| Atlanta Hawks | Brooklyn Nets | Boston Celtics |
| PG | 1. Trae Young |
| 2. Jeremy Lin |
| SG | 1. Kent Bazemore |
| 2. Kevin Huerter |
| 3. Tyler Dorsey |
| 4. Daniel Hamilton  SidelinedDaniel Hamilton (right shoulder) will sit out Wednesday's exhibition game against the Spurs. He's yet to make his preseason debut, and it's unclear if he'll be ready for the start of the season. Don't draft him. Oct 9 |
| SF | 1. Taurean Prince |
| 2. DeAndre Bembry |
| 3. Vince Carter |
| 4. Justin Anderson SidelinedJustin Anderson (tibia) is likely out for the Hawks season opener on Wednesday vs. the Knicks. Anderson has been plagued by issues with his tibia for the better part of the last year. Even when fully healthy, he'll likely only see limited minutes off the Hawks bench. He is not on the fantasy radar. Oct 12 |
| PF | 1. John Collins SidelinedJohn Collins (left ankle soreness) underwent a non-surgical procedure on October 8th and will be re-evaluated on October 22. Collins was initially injured earlier this month. He sat out the second half of a preseason game back on October 5th and has been sidelined since. Per the Hawks, Collins underwent an MRI on Oct. 2, which revealed mild inflammation and soreness in his left ankle. Unfortunately, this means Collins will miss at least the Hawks first three regular season games. The earliest he could possibly return is Wednesday, Oct. 24th vs. Dallas. With the Hawks in 'Tank Mode' this season, they have no reason to rush him back into the lineup until he is as close to 100 percent as possible. Oct 12 |
| 2. Omari Spellman |
| 3. Alex Poythress |
| C | 1. Dewayne Dedmon SidelinedDewayne Dedmon's (left ankle) potential return for the season opener on Wednesday has been described as a "long shot but possible." Dedmon suffered an avulsion fracture in late August and has not yet suited up this preseason. However, he is making progress and is "getting close." Yet, the Hawks have no motivation to rush him into game action. With John Collins (ankle) to miss at least the Hawks first three regular season games, Atlanta may be thin up front early on. Omari Spellman, Alex Len and Miles Plumlee will see an uptick in playing time. Oct 12 |
| 2. Alex Len |
| 3. Miles Plumlee |
|
| PG | 1. D'Angelo Russell |
| 2. Spencer Dinwiddie |
| 3. Shabazz Napier SidelinedShabazz Napier (hamstring) is still not practicing after suffering a hamstring injury in practice earlier in October. Napier was seen taking part in shooting drills, which is a positive development. Still, as the third-string point guard, he's not on the fantasy radar with the Nets at full health. Oct 14 |
| SG | 1. Allen Crabbe SidelinedAllen Crabbe (sprained left ankle) is still not practicing after injuring his ankle last Monday. Crabbe doesn't appear to have a timetable for a return, so proceed with caution. He is a good source of points and triples late in drafts. Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Joe Harris will see more time in his absence. Oct 14 |
| 2. Caris LeVert |
| 3. Milton Doyle |
| SF | 1. DeMarre Carroll SidelinedDeMarre Carroll (ankle) did not practice on Sunday. Carroll has looked a step slow this preseason and has already picked up an injury. He had a nice bounce-back campaign last year, but probably shouldn't be picked before the later rounds, especially with the Nets looking at developing younger players. Oct 14 |
| 2. Joe Harris |
| 3. Dzanan Musa |
| 4. Treveon Graham |
| PF | 1. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson SidelinedRondae Hollis-Jefferson (groin strain) could be cleared for Wednesday's season opener, but coach Kenny Atkinson wouldn't commit to starting him immediately. "We’re integrating him slowly," Atkinson said. "He’s with the second team right now, but that’s nothing set in stone ... [The injury] was a big setback. I feel bad for him. He worked his tail off all summer." DeMarre Carroll has been playing more PF with Hollis-Jefferson injured, but it's just a matter of time until RHJ reclaims his starting role. His return to health prior to opening night makes him a strong target later in drafts. Oct 14 |
| 2. Jared Dudley |
| 3. Rodions Kurucs |
| C | 1. Jarrett Allen |
| 2. Ed Davis |
| 3. Kenneth Faried |
| 4. Alan Williams SidelinedAlan Williams (left ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's exhibition game against the Pistons. The Nets are loaded at the five-spot, so it could be tough for Williams to find meaningful minutes in Brooklyn. He can be ignored in most leagues. Oct 8 |
| |
| Charlotte Hornets | Chicago Bulls | Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
| PG | 1. Kris Dunn |
| 2. Cameron Payne |
| 3. Ryan Arcidiacono |
| 4. Tyler Ulis |
| SG | 1. Zach LaVine |
| 2. Antonio Blakeney |
| SF | 1. Justin Holiday |
