NBA Player News

Jones will only suit up for the first half of Sunday's preseason game against the Warriors, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.

Jones will join Darius Garland, Max Strus, Rui Hachimura and Isaiah Jackson in the first unit, though none of them will play in the second half. Jones started 45 of his 50 regular-season appearances in 2025-26, averaging 10.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.9 steals across 27.0 minutes per contest on the campaign.

Garland will start in Sunday's preseason opener against the Warriors, but he will only play the first half of the game, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.

Garland could be headed for a big year as the main man in Los Angeles, and he'll be looking to bounce back after being limited to just 33 games last season. He's healthy and expected to have the offense run through him.

Brown (ankle) has progressed to taking some contact in practice and said Sunday that he's "starting to get to full speed," Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports.

Brown rolled his ankle a couple of weeks ago but is ramping up ahead of the preseason. It wouldn't be surprising if the Nets proceed with caution ahead of the regular season, though the rookie guard's first opportunity to suit up in the preseason will come Tuesday against Charlotte.

Shead finished Saturday's 129-105 preseason loss to the Heat with three points (1-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight assists, five rebounds, two steals and one block in 28 minutes.

Shead struggled mightily with efficiency in Toronto's preseason opener, though he chipped in across the stat sheet. The 24-year-old point guard led all players in assists while tying for second on the Raptors in rebounds. Shead signed a three-year extension with Toronto on Thursday and figures to continue operating as Immanuel Quickley's primary backup.

Barnes recorded 11 points (5-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three steals, two rebounds and two assists across 12 minutes in Saturday's 129-105 preseason loss to the Heat.

Barnes didn't see the floor in the second half but was productive in the first. The star forward was one of four Toronto players to score in double figures, and he finished second on the team in steals. The versatile 25-year-old is expected to handle a larger on-ball role in 2026-27 and is coming off another strong season in 2025-26, during which he averaged 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.4 steals in 33.5 minutes per game across 80 regular-season appearances.

Penda (hamstring) participated in Sunday's practice and has been progressing in his ramp-up process, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Penda tweaked his hamstring in late September and has been limited during training camp. However, he's trending in the right direction ahead of Wednesday's preseason opener against Memphis. The 21-year-old figures to compete with Jamal Cain and Tristan da Silva for minutes off the bench in 2026-27.

Black (ankle) participated in Sunday's practice and has been progressing in his ramp-up process, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Black has been limited by a sprained ankle in training camp but is trending in the right direction ahead of Wednesday's preseason opener against Memphis. He's coming off a breakout season in 2025-26, averaging 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.1 combined steals-plus-blocks in 29.8 minutes per contest across 64 regular-season games (40 starts). He's expected to operate as the club's top reserve in 2026-27.

Key contributed 15 points (5-9 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and one rebound across 16 minutes in Saturday's 129-105 preseason loss to the Heat.

The 27-year-old guard didn't play in the first half but turned in an efficient performance from beyond the arc in the second, tying RJ Barrett for the team lead in scoring in Toronto's preseason opener. Key is signed to an Exhibit 10 contract and will continue fighting for a spot on the Raptors' regular-season roster in the preseason.

Mbeng logged 11 points (5-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt), three rebounds, three assists and two steals across 18 minutes in Saturday's 129-105 preseason win over the Raptors.

Mbeng didn't see the floor in the first half but was effective in the second. The 23-year-old was one of seven Heat players to score in double figures and also tied for the team high in steals. Mbeng is signed to an Exhibit 10 contract and will continue trying to make a positive impression in the preseason.

Larsson supplied 13 points (3-3 FG, 7-7 FT), two rebounds, two assists and two steals across 11 minutes in Saturday's 129-105 preseason win over the Raptors.

Larsson came off the bench and only played in the first half Saturday, though he was productive in his limited run. The 25-year-old swingman finished as the Heat's second-leading scorer while tying for the team lead in steals. He's expected to play a sizable role with Miami's second unit and could take on increased ball-handling duties in his third year in the league.