NBA News
Joel Embiid Won't Play Monday Against Suns
Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports that Philadelphia 76ers center, Joel Embiid (foot and face), won't play against the Suns on Monday due to dealing with a sprained left foot and a sinus fracture. While the 30-year-old is missing in action, fantasy managers could move toward Andre Drummond, as he is averaging 8.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 14 starts during the 2024-25 season. Guerschon Yabusele will also likely to see an uptick in minutes on Monday with the big man out.
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Ausar Thompson Out Monday
Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (illness) won't be playing against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night due to an illness. The 21-year-old was added to the starting five in their last game after Jaden Ivey's (leg) leg injury. He put up an impressive performance during the contest with 10 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and six steals in 26 minutes in a 119-105 win over Minnesota. With Thompson out, the spotlight is on Malik Beasley to step up as the best fantasy streaming option after his strong performance on Saturday, scoring 23 points, two rebounds, one assist, and three steals across 33 minutes.
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De'Aaron Fox Unavailable On Monday
Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (hip) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's game against the Miami Heat. Fox also sat out on Sunday versus the Warriors due to a right glute contusion. His next chance to suit up comes on January 10th. While Fox is out, Malik Monk will see an uptick in minutes on the floor. Keon Ellis will likely take on some extra playing time as well.
1 hour ago
Kyrie Irving Expected To Miss At Least One To Two Weeks
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (back) is expected to miss at least one to two weeks due to a bulging disk in his back. Irving was already unavailable on Monday against Memphis because of an illness. His extended absence is a significant loss for the Mavs who already have Luka Doncic (calf), missing in action. While the 32-year-old is sidelined, Spencer Dinwiddie, Quentin Grimes, and Jaden Hardy will take on most of the backcourt minutes that will be available.
1 hour ago
Miles McBride Draws Another Questionable Status On Monday
New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (hamstring) has been tagged as questionable again on Monday and could miss a fourth consecutive game against the Orlando Magic. McBride has been an important bench piece so far this season and has scored in the double digits 14 times while registering at least one steal in 15 of his 28 games. If he's forced to miss another game, Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet will likely see some added playing time again off of the bench. Both of them aren't recommended as streaming options though since the starters will likely run heavy minutes.
3 hours ago
Jalen Brunson Considered Probable Against Magic
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (calf) appeared on the injury report with calf tightness but is considered probable to play against the Orlando Magic on Monday. The star point guard has only missed one game this season despite playing heavy minutes most of the time. He's averaging 25.4 points, 7.7 assists (career high), 2.9 rebounds, 2.4 threes, and 2.4 turnovers across 35.0 minutes per game. With Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) listed as questionable, Brunson may even be tasked with a bigger scoring load in this game. Fantasy managers already know he's a must-start in all formats as long as he's healthy.
3 hours ago
Gary Harris Remains Sidelined On Monday
Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris (hamstring) will miss a third consecutive game on Monday after being ruled out for the contest against the New York Knicks. He's still suffering from a strained hamstring and there hasn't been a firm timetable for his return just yet. Since Jalen Suggs (back) will also be sidelined, Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have made up the starting backcourt while Tristan Da Silva and Caleb Houstan are on the wings. Anthony has been the safest bet as a streaming option with Jett Howard as an intriguing option in deeper leagues after putting up 21 points, four assists, and two rebounds in their last game.
4 hours ago
Jalen Suggs Ruled Out Monday Against Knicks
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (back) has been ruled out for a second consecutive game as he tends to his lower back strain that he suffered on Friday against the Raptors. Suggs had to leave the game in a wheelchair, so he was bound to miss a little bit of time. Since he'll be on the sidelines on Monday against the New York Knicks, Cole Anthony should continue to play in the starting five while Jett Howard and Trevelin Queen get some opportunities off of the bench. Anthony would be the best bet for a streaming option after posting 12 points, four rebounds, and three blocks in their previous game.
4 hours ago
RJ Barrett Tagged As Questionable On Monday
Toronto Raptors guard/forward RJ Barrett (illness) has picked up a questionable tag for their game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. He's dealing with an illness that has caused him to miss the last three consecutive games. Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick will remain in the starting five if Barrett can't suit up in this contest. In their last game on Friday, Agbaji registered 15 points, three rebounds, and one assist while Dick posted eight points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Both are solid streaming options, especially in deeper fantasy leagues.
6 hours ago
Khris Middleton Listed As Probable Monday
Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Khris Middleton (ankle) is expected to remain in the lineup for Monday's game against the Toronto Raptors after being listed as probable. Middleton's ankle surgery from the off-season still requires some management throughout this season, but he's played in the last 12 consecutive games. So far, he averages 12.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 threes, and 2.3 turnovers per game with shooting splits of .447/.404/.852. If he can continue to increase his minutes, he should be solid contributor in all fantasy formats.
6 hours ago
Giannis Antetokounmpo Considered Probable Against Raptors
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) remains on the injury report but is considered probable for Monday's game against the Toronto Raptors. He continues to deal with patella tendinopathy which is why he's a mainstay on the injury report. The two-time MVP currently leads the league in scoring at 32.3 points per game and has contributed 11.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 blocks per contest to go along with it. He should remain a must-start in all fantasy formats whenever he's ready to rock.
