NBA News
Dereck Lively II Questionable Friday Against Suns
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (hip) is dealing with a hip contusion and is considered questionable to face the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. The young big man started in the team's last game on Christmas and posted six points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and two blocks across 30 minutes. If he's unable to play, Daniel Gafford could be the one to move into the starting five. He averages 12.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks across 20.1 minutes per game.
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Jamal Murray Considered Probable Against Cavaliers
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (ankle) returned from a quick sprained ankle absence to play on Christmas day and is considered probable to play again on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The former NBA Champ was able to play 39 minutes against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday and registered 13 points, six rebounds, and six assists while shooting 4-for-10 from the floor and 1-for-2 from three. Whenever he's available, Murray should be started in all formats, but his presence takes some fantasy value away from Peyton Watson.
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Tari Eason Tagged As Questionable On Friday
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (leg) has a chance to return from a four-game absence on Friday after being listed as questionable against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team has listed him as going through lower leg injury management, after seemingly seeing a flare-up after he last played on December 14. If he's unable to play, Cam Whitmore would likely see added minutes again after he registered 27 points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal across 27 minutes off of the bench on Thursday.
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Jordan Hawkins Considered Questionable Friday Versus Grizzlies
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (thumb) continues to battle injury after injury this season and is now considered questionable on Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies. He's dealing with a thumb injury this time around. He was able to play in their last four games, seeing at least 17 minutes each night. If he's unable to play, however, Brandon Boston Jr. and Javonte Green would likely see extra minutes. The former posted 17 points, six rebounds, one assist, and four steals in their last game against the Rockets.
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Marcus Smart Remains Out On Friday With Finger Injury
Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (finger) will miss his third consecutive game with a right index finger injury. The Grizzlies are set to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, and Scottie Pippen Jr. looks to be the top streaming option yet again. In games that he receives 20-29 minutes, like the last one against the Toronto Raptors, Pippen averages 11.4 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. Luke Kennard could also serve as an option for fantasy managers looking for three-point production.
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Cameron Johnson Uncertain On Friday Night
Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (hip) is suffering from a hip contusion and has been tagged as questionable ahead of the team's Friday night game against the San Antonio Spurs. The 28-year-old just led the team to a big upset win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday with 29 points, five rebounds, and three assists. If he's unable to play along with the eight other names listed on the injury report, Noah Clowney, Jalen Wilson, and Shake Milton should all see some added minutes. Clowney and Wilson would make the better streaming options since they've been in the rotation longer.
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Dorian Finney-Smith Questionable Friday Against Spurs
Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith (calf) carries a questionable designation heading into Friday night's matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. He's been out for the past three games dealing with the same calf injury. If he's unable to suit up, Noah Clowney should remain in the starting five after dropping 20 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal in their last game. Jalen Wilson will likely see some added time as well since Ben Simmons (back) has been ruled out.
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Paolo Banchero Receives New Designation, Remains Out
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (reconditioning) has been sidelined since October 30 with a torn oblique, but he's trending in the right direction. While he remains out, he received a new designation on Friday, "Return to competition reconditioning." The star wing hasn't gone through any contact drills yet, but it looks like that should be on the near horizon. He'd be a huge re-addition with Franz Wagner (oblique) still out and Moritz Wagner (knee) out for the season.
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Luka Doncic Out At Least One Month
Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic (calf) has been ruled out Friday against the Phoenix Suns. Doncic is expected to miss a significant amount of time after sustaining a calf injury on Christmas against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Doncic left American Airlines Center on crutches on Wednesday, with an MRI scan on Thursday confirming the guard had suffered a strain. Shams Charania has reported that Doncic will be re-evaluated in one month. With Doncic missing this many games, he will be ineligible for any postseason awards. Doncic, who scored 14 points in 16 minutes against the Wolves, is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game. While he is sidelined, Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes will be in line for more minutes.
7 hours ago
Stephen Curry Resting On Friday
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (rest) won't play against the Clippers on Friday. The veteran is coming off a stellar Christmas Day performance against LeBron James and the Lakers, finishing with a game-high 38 points while shooting 8-for-15 from behind the arc. He'll likely be back on the floor on Saturday versus the Phoenix Suns, the second of back-to-back games for the Warriors. But while Curry is sidelined, Dennis Schroder will presumably handle the ball while seeing an increase in shot opportunities. Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, and Andrew Wiggins may also be in line for more scoring chances.
18 hours ago
Jrue Holiday Could Miss Another Game
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (shoulder) is questionable for Friday's game against the Pacers. The veteran has a right shoulder injury, which kept him off the floor for the Christmas Day loss to the 76ers. Al Horford moved into the starting lineup, finishing with 17 points and shooting 5-for-10 from behind the arc. With Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) also uncertain for Friday's contest, Horford could find himself back with the first five. Sam Hauser, averaging 16.5 points and 50.0% shooting from deep in two starts, and Payton Pritchard may also see an uptick in minutes and production behind Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White.
