NBA News

Julius Randle • PF • Timberwolves

Julius Randle Misses Second Straight Game

Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Julius Randle (hand) will sit out a second consecutive game on Friday night against the Houston Rockets. He is bothered by soreness in his right hand. Kyle Anderson replaced Randle in the starting unit on Wednesday against Orlando and is likely to keep his spot on Friday. The 32-year-old contributed in every area in Wednesday's loss and stood out defensively. Across 24 minutes, Anderson notched eight points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.

4 hours ago

Jayson Tatum • SF • Celtics

Jayson Tatum Won't Play Friday

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (Achilles) won't play on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans. His absence was expected because Boston also played on Thursday night. In a game against the New York Knicks, Tatum had 24 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and one block in 40 minutes. The Celtics could also be without Jaylen Brown (Achilles), who is considered questionable. In this case, Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, and Hugo Gonzalez are candidates for increased roles. The absence of Tatum and Brown will also create a lot more offensive opportunities for the rest of the team.

4 hours ago

Trey Murphy III • SF • Pelicans

Trey Murphy III Unavailable Against Celtics

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (ankle) won't be in the lineup on Friday against the Boston Celtics. He is dealing with a right ankle sprain and is skipping a third consecutive contest. Zion Williamson (knee) and Dejounte Murray (hand) are also out, so the trio of Jeremiah Fears, Jordan Poole, and Micah Peavy should lead the offense on Friday. All three performed well when they started together in Tuesday's win over Utah, combining for 94 of the team's 156 points.

14 hours ago

Dejounte Murray • SG • Pelicans

Dejounte Murray Remains Out Friday

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (hand) will miss a fourth consecutive game on Friday against the Boston Celtics. It's also looking unlikely that he will play in the season finale on Sunday after picking up a hand injury. Jeremiah Fears has been on a tear since Murray departed the lineup and should be one of the stars of the show again on Friday night. The 19-year-old posted a franchise rookie record with 40 points in Tuesday's win over Utah and has averaged 29.0 points over the last three games, along with 5.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.7 steals.

14 hours ago

Zion Williamson • PF • Pelicans

Zion Williamson Won't Suit Up Friday

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (knee) is listed as out for Friday's meeting with the Boston Celtics. The Pelicans are giving their fringe players a chance to impress late in the season, and they didn't play Williamson on Tuesday against Utah, even though he was in the lineup. Now, he will be inactive altogether, along with Yves Missi (hand). That should secure a significant role for Kevon Looney, who tallied seven points, 12 boards, six assists, and two steals in Tuesday's 156-137 win. Derik Queen will also have a clearer path to playing time in the frontcourt. He racked up 17 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and two blocks against Utah.

14 hours ago

Jalen Williams • SF • Thunder

Jalen Williams Out on Friday

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) will sit out Friday's contest against the Denver Nuggets. He has joined a long list of absentees as the Thunder face two dead-rubber games to end the regular season. Luguentz Dort is set to be the only regular starter in the lineup. Jared McCain, Nikola Topic, and Aaron Wiggins are all expected to step into larger roles. On paper, this is a tough matchup. But the Nuggets could also send out a weakened squad, with Nikola Jokic (wrist), Jamal Murray (shoulder), and Aaron Gordon (hamstring) carrying questionable tags.

14 hours ago

Jarrett Allen • C • Cavaliers

Jarrett Allen Won't Play Against Hawks

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (knee) will miss Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. After returning from a knee injury, Allen has played in four of the last five games. But Cleveland is locked into the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, so Allen will take Friday night off to be fresher for the postseason. Thomas Bryant (calf) isn't available as well, meaning Evan Mobley could see a lot of time as a center again. In this situation, it's also likely Larry Nance Jr. will re-enter the rotation.

14 hours ago

Donovan Mitchell • SG • Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell Skips Friday's Action

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (ankle) won't suit up on Friday against the Atlanta Hawks. The Cavaliers will be without their top scorer for the second time in three games. This looks like a maintenance day for Mitchell, who is managing a right ankle injury. Both Keon Ellis and Max Strus are in the mix to step into the starting lineup in Mitchell's absence. Meanwhile, Dennis Schroder could also have a more important role, especially with Sam Merrill (hamstring) joining Mitchell on the sidelines.

14 hours ago

Victor Wembanyama • PF • Spurs

Victor Wembanyama Questionable Friday

San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (ribs) is listed as questionable for Friday's contest against the Dallas Mavericks. The MVP candidate is nursing a left rib contusion and could be absent for a second consecutive game. Wembanyama must appear in at least one of the Spurs' remaining two games to be eligible for NBA awards. However, even if he's in the lineup, Wembanyama's workload could be limited because the team has nothing left to play for. Luke Kornet, who recorded 10 points, five rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block on Wednesday against Portland, is likely to maintain an expanded role.

