NBA News

Nique Clifford • SF • Kings

Nique Clifford is Downgraded to Out

Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Clifford was tagged as questionable coming into this game due to left hamstring soreness. It'll ultimately force him to miss his first game since October. Fantasy managers should view him as day-to-day ahead of Sunday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Malik Monk figures to move into the starting five and have an increased role. Killian Hayes and Daeqwon Plowden could also see more run, but Monk is the best fantasy option out of the three.

4 hours ago

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Clippers

Kawhi Leonard Ruled Out Against New Orleans

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (ankle) will sit out Thursday's game against the Pelicans on the second night of a back-to-back, though he is expected to return Saturday against Dallas. His absence should push Kris Dunn back into a larger role after he posted nine points, two three-pointers, and one steal in 23 minutes in a recent start. Miller could also see a few extra minutes after putting up 13 points and two steals last game, which puts him on the radar in deeper leagues. Derrick Jones Jr. and John Collins may also see slight bumps, while Leonard remains a must-start when active.

4 hours ago

Grayson Allen • SF • Suns

Grayson Allen to Miss Second Straight Game

Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. This marks the second game in a row that Allen will miss due to left knee soreness. Fantasy managers should consider him questionable ahead of Saturday's contest versus the Milwaukee Bucks. The absence of Allen should mean possibly larger roles for Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin, while Ryan Dunn should stay in the rotation. Gillespie is the best fantasy option out of the bunch, with Goodwin and Dunn offering deep league value.

4 hours ago

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

Luka Doncic Good to Go Against Miami

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (hip) will play Thursday against the Heat despite dealing with minor soreness, keeping the superstar active during a critical stretch of the fantasy playoffs. Doncic is coming off a dominant 40-point performance with nine rebounds and 10 assists in 38 minutes against Houston, reinforcing his elite first-round fantasy value. Managers should continue to treat him as a locked-in lineup cornerstone. LeBron James should continue sharing high usage, while Austin Reaves (forearm) could see fewer playmaking chances if his injury allows him to suit up.

4 hours ago

Daniss Jenkins • PG • Pistons

Daniss Jenkins Moves into Starting Five

Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins will move into the starting five ahead of Thursday's game against the Washington Wizards. Jenkins should get a heavier look down the stretch of the season with Cade Cunningham (lung) set to miss an extended period of time. The second-year guard finished with 15 points and seven assists across 21 minutes of action during Tuesday's game. As a starter, Jenkins is averaging 14.8 points, 7.0 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 31.4 minutes per game across eight starts. The 24-year-old should be a popular pickup with Cunningham unlikely to play again this season. Jenkins has enough upside to warrant snagging off the waivers for fantasy managers in the middle of the playoffs.

4 hours ago

LeBron James • SF • Lakers

LeBron James Available Thursday Against Heat

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) is available for Thursday's game against the Heat after being listed as questionable on the second night of a back-to-back. The 41-year-old continues to produce at an elite level, finishing with 30 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in 34 minutes in Wednesday's win over Houston. He remains a must-start fantasy anchor during the playoffs given his workload and all-around production. Luka Doncic should continue sharing primary usage, while Austin Reaves (forearm) could see slightly fewer on-ball reps with James active.

4 hours ago

Isaiah Collier • PG • Jazz

Isaiah Collier is Sitting Out on Thursday

Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He'll sit out the second leg of this back-to-back set due to left hamstring soreness. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day ahead of Saturday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Without Collier available, Bez Mbeng and Elijah Harkless should split up the starting point guard role. Between the two, Harkless is the better streaming option, but remains a deep league choice.

5 hours ago

Jalen Smith • PF • Bulls

Jalen Smith to Miss Second Leg of Back-To-Back

Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (calf) is out for Thursday's game against the Cavaliers on the second night of a back-to-back, though he is expected to return Monday against Houston. His absence should mean more run for Nick Richards, who finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in 30 minutes in a recent start, putting him on the radar as a deep-league streamer for boards and defensive stats during the fantasy playoffs. Guerschon Yabusele could also see a larger role after producing five rebounds and two steals in a prior start. Matas Buzelis may also absorb extra frontcourt usage.

5 hours ago

Collin Sexton • PG • Bulls

Collin Sexton is Available for Thursday's Game

Chicago Bulls guard Collin Sexton (leg) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sexton made his return after a four-game absence on Wednesday. He finished with 14 points, five assists, and one steal across 18 minutes of action. There was some speculation that Sexton would sit out the second leg of the back-to-back set. That won't be the case as Sexton is available and should see a slightly heavier workload. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can go ahead and get Sexton active in their lineups ahead of tip-off.

5 hours ago

Royce O'Neale • PF • Suns

Royce O'Neale to Miss First Game of Season

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale (knee) is out for Thursday's game against the Spurs, marking his first absence of the season and an unfortunate development during fantasy playoff week with Phoenix scheduled for five games. Rookie forward Rasheer Fleming could draw a spot start after posting nine points with two three-pointers in 15 minutes last game, while Ryan Dunn added seven points, four rebounds, and one block in 17 minutes. Both are only on the radar in deeper leagues for managers needing short-term help.

