NBA News
Cam Thomas Remains Out Thursday
Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Cam Thomas (hamstring) will remain on the shelf for Thursday's game against Milwaukee. It was announced earlier this week that Thomas has progressed to five-on-five action in practice. This is a sign that the talented scorer is nearing his return. However, Thursday's game comes too soon for him. Following Thursday night, the Nets have two more games to come this week, which might include Thomas' comeback. Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin, and Shake Milton should continue to see rotational minutes during Thomas' absence.
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Tari Eason Might Return To Action Thursday
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (lower leg) has picked up a questionable tag ahead of Thursday's encounter with New Orleans. He's missed the past three games while managing a lower leg injury. Eason has established himself as one of the league's most productive bench players, averaging 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.9 steals in 22.8 minutes this season. He might have a bigger role to play in Thursday's game due to Dillon Brooks' (ankle), although the team likely will not want to overwork him. Cam Whitmore and Jae'Sean Tate will lose minutes with Eason's return.
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Dillon Brooks Misses Second Consecutive Game Thursday
Houston Rockets guard/forward Dillon Brooks (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's clash against New Orleans. He's nursing right ankle soreness. Brooks' injury has come at a bad time for the Rockets, who play three games in four nights. Amen Thompson crushed it as a starter in Brooks' place on Monday against Charlotte and should do well again in Thursday's matchup. The 21-year-old posted a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds on Monday, adding three assists, three blocks, and one steal to his tally.
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Trey Murphy III Listed As Questionable Thursday
New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Houston. The 24-year-old sprained his left ankle in the last contest against Denver on Sunday. However, Murphy III may remain in the lineup versus the Rockets. On Tuesday, the team announced that Murphy III is considered day-to-day. Both Brandon Boston Jr. and Jordan Hawkins would have larger roles to play in the rotation if Murphy III isn't game-ready. New Orleans might also be without another rotational piece in Javonte Green (knee), who is sporting a questionable tag as well.
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Domantas Sabonis Listed As Questionable For Thursday
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (illness) is iffy for Thursday's game against Detroit. He's battling an illness, and the team has listed Sabonis as questionable on the injury report. The Kings star has previously sat out two contests this season. On these occasions, Trey Lyles and Alex Len filled in for him in the starting lineup. Lyles had a pair of big games when Sabonis was out in November and will definitely be an appealing fantasy option if he gets another start on Thursday.
10 hours ago
Onyeka Okongwu To Remain Sidelined Thursday
Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu (knee) will remain out of the lineup on Thursday against Chicago. The talented big man has battled inflammation in his left knee lately and will miss a fourth consecutive game. Larry Nance Jr. has entered the rotation in Okongwu's absence, posting impressive numbers. Working as Clint Capela's backup, Nance Jr. has averaged 11.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.3 blocks across the past three games. The Hawks big men should get plenty of work done on Thursday against a team that gives up the seventh-most fantasy points in the league to opposing centers.
11 hours ago
Anthony Davis Will Not Return On Wednesday
Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (ankle) has been officially ruled out for the rest of Wednesday's matchup against Golden State. Davis exited the contest early and has been diagnosed with a left ankle sprain. He finishes the Christmas Day game with zero points, two rebounds, and one steal on 0-for-3 shooting in seven minutes. Jaxson Hayes (ankle) and Christian Wood (knee) are already on the shelf, so the Lakers could be very thin on the frontcourt going forward if Davis has to miss additional time following Wednesday's game.
11 hours ago
Jamal Murray Returns For Christmas Matchup
Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray (ankle) will play against Phoenix on Christmas Day. He's returning from a one-game absence, with the team upgrading Murray from questionable to available. Murray's return will send Russell Westbrook back to the second unit. Coming off the bench, Westbrook's contributions have been limited to 11.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists this season. Murray has registered 20-plus points in each of his last four appearances, which marks his best scoring run of the season.
11 hours ago
Bogdan Bogdanovic Tagged As Questionable For Thursday
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Bogdan Bogdanovic (lower leg) is carrying a questionable tag ahead of Thursday's game against Chicago. He might be out for a second consecutive game after sustaining a lower leg contusion. With Bogdanovic out of the lineup against Minnesota on Monday, Garrison Mathews went berserk off the Hawks bench with 25 points on 7-for-8 shooting from deep. We might see a similar effort from him on Thursday if Bogdanovic remains sidelined. The Bulls give up the fifth-most three-point attempts in the league and have one of the worst defensive records.
11 hours ago
Trae Young Listed As Questionable For Thursday's Game
Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young (heel) is questionable to face Chicago on Thursday. After sitting on the injury report for multiple weeks with an Achilles injury, Young is currently troubled by a heel contusion. He missed a game with the issue last week but was back in the lineup for Monday's matchup against Minnesota. Should Young head back to the shelf on Thursday, Vit Krejci will likely log his second start of the season. He was fairly anonymous in his first opportunity last Saturday versus Memphis, finishing with seven points, three assists, and one steal. Young's absence would likely bring Keaton Wallace back to the rotation as well. His production was limited to five points and four assists versus the Grizzlies.
