NBA News
Cameron Johnson Suffers Ankle Injury On Thursday
Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports that Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (ankle) injured his right ankle during the closing seconds of Thursday's 113-110 victory over the Bucks. According to Lewis, Johnson's injury occurred while battling for a rebound with teammate Ziaire Williams. Lewis also mentioned Johnson had X-rays and underwent imaging on the ankle, which came back negative. However, he left the arena on crutches, likely meaning he will be doubtful for Saturday's game against the 76ers. Keon Johnson could be in line for extra minutes if the 28-year-old is unavailable.
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Jimmy Butler Wants Out Of Miami
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler has requested a trade and took to a post-game press conference to tell media members that he wants to get his joy back while playing basketball. ESPN's Shams Charania was the first one to report that Butler wanted out, but he cemented the report after his comments saying he probably couldn't get his joy back in Miami. He's in the final year of his contract and teams have been told that he will decline his option to become a free agent this summer. A report on Christmas Day said that his top destinations are the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks.
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Kelly Oubre Jr. Doubtful For Saturday
Philadelphia 76ers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (hand) is doubtful for Saturday's matchup with the Nets. Oubre will likely miss his third game in a row due to a sprained left hand. If he remains sidelined, Kyle Lowry could be in the Sixers starting lineup again. Eric Gordon will see an uptick in minutes as well. At the same time, Caleb Martin and Reggie Jackson could be relied upon more than usual, opening up extra scoring opportunities for both players.
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Jose Alvarado Available Against Wizards
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (hamstring) is officially available against the Washington Wizards on Friday. The 26-year-old hasn't played since November 11 as he dealt with a hamstring strain while the rest of the team fell apart at the same time. Brandon Ingram (ankle) and Zion Williamson (hamstring) remain sidelined, so Alvarado will likely be needed to play a solid chunk of minutes off of the bench. He could take away some value from Jordan Hawkins in that case.
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Bilal Coulibaly Ruled Out Friday With Illness
Washington Wizards forward Bilal Coulibaly (illness) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans while he deals with a non-COVID illness. He could only play eight minutes in their game on Wednesday before exiting with the same illness he's dealing with now. Corey Kispert could move into the starting five if they still want Kyle Kuzma to come off of the bench. Kispert would be more likely to be available across more leagues while Justin Champagnie has been a solid streamer after dropping 15 points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal in their last game.
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Alex Caruso Sidelined On Friday Versus Knicks
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Alex Caruso (hip) is dealing with a hip strain and he will not suit up on Friday for their game against the New York Knicks. This will be his sixth consecutive game missed with the same hip injury. During that time, Aaron Wiggins and Ajay Mitchell have seen some extra minutes. Wiggins registered nine points, four rebounds, and two assists as a starter against the Clippers while Mitchell finished with 11 points, three assists, and two rebounds off of the bench.
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Al Horford Resting On Friday Against Rockets
Boston Celtics center Al Horford (rest) will sit out of the second half of the team's back-to-back on Friday against the Houston Rockets. The veteran always sits out at least one game of a back-to-back at this stage of his career and he played against the Timberwolves on Thursday. Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) is considered questionable but should start if he can suit up. Otherwise, Neemias Queta would be the best streaming option with Luke Kornet as a deeper league streamer. Queta averages 10.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as a starter.
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Joel Embiid Considered Questionable Against Nets
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (foot/sinus) has been tagged as questionable for the Saturday night matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. The star big man was questionable leading up to their last game on Thursday as well, and it seems this will be a daily occurrence unless it's a back-to-back. Against the Warriors, Embiid finished with 28 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal. If he's unable to suit up though, Andre Drummond should start again since he's off of the injury report. Plus, Guerschon Yabusele will see plenty of minutes.
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Devin Carter Will Make Debut On Friday
Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter (shoulder) will make his NBA debut on Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies. According to Shams Charania, the 13th-overall pick from this year's NBA draft has passed the health checks needed to play and his first game will be against his father Anthony Carter, who is the assistant coach of the Grizzlies. Carter played two games for the Kings' G League affiliate and averaged 23.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.5 steals, 2.0 blocks, and 4.5 turnovers per game. It's unclear how big his role will be right away, but it will likely take some minutes away from Keon Ellis and Kevin Huerter.
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Joel Embiid Will Play On Thursday Night
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (foot) will play on Thursday versus the Warriors. The multi-time All-Star has been frequently mentioned in the league's official injury report all year. He didn't play in Wednesday's loss to the Kings, allowing Guerschon Yabusele to start. However, with Embiid back in the mix, he must be included in all fantasy lineups. While Yabusele will head back to the bench, he'll still get some work, considering Andre Drummond (toe) isn't available.
19 hours ago
Trae Young Questionable Friday With A Hand Contusion
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (hand) is listed as questionable for the Hawks as they continue their road trip with a stop in Los Angeles on Friday night. Young has been regularly listed on the injury report with a variety of issues but has played 32 of 34 games for Atlanta and hasn't missed a game since December 21. He played on Wednesday and scored 30 points to go with nine assists and four rebounds. In his last 10 games, he has averaged 25.7 points, 12.1 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game in 35.9 minutes per contest. If Young is sidelined, Bogdan Bogdanovic (leg) would help fill in if he's able o play through his own questionable tag. If Bogdan is out as well, Dyson Daniels and Vit Krejci will have to absorb the work at point guard.