| 2. Denzel Valentine SidelinedDenzel Valentine (left ankle) will go through portions of Monday's practice. This will be his second straight day as a limited practice participant. With Jabari Parker moving back up to power forward, there are some minutes up for grabs at the two and three. Valentine is only worth monitoring in deeper leagues while Zach LaVine is healthy. Oct 15 |
| 3. Chandler Hutchison |
| PF | 1. Lauri Markkanen SidelinedLauri Markkanen (right elbow) will not require surgery and his shoulder will be immobilized for an undetermined amount of time. In case you missed it, he's out 6-8 weeks due to an elbow sprain. Markkanen was the star of the show at camp and he also put on almost 20 pounds of muscle, but he hurt his elbow battling for a rebound. With him out, Jabari Parker should shift back to power forward while small forward could be Justin Holiday or Denzel Valentine (ankle) when he's healthy. Keep an eye on Chandler Hutchison or Antonio Blakeney in three-guard lineups, too. Portis and Jabari are worth a pick near 100 while the all other Bulls players get boosts. Sep 29 |
| 2. Jabari Parker |
| 3. Bobby Portis |
| C | 1. Robin Lopez |
| 2. Wendell Carter Jr. |
| 3. Cristiano Felicio |
| 4. Omer Asik SidelinedThe Bulls announced on Saturday that Omer Asik is out indefinitely with inflammatory arthritis. Per Chicago's press release, Asik has been receiving ongoing medical treatment and management, but his return to basketball activities is yet to be determined. Very little fantasy impact here, as even if he was 100 percent healthy, Asik wouldn't be on the fantasy radar. Sep 22 |
|
| PG | 1. George Hill |
| 2. Collin Sexton |
| SG | 1. Rodney Hood |
| 2. Jordan Clarkson |
| 3. J.R. Smith |
| 4. John Holland |
| SF | 1. Cedi Osman SidelinedCedi Osman (ankle) will sit out again in Friday's preseason game. He's been sidelined for a few days, but there's no indication that his status for opening night is in doubt. Osman is a late-round sleeper that could handle the ball quite a bit and be the 3rd- or 4th-option on offense. Oct 11 |
| 2. Kyle Korver |
| 3. David Nwaba |
| PF | 1. Kevin Love SidelinedCoach Tyronn Lue said that he's not sure if Kevin Love (left foot soreness) will be able to play for long stretches in the Cavaliers season opener because he hasn't played since October 2. "I think Kevin will be a little gassed because he’s not in game shape right now," Lue said. "To play the same style we did, it will probably be in shorter spurts for Kevin." The good news is that he's on track to play in the Cavs opener. This doesn't change Love's long-term outlook, but it makes him a less desirable option for DFS on this day. Love has a chance for a monster season if he can stay healthy. Oct 14 |
| 2. Sam Dekker |
| 3. Billy Preston |
| C | 1. Larry Nance SidelinedLarry Nance (ankle) has reportedly reached a four-year, $45 million extension with the Cavs. The Cavs clearly view Nance as a core to their future, so he should be heavily involved in the rotation this season. He is dealing with a sprained ankle and may not be ready to go by Wednesday, but he shouldn't be out long and remains a sneaky, late-round target. Oct 15 |
| 2. Tristan Thompson |
| 3. Ante Zizic |
| 4. Channing Frye |
|
| Dallas Mavericks | Denver Nuggets | Detroit Pistons |
| PG | 1. Dennis Smith Jr. |
| 2. J.J. Barea SidelinedJ.J. Barea (left hamstring) will not play against Beijing on Saturday. He did some non-contact work and did some full court running, so it sounds minor. JJB finds himself on the injury report a lot, but he hasn't missed time for a hammy issue since 2012. With him out, it'll be Dennis Smith Jr. possibly getting a little more run with Devin Harris and Jalen Brunson behind him. Sep 28 |
| 3. Devin Harris |
| 4. Jalen Brunson |
| SG | 1. Wesley Matthews |
| 2. Ryan Broekhoff |
| SF | 1. Harrison Barnes SidelinedHarrison Barnes (strained right hamstring) will not play on Wednesday but could play Saturday. Coach Rick Carlisle wants to get Barnes in a full practice later this week, which he'll need to do in order to play on Saturday. Barnes has been steadily ramping up his activity level in his recovery process. With a target date finally in mind, he is safer to draft in the middle rounds. Maxi Kleber and Dorian Finney-Smith will benefit in Barnes' absence. Oct 14 |
| 2. Dorian Finney-Smith |
| PF | 1. Luka Doncic |
| 2. Maxi Kleber SidelinedMaxi Kleber is questionable to return to Friday's preseason game with a tight lower back. He's been a bright spot for the Mavs this preseason, so hopefully this is minor. Kleber is in the mix to be in the opening-night rotation with Harrison Barnes' (hamstring) status up in the air. Oct 12 |
| 3. Ray Spalding |
| 4. Kostas Antetokounmpo |
| C | 1. DeAndre Jordan |
