NBA Player News

Lopez (rest) isn't listed on the Clippers' injury report for Wednesday's game against the Jazz.

Lopez will suit up in the team's regular-season opener after sitting out Friday's preseason win over the Warriors. The veteran center is expected to serve as the Clippers' primary backup behind Ivica Zubac this season.

Horford is coming off the bench in Tuesday's season opener against the Lakers, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.

The Warriors are instead choosing to deploy Jonathan Kuminga in the first unit Tuesday. Horford should still play meaningful minutes off the bench. Last regular season, the veteran big man averaged 6.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.8 blocks in 23.2 minutes per contest across 18 games off the bench for the Celtics.

Poeltl (back) is off the Raptors' injury report for Wednesday's matchup against Atlanta.

Poeltl exited Friday's preseason win over the Nets and didn't return due to stiffness in his lower back. However, the big man is set to return for the Raptors' regular-season opener. He started 56 of his 57 regular-season appearances in 2024-25, during which he averaged 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks across 29.6 minutes per game.

Gafford (ankle) is doubtful to play in Wednesday's season opener against the Spurs.

Gafford is trending toward not playing the first game of the regular season as he continues to deal with an ankle issue. If he is ultimately ruled out, the team will likely lean heavily on Dereck Lively and Dwight Powell to pick up the slack in the frontcourt.

Towns (quadriceps) is questionable for Wednesday's season opener against the Cavaliers.

Towns continues to nurse a quadriceps strain that he suffered during practice last week. With Mitchell Robinson (rest) already ruled out, Guerschon Yabusele would likely be set for a heavy workload if Towns cannot suit up.

Robinson (load management) has been ruled out for Wednesday's season opener against the Cavaliers, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

The team is being incredibly cautious with the veteran center, as he's expected to be load-managed throughout the 2025-26 campaign. It remains uncertain how much or how regularly Robinson will play during the regular season, which is obviously a major red flag from a fantasy perspective.

Ware (neck/ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's season opener against the Magic, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.

Ware was initially listed as probable for Wednesday, which has changed after he suffered an ankle injury in Tuesday's practice. The Indiana product dealt with neck spasms, resulting in him being held out of Monday's practice. If Ware is unable to play in the season opener, the team will likely lean on Nikola Jovic (back) in the frontcourt.

Wagner (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's season opener against the Heat.

Wagner is still recovering from a torn left ACL. It remains to be seen when he'll return to the floor. Goga Bitadze will likely get more time on the floor with Wagner still on the mend.

Richards (rest) is available for Wednesday's season opener against Sacramento, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

After resting for Phoenix's preseason finale, Richards will be back in uniform Wednesday. The big man is lined up for a timeshare alongside Khaman Maluach as the backup center behind Mark Williams, meaning Richards has minimal fantasy upside to open the new campaign.

Head coach Jordan Ott said Williams (undisclosed) will have a "target number" during Wednesday's season opener against the Kings, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Williams was held out of the preseason in order to prepare for the season opener. The team's coaching staff appears to be taking a cautious approach with Williams as the Suns head into the 2025-26 campaign.