Kel’el Ware finished Friday’s game against the Grizzlies with 20 points (7-of-15 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), 14 rebounds, one steal, and one block.

Ware concluded an impressive preseason with another dominant stat line. In 30 minutes of game action, he did his scoring damage inside the arc and crashed the glass hard to secure his fourth double-double of the preseason. Ware also competed on the defensive end, and going into Year 2, has a chance to take a massive leap and provide Miami with another reliable frontcourt option.

Norman Powell totaled 23 points (8-of-13 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), six assists, one steal and three three-pointers in Friday’s loss to the Heat.

Powell rebounded from an inefficient shooting performance against the Hawks to log his most efficient outing of the preseason. He also set a new preseason-high in points, utilizing the three-point shot to log more than 20 points for the first time in a Heat uniform, as well as set a new preseason high in assists. Powell’s offensive contributions to begin the regular season will be important, given that Tyler Herro likely won’t begin the year healthy. If he can start fast, the former NBA champion may be able to build on a career-best 2024-25 season.

Bam Adebayo added 23 points (9-of-17 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, one block and two three-pointers against the Grizzlies on Friday.

Despite exiting Monday’s game against the Hawks with a knee injury, Adebayo started Friday and played his most minutes of the preseason. He was aggressive in his time on the floor, finishing with a team-high in shot attempts and ending with more than 20 points for the first time during these exhibition games. Adebayo made his usual impact on the defensive end, and if he can regain his shooting efficiency and find another gear as a scorer, he may be able to improve on his 2024-25 campaign.

Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell, Kel’el Ware and Bam Adebayo will start against the Grizzlies on Friday.

In their sixth and final preseason game, the Heat are rolling with most of their main players in Friday’s starting lineup. Adebayo will get the start, despite leaving Monday’s contest early (knee), while Mitchell joins the opening unit for the second time this preseason. Miami has gone 0-5 this preseason and will have a chance to earn a win against the Grizzlies, who are also without a victory during the preseason.

Wendell Carter Jr. amassed 14 points (5-of-8 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), seven rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal on Thursday against the Pelicans.

Carter Jr. was one of four Magic starters to score in double figures on Thursday, mostly using efficiency inside the arc to find his scoring production. Yet, the veteran center made splashes in several other areas, as well. His most noteworthy contributions arguably came as a facilitator, notching a preseason-high in assists and leading Orlando’s starters in that category on Thursday. Carter Jr. also found production in the defensive end and ultimately logged a strong game overall to wrap up what was a solid preseason for him.

Franz Wagner amassed 24 points (8-of-14 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), two rebounds, three assists, two steals and three three-pointers in Thursday’s win over the Pelicans.

Wagner was productive offensively on Thursday, utilizing efficient shooting to reach at least 20 points for the first time all preseason. The three-point shot was a big part of Wagner’s production, which was good to see after the versatile forward shot under 30.0 percent from deep for a second consecutive season. If he can sustain high volume and remain efficient from beyond the arc, he’ll have a chance to land another impressive fantasy basketball season, especially in nine-category leagues.

Paolo Banchero totaled 19 points (6-of-11 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two three-pointers against the Pelicans on Thursday.

Banchero logged his highest minutes total on Thursday and, in return, set preseason-highs in points, rebounds, assists and threes. He shot the ball well both inside and outside the arc, while making his way to the free-throw line and capitalizing on his free opportunities. Banchero finished the preseason strong as the Magic concluded with a 4-0 record. He won’t take the floor again until Orlando faces Miami on October 22 for the season opener.

Paolo Banchero, Tyus Jones, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. will start vs. the Pelicans on Friday.

Paolo Banchero, Tyus Jones, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. will start vs. the Pelicans on Thursday.

Banchero is back in the lineup for the Magic’s preseason finale, after missing Sunday’s game against the Heat. He has yet to shoot efficiently from the floor in his two appearances, but he will have a chance to find his rhythm on Thursday against the Pelicans. The Magic are 3-0 thus far and with the addition of Desmond Bane, they figure to be in for a strong 2025-26 season.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. amassed 17 points (7-of-14 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, three assists, one block and one three-pointer in Monday’s exhibition against the Hawks.