| 2. Dirk Nowitzki SidelinedCoach Rick Carlisle said that Dirk Nowitzki (sore left ankle) will be out at least two more weeks. Dirk has already been ruled out of the Mavs' season opener, but this news means he will miss at least a few more games. "It’s going to be multiple weeks, I can tell you that. But there’s no soft or hard date. He’s doing better, but has not done any significant court work. We can update you in another ten days or so," said Rick Carlisle, who added that no further procedures are needed. It would seem the earliest Dirk could return is Sunday, October 28th vs. the Jazz. Unless you have an IR spot on your roster, it's probably best to avoid Dirk in upcoming fantasy drafts. Oct 12 |
| 3. Dwight Powell SidelinedDwight Powell (knee) is out for Friday night Coach Rick Carlisle said that Powell is OK. This is the second game Powell is going to miss this preseason because of his right knee soreness, so this could be something to watch in the season. Powell is expected to be the backup to DeAndre Jordan and is much less likely to see PF minutes with the systematic changes. Oct 12 |
| 4. Salah Mejri |
|
| PG | 1. Jamal Murray |
| 2. Isaiah Thomas SidelinedIsaiah Thomas (hip) will not play in Tuesday's exhibition game against the Lakers. The Nuggets haven't offered up many details regarding when we can expect to see IT2 back in action, but according to Nuggets beat reporter, T.J. McBride, he's still "not close" and remains without an official timetable. The NBA season kicks off in just a few weeks, so it sounds like there's a good chance Thomas will begin the 2018-19 season on the sidelines, and the Nuggets will be extremely cautious bringing him back. Oct 2 |
| 3. Monte Morris |
| 4. Xavier Silas |
| 5. Donald Sloan |
| SG | 1. Gary Harris |
| 2. Malik Beasley |
| SF | 1. Will Barton |
| 2. Torrey Craig |
| 3. Juan Hernangomez |
| 4. Michael Porter Jr. SidelinedMichael Porter Jr. (back surgery) still doesn't have a timetable. He said he feels great, but the Nuggets aren't going to rush him back. It's been said many times, but it's important to reiterate that it's possible we don't see MPJ at all during his first season. There's no reason to burn a pick on him in re-draft leagues. Sep 24 |
| PF | 1. Paul Millsap |
| 2. Trey Lyles |
| 3. Tyler Lydon |
| 4. Jarred Vanderbilt SidelinedJarred Vanderbilt (right foot surgery) will not suit up for Sunday's exhibition against the Lakers. It's unclear when the second-round pick will be cleared to play, but he can safely be ignored in all fantasy leagues. Sep 30 |
| C | 1. Nikola Jokic |
| 2. Mason Plumlee |
| 3. Thomas Welsh |
| |
| Golden State Warriors | Houston Rockets | Indiana Pacers |
| PG | 1. Stephen Curry |
| 2. Shaun Livingston SidelinedShaun Livingston (sore right foot) is questionable for Tuesday's regular-season opener against the Thunder. Livingston tweaked his foot at Sunday's practice, so maybe the 33-year-old misses opening night. That would translate to more run for Quinn Cook, but neither of these guys will be worth owning while the Dubs are at full strength. Oct 15 |
| 3. Quinn Cook |
| SG | 1. Klay Thompson |
| 2. Patrick McCaw |
| 3. Jacob Evans |
| SF | 1. Kevin Durant |
| 2. Andre Iguodala |
| 3. Damion Lee |
| PF | 1. Draymond Green |
| 2. Kevon Looney |
| 3. Jonas Jerebko |
| C | 1. DeMarcus Cousins SidelinedDeMarcus Cousins (Achilles) will not suit up for Tuesday's regular-season opener against the Thunder. Boogie remains without an official timetable to return, and the Dubs won't have any incentive to rush him. There's a chance we won't even see him take the court until January, and he'll assuredly be working with a minutes limit as he works his way back from one of the most brutal injuries in basketball. Damian Jones, Jordan Bell and Kevon Looney will hold down the fort at the five-spot until he gets back. Oct 15 |
| 2. Damian Jones |
| 3. Jordan Bell |
|
| PG | 1. Chris Paul |
| 2. Michael Carter-Williams SidelinedMichael Carter-Williams (left knee) is probable for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Pelicans. MCW missed the final three preseason games with a sore knee, but he got in a full practice on Monday and should be good to go on Wednesday night. His fantasy value is negligible, though. Oct 15 |
| 3. Brandon Knight SidelinedBrandon Knight (left knee rehab) will not play in Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Pelicans. Knight is still recovering from an infection stemming from a September knee procedure, and he remains without an official timetable to return. The Rockets have no incentive to rush him, so there's no reason for him to be owned anywhere. Oct 15 |
| SG | 1. James Harden |
| 2. Eric Gordon |
| SF | 1. James Ennis |
| 2. Gerald Green |
| 3. Vince Edwards |
| PF | 1. P.J. Tucker |
| 2. Carmelo Anthony |
