The NBA preseason continues tonight, helping us churn one day closer to the 2025-26 regular season.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s already been numerous strong rookie performances, from Cooper Flagg\u2019s half of all-around impact, to VJ Edgecombe\u2019s stat-stuffing debut with the Sixers and more.<\/p>\n
Below, we\u2019ll evaluate three rookies to watch in tonight\u2019s action:<\/p>\n
Richardson has made overachieving in his role a habit in recent years, doing so with Michigan State in his lone collegiate season, and then in Summer League with the Magic, and finally a few days ago in Orlando\u2019s first preseason game.<\/p>\n
Richardson saw a mostly quiet night, but exploded for 13 points in the third quarter alone versus the Heat. He scored a bench-high, managing to tack on four rebounds, two assists and a steal too.<\/p>\n
Jase Richardson third-quarter explosion,<\/p>\n
Right place, right time is a skill pic.twitter.com\/RZr3DZfspN<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Derek Parker (@DParkOK) October 5, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Now, all eyes are on Richardson to see if his scoring outburst was a one-off event, or if he\u2019ll be able to bring that to the Magic consistently starting in Year 1.\u00a0<\/p>\n Given the team\u2019s new look with Desmond Bane in the starting lineup, it might be harder for Richardson to break through, but not impossible given his connective skillset.<\/p>\n Richardson and the Magic face off against the 76ers at 6 p.m. CT.<\/p>\n Collin Murray-Boyles was one of a few non-freshmen to be taken in the draft lottery, and he\u2019s now proving added experience can be a great thing.<\/p>\n In just his second preseason bout with the Raptors, he did everything, totaling 12 points on 50% shooting, seven boards, six assists and two blocks.<\/p>\n CMB made his name as a versatile do-it-all forward at South Carolina, and he\u2019s quickly taken that same mantel on with Toronto.<\/p>\n The Raptors take on the Celtics at 6 p.m. CT.<\/p>\n Despite a topsy-turvy lone season with Rutgers, as well as an up-and-down pre-(and even post) draft process, Ace Bailey still offers tremendous upside as a 6-foot-9 wing. And that was especially apparent in his preseason debut for the Jazz.<\/p>\n Bailey saw what is likely the best rookie performance to date, scoring a team-high 25 points on 11-for-16 shooting, adding six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block across 31 minutes.<\/p>\n Absolute scoring clinic from Ace Bailey in his preseason debut for the Utah Jazz: pic.twitter.com\/h32GXd1GmD<\/a><\/p>\n