NBA News
Anfernee Simons Could Be Absent Again Thursday
Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (forearm) is listed as questionable on the injury report ahead of Thursday's encounter with the Toronto Raptors. A contusion on his right forearm might sideline Simons for a second consecutive game. With Scoot Henderson (concussion) also on the shelf, Dalano Banton was promoted to the first unit Tuesday night against the Atlanta Hawks. He produced a solid line in the game with 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four blocks. It appears that Banton may have a large role to play again on Thursday against his hometown team.
3 hours ago
Scoot Henderson Misses Third Consecutive Game Thursday
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (concussion) will remain sidelined for Thursday's meeting with the Toronto Raptors. He is still in concussion protocol, sitting out a third consecutive game. With Henderson no longer in the lineup, Dalano Banton has taken on a larger role. He was busy at both ends in Tuesday's 127-113 win over the Atlanta Hawks, although a 4-for-15 effort from the field limited Banton's scoring output. He finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four blocks.
3 hours ago
Scottie Barnes Iffy For Thursday
Toronto Raptors guard/forward Scottie Barnes (finger) is considered questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. He has sustained a joint contusion on one of the fingers of his right hand. Toronto has begun to rest its big names regularly in recent weeks, but Barnes has made 10 consecutive appearances. Ochai Agbaji (rest), who is returning to the lineup on Thursday, will help fill the void left by Barnes if he can't play. Meanwhile, Ja'Kobe Walter, A.J. Lawson, and Jamison Battle will also have additional playing opportunities.
3 hours ago
Immanuel Quickley Takes Thursday Off
Toronto Raptors point guard Immanuel Quickley (rest) will not play on Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers. He will be taken out of the lineup for rest purposes. Jamal Shead is likely to come into the starting lineup to fill in for Quickley, who is expected to return to action on Friday against the Detroit Pistons. Shead has provided decent fantasy value as a starter, averaging 10.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.4 steals in the role. He may even be busier than usual on Thursday night, as Portland allows the 11th-most fantasy points in the league to opposing point guards.
3 hours ago
Jakob Poeltl Sits Out Thursday's Game
Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (rest) will exit the lineup on Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers. This is a scheduled rest day for Poeltl, who has sat out every other game over the last four weeks. Poeltl's absence elevates the fantasy value of Orlando Robinson and Jonathan Mogbo. In the most recent game Poeltl missed, both players had productive outings. In a 127-109 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, Robinson notched 13 points with four rebounds, four assists, one block, and one steal, while Mogbo finished with 13 points, five rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal.
4 hours ago
Damian Lillard May Return To Action Sooner Than Expected
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard (calf) may be back on the floor sooner than expected. "He's hopeful to get cleared in the next week or week and a half to go full-go and then resume basketball in games for the Bucks," ESPN's Shams Charania said on Wednesday during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. Lillard has been out of action since March 18 due to a blood-clotting issue related to his right calf. It looks like the Bucks could get him back into the lineup for the playoffs, which begin on April 19. Until then, Ryan Rollins will continue to roll as the starting point guard. He has recently started to feel more comfortable in the role, averaging 17.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists over the past three games.
4 hours ago
Giannis Antetokounmpo Likely To Suit Up Thursday
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (foot) is likely to play on Thursday against the Philadelphia 76ers, as the team lists him as probable on the injury report. Antetokounmpo missed a matchup against the Denver Nuggets last week, but this is his only absence since the All-Star break. The Bucks need wins on the board, and Antetokounmpo must play to get them, especially with Damian Lillard (calf) unavailable. Antetokounmpo has scored at least 30 points in each of his last five appearances, picking up three double-doubles during that stretch. Last time out against the Phoenix Suns, he reached a double-double with assists, finishing a 133-123 win with 37 points, five boards, 11 dimes, one block, and three steals.
4 hours ago
LeBron James Probable Thursday
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (groin) is considered probable for Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors. James is set for another head-to-head battle against Stephen Curry despite being on the injury report with a left groin strain, which sidelined the Lakers superstar for seven games last month. Since returning, James has struggled with his shooting, going 43.4 percent from the field to average 18.7 points per game. He will attempt to regain form against a team that has struggled to contain him this season. Over three meetings with the Warriors, James has posted 32.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 10.0 assists with 57.1 percent three-point shooting.
4 hours ago
Jrue Holiday Won't Play Against Miami
According to Zack Cox of the Boston Herald, Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (shoulder) won't play in Wednesday's meeting with the Miami Heat. He continues to have trouble with his right shoulder and could take the night off after playing in four consecutive contests. Holiday on the shelf will boost the fantasy stock of Payton Pritchard. Pritchard's production has risen to 16.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in games without Holiday this season, even as he has continued to come off the bench during these outings.
