We’re recapping last night’s box scores and keeping an eye on rookie debuts, key rotation battles, injuries, and potential fantasy breakouts for the 2026–27 NBA preseason.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies — Fantasy Notes

GG Jackson — 14 PTS | 2 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 5-7 FG | 2-4 3PT

Could this be the year GG Jackson finally breaks out? The 21-year-old forward had an efficient debut, putting up 14 points on 5-7 shooting from the field and 2-4 from deep in limited action. Jackson is competing with Jerami Grant and Taylor Hendricks for minutes in a crowded forward rotation, but this was an encouraging start.

Cameron Boozer — 11 PTS | 5 REB | 4 AST | 2 STL | 5-9 FG

The foundation of the Grizzlies’ rebuild led his team in shot attempts and showcased his playmaking ability out of the post. Boozer will compete for Rookie of the Year and should be a fantasy stud from the jump.

Cedric Coward — 9 PTS | 5 REB | 4 AST | 1 STL | 3-6 FG | 1-3 3PT | 2-2 FT

Last year’s first-round pick filled up the stat sheet, showcasing a diverse set of skills—including new playmaking chops—that give him multiple paths toward fantasy relevance.

Scotty Pippen Jr. — 10 PTS | 4 AST | 1 STL | 3-5 FG | 2-3 3PT | 2-2 FT | 2 TO

Pippen was a fantasy revelation two years ago, averaging 9.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists on 48% shooting and 39.7% from deep, and his preseason debut last night suggests a return to relevance. The steady guard played well next to Cam Spencer in the Grizzlies’ backcourt and will get the majority of the minutes at point guard if Ty Jerome gets hurt again.

Taylor Hendricks — 5 PTS | 5 REB | 1 AST | 3 STL | 1 BLK | 2-3 FG

I’m still waiting for Hendricks to pop, and this year might be his best bet. Hendricks had a nice defensive stat line with three steals and a block. If he gets 20 minutes a night, he could bloom into the defensive stud we all predicted three years ago.

Atlanta Hawks — Fantasy Notes

Corey Kispert — 19 PTS | 4 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 7-11 FG | 4-7 3PT | 1-2 FT

Kispert is a sharpshooter who helps the Hawks’ spacing, and last night he made the most of his limited workload, shooting an efficient 7-11 from the field and 4-7 from deep. Kispert is competing with Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins on the wing and will only go as far as his shooting.

Asa Newell — 12 PTS | 12 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 5-9 FG | 2-2 FT

Newell was one of my sleeper picks last year heading into the season but never really got consistent minutes in Quin Snyder’s rotation. This year, he’s in the mix for an increased role, and last night showed why. Newell shot an efficient 5-9 from the field and kept several possessions alive with five offensive rebounds. It looks like Zuby Ejiofor will play the majority of his minutes as a small-ball five, which helps Newell’s case at the four.

Kingston Flemings — 11 PTS | 2 AST | 4-11 FG | 2-6 3PT | 1-4 FT

With C.J. McCollum out last night with a bone bruise in his nose, Kingston Flemings drew the start at point guard next to Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the Hawks’ backcourt. The Grizzlies went under nearly every screen in the pick-and-roll, daring Flemings to shoot, and the prized rookie struggled from the field and was also subpar from the line. Flemings also committed three turnovers to go with just two assists. The learning curve for rookie point guards is long, but Flemings’ future is still bright.

Suns-Pistons

Detroit Pistons — Fantasy Notes

Paul Reed — 10 PTS | 7 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 2-6 FG | 6-6 FT

Jalen Duren sat out the preseason debut with the ink still wet on his new contract, so Paul Reed got the start and flashed his versatile fantasy line. Reed had 10 points (2-6 FG, 6-6 FT), seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in 21 minutes. With Isaiah Stewart in Memphis, Reed will be the primary backup behind Duren.

Ron Holland — 14 PTS | 4 REB | 1 AST | 5 STL | 2 BLK | 4-12 FG | 1-4 3PT | 5-8 FT

Last night, Holland was a maniac on the defensive end, racking up five steals and two blocks in 24 minutes. He also led the Pistons in scoring. Holland’s role will expand this year, and he could be a big breakout candidate with Tobias Harris in San Antonio.

Ebuka Okorie — 7 PTS | 1 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 3-4 FG | 1-2 3PT

The Pistons rookie only played 10 minutes last night but made the most of it, scoring seven points on 3-4 shooting and hitting the game-winning basket. Okorie got to the rim at will and shot 50% from three. The 19-year-old rookie from Stanford is incredibly poised, mature, and intelligent, and will complement Daniss Jenkins nicely off the bench.

