NBA News
Jimmy Butler Reportedly Open To A Move To Phoenix
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is reportedly open to a trade involving the Suns. There are a few teams already rumored to be interested in his services. But if talks between Miami and Phoenix intensify, it's unknown exactly how both sides would make it happen, considering both are strapped for cash. Bradley Beal also has a no-trade clause. At any rate, Butler is still a capable producer. However, he hasn't been able to stay healthy over the years. With the 35-year-old averaging only 19.0 points this season, it's possible he may be even less productive with the Suns, especially with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker on the roster.
3 hours ago
Scottie Barnes To "Miss Several Weeks"
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (ankle) will "miss several weeks" due to a right ankle sprain suffered in Monday's loss to the New York Knicks. The 23-year-old already spent time on the shelf this season because of a right orbital fracture, costing him 11 games, so it's not an ideal situation. Barnes, who agreed to a lucrative contract extension during the offseason, has averaged career-highs in points (20.6), rebounds (8.4), and assists (7.4). But with Toronto winning just two games while he was sidelined earlier in the season, the team will need to figure out how to stay afloat until he returns. With Immanuel Quickley (elbow) also out, RJ Barrett will be tasked with picking up more of the scoring load. Gradey Dick, Davion Mitchell, Ochai Agbaji, and Ja'Kobe Walter may also see an uptick in offensive opportunities for the foreseeable future.
3 hours ago
Andrew Wiggins On Track To Return On Wednesday
Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (ankle) is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday versus Houston. He missed Sunday's matchup against Minnesota with an ankle issue. Officially, Wiggins has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's action. However, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr declared Wiggins is "ready to go" after he had a full practice session with the team on Tuesday. Wiggins' performance levels fluctuate, but he enjoyed a meeting with the Rockets last week, posting 23 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block. Gary Payton II will likely return to a bench role with Wiggins in the lineup.
12 hours ago
Fred VanVleet Expected To Return On Wednesday
Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet (knee) appears ready to rejoin the action on Wednesday versus Golden State. He missed Sunday's 117-106 win against the Clippers with a knee contusion but isn't on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game. VanVleet's most recent appearance came against the Warriors, and it was a struggle for him with 5-for-16 shooting and 13 points in a 99-93 loss. He also had a difficult time in this season's first head-to-head meeting and was limited to 9.3 points on 21.2 percent shooting in the matchup in 2023-24, so it looks like the Warriors have worked out what stifles VanVleet offensively.
12 hours ago
Alperen Sengun Questionable For Wednesday
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (knee) is considered questionable for Wednesday's NBA Cup matchup against Golden State. He's dealing with a sore left knee and might be out for the first time this season. With backup center Steven Adams (knee) also questionable for the contest, Houston's frontcourt could be very thin against the Warriors. Jabari Smith Jr. and Jock Landale will handle the center minutes if Sengun and Adams aren't available. It's a good matchup for centers, as Golden State allows the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing fives.
13 hours ago
De'Andre Hunter Likely To Feature Against Knicks
Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (knee) has been labeled as probable ahead of Wednesday's NBA Cup game against the Knicks. Hunter continues to manage a knee injury, and he took a blow to the head in Sunday's loss to Denver, but the 27-year-old is set to make a 12th consecutive appearance. Atlanta has seen the best of Hunter lately, as he's finished each of the last four games with 20-plus points. Hunter took a whopping 20 shots in 24 minutes on Sunday and should get additional offensive duties again in Wednesday's game if Jalen Johnson (shoulder) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (quadriceps) remain sidelined.
13 hours ago
Bogdan Bogdanovic In Danger Of Missing Another Game
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Bogdan Bogdanovic (quadriceps) has a questionable designation on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal against the Knicks. A quadriceps contusion might keep Bogdanovic off the court for the second straight game. Garrison Mathews and Vit Krejci get extra work with Bogdanovic out, but neither was productive in Sunday's heavy loss to Denver. The two combined for only five points and four assists off the bench despite both seeing 20-plus minutes of action.
13 hours ago
Jalen Johnson Carries A Questionable Tag
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (shoulder) might miss a second straight game on Wednesday versus the Knicks. He's been listed as questionable on the injury report. Following back-to-back double-doubles, Johnson exited the lineup on Sunday against Denver due to a sore shoulder. This pushed Larry Nance Jr. to the starting lineup for only the second time this season. Nance Jr. hasn't played a lot for the Hawks, but the veteran forward proved that he can get the job done. He finished with 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a couple of steals.
13 hours ago
Josh Hart Iffy For Wednesday's Cup Game
New York Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart (ankle) is considered questionable for Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal against Atlanta. He might miss his first game of the season because of an ankle sprain. New York's bench mob, featuring Miles McBride, Cameron Payne, and Precious Achiuwa, will likely be more involved in the game if Hart doesn't get cleared for Wednesday night. McBride offers the most fantasy value out of the three, but he's been quiet offensively in recent games, finishing back-to-back outings with eight points.
13 hours ago
Karl-Anthony Towns Expected To Face Atlanta
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) is probable heading into Wednesday's matchup versus the Atlanta Hawks. KAT wasn't available for Saturday's loss to the Detroit Pistons. However, he was back on the floor for the win over the Toronto Raptors on Monday evening, finishing with a massive 24 points, 15 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. But if Towns suffers an unforeseen setback, Precious Achiuwa, coming off a seven-point, six-board, two-block effort, could work his way into the starting lineup.
