NBA News
Dru Smith Out For Season With An Achilles Injury
Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (Achilles) has been ruled out for the rest of the season. He tore his left Achilles in Monday's game against Brooklyn. This is a very unfortunate blow for Smith, who had just carved out a significant role on the team for himself, averaging 29.3 minutes over a six-game stretch before Monday's action. It's made worse by the fact that Smith lost most of the 2023-24 campaign to a knee injury and also had a season-ending injury in 2021-22 in the G League. Smith notched 6.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 19.1 minutes while he was healthy this term. Rookie Pelle Larsson will likely soak in most of his minutes.
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Gary Payton II Might Miss A Second Straight Game Wednesday
Golden State Warriors guard/forward Gary Payton II (calf) has been labeled as questionable for Wednesday's Christmas game against the Lakers. He missed his first game of the season on Monday versus Indiana and might have to remain on the sidelines due to a calf contusion. Payton II has logged a pair of starts this month but typically doesn't play a big role in the rotation, averaging 13.4 minutes for the season. The team should soak in the leftover minutes as a group.
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D'Angelo Russell In Danger Of Missing Christmas Game
Los Angeles Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell (thumb) has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's Christmas battle against Golden State. He hurt his left thumb on Monday versus Detroit, logging only 16 minutes of action. Gabe Vincent will be in line for more minutes off the bench if Russell has to sit out Wednesday's action, with Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish also in a position to play larger roles. Max Christie might receive extra action among the Lakers starters.
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Anthony Davis Questionable For Christmas Day Action
Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (shoulder) has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's meeting with Golden State. He has sustained a shoulder contusion ahead of Christmas. Davis has played through a foot problem most of the season, missing only one game, so it appears likely that he will shake off the questionable tag ahead of tip-off. The star center is riding a seven-game double-double streak, and Davis looks set for another productive outing against a Warriors team that can be very vulnerable against opposing big men.
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LeBron James Questionable To Face Warriors On Christmas
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) is once again accompanied by a questionable tag on the injury report ahead of the team's Christmas Day matchup against Golden State. The veteran superstar continues to manage a left foot injury. However, despite being a regular on the injury report, James has sat out only two contests all season, so it appears safe to assume that he will hit the court on Wednesday. James has famously always enjoyed the Christmas Day games, averaging 26.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.5 steals while posting a 10-8 record with his teams.
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Derrick White Battling A Hamstring Problem, Questionable To Play On Christmas Day
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (hamstring) is in danger of missing his second game of the season, with the team listing him as questionable for Wednesday's meeting with Philadelphia. He's nursing right hamstring tightness. With Jrue Holiday (shoulder) and Jayson Tatum (illness) also questionable for Christmas action, we might get a hefty dose of the Celtics reserves versus Philadelphia. Payton Pritchard, Al Horford, and Sam Hauser would all become popular fantasy targets if Boston isn't at full strength on Wednesday.
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Jrue Holiday Carrying A Questionable Tag On Christmas
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (shoulder) is considered questionable for the team's Christmas Day clash against Philadelphia. A shoulder problem might take Holiday out of the lineup for the first time in seven games. Payton Pritchard's fantasy stock would get a big boost if Holiday won't be able to play. He's been one of the top bench scorers in the league this season, averaging 15.7 points in 28.6 minutes. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla likes to have Pritchard come off the bench, so Sam Hauer might also have additional fantasy value as Holiday's replacement in the starting unit.
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Jayson Tatum Iffy For Christmas Game
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (illness) is regarded as questionable for Wednesday's Christmas game against Philadelphia. He was a late scratch on Monday versus Orlando because of an illness, and Tatum hasn't had a lot of time to recover. Tatum's absence on Monday gave Al Horford an opportunity to log his 19th start of the campaign. The veteran big man has averaged 9.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists as part of the first unit this season. Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet, and Payton Pritchard may see more action off the bench if Tatum remains out on Christmas Day.
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Jamal Murray Questionable For Christmas Action
Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's matchup against Phoenix. He missed a meeting with the Suns on Monday due to a right ankle sprain and might also have to sit out a Christmas rematch between the two teams. Russell Westbrook made his seventh start of the year on Monday, finishing with 11 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and two steals in 25 minutes. He will take on a bigger load once again if Murray can't play on Wednesday.
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Grayson Allen Sidelined For Christmas
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen (concussion) will sit out Wednesday's Christmas battle against Denver. He remains in concussion protocol, missing a second consecutive game. With Allen out of commission, Ryan Dunn reached the 30-minute mark for the second time this season on Monday versus the Nuggets. However, he didn't do a lot in the contest, scoring five points and registering four rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Royce O'Neale also benefits from Allen's absence, but he's been on a cold stretch lately.
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Devin Booker Ruled Out For Christmas Clash
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (groin) will not play against Denver on Christmas Day. He exited the lineup last week with a left groin strain and will be absent for a third straight game. Kevin Durant has averaged 33.0 points with Booker out of the lineup, while Bradley Beal's scoring numbers have also received a big boost. The two combined for 46 points in Monday's heavy 117-90 loss to the Nuggets.
