NBA News
Noah Clowney Upgraded To Available On Saturday
Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (hip) has been upgraded to available for Saturday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Clowney missed one game after taking a hard fall earlier in the week but will be able to gut it out on Saturday. The 20-year-old should be expected to make the start tonight as he has in five of his last six games. In that span he's averaged 12.0 PPG and 4.2 RPG. He should make an intriguing fantasy option on Saturday, especially if Brooklyn uses him to attack from deep as he's shooting 44.7% from three in his last six games.
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Joel Embiid Active For Saturday Night Matchup Against Nets
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (foot, face) is officially active and in the starting lineup for the Sixers' matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. Embiid has been able to play in four of Philly's last five games, averaging 31 PPG and 9.3 RPG. These averages are what fantasy managers are more accustomed to from the 30-year-old who's been dealing with injuries for much of the past calendar year. Embiid should be considered a must start in all fantasy formats, especially against a weak Brooklyn Nets team.
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Brandon Miller Questionable Heading Into Sunday Against Cavaliers
Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Miller has missed six of Charlotte's last seven games dealing with a left ankle sprain. The 22-year-old has been a solid option in Charlotte's offense when healthy, averaging 21.4 PPG this season. If active, fantasy managers can expect him to take quite a few shots from deep as Cleveland's defense is prone to three-point shooters. If not, expect LaMelo Ball (if active) to be the best fantasy option for the Hornets. If neither can go, expect Miles Bridges to become the main focal point of Charlotte's offense.
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LaMelo Ball Questionable For Sunday's Game Against Cleveland
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle, wrist) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Ball has missed each of Charlotte's last three games. He's been a very solid fantasy option when healthy, averaging 30.1 PPG as one of Charlotte's only dynamic options outside of Brandon Miller. If active he will be a top fantasy option against a Cleveland team that is prone to receiving damage from three-point shooters. If Ball is unable to go, expect Brandon Miller to get the lion's share of usage in Charlotte's offense. However, Miller is also questionable and if he can't go then the next best option would be Miles Bridges.
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Trendon Watford Resumes On Court Workouts, Will Be Re-Evaluated In One Week
Brooklyn Nets forward Trendon Watford (hamstring) has resumed individual on court exercises and will be re-evaluated for his hamstring strain in one week. Watford has missed each of Brooklyn's last eight games. When healthy he has averaged 8.3 PPG and 2.8 RPG. With such limited run when active, his fantasy impact has been minimal when healthy and barely noticeable when out. That may change when he's active again given Brooklyn's willingness to trade most of its current roster during its rebuild, but there will still need to be some caution taken given his injury-riddled season. Until Watford returns, expect Ziaire Williams and Day'Ron Sharpe to get more time at forward for the Nets.
1 hour ago
Kelly Oubre Jr. Officially Ruled Out For Saturday's Game Against Nets
Philadelphia 76ers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (hand) has officially been ruled out of Saturday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Oubre is dealing with a left hand sprain that's caused him to miss each of Philadelphia's last two games. The 29-year-old has been a decent fantasy option this year, posting up 12.8 PPG and 5.7 RPG. In his absence, expect Caleb Martin and Guerschon Yabusele to get extended run in Philly's lineup.
1 hour ago
Paolo Banchero Still Ruled Out For Sunday's Game
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (conditioning) has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Utah Jazz. The ruling should come as no surprise as Banchero has missed the team's last 31 games, but the 22-year-old has been making progress from his oblique injury and has been ramping up activities as of late, even being able to participate in the team's pregame shootaround in Toronto. Banchero could be returning to the lineup in the next few games. Orlando desperately is awaiting his return as their roster has been decimated by injuries this season, yet they still hold the four seed in the East. With the 22-year-old out, expect Tristan Da Silva and Cole Anthony to drive Orlando's offense until his return with Jalen Suggs dealing with a back sprain.
