Although Jaquez turned in decent secondary totals, he finished with his first single-digit scoring total of the season in the defeat. He regressed despite recording his highest minute total of the season, indicating that his floor might not be as high as originally thought. He's been a fantasy darling in winning DFS lineups this season, and a larger sample size is needed from the UCLA product before he's off the board completely.
Norman Powell's (groin) absence has resulted in a nice boost for Wiggins, who's averaged 22.5 points over the last two games. In order for Miami to maximize its potential, Wiggins needs to replicate this kind of production once Powell returns to the starting five. Wiggins' defensive acumen is never in question, and he's exhibiting decent rebound and steal totals to begin the season.
Adebayo turned in his third double-double of the season during the defeat, and it appears that the big man is the team's most dependable producer in the early stages of the season. Norman Powell's (groin) absence has forced all of the starters to pitch in, but the biggest change for the veteran is his gradual shift away from the primary center role. Kel'el Ware has taken over at the five, and it's allowed Adebayo to show off his abilities as a primary scorer. Adebayo's biggest boost comes from beyond the arc, where he's averaging a career-high 5.8 attempts per game and is converting at a 41.3 percent clip.
Vassell has played well in his adjusted role, as the veteran is more accustomed to logging time at the wing during his career. It's unclear how the lineup will shake down once De'Aaron Fox (hamstring) makes his return, but the likely result is a slide to forward for Vassell, and a corresponding move for Harrison Barnes to the four. The return of Jeremy Sochan (wrist) will also shake things up, but Vassell won't be affected.
De'Aaron Fox (hamstring) is close to returning, which should take some pressure off of Castle. He's performing extremely well while assuming Fox's role, and the transition should be seamless as he'll move over to the off-guard position once Fox makes his debut. Castle posted a season-high eight assists during the win, and he also collected four steals, marking his best total in that category as well.
The hits keep coming from Wembanyama, who is already generating MVP buzz after his scintillating start to the season. All five of his stat lines have been double-doubles, and he recorded a season-high 18 rebounds Thursday evening. Thanks to his excellent string of performances, the Spurs are 5-0 and and making some noise in the Western Conference.
After a superb 31/11/5 line against the Sixers, Sarr's point total fell back to earth, but he still registered a good rebound total. He came two rebounds shy of his third double-double over the first six games of the season, and his profile is definitely trending up despite his team's early struggles.
Although the Wizards are struggling to begin the season, McCollum is providing veteran stability in the backcourt. After underperforming early on, he's averaged 19 points per game over the last three contests. As the team's presumptive floor general, his assist numbers need some work, but the rest of his numbers seem to be trending up.
Coulibaly started right away in his season debut, sending Bub Carrington to the bench. Although injuries limited Coulibaly to 59 games in his sophomore season, the 2024 first-round pick took a big step forward in his development as a regular producer for the Wizards. He's expected to retain his starting role at the four for the duration of the season, but the condition of his thumb should be monitored as he gets up to game speed.
Wallace did a little bit of everything during the win, posting decent results in every major statistical category. Wallace should have a guaranteed spot in the starting lineup until Jalen Williams (wrist) returns, at which point he'll be in a tug-of-war for minutes with Luguentz Dort.
Mitchell provided ample support with the second unit during the decisive win. Although a spot in the starting five isn't possible at the moment, 'Mitchell is enjoying a sharp increase in court time from his rookie year. Through six games, the UCSB product is averaging 27.1 minutes per game.
The Thunder are now 6-0, due in large part to last season's MYP and his impressive results. Gilgeous-Alexander entered Thursday's game averaging 34,8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocked shots over the first five games of the season. His three-point shot is the only facet of his game that is struggling, averaging only 27.7 percent beyond the arc in the early stages of the 2025-26 campaign.
Kuzma received a spot-start with Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) sitting this one out, but with Ryan Rollins having the game of his life, Kuzma took a backseat on offense. He's had a quiet start to the season, posting forgettable averages of 8.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks and 2.0 turnovers per game.
Rollins had the hot hand early for Milwaukee, scoring nine of their first 14 points, and he stuck with that aggressive scoring mentality for the rest of the game with Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) watching from the sidelines. He crossed the 30-point mark with a dagger three-pointer with under a minute left in regulation to seal the deal for the Bucks, and he's now had back-to-back, career-high scoring outings. Over the past four, Rollins has been churning out averages of 21.0 points, 5.5 assists, 2.8 triples and 2.5 steals per contest.
The 17 points marked a season-high for Turner, who saw some more shots falling his way with Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) unavailable, although the single block was a bit disappointing. The scoring has been inconsistent for Turner early in the season as he adjusts to his new surroundings, but he's been steady with the blocks and is averaging a career-high 3.0 assists per game, so it hasn't been a total disaster.
This was a nice bounce-back performance from Kuminga, who was held to just nine points on 4-11 shooting his last time out. Aside from Tuesday's lackluster performance, Kuminga has looked good this season, posting averages of 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 triples per contest on 55/45/83 shooting splits. That has him operating with mid-round value on the year, so he should be rostered in all leagues.
Horford has been in an awful rut over the past two games, going just 2-11 and 1-7 from distance, but at least he was able to block some shots Thursday night. Still, with averages of 5.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and not much else on the year, he's not worth rostering anywhere.
The Warriors had won their previous three meetings with the Bucks, but they weren't able to get the job done Thursday night, despite solid performances from Curry and Jimmy Butler. Butler notched his first double-double of the season and finished with 23 points (7-18 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 8-8 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block and two turnovers in the 10-point loss.
Kalkbrenner set a new career-high in points in this one, and this was his third game of the season in which he only missed one shot. He currently leads the league in field goal percentage, draining 90 percent of his shot attempts to go with averages of 11.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 1.4 swats per contest, which has him hovering inside the top-60 on the year.
Through the first five games of the season, James has been converting an absurd 63.6 percent of his shot attempts, to go with averages of 8.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 triples and 1.4 assists per game. The sky-high shooting percentage isn't sustainable, but he is worth a look in deep leagues while he's this hot.
This was Ball's third double-double of the season and the 70th of his career, which moved him to the No. 8 spot on Charlotte's all-time double-doubles list. He also moved into 10th place on Charlotte's all-time steals list Thursday evening. Ball is flirting with first-round value on the season, and he's showing no signs of slowing down.
da Silva has been hit-or-miss this season, but he's been trending up over the past two, scoring in the teens, draining threes and snatching steals, so he's on the radar in deep leagues. It helps that he'll draw a favorable matchup against the Wizards on a six-game Saturday.
Black has been heating up over the past four games, posting averages of 15.8 points on 52.4 percent shooting from the field and 72.2 percent at the stripe to go with 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 triples, 1.3 steals, 1.0 block and 3.3 turnovers per contest. He got the start Thursday with Jalen Suggs taking a rest day, so while he'll likely return to the bench his next time out, he should still be a sizable part of the rotation.
Banchero didn't look for his shot much through the first half of action, instead playing the facilitator role on offense, and all nine of his dimes came during the first half. He started to look for his shot more over the second half, and while he was efficient from the floor, he still struggled at the line. Banchero is averaging a career-high 10.3 free-throw attempts per game this season, but he's converting only 71 percent of them, which has been a major drain on his fantasy value in category-based settings.
Banchero didn't look for his shot much through the first half of action, instead playing the facilitator role on offense, and all nine of his dimes came during the first half. He started to look for his shot more over the second half, and while he was efficient from the floor, he still struggled at the line. Banchero is averaging a career-high 10.3 free throw attempts per game this season, but he's only converting 71 percent of them, which has been a major drain on his fantasy value in category-based settings.
Thybulle hurt his thumb during Wednesday's game and will now miss Friday's contest, which could help Rayan Rupert get into the rotation again. Thybulle's next chance to play will come Monday against the Lakers.
Sanders continues to nurse a knee injury and will miss a third consecutive game. The next opportunity for him to return to the floor will be Monday against the Heat.
Miller has yet to play a game this season, as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. The next opportunity for him to get back on the floor will be Monday against the Heat.
Green has yet to make his debut with his new team. The next chance for him to make his season debut will be Sunday against the Spurs.
Friday will mark the third consecutive game on the sidelines for Brooks, which should result in another start for Royce O'Neale and more minutes for Isaiah Livers. Brooks' next chance to play will come Sunday against the Spurs.
Williams has yet to play a game this season, as the team has been cautious with his knee issue. If he's unable to play, Duop Reath and Yang Hansen will continue to receive more time on the floor.
Sharpe is dealing with a minor calf issue, but it's not expected to force him to the sidelines. Check back closer to Friday's tip for official word on his status.
Beal is set to return after a two-game stint on the sidelines, which will likely result in Bogdan Bogdanovic returning to the second unit and Cam Christie could drop from the rotation entirely. Beal has gotten off to a slow start this season, averaging 5.5 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.
After starting the first four games of the season, Carrington will be in the second unit, with Bilal Coulibaly making his season debut. Carrington is averaging 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 34.5 percent from the floor and 66.7 percent from beyond the arc.
With Coulibaly starting, Bub Carrington will shift to the second unit, and his minutes could see a sizeable dip. Joining Coulibaly in the starting five will be CJ McCollum, Kyshawn George, Khris Middleton and Alex Sarr.
Johnson has been dealing with right shoulder inflammation over the past two games, but he's been playing through it, and it looks like he will continue to do so Friday night. Check back for official confirmation on his status closer to tip-off.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) a late scratch, the team will turn to Kuzma in the first five. He'll be joined by Ryan Rollins, AJ Green, Gary Trent and Myles Turner.
We'll have a better idea of Murray's status based on his activity level at Friday's shootaround, but if he does have to hit the sidelines, Bruce Brown could get a spot-start. Check back closer to Friday's tip for official word on Murray's status.
Antetokounmpo was initially listed as probable for Thursday's game, so, surprisingly, he's getting ruled out just an hour before tip-off. With Antetokounmpo on the sidelines, Kyle Kuzma or Bobby Portis could start and there will be more shots for guys like Myles Turner, Gary Trent and Ryan Rollins. Antetokounmpo's next chance to play will come Saturday versus Sacramento.
With Norman Powell (groin) set to hit the sidelines Thursday evening, Jovic could see a bump in minutes and shot opportunities, so he's someone to consider deploying in daily fantasy leagues.
McBride missed the last two games due to personal reasons. He'll be a welcome addition to the backcourt. Over the course of the two games he's played this season, the West Virginia product averaged 12.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game, shooting 38.9 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc.
The Hornets will give Sion James a look in the first unit, breaking up a three-game start streak for Sexton. Sexton logged 17 minutes in his lone reserve outing this year, so he could find difficulty in cracking the 20-minute marker.
After missing Tuesday's game against the Bucks due to a knee issue, Yabusele is trending toward returning to the floor. He hasn't made much of an impact from a fantasy perspective this season, averaging 1.7 points and 4.0 rebounds across 13.7 minutes per game.
With James making his first start of the 2025-26 campaign, veteran guard Collin Sexton will come off the bench. James is averaging 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 64.7 percent from the floor and 77.8 percent from deep.
Jalen Suggs will rest Thursday, opening up a place in the first unit. Last regular season, Black averaged 9.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 28.9 minutes per contest across 10 games as a starter.
Towns has been nursing a quadriceps injury, but that likely won't keep him off the floor. However, he is coming off his worst offensive performance of the 2025-26 campaign, scoring a season-low eight points in Tuesday's game against the Bucks.
Smart has missed the last two games due to a quadriceps injury. The Lakers have been incredibly shorthanded as of late, but things could be trending in the right direction, especially in the backcourt, with Luka Doncic (finger) also questionable for Friday's matchup in Memphis.
Wagner is battling a left heel contusion following Wednesday's 135-116 loss to Detroit, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go. There's no indication the star forward will have any minutes restriction. Wagner has averaged 22.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 35.0 minutes per game over five outings this season.
Doncic's status has unexpectedly been upgraded ahead of Friday's matchup. The superstar guard has missed the last three games due to a finger sprain and a lower left leg contusion. He'll give the team a massive boost if he's able to return. Marcus Smart (quadriceps) has also been listed as questionable.
The doubtful designation is actually an upgrade for Looney, who has been out for the start of the campaign with a sprained knee. Although he's inching closer to a season debut, Looney's likely absence should allow Yves Missi, Derik Queen and DeAndre Jordan to share the center minutes.
