Preseason notes: rookie production stands out Saturday

Saturday, October 10

Darius Acuff Jr. and Yaxel Lendeborg led a strong rookie showing across Saturday’s slate. Keel Impact is our plus-minus rating per 100 possessions; rookies have no NBA rating in the model yet. Preseason results do not count and say little, but the individual lines offer early context before the regular season starts Tuesday, October 20.

Toronto Raptors 114, LA Clippers 106

Toronto won behind 20 points, five rebounds and five assists from RJ Barrett, whose 2.3 Impact last season was above the good-starter line. The Raptors’ outlook is 48 wins and fourth in the East. New Clipper Rui Hachimura scored 14 points after a -0.4 Impact season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Atlanta Hawks 119, Indiana Pacers 117

Jalen Johnson posted 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists for Atlanta. His 1.6 Impact last season places him just below the typical good-starter mark, while the Hawks’ outlook is 44 wins and sixth in the East. New Pacer Kelly Oubre Jr. had 13 points; his 0.1 Impact with Philadelphia was near average.

Washington Wizards 114, Detroit Pistons 108

Washington’s Will Riley and Tre Johnson each scored 15 points. Both have something to establish after 2025-26 Impacts of -4.2 and -1.9, respectively. Detroit rookie Ebuka Okorie answered with 14 points and six assists. The Pistons hold our East-leading outlook at 55 wins, though this loss does not alter the value of that projection.

Boston Celtics 144, Philadelphia 76ers 106

Payton Pritchard drove Boston’s posted leaders with 25 points and seven assists, building on a 1.9 Impact last season. Jayson Tatum added 23 points, five rebounds and four assists. Our outlook puts the Celtics at 53 wins and second in the East. Philadelphia’s VJ Edgecombe had 19 points and four assists after a 1.1 Impact season.

Minnesota Timberwolves 125, Miami Heat 124

Miami’s newcomers were the story despite the result. Rookie Ryan Conwell recorded 22 points, five rebounds and nine assists, while rookie Vladislav Goldin had 18 points and six rebounds. Neither has an NBA Impact rating yet. Minnesota’s Bones Hyland scored 23 points, and the Timberwolves’ outlook is 45 wins and fifth in the West.

Golden State Warriors 111, Sacramento Kings 106

Two new rookies supplied the clearest individual case here. Golden State’s Yaxel Lendeborg finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, while Sacramento’s Darius Acuff Jr. had 25 points and eight assists. Both are entering the league without an NBA Impact rating. New Warrior Brandon Williams added 19 points after a -0.5 Impact season in Dallas.

Phoenix Suns 102, San Antonio Spurs 98

New Sun Luke Kennard scored 20 points, five rebounds and four assists after a 0.6 Impact season with Atlanta. San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama posted 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists; his 7.8 Impact last season was the elite marker in this group. Our outlook has the Spurs at 56 wins and first in the West.