NBA Player News

McConnell won't play Wednesday in New Orleans due to a right hamstring strain.

McConnell did not play at all during the preseason, and now we know that a hamstring injury was the culprit. Hamstring issues limited McConnell to 56 games last season, so it's not great that the 34-year-old veteran will begin the 2026-27 season on the sidelines with the same injury.

Nesmith (hamstring) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against New Orleans.

Nesmith missed Indiana's final two preseason contests due to a left hamstring strain, and he'll remain on the inactive list for the club's regular-season opener. His next chance to play will come Friday against Dallas. With the 27-year-old forward out, Kelly Oubre, Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard are candidates for increased burn.

Walker (rest) is off the injury report for Wednesday's season opener against the Pelicans.

Walker missed the end of the preseason, likely for maintenance reasons. With Aaron Nesmith sidelined with a hamstring injury, Walker and Kelly Oubre stand out as the most likely candidates to enter the Pacers' Opening Night starting lineup.

Diawara will come off the bench in Tuesday's regular-season opener against the 76ers, Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News reports.

Diawara started New York's final two exhibition games with Josh Hart nursing a minor ankle injury, but Hart is back and starting for Opening Night, so Diawara will shift back to a reserve role. As a member of the second unit last season, Diawara averaged 3.2 points and 1.2 reboudns in 8.2 minutes per game.

The Pelicans declined Johnson's team option Tuesday, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com reports.

As a result, Johnson is now set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026-27 season. A 2024 first-rounder by the Bucks, he's looking for a fresh start in New Orleans following multiple offseason trades but is unlikely to begin the year in the rotation.

The Pelicans exercised their third-year option on Fears on Tuesday, Terry Kimble of SI.com reports.

Fears is now guaranteed to be under contract in New Orleans through the 2027-28 season. Fears had some impressive showings in his rookie season, but as long as he's operating in a reserve role behind Dejounte Murray, his upside will be limited.

The Pelicans exercised their third-year team option on Queen's contract Tuesday, Terry Kimble of SI.com reports.

The No. 13 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft is now officially under contract for the 2027-28 season. The big man averaged 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.9 combined steals-plus-blocks across 25.0 minutes per tilt in 81 regular-season appearances (48 starts) in his rookie season. Queen is expected to compete for minutes with Yves Missi and Karlo Matkovic in 2026-27.

The Pelicans exercised their fourth-year team option on Missi's contract Tuesday, Terry Kimble of SI.com reports.

Missi is now under contract for the 2027-28 campaign. He's expected to open the 2026-27 campaign as the Pelicans' starting center after averaging 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 assists in 19.7 minutes per game across 66 regular-season appearances (14 starts) last season.

Sims (undisclosed) is not listed on the injury report for Wednesday's game against the Wizards.

The high-flying big man is ready to suit up in Milwaukee's 2026-27 regular-season opener in Washington after missing the preseason finale. With the addition of Kel'el Ware during the offseason and Myles Turner entering his second season with the franchise, Sims is set to be the third center on any given night as the Bucks begin to rebuild following their trade of franchise pillar Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat.

Ament is probable for Wednesday's season opener against the Wizards with a right ankle sprain.

The rookie forward is expected to be available for his league debut Wednesday. However, Ament doesn't appear to be in line for a considerable role.