NBA News
Jaylin Williams Remains Out On Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Jaylin Williams (hamstring) will not suit up for Tuesday's matchup against Milwaukee. He's been unavailable for the entire year so far because of a hamstring injury and won't be ready to return for the 2024 NBA Cup final. Kenrich Williams will continue to provide backup for starting center Isaiah Hartenstein. However, the 30-year-old has very little fantasy appeal, having averaged 7.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 13.7 minutes this month.
1 hour ago
Khris Middleton Likely To Play On Tuesday
Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (illness) is considered probable for Tuesday's NBA Cup final against Oklahoma City. An illness kept him out from Monday's practice, but Middleton is expected to be fine for Tuesday's game. The 33-year-old has made his first four appearances of the season this month, notching 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in 21.3 minutes. He's been coming off the bench as the Bucks have tried to keep Middleton's workload under control. Considering his limited role, Middleton has done well through his first few outings, although his shooting stroke appears to be quite rusty, as the former All-Star has made only 25.9 percent of his shots.
1 hour ago
Damian Lillard Listed As Probable For Cup Final
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard (calf) has been listed as probable for Tuesday's NBA Cup final against Oklahoma City. The veteran star didn't practice on Monday, leaving a question mark hanging over him, but it looks like he will be good to go for the big game. Lillard played a vital role in last week's quarterfinal win against Orlando and also had a fine game against Atlanta in the semifinal. He will enter Monday's action with averages of 25.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.2 steals for the month. The Thunder are among the top defensive teams in the league and allow the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing point guards.
1 hour ago
Trendon Watford Limited By Hamstring Injury Monday
Brooklyn Nets forward/center Trendon Watford (hamstring) could not complete Monday's contest against Cleveland. He was ruled out for the rest of the game early in the third quarter because of left hamstring soreness. Watford posted eight points in 10 minutes before his premature exit. The 24-year-old missed the start of the season with a left hamstring strain, so this isn't a new issue for him. Watford has contributed 8.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.1 minutes off the bench. Noah Clowney and Day'Ron Sharpe should get additional action on the Nets frontcourt if Watford has to sit on the sidelines for a bit.
1 hour ago
Jakob Poeltl Suffers Groin Injury Monday
Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (groin) was limited to 22 minutes in Monday's 122-121 loss to Chicago. The big man from Austria suffered a left groin injury when he slipped on the floor early in the fourth quarter. Poeltl finished the night with six points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal. The 29-year-old has been a walking double-double in 2024-25 and will be a big miss for Toronto if Poeltl has to sit out additional action. If that's the case, Jonathan Mogbo, Kelly Olynyk, and Chris Boucher will take care of his minutes. Boucher had the best game of the three on Monday with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
1 hour ago
Jaden Ivey Late Scratch On Monday Because Of Knee Pain
Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (knee) was a late scratch on Monday versus Miami because of left knee pain. He was already announced as a starter before the team pulled him from the game. Malik Beasley filled in for Ivey in the first unit and had a great night with a season-high 28 points on 7-for-13 three-point shooting. Ivey's issue doesn't sound serious, but fantasy managers should definitely monitor the situation. Beasley led the Pistons in scoring on Monday and will have additional fantasy value if Ivey remains out. Detroit returns to the court Thursday night versus Utah.
1 hour ago
Josh Giddey Exits Early With Ankle Injury, Won't Return On Monday
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (ankle) exited Monday night's game against the Toronto Raptors early and won't return after injuring his ankle. Giddey went to contest a Gradey Dick three-point attempt and immediately grabbed at his right ankle before going to the floor and was writhing in pain. The 22-year-old was shown being helped to the locker room, pointing towards this injury being potentially serious. If Giddey is forced to miss an extended period of time, it's unclear who would take over in the starting lineup for Giddey as Patrick Williams, Lonzo Ball and Matas Buzelis all could fit the bill. One starter who could pick up additional assists is Ayo Dosunmu, who's shown an ability to facilitate Chicago's offense in past seasons.
13 hours ago
Brandon Miller Exits Early With Ankle Injury, Won't Return
Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (ankle) was removed from Monday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers after injuring his ankle during a layup attempt. He was ruled out by the team and won't return. Miller appeared to roll his ankle while landing on Sixers forward Guerschon Yabusele's foot. The 22-year-old put up 12 points in 31 minutes before being removed and had been Charlotte's main offensive weapon with LaMelo Ball out the past seven games before returning tonight. If Miller is forced to miss time, expect Cody Martin to pick up additional minutes.
13 hours ago
Christian Braun Officially Ruled Out For Monday, Will Miss First Game Of Season
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (back) has been ruled out of Monday night's game against the Sacramento Kings. Braun is dealing with a lower back strain that he was able to play through on Friday night but wasn't able to overcome on Monday. This will be the 23-year-old's first game missed this season. In his absence, expect the Nuggets to start either Julian Strawther or Russell Westbrook. Both will be a step down defensively but bring different offensive skillsets to the table. With Sacramento generally being weaker to deep shots, Strawther may be the more viable fantasy and DFS option on Monday night.
13 hours ago
Jordan Clarkson Available For Monday Night Against Clippers
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (foot) is listed as available for Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Clarkson had missed seven straight games dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot before returning off the bench and putting up 23 points in Friday night's loss to the Phoenix Suns. The 32-year-old should be in line for another solid outing on Monday night as he put up 21 points against the Clippers earlier this season. Fantasy managers and DFS managers should target the guard as a solid option in the late slate.