Peter is in danger of missing a third straight game due to a groin injury. If he's ruled out, the next opportunity for him to return to the floor would be Saturday against the Warriors.
Furphy has a chance to end a three-game absence with a bone bruise in his foot. It's possible the forward will eventually carve out a role, given how shorthanded the Pacers are, but fantasy managers can likely find better streaming options if Furphy is available Friday.
Mitchell is dealing with a hamstring injury, which could threaten to keep him sidelined. He was able to play Wednesday but struggled, finishing with a season-low 15 points to go along with four rebounds, six assists and one block.
After exiting Monday's game against the Pistons early, Merrill will need to miss a second contest in a row due to the injury. The sharpshooter's next chance to take the court comes Sunday against the Hawks. With Darius Garland (toe) still not ready for his season debut, the Cavaliers could turn to Jaylon Tyson for another spot start after he joined the first unit Wednesday against Boston.
George will remain out for a fifth game in a row to begin the season. The star forward's absence has been dragging along, considering he's been cleared to practice for over a week now. Until the 76ers give him clearance to play, Kelly Oubre is well worth streaming consideration in most fantasy leagues.
Nembhard will miss a fourth straight game due to a shoulder strain. His next chance to return to the court will be Saturday against the Warriors. With Indiana depleted at point guard, Ben Sheppard will remain in the streaming conversation.
Young suffered a right knee sprain in Thursday's game against the Nets. It is uncertain how much time he may miss as a result of the injury, with the team waiting for the results of an MRI. It'd be safe to assume Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be in the starting lineup, with Luke Kennard getting more time off the bench.
Although he was cleared to make his season debut, Williams was not part of the Memphis rotation. Williams is capable of playing multiple positions, though it appears the Grizzlies are comfortable riding the hot hand of rookie first-rounder Cedric Coward in the second unit for now.
No surprise here, as Collier is expected to be Utah's point guard for the future. The 2024 first-rounder is still ramping up his activity while rehabbing from a hamstring strain, but Collier will likely start upon his eventual return.
Allen has been diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture in his left finger, jeopardizing his status for Friday. If the star big man cannot play, Larry Nance or Dean Wade would likely be the direct beneficiaries from a fantasy perspective.
Bagley will play through a sprained ankle Thursday. With Alex Sarr healthy, however, Bagley's fantasy value is limited while in a backup role at center.
The decision keeps Williams under team control for the 2026-27 campaign. He's appeared in just two of Utah's first four contests of the season.
Sensabaugh is now in position to stay with Utah for the 2026-27 campaign. Sensabaugh has averaged 10.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in four games this season.
Hendricks is now set to stay with the Jazz for the 2026-27 campaign. The forward is a significant part of the team's future, though he's not yet eclipsed 19 minutes over his first four games this year.
George is now set to remain with the Jazz through the 2026-27 season. Over four outings this year, the combo guard is averaging 22.3 points, 9.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per contest.
Following a five-game stay on the sidelines to begin the season, Joe is ready to take the floor in his return from a knee injury. With Jalen Williams (wrist) still out of action, Joe should factor into the reserve mix in his season debut. Joe averaged 10.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 21.7 minutes per contest in 74 regular-season games in 2024-25, shooting 41.2 percent from downtown.
The move keeps the guard under team control for the 2026-27 campaign. Podziemski has been settling in as a key member of the Golden State backcourt over the past two years, and he has averaged 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 29.6 minutes per contest over five games (three starts) this season.
After being away from the Knicks for their last two games, McBride has rejoined the team in Chicago and is expected to be available Friday. The combo guard will likely help fill out the reserve minutes alongside Jordan Clarkson in the backcourt behind Jalen Brunson, which could hurt the fantasy upside of Landry Shamet.
Robinson fully practiced Thursday, and he's set to be a game-time decision for Friday. The veteran big man is looking to make his season debut after missing New York's first four games of the year due to ankle injury management. Robinson appeared penciled in as the Knicks' top center early in the preseason, so he could start in his potential return to the floor.
Williams remains in recovery mode from offseason right wrist surgery. The Thunder have not yet updated the star forward's return timeline, likely rendering him doubtful for Sunday's matchup against the Pelicans. Until Oklahoma City clears Williams for action, the likes of Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins will have a clearer path to minutes.
