Despite shifting to the bench, Grant has cobbled together six productive games to begin the season, averaging 20.7 points per game, adding 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 2.5 three-pointers. His role on this team was a topic of discussion heading into the season, although it appears as though he has embraced his new role.
Holiday continues to turn back the clock, handing out a season-high 13 assists. The veteran finished outside the top 200 in standard leagues last season, playing as a supporting cast member alongside a talented main cast in Boston. Now in Portland, Holiday is basically running the show, averaging 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.3 three-pointers in 32.3 minutes per game.
Williams made his season debut, playing as the primary backup behind Donovan Clingan. Given his long injury history, the fact that he is back on the floor is a huge positive. He would need to play upwards of 20 minutes per game to have any chance of putting up standard league value. At this stage, that seems like a pipe dream, at best.
Murray played through a calf injury Friday, leading the Nuggets with 22 points. A proven contributor in both fantasy and reality, it's been a strong start to the season for Murray, averaging 26.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.6 three-pointers in 33.7 minutes per game. There is no reason to think he can't finish this season inside the top 40, once all is said and done.
Watson continues to turn some heads, playing at least 23 minutes for the third consecutive game. In that span, he has averaged 9.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.0 blocks, putting him firmly on the radar, even in standard fantasy formats. He is more of a deep league target at this point, but is someone to monitor closely elsewhere, just in case his role increases at some point.
Johnson continued his disappointing start to the season, scoring single digits for the fourth time in the past five games. The fact that he played 31 minutes could be viewed as a positive, having reached 30 minutes only once prior to this performance. Managers will need to exercise patience here, in the hope that he can turn things around as he becomes more familiar with his new surroundings.
Allen wasn't the most efficient from the field but contributed to the Suns' commanding victory Friday in other ways. He finished second on the team in both assists and rebounds while leading both squads with a season-high three steals. Allen has started in each of the first six games of the regular season and should remain in the Suns' starting five for as long as Jalen Green (hamstring) is on the shelf.
Dunn cracked double-digit points for the first time this season Friday, and he led the Suns with a season-high 11 boards. It was his first double-double of the season after recording three during the 2024-25 campaign. Dunn doesn't provide much of a scoring punch but would continue to see additional opportunities on offense for as long as Jalen Green (hamstring) and Dillon Brooks (groin) are both sidelined.
Booker made his presence felt early with 12 points in the first quarter to help the Suns jump out to a 20-point lead, and he matched that total in the third frame to maintain Phoenix's cushion. Booker has scored at least 31 points in five of the first six games of the regular season while also dishing out at least seven dimes in four of those contests. Booker has been the Suns' clear focal point on offense following the offseason trade of Kevin Durant to the Rockets, and the former should continue to see a high usage for as long as Jalen Green (hamstring) is sidelined.
George went out Friday and put together a nice all-around game a day after the Jazz picked up his fourth-year option. He led Utah with nine dimes and finished second in both points and rebounds behind Lauri Markkanen (33 points) and Walker Kessler (13 rebounds), respectively, while living at the charity stripe with a game-high 11 free-throw attempts. George has started in each of the first five games of the regular season and is averaging 21.2 points, 9.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals over 34.2 minutes per game to start the year. However, he could be demoted to a bench role if Isaiah Collier (hamstring) is cleared to play against the Hornets on Sunday.
It was another strong outing for the ninth-year pro, who topped 30-plus points for a fourth consecutive game while finishing Friday's game as the second leading scorer behind Devin Booker (36). Markkanen has connected on 50.2 percent of his field-goal attempts through the first five games of the regular season and is averaging 33.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.6 steals over 37.4 minutes per game.
Ayton was available to return in the fourth quarter, according to head coach JJ Redick. However, the team chose to keep him sidelined as a precaution. The veteran big man finished with nine points and no other stats across the board.
Livers is dealing with a hip contusion that ended his night prematurely. He logged only three minutes before being ruled out for the game, finishing with one assist.
Jackson turned in his best scoring performance of the young season. However, his opportunities continue to be limited, as Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith and Jarace Walker were the focal points of the offense Friday evening. Jackson also posted a season high in rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double. The Kentucky product should continue to see his name listed in the starting lineup moving forward.