17 hours ago
Al Horford Sidelined Versus Heat
According to Zack Cox of the Boston Herald, Boston Celtics forward/center Al Horford (toe) won't play against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. He has been dealing with a left big toe sprain for a while and will need some time off to manage the lingering injury. Boston's frontcourt will also be without Kristaps Porzingis (illness), leaving Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta, and Xavier Tillman Sr. as the only options at center. Kornet has more fantasy appeal as he finished 15 points, 16 rebounds, and four assists in Saturday's victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
17 hours ago
Kristaps Porzingis Ruled Out On Wednesday
According to Zack Cox of the Boston Herald, Boston Celtics forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) has been ruled for Wednesday's game against the Miami Heat. A mysterious illness caused Porzingis to miss a couple of weeks at the beginning of last month, and he is still coping with its effects, which led him to miss another game Wednesday night. Al Horford (toe) is also out for the contest, so Luke Kornet will have a hectic night in the frontcourt. Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman Sr. will likely provide cover at center.
18 hours ago
Fred VanVleet Out Versus Utah
Kelly Iko of The Athletic reports that Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (ankle) won't play against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. VanVleet will be out of action due to lingering ankle soreness. The 31-year-old veteran is averaging 14.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game across 57 outings this season. Fantasy managers should expect guard Amen Thompson to soak up some extra minutes with VanVleet on the shelf for this evening's matchup.
18 hours ago
Dean Wade Sidelined On Wednesday
Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (illness) will be unavailable for Wednesday's matchup with the New York Knicks. Wade was ruled out late due to an illness that will keep him out of action for the first time since February 20. While the 28-year-old is out of the mix, Sam Merrill, Javonte Green and Isaac Okoro will likely be in line to receive extra minutes coming off the bench this evening.
18 hours ago
Trae Young Expected To Suit Up On Wednesday
Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports that Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young (Achilles) is probable for Wednesday's matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. A lingering Achilles issue won't likely keep Young from playing on Wednesday as he's been active in 10 consecutive contests. Young appeared to pick up an eye injury and was forced to leave Tuesday's game against Portland in the first quarter. He did, however, return to finish the game. Fantasy managers shouldn't be concerned since there isn't any mention of Young sustaining an eye injury on the team injury report.
18 hours ago
Joel Embiid Will Undergo Arthroscopic Surgery On His Left Knee
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee next week, a team official tells ESPN. Embiid's season was shut down in late February as he and the 76ers met with doctors to determine a treatment plan for his lingering knee issues. It was determined that surgery was the best option for the 31-year-old. According to Charania, it will be the second surgery on that left in the last 14 months. The big man played in just 19 games this season, posting averages of 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 0.9 blocks over 30.2 minutes per contest.
19 hours ago
Keaton Wallace Sidelined Again On Wednesday
According to Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast, Atlanta Hawks guard Keaton Wallace (shoulder) is unavailable for Wednesday's matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 26-year-old will miss his 11th consecutive contest due to a strained left shoulder. Wallace has averaged 5.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 16.2 minutes per contest in 28 games. A timetable hasn't been set for when we return to the floor. His next chance to play is Saturday versus the Knicks.
19 hours ago
Bennedict Mathurin Iffy For Wednesday
Indiana Pacers guard/forward Bennedict Mathurin (calf) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. He is dealing with soreness in his left calf and has missed two games already. During Mathurin's absence, Aaron Nesmith and Ben Sheppard hold additional fantasy value, with Nesmith being the better fantasy target. On Monday against the Sacramento Kings, Nesmith received a significant boost in playing time and rewarded head coach Rick Carlisle's trust with a team-high 24 points. He also made contributions on the defensive end, blocking two shots and snagging one steal.
Yesterday
Myles Turner May Miss Another Game Wednesday
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (illness) is questionable to play on Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets. The 29-year-old big man was a late scratch for Monday's action against the Sacramento Kings due to an illness and has not yet fully recovered. Thomas Bryant moved into the starting five on Monday but had a fairly quiet evening with seven points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes. Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker provided frontcourt backup off the bench, making many fantasy managers happy by combining for 34 points. If Turner remains out on Wednesday, it will once again take a collective effort to make up for his absence.
Yesterday
Al Horford Considered Doubtful Wednesday
Boston Celtics forward/center Al Horford (toe) has been labeled doubtful for Wednesday's matchup against the Miami Heat. He has been nursing a left big toe sprain for a while and appears to need to take some time off to manage the injury. Boston's frontcourt may also be without Kristaps Porzingis (illness) on Monday, leaving Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta, and Xavier Tillman Sr. as the only options at center. Kornet is the most appealing from a fantasy perspective, and he was in fine form in his last outing, notching 15 points, 16 rebounds, and four assists in Saturday's win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Yesterday
Jrue Holiday Questionable For Wednesday's Game
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (shoulder) is considered questionable for Wednesday's meeting with the Miami Heat. He continues to have trouble with his right shoulder and could take the night off after featuring in each of the last four games. Holiday's absence would boost the fantasy stock of Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Baylor Scheierman. Pritchard's production has risen to 16.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in games without Holiday this season, even as he has continued to come off the bench during these instances.
Yesterday
Anfernee Simons
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Trail Blazers