After playing 15 minutes as a starter in Sunday’s loss to the Magic, Jaquez was used in a reserve role Monday night. And he played well, shooting 50 percent from the field while recording a solid stat line. However, even with Tyler Herro (ankle) unavailable, Jaquez is not in a spot where he can provide consistent fantasy value. At best, he’s a player that fantasy managers can add to their early-season watchlists. If Jaquez takes on a larger role and is productive, he’d be worth picking up.

Andrew Wiggins tallied six points (3-of-11 FGs) and one rebound in Monday’s exhibition against the Hawks.

Miami’s starters struggled on Monday, with many returning to action after sitting out Sunday’s loss to the Magic. Wiggins has not looked his best during the preseason, but the starting role and potential make him worth selecting in standard league drafts. The hope is that having a full offseason in Miami after being traded midseason will result in a more comfortable Wiggins. And he’ll need to be that kind of player to start, as the Heat are unlikely to have Tyler Herro (ankle) after he underwent surgery just before training camp.

Norman Powell shot 4-of-14 from the field and 7-of-9 from the foul line in Monday’s exhibition against the Hawks, scoring 17 points with four rebounds, one assist, two steals and two three-pointers.

Powell had a rough Monday in Atlanta, but the good news is that it’s still the preseason. The turnover count was more concerning than the shooting, with Powell responsible for five. With Tyler Herro (ankle) not guaranteed to be available when the Heat begin the regular season, Powell may have more opportunities to serve as a playmaker within the offense. That would raise his fantasy ceiling in the short term, but only if he can keep the turnovers in check.

Bam Adebayo (knee) will not return to Monday’s exhibition against the Hawks.

Adebayo, who sat out Sunday’s loss to the Magic, suffered a right knee contusion early in the third quarter of Monday’s exhibition. He was able to walk back to the locker room without assistance and has since returned to the Heat bench. The return to the bench may be a sign that the injury isn’t serious, which would be great news for the Heat and fantasy managers. Adebayo finished with 13 points (4-of-11 FGs, 5-of-7 FTs), nine rebounds and three assists in 19 minutes.

Dru Smith, Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins, Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware will start Monday’s exhibition against the Hawks.

Adebayo, Wiggins and Powell are back in the lineup after sitting out Sunday’s loss to the Magic. Ware is the lone holdover from that game’s starting five, and he’s started the last two exhibitions after coming off the bench to begin the preseason. He or Nikola Jović will be in the starting lineup when the regular season begins, with the latter being the player who may be impacted more by starting. Ware offers solid value whether he starts or comes off the bench.

Kel’el Ware posted 24 points, 10 rebounds, an assist, two steals and two three-pointers across 25 minutes in Sunday’s loss to the Magic.

Make it three straight double-doubles for Ware, who’s having a tremendous preseason. Ware got the start in this one while Nikola Jovic (back) got the night off. It’s not yet clear if Ware or Nikola Jovic will start alongside Bam Adebayo in Miami’s frontcourt this season, but regardless, Ware looks primed for a big Year 2.

Franz Wagner posted 17 points in Sunday’s win over the Heat, chipping in five rebounds, three assists and a triple across 16 minutes.

Wagner started the inner-Floridian matchup and led his team in the scoring department despite his limited playing time. The 24-year-old forward hit 3-of-8 shots from the field but converted all 10 of his free-throw attempts. He profiles as a top-50 player in fantasy leagues this season, but his usage is a bit more of a question mark this year with the Magic trying to fit Desmond Bane into the attack.

Goga Bitadze tallied 11 points (5-of-7 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocked shots in Friday’s win over the 76ers.

Used primarily as a reserve, Bitadze is not in a great spot to provide consistent fantasy value. However, Moritz Wagner (knee) is expected to miss the start of the regular season, and starter Wendell Carter Jr. surpassing 60 games played twice in his first seven seasons, there may be streaming opportunities for Goga. He isn’t a player worth drafting, but he should remain on the radar of managers willing to select Carter in their drafts.