| 3. Marquese Chriss SidelinedMarquese Chriss (ankle) was a limited participant at Monday's practice. He was only able to get through about half of the workout, so chances are he'll be unavailable for Houston's regular-season opener against New Orleans on Wednesday. As long as the Rockets are at full strength, it'll be tough for Chriss to make much of an impact in fantasy hoops. Oct 15 |
| C | 1. Clint Capela |
| 2. Nene Hilario SidelinedNene (calf) was able to go through roughly half of Monday's practice. He's been limited throughout camp with a tight calf, and him still not being fully cleared isn't a great sign regarding his status for Wednesday's regular-season opener. That said, he won't be a major part of the rotation this season, anyway, so whether he's active or not will have no bearing in fantasy hoops. Oct 15 |
| 3. Isaiah Hartenstein |
| 4. Zhou Qi SidelinedZhou Qi (sprained left ankle) will not play on Wednesday against the Pelicans. He's not going to be a major part of the rotation this season, so his playing status is irrelevant in terms of fantasy hoops. Oct 15 |
|
| PG | 1. Darren Collison |
| 2. Cory Joseph SidelinedCory Joseph (left knee contusion) has been ruled out of Wednesday's game vs. Chicago. Joseph injured his knee late last week and was unavailable for Monday's game vs. Cleveland as well. Darren Collison, Tyreke Evans and Aaron Holiday should see an uptick in playing time with Joseph ruled out. Oct 9 |
| 3. Aaron Holiday |
| SG | 1. Victor Oladipo |
| 2. Tyreke Evans |
| 3. Elijah Stewart |
| 4. Edmond Sumner |
| SF | 1. Bojan Bogdanovic |
| 2. Doug McDermott |
| PF | 1. Thaddeus Young |
| 2. Domantas Sabonis |
| 3. T.J. Leaf SidelinedT.J. Leaf (knee) will not play on Wednesday against the Bulls. He is dealing with soreness in his right calf and is sore from the playing time. Leaf has seen heavy run as he slotted right into Thaddeus Young's role but now Young is back in action. Leaf has been better than expected, but still isn't a fantasy selection in most leagues. Oct 10 |
| 4. Alize Johnson |
| C | 1. Myles Turner SidelinedMyles Turner has agreed to a four-year, $80 million extension with the Pacers. Turner didn't quite live up to expectations fantasy-wise last season, but he's a talented young big man who remains loaded with potential. The 22-year-old center will be entering this season in the best shape of his life, and if he can hold off Domantas Sabonis for minutes (or play alongside him), he could be in for a career year. He did tweak his ankle on Monday but said he's fine and expects to play in Wednesday's season opener vs. Memphis. Oct 15 |
| 2. Kyle O'Quinn |
| 3. Ike Anigbogu SidelinedIke Anigbogu (left knee) is not on the Pacers summer league roster. He is rehabbing offseason surgery on his knee, which wasn't known until today. Anigbogu had right knee issues early in his rookie season, so it's not encouraging that both legs have been banged up. His status for training camp is unclear. Jun 29 |
|
| Los Angeles Clippers | Los Angeles Lakers | Memphis Grizzlies |
|
| PG | 1. Lonzo Ball SidelinedLonzo Ball (left knee) played in his second preseason game on Friday, scoring eight points with six rebounds, seven assists, and two 3-pointers in 24 minutes against the Warriors. Ball has been working his way back from a knee injury and looks ready to start the season. We know that he can fill the stat sheet, like he did tonight, but the biggest question will be whether or not he can improve upon his terrible shooting percentages from last season, or if his knees can hold up after near non-stop problems since January. He's battling with Rajon Rondo for the starting point guard spot, which hasn't been settled yet. Overall, Lonzo's worth look in the middle rounds due to his ability to pile up stats across the board. Oct 13 |
| 2. Rajon Rondo |
| 3. Isaac Bonga |
| SG | 1. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope SidelinedKentavious Caldwell-Pope (right knee) looked "great" at Monday's practice. KCP sat out the Lakers' final preseason game, but he practiced in full today and Luke Walton indicated he expects him to be good to go for the Lakers' regular-season opener on Thursday. Caldwell-Pope ran with the starters at practice, and while Walton said he'll be evaluating the starting group daily, it looks like KCP will open the year as the starting two-man in Los Angeles. Oct 15 |
| 2. Josh Hart SidelinedJosh Hart (hamstring) will not play Friday due to hamstring tightness. The team is calling it rest, so there's no need to be alarmed about here. Hart did only play 10 minutes on Wednesday, so the Lakers could have some early restrictions on him to start the season. The fact that he was back in action two days after his hammy pull suggests he should be OK in the near future. He's a solid last-round flier in one of the NBA's fastest offenses. Oct 12 |
| 3. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk |
| SF | 1. Brandon Ingram SidelinedBrandon Ingram (quad) was hit in the quad on Wednesday and will not play on Friday. It doesn't sound serious, and hopefully this isn't related to his quad issues from last season. Ingram has shown some offensive growth in all areas, so he could be in for a big season despite the arrival of LeBron James. His prospective fantasy owners shouldn't let this minor quad thing affect their opinions of him in drafts. Oct 12 |
| 2. Lance Stephenson |
| PF | 1. LeBron James |
| 2. Kyle Kuzma |
| 3. Michael Beasley |
| C | 1. JaVale McGee |
| 2. Ivica Zubac |
| 3. Moritz Wagner SidelinedMoritz Wagner (left knee) was able to go through a full-court, 3-on-3 scrimmage on Monday. Wagner sat out the preseason due to a sore knee, but he's making solid progress, and the next step will be getting through 5-on-5 work. If he doesn't clear that hurdle prior to Thursday, he'll likely be out for the regular-season opener, but we don't anticipate him missing significant time. However, it'll be tough for him to find meaningful minutes in the rotation his rookie year. Oct 15 |
| |
| Miami Heat | Minnesota Timberwolves | Milwaukee Bucks |
| PG | 1. Goran Dragic SidelinedGoran Dragic (knee) is out for Wednesday against the Pelicans. He was called questionable for this one, but the Heat will hold him out of a preseason game. Dragic now has two leg injuries this month with this knee-to-knee issue, and another ankle tweak last week. While these injuries are minor, it may knock Dragic down slightly on draft boards. If he slides to far, he should become a nice value with a favorable fantasy playoff schedule. Oct 10 |
| 2. Tyler Johnson |
| SG | 1. Dion Waiters SidelinedDion Waiters (ankle surgery) is on the inactive list for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Magic. Waiters hasn't made much progress in his recovery from the ankle and foot surgery he underwent back in January, and the Heat haven't offered an official timetable. He'll begin the 2018-19 season on the sidelines, and if Wayne Ellington (ankle) joins him, Josh Richardson will get all the run he can handle with Derrick Jones Jr. also seeing some increased opportunity for minutes. Waiters isn't worth owning anywhere. Oct 15 |
| 2. Dwyane Wade |
| 3. Wayne Ellington SidelinedWayne Ellington (sore left ankle) is hopeful to play in Wednesday's season opener. He's been a full participant in practice for nearly a week despite missing every preseason game. He's probably closer to probable than questionable, but hopefully we can confirm his status on Tuesday. He's a great source of 3-pointers towards the end of drafts after setting Miami's single-season record for 3-pointers made (227). Oct 15 |
| SF | 1. Josh Richardson |
| 2. Justise Winslow SidelinedJustise Winslow was limited with hamstring tightness at Monday's practice. That's not ideal with the season opener two days away. We'll have to wait for another update to hear if the Heat were just being cautious or if this could sideline him for a few days. If he's out, Derrick Jones Jr. would likely pick up some run. Oct 15 |
| 3. Rodney McGruder |
| 4. Derrick Jones Jr. |
| 5. Duncan Robinson |
| PF | 1. James Johnson SidelinedHeat coach Erik Spoelstra said James Johnson (hernia) still needs more work before returning. He was back at Monday's practice after dealing with an illness, so that's the good news (that was his first full practice). It seems doubtful that we will see Johnson on opening night, and with Justise Winslow limited by hamstring tightness, we could see more of Kelly Olynyk and Derrick Jones Jr. Oct 15 |
| 2. Kelly Olynyk |
| C | 1. Hassan Whiteside |
| 2. Bam Adebayo |
| 3. Udonis Haslem |
|
| PG | 1. Jeff Teague |
| 2. Derrick Rose |
| 3. Tyus Jones |
| SG | 1. Jimmy Butler SidelinedCoach Tom Thibodeau confirmed that Jimmy Butler practiced on Sunday and that he expects him to play Wednesday. Another day, another development in the Butler saga. It looks like a trade is unlikely at this point and that Butler will be with the Wolves for the time being. We know he'll give it his all when he's out there, so there's no concern for his fantasy output. Oct 14 |
| 2. Josh Okogie |
| 3. James Nunnally |
| SF | 1. Andrew Wiggins |
| 2. Keita Bates-Diop |
| 3. Luol Deng |
| PF | 1. Taj Gibson |
| 2. Anthony Tolliver |
| C | 1. Karl-Anthony Towns |
| 2. Gorgui Dieng |
| 3. Justin Patton SidelinedJustin Patton underwent successful surgery to repair the fifth metatarsal in his right foot on Tuesday, and he will be out indefinitely. The Timberwolves aren't always forthcoming with the injury updates, so it could be a while before we get an official timetable on Patton. He's irrelevant in fantasy hoops. Sep 18 |
|
| PG | 1. Eric Bledsoe |
| 2. Matthew Dellavedova |
| SG | 1. Malcolm Brogdon |
| 2. Donte DiVincenzo |
| 3. Pat Connaughton |