1 hour ago
Gary Harris Ruled Out For Sunday's Game Against Utah
Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Utah Jazz. Harris is dealing with a left hamstring strain that's caused him to miss a significant amount of time this season. The 30-year-old was able to suit up for three games for the Magic before missing Friday's game in Toronto. Given this is the same hamstring that's already been causing him issues fantasy managers should proceed with caution if he's on their roster. In his absence, expect Jonathan Isaac to receive more minutes off the bench.
1 hour ago
Jalen Suggs Ruled Out For Sunday's Game Against Utah
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Utah Jazz. Suggs exited Friday's game against the Toronto Raptors early when he sustained his back injury. The 23-year-old has only missed three games this season. Given Orlando's lengthy injury report, Magic fans and fantasy managers can only hope that the strain won't keep him out of the lineup for long. In his absence, expect Tristan Da Silva to get more usage in the starting lineup. Cole Anthony should be expected to get more volume at point guard as well. Both should make solid fantasy options against a soft Jazz defense.
1 hour ago
Tyus Jones Downgraded To Questionable For Saturday Matchup Against Pacers
Phoenix Suns guard Tyus Jones (illness) has been downgraded to questionable for Saturday night's game against the Indiana Pacers. Jones is dealing with an illness. He hasn't missed any games this season so there's hope he will be able to fight through this illness and play on Saturday. Jones has been solid for Phoenix in December, averaging 14.2 PPG and 4.9 APG during the month and helping keep Phoenix running while their starting lineup dealt with a litany of injuries. If he's unable to suit up, expect Monte Morris to get extended minutes either off the bench or by being inserted into the starting lineup.
1 hour ago
Cam Thomas Sustains New Hamstring Strain, Will Be Out At Least Two Weeks
Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (hamstring) sustained a new hamstring strain against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday and will be re-evaluated after the team's upcoming west coast road trip, according to the team. The Nets' final game of that road trip is January 19th in Oklahoma City, sidelining Thomas for at least two weeks before being re-evaluated. Thomas strained his left hamstring, which is the same hamstring that caused him to miss all but one game in December. The 23-year-old has been a dynamic offensive scorer when healthy but has only been able to play in 19 of Brooklyn's 34 games this season. In his absence, expect newly acquired D'Angelo Russell to get extended run at point guard.
1 hour ago
Cameron Johnson Ruled Out On Saturday, Will Miss Next Three Games
Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers and will miss the next three games according to the team. Johnson sustained a right ankle sprain against Milwaukee in their last game. The 28-year-old has been solid for Brooklyn when healthy, averaging 19.5 PPG this season. The timing of the injury may stall some potential trade talks as Johnson's name has been rumored to be one of the next that Brooklyn might ship out during their fire sale. In Johnson's absence, expect Ziaire Williams to get more run with the team. Williams was just able to return from a 12-game absence after dealing with a knee sprain and has only averaged 8.6 PPG this season. He will be an intriguing fantasy option going forward but will carry a bit of volatility with him. Fantasy managers need to take caution before inserting Williams into their lineups.
1 hour ago
Andrew Wiggins Probable For Saturday Night Matchup Against Grizzlies
Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (hamstring) is listed as probable for Saturday night's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. Wiggins is dealing with right hamstring tightness that landed him on the injury report Thursday, though he was able to play through it and scored 15 points against Philadelphia. With Curry already ruled out, Wiggins becomes an intriguing fantasy option. In his last game against Memphis the 29-year-old was able to score 19 points and went four-for-five from three, though the Warriors got blown out by 51 that game. That stat line was put up in just 20 minutes of play. If Golden State is able to keep it close then Wiggins will be a fantastic fantasy option in all formats.