Moody was able to shake off his questionable tag for this contest. In three regular-season appearances, Moody has averaged 12.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.0 three-pointers.
Wagner has yet to debut this season and remains without a timetable for a return. He can be considered doubtful for Saturday's game against the Wizards.
Wagner produced 22 points (6-14 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 7-11 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and one block in 33 minutes during Wednesday's 135-116 loss to Detroit, but he walked away from that contest with an apparent heel injury. This is the second leg of a back-to-back set, and the Magic may opt to proceed with caution. If Wagner is unable to go, the Magic could turn to guys like Tristan da Silva, Jase Richardson or possibly Jonathan Isaac.
Suggs played 21 minutes Wednesday against the Pistons with eight points, five assists, two rebounds, one block and two steals. He'll be held out for injury maintenance Thursday for the second leg of this back-to-back set, as the Magic continue to take a cautious approach. With Suggs out, Anthony Black and Tyus Jones could see more reps in the backcourt Thursday.
McCain's option is valued at $4.42 million, and it's not a surprise to see the franchise like up the sharpshooter. McCain practiced with the team Thursday after missing the beginning of the season recovering from thumb surgery, setting him up for a potential return in early November. It's unclear how he'll fit into the backcourt, with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe playing so well.
Poeltl won't travel with the team and will stay behind to rehab his back injury. His next chance to play comes Nov. 2 against the Grizzlies. Collin Murray-Boyles drew the start at center Wednesday against the Rockets and put up 13 points (5-8 FG), one rebound, two assists and three three-pointers.
Collier, who has yet to debut this season, will be assigned to the G League's Salt Lake City Stars on Oct. 31. This could potentially set him up for a potential return against the Hornets on Nov. 2. With Keyonte George and Walter Clayton both playing well at point guard, it will be interesting to see how the Jazz incorporate Collier into the rotation.
Jovic suffered a hip contusion Tuesday against Charlotte, but his probable tag suggests he will play through it. He will continue to play behind Kel'el Ware as the backup big man. Jovic is averaging 11.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.3 blocks and 2.0 threes made on 48.3 percent from the field and 90 percent from the free-throw line through four games (one start) this season.
Powell has already missed Tuesday's match due to this groin injury and will now miss a second consecutive game. Pelle Larsson is the likely candidate to start again in Powell's place, while Dru Smith and Jaime Jaquez could also see extended playing time as a result. Powell's next opportunity to return will be Sunday against the Lakers.
According to Presti, his doctors are "extremely positive" about his long-term outlook, but this is obviously an unfortunate situation for the young guard. There is no timetable for Topic's return, but the Thunder will likely provide more clarity in the near future. Ajay Mitchell has been filling in as Oklahoma City's backup point guard to open the season.
McCain has been sidelined to start the season due to thumb surgery, and his spectacular rookie season ended short due to a torn meniscus, but it's encouraging to see him back in practice. He is projected to make his season debut in early November, but unless news comes out that may alter that timeline, expect him to be back on the court by then. It's also unclear how he'll fit into the backcourt, with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe playing so well.
Barlow was the only player on the 76ers who was held out of Thursday's practice. Based on this timetable, his next chance to return to the lineup will be Nov. 4 against the Bulls. He fared well in his only two appearances of the season with 7.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
Joe, who is listed as questionable on the official injury report, has yet to make his 2025-26 season debut. However, he appears to be trending in the right direction and could potentially get the green light for some minutes against the Wizards. With Ajay Mitchell playing so well, it's fair to wonder just how involved Joe could be.
Queen saw his playing time decrease after Zion Williamson (foot) returned from a one-game absence, but the rookie was still able to pull down eight rebounds in 14 minutes. Benches cleared late in the second half due to the blowout nature of the game, but Queen's next opportunity to produce would be Friday against the Clippers, which marks the kickoff of the in-season NBA Cup.
This was the best assist total through four showings for Sabonis, who is typically a nightly triple-double threat. It was also his best scoring night thus far, as he finished with 18 points. Carving out shots will be difficult beside Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, but Sabonis is capable of producing well-rounded box scores like this on any given night.
While Bailey has not played much in the first four games of the season, averaging 15.5 minutes, he notched eight points, which is a high in his very young career. Bailey is still taking time to find his rhythm after recovering from an illness, and it appears he may be restricted to 15-20 minutes a night until he feels better.