Phoenix Suns — Fantasy Notes

Khaman Maluach — 6 PTS | 2 REB | 1 BLK | 3-5 FG | 0-3 FT

Khaman Maluach looks so much more comfortable offensively this year, but he still has a long way to go. With Mark Williams out, he’ll have his chances off the bench this year behind Oso Ighodaro. He’ll need to be more productive and knock down his free throws, though, to be fantasy relevant.

Rasheer Fleming — 3 PTS | 5 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 1-4 FG | 1-2 3PT | 2 TO

With a 7'5" wingspan, Fleming’s fantasy relevance is tied to his defensive stats, but I still have hope that his offensive game will eventually mature. Last night, the stretch four struggled, going 1-4 from the field with two turnovers. With Miles Bridges locked in as the starter, Fleming will have to hold off rookie Koa Peat for backup minutes.

Koa Peat — 4 PTS | 4 REB | 2-5 FG | 0-3 FT | 2 TO

Peat was exactly as advertised last night: dominant physically and on the glass, with some questionable shooting from the line and a couple of rookie mistakes that should be easy to clean up. The rookie first-round pick is competing for a reserve frontcourt role with Rasheer Fleming and Ryan Dunn and will definitely get better as the season progresses. I like Peat’s long-term fantasy potential.

Knicks-Sixers

New York Knicks — Fantasy Notes

Mohamed Diawara — 8 PTS | 5 REB | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 4-8 FG | 2 TO

The 21-year-old forward appears healthy after missing the last three games of Summer League with a minor finger injury. Diawara was an intriguing player in his rookie season, averaging 3.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in 9.2 minutes per contest, but didn’t have much fantasy appeal. This year could be different. He’s worth monitoring.

Tyler Kolek — 5 PTS | 2 REB | 5 AST | 1 BLK | 2-5 FG | 1-3 3PT | 1 TO

Kolek has also flashed as an elite passer, but he doesn’t have much upside to his fantasy game. Last night, he dished out five assists with zero turnovers and looks to have the backup point guard position locked down behind starter Jalen Brunson.

James Wiseman — 8 PTS | 5 REB | 1 BLK | 3-4 FG | 2-6 FT | 1 TO

Wiseman, the No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft, made a strong impression in just nine minutes last night with eight points and five rebounds on 3-4 shooting. He’ll start the year behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond at center, limiting his fantasy appeal. If injuries strike, he could be an interesting add.

Philadelphia 76ers — Fantasy Notes

Jabari Walker — 11 PTS | 11 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 4-9 FG | 3-5 3PT | 1 TO

Walker is an intriguing watch in a depleted Philly frontcourt. Last night, he quietly put up 11 points and 11 rebounds while hitting three threes. He also had a steal and a block. If Walker can continue stretching the floor, he could carve out consistent minutes at the four, as well as anchor the center position in small-ball lineups.

Ariel Hukporti — 0 PTS | 1 AST | 0-1 FG | 0-1 3PT

Hukporti was an underrated addition as a backup center behind Joel Embiid and Adem Bona this summer. Unfortunately, his season is over before it started, as Hukporti went down last night with an Achilles injury, and an MRI subsequently revealed a rupture. The 76ers don’t have much wiggle room financially but will likely be awarded a $1.7 million Disabled Player Exception to add another big.

Caleb Love — 11 PTS | 2 REB | 6 AST | 1 BLK | 4-9 FG | 3-5 3PT | 2 TO

Last night, Caleb Love made a case for rotation minutes off the Sixers’ bench with 11 points (4-9 FG, 3-5 3PT), two rebounds, six assists, and one block in 23 minutes. Veteran scorer Anfernee Simons and rookie first-round pick Labaron Philon are still likely ahead of Love on the depth chart, but his combination of shot-making and secondary playmaking is tantalizing.

Timberwolves-Bucks

Minnesota Timberwolves — Fantasy Notes

LaMelo Ball — 11 PTS | 4 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 3-6 FG | 2-5 3PT | 3-3 FT

The chemistry between LaMelo and Anthony Edwards has been the talk of training camp, and last night it was on full display with an efficient 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists in just 17 minutes. LaMelo, if he can stay healthy, gives the Wolves another high-level playmaker with the creative juice to elevate everyone on the court. The Wolves’ offense will be must-watch TV.

Joan Beringer — 10 PTS | 7 REB | 2 OREB | 4-6 FG | 2-4 FT

Beringer is the new backup center in Minnesota, and last night he showed why the organization is so high on him. Beringer scored 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-4 FT) with seven rebounds in 13 minutes. The second-year big has the tools, athleticism, and attention to detail to make a huge leap this year. He just needs to stay out of early foul trouble.

