NBA Player News

Towns ended with 19 points (6-9 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 4-7 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks over 24 minutes in Tuesday's 106-100 loss to Philadelphia.

Towns found himself in early foul trouble on Opening Night. As a result, he would finish the first half with just five points in six minutes of work. It was a different story in the second half, with the 30-year-old veteran amassing 14 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter. It wasn't a perfect game from Towns, who could be entering his final year as a Knick. Still, he began the year with a double-double, and while he also had issues taking care of the ball, it was a good start to the 2026-27 campaign.

Ighodaro (hip) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's regular-season opener in Portland.

Ighodaro missed Phoenix's preseason finale with some hip soreness, but he was never in any danger of sitting out the regular-season opener. Head coach Jordan Ott has not yet revealed who will start at center for the Suns on Opening Night, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach move in and out of the first unit throughout the season based on the matchup.

Kessler (finger) is available for Wednesday's game against the Warriors.

Kessler suffered a finger injury during training camp but was cleared to suit up in the preseason. The 25-year-old averaged a career-high 14.4 points along with 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals over 30.8 minutes per contest in 2025-26. However, he was limited to five regular-season games due to a shoulder injury.

Carlson (concussion) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Suns.

Carlson will miss the Trail Blazers' regular-season opener while in the league's concussion protocol. His next chance to make his regular-season debut with the club will come Friday in Sacramento.

Lively (foot) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Houston.

Lively is without a clear timetable to return to game action after undergoing right foot surgery last December. He can be considered doubtful ahead of Friday's game against Indiana until Dallas provides an update on his status.

Aldama (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Rockets.

Aldama is still ramping up after undergoing right knee surgery in March, and his next chance to play will come Friday against Indiana. With the big man sidelined, Morez Johnson and Moussa Cisse could see increased playing time.

Bradley is out for Wednesday's game in Memphis due to a left quadriceps strain.

It's unclear when Bradley suffered this injury, but he'll begin the 2026-27 season on the sidelines. For now, he should be considered questionable for Friday's meeting with the Pelicans.

The Pelicans exercised their third-year team option on Queen's contract Tuesday, Terry Kimble of SI.com reports.

The No. 13 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft is now officially under contract for the 2027-28 season. The big man averaged 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.9 combined steals-plus-blocks across 25.0 minutes per tilt in 81 regular-season appearances (48 starts) in his rookie season. Queen is expected to compete for minutes with Yves Missi and Karlo Matkovic in 2026-27.

The Pelicans exercised their fourth-year team option on Missi's contract Tuesday, Terry Kimble of SI.com reports.

Missi is now under contract for the 2027-28 campaign. He's expected to open the 2026-27 campaign as the Pelicans' starting center after averaging 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 assists in 19.7 minutes per game across 66 regular-season appearances (14 starts) last season.

Sims (undisclosed) is not listed on the injury report for Wednesday's game against the Wizards.

The high-flying big man is ready to suit up in Milwaukee's 2026-27 regular-season opener in Washington after missing the preseason finale. With the addition of Kel'el Ware during the offseason and Myles Turner entering his second season with the franchise, Sims is set to be the third center on any given night as the Bucks begin to rebuild following their trade of franchise pillar Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat.