NBA Player News

Boozer logged 10 points (3-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds and three assists during Friday's 104-100 preseason win over the Bulls.

All of Boozer's production came in the first half, with the third-overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft observing the final two quarters of Friday's game from the bench. With Ja Morant in Portland, Boozer figures to be a center piece to Memphis' game plan on a night-to-night basis, with the Duke product forming a starting frontcourt with Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells, with veteran Jerami Grant also in the mix for heavy playing time.

Jackson finished Friday's 104-100 preseason win over the Bulls with 14 points (5-9 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one block over 17 minutes.

Jackson ended up leading the Grizzlies in field-goal attempts and finished Friday's exhibition contest as the team's second-leading scorer behind Ty Jerome (16 points). Jackson has enjoyed some success in Memphis since being selected by the franchise in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft, though he figures to be limited to a bench role given the offseason additions of Cameron Boozer (2026 Draft) and Jerami Grant (trade).

Jerome tallied 16 points (5-8 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four assists and one rebound over 14 minutes during Friday's 104-100 preseason win over the Bulls.

All of Jerome's production came in the first half, with the veteran point guard sitting out for last two quarters. He was limited to just 15 regular-season games last year due to ankle and calf injuries, but now that Ja Morant is in Portland, Jerome figures to start alongside Cedric Coward in Memphis' backcourt, with Scotty Pippen and Cam Spencer providing depth.

Miller logged 12 points (5-11 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-3 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal over 23 minutes during Friday's 104-100 preseason loss to Memphis.

It was another strong preseason performance out of Miller, who was close to recording a double-double in the first half alone (eight points and eight rebounds). Even with a strong preseason to solidify his spot on the 15-man roster, Miller faces an uphill battle to playing time, as he figures to operate behind the likes of Patrick Williams, rookie Dailyn Swain, Jalen Smith (foot) and Zach Collins (toe).

Giddey finished Friday's 104-100 preseason loss to Memphis with 13 points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-7 FT), three assists, three rebounds and one block over 23 minutes.

Giddey was one of four Bulls players to score in double digits during Friday's exhibition contest, and he finished as the team's third-leading scorer behind rookie Caleb Wilson (21) and veteran Norman Powell (17). Giddey is aiming to build off a productive 2025-26 season, during which he averaged career highs across the board, including in points (17.0), assists (9.1) and rebounds (8.3), though his 44.8 percent field-goal rate were his lowest since his rookie campaign with the Thunder in 2021-22 (41.9 percent on 12.4 FGA/G).

Powell registered 17 points (3-6 FG, 1-2 FT, 10-12 FT), three rebounds, two assists and one steal over 19 minutes during the Bulls' 104-100 preseason loss to the Grizzlies.

Powell attempted only six field goals during Friday's exhibition game, but thanks to his work at the charity stripe, he finished as the Bulls' second-leading scorer behind rookie Caleb Wilson (21 points). Powell inked a two-year contract with the Bulls in July following his 2025-26 All-Star campaign with the Heat and will form a starting backcourt with Josh Giddey for the upcoming season. Matas Buzelis left Friday's game early due to an ankle injury, and although it was likely a precautionary move to leave him off the court the rest of the way, it's an injury that could impact Powell's usage early on in the season.

Wilson finished Friday's 104-100 preseason loss to the Grizzlies with 21 points (7-17 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 2-6 FT), four rebounds and one steal across 32 minutes.

Wilson struggled to get going in the first half, during which he scored one point while shooting 0-for-2 from the field in 16 minutes. However, he erupted for 20 points and shot 5-for-10 from downtown in the second half, finishing with a game-high 21 points. The rookie No. 4 overall pick has led the Bulls in scoring in both of their preseason games, totaling 36 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals over 61 minutes.

Peavy (ankle) did not see the floor in Friday's 104-100 preseason win over the Bulls.

Peavy missed a third consecutive contest due to an ankle injury. His final chance to play in the preseason will come next Friday against Charlotte.

Edey tallied 10 points (3-3 FG, 4-6 FT), five rebounds, two steals and one block over 16 minutes in Friday's 104-100 preseason win over the Bulls.

Edey also committed three turnovers without handing out a single dime in his limited floor time, and ball security has been a bit of an issue for him. Though it's just an 11-game sample, Edey averaged 2.4 turnovers in 25.8 minutes per game last season. Still, he's an elite rebounder and shot blocker, so if he can stay healthy, Edey could easily be a top-60 player.

Buzelis exited to the locker room in the second quarter of Friday's preseason game against the Grizzlies and will not return due to a right ankle injury, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports. He'll finish with six points (3-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt) and one block in 12 minutes.

Buzelis appeared to twist his ankle earlier in the game but initially played through the injury. His status will be worth monitoring ahead of Sunday's exhibition against Denver. With the 2024 first-rounder out for the remainder of the game, Dailyn Swain and Leonard Miller could see increased playing time.