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, 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.
Although Booker led the team in scoring, he converted only 38.4 percent of his shots and relied on frequent trips to the charity stripe to bolster his totals. Booker's shot volume is immense, and he usually finds his way to a solid total due to his massive usage. The Suns should reach full potency once Booker shares the backcourt with Jalen Green (hamstring), who is close to making his debut.
Williams supplanted Oso Ighodaro in the starting lineup and transformed Phoenix's interior game in the process. Williams excelled in the role he seemed destined to acquire, and the move should be a permanent one. Nick Richards was already behind Ighodaro, and the former is now at the bottom of the depth chart at the position.
Although Jackson is providing steady production so far, he's yet to surpass 19 points this season, which is a significant regression from his usual career numbers. Jackson's recent toe injury shortened his window of preparation in the preseason, so it may only be a matter of logging more time on the court to get him back on track.
Memphis' 2025 first-round pick is impressing in the early stage of the season. He's scored in double figures in four of his first five games and has risen to a second-unit role behind Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in short order. Caldwell-Pope's numbers have been just fine so far, but the Grizzlies will give the rookie every opportunity to succeed as he continues to develop.
Aldama spent some time on the injury report this week but has yet to miss a game. The fifth-year pro hasn't been able to grab a firm hold of a starting role during his tenure with the Grizzlies, but he has come through again and again when needed to fill gaps due to injury. Right now, Aldama can use his versatility to fill in at a few different positions, but one of those portals will close when Zach Edey (ankle) returns later this year.
DiVincenzo had an efficient game while Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels enjoyed the spotlight. Additional support from Rob Dillingham and Bones Hyland should also populate this spot over the next couple of weeks. However, DiVincenzo has a firm hold on a starting role for now, as Mike Conley was coming off the bench to begin the season before moving into a starting role following an injury to Anthony Edwards (hamstring).
McDaniels should be the primary beneficiary while Anthony Edwards (hamstring) recovers, and he confirmed that premise with a huge night in the narrow loss. McDaniels is a valuable piece of Minnesota's scheme independent of Edwards' injury, but fantasy managers should take advantage of the production spike while it lasts.
With Anthony Edwards (hamstring) sidelined, the rest of Minnesota's starting lineup came through in a big way. Randle and Jaden McDaniels exploded and provided 63 of the team's 115 points in a hotly-contested match that came down to the final seconds. Wednesday marked Randle's best scoring performance of the season, and he should continue to excel during Edwards' absence, which is expected to last a minimum of two weeks.
Knecht's role should continue to expand, given the state of the Lakers' roster. If the persistent trade rumors surrounding Knecht had any truth to them, the organization is likely relieved that they didn't pull the trigger. The team is snake-bit with injuries, and support players like Knecht will be essential in keeping the team above water for the next few weeks.
Ayton crafted his second double-double of the season during the thrilling last-second win. The Lakers are currently riddled with injuries, and Ayton is one of the last vestiges of what was the team's projected starting lineup to begin the season. He's enjoyed a solid start to the season, averaging 16.0 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocked shots over five games.
Although the Lakers were a shell of themselves with several players out with injury, LaRavia took advantage of the start Wednesday and shot a near-perfect game alongside Austin Reaves, who hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer. LaRavia's performance could shake things up in a rotation that previously featured Marcus Smart (quad) and Gabe Vincent (ankle) in the first unit.
Johnson played through a minor shoulder concern, albeit unproductively. It's been an underwhelming start to his career in Denver, averaging just 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 three-pointers in 25.7 minutes per game. While he will almost certainly be better than this moving forward, it appears as though it could be a down season when compared to what he has done in Brooklyn over the past three years.
Jones played no more than six minutes for the fourth straight game, scoring his first basket of the season. Denver is poised to make a deep push this season, limiting the opportunities for players such as Jones. Don't expect to see him playing meaningful minutes, outside of injury-related absences to other players.