Siakam didn't have a great night shooting the basketball after going 15-for-24 from the field over his previous two appearances. However, he still managed to reach 18 points to lead Indiana in scoring. Siakam is averaging 24.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists through his five five appearances of the 2025-26 campaign.
Wallace provided steady production off the bench despite logging only 17 minutes on the night. He handled his heaviest workload of the young season and rewarded his squad with season highs in points, rebounds and assists. Wallace is still trying to make his way into the rotation and doesn't currently hold much value.
Okongwu was calculated on the offensive end, making the most of his opportunities. He led the bench in scoring, rebounds and blocks on the way to a solid showing across the board. Okongwu has now scored in double figures in all six matchups so far this season.
Huerter scored double-digits for the fifth straight game to begin the season, providing the undefeated Bulls with a viable scoring threat off the bench. Over that five-game period, Huerter is averaging 14.2 points per game, adding 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 three-pointers and 1.6 combined steals and blocks. Coby White is nearing a return after missing the start of the season with a calf injury. Upon his return, the coaching staff will have some decisions to make, one of which is where Huerter fits in the rotation moving forward.
Alexander-Walker drew the start in place of Trae Young, who was ruled out due to a knee injury. Alexander-Walker continues to fare well offensively, as he's now scored 17 or more points in five of his first six appearances of the 2025-26 campaign. He's also provided a spark defensively by racking up two steals in three of his last four matchups.
Giddey continued his blistering start to the season, falling one assist short of a triple-double. The Bulls remain undefeated to begin the season, with Giddey leading the charge, averaging 22.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 0.6 steals and 2.0 three-pointers. Outside of his subpar defensive contributions, managers have to be thrilled with what Giddey has served up on a nightly basis. Chicago will look to continue its winning ways when it hosts the Knicks on Sunday.
Dosunmu got back on track in the win, scoring at least 20 points for the second time in the past three games. Despite coming off the bench, it's been a relatively strong start to the season for Dosunmu, averaging 16.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.0 three-pointers in 26.1 minutes per game. The eventual return of Coby White (calf) is going to complicate matters when it comes to playing time. However, for now, consider Dosunmu a viable asset, even in 12-team formats.
McBride returned after missing the previous two games due to personal issues. While the production was nothing to write home about, the fact that he played 29 minutes despite coming off the bench was a real positive. Both Landry Shamet and Josh Hart played just 15 minutes, indicating that McBride could very well be positioned to serve as the team's sixth man, at least for the foreseeable future.
Hart hit rock bottom in the loss, failing to score in arguably the worst performance of his career. With Mitchell Robinson returning to action, the path to minutes for Hart just got even murkier. Despite coming off a breakout season, the current trajectory for Hart makes it hard to make a case for him being a must-roster player.
Robinson played his first game of the season, leading the team with 11 rebounds. He slotted straight into the starting lineup, and although he was apparently not on a minutes restriction, he did manage just 20 minutes. As expected, he was non-existent on the offensive end, but the other aspects of his game appeared fine. His availability moving forward remains a mystery, although simply being back on the court is a step in the right direction.
While Pritchard has been a midrange marksman this season, drilling 50 percent of his midrange attempts, he has been seriously struggling from beyond the arc. Through the first six games of the year, the career 39.5 percent three-point shooter has been converting just 17.4 percent of his long-balls, which is almost unfathomable. He should figure it out soon enough.
While Minott was invisible on offense in this one, he was still Boston's leading rebounder and helped the Celtics win the rebounding battle 45-40. The offense may come and go, but he should be consistent with the hustle stats and looks to be locked in as a starter, which will maintain his value in deep leagues.
While the counting stats for White this season have been solid, he has been struggling from an efficiency standpoint, converting just 32.1 percent of his shot attempts. However, as a career 44.6 percent shooter, it should only be a matter of time until his shot starts falling, and once that happens, he'll shoot up the rankings.
Brown was hot from the jump in this one, as he dropped in 16 of his 32 points over a five-minute stretch in the first quarter, and he got whatever he wanted all game long. After a 0-3 start to the season for Boston, they've now rallied off three straight wins to bring their record back to .500. They'll look to keep it going Saturday against the Rockets.
