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Jazz
8-18|L10: 3-7
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19-6|L10: 7-3
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UTA • Center • #24
about 2 months ago
Kessler has been able to participate in practice, but he has been sidelined for their preseason games to this point. It would be nice to see him play in this game, but even if he doesn’t, it’ll be more important for him to be available when the regular season starts next week. Jusuf Nurkic should continue to start if Kessler remains out.
Source: Andy Larsen
HOU • • #
about 2 months ago
Smith has progressively gotten better throughout this preseason, and this was his best performance yet. He won’t be scoring at this rate during the regular season often, but it was encouraging to see him have a night like this. He’ll be an important piece on both ends of the floor for Houston this season and is locked in as a starter, but he isn’t a great fantasy option.
HOU • Center • #12
about 2 months ago
Houston’s starting unit will likely be matchup dependent this season, and they experimented with their two-big lineup in this one. When they utilize it, Adams will be a nice source of rebounds, but that’s about it. Sengun was still able to grab 12 boards while playing alongside Adams, which was encouraging for his value.
HOU • Guard-Forward • #1
about 2 months ago
Who said Thompson can’t shoot? Not only was he perfect from the free throw line, but he also knocked down two triples in this game. Thompson will be a fantasy beast this season, but managers shouldn’t expect him to shoot as well as he did in this game. However, if it happens from time to time, it’ll be a nice bonus.
HOU • Center • #12
about 2 months ago
Coach Ime Udoka is still experimenting with starting lineups, and he’ll roll out a bigger one for this game, which pushes Reed Sheppard to the bench. It’s still unclear what lineup he’ll use on opening night, and it seems likely that it will be matchup dependent throughout the year.
Source: Will Guillory
UTA • Center • #24
about 2 months ago
Kessler has already been ruled out for Tuesday night’s preseason matchup with the Mavericks, and he participated in practice on Sunday. He’s continuing to progress well, so he should be available to start the regular season, even if he hasn’t been available for these exhibitions.
Source: Andy Larsen
UTA • Forward-Center • #23
about 2 months ago
Markkanen reached double figures as a scorer in his first outing of the preseason. Although the three-point shot didn’t fall for him, he was efficient inside the arc and earned a few free throws in his 18 minutes of game action. The veteran forward added some nice assists, as well, but didn’t have a massive impact in any single category. He’ll have one preseason game left to iron out the wrinkles before the regular season begins and he looks to bounce back from his least productive season as a member of the Jazz.
UTA • Center • #11
about 2 months ago
The first-year member of the Jazz had another nice preseason outing, following a couple of 12-point performances in the two previous games. He crashed the glass hard on Monday and recorded more boards than his previous total through the first two preseason games. Notably, the veteran center drilled a pair of three-pointers and has now tallied at least one make from beyond the arc in all three preseason games. If he remains the starting center into the regular season, Nurkic could be a double-double threat on a nightly basis.
UTA • Forward • #28
about 2 months ago
Sensabaugh led the Jazz in scoring on Monday despite logging fewer than 20 minutes of game action. The third-year forward was productive from beyond the arc and shot efficiently overall en route to his third straight game with at least 16 points. Sensabaugh is averaging 22.0 points through the three preseason games and is performing well as the regular season approaches. He set career-highs in points per game last season and shot the ball efficiently along the way. If the preseason is a sign of things to come, Sensabaugh has a chance to log another productive season.
UTA • Forward-Center • #23
about 2 months ago
Markkanen will make his 2025 preseason debut on Monday, replacing Svi Mykhailuk in the starting unit. Markkanen played just 47 regular-season games for the Jazz last season, where he averaged his lowest points per game since 2021-22. The remaining four starters will make their third starts of the preseason against the Mavericks as they look to collect their first win.
Source: Ryan Miller
UTA • Center • #24
about 2 months ago
Due to left shoulder bursitis, Kessler has yet to appear in a game during the preseason. He’ll have one more opportunity to play before the start of the regular season, as the Jazz host the Trail Blazers on Thursday. If the shoulder injury keeps Kessler out for regular-season games, Jusuf Nurkić is the most likely replacement.
Source: Utah Jazz
UTA • Forward-Center • #23
about 2 months ago
Markkanen has been dealing with a wrist injury that was never expected to impact his availability to start the regular season, but it has kept him sidelined during the preseason. He’ll make his preseason debut against the Mavs.
Source: Utah Jazz
UTA • F • #20
about 2 months ago
Niang was given a two-week timeline for re-evaluation on September 27, but he’s still not ready to return. The new evaluation on October 12 means he’ll be sidelined through the start of the regular season. Once he’s back on the court, there’s no guarantee Niang will play enough minutes to be a viable fantasy option in 12-team leagues.
