NBA Player News

Bamba finished with eight points (4-6 FG) and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes during Tuesday's 117-106 preseason loss to Denver.

Despite coming off the bench, Bamba flirted with a double-double Tuesday. The journeyman big man is contending for the backup center role behind Jusuf Nurkic, but Bamba looks to be trailing Jaxson Hayes for playing time.

Jordan was a DNP-CD during Tuesday's 116-110 preseason win over Oklahoma City.

Jordan was available but didn't see the floor despite New Orleans going deep into its bench. The veteran center figures to provide depth behind Yves Missi and could have difficulty finding consistent playing time when the Pelicans are healthy.

Queen scored 10 points (3-6 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-7 FT) while adding nine rebounds, three steals and an assist in 17 minutes off the bench during Tuesday's preseason win over the Thunder.

The 21-year-old center showed flashes of his upside as a rookie in 2025-26 after being the 13th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but Queen remains stuck on the second unit as long as Zion Williamson and Yves Missi remain healthy. More consistent minutes could still allow Queen to improve on the 11.7 points, 7.1 boards, 3.7 assists and 1.9 combined steals and blocks he averaged last season.

Reid ended with 13 points (3-9 FG, 6-7 FT, 1-5 3Pt) and four rebounds in 16 minutes during Tuesday's 124-90 preseason loss to the Nets.

As expected, Reid slotted into the starting power forward position vacated by Miles Bridges, who is now loving life in Phoenix. Reid was one of three Hornets players to score double digits, an encouraging sign for anyone thinking of drafting him. While he should be a relatively consistent source of points and rebounds, Reid is going to have to add another string to his bow, should he hope to impress fantasy managers. At this point, Reid is a viable target in the middle rounds of drafts, with the possibility that he flirts with top 50 value if he can develop a more well-rounded game.

Wagner amassed five points (1-4 FG, 2-2 FT, 1-3 3Pt), five assists, four rebounds and one steal in 18 minutes during Tuesday's 124-90 preseason win over Charlotte.

Wagner came off the bench in his first official game for the Nets, serving as the primary backup behind Day'Ron Sharpe. While only scoring five points, Wagner flashed some playmaking upside, recording a team-high five assists. It appears as though Wagner could play a consistent, albeit modest role, for Brooklyn this season. Assuming Sharpe flirts with 27 minutes per game, expect to see Wagner's playing time in the mid-teens.

Sharpe finished with eight points (4-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt), seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 18 minutes during Tuesday's 124-90 preseason win over the Hornets.

As expected, Sharpe got the starting nod in the preseason opener, a role he is likely to assume heading into the season proper. While his production was serviceable, at best, the fact that he was engaged on both ends of the floor bodes well for his projected fantasy value. While there are some doubts as to whether he plays 'typical' starter minutes, his opportunity should certainly lend itself to standard league relevance.

Hall (ankle) registered four points (1-3 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and three rebounds over eight minutes in Tuesday's 124-90 preseason loss to the Nets.

Hall had his 2025-26 campaign cut short after he fractured his ankle, but he's back and ready to go for the upcoming season. In 12 games with the Hornets last year, Hall averaged 6.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

Mara recorded 12 points (5-5 FG, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks over 18 minutes in Tuesday's 116-110 preseason loss to the Pelicans.

Oklahoma City's No. 12 overall selection from the 2026 NBA Draft is loaded with upside, but he'll have a tough time finding consistent minutes while Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein are healthy. That said, he could make for an intriguing plug-and-play option on the nights the Thunder opt to rest some of their vets.

Hayes will start in Tuesday's game against Denver.

Jusuf Nurkic (foot) is sidelined, so Hayes will start in the rematch with the Nuggets. The 26-year-old started nine times with the Lakers in 2025-26, averaging 12.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals over 27.4 minutes in those appearances.

Kessler (finger) won't play in Tuesday's exhibition game against the Warriors, Luca Evans of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Kessler will miss a second consecutive preseason game after jamming his finger during training camp. The big man will aim to make his preseason debut Thursday at home against the Kings, but the Lakers will take a cautious approach to keep the injury from lingering into the regular season.