Terrence Shannon Jr. — 6 PTS | 1 REB | 4 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 1-5 FG | 4-6 FT

TDS might be Minnesota’s most important bench piece coming into the season, although his upside is capped by the heavy usage ahead of him on the wing. Last year in the playoffs, Shannon Jr. flashed real scoring upside with the ability to get downhill and explode at the rim. In Minnesota’s preseason opener against the Bucks, he showcased his passing acumen with quick, simple kick-outs when the defense collapsed. If TDS can hold his own on the defensive side, he’ll continue to get bench minutes.

Milwaukee Bucks — Fantasy Notes

Ryan Rollins — 16 PTS | 4 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 6-12 FG | 3-8 3PT | 1-1 FT

Rollins was a breakout player last year and is expected to maintain a large role in the aftermath of the Giannis trade, even though the Bucks are particularly deep in the backcourt. Last night, the young veteran provided 16 points (6-12 FG, 3-8 3PT, 1-1 FT), four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block in just 14 minutes. More importantly, he showed chemistry with new backcourt mate Tyler Herro.

Kel’el Ware — 8 PTS | 12 REB | 4 OREB | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 2-9 FG | 2-6 3PT | 2-2 FT

I’m high on Ware’s upside but had some concerns coming into the year about how Milwaukee would use him. Last night, my worries were tempered as the third-year big finished as the team’s second-leading scorer and led all players in rebounds, although he didn’t have the most efficient night shooting. I expect Ware to get more comfortable as the season goes on, with a bigger role than he had in Erik Spoelstra’s system.

Brayden Burries — 7 PTS | 2 REB | 5 AST | 2 STL | 3-10 FG | 1-3 3PT | 2 TO

Burries is my favorite rookie, and I expect him to have a Derrick White-type influence eventually. He enters his rookie season in a crowded Bucks backcourt, though, which will allow him to develop without the pressure of delivering immediately. Last night, Burries looked comfortable and confident running the Bucks’ offense, totaling five assists on just two turnovers. He also had two steals. The most exciting part is that he’s only going to get better.

Lakers-Kings

Los Angeles Lakers — Fantasy Notes

Cameron Carr — 19 PTS | 3 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 7-13 FG | 3-7 3PT | 2-2 FT | 22 MIN

Carr followed up his impressive Summer League with an exciting preseason debut, scoring 19 points (7-13 FG, 3-7 3PT, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in just 22 minutes. Carr really flashed as an efficient, high-volume scorer. If he can showcase the shot-blocking acumen he displayed at Baylor, Carr could make one of the All-Rookie teams.

Quentin Grimes — 16 PTS | 1 AST | 5-7 FG | 2-3 3PT | 4-4 FT

The veteran guard had an efficient game starting next to Luka Dončić in his Lakers debut. Grimes is limited from a fantasy perspective because of his meager defensive stats, but if Dončić or Austin Reaves misses time, Grimes’ secondary playmaking and usage could increase significantly.

Jake LaRavia — 12 PTS | 3 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 2 BLK | 5-6 FG | 2-3 3PT

LaRavia was incredibly durable last year for the Lakers, starting 43 of the 82 games he played, but he seems destined for an important bench role this year. Last night, he really filled up the box score with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, and four stocks. If he gets more than 25 minutes a night, he could be a valuable late-round pick.

Sacramento Kings — Fantasy Notes

Nique Clifford — 23 PTS | 9 REB | 2 AST | 8-13 FG | 1-2 3PT | 6-10 FT

Last year’s first-round pick had an underwhelming Summer League but really stepped up last night, scoring 23 points on 8-13 shooting with nine rebounds. This was an encouraging sign for his prospects this year. Nothing is more important than developing their youth.

Darius Acuff Jr. — 19 PTS | 2 REB | 4 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 8-17 FG | 1-4 3PT | 2-2 FT

If you had any doubts about Darius Acuff after his inconsistent Summer League, consider yourself reassured. The seventh pick in this year’s draft put up 19 points (8-17 FG, 1-4 3PT, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block across 27 minutes in Monday night’s loss to the Lakers. Acuff scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half. More importantly, the dynamic guard ran the team with confidence. The 19-year-old will have a fantasy role from the jump.

Dylan Cardwell — 9 PTS | 10 REB | 3 AST | 3 STL | 1 BLK | 4-7 FG

Cardwell grabbed four offensive rebounds while filling up the defensive stat sheet with three steals and a block, showcasing the type of relentless energy that made him a fan favorite last year. The second-year big is competing with Maxime Raynaud for minutes behind center Domantas Sabonis.