This was a season-high in minutes for Embiid, who has looked a little better with each game this season. He did take an elbow to the face from Derrick White, but he was able to play through it, so that shouldn't be something that impacts his status for Sunday's game in Brooklyn.
The 76ers got off to a rough start in this game, which left them trailing by 24 points early, but Philly fought back and ended the first half with a 17-4 run to get back into the game. Maxey was a significant reason why the 76ers were able to stay in the game, and he made a huge shot towards the end of regulation to trim the Celtics' lead to just one. However, at the end of the day, the 76ers were unable to keep their winning streak alive. They'll look to get things back on track Sunday in Brooklyn.
Ball made his first start of the regular season Friday due to the absences of Donovan Mitchell (hamstring), Darius Garland (toe) and Sam Merrill (hip). Ball scored all eight of his points in the third quarter as he took a back seat offensively to Evan Mobley (29 points), De'Andre Hunter (26) and Jaylon Tyson (18). While Ball isn't known for his scoring, he has registered at least five assists in each of his five outings this season. He would likely return to the bench if Mitchell and Garland were to return Sunday against the Hawks.
Wade made his first start of the season Friday due to the absence of Donovan Mitchell (hamstring). Wade struggled with his shot, but he contributed meaningfully in other ways with season highs in steals and blocks. He would revert to his bench role Sunday against the Hawks if Mitchell is cleared to return.
Mobley was pushed into a more prominent offensive role due to the absences of Darius Garland (toe) and Donovan Mitchell (hamstring). Mobley responded with a game-high 29 points, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter, and he also tallied three swipes for the third time this season. He has opened the regular season averaging 20.2 points on 46.1 percent shooting, 9.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.8 steals over 34.0 minutes per game.
Barnes led both teams with 10 boards en route to his second double-double through six regular-season games. The fifth-year pro will end the month of October averaging 20.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks over 33.0 minutes per game while connecting on 52.2 percent of his field-goal attempts.
Ingram led the Raptors with seven free-throw attempts and was one of three Toronto players to score 20 points in Friday's win. The 10th-year pro has scored at least 20 points in four of the first six games of the regular season and will end the month of October averaging 21.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals over 32.8 minutes per game while connecting on 53.2 percent of his field-goal attempts.
Battle was a healthy scratch for each of the Raptors' two games prior to Friday's contest, but he was on the floor for a season-high 15 minutes and made the most of his opportunity. He was one of three Raptors players to score 20 points and was responsible for six of the team's 13 three-pointers while posting a game-high plus-28 point differential. Battle's performance Friday could help carve a consistent role for himself off the bench going into November.
Bogdanovic will be in the second unit with Bradley Beal getting the nod in the starting five. Bogdanovic hasn't made a significant impact this season, averaging 1.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 11.1 percent from the field.
Beal is back after a two-game absence, which will result in Bogdan Bogdanovic heading back to the second unit. Joining Beal in the starting five Friday night will be Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Derrick Jones and Ivica Zubac.
Porter's absence may extend beyond this four-week window, so he's a cut candidate in re-draft leagues. Ryan Rollins has been on fire as a starter as of late, so Porter will have some competition for the starting point guard spot once he is eventually able to make it back to the court.
Johnson stuffed the stat sheet while leading all players in points, rebounds and assists. The 23-year-old forward also posted a season high in boards en route to his first double-double of the campaign. He has now scored 20-plus points in three consecutive games and in four of his five regular-season appearances thus far.
LaRavia started the past two games with the Lakers banged up, but Marcus Smart (quad) and Luka Doncic (finger) are back for Friday's game, so LaRavia will return to a reserve role. Through three games as a reserve this season, LaRavia owns averages of 7.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 25.4 minutes a night.
Smart will return from a two-game absence due to a right quadriceps contusion and join the starting five. The veteran guard has appeared in three regular-season games (one start) so far, averaging 7.7 points, 2.0 assists, 1.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 24.7 minutes per contest.
Vanderbilt will be in the second unit, with Luka Doncic (finger) and Marcus Smart (quadriceps) returning. Jake LaRavia will also have a bench role for Friday's matchup. Vanderbilt is averaging 5.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game, shooting 40 percent from the field.