Strawther logged a season-high 11 minutes, continuing what has been a quiet start for the score-first guard. Despite averaging a career-high 21.3 minutes during the 2024-25 season, it appears as though Strawther has slipped down the pecking order, likely as a result of the addition of Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway. At this point, Strawther seems destined to serve as a depth piece, rather than a meaningful part of the rotation.
Murphy couldn't get anything going in the loss, shooting under 30 percent for the second straight game. Outside of one solid performance against the Spurs, Murphy has struggled to begin the season, averaging 12.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.3 three-pointers across the first four games. Look for him to bounce back sooner rather than later, making this an ideal time to buy low in fantasy leagues.
Williamson played through a foot issue, returning to action after missing the previous game. While it was good to see him back on the floor, it was certainly not his best performance. Whether the injury played a part in his lack of production is anyone's guess. What is clear is how bad New Orleans has been to begin the season. The hope is that Williamson can get things back on track, both personally and as a team, when the squad travels to Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Friday.
Jordan was given the starting nod, an indication of how desperate things are in New Orleans at the moment. The Pelicans have lost all four games to begin the season, the last two by significant margins. Despite starting, Jordan was a non-factor during his limited time on the floor. To be clear, he should not be starting for an NBA team, nor should he be on any fantasy rosters.
Buzelis finished with the third-highest scoring total of his career in Chicago's fourth straight win. He was dialed in from beyond the arc, easily marking his best shooting performance of the young season. The second-year lottery pick showed why he could be poised for a breakout year.
Porter continued his strong start to the season, tallying a season-high 32 points. The Nets have been woeful to this point, with Porter really the only bright spot. Through his first five games as a Nets player, he has averaged 21.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 3.2 three-pointers.
Saraf started for the fifth straight game to open the season, failing to score for the second time in the past three games. Despite the starting tag, Saraf has been anything but when it comes to production. He has scored a total of 16 points thus far, adding two three-pointers and two steals. He should not be on any rosters outside of very deep formats.
Claxton recorded his first double-double of the season, a welcome sight after a somewhat modest start to the campaign. He also recorded his first block of the season, something managers will be hoping is the first of many. Through five games, Claxton is averaging 12.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.0 combined steals and blocks. Brooklyn has already shown its hand when it comes to what this season might look like, and that'll mean sporadic production for Claxton.
Giddey delivered his best passing performance of the season while scoring 20 points and grabbing eight rebounds. His all-around style of play has propelled the Bulls to a 4-0 start. Wednesday marked Giddey's fourth game in a row surpassing 18 points and his third double-double of the year.
Morant more than doubled his previous season high in rebounds, which previously stood at three. He's also logged at least six assists in four straight contests. The star point guard hit the game-winning shot with 7.3 seconds left, knocking down a floater from inside the painted area. Through five games in 2025-26, Morant is averaging 23.4 points, 6.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals.
Jokic has now amassed a triple-double in four straight games to open the season, and while his rebound and assist totals didn't go far into double figures, snaring a triple-double in just 28 minutes is quite a feat. The center had played 32 or more minutes in his first three games of the season. Jokic had two triple-double streaks of at least four games last year, with one ending at four and one stopping after five.
Reaves, after dropping 51 and 41 points in his last two games, respectively, delivered an elite total in a different category. The shooting guard tied his career high in assists, marking his third double-double of the campaign. He also drilled a game-winning 12-footer at the buzzer to give the Lakers a 3-2 record this season. Reaves is proving his breakout 2024-25 campaign wasn't a fluke, and he's averaging 34.2 points, 10.0 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game this season.
Hauser's only attempted shots came from long distance, and he drilled over 50 percent of them. The sharpshooting forward has made 21 of his 46 three-point attempts (45.7 percent) this season, and he's played at least 21 minutes in all five contests, though his last three appearances have been with the second unit.
Over the final 15 games of the 2024-25 season, Williams compiled averages of 14.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 triples and 1.3 steals per contest, so he's shown he's capable of providing solid value when given the minutes. He may have Wally Pipped Jaden Hardy on the depth chart with his performance Wednesday night, as Hardy logged just eight minutes in the win. It'll be interesting to see what the minutes distribution between these two looks like Saturday in Detroit.
