NBA News
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.
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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.
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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.
1 hour ago
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.
1 hour 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.
1 hour 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.
1 hour 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.
1 hour 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.
1 hour 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.
2 hours ago
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.
2 hours ago
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.
2 hours ago
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.
2 hours ago
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.
2 hours ago
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.
3 hours ago
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.
3 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.
4 hours ago
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.
4 hours ago
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.
4 hours ago
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.
4 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.
5 hours ago
Damian Lillard
• PG
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Bucks
