NBA News

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.

4 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.

4 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.

4 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.

4 hours ago

Bilal Coulibaly • SG • Wizards

Bilal Coulibaly Will Not Play on Thursday

Washington Wizards guard/forward Bilal Coulibaly (heel) will miss Thursday's rematch with the Pistons, which will be his second straight absence. With Trae Young (quad), Kyshawn George (elbow), and Coulibaly all sidelined, there should be plenty of work for rookies Tre Johnson and Will Riley, along with Bub Carrington and Jaden Hardy, who chipped in 16 points in 32 minutes on Tuesday in the team's first game against Detroit. Riley and Hardy are both strong enough plays to consider as DFS bargains or streaming options this Thursday against Detroit, which is also dealing with injury issues.

4 hours ago

Alexandre Sarr • PF • Wizards

Alexandre Sarr Will Play on Thursday Against Detroit

Washington Wizards center Alexandre Sarr (toe) was upgraded from questionable to available for his team's home game against Jalen Duren and the Pistons on Thursday night. Sarr has a very high ceiling when he's at full strength and is averaging 16.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 28 minutes per game on the season. He missed a month before returning last Sunday, but in his four games since then, he has played 23 minutes or less. He can still post excellent numbers in short bursts, but his workload for this game and for the rest of the season is very uncertain, with the Wizards well out of playoff contention.

4 hours ago

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Clippers

Kawhi Leonard May Not Play Thursday

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is on the team's injury report on Thursday, listed as questionable for the second game of the two-game, back-to-back set in New Orleans. Kawhi had 25 points in 29 minutes in the team's loss on Wednesday, but it isn't certain if he'll be able to play as the team looks to bounce back Thursday. With Darius Garland (toe) out for the second game of the set, Kris Dunn and Jordan Miller will already get more work in the backcourt, and if Kawhi is also out, the Clippers would likely rely more heavily on Derrick Jones Jr. and Kobe Sanders since Bennedict Mathurin (toe) has already been ruled out as well.

5 hours ago

Darius Garland • PG • Clippers

Darius Garland Ruled Out Thursday

Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland (toe) will not play on Thursday, as his team finishes a back-to-back set against the Pelicans in New Orleans. Garland played 29 minutes in the team's loss on Wednesday, but only had 13 points to go with six assists. While he is out for injury maintenance on Thursday, Kris Dunn and Jordan Miller will carry more work in the backcourt, while Kawhi Leonard (ankle) will be more the focal point of the offense if he's able to play through a questionable tag of his own. Garland's next chance to return will be Saturday in Dallas.

5 hours ago

Austin Reaves • SG • Lakers

Austin Reaves Uncertain for Thursday's Game Against the Heat

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (forearm) was listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup in Miami, joining LeBron James (foot) and Luka Doncic (hip), who also have questionable tags. If Reaves plays and either or both of the other two stars sit, he'll have a very high ceiling against the Heat, but there's also a chance that the Lakers sit all three stars. If Reaves doesn't play, Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura, and Luke Kennard could step in and pick up more work. Reaves has played big minutes lately, but he has been quiet offensively, while Luka and LeBron have carried most of the work.

5 hours ago

LeBron James • SF • Lakers

LeBron James Questionable for His Return to Miami

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) may not be taking his talents to South Beach after all--at least not for Thursday's game against the Heat. James was listed as questionable for the second game of the team's back-to-back, along with Luka Doncic (hip) and Austin Reaves (forearm). If any one or two of the three play, they'll have a large workload, and if all three sit, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, and Luke Kennard could step in and pick up more work. For LeBron specifically, Rui Hachimura and Jake LaRavia would likely step up at forward, making them good plays against the up-tempo Heat on Thursday if James gets the night off.

5 hours ago

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

Luka Doncic Listed as Questionable for Thursday

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (hip) was listed as questionable for the second game of his team's back-to-back on Thursday. After beating the Rockets on Wednesday, the Lakers listed Doncic, LeBron James (foot), and Austin Reaves (forearm) each as questionable for Thursday's game in Miami. Doncic had 40 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds in Wednesday's win, but he had to play 38 minutes. He also played big minutes against Houston on Monday in another win. Doncic and the Lakers have won seven straight, and during that span, Luka has averaged 38.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks across 37.4 minutes per game. With such a heavy workload, the Lakers could get him a day off on Thursday in Miami. If he's out, James or Reaves could pick up more work if available, but if the Lakers rest all their stars, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, and Bronny James could be in the mix for more opportunities.

5 hours ago

Cade Cunningham • PG • Pistons

Cade Cunningham Will Miss at Least Two Weeks

Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham (lung) will miss at least two weeks, according to the official team update, as he deals with a left collapsed lung. He will be re-evaluated at that time, although this kind of injury usually sidelines players a little longer than just two weeks. There is still optimism that he'll be back for the playoffs, but he may come up short of qualifying for postseason awards if he doesn't play any more games. This is also a huge hit for the Pistons, who are the top seed in the Eastern Conference and have looked like title contenders. In the short term, Daniss Jenkins and Marcus Sasser will fill in for Cunningham, who was averaging 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 9.9 assists, and 1.5 steals. Jalen Duren and the rest of the rotation will all get more usage as the team battles to stay atop the Conference while Cunningham recovers. The timeline is still uncertain, but he'll be out until at least early April.