Powell collected a DNP-CD on Monday, but with Anthony Davis (leg) exiting Wednesday's game early, Powell was able to re-enter the rotation and started the second half. If Davis, Dereck Lively (knee) and Daniel Gafford (ankle) all need to miss Saturday's game in Detroit, Powell would likely get the starting nod as the last center standing in Dallas.
Flagg was quiet for the first three quarters of Wednesday's game, but he took over late when the Mavs needed some offense and helped secure the win for Dallas. There may be up-and-down production from the 18-year-old, but the good news is that head coach Jason Kidd is allowing him to play through mistakes, and he's logging major minutes right out the gate. Flagg should only improve as the year goes on.
Huff had failed to send away any shots in his previous two outings, but he racked up the swats in this game and saw a season high in minutes. If he could consistently flirt with 20 minutes a night, Huff would be worth rostering in deep fantasy leagues as a shot-blocking specialist.
Minott notched his first NBA double-double since Feb. 8, 2023. His 14 rebounds were also a career high. The 2022 second-round pick has seemingly found a home in Boston, as he's now started back-to-back games and has scored in double figures in three straight contests. Minott should continue to draw starts if he maintains this level of production.
Nesmith couldn't buy a bucket, but that was a team-wide trend for Indiana, with the Pacers going just 37-106 from the floor Wednesday evening. Ben Sheppard posted four points (1-7 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and two turnovers across 25 minutes in the narrow loss.
Siakam has been rolling this season, hitting career highs across the board behind averages of 26.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.5 triples, 1.5 steals, 0.5 swats and 2.0 turnovers per contest. His usage rate has skyrocketed to 29.7 sans Bennedict Mathurin (toe), as he's the only guy on this Pacers' team who can consistently create his own offense. Expect the big stat lines to continue.
Brown, with Jayson Tatum (Achilles) sidelined, has thrived in his new lead role. He's averaging 26.8 points per game on 52/47/76 shooting splits, and he's averaging 18 field-goal attempts per contest. While he hasn't been a double-double threat, Brown has been able to chip in with rebounds and assists, making him an even more valuable fantasy asset.
Tyson drew the start Wednesday with Sam Merrill (hip) sidelined, and he tied for the team high in points. The outing marked Tyson's first time scoring in double digits this season. Despite starting the contest, Tyson didn't start the second half, as Dean Wade replaced him in the first five. Wednesday's outing also marked the second-year player's second game with three steals this season.
Mobley didn't log a double-double in any of his first three games of the regular season, but he's now reached the milestone in back-to-back contests. He tied for the team high in points Wednesday while pacing the Cavs in rebounds. With Darius Garland (toe) sidelined to start the year, Mobley has been tasked with a larger role as a facilitator, and he's dished out at least four assists in four straight games. He averaged 3.2 assists per game during the 2024-25 regular season.
Risacher continues to offer very little, with his low usage resulting in limited production. Through three games played, he is averaging just 8.7 points and 1.0 three-pointers in 22.9 minutes per game. Despite having seemingly locked down a starting position, there may be no reason to be holding him outside of deeper fantasy formats at this point.
Daniels had arguably his best game of the season, despite shooting just 3-for-10 from the field. Production aside, perhaps the biggest takeaway was the fact that Trae Young suffered a knee injury, which could send him to the sideline for a period of time. The effect here could be that Daniels is tasked with doing a little more on the offensive end, boosting his potential for scoring and assists.
Alexander-Walker shifted to the bench Wednesday, although that could be a short-term move following a knee injury to Trae Young. While it is only being reported as a knee sprain, there is a decent chance Young will miss time moving forward. Alexander-Walker has been arguably the most consistent player for the Hawks this season and could very well find himself with a sizeable role, at least for the short term. If he is available in your league, you may want to go and rectify that immediately.
Da Silva made the most of his opportunities off the bench, tying his season high in made triples while posting his third double-digit scoring performance of the young campaign. He's unlikely to provide much production outside of scoring and rebounding but has proven that he can stack triples on occasion.