11 hours ago
Khris Middleton Considered Probable For Thursday's Action
Milwaukee Bucks small forward Khris Middleton (ankle) has been labeled as probable for Thursday's matchup against Brooklyn. The veteran has just logged his first couple of starts of the campaign and is expected to make an eighth consecutive regular-season appearance. He missed the recent NBA Cup final with an illness. Middleton looked back to his best in Monday's 112-91 win against Chicago, notching 21 points with five rebounds and five assists in 23 minutes. However, he has offensively benefited from the absences of Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) and Damian Lillard (illness). Both Bucks superstars have been listed as questionable and may return to action on Thursday.
12 hours ago
Damian Lillard Questionable For Meeting With Nets
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard (illness) has landed on the injury report as questionable ahead of Thursday's game against Brooklyn. He's trying to overcome an illness to avoid missing a fourth consecutive game. Lillard's health issues have given Ryan Rollins a chance to experience what life as an NBA starter feels like. He's made three starts across the season, averaging 11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.7 steals in the role. Delon Wright and AJ Green also get extra playing opportunities with Lillard out.
12 hours ago
Giannis Antetokounmpo In Danger Of Missing Another Game
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) is considered questionable for Thursday's clash against Brooklyn. After leading Milwaukee to the 2024 NBA Cup win, Antetokounmpo has struggled with a back problem, missing two consecutive contests. If he remains out on Thursday, Bobby Portis will be in line for a third consecutive start. He's had a pair of big games in the first unit and should continue to put up good numbers in Thursday's favorable matchup. Portis averages 24.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists as a starter this season.
12 hours ago
Brandon Miller Listed As Questionable For Thursday
Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Brandon Miller (ankle) is questionable for Thursday's action against Washington. He's hoping to return from a three-game absence. At the start of the week, it was reported that Miller was "making good progress," so he should be ready to rejoin the action soon. If Miller doesn't return on Thursday, Cody Martin and DaQuan Jeffries should continue to get extra work. Martin has made back-to-back starts, but his offensive game is inconsistent, making him a fairly risky fantasy option. Jeffries has been a new addition to the rotation lately, averaging 8.0 points and 3.0 rebounds across the past two games.
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Alex Caruso Will Not Play On Thursday
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Alex Caruso (hip) will not suit up for Thursday's matchup against Indiana. He has been ruled out for the contest after Caruso hurt his left hip on Monday against Washington. Ajay Mitchell got extra burn on Monday and enjoyed the best game of his young career with 16 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. Isaiah Joe and Cason Wallace figure to soak in some of Caruso's minutes as well. Wallace gave up his starting spot to Joe on Monday but still went close to 30 minutes of action and should remain a better fantasy option.
12 hours ago
Luka Doncic To Miss An "Extended Period Of Time"
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (calf) is likely "to miss an extended period of time." The 25-year-old was listed on the injury report because of a heel injury heading into the Christmas Day loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves but was able to suit up. Unfortunately, he lasted only 16 minutes before his premature exit because of a calf strain. Doncic was observed leaving the arena on crutches, with an MRI now scheduled for Thursday. Kyrie Irving, who had 39 points off 14-for-27 shooting from the field versus Minnesota, is the favorite to lead things on the scoring end while Doncic is on the shelf. Quentin Grimes, averaging 14.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 43.1% shooting from deep in nine starts this season, should also be in line for an uptick in fantasy production.
12 hours ago
Jakob Poeltl To Remain Out On Thursday
Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (groin) has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup against Memphis. A groin issue will keep him off the floor for a fourth consecutive contest. Poeltl's absence opens up more playing opportunities for Kelly Olynyk and Chris Boucher. The latter is coming off a big performance, having finished Monday's 139-125 loss to the Knicks with 16 points, three rebounds, three steals, and one block in 19 minutes. However, Boucher tends to be a volatile fantasy asset. Olynyk only recently made his season debut and has so far averaged 6.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in limited action.
13 hours ago
Marcus Smart Ruled Out For Thursday
Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (finger) will remain out on Thursday against Toronto. This will be his second consecutive absence with a right index finger injury. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Luke Kennard will likely figure more prominently in the rotation with Smart out. The former produced 13 points with 3-for-4 shooting behind the arc in Monday's 114-110 loss to the Clippers. As a good three-point shooter, Kennard can also rack up points in a hurry, but he didn't register a single field-goal attempt in 16 minutes on Monday.
13 hours ago
Kristaps Porzingis Exits With Ankle Injury Wednesday
Boston Celtics forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) sat out the entire second half of Wednesday's 118-114 loss to Philadelphia. He hurt his left ankle less than two minutes into the game. Following a brief trip to the locker room, Porzingis was able to finish the first half, but he missed the second half with left ankle soreness. Luke Kornet started the second half in his place. Before exiting the contest, Porzingis amassed nine points, two rebounds, and three assists in 13 minutes with 3-for-6 shooting from deep. The Latvian star made only his 11th appearance of the season on Christmas Day, and unfortunately, it looks like he could miss some time again. We should get an update on Porzingis before Boston's encounter with Indiana on Friday night.
13 hours ago
D'Angelo Russell Out On Wednesday
Los Angeles Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell (thumb) has been ruled out for Wednesday's Christmas matchup against Golden State. A left thumb injury gave Russell a questionable tag entering Wednesday, and the team has now officially ruled him out for the contest. Russell has hurt his shooting hand, so it's possible he might have to skip multiple games. His first chance to return comes on Saturday versus Sacramento. Gabe Vincent should take over most of Russell's playmaking duties off the bench, with Dalton Knecht and Max Christie also in line to benefit from his absence.
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Cam Thomas
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Nets
