NBA Player News

Wells will come off the bench in Friday's preseason finale against the Hornets.

Wells started in Memphis' first three preseason games, but Kris Murray will replace him in the first unit for Friday's final exhibition. Wells will be battling Murray, Jerami Grant and GG Jackson for minutes this season, so this could devolve into a value-killing timeshare situation at the small forward position in Memphis.

Murray is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Hornets.

Murray will enter the starting unit for the preseason finale. The No. 23 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft isn't expected to have a major role in his first campaign with the Grizzlies in 2026-27, so he'll likely be a bench option in the regular season.

Freeman (shoulder) won't play in Friday's preseason game against Chicago.

Freeman will miss another preseason contest due to a shoulder injury he sustained in Saturday's 125-124 win over Miami. It's unknown if he will be ready to suit up when the Timberwolves begin the regular season Wednesday versus the Heat.

Shannon will start Friday's preseason meeting with the Bulls.

The Timberwolves will rest their usual starting five, opening the door for Shannon to enter the first unit. He'll be joined in the starting lineup by Zyon Pullin, Jaylen Clark, Cody Williams and Joan Beringer.

Clifford is not listed in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason game against San Antonio, Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Clifford got the start in Tuesday's 110-98 preseason loss to Portland, finishing with two points, two rebounds, five assists and one block. However, he will come off the bench Friday in the last exhibition before the Kings begin the 2026-27 campaign versus the Clippers on Wednesday.

Black is not in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason game against the Spurs, Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Black had started in Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers, but he's returning to the bench for this preseason finale. He's likely to battle for bench minutes once the regular season starts.

Zikarsky (undisclosed) is out for Friday's preseason finale in Chicago.

This will be Zikarsky's third consecutive game on the inactive list, and the Timberwolves have not yet disclosed exactly what he's dealing with. For now, he should be considered questionable for Wednesday's regular-season opener in Miami.

Penda won't return to Friday's preseason game against the Heat due to right hamstring tightness, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports. He'll finish with one steal in two minutes.

Penda was limited at the start of training camp due to a right hamstring injury, and he's now in danger of missing Wednesday's regular-season opener against Atlanta. If the 21-year-old is forced to miss time, Jamal Cain could see a slight bump in minutes.

Clark will start Friday's preseason finale against the Bulls.

Clark will draw his second preseason start with all of Minnesota's regulars resting. He'll be joined by Zyon Pullin, Terrence Shannon, Cody Williams and Joan Beringer.

Pullin is in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason matchup with the Bulls.

The Timberwolves are resting their entire starting lineup and some key reserves for Friday's final exhibition game, so Pullin will draw the start alongside Terrence Shannon, Jaylen Clark, Cody Williams and Joan Beringer. Pullin is coming off a 22-point performance, so it'll be interesting to see what he can do with the starting role Friday evening.