Yesterday
Trae Young Probable Again For Wednesday
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (Achilles) is expected to play on Wednesday in New York. The former Sooner is on the injury report because of right Achilles Tendinitis. However, this injury isn't anything new, so he should play barring a setback. Young has averaged just 20.9 points and shot 31.0% from behind the arc, both down from last season. Fortunately, he has logged a career-high 12.2 assists. Young is always a capable fantasy producer. Yet, he may be even more productive against the Knicks if Jalen Johnson (shoulder), De'Andre Hunter (knee), and Bogdan Bogdanovic (quadriceps) are sidelined.
Yesterday
P.J. Washington Won't Suit Up Versus OKC
Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (illness) won't play on Tuesday versus Oklahoma City. The former Hornet isn't feeling well, so he'll get a night off. Fortunately for Dallas, Naji Marshall (illness) is back from a four-game absence, which will help lessen the blow. Marshall will likely start in Washington's place, with the 26-year-old averaging 13.1 points in seven starts during the 2024-25 campaign.
Yesterday
Naji Marshall Returning On Tuesday Night
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (illness) will play in Tuesday's game against OKC. He was under the weather, keeping him off the floor for the Mavs' previous four contests. But Marshall's return comes at the perfect time, with P.J. Washington (illness) and Maxi Kleber (illness) sidelined for Tuesday's meeting with the Thunder. The 26-year-old has played well in his first season in Dallas, averaging a career-high 11.6 points and 1.0 steals. Marshall will likely start, so there's a good chance he'll be even more productive.
Yesterday
Lonzo Ball Has Minutes Restriction Increased
Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball is set to play a larger part in the rotation going forward. Per Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has said that Ball's minutes restriction has been elevated to 20 minutes. After missing 33 months because of a knee injury, Ball has been on a 16-18-minute limit this season. He has already reached the 20-minute mark a couple of times in recent games. The versatile guard has averaged 16.8 minutes during his comeback campaign, recording 4.9 points, 2.4. rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals. Ball's numbers will likely get a slight boost with the increased playing time, but his fantasy value will still be limited.
Yesterday
Jaden Hardy Misses Second Straight Game
Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) will be out of the lineup for a second straight game on Tuesday versus Oklahoma City. The 22-year-old is nursing a right ankle sprain. Hardy hasn't played a consistent role in the Mavericks rotation, and his absence will not have a big impact on Tuesday. Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes will continue to lead the second unit. Dinwiddie has been the more consistent performer out of the two, averaging 14.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists for the month.
Yesterday
Naji Marshall Considered Questionable For Tuesday's Cup Action
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (illness) is considered questionable for Tuesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal against Oklahoma City. He's already missed four games because of an illness. There appears to be an illness bug going around in the Mavericks locker room. P.J. Washington (illness) is also considered questionable for Tuesday's game with an illness, and Maxi Kleber (illness) has been ruled out. Marshall and Washington are both important pieces in the rotation for the team, and the Mavericks would find themselves in a tough spot if they can't play.
Yesterday
Jaylin Williams Remains Out On Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Jaylin Williams (hamstring) will miss another contest on Tuesday against Dallas. He's yet to play this season due to a right hamstring strain. It's unclear when Williams will be ready to return to the lineup. The 22-year-old would add an extra frontcourt option to the Thunder, although playing opportunities have dried up for Williams, with Isaiah Hartenstein in town this season. With Chet Holmgren (pelvic) also on the shelf, Hartenstein plays a big role for the team and will look to maintain his double-double form on Tuesday. Through his first eight appearances with the Thunder, Hartenstein has averaged 11.8 points and 12.8 rebounds with 4.5 assists.
Yesterday
Karl-Anthony Towns Returns With Winning Performance
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a big double-double in Monday's 113-108 win over Toronto as he returned from a one-game absence. Towns initially struggled to score but finished the contest with a team-high 25 points and had the final five points in the game, including a three-point dagger. He finished 2-for-5 from behind the arc and shot 7-for-13 overall with an 8-for-10 record at the free-throw line. Towns' eighth consecutive appearance with at least 12 rebounds included 15 boards, six assists, two steals, and two blocks. The big man has fitted in superbly in New York and will look to help his team reach the NBA Cup semifinals next. The Knicks play Atlanta in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Towns dominated with 34 points and 16 rebounds when these teams met for the first time this season.
Yesterday
X-Rays On Scottie Barnes' Ankle Negative
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (ankle) suffered his second injury of the season in Monday's 113-108 loss to the Knicks, but there was some good news: initial X-rays on Barnes' right ankle/foot came back negative. He will be further evaluated on Tuesday. Barnes missed 11 games earlier in the season due to an orbital bone fracture. Defensive specialist Davion Mitchell and rookie Ja'Kobe Walter, who scored a career-high 19 points in Monday's defeat, will likely figure more prominently in the rotation if Barnes has to miss some time.
Yesterday
Immanuel Quickley To Get Additional Testing
Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (elbow) is scheduled to get more imaging done next week. It has been a month since Quickley went down with a partial torn UCL in his left elbow. The team hasn't given a timetable for his return, but there should be more information after the additional imaging is done. That being said, Jamal Shead, Davion Mitchell, and Gradey Dick should all see additional playing time. Both Shead and Mitchell have struggled, but Dick is worth rostering in most fantasy formats right now.
2 days ago
Jimmy Butler
• SF
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Heat
