NBA News
LaMelo Ball Out On Friday
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (wrist) will not play against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. He picked up a questionable tag on the initial injury report and has been ruled out of the contest ahead of tip-off. Ball's absence should allow Vasilije Micic to shine again. The former EuroLeague star has made 11 starts with Ball out this season, averaging 11.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. Portland allows the fourth-most fantasy points to point guards, so this is also a fantastic matchup for Micic.
0 hour ago
Anfernee Simons Likely To Play On Friday
Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (back) is considered probable for Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets despite being listed with back soreness. The seventh-year combo guard is in the middle of a down year compared to the last couple of seasons, but he's been healthier so far. In 40 appearances, he averaged 18.3 points, 4.9 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.0 threes per game which makes him a solid late-draft type of value across all fantasy formats. Most of the backcourt is healthy for this game, so Simons might not see as many opportunities which explains the small dip in usage rate compared to the last two seasons.
2 hours ago
Donovan Clingan Probable On Friday
Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (ankle) was unable to play on Thursday with an ankle sprain, but he's now listed as probable for the second half of the back-to-back against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. The rookie big man has missed the last five games but posted some solid performances in the three games he played before that. He's played at least 22 minutes in those three games and collected at least 10 rebounds and one block in each one. Clingan serves a solid streaming option for fantasy managers in deeper category leagues.
2 hours ago
Toumani Camara Listed As Probable Against Hornets
Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (illness) appeared on the injury report with an illness but the team listed him as probable for their Friday night game against the Charlotte Hornets. The 24-year-old has seen a big bump in playing time and has started in all 42 games that he's played in. So far, he's averaging 9.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 threes per game with shooting splits of .427/.337/.726. He's been a solid fantasy start in deeper category leagues, but his consistency hasn't been the best.
2 hours ago
Robert Williams III Ruled Out Against Hornets
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (hand) has been ruled out of Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets with a sore hand. He seemingly has some sort of quota where he plays a few games every couple of weeks, and then reverts back to the bench. The Blazers are likely playing it on the safe side to use him as a trade piece at some point, but that frees up some more playing time for Donovan Clingan (ankle), Toumani Camara (illness), Jabari Walker, and Duop Reath. Clingan would fit the best for streaming big man stats while Camara seems to be a solid asset with or without Williams in the lineup. Clingan has posted at least 10 boards and one block in each of his last three games.
2 hours ago
Deandre Ayton Won't Suit Up Friday
Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (knee) will miss the second half of the team's back-to-back on Friday while he continues to deal with a left knee sprain. The 26-year-old has missed 12 games (will be 13) due to various injuries this season, so Robert Williams III, Donovan Clingan (ankle), and even Duop Reath have all seen some opportunities. Clingan is considered probable in the matchup against the Hornets, while Williams has been ruled out, which moves him into streaming territory. In his last start against the Heat, Clingan dropped eight points, 10 rebounds, one assist, two blocks, and one steal.
2 hours ago
Donte DiVincenzo Avoids Surgery, Will Miss At Least Three Weeks
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (toe) luckily avoided surgery on his toe and will miss at least three weeks. According to ESPN's Tim Bontemps, the Villanova product will not need surgery and the medical staff will re-evaluate him in that three-week timeline. Unfortunately, DiVincenzo was hitting the best stride of his season right before getting hurt, and the timetable brings him to right around All-Star Weekend. In the meantime, Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker will split the available minutes. Conley would be the more consistent streaming option despite some lower averages with 8.1 points, 4.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game.
2 hours ago
Dejounte Murray Listed As Probable Against Grizzlies
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (elbow) is considered probable to face off against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. The veteran combo guard is dealing with elbow bursitis but he's been able to play in the last 26 consecutive games including 45 minutes in their last outing against the Utah Jazz. In that game, he registered 26 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds, and three steals. Murray should continue to be a big part of the offense while they still miss two of their starting five.
6 hours ago
Ja Morant Iffy On Friday Against Pelicans
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (illness) is suffering from an illness on Friday and has been listed as questionable for their game against the New Orleans Pelicans. It's unclear how severe the illness is, so they'll likely take the time from shootaround to warm-ups and see how he's feeling to decide on his status. If he's unable to give it a go, Scottie Pippen Jr. would step up in the playmaking department while Desmond Bane and Jaylen Wells would take on some more offensive responsibilities in the starting five. Wells received the start in their last game and registered 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists while Pippen has averaged 13.9 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game when he starts.
6 hours ago
Miles Bridges May Miss Friday's Game Against Blazers
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (back) has picked up a questionable tag for Friday's matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers. In their last game on Wednesday, Bridges clocked 34 minutes on the court and posted 17 points, six assists, five rebounds, and one steal. If he's unable to suit up for this one, Cody Martin (probable - groin) should see some extra time, and new addition Josh Okogie could see some big opportunities. Okogie could even turn into a long-term option for a lot of leagues since he'll likely see more minutes than recent seasons with the Phoenix Suns.