Murray will shed his questionable tag due to left calf tightness and suit up Friday. The 28-year-old point guard has been productive to start the season, averaging 27.0 points, 6.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 33.5 minutes per game across four regular-season appearances. He's shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from three-point range.
Johnson will continue to play through the shoulder issue and should be available for his usual minutes Friday night. Through the first four games of the season, Johnson is averaging 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 triples per contest.
Sharpe was initially listed as probable, and now we have official confirmation that he'll be out there. Sharpe has gotten off to a solid start this season, posting averages of 17.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.8 triples and 1.6 steals per game.
Jackson is under the weather and will miss Friday's contest. However, he's appeared in just two games this season, so his absence shouldn't cause any significant waves in the rotation.
After missing Wednesday's game against the Jazz due to an illness, Murray will get back on the floor. The Iowa product is averaging 5.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, shooting 52.9 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Williams is set to make his regular-season debut, but he'll likely have a tight minutes cap. He could have value in a 20-minute role, but this is a wait-and-see situation for now. It'll be interesting to see how he impacts Donovan Clingan's playing time once he's fully up to speed.
Head coach JJ Redick said that he would be "mindful" of Doncic's minutes in his first game back from a three-game absence, but even with a minutes cap, Doncic is a must-play guy whenever he's active. Fire him up.
After missing the last two games due to a quadriceps injury, Smart will make his return to the floor. Over the course of the three games he's played this season, the veteran guard has averaged 7.7 points, 1.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game, shooting 43.8 percent from the floor.
Thybulle sustained the thumb injury after logging just five minutes in Wednesday's win over the Jazz and will now miss an extended period. With the 28-year-old forward sidelined, Kris Murray and Rayan Rupert are candidates for increased playing time. Over four regular-season appearances, Thybulle has averaged 5.0 points and 2.5 steals in 12.3 minutes per contest.
Sasser has yet to make his season debut due to a right hip impingement, though he was listed as questionable ahead of each of the previous two games. If the 25-year-old guard remains sidelined, Caris LeVert and Daniss Jenkins are likely to continue receiving a bump in minutes.
Lively will miss his third consecutive game due to a right knee sprain, and his next opportunity to play will come Monday against the Rockets. Dwight Powell is likely to see an uptick in playing time, especially if Daniel Gafford (ankle) is downgraded from questionable to out.
If Russell can't give it a go Saturday, Cooper Flagg would get all the run he could handle, and Brandon Williams would likely be turned loose in the second unit. Check back for another update on Russell closer to Saturday's tip-off.
Exum has yet to make his season debut as he continues to deal with a knee issue. The next chance for him to get back on the floor will be Monday against the Rockets.
This is the first time this season Gafford is getting hit with the questionable tag, and they sure could use him with Anthony Davis (calf) going down. He'll likely be eased back into things if he's cleared for Saturday's game, but his return would mean fewer minutes for Dwight Powell.
Murray-Boyles will make a second straight start. He'll be joined by Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley in the first five.
Wade will be in the first five with Donovan Mitchell (hamstring) on the mend. Wade will be joined by Lonzo Ball, Jaylon Tyson, DeAndre Hunter and Evan Mobley.
Shamet was able to earn a spot-start Tuesday with both Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and Miles McBride (personal) missing in action, but those two will return for Friday's game, which will significantly impact Shamet's minutes. He tends to only see minutes in the low-teens as a reserve, so he's not worth deploying in most formats.
With Donovan Mitchell (hamstring), Darius Garland (toe) and Sam Merrill (hip) all sidelined, Ball will get the starting nod for the first time this season. The Cavaliers have been cautious with the 28-year-old point guard's playing time due to his extensive injury history, and he'll remain on a minutes restriction Friday, according to Ethan Sands of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Over four regular-season games, Ball has averaged 4.8 points, 6.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game.
After missing Wednesday's game against the Bucks, Yabusele will be back on the floor. The French import is averaging 1.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, shooting 20 percent from the floor.
Davis has been diagnosed with a low-grade left calf strain, and he'll be re-evaluated ahead of Wednesday's tilt against the Pelicans. The Mavericks are already dealing with injuries to Daniel Gafford (ankle) and Dereck Lively (knee), which will make it even more difficult to plug up the center position for the time being. Dwight Powell could be thrust into big minutes down low, while P.J. Washington could be used as a small-ball center more frequently.