18 hours ago
Kristaps Porzingis Uncertain For Friday Night
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) is considered questionable for Friday's meeting with the Indiana Pacers. The veteran tweaked his ankle in the Christmas Day loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, ending his day after only 13 minutes of work. As a result, Luke Kornet got more action than normal and finished with six points and 10 rebounds. If Porzingis is sidelined on Friday night, Al Horford would likely slide over to the middle, with Sam Hauser potentially entering the starting lineup. Hauser has played well in two starts this season, averaging 16.5 points and shooting 50.0% from behind the arc, giving him some streaming value for fantasy managers if Porzingis doesn't suit up.
18 hours ago
Domantas Sabonis Under The Weather On Thursday
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (illness) won't play on Thursday against the Pistons. As usual, the 28-year-old has had a quality season, averaging a career-high 21.1 points with 13.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists. His next chance to get back on the floor will be on Saturday against the Los Angeles Lakers. As far as Thursday is concerned, Alex Len and Trey Lyles are both in line for more minutes and scoring opportunities.
18 hours ago
Lonzo Ball Out Thursday Against Atlanta
According to Chuck Swirsky of the Bulls Radio Network, Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball (illness) won't suit up against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. He's been under the weather the entire week and will miss a second consecutive contest. Ball has had a decent comeback season, averaging 5.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in 17.5 minutes off the Bulls bench. Coby White will have more offensive duties with Ball out of the lineup and will have to put in a massive shift on Thursday, as Ayo Dosunmu (Achilles) and Josh Giddey (ankle) are both out.
21 hours ago
Ayo Dosunmu Sidelined Versus Hawks
Chuck Swirsky of the Bulls Radio Network reports that Chicago Bulls guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu (Achilles) is unavailable against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. Right Achilles tendinopathy will keep him off the floor for the first time this season. Dosunmu is having a solid season, posting averages of 12.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 30.8 minutes across 30 contests. With Dosunmu, Lonzo Ball (illness), Matas Buzelis (illness), and Josh Giddey (ankle) all sidelined, 24-year-old Talen Horton-Tucker will likely see more playing time than usual.
21 hours ago
Josh Giddey Unavailable Thursday
According to Chuck Swirsky of the Bulls Radio Network, Chicago Bulls guard/forward Josh Giddey (ankle) will not suit up against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. He carried a questionable tag earlier in the day but has since been downgraded to unavailable due to an ankle sprain. The Bulls backcourt will be missing several key contributors, such as Lonzo Ball (illness) and Ayo Dosunmu (Achilles), who have also been ruled out. Giddey was playing well this month before getting hurt, averaging 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.7 steals.
22 hours ago
Pelle Larsson Ready To Take On Magic
Miami Heat shooting guard Pelle Larsson (ankle) will be in the lineup for Thursday's matchup against Orlando. He was listed on the initial injury report as questionable for the game, but Larsson has been upgraded to available. The 23-year-old rookie has averaged 5.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 16.8 minutes. However, he might have a bigger say in the rotation on Thursday, as the Heat remain without Jimmy Butler (conditioning) and have just lost Dru Smith (Achilles) for the season.
22 hours ago
Terry Rozier Active Versus Magic
Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier (knee) will be back from a one-game absence on Thursday versus Orlando. Inflammation in his left knee kept Rozier sidelined for Monday's clash with Brooklyn, but he makes a quick return to action after being initially considered questionable for Thursday's game. Rozier's last appearance came in a matchup against the Magic, where he posted 23 points. However, the veteran guard has been inconsistent with his offensive work, last hitting double figures in points in a second consecutive game on Dec. 1.
22 hours ago
Brandon Miller Back In Hornets Lineup
Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Brandon Miller (ankle) has received the all-clear to return from a three-game absence on Thursday versus Washington. He has recovered from a left ankle sprain. Miller sits behind LaMelo Ball as Charlotte's second-highest scorer with 21.5 points averaged. He's also notched 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in 34.4 minutes. The Wizards get overrun regularly and give up the most points in the league, so Miller should enjoy a productive comeback. With Miller's return, Cody Martin loses fantasy value, as he likely has to give up his spot in the first unit.
22 hours ago
Myles Turner Available Against Thunder
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (oblique) will be active against Oklahoma City on Thursday. The team listed him as questionable on the initial injury report, but Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has confirmed that Turner will play. The 28-year-old is coming off a nice 23-point, 10-rebound double-double against the Warriors. Only two teams allow more rebounds to opposing centers than OKC, so Turner should be able to flirt with another double-double on Thursday night. He's also currently on a four-game run with multiple blocks.
22 hours ago
Dereck Lively II
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Mavericks
