NBA News
LeBron James Questionable For Saturday Rematch Against Kings
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) is listed as questionable for Saturday's rematch against the Sacramento Kings. James is dealing with a foot injury that caused him to miss two games earlier this month before being able to return for the next two. Los Angeles has won both games in James' return and needs him on the court to be able to compete. The future hall of famer has averaged 22.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG and 9.0 APG this season. Should he be starting he is a must start in all fantasy formats. If he's forced to miss time, expect Gabe Vincent to slide into the starting lineup. Vincent has started four games this season and has averaged just 7.8 PPG in those starts. He will not be a viable starter if James can't go.
1 hour ago
Joel Embiid Ready To Go Friday
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (face) will play against Charlotte on Friday. He has been upgraded from questionable to available and will start alongside Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., Paul George, and Kenyon Martin Jr. Health issues have limited Embiid to only 29.3 minutes per game across six appearances in 2024-25. However, he has still been productive, with averages of 20.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 blocks. Embiid tore the Hornets apart a season ago, as he went for 37.5 points and 12.5 boards in the matchup.
2 hours ago
Khris Middleton Back In Bucks Lineup
Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (illness) will return to action on Friday versus Cleveland. He missed Tuesday's NBA Cup final against Oklahoma City due to an illness. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers has confirmed that Middleton will continue to come off the bench. Following offseason surgery on both ankles, Middleton has averaged 21.3 minutes in four contests this term, producing 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals. AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr. will play less with Middleton back, while Pat Connaughton will likely drop out of the rotation.
2 hours ago
Giannis Antetokounmpo Available Friday
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is good to go for Friday's matchup against the league-leading Cavaliers. He's been inactive only twice all season despite being a mainstay on the injury report with a knee problem. Antetokounmpo is coming off a triple-double performance as he led the Bucks to the NBA Cup win on Tuesday against Oklahoma City with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. He also feasted in this season's first clash with the Cavaliers, racking up 34 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists.
2 hours ago
Max Strus Set For Season Debut Friday
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Max Strus (ankle) will take the court for the first time this season on Friday versus Milwaukee. Per Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Strus is ready to go after missing the first 27 contests of the campaign with a right ankle sprain. Strus had a career year last season in Cleveland, averaging 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 32.0 minutes. He'll be a nice addition to an already strong team, although Strus might need some time before he can operate at 100 percent.
3 hours ago
Jalen Suggs Likely Playing Saturday
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (ankle) is listed as probable for Saturday's matchup with Miami. On Thursday versus OKC, Suggs posted nine points, five boards, two blocks, and one steal. But he only lasted 17 minutes before head coach Jamahl Mosley yanked him from the game due to a sprained ankle. Luckily for fantasy managers and the Magic, it looks like Suggs avoided a serious injury and should be ready to go against the Heat, barring any setbacks before tip-off.
3 hours ago
Mark Williams Sidelined Friday
The Charlotte Hornets announced that center Mark Williams (foot) will not play on Friday against the 76ers due to left foot injury management. Williams will get some rest as the Hornets are in the second half of back-to-back games. In Thursday's 123-114 loss to the Wizards, he collected 16 points and eight rebounds in 19 minutes of playing time. Fantasy managers expect Nick Richards and Moussa Diabate to see increased roles while the 23-year-old big man is out of the rotation.
3 hours ago
LaMelo Ball Out Friday Versus 76ers
On Friday, the Charlotte Hornets announced that guard LaMelo Ball (calf) would not suit up against the Philadelphia 76ers due to left calf injury management. Ball sitting out is not due to a new injury. It's likely because the Hornets are in the second half of back-to-back games. In a 123-114 loss to Washington on Thursday, the 24-year-old posted 34 points and 13 assists, four rebounds and four steals in 34 minutes. Vasilije Micic will likely see more action while Ball is out.
4 hours ago
Brandon Miller Unavailable Friday
On Friday, the Charlotte Hornets announced that guard/forward Brandon Miller (ankle) won't suit up against the 76ers. Friday marks the second consecutive contest that Miller has missed due to a right ankle sprain. The 22-year-old has only been out of the rotation for two games since November 1st. During his second season in the National Basketball Association, Miller has seen action in 22 games, averaging 21.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals across 34.4 minutes per contest. Seth Curry will likely receive more playing time while Miller is absent.
4 hours ago
Devin Booker Won't Return Against Indiana
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (groin) won't return to Thursday's game against the Indiana Pacers. Booker played 25 minutes, finishing with 17 points, six assists, and one steal. Without question, this is another tough blow for Phoenix, considering the team has been without Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant at times during the 2024-25 campaign. But now it could be Booker's turn to go on the shelf. With that said, he'll likely undergo further testing. However, if the groin tightness keeps him off the floor for Saturday's matchup with the visiting Pistons, Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale should see more minutes.
