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FINALIndiana
Pacers
7-21|L10: 4-6
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Antonio Spurs
20-7|L10: 7-3
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IND • Guard • #12
about 2 months ago
Furphy only played one minute in Thursday’s loss to the Thunder, essentially checking in during double overtime after multiple Pacers had fouled out. He missed the end of the preseason with a sprained left ankle and is now dealing with a sore left foot. If Furphy cannot play on Saturday, Ben Sheppard and Taelon Peter will have added importance, especially with Andrew Nembhard (shoulder) already out. Sheppard is worth targeting, especially in deep leagues.
Source: Indiana Pacers
IND • Guard-Forward • #2
about 2 months ago
Nembhard exited early from the season opener, and while there hasn’t been an official timetable reported, he will at least miss Saturday’s game. Ben Sheppard started the second half on Thursday in place of Nembhard and should occupy that role again. Jarace Walker also should see a bump in minutes as another playmaking option.
Source: Scott Agness
IND • Forward • #1
about 2 months ago
The debate all summer was whether Isaiah Jackson or Jay Huff would be the more productive center for the Pacers. Well, in their first game of the season, the answer was Pascal Siakam, with Toppin playing power forward. Toppin in rostered in just 17 percent of Yahoo! leagues but certainly has a case to be an enticing pickup as a season-long producer. Jackson and Huff aren’t lost causes, but Toppin seems like the safer bet after one game.
IND • Guard • #26
about 2 months ago
Andrew Nembhard exited after halftime with a shoulder injury, which opened the door for Sheppard to start the second half. Sheppard hasn’t ever been much of a producer in fantasy basketball, but he was able to contribute a well-rounded line in this game. Rick Carlisle said after the game that Nembhard will undergo more tests on his shoulder. If he is forced to miss time, Sheppard should continue to start, though he may not consistently contribute as much as he did in this game.
Source: Nicole Weaving
IND • Guard-Forward • #00
about 2 months ago
Mathurin was expected to take a ton of shots this season with Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) out, and in his season debut, he was able to light up the box score before fouling out. He fell two points shy of matching his career-high. Mathurin should have no issues breaking his previous career-high of 16.7 points per game, which should contribute to the best season of his career. There’s a reason he had a Yahoo! ADP of 92.3, and it’s paying off early.
IND • Forward • #43
about 2 months ago
For at least this season, the Pacers are Siakam’s team. He’s the star, and he showed why in his first game of the year. Despite the rough night at the free throw line, Siakam was able to start his season off with a monster 30-point double-double, even if it wasn’t enough to get a win in the Finals rematch. Siakam will continue to be a focal point on offense, which should lead to more performances like this one.
IND • Guard-Forward • #2
about 2 months ago
Ben Sheppard started the second half in place of Nembhard. It’s unclear if Nembhard will miss time beyond this game, but that likely won’t make Sheppard worthy of a stream. Pascal Siakam may step up as a playmaker, but it’s hard to identify a worthy beneficiary with T.J. McConnell and Kam Jones both sidelined.
Source: Indiana Pacers
SAS • F-C • #13
about 2 months ago
Olynyk will miss a second straight game to open the year, which means Luke Kornet will fill out the backup center minutes behind Victor Wembanyama once again. Kornet played 18 minutes on Wednesday and should see a similar workload with Olynyk out.
Source: Matthew Tynan
SAS • Forward • #10
about 2 months ago
This will be a second straight absence for Sochan to start the season. Julian Champagnie and Harrison Barnes started at the forward spot in the season opener, and with no changes to the injury report, they should occupy those same roles once again.
Source: Matthew Tynan
SAS • • #
about 2 months ago
Wednesday’s game included the top two picks in June’s draft. However, due to his thumb injury and being on a roster with the last two Rookie of the Year winners, Harper flew under the radar in Dallas. He had a solid night shooting the basketball, but the rookie was responsible for twice as many turnovers as assists and landed in foul trouble. With De’Aaron Fox (hamstring) unavailable, Harper won’t lack opportunities to play rotation minutes. However, San Antonio’s depth on the perimeter may limit the rookie’s fantasy ceiling for this season, especially if everyone remains relatively healthy once Fox returns.
SAS • Guard • #5
about 2 months ago
While Victor Wembanyama received most of the attention in the aftermath of San Antonio’s 125-92 victory, and with good reason, Castle’s night was encouraging. Starting at point guard for the injured De’Aaron Fox, the second-year guard shot the ball well from the field and was a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. However, there were negatives, as Castle shot 5-of-10 from the foul line and committed five turnovers. Those two categories will determine if Castle can outperform his Yahoo! ADP of 115 this season. The Spurs’ guard had an excellent night overall, but there is room for improvement.
