NBA News

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (ankle) won't play on Saturday against the Bulls. He hasn't played since January. However, the 21-year-old was listed as doubtful heading into this one, so there's a good chance he'll be back at some point in the next few games. Daniel Gafford (knee) also won't suit up, meaning Kai Jones (hip), averaging 10.8 points and 8.0 boards in five starts this season, should handle most of the work at the five.

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (knee) won't play on Saturday against the Bulls. He was listed as doubtful heading into this one. Fortunately, there's a good chance fantasy managers will see him back on the floor at some point in the next few games. With Dereck Lively II (ankle) also ruled out, Kai Jones (hip), averaging 10.8 points and 8.0 rebounds in five starts this season, will continue to handle most of the work underneath the basket.

Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (ankle) is available for Saturday's game against Chicago after missing the last two games. Dallas is fighting to at least make the Play-In, so having Washington back in the lineup is excellent news. Anthony Davis (adductor) is also good to go. But with Daniel Gafford (knee), Kyrie Irving (knee), and Dereck Lively II (ankle) ruled out, the former Hornet should continue to get all the minutes he can handle while seeing a few extra looks at the basket.

Dallas Mavericks forward/center Anthony Davis (adductor) will play on Saturday against the Bulls. Fantasy managers will likely see him on the injury report for the remainder of the regular season and into the playoffs/Play-In, assuming Dallas makes it that far. But at least fantasy managers will know they'll have him in the lineup on Saturday night. Davis struggled in Thursday's win over the Orlando Magic, amassing 15 points while shooting a rough 5-for-19 from the field. Fortunately, there's a good chance AD will turn it around versus the Bulls, a team that has allowed 119.7 points per contest this season, the third-worst average in the National Basketball Association.

Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter (shoulder) won't return to Saturday's meeting with the Magic after logging only one minute. The rookie missed a few months because of a left shoulder injury to begin his tenure in the National Basketball Association. While his most recent injury is to his right shoulder, it's still not an ideal situation. Carter has averaged only 4.0 points and 2.2 rebounds this season, although he was starting to get more involved of late. But if he misses time moving ahead, Keon Ellis should see some more work.

Washington Wizards guard Marcus Smart (illness) will suit up on Saturday versus the Wizards after missing the last two games. The 31-year-old has averaged only 10.1 points in 12 games since arriving in Washington ahead of the trade deadline. However, with Malcolm Brogdon (ankle), Bilal Coulibaly (hamstring), Kyshawn George (ankle), and Khris Middleton (knee) ruled out, Smart has a better chance of doing something meaningful for fantasy managers.

Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (illness) is available for Saturday's game against the Wizards. He had five points and shot a rough 1-for-9 from the field in the loss to the Raptors on Wednesday. However, the 20-year-old didn't suit up for Friday's matchup with the Clippers because of an illness. Clowney has averaged 9.0 points and 3.9 rebounds in his second year in the National Basketball Association. Yet, with D'Angelo Russell (ankle) and Nicolas Claxton (rest) ruled out, Clowney could be more productive.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren (hip) won't play on Saturday against the Pacers. The 22-year-old missed a few months earlier in the season because of a hip injury, so the team has given him time off sporadically since he returned to the lineup in February. With OKC having already locked up the top spot in the Western Conference, Holmgren may get even more time off moving ahead in preparation for a deep postseason run. Isaiah Hartenstein will likely slide into the starting lineup, with the former Knick averaging 11.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 48 starts this season. Kenrich Williams and Jaylin Williams may also see more action from off the bench.

Brooklyn Nets guard D'Angelo Russell (ankle) won't play on Saturday against Washington. The veteran had only five points in 18 minutes in Friday's loss to the Clippers. With that in mind, the Nets can't earn a Play-In berth, so Russell along with Nicolas Claxton (rest), who also suit up, and Cameron Johnson could see less work for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign. As a result, Keon Johnson should handle things at the one, with Reece Beekman also in line for more work.

Brooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton (rest) won't play in Saturday's game against Washington. He logged only 19 minutes in Friday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, finishing with six points, five rebounds, and two blocks. But with the Nets unable to earn a Play-In berth, Claxton could see less work for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign. Day'Ron Sharpe (knee) is also out, meaning Trendon Watford could find himself in the middle on Saturday night. Drew Timme, who had a double-double in the first appearance of his career on Friday night, should also see some action.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (hamstring) remains questionable heading into Saturday's matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers after missing the last six games because of a hamstring strain. However, on a wider scale, with the team relieving Taylor Jenkins of his head coaching duties, there are now questions about Morant's future with the organization, specifically, whether he wants to remain in Memphis. The front office has made it known in the past that the multi-time All-Star isn't on the block. But even if Morant wanted to be moved this offseason, "at least two league executives" have questioned his value from rival clubs around the National Basketball Association. Without question, the 25-year-old has MVP potential. Unfortunately, he's had trouble staying on the floor throughout his career due to injuries and off-the-court incidents. His production has also dipped this season, averaging 22.3 points, his lowest since the 2020-21 campaign. While the new offense that was installed is a big reason why Morant has suffered on the scoring end, his inability to stay healthy has also severely compromised his worth for fantasy managers.

Miami Heat guard/forward Duncan Robinson (back) will miss a third consecutive game on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers. The veteran sharpshooter has been dealing with a back issue recently and has not joined the team for the first stop on a three-game road trip. With Andrew Wiggins (hamstring) also not playing on Saturday, Miami will hope to receive more production from the likes of Kyle Anderson, Haywood Highsmith, and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (hamstring) has been ruled out for Saturday's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. Wiggins has struggled in recent games and is now sidelined due to a right hamstring injury. Jaime Jaquez Jr. may re-enter the rotation due to Wiggins' absence, although Kyle Anderson and Pelle Larsson are also candidates for increased playing time, especially with Duncan Robinson (back) remaining unavailable. The team might also be without Alec Burks (back), who is considered questionable for the game.

Orlando Magic point guard Cole Anthony (toe) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game against the Sacramento Kings. It looks like he will be out for a sixth consecutive game due to a left big toe sprain. Cory Joseph will likely continue to start in his place, although Anthony Black has offered more production from a fantasy perspective. Over the last five games, Black has posted 14.2 points per game with 4.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (illness) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Denver Nuggets. The team has downgraded his status from questionable to out. This is another boost for Kyle Filipowski, who has already had a larger role in the rotation due to the absences of John Collins (ankle) and Lauri Markkanen (conditioning). Filipowski put together a full line in Thursday's defeat to the Houston Rockets, finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals. With Kessler out, we may also see more of Brice Sensabaugh and Kenyon Martin Jr. in Friday's game.

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (hip) has been listed as questionable for Saturday's matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. A hip problem may keep Pritchard sidelined for only the second time this season. The 27-year-old has been among the league's top bench performers, averaging 14.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. If Pritchard is out on Saturday, Sam Hauser may have a more active role in the second unit against the Spurs, alongside Al Horford, who is set to land back on the bench with Jayson Tatum's (ankle) return.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (ankle) appears ready to return to action on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs, as the team has not listed him on the injury report. Tatum missed Wednesday's meeting with the Phoenix Suns due to an ankle injury. However, he is expected to be back on the floor against San Antonio. Al Horford, who bagged a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double on Wednesday, will return to the bench with Tatum back. Tatum went off for 34 points in this season's first clash against the Spurs, adding 14 rebounds and seven assists to his tally.

Philadelphia 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey (finger) is set to miss at least two more games. On Friday, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse stated that Maxey would not be available this weekend against the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors. However, Maxey was a partial participant in Friday's practice, which suggests that he could be ready to rejoin the action soon. Due to a finger sprain, Maxey has been unavailable for 13 games. Jared Butler and Jeff Dowtin Jr. have shared point guard duties during Maxey's absence.

Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (foot) will suit up for Friday's contest against the New York Knicks. The former MVP has battled a foot sprain lately and missed Wednesday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets. He was also at risk of missing Friday's game, but the team has upgraded Antetokounmpo's status from questionable to available. With Damian Lillard (calf) unavailable, the Bucks are heavily relying on Antetokounmpo, whose numbers have dropped this month. He has averaged 27.9 points and 11.5 rebounds in March.

According to Danny Emerman of The San Jose Mercury News, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said that guard Stephen Curry (pelvis) is expected to play against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. The veteran has missed the last two games after suffering a pelvic contusion in a recent win over the Toronto Raptors. Curry has appeared in 10 games during March while posting averages of 25.0 points, 6.1 assists, 4.1 three-pointers, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals across 32.8 minutes per game. For fantasy managers, the superstar guard is a must-start anytime he is available to suit up.