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Kenyon Martin Jr. Out At Least Two Weeks
Philadelphia 76ers forward Kenyon Martin Jr. (foot) suffered a stress reaction in his left foot, an MRI revealed on Tuesday. Unfortunately, he will miss at least two weeks before he's re-evaluated. KJ is having his best season in years, averaging 6.4 points. While that hasn't made Martin a practical fantasy asset in redraft formats, his services have at least been useful for DFS managers at times throughout the 2024-25 campaign. With Eric Gordon (mouth) listed as probable, he may find his way into the starting lineup. However, Gordon has a long way to go before earning a spot on fantasy rosters.
17 hours ago
Andre Drummond May Miss Wednesday's Game
Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (toe) is questionable for Wednesday's encounter with the Boston Celtics. The veteran has had a decent season. However, he was more impactful for fantasy managers when he filled in for Joel Embiid (face) this season, averaging 8.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 14 starts. But with Embiid available, Drummond isn't worth a roster spot in most fantasy leagues even if he's active on Christmas Day.
17 hours ago
Joel Embiid Available On Christmas Day
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (face) is listed as available for Wednesday's Christmas matchup with the Celtics. He recently returned from his latest stint on the shelf caused by a sinus fracture. Fortunately, the multi-time All-Star is returning to form after suffering multiple injuries this season, amassing 31 points or more in two of the three games leading up to Friday's clash with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. While Embiid was ejected from that contest, the time off the floor may help him be more productive versus Boston.
17 hours ago
Jaden Hardy Questionable For Wednesday
Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's Christmas clash with the Timberwolves. He has missed the last six games because of a sprained ankle. However, the 22-year-old is seemingly moving in a favorable direction regarding a return to the court. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Hardy is having the worst year of his career, averaging only 6.5 points and 30.5% shooting from behind the three-point line. Even if he is cleared to suit up versus Minnesota, he'll have a tough time getting meaningful minutes with Luka Doncic (heel) and Kyrie Irving available. In addition, the uptick in production from Quentin Grimes could mean Hardy may have difficulty getting on the floor.
18 hours ago
Luka Doncic Probable For Christmas Matchup With Minnesota
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (heel) is probable for the Christmas meeting with the Timberwolves. Doncic missed the two previous games heading into Monday's win over the Portland Trail Blazers. He played well enough in that one despite going 1-for-7 from behind the arc, amassing 27 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. With that in mind, Doncic is a must-start in all redraft setups. However, the 25-year-old struggled shooting the ball when the Mavs and Timberwolves met back in October, so he could have a tough time getting it done for DFS managers, especially when taking his massive rostering cost into consideration.
18 hours ago
Kenyon Martin Jr. Makes Early Exit Due To Sore Foot
Philadelphia 76ers forward Kenyon Martin Jr. (foot) missed the end of Monday's contest against San Antonio. He didn't see any action in the fourth quarter because of soreness in his left foot. Making his fourth start in a row, Martin Jr. notched four points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 20 minutes. Andre Drummond (toe) also made an early exit on Monday, so the 76ers might have to play their Christmas Day matchup against Boston without two rotational pieces. Guerschon Yabusele and Caleb Martin will be asked to put in extra work if the pair isn't available.
Yesterday
Marvin Bagley III Suffers Apparent Knee Injury
Washington Wizards forward/center Marvin Bagley III (knee) had his night cut short by injury against Oklahoma City on Monday. He appeared to have hurt his right knee in the fourth quarter in a collision with Thunder big man Isaiah Hartenstein. With Alex Sarr (back) absent on Monday, Bagley III was back in the rotation and performed well before making a premature exit. The 25-year-old finished with seven points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal across 16 minutes of action. Further tests will reveal the severity of Bagley III's injury, but it looked a pretty bad one and might leave him on the shelf for quite some time.
Yesterday
Bub Carrington Exits Early Monday
Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington (undisclosed) was hurt in Monday's loss to Oklahoma City. He exited the game in the middle for the final frame, heading to the locker room holding his right side. Carrington finished the contest with 14 points, two rebounds, three assists, and four turnovers. The 19-year-old rookie must recover by Thursday to avoid missing his first game of the season. Carrington's absence would put Jared Butler in a position to rejoin the regular rotation, but he's a non-factor in fantasy basketball.
Yesterday
Alex Caruso Hurt In Monday's Win
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Alex Caruso (undisclosed) did not complete Monday's matchup against Washington. He went to the locker room with a little over a minute played in the fourth quarter and never returned to action. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said after the game that an update on Caruso should come on Tuesday after he has been evaluated. Rookie Ajay Mitchell picked up extra shifts following Caruso's exit on Monday, producing a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double. He might land himself a larger role for the upcoming games as well if Caruso has to sit out some time.
Yesterday