With the Pacers' backcourt plagued by injuries, the two-way player will get the starting nod over Ben Sheppard. Jackson has appeared in two regular-season games thus far, averaging 6.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game off the bench.
The winless Pacers are searching for answers for their sizable void at point guard, and Quenton Jackson will usurp Sheppard in the starting lineup. Sheppard has averaged 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 30.0 minutes per contest across four games this season. While his streaming value likely takes a slight hit, Sheppard should still play a key role Friday.
Towns has been a regular on the injury report to start the season, though he will shed his probable tag due to a right quadriceps strain and suit up Friday. The star big man is coming off his worst game of the season in Tuesday's loss to the Bucks and will look to bounce back against Chicago. Over four regular-season games, he's averaging 17.0 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocks in 33.8 minutes per game.
Despite a lengthy stay on the sidelines with ankle injury management, Robinson will be all systems go Friday. The Knicks intend to deploy the veteran big man from the first unit as well. With New York's frontcourt back at full strength, it's possible Ariel Hukporti will be outside the rotation.
After starting in Tuesday's game against the Wizards, Edwards is back in the second unit with Jabari Walker getting the nod in the first five. Edwards is averaging 7.0 points and 1.0 rebounds per game, shooting 50 percent from the floor and 50 percent from beyond the arc.
The Hawks are awaiting some clarity on Trae Young's (knee) injury, and Alexander-Walker will get the first look in the first unit in Young's stead. Alexander-Walker has averaged 16.2 points, 3.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 30.0 minutes per contest in five games this season.
The two-way player will get the starting nod in place of Justin Edwards. Over four regular-season appearances (one start) thus far, Walker has averaged 4.5 points and 3.8 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per contest.
Mitchell will miss a game for the first time this season due to a hamstring issue. Jarrett Allen (hand) has also been ruled out for this game, meaning Cleveland will be down two starters. The team will likely turn to Lonzo Ball and Jaylon Tyson in the backcourt while leaning on Larry Nance and Thomas Bryant in the frontcourt.
Allen was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture in his left finger Thursday, and it appears that the Cavaliers will evaluate him on a day-to-day basis. The star big man can be deemed questionable for Sunday's showdown with the Hawks. Evan Mobley should dominate the usage in Donovan Mitchell's (hamstring) absence Friday, while Larry Nance makes sense as a plug-and-play fantasy option in a pinch.
After missing a game for the first time this season Thursday against the Warriors due to a knee issue, Antetokounmpo has a chance to return to the floor. If the superstar big man is ruled out for this matchup, the team will likely turn to Kyle Kuzma again in the starting lineup, with Bobby Portis getting more time off the bench.
It'll be a fifth straight game on the shelf for Porter, who continues to be hampered by a sprained ankle. His next chance to return comes Monday in Indiana. Ryan Rollins has been on a tear and is perhaps running away with the top spot at point guard in Porter's stead, with the former averaging 21.0 points, 5.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game across his last four appearances.
Clifford is in danger of missing a fifth straight game due to a hamstring injury. However, the Colorado State product seems to be trending in the right direction. If he misses Saturday's matchup, the team will turn to Russell Westbrook, Keon Ellis and Devin Carter, especially with Malik Monk (personal) already ruled out.
Monk will miss a game for the first time this season due to a personal issue. The team will likely lean on Russell Westbrook, Keon Ellis and Devin Carter in Monk's absence.
Toppin will likely miss a considerable amount of time following this surgery. Head coach Rick Carlisle told the media not to ask about Toppin's status until Feb. 1. The team will likely turn to Jay Huff, Jarace Walker and Tony Bradley to help shoulder the load in the frontcourt.
Furphy is set to have a four-game absence with a bone bruise in his foot following Friday. He has a short turnaround if he wants to suit up Saturday against the Warriors. Fantasy managers can turn to Jarace Walker for an appealing streaming option in the injury-riddled Indiana rotation.
Peter's presence will help shore up Indiana's injury-ravaged rotation. That said, most of the streaming appeal should go to Ben Sheppard and RayJ Dennis in the Indiana backcourt Friday.