Franz Wagner shot 2-of-5 from the field and 4-of-4 from the foul line in Friday’s win over the 76ers, tallying eight points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Wagner, who did not play in Orlando’s preseason opener against the Heat, was in the lineup Friday night and logged 20 minutes. He looked a bit rusty, which was to be expected of a player who got some deserved time off after helping lead Germany to gold at EuroBasket. Even with the limited scoring against the 76ers, fantasy managers should not be concerned about Wagner. Tristan da Silva, who started for Franz against Miami, finished Friday’s win with 12 points, one rebound, one assist, one steal and two three-pointers in 13 minutes off the bench.

Wendell Carter Jr. finished Friday’s win over the 76ers with 20 points (6-of-8 FGs, 8-of-9 FTs), 13 rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot.

After playing 13 minutes in Orlando’s preseason opener, Carter’s workload increased to 21 minutes on Friday. And he was excellent against the 76ers, shooting efficiently while commanding the glass on both ends of the floor. Six of Carter’s game-high 13 rebounds were of the offensive variety, a highly productive effort from a player who’s averaged at least three offensive boards per game once in his NBA career (2019-20 in Chicago). Of course, the concern regarding Carter in fantasy basketball is his availability, as he’s surpassed 60 games twice in his first seven seasons. The 2024-25 campaign was one of those, as Carter played a career-high 68 games. Fantasy managers should reap the rewards if he can match or exceed that number.

Davion Mitchell (calf) is expected to play in Sunday’s exhibition against the Magic.

Mitchell missed Miami’s first two preseason games with a strained calf that was not considered serious. “Off Night” was a full participant in Friday’s practice, setting the stage for him to see his first game action of the preseason on Sunday. With Tyler Herro (ankle) expected to miss the start of the regular season, Mitchell may have an opportunity to earn the right to fill the resulting void in the starting lineup. If so, starting would raise his fantasy ceiling in the short term.

Tyus Jones, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. will start Friday’s exhibition against the 76ers.

After sitting out Orlando’s preseason opener, Wagner is available and will occupy his usual spot in the starting lineup. Fellow EuroBasket champion Tristan da Silva will return to the bench. Also, with Jones continuing to start for Jalen Suggs as he works his way back from knee surgery, this could be Orlando’s starting lineup for opening night.

Kel’el Ware accumulated 29 points (12-of-19 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), 12 rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and three three-pointers in Wednesday’s loss to the Spurs.

After failing to block a shot in either of Miami’s first two preseason games, Ware got on the board in that category Wednesday night. However, what stood out the most was his aggression on both ends of the floor, even if the blocked shot production was limited. Ware enjoyed a first-quarter stretch in which he hit two three-pointers and blocked a Victor Wembanyama shot that led to a Heat layup on the other end. Nikola Jović (3/3/3 in 21 minutes) remained in the starting lineup, but Ware played more. Even if the second-year center is used in a reserve role, fantasy managers should not hesitate to select him just outside the first 100 picks in standard league drafts.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. finished Wednesday’s loss to the Spurs with 19 points (6-of-8 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), three rebounds and one assist.

Thus far, the preseason has functioned as an open audition for those looking to fill the void left by the injured Tyler Herro. After receiving the opportunity to start Saturday’s preseason opener, Jaquez came off the bench against San Antonio and performed well. Dru Smith started on Wednesday, finishing with six points, one assist and two three-pointers in 13 minutes. Davion Mitchell has not been available for either exhibition, and he’ll likely have something to say about who will start for Herro when the regular season begins.

Dru Smith, Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jović and Bam Adebayo will start Wednesday’s game against the Spurs.

Tyler Herro won’t be available to begin the season as he recovers from offseason left foot/ankle surgery, making the Heat’s preseason games critical for finding a fifth starter. Smith, whose last two seasons have ended prematurely due to knee and Achilles injuries, will get his turn in the chair after coming off the bench in Miami’s first two preseason games. Jaime Jaquez Jr., who started Monday’s loss to Milwaukee, will come off the bench. In addition to Smith and Jaquez, fantasy managers should track Davion Mitchell, who may be the safest option of the three due to his defensive ability.

Kel’el Ware notched 18 points (7-of-15 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), 13 rebounds, one steal and two three-pointers in the win over the Bucks on Monday.

