NBA opening week spotlight centers on Victor Wembanyama’s healthy return and Zion Williamson’s best conditioning in years, with LeBron James sidelined early for the Lakers and Kyrie Irving ramping up for Dallas. Injury updates ripple across the league: Embiid’s knee uncertainty, Garland’s early absence, Morant’s ankle risk, and the evolving workloads for Porzingis, Ball, and Markkanen. Fantasy managers should prep for early heat checks, rotation shuffles, and opportunistic adds as stars scale into the season.

Jalen Johnson could surge to a top-10 roto finish if health cooperates, tapping a 20/10 floor with blocks, steals, and 3s. LaMelo Ball’s usage stays sky-high even with injury risk, while Desmond Bane and Zion Williamson carry immense scoring upside, and Desmond Bane’s value hinges on his endurance. James Harden and Luka Doncic anchor fantasy rosters with elite counting stats, Embiid’s ceiling remains obscene but health is the wild card. Holmgren’s 20/10 ceiling looms large for the thin Thunder, and Embiid’s workload remains a key lever for the season.

Across teams from the Celtics’ wings to the Pistons’ guards and the Spurs-adjacent rookies, the article maps out bold, sometimes contradictory outcomes, emphasizing durability and role changes as the season’s X-factors. The overarching theme: expect big swings, but identify which players own the clearest paths to massive fantasy leverage and pounce when narratives align with value in drafts and in-season moves.

Cooper Flagg flashed versatility for Dallas in a 120-116 preseason loss to Charlotte, mixing playmaking with scoring in his AAC debut as the Mavs test new offense. Dereck Lively II finished inside with 10 points and six boards while Dallas battled rebound gaps that fed 20 second-chance points for the Hornets. Injuries trimmed minutes for Exum; Spencer Dinwiddie provided veteran leadership for Charlotte, and veterans from both sides, including former Mavericks, added intrigue as Dallas weighs rotation options for the regular season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlines OKC's 122-116 preseason win, scoring 16 on 7-of-9 in 20 minutes as the Thunder look playoff-ready. Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins provide burst off the bench, while Cason Wallace shows early playmaking. OKC finished with 30 assists and five double-digit scorers.

Charlotte answers with Ball, Miller and Sexton, plus Diabate and Bridges, but OKC's depth keeps the pressure on. A vivid taste of regular-season pace and a reminder that the champs remain the standard.