Wagner cruised to another 20-point performance, marking his fourth in five appearances so far this season. He's been a reliable source of production in the scoring column in the early going of the 2025-26 campaign after averaging 24.2 points through 60 regular-season appearances a year ago.
Thybulle was initially listed on the injury report with a hip injury, but it appears he picked up a thumb injury during Wednesday's tilt. He'll finish the contest with thre points (1-1 3Pt), one assist and two steals in five minutes. Look for Rayan Rupert and Caleb Love to see more action with Thybulle sidelined. His next chance to play will come Friday against Denver.
It isn't clear exactly what happened to Davis when he suffered the injury. He came down normally after a jump shot but was unable to run back on defense, as he clutched at the ankle area of his left leg. Dwight Powell started the second half of Wednesday's game, so if Davis needs to skip Saturday's game in Detroit, Powell may have the opportunity to start.
Banchero wasn't shy in driving to the basket, resulting in a season-high 17 attempts from the charity stripe. He led the Magic in scoring, rebounds and assists, recording his third double-double of the young season. Banchero has been a strong contributor across the board through his first five appearances of the 2025-26 campaign.
Cunningham was unable to get his shot to fall from beyond the arc, but it didn't stop him from reaching the 30-point threshold and leading Detroit in points, assists, steals and blocks. This was a strong all-around performance from the 24-year-old, who had been held to 12 points and four assists in his last matchup Monday against the Cavs.
Robinson did the majority of his scoring from beyond the arc, where he's now gone 12-for-26 in his last four appearances. The sharpshooter took full advantage of his opportunities Wednesday after a pair of sluggish showings, dropping eight points Sunday against Boston and eight points Monday against Cleveland. He should continue to get looks with the starting five with Jaden Ivey (knee) sidelined.
Duren had an efficient night on the offensive end and scored over half of his points from the charity stripe. He also managed to turn in his second double-double in three games with the help of another strong rebounding performance. Duren looks to be back on track following a sluggish first few games of the 2025-26 season.
Mouhamed Gueye fell into the side of Young's right leg during Wednesday's game against Brooklyn, and the star guard was quickly ruled out for the rest of the way. The injury was deemed a right knee sprain, but the Hawks will have Young undergo further testing to determine its severity. Head coach Quin Snyder said postgame that Young's injury isn't an ACL issue, but more clarity should be provided following the MRI. Atlanta's next game is Friday against Indiana.
Murray-Boyles got the start with Jakob Poeltl (back) unavailable, and while he showed some flashes of his upside, he also made some rookie mistakes that resulted in him getting yanked early in the third quarter. He did, however, return to close out the game, so it would seem he's avoided the dog house. If Poetlt needs to miss Friday's game in Cleveland, Murray-Boyles would make sense as a streamer target, assuming he gets another starting nod.
Williams will make his first start of the 2025-26 season after coming off the bench in his first three games of the campaign. The center has been ramping up after he missed the entire preseason due to injury. He played 31 minutes in his most recent game, logging 25 points and 11 rebounds. Oso Ighodaro will retreat to the bench.
Barnes has been unconscious from beyond the arc this season, drilling a ridiculous 55 percent of his three-point attempts, which is great to see after he only managed to convert 27.1 percent of his long-balls last year. He's not going to be this insanely good from three-point range all year long, but he has clearly worked on that aspect of his game, and adding a consistent three-point stroke should help boost his scoring numbers.
Ighodaro started the first four games of the season for Phoenix, but he didn't do much with the opportunity, posting averages of 5.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and not much else in 19 minutes a night. It's unlikely those numbers will improve in the reserve role.
Ingram was 0-3 from distance his last time out, but he snapped the three-pointless streak just two minutes into this game. He was hot from the jump, drilling his first seven shot attempts, and he also brought some defensive stats to the stat sheet after falling to do so his last time out. He'll look to keep it going Friday in Cleveland.