| 4. Jodie Meeks  SuspendedJodie Meeks has been traded to the Bucks, but he's expected to be waived upon his arrival. Meeks is suspended for 19 games of the 2018-19 season, so it could be tough for him to find another contract. If he does find another minimum-level deal elsewhere, he'll still need to serve that 19-game suspension with his new team. He's irrelevant in fantasy hoops. Oct 15 |
| 5. Sterling Brown |
| SF | 1. Khris Middleton |
| 2. Tony Snell |
| PF | 1. Giannis Antetokounmpo |
| 2. Ersan Ilyasova |
| 3. D.J. Wilson SidelinedD.J. Wilson (hamstring) will not play on Friday. It hasn't been a great preseason for Wilson and not just because of injury. Christian Wood could leapfrog him for a roster spot this year after Wilson failed to show flashes since being drafted last year. Oct 12 |
| C | 1. Brook Lopez |
| 2. John Henson |
| 3. Christian Wood |
| 4. Thon Maker SidelinedThon Maker (left knee) will not play on Friday. He's been out since Oct. 3 and this will be his third game out of the lineup. Maker was getting minutes at power forward in the new-look frontcourt, but there won't be enough action available while the Bucks are healthy. Oct 12 |
|
| New Orleans Pelicans | New York Knicks | Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
| PG | 1. Trey Burke |
| 2. Frank Ntilikina |
| 3. Emmanuel Mudiay SidelinedEmmanuel Mudiay did not practice on Monday with a sprained right ankle. Despite some encouraging words from David Fizdale over the summer, Mudiay was a disaster in the preseason and probably won't be in the rotation. Oct 15 |
| 4. Ron Baker |
| SG | 1. Tim Hardaway Jr. |
| 2. Courtney Lee SidelinedCourtney Lee (neck) is doubtful to suit up for the Knicks' season opener against the Hawks on Wednesday. "I want to get him a few more practices and some more conditioning and see how his body responds to all of this stuff first," said head coach David Fizdale when asked about Lee's status for opening night. Lee missed the entire preseason with the neck issue, and it's unclear what his role will be in New York this season, so he should remain on the waiver wire in most places. Oct 15 |
| 3. Damyean Dotson |
| 4. Allonzo Trier |
| SF | 1. Kevin Knox |
| 2. Mario Hezonja |
| PF | 1. Kristaps Porzingis SidelinedThe Knicks will not come to an agreement with Kristaps Porzingis on a rookie extension prior to Monday’s deadline. This was the expectation all along because it allows the Knicks to keep their flexibility. Porzingis will become a restricted free agent in 2019 and the Knicks obviously aren't going to let him go. As for his knee rehab, he still isn't sprinting yet and remains without a timetable, and it's a bit concerning that the Knicks haven't ruled out the idea of Porzingis sitting out the entire season. Oct 15 |
| 2. Lance Thomas SidelinedLance Thomas (hip soreness) was not able to practice on Monday. He also sat out of Sunday's practice with a sore left knee. The season opener is a little over 48 hours away and Thomas is dealing with two different injuries, so he may not be ready for opening night. If he's out, Mario Hezonja might get a big opportunity after a quiet preseason. Oct 15 |
| 3. Noah Vonleh |
| 4. Isaiah Hicks |
| C | 1. Enes Kanter |
| 2. Mitchell Robinson SidelinedMitchell Robinson scored seven points with four rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 17 minutes against the Nets on Friday. He just jumps off the screen with his bounciness and he's been even a little more polished than expected. That said, the Knicks have talked about getting him run at the G League, so it's not a lock he is out there on opening night. If you're willing to risk a last pick at the end of your standard draft, it's not a bad idea to give him a try to see where he fits. Oct 12 |
| 3. Luke Kornet |
| 4. Joakim Noah SidelinedCoach Tom Thibodeau has shown no interest in adding Joakim Noah to the Wolves, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com. Woj bomb! Kidding aside, just about everyone is expecting Noah and Thibs to at least discuss a reunion at some point. Noah was just waived and he's in good shape based on some social media posts, so someone may give him a shot to see if he can revive his career. Oct 13 |
|
| PG | 1. Russell Westbrook SidelinedIt remains unclear if Russell Westbrook (right knee) will be ready to go for Tuesday's regular-season opener against the Warriors. "Every day he’s done a little bit more, but they want to evaluate after he does workouts to see how he’s feeling," said head coach Billy Donovan after Monday's practice. Considering that there's yet to be any mention of Westbrook getting through full-contact, 5-on-5 work at practice, we don't anticipate him being cleared for the season-opener. For what it's worth, he's listed as "out" in the game notes. Oct 15 |
| 2. Dennis Schroder |
| 3. Raymond Felton |