Source: NBA.com
UTA • F • #20
about 2 months ago
Niang was given a two-week timeline for re-evaluation on September 27, but he’s still not ready to return. The new evaluation on October 12 means he’ll be sidelined through the start of the regular season. Once he’s back on the court, there’s no guarantee Niang will play enough minutes to be a viable fantasy option in 12-team leagues.
Source: NBA.com
UTA • Center • #22
about 2 months ago
Due to lower back injury management, Filipowski has been limited during the preseason, sitting out Utah’s first two preseason games. While he’s unlikely to begin the regular season as a starter, the second-year post player’s minutes will likely increase after an impressive showing at Summer League. Filipowski will be worth taking a late-round flier on, especially with Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler’s availability concerns.
Source: Andy Larsen
UTA • Center • #24
about 2 months ago
Like fellow starter Lauri Markkanen, Kessler has not appeared in any of Utah’s preseason games due to a sore left shoulder. Fully participating in Sunday’s practice may be a positive sign regarding Kessler’s availability for Monday’s preseason game against the Mavericks. When healthy, he has top-50 fantasy potential, especially in free-throw percentage-punt molds. However, there are lingering tanking concerns, even if the Jazz front office said during the summer that they would not go that route this season. Jusuf Nurkić filled the void in the starting lineup for Utah’s first two preseason games.
Source: Andy Larsen
UTA • Center • #24
about 2 months ago
Like fellow starter Lauri Markkanen, Kessler has not appeared in any of Utah’s preseason games due to a sore left shoulder. Fully participating in Sunday’s practice may be a positive sign regarding Kessler’s availability for Monday’s preseason game against the Mavericks. When healthy, he has top-50 fantasy potential, especially in free-throw percentage-punt molds. However, there are lingering tanking concerns, even if the Jazz front office said during the summer that they would not go that route this season. Jusuf Nurkić filled the void in the starting lineup for Utah’s first two preseason games.
Source: Andy Larsen
UTA • Forward-Center • #23
about 2 months ago
Limited to individual workouts after suffering a wrist injury while playing for Finland at EuroBasket, Markkanen fully participated in Sunday’s session. Jazz head coach Will Hardy said Friday that the forward’s limitations were about maintenance rather than significant injury concerns. Sunday’s development should be taken as a sign that Markkanen is on track to be ready to go when the Jazz open the regular season on October 22.
Source: Andy Larsen
UTA • • #
2 months ago
Clayton’s play was a reason the Jazz were able to push Friday’s game to overtime. The rookie guard logged 34 of 53 minutes, finishing with a complete stat line. Clayton was on the floor for extended periods with Keyonte George, which may be a sign that there will be times when the Jazz are willing to go small on the perimeter. That would bode well for Clayton, as the Jazz still have Isaiah Collier in the mix despite his not playing in the team’s first two preseason games. Who serves as the starting point guard when the regular season begins will offer the highest fantasy upside, but the competition isn’t over yet.
UTA • Forward • #28
2 months ago
Two nights removed from scoring 21 points against the Rockets, Sensabaugh was even more productive in San Antonio. His ability to get to the foul line had much to do with the high point total, as the Jazz wing made all 12 of his attempts. Sensabaugh shot 2-of-8 from beyond the arc on Friday, but if there’s one thing that can be assumed, it’s that he’ll find a way to get his points whether the threes are falling or not. Sensabaugh’s fantasy prospects once the regular season begins depend partially on Lauri Markkanen, who has not played during the preseason due to a wrist injury. While the injury is not considered serious, it is something to watch before the regular season. If Markkanen is limited or can’t play, Sensabaugh can achieve fantasy relevance in the short term.
UTA • Forward-Center • #23
2 months ago
Markkanen, who represented Finland at EuroBasket this summer, injured his wrist during his nation’s run to a fourth-place finish. However, Jazz head coach Will Hardy did not sound too concerned about the injury and its potential impact on the forward’s availability once the regular season begins. “It’s more maintenance. I’m lucky that I got to see this in San Antonio a bunch when guys were playing Eurobasket. They just competed really hard for a month and laid it all on the line,” Hardy said. “It’s nothing that we’re concerned about, but it’s just some bumps and bruises that we want to manage in this moment as he’s coming off of that. There’s nothing to be concerned about at all.” Markkanen was limited to 47 games last season, with the front office’s desire to improve its draft lottery odds being a factor. While the team has said it has no plans of tanking this season, the last two years have likely impacted how many managers view Markkanen, who isn’t guaranteed to be available during the fantasy playoff weeks. If he’s unable to get cleared for the start of the regular season, young players like Taylor Hendricks, Ace Bailey and Brice Sensabaugh will be worth a longer look in drafts.