SAS • Forward-Center • #1
about 2 months ago
With the last two Rookie of the Year award winners and this season’s presumed favorite to win the floor on the court, all eyes were on American Airlines Arena. Wembanyama stole the show, as the Mavericks had no answer for him defensively. Whether it was above the rim, in the mid-range or from beyond the arc, Wemby did what he wanted Wednesday night, finishing with a franchise record for points in a season opener. The 7-foot-4 phenom played 30 minutes before exiting with just under five minutes remaining, and his workload should increase as he gets further removed from the injury that ended his 2024-25 season in February. The rest of the NBA was probably already on notice; Wednesday’s performance was another sign that Wemby’s already one of the league’s best and most dominant players.
IND • Guard • #29
about 2 months ago
With Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) out for the season and T.J. McConnell (hamstring) out until sometime next month, there may have been a chance for Jackson to earn a few minutes off the bench. Unfortunately, a strained right hamstring has sidelined him. Jackson’s absence does not impact fantasy basketball.
Source: NBA Injury Report
IND • Guard • #12
about 2 months ago
Furphy, who was sidelined at the end of the preseason with a sprained left ankle, is good to go for the Pacers’ regular-season opener on Thursday. Indiana’s wing depth could make it difficult for him to make a significant splash in fantasy basketball early on, but Furphy will be in the mix for rotation minutes. And it would be unsurprising if he earned an essential role off the bench. Add him to your watchlists.
Source: NBA Injury Report
SAS • Forward • #10
about 2 months ago
After missing EuroBasket with a calf injury, Sochan has a sprained left wrist and will miss Wednesday’s opener. His absence means more opportunities for Julian Champagnie, Keldon Johnson and Carter Bryant, with the former having been a starter during the preseason. Champagnie should hold onto that role, as the Spurs are also without De’Aaron Fox, while Bryant boasts long-term upside, especially in dynasty leagues.
Source: NBA Injury Report
SAS • F-C • #13
about 2 months ago
Olynyk is still recovering from the heel surgery he underwent in late April. The Spurs signed Luke Kornet in free agency, so they’re covered from a depth standpoint. Kornet slots in as Victor Wembanyama’s backup, which is not a good place to be regarding fantasy relevance.
Source: Casey Viera
IND • Guard-Forward • #23
about 2 months ago
Known mainly as a shooter when he entered the NBA with the Celtics, Nesmith has emerged as a solid wing defender since joining the Pacers via trade in the summer of 2022. Monday’s reported extension pushes his deal through the 2028-29 season, with the Pacers paying the maximum they could in the transaction. With Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) out for the season, Nesmith should have more opportunities to contribute on offense. While Bennedicat Mathurin is the biggest beneficiary from a fantasy standpoint, managers should not overlook Nesmith.
Source: Shams Charania
IND • Guard • #26
about 2 months ago
Sheppard made his first appearance of the preseason on Friday, playing 12 minutes off the bench. With T.J. McConnell (hamstring) set to miss the start of the regular season and Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) out for the year, there may be additional opportunities for Sheppard to contribute. However, the same can be said for Johnny Furphy, who looked sensational when active and offers a higher ceiling. If fantasy managers are to roll the dice on any of the Pacers’ reserves while McConnell is out, Furphy should be the choice.
IND • Guard-Forward • #23
about 2 months ago
Nesmith led the Pacers in scoring in Friday’s preseason finale, but the shot distribution amongst the team’s starters is unlikely to be the norm during the regular season. Pascal Siakam (9/2/4 with one three-pointer) and Bennedict Mathurin (11 points, four rebounds and one three-pointer) attempted five and six shots, respectively, and they’re likely to have the highest shot volume once the games truly count. That said, Nesmith’s opportunities may increase as the Pacers look to account for Myles Turner’s exit and Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles tendon injury.
IND • Guard-Forward • #2
about 2 months ago
While the Pacers did roll out their expected starting five for Friday’s preseason finale, none logged more than 18 minutes. Nembhard didn’t have a great night shooting the basketball, but was solid running the show. With Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) out for the season and T.J. McConnell (hamstring) set to miss the next three weeks, Nembhard must shoulder a heavy workload in 2025-26. That makes him worth the risk in fantasy leagues, and he’s come off the board within the first 75 picks of many drafts based on his Yahoo! ADP (74).
