Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Josh Hart (ankle) is in danger of missing a second consecutive game, with the team listing him as doubtful for Saturday's clash with the Jazz. He sprained his left ankle in a game against the Clippers earlier in the week and you really never know when these types of injuries clear up. Portland has another game on Sunday versus Indiana, so it could be a smart move for the team to keep Hart out of another game. His absence allowed Trendon Watford to make his first start of the season Wednesday versus the Lakers. The 22-year-old did well by logging a double-double in 31 minutes with 10 points and 10 rebounds. He has averaged 14.8 points per game with 6.6 rebounds as a starter across his whole young career. These are some solid numbers, but Watford has been having a very quiet sophomore season and he's not a consistent performer, so fantasy managers definitely shouldn't rush to grab him.
Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton (groin) will be in the lineup Friday versus Utah. He is troubled by groin soreness and the team had him as a game-time call for the contest, but it's now confirmed that Haliburton will play. The 22-year-old has been a real revelation for the Pacers this season and he looks set for another productive night, as the Jazz have shown some very lackluster defensive numbers against opposing point guards. Haliburton is the only player in the league to average double figures in assists this season, and he has added 19.3 points and 4.6 rebounds with 1.8 steals to his 11.2 dimes.
Portland Trail Blazers forward/center Drew Eubanks (hip) is questionable for Saturday's game against Utah. He missed a game last week with a back issue and now Eubaks is bothered by his right hip. The 25-year-old has been a solid bench contributor for the Blazers this season, averaging 5.7 points per game with 4.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks. One of his best games of the season came against the Jazz last month, and it indeed looks like a good matchup for him, with Utah lacking size. Trendon Watford should be logging the center minutes behind Jusuf Nurkic if Eubanks isn't available on Saturday. He has just marked his first start of the season with a double-double and Watford could be a very intriguing option for fantasy managers Saturday. The 22-year-old would also benefit from the potential absence of Josh Hart (ankle).
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (illness) appears ready to return to the lineup Saturday against the Thunder, with the team having removed him from the injury report. The 22-year-old has been sidelined for three games with an illness. He will be making his return at a vital time, as the team has just lost Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) to injury and help is needed on the frontcourt. McDaniels has been a regular starter for Minnesota this season, averaging 11.4 points per game with 3.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.4 blocks. Austin Rivers has logged a couple of starts during McDaniels' absence and Wendell Moore Jr. also ran with the starters in Wednesday's win over Memphis, but both players become redundant for fantasy managers now.
Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso (ankle) is considered probable for Friday's matchup against Golden State. He continues to pop up on the injury report with a right ankle sprain, but it's not kept him out of the lineup yet and it appears like that won't be the case on Friday either. Caruso is a man of many crafts and he averages over 25 minutes a night, which helps him to pick up all kinds of stats. He typically doesn't score a lot, with his season average standing at 5.8 points per game, but Caruso has improved his offensive production lately and he even notched a season-high 14 points in his last outing. Bench scoring will be vital against a side like the Warriors, who can run up the score in a hurry.
Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric will log his first start of the campaign Friday against the Rockets. He is replacing Torrey Craig (groin), who is forced to miss his first game of the season. Saric hasn't appeared at all in the past six games and he has averaged 9.4 minutes in eight appearances overall this season. It's very difficult to project how he might do in a bigger role Friday, but it's worth mentioning that Saric has averaged 13.4 points and 6.6 rebounds with 2.3 assists as a starter in his career. However, fantasy managers should keep their expectations very low, as Saric has had horrible injury troubles in recent years and it's badly affected his ability.
LA Clippers shooting guard Paul George (hamstring) and small forward Kawhi Leonard (ankle) got back onto the practice court Friday, presumably paving the way for returns in the near future. That first look at game action could come as soon as Saturday against the Kings, although either star would likely be facing something of a minutes restriction. George has not suited up since Nov. 19, while Leonard has appeared in just five contests this year. While the duo remain sidelined, Reggie Jackson, Terance Mann, Marcus Morris Sr. and others will continue to carry the workload; upon the return of the All-Stars, both become immediate must-starts, even as their minutes will likely ebb as they get up to speed.
Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (hip) has been tagged as questionable to play in Saturday's contest vs. Minnesota. Gilgeous-Alexander missed his second game of the year Wednesday, paving the way for Josh Giddey and Tre Mann to take on significantly elevated roles. Gilgeous-Alexander has played at an All-Star level through the first six weeks, ranking fifth in the league in scoring at 31 PPG. He has gone for at least 30 points in eight of his last nine games and dropped 32 on the Timberwolves back on Opening Night. His status will drastically alter the DFS appeal of all Thunder players, so fantasy managers will want to check back prior to tip-off.
Phoenix Suns power forward Torrey Craig (groin) has been deemed unavailable to suit up for Friday's contest against Houston due to a strained right groin. Craig's absence -- his first of the year -- figures to pave the way for Ish Wainright to accrue added minutes, while Mikal Bridges is set to take on a larger defensive and rebounding role. Craig has found an offensive rhythm as of late, scoring in double figures in six of his last nine outings, knocking down an average of 1.4 threes per game in that span. His next chance to return to action comes Sunday vs. the Spurs.
Los Angeles Lakers point/shooting guard Dennis Schroder (personal) has been ruled out for Friday's contest against the Bucks. Schroder's absence -- due to the birth of his child -- marks his first since making his season debut on Nov. 18 and should pave the way for Russell Westbrook and Austin Reaves to see slight upticks in usage. It's unclear whom head coach Darvin Ham will elevate to the starting five, but Schroder has played at least 29 minutes in each of his last four appearances. The veteran is off to a slow start, averaging 8.4 points and 3.6 assists this year, shooting just 39.6% overall. His next chance to suit up comes Sunday vs. Washington.
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