It's easy for LaVine to find his scoring groove, and he did exactly that against his former team to the tune of 30 points. Coach Doug Christie is currently playing LaVine 36.6 minutes per game, the ninth most in the league. The 12-year pro is converting that playing time to 29.2 points per game thus far.
Sheppard has taken over as the team's starting point guard ever since a slew of injuries hit Indiana's backcourt. He's surprisingly contributed in the rebound department, averaging 6.8 boards this season. Backup RayJ Dennis, who is on a two-way contract, has been outplaying Sheppard as the team's facilitator and is a candidate to potentially replace him in the starting lineup if Sheppard does not improve his production. However, that all hinges on whether or not Andrew Nembhard (shoulder) returns to action soon.
Vucevic provides a steady source of points and rebounds year after year. He's notched a double-double in all but one game this season. The Chicago big man is also showing flashes of improvement as a passer. He followed up a nine-assist outing with seven more helpers Wednesday.
Despite the Pacers losing their fourth consecutive game to start the season and countless players to injury, Dennis has stepped up in a major way, scoring 10-plus points and dishing at least five assists for the second consecutive game. While Ben Sheppard remains the team's starting point guard for now, it wouldn't be shocking if Dennis supplants Sheppard in the near future due to his production, but that all hinges on how long Andrew Nembhard (shoulder) is out for.
Williams has now scored at least nine points and made three field goals in three consecutive games, averaging 9.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.8 threes made on 54.2 percent from the field (and a blistering 50 percent from three). While his efficiency beyond the arc is not sustainable long-term, it is worth keeping track of should Williams see more volume.
Okoro has dropped at least nine points and four field goals made (and one three-pointer) in consecutive games now, which could be a sign of things to come for him after going scoreless in his first two games to start the season. While his production may dip when Coby White (calf) inevitably returns, it is still worth monitoring Okoro in the meantime.
Carrington has made an impact since being drafted by Washington in the summer of 2024, averaging 9.8 points, 4.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds in his rookie season. Despite the Wizards selecting Tre Johnson in 2025, the team opting to keep Carrington for at least one more season displays their level of trust in the second-year guard.
Clowney saw extended run Wednesday, likely as a result of Ziaire Williams (back) being ruled out for the game, but was unable to fully capitalize on the opportunity, only making one field goal in those 25 minutes. Williams' status is unclear for Sunday's matchup with Philadelphia, but if he is unable to play again, Clowney would again be an inheritor of those minutes.
George's option was for $3.11 million, and there was never any doubt here. The second-year forward has gotten off to a monster start to the 2025-26 campaign with averages of 20.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.5 blocks and 3.5 three-pointers.
While Johnson and Cam Whitmore were acquired by the Wizards via trade, the front office has grouped them along with young players Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George to be their stars of the future. Johnson has also yet to play in a game this season for longer than four minutes, but this move by the front office instills confidence that they want him on the roster for the long haul.
In his return from a three-game absence due to a left hamstring injury, LeVert was the first player off the Detroit bench. Though LeVert finished fifth in the Pistons in usage rate (18.6 percent) and was a plus-six during his time on the court, it didn't translate in his box-score line. Expect LeVert to continue to maintain a regular role on the second unit as a scorer and secondary creator, but his playing time could fluctuate based on how hot or cold his shooting is in a given game.
Coulibaly's option is valued at $9.24 million, and this decision was a no-brainer for the franchise. Coulibaly underwent a Sept. 12 surgery to address a ligament tear in his right thumb, but he's been cleared to make his 2025-26 debut against the Thunder on Thursday.
Whitmore is one of six Wizards to have their option exercised, joining Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, AJ Johnson and Kyshawn George. This Washington roster contains a lot of young players, and the front office is making it very evident they want to move forward and build with these pieces as they look to the future.
This was a formality for the Wizards, with the team locking in their franchise center through the 2026-27 season with this $12.67 million option. Through the first four regular-season games, Sarr has been excellent with averages of 19.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 three-pointers.
Back in action after missing the previous three games due to left knee patellar tendinopathy, Hayes slotted back into his usual role as the top backup to starting center Deandre Ayton. Aside from racking up four fouls, Hayes came through with a well-rounded line in his return, but he's unlikely to see his minutes rise much from this level while Ayton remains healthy and locked in atop the depth chart.