SAS • Guard-Forward • #24
about 2 months ago
Vassell did not have a big night in the Spurs’ preseason finale, but he looked relatively sharp. Based on his Yahoo! ADP of 99, the Spurs wing may be undervalued in many fantasy circles. Vassell has been a top-100 player in four straight seasons, finishing as a seventh-round or better player the last three. While the eventual return of De’Aaron Fox and the continued development of Stephon Castle do need to be factored into any analysis of Vassell, he’ll be a starter who can reap the rewards that come with sharing the floor with a transcendent talent like Victor Wembanyama.
SAS • Guard • #5
about 2 months ago
With De’Aaron Fox (hamstring) not on track to return to action for opening night, Castle will likely be the Spurs’ starting point guard. He looked the part in his 25 minutes Friday night, shooting efficiently and racking up nine assists with just one turnover. Castle’s efficiency was an issue last season, but that’s to be expected of a rookie. Look out if Fox’s absence allows the reigning Rookie of the Year to hit the ground running. Castle’s Yahoo! ADP of 118 may be too low, especially when factoring in Fox’s hamstring injury.
SAS • Forward-Center • #1
about 2 months ago
Friday’s exhibition was the last for the Spurs before the regular season begins next week, and Wembanyama looked sharp. He only missed two shots from the field and recorded a complete stat line, playing 24 minutes. Given how his 2024-25 season ended, the most essential thing for Wemby was to shake off the rust and remain healthy. Wembanyama did that, showing why he should be considered with Nikola Jokić for pick 1.1 in fantasy league drafts.
SAS • Guard • #4
about 2 months ago
Fox said during media day last month that he didn’t expect to play in the opener, so this isn’t a surprise. However, the fact that he is scrimmaging at this point is a good sign that he won’t miss much time. Stephon Castle should start at point guard in the season opener, with Julian Champagnie also part of the starting unit.
Source: Jared Weiss
SAS • Forward • #43
about 2 months ago
A preseason physical uncovered that the procedure was needed at this time, but the expectation is that he will be available to play shortly after the season opener. Waters could be back for the Spurs against the Pelicans on October 24.
Source: Jared Weiss
SAS • Center-Forward • #40
2 months ago
Kornet’s strong preseason continued on Monday, going perfect from the field before finishing as the Spurs’ second leading scorer. He’s now shot 18-of-22 from the field across four preseason games and is looking as though he’ll serve as a reliable frontcourt option on both ends of the floor coming off San Antonio’s bench. Kornet will have a chance to finish the preseason on a high note on Friday when the Spurs face the Pacers again.
SAS • Guard • #5
2 months ago
After missing the first three preseason games with a knee injury, Castle logged his first minutes on Monday and ended up as one of the Spurs’ most productive starters. He was the only of the five starters to play fewer than 20 minutes, but was aggressive on both ends of the floor in his limited action, displaying his rim-finishing abilities, touch from beyond the arc, and a knack for collecting stocks in his return to the floor. He’ll have a chance to hit the ground running in his sophomore campaign and build on a strong rookie season.
SAS • Forward-Center • #1
2 months ago
On the heels of an impressive 22-point outing on Friday against the Jazz, Wembanyama had an even more dominant performance on Monday. In his most preseason minutes yet, the former first-overall pick tallied preseason-highs in points and rebounds, needing just 13 shot attempts to nearly reach 30 points. Wemby did his job, as usual, on the defensive end and came up with four stocks to round out a great performance overall. He’ll be in play for the number one pick in fantasy drafts.
IND • Guard-Forward • #2
2 months ago
Nembhard’s second preseason game was a productive one. He flirted with a double-double in his 23 minutes of action and tied a game-high in assists. The fourth-year guard notched career-highs last season in points, rebounds, assists and steals per game, despite shooting inefficiently from the three-point line. His numbers could realistically take another leap this season with more minutes and better efficiency from beyond the arc.
IND • Forward • #43
2 months ago
Siakam looked sharp during his 24 minutes of game action on Monday. He displayed his smooth midrange jump shot and showed in this game that his career-best three-point shooting season in 2024-25 was not a fluke. The veteran forward has played well in his two preseason appearances and seems ready to potentially take on a bigger workload on the offensive end as Tyrese Haliburton recovers from an Achilles injury. A stellar fantasy basketball season could be on the horizon for Siakam.