6 hours ago
Ausar Thompson Questionable Monday Due To Illness
Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (illness) has been listed as questionable for the Monday night contest against the Portland Trail Blazers. The 21-year-old slotted into the starting five in their last game after Jaden Ivey (leg) went down with a gruesome leg injury. Now, he may have to miss his first game in a month if this illness prevents him from participating in shootaround and warm-ups before the game. If he's unable to suit up, Malik Beasley will likely be the best streaming option after dropping 23 points, two rebounds, one assist, and three steals across 33 minutes on Saturday.
6 hours ago
Jerami Grant Won't Suit Up Monday Against Pistons
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (face) will miss his fourth game due to a face contusion on Monday. He was ruled out against the Detroit Pistons quite early, so it's unclear how much more time he'll have to miss. His next chance to play will be Wednesday against the Pelicans. In the meantime, Toumani Camara and Shaedon Sharpe will continue to get some extra time in the starting five with Kris Murray seeing more opportunities off of the bench. Camara has been enjoying a solid three-game stretch with averages of 15.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.
6 hours ago
Kelly Oubre Jr. Questionable Monday Against Suns
Philadelphia 76ers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (hand) has been tagged as questionable for Monday's game against the Phoenix Suns. He's missed the last three contests with a sprained left hand after hitting his hottest stretch of the season. In the 16 games leading up to his injury, Oubre averaged 12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 50.0% from the floor. Caleb Martin has joined the starting five in his place with mixed results so far, but can serve as a streaming option in deeper leagues.
6 hours ago
Royce O'Neale Set To Miss Third Consecutive Game
Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The 31-year-old will miss his third consecutive game since spraining his ankle against the Golden State Warriors on December 28. Ryan Dunn and Josh Okogie have been seeing some extra playing time while O'Neale is sidelined, and Dunn has even moved into the starting lineup. Over the last six games, Dunn has started in four and averaged 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game.
6 hours ago
Suns Benching Jusuf Nurkic
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Phoenix Suns coach Mike Budenholzer decided that Jusuf Nurkic and Bradley Beal will be removed from the starting lineup, effective immediately. This measure is part of head coach Mike Budenholzer's attempt to get the team back on track. After starting the season with eight wins in their first nine games, the Suns now rank last in the Pacific Division with a 15-18 record. Veteran big man Mason Plumlee is set to replace Nurkic in the starting lineup. With Plumlee being in the starting lineup, the Suns hope to play better defensively, as they currently have the eighth-worst defensive efficiency in the NBA for the 2024/25 season.
7 hours ago
Bradley Beal Removed From Suns' Starting Lineup
After a four-game losing streak and reported tension in the locker room, the Phoenix Suns coach Mike Budenholzer decided to bench Bradley Beal. According to reporter Chris Haynes, Beal will start from the bench for Monday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers and rookie wing Ryan Dunn is set to start in place of Beal. Beal is averaging 17.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists this season. Phoenix Suns are currently in the 12th position in the Western Conference with a disappointing 15-18 record. Their last win came against the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day.
7 hours ago
Karl-Anthony Towns Questionable Versus Orlando
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) is questionable heading into Monday's matchup with the Orlando Magic. Fantasy managers had a feeling this was coming, although it was reported that his current ailment isn't anything serious. Of course, the Knicks will be cautious with Towns, especially since he's having a stellar 2024-25 campaign, averaging 25.3 points and a career-high 14.0 rebounds while shooting an impressive 44.0% from behind the arc. If he doesn't suit up against Orlando, Jalen Brunson (calf), who is probable, should see an uptick in scoring opportunities. Precious Achiuwa may also enter the starting lineup and would immediately warrant streaming consideration in all fantasy formats.
19 hours ago
Trey Murphy III Injured On Sunday Night
New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (ankle) exited Sunday's win over the Wizards. He did not return. The 24-year-old was having himself a game, accumulating 22 points, eight boards, two steals, and one block before his departure due to a left ankle sprain. The Pelicans are already without Brandon Ingram (ankle) and Zion Williamson (hamstring), so losing Murphy wouldn't be an ideal scenario, especially since he's easily having the best year of his career. But if he's not on the floor on Tuesday versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, Brandon Boston Jr. may enter the starting lineup, although it would likely be Herbert Jones, Dejounte Murray, and CJ McCollum who benefit the most.
19 hours ago
Ben Simmons Might Miss Monday's Game
Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (calf, back) is questionable for Monday's matchup against the Indiana Pacers. His presence on the injury report isn't anything new. However, the 28-year-old did miss the previous two contests. With D'Angelo Russell (shin) in danger of missing the game, Simmons could find himself back in the starting lineup at the one, which could potentially increase his scoring contributions. But if he's out as well, Keon Johnson and Reece Beekman could split time, with the former being a far more attractive fantasy option.
19 hours ago
Joel Embiid
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76ers