5 hours ago

Cade Cunningham • PG • Pistons

Cade Cunningham to Miss "Extended Period of Time" Due to Collapsed Lung

Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with a collapsed lung and is expected to miss an extended period of time, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. This is a massive blow for the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons, who have looked like title contenders this season. Cunningham has led the way for the team, averaging 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 9.9 assists, and 1.5 steals. With Cunningham out, Daniss Jenkins and Marcus Sasser will move up on the depth chart. Jenkins has consistently performed well without Cunningham and could be a difference-maker for fantasy teams. He has averaged 14.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.3 steals as a starter this season.

12 hours ago

Jabari Walker • PF • 76ers

Jabari Walker Available Thursday

Philadelphia 76ers forward/center Jabari Walker (illness) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Thursday's tilt against the Sacramento Kings. He has sat out three games while battling an illness. Walker will compete with Trendon Watford for backup minutes in the frontcourt. As a reserve, Walker doesn't have any fantasy appeal, averaging 4.7 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.3 minutes coming off the bench this season. He may currently have a slightly larger workload due to the absence of Joel Embiid (oblique), Paul George (suspension), and Kelly Oubre Jr. (elbow).

12 hours ago

Devin Vassell • SG • Spurs

Devin Vassell Good to Go Against Suns

San Antonio Spurs guard/forward Devin Vassell (ankle) will hop back into the lineup on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns. He hasn't been listed on the injury report after sitting out the second game of a back-to-back on Tuesday against Sacramento. Vassell's absence allowed Harrison Barnes to start against his former team, and the veteran will return to a reserve role on Thursday night. In recent weeks, Vassell has struggled with consistency, averaging 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in March.

12 hours ago

Jaime Jaquez Jr. • SF • Heat

Jaime Jaquez Jr. Questionable for Meeting with Lakers

Miami Heat guard/forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (hip) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The UCLA product has been one of the Heat's most durable players this season, but he might be unavailable on Thursday night due to hip tightness. If Jaquez Jr. doesn't suit up, Simone Fontecchio and Keshad Johnson will be candidates for increased playing time. Both performed well off the bench in Tuesday's loss to Charlotte, combining for 25 points. Johnson also made a mark defensively, snagging three steals and blocking one shot.

12 hours ago

Anthony Black • PG • Magic

Anthony Black Remains on Shelf Thursday

Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (abdomen) has been ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Charlotte Hornets. His absence due to an abdominal sprain will stretch to seven games. It's unclear when Black will be ready to return. Tristan da Silva has started in Black's absence and is likely to remain in the first unit on Thursday night. The 24-year-old has averaged 11.6 points and 4.6 rebounds across 27 starts this season. Da Silva tends to be inconsistent as a starter. He kicked off last week with back-to-back 20-point games but has added 31 points in three outings since then.

12 hours ago

Bilal Coulibaly • SG • Wizards

Bilal Coulibaly Questionable Thursday

Washington Wizards guard/forward Bilal Coulibaly (heel) is considered questionable for Thursday's clash against the Detroit Pistons. He could be sidelined for a second consecutive game after missing the second leg of a back-to-back on Tuesday night against the Pistons. Justin Champagnie slid into the first unit on Tuesday and could retain his spot after a strong performance. He led Washington with nine rebounds and had 18 points, two assists, and one steal. Champagnie's averages as a starter this season are 10.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

13 hours ago

Ivica Zubac • C • Pacers

Ivica Zubac Exits Early Due to Head Injury

Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (head) didn't complete Wednesday's matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports. The Croatian big man took a blow to the head in the fourth quarter, exiting the action with 10:44 remaining in the frame. This was Zubac's fifth and best outing for the Pacers. He tallied 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and one block in 23 minutes. Jay Huff started at center before Zubac was ready to make his Pacers debut, and he is likely to slot back into the spot if Zubac isn't available on Friday against the San Antonio Spurs. Kobe Brown would also have an increased role, especially if Micah Potter (triceps) remains out.

13 hours ago

Royce O'Neale • PF • Suns

Royce O'Neale Could Miss First Game of the Season Thursday

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale (knee) is in danger of missing his first game of the season on Thursday against the San Antonio Spurs, as the team has tagged him as questionable on the injury report. The 32-year-old is experiencing soreness in his left knee. Grayson Allen (knee) is also questionable, so the Suns may need to significantly adjust their rotation on Thursday night. Ryan Dunn, Haywood Highsmith, and Rasheer Fleming are the main options to cover O'Neale's minutes.

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