The Hornets have not cleared up Green's return timetable due to shoulder surgery. The swingman is doubtful for game action, including Sunday against Utah, until Charlotte offers an update.
Williams is still recovering from knee surgery and has yet to make his season debut. The next opportunity for him to get back on the floor will be Sunday against the Jazz.
Clark is trying to end a two-game absence with the issue. If he's unable to go Saturday, Terrence Shannon would likely have a longer leash from the second unit.
No surprise here, considering Miller is dealing with a fairly significant injury. The star forward appears doubtful for Sunday's tilt against the Jazz. Miles Bridges could see massive usage if LaMelo Ball (ankle) joins Miller on the sidelines, while Collin Sexton is a candidate to handle additional playmaking duties.
After an impressive all-around performance in Thursday's game against the Magic, Ball is dealing with an ankle issue. If he's unable to play, the team will likely pivot to Collin Sexton and Tre Mann to shoulder the load in the backcourt.
Williams had been nearing a return to the floor, but he had to undergo a follow-up procedure on his right wrist to remove a screw. Therefore, the star forward's season debut will be delayed until Nov. 11 against the Warriors at the earliest. Luguentz Dort should play heavy minutes moving forward, while Ajay Mitchell will have a longer runway to playing time.
Suggs had gotten the night off Thursday against Charlotte, given that it was the second night of a back-to-back set. The 2021 first-rounder has yet to reach the 25-minute barrier after missing the preseason while recovering from knee surgery. Suggs has averaged 11.3 points, 4.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per contest across four games this season, and his return will force Anthony Black to the second unit in all likelihood.
Toohey is still recovering from a left knee injury, which has kept him sidelined since the preseason. Tuesday's contest against the Suns will be his next chance to play, but Toohey has no definitive return timeline and can be deemed out indefinitely.
It doesn't appear Wagner has been cleared for contact amid his recovery from ACL surgery, per Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. The veteran big man can be considered out indefinitely going forward. In the interim, Goga Bitadze will continue to serve as the primary backup center behind Wendell Carter.
After being waived by the Bucks during training camp, Livingston has latched on with another team. The 2023 second-rounder will likely see most of his playing time come with the G League's Cleveland Charge, though Livingston is also a depth option in the Cavaliers' frontcourt while Jarrett Allen's (finger) status remains in limbo.
It sounds like Robinson is ready to make his season debut Friday. After missing about three weeks of action between the preseason and regular season, the veteran big man could be eased back into action. With Robinson set to play, Ariel Hukporti likely has the most to lose from a fantasy perspective.
While it's not surprising that Looney was downgraded from doubtful to out, he appears to be inching closer toward making his season debut. The veteran big man will hope to return Sunday in Oklahoma City. Meanwhile, DeAndre Jordan should be able to stick around in the New Orleans rotation.
The Hornets spent a first-round pick on Salaun last year, so this isn't a surprise. With Grant Williams (knee) sidelined, Salaun has averaged 15.5 minutes per game over his first four outings this season.
This is an expected move, given Miller's importance to the Charlotte franchise going forward. The star forward is battling a left shoulder subluxation, which leaves his status in doubt for Saturday's game against the Timberwolves.
Finney-Smith has been out of action since training camp while he recovers from offseason left ankle surgery. The veteran forward should play meaningful minutes when healthy, but his return doesn't seem to be imminent. Until Finney-Smith is ready to play, Tari Eason has one less obstacle to climb for playing time.
After going through morning shootaround, Doncic is firmly on track to return from a three-game absence Friday. The Lakers originally planned on being without the superstar guard for at least one week as of Sunday, but Doncic appears to be ahead of schedule in his recovery from a finger sprain and lower leg contusion. His return, as well as Marcus Smart's (quadriceps), would likely push Jake LaRavia back to the bench.
Cleared to make his season debut after missing the Thunder's first five games while recovering from a left knee contusion, Joe didn't exhibit any signs of rust. He was one of two Thunder bench players to put up 20 points in the runaway victory, with reserve guard Ajay Mitchell also achieving the feat. Though Joe should be a regular part of the Thunder's rotation now that he's healthy again, his playing time will likely trend down in more competitive games and when Oklahoma City gets Chet Holmgren (back) and Jalen Williams (wrist) back in action.