14 hours ago
Jamal Murray Probable For Monday Night Against Kings
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (hamstring) is listed as probable for Monday night's matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Murray has been dealing with a hamstring issue that forced him to miss Denver's back-to-back last weekend in Washington and Atlanta but was able to return to action in Friday night's victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The 27-year-old has been scoring a bit less compared to his prior seasons, averaging 17.9 PPG compared to the 20+ PPG he's averaged since the 2020-2021 season. Fantasy managers shouldn't worry quite yet as Murray has generally been a slow starter early in the season. A matchup against the shorthanded Kings may be a good thing for the Nuggets' point guard.
14 hours ago
Isaiah Stewart Exits Game Early, Will Not Return
Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (knee) exited Monday night's game against the Miami Heat early and will not return. The team is stating that he has a hyperextended left knee. Stewart scored four points and grabbed three boards before exiting in with 9:10 left in the second quarter. The 23-year-old was contesting a layup by Terry Rozier and was in visible pain after landing. He has averaged 6.1 PPG and 6.1 RPG this season. Should he be forced to miss an extended period of time, expect Jalen Duren to get more minutes as a starter with Detroit's other option at center being Paul Reed, who they recently resigned on Monday after waiving him just two days prior.
14 hours ago
Keegan Murray Officially Ruled Out For Monday's Game Against Nuggets
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (ankle) has officially been ruled out of Monday night's game against the Nuggets. Murray has been dealing with ankle soreness that will now force him to miss his first game of the season. With the 24-year-old inactive, and Kevin Huerter being ruled out with a left AC joint sprain, Sacramento will be missing two important three point threats. Expect them to turn to either Doug McDermott or Jae Crowder, or potentially both, to pick up the slack. The more likely option to get more playing time and volume tonight is McDermott, who averaged 15 minutes per game through a six-game stretch in November, though he only averaged 5.0 PPG on 5.3 FGA in that stretch. Both McDermott and Crowder will be volatile fantasy and DFS options on Monday.
14 hours ago
Christian Braun Listed As Questionable Against Kings
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (back) is listed as questionable for Monday night's matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Braun has been dealing with a lower back strain, though he played through the pain during Friday's 120-98 victory over the Clippers. Fantasy managers should be weary of the questionable tag but given that he played through it previously, and has additional rest between games, the probability he plays should be likely. The 23-year-old has averaged 15.0 PPG and 5.0 RPG while shooting 40.3% from three, doing well to fill the void that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left when the veteran departed for Orlando. If active, fantasy managers and DFS managers should target Braun and get him in their starting lineups.
14 hours ago
Scottie Barnes May Ramp Up Activity Level During The Week
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (ankle) practiced again on Monday morning, one day after it was reported he went through a "light workout" on Sunday, which involved running and jumping. The 23-year-old sprained his ankle in a matchup with the New York Knicks on December 9 and has been working his way back since. But things seem to be moving in a favorable direction, with head coach Darko Rajakovic hoping to increase Barnes activity level during the week. With a lightened schedule due to the NBA Cup, Barnes may not miss as much time. However, until he's ready to get back on the floor, rookie Jonathan Mogbo, averaging 7.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals in two starts this season, should continue to fill the void in the lineup.
15 hours ago
Ben Simmons To Take Over Point-Guard Duties
According to Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez, Ben Simmons will take over as the team's "full-time point guard" moving ahead after the recent trade involving Dennis Schroder. Not only that, but Fernandez wants the Nets to play faster, with Simmons in charge of pushing the pace. The 28-year-old was once one of the league's most promising players. However, he hasn't been the same in recent years, currently averaging 5.1 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.6 rebounds. But with Simmons focusing on one position, at least most of the time, there's a chance he could improve on the scoring end. If anything, his assist numbers should increase. With that in mind, Simmons will need to stay healthy, which has been a challenge. Still, the latest update from Fernandez could mean good things for the former LSU Tiger for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.
16 hours ago
Evan Mobley Returning On Monday
Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (ankle) is available ahead of Monday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Mobley is active after missing their last game due to a left ankle sprain. There was no word on a minutes limit, so fantasy managers should expect Mobley to be a full-go on Monday. The Cavs used a committee approach between Georges Niang and Dean Wade to fill the void on Friday. Both players are expected to go back to their regular roles on Monday. Fantasy managers can go ahead and get Mobley active in their lineups ahead of tip-off.
16 hours ago
Nikola Vucevic Will Play On Monday
Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (illness) is available to play ahead of Monday's game against the Toronto Raptors. The big man is back in the mix following a one-game absence on Friday due to an illness. He appears to be feeling better now and figures to play his regular role in the rotation on Monday. Jalen Smith will head back to the bench after a spot-start on Friday. He'll lose most of his streaming appeal with Vucevic back in the starting five. Fantasy managers can go ahead and get Vucevic back in their lineups for Monday's game.
16 hours ago
Giannis Antetokounmpo Expected To Play On Tuesday
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is listed as probable ahead of Tuesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The superstar forward has been a regular on the injury report this season due to a lingering knee issue. Despite that, Antetokounmpo has only missed two games this season due to injury. The expectation is that he'll be good to go for the NBA Cup Championship. Fantasy managers should check back ahead of tip-off, but he should be out there, barring any setbacks.
16 hours ago
Paul Reed Returning To Pistons
The Detroit Pistons have re-signed forward Paul Reed on Monday. This news comes two days after Reed was waived by the organization. It sounds like the Pistons attempted to trade Reed, but they couldn't find a legitimate partner. They've decided to bring him back as depth, but he's unlikely to make an impact in the rotation with Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart both healthy. Reed is averaging 4.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 10 minutes per game this season. Fantasy managers can ignore Reed with him playing a minimal role off the bench right now.
16 hours ago
Jaylin Williams
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Thunder
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Jaylin Williams
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