| SG | 1. Andre Roberson SidelinedAndre Roberson (left knee) had a setback in his recovery and will be re-evaluated in two months. He had an irritation from a suture that was creating discomfort that he couldn’t play through, but his initial injury is healing well. This is obviously a brutal blow to the Thunder and they'll now have to figure out who can help Paul George on the wing. Dennis Schroder is likely going to get several minutes next to Russell Westbrook while Terrance Ferguson and Jerami Grant could also be asked to fill in at times. We may also see a little Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Raymond Felton will probably be asked to fill in more than normal, too. Oct 4 |
| 2. Terrance Ferguson |
| 3. Alex Abrines |
| 4. Hamidou Diallo |
| 5. Abdel Nader |
| SF | 1. Paul George |
| 2. Timothe Luwawu |
| PF | 1. Jerami Grant |
| 2. Patrick Patterson |
| C | 1. Steven Adams SidelinedSteven Adams (lower back stiffness) is being listed as questionable for Tuesday's season opener against Golden State. This is the first we're hearing of a back issue for Adams and it's worth noting that this update is coming from the game notes, which are notoriously unreliable. Adams doesn't have an extensive history of back problems, so we imagine he'll tough it out for opening night, but owners can expect to get another update following shootaround. Oct 15 |
| 2. Nerlens Noel |
|
| Orlando Magic | Philadelphia 76ers | Phoenix Suns |
|
| PG | 1. Ben Simmons SidelinedBen Simmons (neck tightness) did not practice on Saturday due to neck tightness. Hopefully this is just precautionary and he won't miss any games. Still, it sounds minor and it doesn't affect his early-round draft status. Stay tuned for updates. Oct 13 |
| 2. Markelle Fultz |
| 3. T.J. McConnell |
| 4. Jerryd Bayless SidelinedJerryd Bayless (knee) will be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks. He suffered a left knee sprain at the end of Sunday's practice. Bayless' time in Philly has been a disaster and he probably wasn't going to be in the rotation anyways with Markelle Fultz healthy and confident again. T.J. McConnell should have the edge over Landry Shamet for the backup PG role. Oct 1 |
| 5. Landry Shamet |
| SG | 1. J.J. Redick |
| 2. Zhaire Smith SidelinedSixers rookie Zhaire Smith had a thoracoscopy on Wednesday to address an issue stemming from an allergic reaction. The procedure was deemed a "success" and Smith is recovering without a timetable. He's already out until roughly Christmas due to surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his left foot, which should give him ample time to heal from this latest ailment. Sep 27 |
| 3. Shake Milton |
| SF | 1. Robert Covington |
| 2. Wilson Chandler SidelinedWilson Chandler (left hamstring) remains "a ways away" from returning, according to coach Brett Brown. That typically means a player's timetable is being measured in weeks, and they'll be extra cautious with Chandler given his history of hamstring injuries. He's a valuable bench player to fill multiple roles for the playoff-hungry Sixers, but he takes a big hit after approaching top-150 value in Denver last year. Oct 11 |
| 3. Furkan Korkmaz |
| PF | 1. Dario Saric SidelinedDario Saric (back) was a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday. He did not play on Monday, so this news confirms it's just a minor issue for The Homie. With Wilson Chandler (hamstring) out to start the season, Saric should get all he can handle at power forward. He'll be a high-floor option in the second half of drafts, but Saric doesn't offer a ton of upside on a loaded Philly squad. Oct 12 |
| 2. Mike Muscala SidelinedMike Muscala (right ankle sprain) is "highly questionable" for the season opener on Tuesday. He was called doubtful a couple days ago, so not much has changed. Coach Brett Brown has already said that he will find minutes for T.J. McConnell in smaller lineups if Muscala can't play. Oct 15 |
| C | 1. Joel Embiid |
| 2. Amir Johnson |
| 3. Jonah Bolden |
| |
| Portland Trail Blazers | San Antonio Spurs | Sacramento Kings |
| PG | 1. Damian Lillard |
| 2. Seth Curry |
| 3. Wade Baldwin |
| SG | 1. C.J. McCollum |
| 2. Nik Stauskas |
| 3. Gary Trent Jr. SidelinedGary Trent Jr. (right quad) will not play on Friday. He's still listed as day-to-day but this opens the door to him missing the season opener vs. the Lakers on Oct. 18. Either way, he's probably not in coach Terry Stotts' rotation. Oct 11 |
| 4. Anfernee Simons |
| SF | 1. Moe Harkless SidelinedMoe Harkless (sore left knee) remains questionable to suit up for Thursday's regular-season opener against the Lakers. Harkless missed all five preseason games for Portland, and while he was able to get through most of Monday's practice, head coach Terry Stotts would not commit to having him available for Thursday's game. Harkless has indicated that he expects to be working with a minutes limit early on, and with limited upside, there's not much incentive to draft him anywhere. Oct 15 |
