OCTOBER 18•NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Doc Rivers' Fiery Comments About Bucks Season Catch AttentionBucks coach Doc Rivers is channeling Bill Belichick ahead of 2024-25.
Luka Doncic - Full participant in practice FridayDoncic (calf) was a full participant in Friday's practice ahead of Dallas' regular-season opener against the Spurs on Thursday, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
ImpactDoncic missed the squad's preseason finale due to a left calf bruise, though he is expected to be fully ready by the start of the regular season. The superstar has been ramping up during practice throughout the preseason, and he is expected to receive his normal workload Thursday
OCTOBER 18•ROTOWIRE
Maxi Kleber - Active in practice FridayKleber (ankle) participated in Friday's practice ahead of the club's regular-season opener against the Spurs on Thursday, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
ImpactKleber was held out of the preseason due to a sprained ankle, though his return to practice bodes well for his status to open the regular season. The 32-year-old will likely compete for playing time with Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Naji Marshall and Dwight Powell in a stacked frontcourt behind P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively.
OCTOBER 18•ROTOWIRE
Daniel Gafford - Stuffs stat sheet ThursdayGafford notched 11 points (4-5 FG, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, three assists and two blocks across 17 minutes in Thursday's 109-84 preseason win over the Bucks.
ImpactGafford made the most of his starting role in this preseason finale, though his fantasy upside looking ahead to the regular season is uncertain. He's likely to split time with Dereck Lively at the five, and that rotation won't help either player boost their fantasy stock. Gafford averaged 11.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game across 74 regular-season appearances in 2023-24 while spending time with the Mavericks and Wizards.
OCTOBER 18•ROTOWIRE
Klay Thompson - Continues to shoot poorlyThompson delivered 11 points (4-11 FG, 3-7 3Pt), six rebounds and two assists across 18 minutes in Thursday's 109-84 preseason win over the Bucks.
ImpactThompson has been shooting the ball poorly in the preseason, but as a veteran who has been around the league more than a few times and with a decorated pedigree, there shouldn't be a lot of stock placed in Thompson's preseason numbers. The veteran will be the Mavericks' third option on offense, however, and that should limit his fantasy upside considerably while tying it almost exclusively to what he can bring to the table as a shooter.
OCTOBER 18•ROTOWIRE
Kyrie Irving - Scores 14 points in final tune-upIrving delivered 14 points (6-7 FG, 2-3 3Pt), two rebounds, two assists, a steal and two blocks across 19 minutes in Thursday's 109-84 preseason win over the Bucks.
ImpactThe Mavericks cruised their way to a 25-point victory against a Bucks team filled with non-regulars, and Irving only saw action during the first half. If those 19 minutes evidenced anything, however, the veteran guard is more than ready for the start of the regular season. Irving will play a significant role for the Mavericks in 2024-25 as Luka Doncic's backcourt partner.
OCTOBER 18•ROTOWIRE
Tyler Smith - Grabs 10 rebounds in big lossSmith posted seven points (3-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt) and 10 rebounds across 17 minutes in Thursday's 109-84 preseason loss to the Mavericks.
ImpactThe 33rd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft had some notable moments and looked active on the glass, pacing the team in that category. Don't expect him to carve a regular rotation role once the 2024-25 regular season rolls around, though, and it wouldn't be surprising if he starts the season in the G League instead of being part of the NBA roster.
OCTOBER 18•ROTOWIRE