Collier has been fully cleared to return from his hamstring injury, but he's heading to the G League to regain his conditioning. Collier's next chance to play with Utah comes Nov. 2 against the Hornets.
After missing the past two games, Smart participated in the morning shootaround and appears on track to return despite carrying a questionable tag. Additionally, Luka Doncic (finger) may also return for the Lakers. If that happens, Smart won't have a ton of upside offensively.
Lerner described this as a formality for the Rockets, with Sheppard's option valued at $11.1 million. Through four games, Sheppard is averaging 10.0 points, 3.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.0 three-pointers.
No surprise here, as the Rockets likely viewed this as a formality for one of their franchise building blocks. Thompson's option is valued at $12.3 million. Through four regular-season games, Thompson is averaging 14.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists.
Doncic is listed as questionable to play in Friday's game against the Grizzlies after missing the past three games for the Lakers. His participation at the morning shootaround bodes well for his status. It's possible the star playmaker ends up being a game-time call for this one.
Jackson was a very late addition to the injury report. Presumably, he'll warm up before a decision is made on his status. Jackson has been a fringe rotation player thus far with two appearances on the season.
Powell has one brief NBA appearance to his name thus far, and he's likely to bounce between the two leagues for the foreseeable future.
The Spurs are off to a 5-0 start, and Barnes has locked down a significant role on the wings. His fantasy value hasn't been the greatest, however, as he's averaging 9.2 points, 2.8 assists, 1.6 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocks and 1.6 three-pointers in 30.5 minutes per contest.
Smith seems to be holding his own as Miami's backup point guard. Through five games, he's seeing 17.7 minutes per contest with averages of 5.8 points, 4.0 assists, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.0 three-pointers on 48.0 percent shooting from the field.
Even with Kevin Porter (ankle) out, Harris has struggled to break through this rotation. The veteran guard has appeared in just two out of five games on a very limited basis.
Breaking through Golden State's rotation won't be easy, but Richard seems to have earned the trust of coach Steve Kerr at the back end of the rotation. At least until De'Anthony Melton (knee) returns, Richard could see minutes in the low teens in certain matchups.
Green did take a shot to the face during this contest, prompting a trip to the locker room. He returned moments later, however, and it doesn't seem like it will be an issue going forward. Through six regular-season games, Green holds averages of 9.0 points, 7.0 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks in 27.8 minutes per contest.
Although he failed to score, Caruso managed to produce a few steals to keep his fantasy value afloat. Through three appearances, the veteran guard has produced averages of 5.3 points, 2.7 assists, 2.0 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 0.7 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers in 23.5 minutes per night.
With the return of Bilal Coulibaly, the Wizards opted to run a bigger lineup Thursday. Although Middleton started this game, his long-term outlook remains pretty bleak as the Wizards continue to keep their focus on guys like Coulibaly and Kyshawn George. Plus, Cam Whitmore is likely to become more involved down the road.
Carter put up a season-high 18 points in the win, helping the Magic improve to 2-4 on the season. Apart from a dud in his previous outing against Detroit in which he fouled out in 15 minutes, Carter has been solid this campaign. Through six games, he's averaging 10.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.7 blocks and 1.2 three-pointers in 27.9 minutes per contest.
The No. 32 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Penda saw his largest workload of the campaign in what was his third appearance. Orlando's frontcourt rotation is stacked, so Penda will likely have to accept a minor role for the foreseeable future.
Niederhauser's absence is unlikely to have a big impact on the rotation. The No. 30 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Niederhauser has averaged 4.3 minutes across three appearances thus far.
Niang has yet to make an appearance this season and remains without a timetable to return. It's unlikely he sees the floor in the immediate future for Utah.
Collier has yet to debut this season, but he was cleared for on-court work Thursday. The Jazz also announced that he completed his return-to-play protocol, and he's expected to be sent to the G League on Friday for a small stint to get some reps.
Davis wasn't able to return to Wednesday's game against the Pacers due to left lower leg soreness. Stein doesn't note how serious the injury is, but the Mavericks are typically pretty cautious with their players. If Davis ends up sitting out, Dwight Powell could be in line for a start after starting the second half of Wednesday's game against the Pacers.
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.