22 hours ago
Damian Lillard Ruled Out On Friday Night
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (calf) won't play on Friday versus the Cavaliers. He's been dealing with a right calf strain. However, it didn't keep him off the floor for Milwaukee's win over OKC on Tuesday night to capture the NBA Cup. He played well, too, finishing with 23 points and shooting 5-for-10 from behind the arc. With Lillard out on Friday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) should do most of the heavy lifting on the offensive end. But Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, and Taurean Prince could see a substantial increase in scoring opportunities.
22 hours ago
Jalen Suggs Suffers Ankle Injury On Thursday
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (ankle) exited Thursday's game against OKC. He did not return. Suggs had nine points, five boards, two blocks, and one steal. But he only lasted 17 minutes before getting pulled from the game by head coach Jamahl Mosley due to a sprained ankle. He'll likely undergo further testing. However, with Paolo Banchero (oblique) and Franz Wagner (oblique) sidelined, the team may need to rely on Tristan Da Silva, Goga Bitadze, and Anthony Black if Suggs isn't on the floor in Saturday's matchup versus the Miami Heat.
22 hours ago
LeBron James Active On Thursday Night
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) will play against the Kings. The nagging foot injury continues to bother the multi-time All-Star, although he had some time off over the last few weeks, which has helped. As usual, he's a must-start. However, his presence will likely mean Dalton Knecht, who has averaged 14.3 points in 12 starts this season, will head back to the bench.
23 hours ago
Khris Middleton Expected Back Against Cleveland
Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (illness) is expected to play in Friday's game against the Cavaliers. The Bucks defeated OKC on Tuesday to win the NBA Cup. However, Middleton wasn't out there for that one because of an illness. As expected, Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) and Damian Lillard (calf) handled most of the work on the scoring end. But Gary Trent Jr. also came up big from off the bench, ending the night with 13 points. With that in mind, Lillard won't play, meaning Trent might remain involved. As far as Middleton is concerned, he's still not an ideal fantasy option, considering he has averaged only 7.0 points in 21.3 minutes (four games) since returning from bilateral ankle surgery.
Yesterday
Joel Embiid Questionable For Friday Night
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (face) is questionable for Friday's game against Charlotte. Nick Nurse recently indicated that Embiid's sinus fracture isn't as bad as his previous two. However, he may need another game or two before he's ready to get back on the floor. The 30-year-old was starting to look like himself before going back on the shelf. But until Embiid is back on the floor. Andre Drummond, most recently amassing nine points, 15 rebounds, two steals, and one block against the Hornets, is expected to remain in the middle. Guerschon Yabusele should also see more action if Embiid doesn't suit up.
Yesterday
Josh Hart Won't Suit Up Versus Minnesota
New York Knicks forward Josh Hart (personal) won't play on Thursday night versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. The former Villanova Wildcat has had a stellar year, averaging 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.5 steals. Unfortunately, he'll miss his first game of the 2024-25 campaign due to personal reasons. Without question, the void left by Hart's absence won't be easy to fill, although Miles McBride and Precious Achiuwa should see more minutes, making them both viable fantasy assets.
Yesterday
Derrick Jones Jr. Back In Action Thursday
Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (hamstring) will return from a two-game absence on Thursday versus Dallas. The 27-year-old suffered a right hamstring strain on Dec. 8 but has made a quick recovery. Jones Jr. has been a regular starter for the Clippers all year, averaging 10.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 25.0 minutes. However, the high-flying forward will have a limited role against his former team, so managers won't get full value out of Jones Jr. on Thursday.
Yesterday
Marcus Smart Out Versus Warriors
Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (shoulder) will not play against the Warriors on Thursday. After initially listing him as doubtful, the team has ruled Smart out for the content. This should result in Scotty Pippen Jr. having a more significant role in the rotation. As a reserve, Pippen Jr. has struggled with providing consistent production this month, averaging 5.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. However, his lone December outing with 20-plus minutes ended with a double-double for Pippen Jr.
Yesterday
Keegan Murray Available On Thursday
According to Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento, Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (ankle) is available to suit up for Thursday's matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. Murray missed his first game of the season on Monday and didn't practice Wednesday due to a sore left ankle. In the last 10 games, the 24-year-old has been a key contributor on the floor, averaging 12.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 assists across 35.2 minutes.
Yesterday
Kyrie Irving Ruled Out Thursday Against Clippers
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (shoulder) has been downgraded from questionable to out on Thursday night and will not suit up against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Mavs will be without both Irving and Luka Doncic (heel) so Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes may both move into the starting five. Klay Thompson will likely need to step up in the scoring department as well. Dinwiddie and Grimes are both more likely to be available as streamers, but they both have more appeal in DFS lineups.
Yesterday
LeBron James
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Lakers
