NBA News

Jaylen Brown • SG • Celtics

Jaylen Brown Won't Play Friday

Boston Celtics guard/forward Jaylen Brown (hamstring, knee) won't suit up for Friday's clash against the Sacramento Kings. The team has listed him as out after initially giving Brown a doubtful tag on the injury report. When Brown was absent for one game earlier this month, Baylor Scheierman took over his starting role. Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh are also options to start. Meanwhile, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser are expected to shoulder a greater offensive load.

3 days ago

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Clippers

Kawhi Leonard Available Friday

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) will play in Friday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets. As he works through a knee contusion, the team initially listed Leonard as questionable for the matchup. Leonard has been limited to 26.3 minutes per game over the last three contests, but has still produced plenty of fantasy value. While shooting 50.0 percent from the field, Leonard has averaged 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.

3 days ago

Aaron Gordon • PF • Nuggets

Aaron Gordon to Be Re-Evaluated in 4-6 Weeks

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (hamstring) will be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks, the team announced. Gordon recently reinjured his right hamstring and will miss a third consecutive game on Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. Luckily for Denver, Nikola Jokic (knee) is set to return against the Clippers, giving the frontcourt a massive boost. Cameron Johnson (knee) could also be back in the mix soon. In the meantime, Payton Watson, Bruce Brown, and Tim Hardaway Jr. will get plenty of burn in the rotation.

3 days ago

Nikola Jokić • C • Nuggets

Nikola Jokic Expected to Return Friday

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (knee) plans to return to action on Friday against the Los Angeles Clippers, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The team has officially listed Jokic as questionable on the injury report. This is a surprising development, as Charania reported on Tuesday that Jokic would be re-evaluated in about a week. His early return on Friday means Jokic will still be in contention for the MVP award at the end of the season. Jokic has been out since Dec. 29 with a bone bruise in his left knee. Given his lengthy absence, Jokic will likely have a limited workload on Friday. As a result, Jonas Valanciunas (calf), who is considered probable, could still see significant minutes, even if he comes off the bench.

3 days ago

Darius Garland • PG • Cavaliers

Darius Garland Remains Out Friday vs. Phoenix

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (toe) will miss Friday's game against Phoenix as he continues to recover from a right toe sprain, with his status for the upcoming road trip still uncertain. His absence has elevated Jaylon Tyson into a steady starting role, and he has responded with 16.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists across his last five games, making him a strong short-term add. Sam Merrill is still ramping up but profiles as a viable standard-league option as his minutes stabilize, especially with Evan Mobley (calf) sidelined for multiple weeks. Garland remains a clear hold.

4 days ago

Onyeka Okongwu • C • Hawks

Onyeka Okongwu Out at Least Through the Weekend

Atlanta Hawks forward/center Onyeka Okongwu (mouth) is being evaluated on a day-to-day basis after undergoing a dental procedure and has already been ruled out for Thursday against Houston, with Saturday's game in Indiana also off the table. His next chance to return comes Tuesday in Miami. Atlanta unexpectedly turned to Christian Koloko as a starter, and he logged 26 minutes with six points, seven rebounds, one steal, and one block, while Mouhamed Gueye played 21 minutes off the bench with two points, three rebounds, and two assists. Both Koloko and Gueye remain difficult to trust, given the small sample and fluctuating roles, keeping Okongwu as the clear hold.

4 days ago

Lauri Markkanen • PF • Jazz

Lauri Markkanen Resting Friday Against Nets

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (rest) will sit out Friday against Brooklyn after appearing in two straight games, giving Utah a scheduled night off for its leading scorer. His absence creates a short-term rotation adjustment, with Kyle Filipowski expected to step into the starting power forward role. The second-year big has shown efficiency in limited minutes, including 12 points and four rebounds in 17 minutes Wednesday. Brice Sensabaugh should see a usage bump after scoring 22 points in 26 minutes last game, while Kyle Anderson and Taylor Hendricks remain situational pieces.

4 days ago

Cameron Johnson • PF • Nuggets

Cameron Johnson Could Be Back Before All-Star Break

Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson (knee) is hopeful to be cleared before the All-Star break after missing time since late December with a right knee bone bruise. While no firm date is set, the update tightens the window and puts his return on the near-term radar. Johnson is averaging 11.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game across 28 starts, a modest fantasy profile. His return would squeeze Jalen Pickett and Spencer Jones, who have handled spot starts but remain volatile. Johnson profiles as a cautious hold, with limited upside unless his minutes climb quickly.

4 days ago

Christian Braun • SG • Nuggets

Christian Braun Hopeful to Return Before All-Star Break

Denver Nuggets guard/forward Christian Braun (ankle) is aiming to return before the All-Star break after missing time with a left ankle sprain and sitting out Thursday against Brooklyn. The update provides a general target without a defined timetable, leaving his status fluid. The fourth-year guard has yet to find traction this season, averaging 9.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 28.9 minutes across 14 games. Denver has turned to Jalen Pickett during Braun's absence, though his recent production has dipped. Spencer Jones, Bruce Brown, and Tim Hardaway Jr. have each taken turns filling the rotation, with fluctuating minutes and output.

4 days ago

Jalen Smith • PF • Bulls

Jalen Smith Won't Return Thursday with Calf Tightness

Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (calf) was ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's game against Miami due to right calf tightness after exiting at halftime. Smith finished with 11 points and five rebounds in 15 minutes, leaving Chicago thin up front behind Nikola Vucevic. Patrick Williams is the next man up, but remains difficult to trust after posting zero points in 12 minutes and averaging minimal production across his last five games. If the Bulls lean small, Ayo Dosunmu stands to benefit after delivering 23 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Smith is a short-term hold pending updates.

