NBA News
RJ Barrett Listed As Questionable For Sunday
Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett (illness) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Barrett appears to be dealing with a minor illness, so the team is going to wait and see how he feels on Sunday before making a final decision. Barrett looked a bit sluggish on Friday when he finished with 17 points and five assists across 25 minutes of action. His absence would probably mean more playing time for Jamison Battle, A.J. Lawson, and Jamal Shead. Between the three, Lawson is the best streaming option, but Battle might offer some low-end value because he has been playing big minutes over the last two games.
8 hours ago
Immanuel Quickley Won't Play On Sunday
Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (rest) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Raptors aren't playing for anything at this point, so they aren't going to risk the health of their young guard. Quickley played on Friday and looked solid with 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists in 25 minutes of action. The expectation is that Quickley will be back in action for the second leg of the back-to-back set on Monday. The absence of Quickely should mean that Jamal Shead and A.J. Lawson see increased playing time. Between the two, Lawson has been the more reliable of the two in terms of streaming appeal.
8 hours ago
Jerami Grant Unlikely To Play On Sunday
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (knee) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's game against the Toronto Raptors. It appears Grant is in line to miss his third game in a row due to right knee tendinitis. The Blazers aren't exactly playing for much right now, so it's not shocking to see them continue to rest Grant for younger players. Shaedon Sharpe has stepped up and been a solid contributor for the Blazers lately. Sharpe figures to continue playing a larger role until Grant is able to get back on the court.
8 hours ago
Marcus Smart Downgraded To Out
Washington Wizards guard Marcus Smart (illness) has been downgraded to out ahead of Sunday's game against the Denver Nuggets. Smart wasn't originally on the injury report, but it appears he came down with an illness ahead of tip-off. The Wizards will take the cautious approach and hold out Smart for at least one game. The absence of Smart should mean more playing time for AJ Johnson and Bub Carrington. Between the two, Carrington is the much better streaming choice. The 19-year-old has scored double digits in four of his last six games coming into Saturday's contest.
8 hours ago
Anfernee Simons Tagged As Questionable For Sunday
Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (hand) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Toronto Raptors. It appears Simons is dealing with a minor hand injury, but it hasn't kept him out of action. In fact, Simons hasn't missed a game since mid-January, so he has been relatively healthy this season. Simons struggled with six points and five assists across 31 minutes on Wednesday, so possibly his hand was bothering him. His absence would mean Scoot Henderson would do more of the ball handling and become a strong streaming option.
9 hours ago
Christian Braun Available On Saturday
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (foot) is available ahead of Saturday's game against the Washington Wizards. Braun is dealing with a minor foot issue, but it isn't a big enough issue to force him to the sideline. The 23-year-old finished with 22 points, five rebounds, and six assists across 34 minutes on action on Friday. He could take on a bigger role offensively with Aaron Gordon (calf, ankle) ruled out for this game. Regardless, fantasy managers who have Braun rostered can go ahead and get him active in their lineups on Saturday.
9 hours ago
Aaron Gordon Unavailable On Saturday
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (calf, ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Washington Wizards. Gordon will take a seat here after suiting up on Friday. It sounds like the Nuggets are going to play it safe here and rest Gordon in the second leg of the back-to-back set. Gordon has already missed five games this month, but is a fairly decent fantasy option when healthy. His absence means more playing time for Peyton Watson, Russell Westbrook, and Zeke Nnaji on Saturday. Between the three, Westbrook is the best streaming option ahead of Saturday's slate.
9 hours ago
Jamal Murray Will Play On Saturday Night
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (knee) is cleared to play on Saturday against Washington. He popped up on the injury report late in the day because of left knee inflammation. As such, most expected the veteran would sit this one out after going for 26 points in 39 minutes in Friday's win over the Los Angeles Lakers. With that said, Murray should remain in all redraft lineups. However, he's a risky DFS option, considering the Nuggets could build up a decisive lead over arguably the worst team in the NBA, meaning he may spend more time on the bench.
9 hours ago
Nikola Jokic Cleared To Suit Up Versus The Wizards
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (elbow) will play on Saturday versus the Wizards. He was back on the injury report because of his nagging elbow injury. However, it won't keep him off the floor against one of the worst teams in the NBA. The three-time MVP had 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals, and one block in Friday's narrow win over the Lakers. Of course, Jokic is a must-start in redraft formats. But if this one gets out of hand, Jokic could spend more time on the bench, meaning DFS managers are taking a small gamble by including him in their lineups.
9 hours ago
Josh Giddey Officially Out On Saturday Night
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (ankle) remains out on Saturday against the Rockets. He's expected to be back at some point during the Bulls' road trip. However, his return won't be on Saturday night. Fortunately, Coby White (toe) is good to go, so he'll pick up a large portion of the slack offensively, Tre Jones, coming off an 18-point, six-assist, six-rebound, three-steal effort, will remain in the starting lineup.
10 hours ago
Ja Morant Ruled Out On Saturday Night
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (shoulder) won't play on Saturday against Miami. He's listed on the injury report because of shoulder soreness. However, with the Heat struggling, it's an ideal time for Morant to get the night off, especially after going for 44 points in 35 minutes on Friday versus the Cavaliers. Without him, Luke Kennard and Scotty Pippen Jr. will likely handle things at the one, with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane in line for a bump in scoring opportunities.