Pickett saw some extra minutes in garbage time with the Nuggets running away with this game early on. Pickett has been on the outside looking in as far as the rotation goes, but credit to him for stepping up when his name was called Wednesday.
Kennard scored an early season-high Wednesday, as Trae Young left the contest early with what appeared to be a knee injury. Young will undergo an MRI Thursday to determine the severity of the injury, and if the star point guard ends up missing any time, Kennard would be an option to replace him in the starting lineup, or at the very least see extended playing time, either of which would boost his production while Young recovers.
Isaac continues to be uninvolved in the Magic's rotation to start the season, not seeing the floor for over seven minutes in the games he does play, as more minutes have seemingly been allocated to Tristan da Silva and Noah Penda. Isaac's next opportunity to contribute comes Thursday against the Hornets.
This was Watson's 24th career game with at least three blocks, and he's been one of the best shot-blocking wings in the NBA in recent years. Watson is seeing 20.8 minutes per contest through four games to open the season, and he's managed to put up 11th-round fantasy value in nine-category formats despite a 10.2 percent usage rate.
Stewart has not recorded double-digit points or rebounds ever since his 20/10 explosion in the opener, and he fouled out for the second time this season, inhibiting his ability to contribute. Stewart has been a steady source of blocks, averaging 2.0 swats per contest so far, but look for him to up his production in the offensive department Saturday against the Mavericks.
This was another tough showing for Shannon, as he's been unable to live up to the offseason hype thus far. Through five regular-season contests, he's shooting 33.3 percent from the field with averages of 4.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 three-pointers in 18.0 minutes per night. He's just a watch-list candidate for now in case he finds his rhythm while Anthony Edwards (hamstring) is out.
Bitadze's role as the backup big man behind Wendell Carter has been steady, but he saw extended run Wednesday because Carter fouled out after just 18 minutes. This led to a bigger role for Bitadze, who made all five of his field goals and blocked a shot. While Bitadze's production may not warrant consideration on a roster, it is worth monitoring if he ever does get elevated to the starting lineup in place of Carter.
Making his third appearance of the campaign, Dillingham had his best game by a mile with multiple season-high marks. He was buried on the depth chart to open the season, but now it seems like he's pulling ahead of Bones Hyland. With Anthony Edwards (hamstring) sidelined, Dillingham certainly has a path to earn a larger role.
Porter and Lonzo Ball are splitting minutes as the team's backup facilitators behind Donovan Mitchell while Darius Garland (toe) remains out. While Porter played two fewer minutes than Ball, it is worth noting that he outscored him. However, regardless of their performances Wednesday, it appears Ball and Porter will continue to split time relatively evenly until Garland returns from injury.
Powell will join Danny Wolf and Nolan Traore on this G League assignment. Powell has one lone appearance to his name for Brooklyn in what was a seven-minute stint.
Queta has been a steady source of rebounds, averaging nine to start the season (and has logged at least 10 in consecutive contests). He has also been a source of defensive production, averaging 1.6 blocks and 1.0 steals so far. Look for Queta to continue producing a similar stat line Friday against the 76ers.
Similar to Danny Wolf, Traore is likely to bounce back and forth between the two teams to open his career. He's appeared in two games for Brooklyn thus far for an average of 14.8 minutes per night.
Pritchard notched his first 10-assist outing of the season Wednesday. Despite averaging 39.7 percent from the field and a measly 18.9 percent from three, Pritchard is averaging 6.0 assists, meaning that if his shot isn't falling, he will not hesitate to create shots for his teammates.
Wolf has yet to make his NBA debut through five regular-season contests, so this move makes sense in order for him to get some extra reps.
Richards has appeared in all five games for the Suns, but he continues to see scraps off the bench with an average of 10.0 minutes per contest. Mark Williams seems to have found his stride, and the Suns are going to try and find minutes for rookie Khaman Maluach whenever possible. Richards' fantasy appeal is quite limited for the time being.
Dillon Brooks (groin) is still sidelined, and that's opened up some minutes at forward. Hayes-Davis has appeared in all five games to open the season, but his role leaves a lot to be desired with an average of 12.6 minutes per night and a shot rate of 10.3 percent.