IND • Guard-Forward • #00
2 months ago
Mathurin logged his most productive outing of the preseason thus far, eclipsing the 30-point mark on efficient shooting against the Spurs. The fourth-year guard did most of his damage in the first half, where he scored 27 points on 9-of-9 shooting, including four three-pointers. Mathurin, a part-time starter last season, should have an opportunity to see more production and opportunities in Tyrese Haliburton’s absence (leg). He’s likely to begin the season in the starting unit.
IND • Guard-Forward • #2
2 months ago
The Pacers will roll out against the Spurs what could very well be their opening-night starting lineup. This same unit started the preseason opener against the Timberwolves, with neither of the five players logging more than 14 minutes in that game. With one preseason game remaining after Monday’s, there’s a chance the main rotation players could see an increase in playing time against the Spurs. Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker and Cameron Payne will move back to the bench.
Source: Scott Agness
SAS • Guard • #5
2 months ago
Castle will make his 2025 preseason debut on Monday, working his way back from a bone bruise in his knee. He’ll likely receive reps at the point guard position on Monday, which could prepare both him and his Spurs teammates for the start of the regular season, which De’Aaron Fox (hamstring) isn’t expected to be ready for. With Castle startiing against Indiana, Keldon Johnson moves to the bench for the first time this preseason.
Source: Alex Golden
IND • Guard • #12
2 months ago
Furphy injured his left ankle during Saturday’s win over the Thunder. Given that this is the preseason, there’s no need for the Pacers or Furphy to force the issue. The second-year guard will be a factor within the Pacers’ bench unit, but that isn’t enough to make Furphy a must-draft player in standard leagues.
Source: Indiana Pacers
SAS • Guard • #5
2 months ago
Castle has missed the past week with a bone bruise in his knee, but he should be good to go against Indiana. With De’Aaron Fox also sidelined, the Spurs haven’t been using a traditional point guard in the starting lineup. Castle should get that opportunity to start the year.
Source: Dan Weiss
IND • Guard-Forward • #00
2 months ago
Mathurin - who’s in line to start next season - shot 4-of-9 from the field and converted 7-of-9 shots from the charity stripe. He should be a focal point of Indiana’s offense in 2025-26, making him a great target in points leagues.
IND • Forward • #5
2 months ago
Walker had another productive outing, and his preseason play has been solid thus far. He’s unlikely to see a major leap in playing time in Year 3, but fantasy managers in deep leagues could stash him at the end of the bench in case he gets some additional opportunities.
SAS • • #
2 months ago
As was the case during Summer League action in Las Vegas, Jones-Garcia stepped up when his team needed him most on Friday. He made all three of his shot attempts during overtime, and the Spurs guard consistently got to the foul line in the second half. Jones-Garcia is on a two-way deal, and the Spurs will have a relatively full backcourt once De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle join the ranks. However, he may be able to provide occasional streaming value, especially since Fox is unlikely to be available to start the regular season.
SAS • Guard-Forward • #24
2 months ago
Vassell, who only played 22 minutes on Friday, looked sharp in the Spurs’ overtime victory. He efficiently scored his points while finishing a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. As of Friday, Vassell had a Yahoo! ADP of 101.6, which is way too low, especially with De’Aaron Fox (hamstring) expected to miss the start of the regular season. As long as he stays relatively healthy, Vassell has top-75 potential, and that’s being conservative.
SAS • Forward-Center • #1
2 months ago
After two modest efforts in San Antonio’s first two preseason games, Wembanyama showed the offensive repertoire that makes him one of the top options in fantasy basketball on Friday. The Jazz did not have an answer for the third-year center, who shot 60 percent from the field and attempted 10 free throws. Wembanyama did not record any defensive stats, which is infrequent for him. Wemby appears ready for the start of the regular season.
SAS • • #
2 months ago
Having undergone left thumb surgery in early September, Harper made his preseason debut Friday night. The southpaw shot the ball well and did not suffer any setbacks, making the second overall pick’s first live action of the preseason a success. Harper was under a minutes restriction, resulting in him playing 18 minutes off the bench. With De’Aaron Fox (hamstring) expected to miss the start of the regular season, Harper will have increased fantasy value early on.
SAS • • #
2 months ago
The second overall pick in June’s draft, Harper underwent left thumb surgery in early September. It was initially reported that the Spurs were aiming for the rookie guard to be healthy in time for the October 22 regular season opener, but he’s beaten that projection by just under two weeks. With De’Aaron Fox (hamstring) unlikely to be ready for the start of the regular season, Harper may be able to hit the ground running from a fantasy standpoint. He will be under a minutes restriction on Friday.
Source: Jeff McDonald