5 hours ago

Darius Garland • PG • Clippers

Darius Garland Won't Play on Thursday

Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Unsurprisingly, the Clippers have decided to rest Garland in the second leg of this back-to-back set. He finished with 13 points with six assists across 29 minutes of action on Wednesday. He figures to be back in the mix for Saturday's game. The expectation is that Kobe Sanders will likely move into the starting five, while Kris Dunn sees an increased workload as well. Dunn is the more consistent fantasy option between the two, even with Sanders likely starting.

5 hours ago

Malik Monk • SG • Kings

Malik Monk Active Thursday

Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (ankle) is slated to suit up against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. He will return to action after missing four straight games due to a right ankle sprain. Monk is expected to be assigned a heavy workload in his return, with Nique Clifford (hamstring) sidelined. The 28-year-old is averaging 12.6 points, 2.7 assists and 2.0 three-pointers per contest across 53 outings this campaign.

5 hours ago

Joel Embiid • C • 76ers

Joel Embiid Downgraded to Unavailable on Thursday

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (oblique) has been downgraded to unavailable for Thursday's game against the Sacramento Kings. Embiid was previously listed as doubtful and will now miss his 11th consecutive contest due to a right oblique strain. His next opportunity to return will be Saturday against the Utah Jazz. Adem Bona and Andre Drummond should continue to see increased frontcourt minutes in his absence. Drummond has been the more reliable fantasy option of late, even in a reserve role.

5 hours ago

Terry Rozier • PG • Heat

Terry Rozier Expected to be Released in Near Future

Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports that Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier is expected to be released in the near future. Chiang adds that Rozier will not be part of the team's playoff roster, with a formal release anticipated in the coming weeks. The 32-year-old veteran has been away from the team since October following his arrest as part of a federal investigation tied to sports gambling.

5 hours ago

Nikola Jović • SF • Heat

Nikola Jovic Available Thursday

Miami Heat forward/center Nikola Jovic (back) is slated to suit up Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Jovic was available during Tuesday's matchup with Charlotte, but he didn't see any playing time. Jovic has been out of action for nearly a month due to a back issue. His minutes will likely be limited with Bam Adebayo (calf) back in action after a one-game absence due to right calf tightness.

6 hours ago

Jaime Jaquez Jr. • SF • Heat

Jaime Jaquez Jr. Out Versus Lakers

Miami Heat guard/forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (hip) is unavailable for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The 25-year-old will be held out of action during tonight's contest due to hip tightness. With Jaquez Jr. out, Simone Fontecchio and Keshad Johnson will likely be assigned expanded roles. Both turned in impressive outings off the bench in Tuesday's loss to the Hornets, combining for 25 points. Johnson also logged three steals and one blocked shot.

6 hours ago

Wendell Carter Jr. • C • Magic

Wendell Carter Jr. Will Not Play Thursday in Charlotte

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (rib) will not play on Thursday due to a rib contusion. Even though he wasn't on the team's initial injury report, they downgraded him straight to out on Thursday afternoon. Carter had been playing well with double-digit points in four straight and six of his last seven, and without him in the middle, the Magic could go with some smaller lineups with Paolo Banchero at center or give Moritz Wagner or Goga Bitadze a much bigger role against the Hornets. Carter's next chance to return will be Saturday against the Lakers.

6 hours ago

Jalen Smith • PF • Bulls

Jalen Smith Questionable for Thursday Against the Cavs

Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (calf) is listed as questionable for the team's home game on Thursday night against Cleveland. Since returning from a multi-game absence with a calf injury, Smith has started four of the last five games, sitting out the second night of a back-to-back. While he only played 17 minutes in the team's loss on Wednesday, the Bulls could still choose to be cautious with their best big man, who has stepped up since joining the starting lineup. If Smith is out, Nick Richards will likely move into the starting five as he did for the last game without Smith. Richards had 10 points and eight rebounds in 30 minutes in that game, while Guerschon Yabusele played 20 minutes off the bench. Both players would get an upgrade if Smith is out on Thursday, although the matchup is a tough one against Cleveland's Evan Mobley.

6 hours ago

Bam Adebayo • C • Heat

Bam Adebayo Set to Suit Up Thursday

Miami Heat forward/center Bam Adebayo (calf) is available for Thursday's matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. Adebayo was previously listed as probable after sitting out Tuesday's contest due to calf tightness. The 28-year-old big man has been dominant of late, averaging 34.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.6 three-pointers, 1.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks across 37.6 minutes per game over his last five outings. He should remain locked into fantasy lineups during the playoffs. Kel'el Ware is expected to see a reduced role with Adebayo back in action, while Tyler Herro and Norman Powell should continue to provide fantasy managers with consistent offensive production.

6 hours ago

Donovan Mitchell • SG • Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell Downgraded to Questionable

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (eye) was added to the team's injury report for Thursday against the Bulls as questionable due to a left eye contusion. Late additions to the injury report often lead to absences, and if Mitchell is unable to play this game in Chicago, it will be a great spot for Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis, and Max Strus next to James Harden. Evan Mobley could also get even more work in a great matchup, so check back on Spida's status to see if the rest of the Cavs get an upgrade from Mitchell missing.

6 hours ago

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