| 2. Evan Turner SidelinedEvan Turner (left shoulder) is listed as probable for Friday's game. The exact nature of Turner's injury is unclear but the 'probable' tag for his exhibition suggests he may not miss any regular season action. Even at full health, though, Turner's game simply doesn't translate well for fantasy purposes. Oct 11 |
| 3. Jake Layman |
| PF | 1. Al-Farouq Aminu |
| 2. Caleb Swanigan |
| C | 1. Jusuf Nurkic |
| 2. Zach Collins |
| 3. Meyers Leonard |
|
| PG | 1. Dejounte Murray SidelinedDejounte Murray has been diagnosed with a torn ACL in his right knee. Brutal news. Murray's fantasy stock was on the rise as he was expected to take a major leap forward running the Spurs offense. The Spurs say a timeline for Murray's return will be set at a later date, but he can safely be ruled out for the entirety of the 2018-19 campaign. With the Lonnie Walker (knee) also sidelined, San Antonio is now dealing with a lack of depth in their backcourt. Unless the Spurs make a trade, Derrick White, Patty Mills and Bryn Forbes will divvy up minutes at point guard. The biggest beneficiary is likely White, as he now leaps onto the fantasy radar and is certainly worth a roster spot in all leagues. Oct 8 |
| 2. Derrick White SidelinedCoach Gregg Popovich said Derrick White (heel) may only wind up missing 2-4 weeks with his plantar fascia injury. There are not many injuries that require a rest remedy quite like a torn plantar fascia, so it's hard to get too optimistic about Pop's upside. Plus, it's hard to trust the Spurs on really anything regarding the injury report. In case you missed it, White is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, so this is at least some positive news on what has been a disastrous month. For now, Bryn Forbes is the guy to grab in completive leagues while Patty Mills serves as the higher-floor, lower-ceiling play. White may still be worth stashing, but his owners will have to exercise patience. Oct 12 |
| SG | 1. DeMar DeRozan |
| 2. Patty Mills |
| 3. Bryn Forbes |
| 4. Lonnie Walker SidelinedLonnie Walker (right knee) will have surgery on a torn medial meniscus on Monday. This is a brutal blow after Walker made his preseason debut on Friday night. He only played five minutes and the Spurs were feeding him like crazy in that time with a 40.5 usage rate, but now they'll have to dial him back as he goes through a knee rehab. LW4 had almost no chance to make the rotation to start the season, but now he'll likely miss at least 6-8 weeks with this news. Oct 6 |
| SF | 1. Rudy Gay SidelinedRudy Gay (sore right heel) was a full participant at Monday's practice and is on track to be cleared for Wednesday's regular-season opener. "I think he is doing well," Pau Gasol said. "He practiced today and did well, looked good. I think he is just managing [the heel] so it doesn't become anything difficult or major that keeps him out." Gay missed San Antonio's preseason finale with the heel issue, but the Spurs described his absence as precautionary, and him getting in a full practice today confirms that narrative. Check back for another update following Wednesday's shootaround. Oct 15 |
| 2. Marco Belinelli |
| 3. Quincy Pondexter |
| PF | 1. LaMarcus Aldridge |
| 2. Dante Cunningham |
| 3. Davis Bertans |
| 4. Chimezie Metu |
| C | 1. Pau Gasol |
| 2. Jakob Poeltl |
|
| PG | 1. De'Aaron Fox |
| 2. Yogi Ferrell |
| 3. Frank Mason |
| SG | 1. Buddy Hield |
| 2. Bogdan Bogdanovic SidelinedBogdan Bogdanovic (left knee) is hopeful to get back to the court for Sacramento's home game against Toronto on November 7. Bogdanovic began light running today, so barring a setback, he should be able to make it back to the court in a little over three weeks from now. Buddy Hield, Frank Mason and Yogi Ferrell will pick up the slack while he's out, with Hield offering the most upside. Bogdanovic isn't the sexiest option out there, but at the very least, he should be able to churn out late-round value in standard leagues. Oct 15 |
| 3. Ben McLemore |
| SF | 1. Justin Jackson |
| 2. Nemanja Bjelica |
| 3. Iman Shumpert SidelinedIman Shumpert (calf) has been fully cleared to practice. There's a chance he'll be able to make his preseason debut on Thursday against Utah, but we don't see Shumpert being relevant this season. Oct 9 |
| PF | 1. Marvin Bagley |
| 2. Zach Randolph |
| 3. Skal Labissiere |
| C | 1. Willie Cauley-Stein |
| 2. Harry Giles |
| 3. Kosta Koufos SidelinedKosta Koufos (right hamstring strain) will not play on Thursday. It's unclear when the veteran might return to action, but his presence shouldn't be a concern for fantasy owners anyway. Oct 11 |
|
| Toronto Raptors | Utah Jazz | Washington Wizards |
| | |