Smith got off to a quick start in this one, dropping in 10 points in his first six minutes of play, and he did an excellent job helping spread the floor by knocking down the kick-out threes. He's been heating up over the past two, so it'll be interesting to see if he can keep it going Saturday with a tough matchup in Boston.
"[Okogie] knows his role," Rockets head coach Ime Udoka stated during a recent interview, explaining his decision to move Okogie into the first unit. "He's keeping it simple. He brings the physicality and aggressiveness on the defensive side of the ball. Knows how to play off other guys and then fits in with the areas we like: Crashing the glass, slashing, making plays, second opportunities." Since being inserted into the first unit, the Rockets have rattled off two straight wins, so for now, he looks to be locked in as a starter.
In Sengun's first four NBA seasons, he shot just 70.1 percent at the charity stripe, which was a major negative to his overall fantasy value. However, this season he's been converting 79.4 percent of his freebies on a career-high 8.5 attempts. The early-season free-throw mastery feels flukey, but if he can keep it up, he could easily work his way into the top-15 equation.
Durant has been cruising along with top-40 value to open the year behind averages of 27.5 points per game on 52.2 percent shooting to go with 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.8 triples, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 2.5 turnovers per contest. He's one of the most efficient scorers ever to do it and is showing no signs of slowing down in his age-37 season.
While Thompson shot it well from beyond the arc throughout the preseason, he still hasn't been able to get any of his three-point looks to fall through the first four games of the year, going 0-10 from distance. The Rockets clearly want him to keep taking those shots to help spread the floor, but there will be some growing pains. On a positive note, this was his first game of the season with multiple steals and more than four rebounds, so he's trending in the right direction.
Davis departed Wednesday's game in the first quarter while favoring his left leg, and he's now questionable to return. While he's idle, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin and Dwight Powell could see more minutes.
Aldama had been listed as questionable due to left shoulder soreness leading up to the contest, but he's been cleared to face the Suns. The 24-year-old big man has averaged 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks across 21.8 minutes per game this season.
Williams hasn't played a game this season. He'll make his debut after dealing with a heel issue. It's uncertain how much time he'll get on the floor.
Davis landed regularly on a jumper, but began favoring his left leg shortly after. The 32-year-old big man eventually departed the game and went back to the locker room for further evaluation. While he's out, Naji Marshall, Dwight Powell and Caleb Martin could see more action. Davis was listed on the injury report before Wednesday's game with an Achilles injury.
Missi played just 19 minutes in his last outing, which came after a one-game absence due to an ankle injury. The center will come off the bench for Wednesday's tilt, as the recently signed DeAndre Jordan will draw the start in his second appearance with the Pelicans.
Jordon looked decent across 11 minutes in his regular-season debut Monday, but he'll draw a tough matchup against Nikola Jokic on Wednesday, so he's still not the most attractive target despite the starter designation. Joining him in the first unit will be Jeremiah Fears, Trey Murphy, Herbert Jones and Zion Williamson.
After starting the first three games of the season, Poole will be in the second unit. The Pelicans will go with Jeremiah Fears, Trey Murphy, Herbert Jones, Zion Williamson and DeAndre Jordan in the first five.
Mouhamed Gueye fell hard into the side of Young's leg, making his right knee bend awkwardly, and Young was in some clear discomfort after the injury. The good news is that he was able to get off the court under his own power, and the team is currently calling it a "sprain," so it appears he has avoided something more serious. Still, this could be something that causes him to miss multiple games, and he'd leave a massive void to fill on offense. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard would likely split most of his minutes, while the playmaking and shots will be divvied up amongst Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and Kristaps Porzingis.
Brooks was ruled out on Phoenix's initial injury report for Wednesday's game against Memphis, his second straight absence due to groin soreness. However, it looks like he's close to returning, and his next chance will be Friday against Utah.
Green continues to deal with a hamstring injury, which has prevented him from making his debut with his new squad. The next opportunity for him to make his season debut will be Friday against the Jazz.