Source: Salt Lake Tribune
UTA • Forward • #28
2 months ago
If there’s one thing that Sensabaugh can do, it’s score, and he was in fine form Wednesday night. The third-year wing was efficient with his shot, going 5-of-9 from beyond the arc, and he recorded a complete stat line. Kyle Filipowski was the subject of significant buzz during the summer, but deep-league fantasy managers should not overlook Sensabaugh. This preseason, he’s playing to be in the rotation from the start instead of waiting until the Jazz officially pulled the plug, as was the case last season.
UTA • Forward • #0
2 months ago
Wednesday’s game may not have been official, but it was a big moment for Hendricks. The Jazz forward was playing in a live game for the first time since October 28, when he fractured his leg during a game against the Mavericks. He looked good against the Rockets, shooting the ball well from the field while being impactful as a defender and secondary playmaker. Utah did not have Lauri Markkanen for Wednesday’s game, and his absence makes a difference. However, Hendricks began last season as a starter and appears likely to regain that role. He’ll be worth a look as a late-round pick, especially with the Jazz rebuilding.
UTA • Center • #11
2 months ago
Nurkić started his unofficial Jazz debut on Wednesday, as the Jazz were without starting center Walker Kessler. And the veteran center looked good against the Rockets, not missing a shot from the field and finishing a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. While there could be times when Nurkić is worth streaming, he isn’t a player that fantasy managers should plan on drafting. That also goes for Kevin Love, who played 20 minutes off the bench and finished with 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and two three-pointers. Both veterans may be trade candidates this season, especially if Utah is in “lottery odds” mode near the February trade deadline.
UTA • Guard • #3
2 months ago
After beginning last season as Utah’s starting point guard, George was moved to the bench due to his struggles running the team. The Jazz decision-makers, from the front office down to head coach Will Hardy, must have liked what they saw from George on Wednesday. In addition to shooting efficiently, he recorded nine assists without committing a turnover. With Isaiah Collier (DNP) finishing last season as the starter and Utah adding another point guard to the roster this summer in first-round pick Walter Clayton Jr. (7/1/3 with one three-pointer), this is a crucial preseason for George. If he wins the starting job, he’ll be worth a look in the latter rounds of drafts.
HOU • G • #15
2 months ago
After an occasionally shaky performance in Houston’s preseason opener on Monday, Sheppard looked more comfortable Wednesday night. Having Kevin Durant on the floor certainly helps, but the second-year guard deserves credit for his improved production and efficiency. With Durant, Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün on the court, there won’t be too much pressure on Sheppard if he were to begin the regular season as Fred VanVleet’s (knee) replacement in the starting lineup. Selecting him with a top-100 pick would be too much, but Sheppard should be drafted in all standard leagues.
HOU • Center • #28
2 months ago
Fred VanVleet’s torn ACL has placed the spotlight squarely on second-year guard Reed Sheppard during the preseason, but he isn’t the only capable playmaker at head coach Ime Udoka’s disposal. Şengün and Amen Thompson (19/7/6/2/1 with one three-pointer) are also positive assets, with the latter finishing Wednesday’s victory with a points/assists double-double. Şengün has averaged 2.6 turnovers per game over the last three seasons, but can he maintain that with increased playmaking responsibilities? If so, the Rockets center can be a fantasy stud in 2025-26.
HOU • • #
2 months ago
Smith remained in the starting lineup on Wednesday, with Tari Eason (8/3/3 with one three-pointer in 19 minutes) dropped to the bench to make room for Kevin Durant. Of course, this does not mean Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has finalized his starting lineup, but Smith’s perimeter shooting ability may give him the edge. The fourth-year forward shot 3-of-5 from beyond the arc against the Jazz, and that floor-spacing ability will be critical since neither Amen Thompson nor Alperen Şengün offers much value as a perimeter shooter.
HOU • Forward • #35
2 months ago
Durant did not show off the full repertoire on Wednesday, but he did show flashes of why many believe he’ll raise Houston’s ceiling this season. After shooting 1-of-4 from the field in the first quarter, Durant was 6-of-6 in the second and third quarters before ending his night after 23 minutes of action. Even with the point guard position being a question mark due to Fred VanVleet’s torn ACL, Durant’s offensive ability will make a difference for the Rockets. The days of being a first-round pick in fantasy leagues may be in the rearview mirror, but KD should be off the board in the second round in standard leagues.