Despite being one of the main contributors off the bench, Shead has not been able to produce accordingly, only scoring in double digits once so far. However, he has been able to create plays for his teammates, averaging 5.2 assists, which boosts his value and keeps him on the court while Immanuel Quickley rests.
Spencer produced his best game of the young campaign with season-high marks in minutes (19) and assists (6) as the Grizzlies improved to 3-2. Spencer seems to have pulled ahead as the eighth man in the rotation, but keep in mind that the Grizzlies are currently far from full strength with several guys still injured.
Quickley has been a steady source of points and assists to start the season, producing at least 13 points and five assists every game thus far. He is averaging 15.2 points, 7.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.6 threes made on 41.7 percent from the field and 72 percent from the free throw line, with no signs of slowing down.
After getting stuck at exactly nine rebounds in each of the first two games of the season, Kessler has two straight double-doubles while doing his usual job of protecting the rim. The fourth-year center is averaging 17.0 points, 10.3 boards, 3.5 assists, 2.3 blocks, 1.5 steals and a surprising 1.5 threes on 75.0 percent shooting (6-for-8) from beyond the arc.
The third-year point guard has the best game of his career at the free-throw line, as the 15 attempts and makes were both personal bests. George has topped 25 points in back-to-back contests and has yet to dish fewer than eight assists in a game, averaging 22.3 points, 9.3 dimes, 2.8 boards, 1.5 threes and 1.0 steals on the young season, and there could be even better production on the way -- he's shooting just 22.2 percent (6-for-27) from three-point range, well below last season's 34.3 percent mark.
The 28-year-old forward continues to shine for Utah. Markkanen led all scorers on the night, and he's delivered 30-plus points in three straight contests while draining multiple three-pointers in all four games so far in 2025-26. Surprisingly, however, Wednesday's steals and blocks were his first of the campaign. Markkanen's averaging 34.0 points, 7.3 boards, 4.0 threes, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks in a massive 38.3 minutes a game while shooting 50.6 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from beyond the arc.
The veteran forward continues to fill up the bucket as the primary scoring threat on Portland's second unit. Through five games, Grant has yet to score fewer than 17 points, and he's averaging 21.6 points, 2.8 threes, 2.6 boards, 1.4 assists and 1.4 steals in 27.4 minutes a contest while shooting 52.5 percent from the floor and 46.7 percent from long distance.
After managing just nine total points in his prior two games, Camara got more involved on the offensive end, with his 14 field-goal attempts and eight three-point attempts both being season highs in the early going. Through five games, the third-year forward is averaging 11.0 points, 5.2 boards, 3.8 assists, 1.6 threes and 1.2 steals.
The fourth-year guard has scored between 15 and 19 points in all five of Portland's games so far, despite some early-season shooting woes. Sharpe is averaging 17.0 points, 4.4 boards, 1.8 threes, 1.6 assists and 1.6 steals, but those numbers have come while shooting a meager 32.6 percent from the floor and 23.7 percent from beyond the arc, suggesting that better production lies ahead once he gets in rhythm.
The 24-year-old forward just missed picking up his first double-double of the young season. Avdija is coming off a breakout 2024-25 campaign, but he's been even more productive to begin 2025-26 thanks to increased shot volume. Through five games, he's averaging 22.6 points, 6.4 boards, 4.2 assists, 2.4 threes and 1.0 blocks while attempting 15.8 FGs, including 6.4 threes.
The 27 points were a team high on the night and a season high for Holiday, who's delivered more than 20 points in three straight contests. The 35-year-old appears up to the task of being one of the focal points of the Portland offense, as opposed to being a part of the supporting cast as he was in Boston, and through five games, Holiday is averaging 19.6 points, 7.8 assists, 5.4 boards, 2.6 threes and 1.4 steals while shooting 51.4 percent from the floor and 38.2 percent from three-point range.
O'Neale is excelling as Dillon Brooks' placeholder, averaging 17.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.5 steals over two starting appearances. After acting as a regular starter during his tenures with the Jazz and the Nets, O'Neale has fallen into a support role with the Suns. The return of Brooks (groin) will likely send O'Neale back to the bench upon his return.