Ware followed a strong preseason opener with another productive outing on Monday. He came off the bench to finish as one of Miami’s top-2 scorers on the evening, while his work on the glass led to a game-high in rebounds. The second-year big did most of his damage in the fourth quarter, where he scored 14 of his points. Ware finished his rookie season as a permanent starter — if he continues to come off the bench throughout the preseason, there’s a chance he could remain in a reserve role to begin the regular season.

Nikola Jovic amassed nine points (3-of-7 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one three-pointer in 23 minutes in Monday’s loss to the Bucks.

Jovic followed his nice start to the preseason on Saturday with another strong outing on Monday. Although he failed to put up big scoring numbers, the versatile forward flashed his abilities as a rebounder, nearing double figures, while recording a team-high in assists. His well-roundedness nearly led him to a preseason triple-double. Jovic has started both preseason games thus far — if he can retain his starting position, the fourth-year forward has the potential to improve on a solid third NBA season.

Norman Powell totaled 18 points (6-of-12 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), two rebounds, one assist and three three-pointers in 16 minutes in Monday’s loss to the Bucks.

After scoring five points in his preseason debut with the Heat on Saturday, Powell had a more productive offensive outing on Monday. All of his minutes came in the first half, where he put up 12 shots and utilized volume and efficiency from beyond the arc to finish as one of Miami’s leaders in points. Powell was acquired by the Heat in a trade that sent him from the LA Clippers during the offseason. His role will likely be significant, and could be even bigger for the Heat to begin the season, as Tyler Herro (ankle) is expected to miss the first few weeks of the regular season. Powell has a chance to be the Heat’s No. 1 scoring option come opening night.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. started on Saturday and finished with six points (2-of-7 FGs), four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one three-pointer against the Magic.

With Tyler Herro (ankle) set to miss time, the expectation was that Davion Mitchell would start at point guard until he returned. However, in Miami’s first preseason game, it was Jaquez that got the nod. Mitchell didn’t play, so it’s unclear if Jaquez will retain the role when he is available.

Nikola Jovic got the start on Saturday and tallied 10 points (3-of-6 FGs), three rebounds, two assists, one block and one three-pointer in a 126-118 loss to the Magic.

Erik Spoelstra didn’t use his starters for long in this game, but Jovic was able to make a quick impact. Jovic, who got the starting nod over Kel’el Ware, could be in for a breakout season if he maintains that role. Ware contributed 10 points and nine rebounds off the bench, so the starting job will be an interesting storyline to watch throughout the preseason.

Noah Penda made his preseason debut on Saturday and contributed six points (2-of-5 FGs), two rebounds, one steal and one block against the Heat.

Penda didn’t check into his first game for Orlando until the second half. The second round pick has plenty of upside, but he likely will only play a small role for a contender in the East this year, making him worthy of a stash in dynasty leagues, but not much else.

Jase Richardson made his preseason debut on Saturday and finished with 13 points (5-of-11 FGs), four rebounds, two assists, one steal and three three-pointers against the Heat.

The 25th pick this past summer, Richardson had some solid performances in summer league. Now, he was able to turn in another strong outing in his first preseason action. Richardson may be able to provide some decent minutes off the bench during his rookie year, but he isn’t going to be a consistent fantasy contributor.

Desmond Bane made his Magic debut on Saturday and contributed nine points (3-of-7 FGs), six rebounds, three assists and one three-pointer in a 126-118 win over the Heat.

After spending the first five seasons of his career in Memphis, Bane was dealt to the Magic this summer, and this was his first opportunity to suit up for them. He only played 13 minutes like most of the other starters, but he’ll continue to be an excellent fantasy option despite the change of scenery, and he’ll provide Orlando with the best spacing they’ve had in a while.

Jaime Jaquez Jr., Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic and Bam Adebayo will start against the Magic on Saturday.

Jaquez got the start in place of Tyler Herro (ankle), but Jovic starting instead of Kel’el Ware may be more notable. Jovic has the opportunity to have a breakout season, and if he maintains a spot in the starting lineup, his chances of taking a leap forward will only improve.