NBA Player News

Acuff posted 12 points (4-15 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), one assist, two steals and one block across 23 minutes during Thursday's 114-110 preseason loss to the Lakers.

Sacramento's top 2026 draft pick opened 1-of-10 from the field before hitting three straight shots late in the first half, but he struggled for most of the night. There's little doubt Acuff will man the point guard role in the first unit once the season begins, but some rough shooting nights as he adjusts to NBA play are to be expected.

Plowden logged 15 points (6-10 FG, 3-6 3Pt), two blocks, an assist and a steal in 11 minutes during Thursday's 114-110 preseason loss to the Lakers.

Plowden was red-hot off the bench in the loss, building on the excellent play late last season that earned him a two-year, $5.1M contract in July. Plowden could fill a variety of roles with the Kings this season, but he's likely headed to a wing support role that won't yield many minutes once the season starts.

Achiuwa registered 18 points (9-13 FG), five rebounds, three assists and one steal across 21 minutes during Thursday's 114-110 preseason loss to the Lakers.

Achiuwa led the Kings in scoring, but we should take his performance with a grain of salt. The starting slot at power forward is Keegan Murray's (undisclosed) to lose, while Achiuwa's best prognosis is a backup frontcourt role.

Grimes supplied 12 points (4-8 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and two steals in 29 minutes during Thursday's 114-110 preseason win over the Kings.

Grimes reached double figures for the third straight preseason game, though six turnovers took some shine off his night. He's started all three exhibitions after signing a four-year, $60 million deal, and it's looking increasingly likely that coach JJ Redick will roll with him as one of the starting wings alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler.

LaRavia posted 17 points (6-9 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-4 FT), four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block across 24 minutes during Thursday's 114-110 preseason win over the Kings.

LaRavia clearly put in a lot of work this offseason, and his shooting stroke looks much better after tanking his field-goal percentage last spring. He's performing better than most as he pushes for the final open roster spot in the first unit, but it'll come down to a tug-of-war between LaRavia and Matisse Thybulle as the preseason comes to a close.

Sasser won't play in Friday's preseason game against the Rockets due to left adductor soreness.

Sasser is competing for a bench role ahead of the 2026-27 season, and he's showing early on why he deserves a spot in the rotation, though missing time won't help his cause. Sasser averaged 5.2 points, 1.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 38 regular-season appearances a season ago in Detroit before joining Dallas in June as part of a six-team trade.

Washington won't play in Friday's preseason game against the Rockets due to a left ankle sprain.

The severity of Washington's ankle injury is unclear, but his next chance to suit up will come during Sunday's rematch against the Rockets in China. The veteran forward is expected to have a key role for the Mavs heading into the 2026-27 season, though coach Dusty May isn't ready to commit to the Kentucky product as a mainstay in the starting five. Washington has come off the bench only four times in 113 regular-season appearances for Dallas over the last two years.

Martin won't play in Friday's preseason game against the Rockets due to an illness.

Martin's next chance to suit up will come during Sunday's rematch against the Rockets in China. The veteran forward enters 2026-27 as part of a crowded Dallas wing rotation, which could make consistent playing time difficult to secure.

Lively (foot) won't play in Friday's preseason game against the Rockets.

Mavericks president Masai Ujiri said that Lively has progressed to shooting and is working toward running on the court, though Dallas intends to remain patient with the 22-year-old. Lively underwent right foot surgery in December after appearing in just seven regular-season games in 2025-26, averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 blocks in 16.4 minutes per game. He has yet to be cleared for training camp, and his status for the regular season remains uncertain.

Mamukelashvili tallied 19 points (7-10 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block across 21 minutes in Thursday's 114-110 preseason win over the Kings.

Mamukelashvili gave the Lakers a lift off the bench, scoring 11 points in the first half and hitting two late threes in the third quarter to restore a double-digit lead. While he's pushing for one of the open starting spots alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler, he'll likely run with the second unit once the season gets underway.