10 hours ago
Damian Lillard Available Versus Indiana
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (groin) is available for Saturday's matchup versus Indiana. He's back on the injury report because of a groin injury. Yet, that's nothing new. He was also probable, so most fantasy managers expected to see him on the floor on Saturday evening. Unfortunately, Lillard has struggled offensively in three meetings with the Pacers this season, averaging only 16 points. Although the former Trail Blazer is still a must-start in all redraft formats, DFS participants may want to think twice, especially considering his rostering cost.
10 hours ago
Giannis Antetokounmpo Good To Go On Saturday
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is available for Saturday's Central Division showdown with the Indiana Pacers. He's back on the injury report because of his ailing calf. However, the 30-year-old hasn't missed a game in over a month, so that trend will continue on Saturday night. Damian Lillard (groin) is also good to go, which is excellent news for the team. Antetokounmpo has played well all year. Yet, he's played even better versus Indiana, averaging 28.7 points, 13.0 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.3 steals in three meetings with the Pacers during the 2024-25 campaign.
10 hours ago
Jamal Murray Added To Saturday's Injury Report
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (knee) is now questionable for Saturday's meeting with the Wizards. The veteran played 39 minutes in Friday's narrow win over the Los Angeles Lakers, amassing 26 points and shooting 5-for-9 from behind the three-point line. But because the Nuggets will play the Wizards, arguably the worst team in the National Basketball Association, it may be the perfect time to give the oft-injured Murray the night off. If that happens, Russell Westbrook, who had 17 points, seven assists, and six boards against his former team on Friday, will likely move into the starting lineup.
10 hours ago
Cole Anthony Back On The Injury Report
Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (toe) is questionable for Sunday's meeting with the Cavaliers. He's missed the last two games because of a sprained toe. As a result, Cory Joseph has filled in at the one spot, although he had just eight points in Friday's loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. If Anthony remains out, Joseph will likely stay with the first five. However, it will likely be Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner handling most of the work on the offensive end.
11 hours ago
Donovan Mitchell Questionable Against Orlando
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (groin) is questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Orlando Magic. The 28-year-old has missed the last two games because of groin soreness. Yet, the Cavaliers have been just fine without him, with the team winning the last 16 games. If Mitchell doesn't make it back on Sunday, Evan Mobley (foot), who is questionable, and Darius Garland, combining for 42 points in Friday's win over the Grizzlies, will likely remain the Cavs' top offensive producers. De'Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome should also be more involved on the scoring end from off the bench.
11 hours ago
Andre Drummond Out Against Dallas
Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (toe) remains out on Sunday versus Dallas. The veteran has battled the toe injury all season. But with the 76ers limping to the end of the 2024-25 campaign, fantasy managers may not see him on the floor much the rest of the way. However, with Adem Bona (ankle) also ruled out after amassing 16 points, nine boards, two steals, and a block on Friday against Indiana, Guerschon Yabusele will likely slide over to the five spot. The Sixers also signed Chuma Okeke to a 10-day contract on Saturday, so he will likely see some meaningful work versus a Mavericks team that is also decimated by various ailments.
11 hours ago
Ja Morant Questionable On Saturday Night
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (shoulder) is questionable for Saturday's matchup with the visiting Heat. He logged 35 minutes in Friday's 133-124 loss to the Cavs, exploding for 44 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. However, the Grizzlies need to keep Morant healthy for the postseason, meaning there's a good chance he'll sit out on Saturday. If that's the case, Luke Kennard and Scotty Pippen Jr. will likely handle things at the one, with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane in line to lead the team in scoring.
11 hours ago
P.J. Washington Returning On Sunday
Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (ankle) will play on Sunday versus Philadelphia. The Mavs have struggled keeping players on the floor this season. Fortunately, the team will get Washington back from a seven-game absence caused by a sprained right ankle. The 26-year-old is having one of the best seasons of his career, averaging 14.0 points, 1.2 steals, and a career-high 8.1 rebounds. Kyrie Irving (knee) is done for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign and Anthony Davis (adductor) remains out. As such, Washington has an excellent chance to lead the team in scoring on most nights for the foreseeable future. With his return, Kessler Edwards will presumably head back to the bench after averaging 8.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 44.8% shooting from deep in 15 starts this season.
12 hours ago
Dante Exum Diagnosed With A Fractured Left Hand
Dallas Mavericks guard Dante Exum (wrist) suffered a fractured left wrist during Friday's loss to the Houston Rockets. He will be sidelined for at least a month, with the team providing updates when available. The 29-year-old missed three months to begin the 2024-25 campaign because of a wrist injury before returning at the end of January. When healthy, Exum had played well, averaging a career-high 9.1 points and shooting 44.7% from behind the arc. With Kyrie Irving (knee) ruled out for the rest of the season, Spencer Dinwiddie, Brandon Williams, and Max Christie should split time in the backcourt. At any rate, there's a chance Exum, who will be a free agent this summer, may not be back on the floor for any team until next season, considering Dallas is barely holding on to the final Play-In spot.
14 hours ago