HOU • Forward • #35
2 months ago
Durant, who did not play in Monday’s win over the Hawks, will make his Rockets preseason debut Wednesday night, bumping Tari Eason to the bench. Of course, the future Hall of Fame forward will be the focus of many, but his credentials are well-known by now. Sheppard remains the most essential Rocket to watch this preseason, as he looks to lock down a starting role with Fred VanVleet (knee) sidelined.
Source: Houston Rockets
HOU • Forward • #35
2 months ago
Durant sat out Monday’s preseason opener against the Hawks, but he’ll take the court for the first time in a Houston uniform on Wednesday against Utah. The future Hall-of-Famer is expected to play a major role for his new team in the 2025-26 season as the Rockets pursue a championship.
Source: Danielle Lerner
HOU • Center • #28
2 months ago
With Kevin Durant sitting out Monday’s preseason opener, Şengün was left to lead the way offensively for Houston’s starting unit. He was excellent as a scorer and playmaker for others, with the latter being especially important since the Rockets are unlikely to have Fred VanVleet (knee) this season. Şengün can make plays for himself or his teammates, even operating on the perimeter sometimes. Even if Houston decides to start a more traditional point guard to account for Fred VanVleet’s absence, Şengün will boast a raised fantasy ceiling due to the increased need for his playmaking ability.
HOU • Forward • #17
2 months ago
Eason started Monday’s preseason opener but did not play much, logging 11 minutes. However, fantasy managers likely know he can offer value in limited minutes. Eason shared the team lead in rebounds with Jabari Smith Jr. (9/6/1 with two three-pointers) while recording a few assists. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said last week that the team may look to avoid playing Eason in both games of back-to-backs, at least early in the season. After playing 82 games as a rookie, a lingering left leg injury limited the forward to 79 games combined in 2023-24 and 2024-25. If Eason can stay reasonably healthy, he’ll be worth rostering in category leagues.
HOU • G • #15
2 months ago
While the Rockets have not decided who will step into the role left vacant by the injured Fred VanVleet (knee), they’ll likely give 2024 lottery pick Sheppard every opportunity to win the job. The second-year guard played 14 minutes in Monday’s preseason opener, offering limited production in that role. Starting center Alperen Şengün is a capable playmaker for others, so the ball will be in his hands more with VanVleet unavailable. As a result, Sheppard’s assist production may not spike if he’s allowed to start once the regular season begins.
HOU • G • #15
2 months ago
With Fred VanVleet lost for the season due to a torn ACL, the Rockets’ starting point guard position is currently unclear. In the team’s first preseason action, Sheppard’s inclusion in the starting lineup is certainly noteworthy, as the second-year guard averaged just 12.6 minutes across 52 regular-season games during his rookie campaign, averaging 4.4 points on 35.1/33.8/81.3 shooting splits. His minutes on Monday will be without the newly acquired Kevin Durant, who will not make his preseason debut against Atlanta. Reed’s performances throughout the preseason will be something to monitor and could have an impact on when he is selected in fantasy basketball leagues.
Source: Danielle Lerner
HOU • Forward • #17
2 months ago
Finney-Smith, who agreed to a four-year deal worth $53 million in July, underwent surgery on his ankle in early June. When asked about the veteran forward’s status for the upcoming season, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said DFS probably would not be available when the team opens the regular season on October 21. Finney-Smith has only partially participated in early practices, limited to non-contact activity. On Monday, he said that he’s been running and should be back “soon.” However, there’s no timeline on a return to action for Finney-Smith, who was believed to be in contention for a place in the starting lineup. With Fred VanVleet (knee) possibly out for the entire season, Houston has two starting spots to fill during training camp.
Source: RocketsWire
HOU • Forward • #17
2 months ago
Eason and Adams have suffered lower-body injuries in recent seasons, with the former dealing with a leg issue and the latter undergoing knee surgery. Potentially resting them for part of back-to-backs is certainly understandable, especially with Houston’s depth in the frontcourt. However, with the Rockets’ first back-to-back not until December 5-6, the team will have time to assess the health of Eason and Adams before making a final decision. Adams’ availability won’t significantly impact fantasy basketball, as Alperen Şengün will play most of the minutes at center, and Houston added Clint Capela in free agency. However, Eason has top-100 fantasy potential, especially in points-punt team builds. He’s expected to be in the running for a place in the Rockets’ starting lineup, along with Jabari Smith Jr.
Source: Danielle Lerner