NBA News
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.
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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.
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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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Anthony Davis Cleared To Play On Christmas
Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (shoulder) is available for Wednesday's Christmas clash against Golden State. He has shaken off a questionable tag ahead of the juicy matchup. Davis' scoring efforts have been inconsistent this month, but he still fills the stat sheet on a nightly basis, and we should see another big performance from him against the Warriors. The Lakers star notched 21.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks in three meetings with Golden State last term.
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LeBron James Ready To Face Warriors
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) will play on Christmas Day against Golden State. He has been upgraded from questionable to available. James has played well in Christmas games throughout his career, and his recent form has also been outstanding. The veteran superstar boasts two triple-doubles and two 30-point efforts in his last five appearances. A season ago, James averaged a massive 36-point triple-double in the matchup against the Warriors.
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Kyle Anderson Available Versus Lakers
Golden State Warriors forward Kyle Anderson (illness) will be in the lineup on Christmas Day against the Lakers. He was a late addition to the injury report with an illness, but the team has now upgraded him from questionable to available. Anderson's fantasy stock has gone downhill all year, and with the Warriors now fully healthy, it's not guaranteed that Anderson will get minutes. The 31-year-old has posted 4.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists across 13.3 minutes in seven December appearances.
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Gary Payton II Returns To Action Wednesday
Golden State Warriors guard/forward Gary Payton II (calf) is good to go for Wednesday's clash against the Lakers. After missing his first game of the season on Monday versus Indiana, Payton II carried a questionable tag entering Wednesday. However, he has been upgraded to available ahead of tip-off. Payton II's defense will be a valuable asset against the Lakers, but he doesn't provide enough production across the board to be worthy of a spot on most fantasy squads.
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Ben Simmons Questionable To Face Bucks On Thursday
According to Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.com, Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (back) is questionable against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday due to the management of his lower back injury. Simmons has started four straight games, and it appears his injury designation is more for rest, but his status still needs to be monitored. The 28-year-old is averaging 10.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 8.5 assists in 30.5 minutes per game in the last four contests.
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Dorian Finney-Smith Questionable For Thursday
Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.com reports that Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith (calf) is questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks. Finney-Smith is in danger of missing his third game in a row due to a left calf contusion. The Nets could have several players missing in action, with Ben Simmons (back) questionable while Cam Thomas (hamstring) and Ziaire Williams (knee) will be sidelined. Jalen Wilson and Keon Johnson's fantasy value will increase if Finney-Smith and Simmons cannot suit up, as more playing time and scoring opportunities will be available.
2 hours ago
Jimmy Butler Doubtful For Thursday
According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (personal) is doubtful for Thursday's matchup with the Orlando Magic. On Wednesday, Butler was tagged with a re-conditioning injury designation on the Heat's injury report. His name has also been mentioned in trade rumors recently, and it's unclear if he will make the road trip to Orlando. In 20 games this season, the 35-year-old has posted averages of 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.9 in 31.4 minutes.
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Gary Harris Questionable To Face Heat
Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris (hamstring) is considered questionable for Thursday's meeting with Miami. The veteran is nursing a hamstring strain and has been absent for 12 consecutive games. Harris averages fewer than 17 minutes per game for the season, but he might play a larger role in the rotation once he returns due to the number of injuries the Magic have suffered. The 30-year-old could eat into the playing time of Trevelin Queen, who logged 34 minutes as a starter on Monday versus Boston.
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Myles Turner Questionable For Thursday's Game
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (oblique) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against Oklahoma City. An oblique strain might end a run of 12 consecutive appearances for Turner. Newly acquired Thomas Bryant looks set for a starting role if Turner can't play on Thursday. Bryant has always done well as a starter, averaging 12.4 points and 7.4 rebounds in the role for his career. However, this is a difficult matchup for Indiana's centers, as Oklahoma City allows the ninth-fewest fantasy points to opposing fives.
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Terry Rozier Questionable For Thursday's Matchup With Magic
According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier (knee) is questionable for Thursday's contest with the Orlando Magic. Rozier is in danger of missing the second game in a row due to left knee inflammation. Jimmy Butler (personal) is doubtful. Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo will be expected to carry the offense, and Duncan Robinson and Jaime Jaquez Jr. will also need to contribute.
3 hours ago
Andre Drummond Sits Out Christmas Action
Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (toe) will not suit up for the team's Christmas Day matchup against Boston. He has been downgraded from questionable to out ahead of tip-off. The 76ers have Joel Embiid available, so even if Drummond had been in the lineup, he would only have played a small role in the rotation. The veteran big man will get his first chance to return to action on Saturday against Utah. Guerschon Yabusele will take care of the backup minutes at the center position on Wednesday.
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Eric Gordon Out On Christmas Day
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Eric Gordon (mouth) has been ruled out for Wednesday's meeting with Boston. After undergoing oral surgery, Gordon will miss a second straight game. He was initially listed as questionable for Wednesday's contest. Gordon, the 2017 Sixth Man of the Year, has played a limited role with the 76ers this season, averaging 5.0 points in 16.6 minutes. Therefore, his absence doesn't have a significant impact on how the team operates.
4 hours ago
Luka Doncic Exits Christmas Game Early
Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic (calf) will not finish Wednesday's Christmas game against Minnesota. The Mavericks leader injured his left calf, exiting the action with 2:31 remaining in the second quarter. He was off to a great start in the game with 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 16 minutes. Quentin Grimes started the second half in Doncic's place. Spencer Dinwiddie will need to put in extra work as well during Doncic's absence.
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Derrick White Available Versus 76ers
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (hamstring) has received the green light to play against Philadelphia on Christmas Day. White has missed only one game this season and will be available for Wednesday's matchup despite dealing with a hamstring issue. Jrue Holiday (shoulder) will not be in the lineup, so White will be expected to do a bit extra in the Celtics backcourt on Christmas. He's struggled offensively this month, shooting only 36.7 percent from the field while averaging 14.2 points.
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Jrue Holiday Will Not Play On Christmas Day
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (shoulder) has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup against Philadelphia. He will be sidelined with right shoulder impingement, with the team downgrading Holiday from questionable to out. Holiday's absence should boost Payton Pritchard's playing time. He's struggled in recent outings, scoring just 13 points across the previous two games, but Pritchard has had an impressive year overall off the Boston bench. The 26-year-old averages 15.7 points with nearly 43 percent shooting from deep.
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Jayson Tatum Cleared For Action Wednesday
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (illness) will suit up for Wednesday's Christmas clash against Philadelphia. Boston has upgraded him from questionable to available ahead of the game. Tatum will be back in action after missing one contest due to an illness. He had a historic outing in his last appearance versus Chicago, finishing with 43 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. On Christmas Day, Tatum has previously averaged 23.6 points. Another 23-point performance would help him pass Bill Sharman for second place on Boston's all-time Christmas scoring list.
4 hours ago
Jaden Hardy Available Versus Timberwolves
Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) will be in the lineup for Wednesday's Christmas matchup against Minnesota. He's returning from a six-game absence after being initially listed as questionable for the contest. Hardy's addition adds an extra option for Dallas, but he isn't expected to be a major factor on Wednesday. Across 22 outings this season, the 22-year-old has averaged only 14.5 minutes per game, scoring 6.5 points. He has earned just 10 total minutes over his last two appearances.
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Marcus Smart
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Grizzlies