20 hours ago
Jaxson Hayes Will Start Thursday Against The Trail Blazers
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes hasn't played since November 26 due to an ankle injury, but he'll be able to return to action on Thursday at home against Portland, according to coach JJ Redick. Not only is he ready to get back into action, he'll jump right back into the starting lineup in place of Anthony Davis (ankle). Hayes has made one start this season, producing eight points, 10 rebounds, and one assist in 35 minutes against the Grizzlies. He probably won't be ready for that much work after such a long absence, but he does make an intriguing DFS value given his likely expanded role. The 24-year-old has averaged 6.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in his 17.5 minutes per game in 11 games this season. In addition to Hayes, Dorian Finney-Smith and Rui Hachimura will likely help fill Davis's minutes in the frontcourt while LeBron James and Austin Reaves will get more usage and production in this favorable matchup.
20 hours ago
Cody Martin Might Miss Friday's Game
Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Martin (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Friday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Martin is hopeful to get back on the court here after missing each of the last two games due to a lingering knee issue. The Hornets have been shorthanded with LaMelo Ball (wrist) and Brandon Miller (ankle) also sidelined for those games. That has pushed Seth Curry and Vasilije Micic into bigger roles in the rotation. Both players are worth considering as low-end streaming options if the Hornets aren't able to get healthy before Friday's contest.
20 hours ago
Brandon Miller Uncertain For Friday
Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (ankle) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Miller has missed five of the last six games due to a lingering ankle injury. The Hornets have also been without guard LaMelo Ball (wrist, ankle) for the last two games, so they've been shorthanded lately. Vasilije Micic and Seth Curry have been asked to take on bigger roles over the last few games. Curry has scored double digits in each of his last two games, but he doesn't offer much fantasy value outside of the scoring. That being said, Curry is a low-end streaming option if Miller is forced to miss Friday's game.
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Jalen Johnson Questionable Friday Against The Lakers
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (shoulder) is questionable for Friday's road game against the Lakers, according to Kevin Chouinard of Hawks.com. Johnson is having a breakthrough season and has been able to play in 31 of the team's 34 games. He was sidelined on Wednesday in Denver for the Hawks'19-point loss but will hope to return as the team's trip to the West continues. In his 11 December games, the former Duke Blue Devil averaged 19.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.9 steals in 36.5 minutes per game. Since the Lakers will be on the second night of a back-to-back, it could be a good chance for the Hawks to get a big win in Los Angeles, and Johnson will be a strong play if he's able to return. If not, Garrison Mathews could get another start with more time for Vit Krejci, De'Andre Hunter, and David Roddy as well.
20 hours ago
LaMelo Ball Tagged As Questionable For Friday
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle, wrist) is currently listed as questionable ahead of Friday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Ball has missed each of the last two games due to left ankle and right wrist injuries. It sounds like Ball has a decent chance of getting back on the court on Friday. Otherwise, his next chance to play would be Sunday versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. Vasilije Micic has been starting in his place, but he isn't offering great fantasy value. He finished with seven points and seven rebounds in 34 minutes of action during Monday's game. Micic could be a low-end streaming option if Ball is unable to go on Friday.
20 hours ago
Draymond Green Will Be Available Thursday Against Philadelphia
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (back) was probable with a lower back contusion, but coach Steve Kerr said that Green will be able to play, according to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area. Green has missed a pair of the last seven games, averaging just 5.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in his 27.8 minutes per game in the five games that he played. Jonathan Kuminga has been thriving coming off the bench, so even though Green will play he could be in a reduced role against the Sixers, although he'll likely be part of the team's defensive strategy against Joel Embiid in what should be an entertaining matchup to watch.
20 hours ago
Stephen Curry Probable Thursday Night
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (thumb) is probable for Thursday night's game against the 76ers, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Coach Steve Kerr said that Curry is dealing with a right thumb sprain but it's taped up and he was able to go through warmups. Curry had just 11 points in his last game which was Monday against the Cavs. He missed Wednesday's game with knee injury management, but this thumb injury is a new ailment for the 36-year-old veteran. Curry has averaged 22.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 4.2 three-pointers per game in his 26 games this season. He has led the Warriors to a 16-16 record which is good enough for the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference, but they'll look to move over .500 with a win against the Sixers, who are 13-18 but have won eight of their last 11.
20 hours ago
Zach Edey Questionable Friday Against The Kings
Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey has missed the last two games in the NBA concussion protocol, but he could return on Friday when Memphis is in Sacramento. Brandon Clarke (calf) also missed the last game and is questionable for Friday. If either one of Edey or Clarke returns, Edey will be in a great spot with a big workload available against the Kings. And if both are back, Edey will likely remain the stronger fantasy play. Edey started each of the last five games before getting injured and averaged 11.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 26.4 minutes per game. He had a massive 21-point, 16-rebound double-double against the Raptors during that stretch and will be in a good place to continue his strong rookie campaign if he's cleared to return on Friday. If he's out, Edey's next chance to return will be Saturday in Golden State.
21 hours ago
Gabe Vincent Ruled Out Thursday Night
Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent (oblique) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Trail Blazers, according to CBSLA's Mark Medina. Vincent has averaged 18.5 minutes per game in his 31 games for the Lakers this season, producing 4.3 points, 0.9 assists, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.8 steals per contest. Vincent's absence will open up more playing time and usage off the bench for Dalton Knecht and the recently acquired Shake Milton. Milton had six points and two rebounds in 10 minutes in his Lakers' debut on Tuesday.
21 hours ago
Cameron Johnson
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Nets