6 hours ago
LaMelo Ball Considered Questionable Against Portland
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (wrist) popped up on the injury report as questionable for Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. He's dealing with a right wrist sprain at the moment and could come down to a game-time decision. Through 40 games, the Hornets are just 11-29, so they could opt to go the cautious route given Ball's injury history so far. If he doesn't suit up, Nick Smith Jr. and Vasilije Micic are both solid streaming options. The former has averaged 11.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.4 threes per contest over the last seven games when he started to receive regular playing time.
6 hours ago
Andre Drummond Ruled Out Friday Against Cleveland
Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (toe) started in the 35-point loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday and will head right back to the sidelines on Friday. The Sixers listed him with toe injury management which is what kept him out for a stretch of six games before playing two of the last three. With Joel Embiid (knee) remaining sidelined as well, Guerschon Yabusele remains the best streaming option as he's averaged 10.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 threes per game. Adem Bona would only be an option in very deep leagues.
7 hours ago
Caris LeVert Draws Another Questionable Tag On Friday
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Caris LeVert (wrist) remains on the injury report and is considered questionable due to a right wrist sprain. He's missed the team's last two games as they move into a back-to-back starting Friday against the Philadelphia 76ers. If there were a time to be cautious, it would be against the Sixers so he could play against the Rockets on Saturday. So, if he does have to miss one more game, Ty Jerome would be the best streaming option after dropping 18 points, four rebounds, and three steals in their last game against the Rockets.
7 hours ago
Evan Mobley Remains Sidelined On Friday
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (calf) won't play on Friday against the Philadelphia 76ers. The 23-year-old logged only 50 games in 2023-24. But he missed only two of the Cavs' first 40 games this season, giving fantasy managers hope he would remain on the court. Unfortunately, Mobley has been sidelined for the last three contests because of a calf strain, and it's unknown how much longer he'll be on the shelf. He has averaged a career-high 18.6 points with 8.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks during the 2024-25 campaign, so this is not an ideal scenario for fantasy managers. With that in mind, until Mobley returns, Max Strus, averaging 7.0 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.0 steals in two starts this season, will likely remain with the first five.
21 hours ago
Ayo Dosunmu Upgraded To Available
Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (calf) has been upgraded to available ahead of Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors. Dosunmu was considered questionable coming into this game after sitting out of Monday's contest. However, Dosunmu appears to be feeling good enough to give it a go against the Warriors. He could have an increased role in the rotation with Coby White (ankle) sidelined for this game. Dosunmu and Lonzo Ball will likely be asked to play more which should give both guards increased fantasy appeal on Thursday.
21 hours ago
Coby White Ruled Out For Thursday
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors. White will now miss his second game in a row due to a right ankle injury. His next chance to get back on the court will be Saturday versus the Philadelphia 76ers. Both Lonzo Ball and Ayo Dosunmu should see increased roles in the rotation with White out. Both players are worth a look as possible streaming options with Dosunmu being the slightly better choice between the two.
22 hours ago
Stephen Curry Upgraded To Available On Thursday
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (knee) has been upgraded to available ahead of Thursday's game against the Chicago Bulls. The superstar guard was listed as questionable coming into this game due to knee tendinitis. Despite that, Curry will be active during Thursday's game, according to head coach Steve Kerr. There was no mention of Curry being limited in any way, so fantasy managers can feel safe getting Curry into their lineups. The 36-year-old has only missed two games this month and still remains one of the better fantasy options at his position.
22 hours ago
Brandon Ingram Remains Without A Timetable
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. This comes as little of a surprise considering Ingram hasn't played in a game since early December. Ingram is working his way back from a left ankle sprain that is likely going to keep him sidelined for at least a few more games. He reportedly hasn't been cleared for contact drills yet, so it doesn't appear that Ingram is on the verge of a return. He remains without a timetable to return and should be considered week-to-week right now. Trey Murphy III has been playing big minutes in the rotation and that should continue until Ingram is back in the mix.
22 hours ago
Zion Williamson Won't Play On Friday
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (conditioning) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Williamson sat out on Monday due to an illness and was tagged as questionable ahead of Wednesday's contest. That game was postponed, but now Williamson is sitting out due to reconditioning. Hopefully, Williamson will be back in shape in time for Saturday's contest against the Charlotte Hornets. His absence on Friday should mean that Javonte Green and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl will see increased playing time. Neither player is a great fantasy option, but Green is the slightly better streaming choice because of his defensive ability.
22 hours ago
Giannis Antetokounmpo Available Versus The Heat
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) will play on Thursday against the Heat. This isn't the first time he's landed on the injury report because of right patella tendinopathy this season, so fantasy managers are used to it at this point. Fortunately, the multi-time All-Star is good to go, which is even better news, considering Khris Middleton (ankles) was surprisingly downgraded to out after carrying a probable designation. With that in mind, Antetokounmpo remains a top fantasy option despite a challenging matchup on the horizon versus a Miami club that has allowed only 110.1 points per contest during the 2024-25 campaign.
22 hours ago
LaMelo Ball
• PG
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Hornets
