Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
October 2025
First game action since February yields 14 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals in 19 minutes versus Minnesota, completing a controlled ramp ahead of Boston. Nurse maintains short bursts and no fourth-quarter run, prioritising movement quality and recovery markers. Next step is minute stacking without setbacks as rotation cohesion firms up.
Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
October 2025
Following steady camp participation after April knee surgery, Embiid starts the preseason finale and shifts focus to movement quality and minute tolerance before Boston on opening night. The goal is restoring near-peak two-way impact. Philadelphia will manage bursts, lateral tests and recovery responses. Nick Nurse plans regular-rotation minutes to build cohesion, with usage calibrated to avoid setbacks while integrating actions around Embiid’s elbow touches and short-roll playmaking.
Golden State Warriors
October 2025
Golden State are testing an older core with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and Al Horford. Butler strained an ankle in practice and will miss the Blazers preseason trip with a possible return by Friday.
Brandin Podziemski impressed with expanded touches. Kerr is calibrating lineups for health, defense, and shooting balance. Early availability for Butler will shape opening rotations around Curry’s usage.
Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
October 2025
Wembanyama said he can be the league’s future standard bearer and returned in preseason with playmaking emphasis after last season’s shoulder clot. In limited minutes he stuffed the box score while initiating offense.
San Antonio are building around his versatility with rookie guard Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and added size to diversify lineups. The plan stresses connectivity and creation gravity over isolation to accelerate a playoff push.
Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers)
October 2025
Dončić will make his Lakers preseason debut Tuesday versus Phoenix after resting from EuroBasket duty. JJ Redick confirmed a minutes ramp-up plan as LeBron James remains out with sciatica. Marcus Smart will also debut.
Redick said rotations are still being tested ahead of the opener against Golden State. Dončić’s early chemistry with Smart and Ayton will be key to offset LeBron’s absence in the first two to three weeks of the season.