Mouhamed Gueye fell into the back of Young's leg, and after briefly trying to play through the injury, Young left the game and went into the locker room. While he's out, Luke Kennard, Keaton Wallace and Nickeil Alexander-Walker could see more action.
After missing Monday's game due to a foot issue, Williamson will return. The superstar forward has gotten off to a solid start to the 2025-26 campaign, averaging 27.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 4.0 steals per game while shooting 46.2 percent from the field.
Walker played 30 minutes off the bench in Indiana's most recent contest, and he'll slide into the first unit for Wednesday's tilt. With the Pacers down several key players, expect Walker to see as much action as he can handle. Wednesday's outing will mark Walker's sixth career NBA start.
After starting Monday's game against the Timberwolves, Huff will be in the second unit. The Virginia product is averaging 3.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 50 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from deep as a reserve this season.
Thiero is recovering from a knee injury he sustained toward the end of his college career before being selected by the Lakers in the 2025 NBA Draft. The wing was expected to be ready for the start of training camp, but his recovery has slowed substantially. Per Dan Woike of The Athletic, Thiero has been cleared for on-court contact work, and the next step in his progression is being cleared for 5-on-5 work. He'll be incorporated into team practices over the next week, starting in South Bay.
Murray was a late addition to the injury report Wednesday morning due to illness, and he'll sit out the contest. The third-year wing has averaged 5.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals across 21.8 minutes per game in 2025-26. His absence should open up more minutes for Matisse Thybulle and Rayan Rupert. His next chance to play will come Friday against Denver
Thybulle is returning from a rest day, so he should be slated for minutes in the teens, working in Portland's second unit. Despite the minimal minutes, Thybulle is averaging 2.7 steals per game this season, so he's on the radar in deep leagues.
Ellis is dealing with a shoulder issue, but that won't stop him from playing in the second game of a back-to-back set. The Alabama product is averaging 7.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game while shooting 47.8 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc over the course of the first four games of the 2025-26 campaign.
Johnson suffered a minor shoulder injury during Monday's loss to Minnesota and was forced to exit the contest early. However, the 29-year-old has been cleared to suit up and play Wednesday. In two full games this season, Johnson is averaging 10.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals across 28.5 minutes.
Peter will miss a second straight game due to a groin injury. The next chance for him to get back on the floor will be Friday against the Hawks.
Williams is back with the team and ready to suit up following a two-game absence for personal reasons. The guard will likely be battling with Jaden Hardy for reserve minutes behind Cooper Flagg, who's operating as Dallas' top floor general.
Davis has been nursing an Achilles issue, but that won't keep him off the floor. The superstar big man has put up some solid numbers this season, averaging 25.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 52.1 percent from the floor and 27.3 percent from deep.
Gafford was doubtful, so it's not surprising to see him get ruled out. With Dereck Lively (knee) set to join him on the sidelines Wednesday evening, P.J. Washington and Anthony Davis will get all the run they can handle.
Lively will miss his second consecutive contest due to a sprained right knee. His next opportunity to play will come Saturday against Detroit. Anthony Davis will likely shoulder the responsibilities at center Wednesday, with Naji Marshall being in line for more playing time at power forward.
Joe has yet to play a game during the 2025-26campaign, but he's trending in the right direction to make his season debut. If he can't play, his next chance to return to the floor will be Sunday against the Pelicans.
This will be the second straight game on the sidelines for Holmgren, which will result in more minutes for Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins. Holmgren's next chance to play will come Sunday against the Pelicans.
Tyson will draw his third start of the season, filling in for the injured Sam Merrill (hip). Tyson has some additional streaming appeal Wednesday, though he's failed to crack double figures in scoring in any of his first four appearances.
After scoring only two points in 20 minutes during Monday's game against the Bulls, Risacher will be back in action looking for a bounce-back performance. The French import is averaging 9.0 points and 1.0 rebounds per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the floor and 25 percent from deep.
It'll be the second straight game on the sidelines for Clark, which should result in more minutes for Bones Hyland and Johnny Juzang. Clark's next chance to play will come Saturday in Chicago.