1 hour ago
Miles McBride Questionable Again On Saturday Night
New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Saturday night's game against the Chicago Bulls. McBride is dealing with a left hamstring issue that's caused him to miss each of the Knicks' last two games. The 24-year-old dealt with left knee issues earlier this season, causing some cause for concern for fantasy managers given this is the same leg. McBride has averaged 9.8 PPG on the season. His absence likely won't impact many fantasy managers given the Knicks' propensity to run their starters for quite some time in a lineup. If McBride can't suit up, expect Jalen Brunson to be the top fantasy option for the Knicks against the Chicago Bulls. Landry Shamet and Cameron Payne should receive increased bench minutes as well when given the opportunity.
2 hours ago
Simone Fontecchio Questionable Headed Into Saturday Night
Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (personal) is listed as questionable for Saturday night's matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves for personal reasons. Fontecchio has missed Detroit's last two games, putting him in danger of missing a third straight. The 29-year-old has produced modestly off Detroit's bench this season, averaging 6.4 PPG in 30 games. If he's to miss Saturday night's game, expect Ausar Thompson to get more minutes off Detroit's bench.
2 hours ago
Stephen Curry Sidelined Versus Memphis
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (knee) won't play on Saturday versus Memphis. The multi-time NBA champion will take the night off because of injury management purposes related to his knees. However, he'll likely be back on Sunday versus the Sacramento Kings. Without Curry on the floor, Dennis Schroder should handle the ball more than usual, with Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield potentially in line for increased production. That will also apply to Andrew Wiggins (hamstring), assuming he's cleared to play.
3 hours ago
Jalen Brunson Probable For Saturday Evening
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (calf) is probable for Saturday's game in Chicago. The 28-year-old has been plagued by calf tightness of late. He's mostly played through it, although he missed Wednesday's game against the Utah Jazz before returning for Friday's loss to the Thunder. However, he struggled, shooting 9-for-23 from the field. With that said, Brunson should have an easier time getting the ball in the basket on Saturday night, with the Bulls allowing 121.1 points per game this season, the second-worst average in the National Basketball Association.
3 hours ago
Cade Cunningham Expected To Suit Up Versus Minnesota
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (knee) is expected to play on Saturday versus Minnesota. The 2021 No. 1 overall pick has had the best year of his career, averaging 23.6 points, 9.5 assists, and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 37.1% from behind the arc. He's also missed only four games after logging 62 games or less in each of his first three seasons in the National Basketball Association. Without question, Cunningham is a must-start in all redraft formats, even more so with Jaden Ivey (leg) sidelined. However, his DFS potential is limited, considering the Timberwolves have allowed 107.7 points per game this season, the fourth-best mark in the league.
3 hours ago
Noah Clowney Questionable For Saturday Night
Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (hip) is questionable for Saturday's meeting with the 76ers. The 20-year-old took a spill in Wednesday's matchup with the Toronto Raptors, resulting in a hip contusion, and he wasn't available for Thursday's narrow win over the Milwaukee Bucks. With Cameron Johnson (ankle) doubtful and Cam Thomas (hamstring) questionable, Clowney could see more scoring chances if he's available to suit up. However, if none of those guys are on the floor versus Philly, Jalen Wilson, averaging 11.0 points in eight starts this season, is worth streaming. Wilson would also draw value interest from DFS managers.
3 hours ago
Kawhi Leonard Expected To Play On Saturday
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) is anticipated to make his 2024-25 debut on Saturday versus the Hawks. The veteran hasn't played yet this season after battling another knee issue. However, it's a positive update, although he'll presumably be limited for more than a few games. He'll also likely miss either game of back-to-back outings for the remainder of the year. Without question, Leonard is a fantastic player, posting career averages of 20.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.7 steals. For now, he's still officially listed as questionable. But assuming Leonard officially gets the green light, fantasy managers must get him into the starting lineup, with his anticipated presence likely resulting in fewer minutes for Amir Coffey. It's also logical to assume that Norman Powell, who is second on the team in scoring, will eventually see a dip in production if Leonard remains healthy moving ahead.
4 hours ago
Noah Clowney
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Nets