4 days ago

Tre Johnson • SG • Wizards

Tre Johnson Leaves Early Thursday with Ankle Injury

Washington Wizards guard/forward Tre Johnson (ankle) was ruled out for the rest of Thursday's game against Milwaukee after turning his left ankle on a jump shot late in the second quarter. The rookie logged just 11 minutes and finished with eight points and two assists before heading to the locker room, putting his short-term availability in question. Bub Carrington saw a noticeable minutes bump after halftime and posted 13 points, six assists, and four rebounds in 29 minutes, putting him on the streaming radar. Bilal Coulibaly and Justin Champagnie should see steadier roles if Johnson misses time, while Johnson himself shapes up as a cautious hold until more clarity arrives.

4 days ago

Tyler Herro • SG • Heat |

Davion Mitchell • PG • Heat

Tyler Herro, Davion Mitchell Remain Out Thursday

Miami Heat guards Tyler Herro (ribs) and Davion Mitchell (shoulder) won't be in action against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. Due to a rib issue, Herro will sit out an eighth consecutive game, while Mitchell must skip his fifth straight contest with a shoulder injury. As a result of the backcourt injuries, Kasparas Jakucionis has recently filled in as the starting point guard. After initially showing promise, the rookie struggled in Wednesday's loss to the Orlando Magic, registering two points, one assist, two steals, and two turnovers in 20 minutes. Dru Smith outperformed Jakucionis off the bench with 13 points, three rebounds, and seven assists in 22 minutes, potentially earning himself a larger role for Thursday's game.

4 days ago

Jalen Smith • PF • Bulls

Jalen Smith Available Thursday Night

Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (calf) will suit up on Thursday against the Miami Heat. The big man is dealing with calf soreness and was initially listed as probable on the injury report after he logged 28 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Indiana Pacers. Smith dropped to the bench on Wednesday night as Josh Giddey (hamstring) rejoined the first unit. However, Giddey has been ruled out for Thursday's game, opening the door for Smith to return to the starting lineup. Smith has been sneaky good in recent weeks, finishing four of his last eight appearances with a double-double.

4 days ago

Tre Jones • PG • Bulls

Tre Jones Remains Out Against Heat

Chicago Bulls point guard Tre Jones (hamstring) will miss his fourth consecutive game on Thursday against the Miami Heat. Last Friday, Chicago ruled out Jones for two weeks due to a left hamstring strain, but he popped up on the injury report with a doubtful tag this week, suggesting his comeback may happen sooner. Josh Giddey (hamstring) also won't play on Thursday, which will give Coby White more playmaking duties. At the same time, Jevon Carter could re-enter the rotation, while there will also be additional backcourt minutes available for Ayo Dosunmu and Kevin Huerter.

4 days ago

Josh Giddey • SG • Bulls

Josh Giddey Won't Play Thursday

Chicago Bulls point guard Josh Giddey (hamstring) will exit the lineup on Thursday against the Miami Heat. Chicago will complete a back-to-back, and the team has decided to rest Giddey, who only recently returned from a hamstring injury. Jalen Smith (calf) made way for Giddey in the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers and is likely to return to the first unit for Thursday's tilt. Meanwhile, Ayo Dosunmu and Kevin Huerter could get additional run-outs in the rotation.

4 days ago

Dennis Schröder • PG • Kings |

Zach LaVine • SG • Kings

Zach LaVine Coming Off the Bench Thursday, Dennis Schroder Starts

Sacramento Kings guard/forward Zach LaVine (back) will come off the bench in Thursday's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. LaVine is back in the lineup following a two-game absence, and he was expected to reclaim his starting position from Nique Clifford. Clifford, however, keeps his place with the starters and will open the game alongside Dennis Schroder, DeMar DeRozan, Precious Achiuwa, and Domantas Sabonis. Schroder is filling in for Russell Westbrook (foot). LaVine last came off the bench in two games during the 2023-24 campaign.

4 days ago

Malik Monk • SG • Kings

Malik Monk Out Thursday

Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (ankle) will miss a second consecutive game on Thursday against the Philadelphia 76ers after the team downgraded him from questionable to out. Sacramento's backcourt will also be without Russell Westbrook (foot), putting Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis in a position to shine. Schroder will start the contest in Westbrook's place. Monk's next chance to return will be on Friday against the Boston Celtics.

4 days ago

Joel Embiid • C • 76ers

Joel Embiid Ready to Face Kings

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) will play on Thursday against the Sacramento Kings. He will make a second consecutive appearance after initially having a probable tag on the injury report. Embiid has turned back the clock recently, averaging 32.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over his last five outings. The Kings likely won't do much to stop him, as only Washington has given up more fantasy points to centers this season.

4 days ago

Quentin Grimes • SG • 76ers

Quentin Grimes Misses Second Straight Game

Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Quentin Grimes (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup against the Sacramento Kings. He was initially given a questionable tag on the injury report, but Grimes isn't ready to return from a right ankle sprain, missing a second consecutive game. Due to Grimes' injury, Jared McCain has earned a new opportunity in the rotation and will carry some momentum into Thursday's contest after contributing 17 points on 5-for-6 three-point shooting in Tuesday's win over Milwaukee.

4 days ago

Paul George • SF • 76ers

Paul George Active on Thursday

Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Paul George (knee) will play on Thursday against the Sacramento Kings. The team has upgraded George's status on the injury report from probable to available. George will look to gain further momentum on Thursday after opening the week with a 32-point performance against the Milwaukee Bucks. Only two teams have a worse defensive rating than Sacramento, so there should be plenty of scoring opportunities for George and his crew.

4 days ago

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