-25 campaign, Michael Grange of sportsnet.ca reports.

Boucher was reportedly upset with his role last season, averaging just 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 14.1 minutes across 50 appearances, all of which were coming off the bench. While Boucher isn't necessarily slated for an increased role in 2024-25, it seems as though the 31-year-old big man is more willing to accept a depth role.

Robbins is on the Bucks' training camp roster for 2024-25.

Robbins spent last season with the Birmingham Squadron of the G League. However, he will now have the opportunity to make Milwaukee's regular-season roster.

Reid will continue coming off the bench this season while new acquisition Julius Randle (shoulder) will enter the starting lineup when healthy, Evan Sidery of Forbes.com reports.

Reid thrived off the bench en route to claiming Sixth Man of the Year honors last season, and Minnesota will opt to keep him in the same role for 2024-25. The 25-year-old was productive as a starter as well, averaging 17.6 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 46.0 percent from the field across 14 cameos with the first unit. Since it's unclear if Randle will be fully healthy for Opening Night as he continues ramping up from a right shoulder dislocation suffered in January, Reid likely profiles for an enlarged role regardless of Minnesota's frontcourt shuffle.