NBA Player News

Maluach closed with six points (3-5 FG, 0-3 FT, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds and one block in 17 minutes during Monday's 109-107 preseason loss to Detroit.

Maluach came off the bench in the preseason opener, perhaps a sign of what's to come once the regular season gets underway. While he did log more minutes than Oso Ighodaro, Maluach's production left a lot to be desired, particularly on the offensive end. Of the two players, Maluach likely has more upside when considering him with a late-round pick. However, managers should temper their expectations, at least until we have a decent sample size of what he is capable of during competitive NBA basketball.

Ighodaro finished with three points (1-1 FG, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, two assists and one steal in 14 minutes during Monday's 109-107 preseason loss to Detroit.

Despite getting the starting nod over Khaman Maluach, Ighodaro did very little to push his case as the long-term starter. Luckily for him, Maluach also fell short of the mark during his time on the floor, highlighting what could end up being an ongoing issue for the Suns. If Ighodaro does manage to hold onto the starting role once the season proper comes around, he would be on the radar as a last-round flier, albeit when seeking rebounds and steals only.

Gobert registered six points (3-4 FG) and seven rebounds across 17 minutes in Monday's 116-97 preseason win over the Bucks.

Gobert handled his customary starting role at center and did exactly what was expected during his limited preseason workload, converting three of four attempts around the basket and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds among Minnesota's starters. The veteran center didn't record a block, but his fantasy appeal has long been driven primarily by elite rebounding, field-goal percentage and rim protection. With Minnesota changing several pieces around him this offseason, Gobert remains the established anchor of the team's frontcourt. His playing time in the preseason might be limited, but that's only because he's set to open the regular season as a key piece in the frontcourt.

Towns contributed five points (2-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt), five rebounds and two assists across 15 minutes in Monday's 120-97 preseason loss to the 76ers.

Towns, who's reportedly frustrated by the lack of contract talks before the start of the 2026-27 regular season, joined the projected regular New York starters but saw limited involvement and production in a brief 15-minute cameo. There's little to take away from such a light preseason workload, and Towns remains positioned to operate as one of New York's primary offensive options once the regular season gets underway -- even if he's frustrated by off-court, contract-related issues.

Ware produced 14 points (5-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one block across 24 minutes off the bench in Monday's 116-97 preseason loss to the Timberwolves.

Ware didn't deliver his most efficient shooting performance in Milwaukee's preseason opener. However, the big man finished as the club's second-leading scorer and paced all players in rebounds. Ware nearly averaged a double-double with Miami in 2025-26 and shot 39.5 percent from beyond the arc on 3.0 three-point tries per contest. Entering his third year in the league, the 22-year-old is in a much more favorable situation and has an opportunity to take on a more sizable and consistent role than he had with the Heat.

Looney will start in Monday's preseason opener against the Kings, Khobi Price of The California Post reports.

Walker Kessler (finger) is out, so Looney will draw the start in L.A.'s first exhibition game of the season. Joining him in the first unit for Monday's game will be Luka Doncic, Quentin Grimes, Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle.

Hukporti didn't return to Monday's preseason game against the Knicks due to an Achilles injury and will undergo an MRI on Tuesday, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports. He didn't score (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and recorded one assist in five minutes before exiting.

The team has yet to release any additional information on Hukporti's injury, but the fact that he's been diagnosed with an Achilles injury and needed help off the court is concerning. The Sixers will presumably wait until he undergoes additional imaging Tuesday before putting out on update on his availability going forward.

Kessler is out for Monday's exhibition against the Kings due to a finger injury, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.

Kessler jammed his finger at camp and will now miss Monday's preseason opener, which will be the first game of a back-to-back set. There's a chance Kessler could be held out of Tuesday's game in Golden State as well, but it's unlikely that this will be something that lingers into the regular season.

Hukporti was helped to the locker room during the first quarter of Monday's preseason game against the Knicks after suffering an apparent right calf/ankle injury, Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News reports.

Hukporti appeared to grab at his lower leg or ankle after taking a tumble, and he needed the assistance of his teammates to make it down the tunnel. It seems unlikely that he'll return to Monday's exhibition after he was unable put much weight on his injured ankle.

Nurkic didn't participate in Monday's practice due to a right foot injury, Shreyas Laddha of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Nurkic logged 11 minutes in Sunday's preseason-opening win over Denver, posting four points (1-5 FG, 2-2 FT, 0-2 3Pt), five rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. The big man can be considered questionable for Tuesday's preseason rematch against Denver until the Jazz offer an update on his status.