15 hours ago

Anthony Edwards • SG • Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards Considered Questionable for Friday

Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (knee) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Houston Rockets. He has been dealing with a nagging knee injury since mid-March, sitting out 10 of Minnesota's last 12 games, including the last two. Mike Conley has started during Edwards' absence, but he dropped out of the rotation on Wednesday against Orlando when Jaden McDaniels returned from a knee injury. Ayo Dosunmu (calf) and Bones Hyland (hip) have benefited from Edwards' absence as well, but both are also questionable for Friday's action. Terrence Shannon Jr. erupted for a career-high 33 points on Wednesday and could get another chance to shine against Houston. Jaylen Clark will also have a more prominent role if Edwards, Dosunmu, and Hynes miss the game.

23 hours ago

Devin Booker • SG • Suns

Devin Booker Will Sit Out Friday's Game

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (ankle) has been listed as out for Friday's contest against the Los Angeles Lakers. Phoenix will give its star man some time off to manage an ankle injury after locking into the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference. Booker's recent form will have the Suns fans excited for the postseason, as he has notched 30-plus points in five of the last six games. On Friday, the Suns might also be without Jalen Green (knee), who is listed as questionable on the injury report. Collin Gillespie is set to move back into the starting unit, while Grayson Allen (quadriceps), who is ready to return from a one-game absence, should also have a leading role in Friday's game.

23 hours ago

Nikola Jokić • C • Nuggets

Nikola Jokic Questionable for Friday

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (wrist) is considered questionable for Friday's tilt against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The three-time MVP has been added to the injury report with a right wrist injury. Jokic's absence from the lineup would give Jonas Valanciunas a big opportunity to stand out as the starting center. The Lithuanian veteran has posted averages of 14.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game as a starter this season. He could feast against a Thunder frontcourt that won't have the services of Chet Holmgren (back) and Isaiah Hartenstein (calf).

Yesterday

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander • PG • Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Won't Face Nuggets Friday

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (oblique) has been ruled out for Friday's clash against the Denver Nuggets. Oklahoma City has just secured the top seed in the Western Conference and will give the reigning MVP some rest after a back-to-back set. The defending champions will be without many regulars on Friday night, so Jared McCain should get an opportunity to eat up as many minutes as he can handle in the backcourt, along with Nikola Topic. Both players could be part of the starting lineup.

Yesterday

Stephen Curry • PG • Warriors

Stephen Curry Set to Play Friday

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (knee) is expected to return to the lineup on Friday against the Sacramento Kings, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reports. Golden State will begin a back-to-back on Thursday night against the Lakers, and Curry has been ruled out for that game. However, Steve Kerr told reporters at his pre-game press conference that Curry will be available for Friday's action. The team also hopes to have Kristaps Porzingis (illness, knee) and Al Horford (calf) back in the mix against the Kings. Since returning from a knee injury, Curry has made two bench appearances, averaging 23.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals in 25.5 minutes.

Yesterday

L.J. Cryer • PG • Warriors

L.J. Cryer Back in Action Thursday Night

Golden State Warriors point guard L.J. Cryer (illness) has been cleared to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers. He is available after missing two games due to illness. Cryer is expected to see an increased workload on Thursday night, with Stephen Curry (knee) sitting out this one. The 24-year-old has flashed potential recently, scoring double-digit points in six of his last eight appearances. Still, it's hard to trust a player whose recent work also includes a couple of zero-point efforts.

Yesterday

Charles Bassey • C • Warriors

Charles Bassey Available Against Lakers

Golden State Warriors center Charles Bassey (ankle) will play on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. He has been cleared to play despite a left ankle sprain. Golden State listed Bassey as questionable on the initial injury report, then upgraded him to probable earlier on Thursday. Kristaps Porzingis (illness, knee), Al Horford (calf), and Quinten Post (foot) are all out against the Lakers, so Bassey should play a significant role. He had a solid 14-point, 12-rebound outing on Tuesday night against Sacramento and could be a double-double threat again.

Yesterday

Gui Santos • SF • Warriors

Gui Santos Won't Play Thursday

Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (pelvis) will miss a second consecutive game on Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Warriors have downgraded Santos' status from questionable to out. He is dealing with a right pelvic contusion, and it's unclear whether we will see Santos again during the regular season. Golden State will have two more games to go after Thursday night, facing Sacramento on Friday and the Clippers on Sunday. With Santos, Stephen Curry (knee), and Kristaps Porzingis (illness, knee) sidelined against the Lakers, Brandin Podziemski, De'Anthony Melton, and Pat Spencer are expected to shoulder most of the offensive load.

Yesterday

Rudy Gobert • C • Timberwolves

Rudy Gobert to Rest on Friday

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (rest) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Houston Rockets. Gobert will miss his second straight game for rest purposes. The Wolves are playing it safe with the veteran center ahead of the postseason. His next chance to play will come during Sunday's regular-season finale against the New Orleans Pelicans. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Wolves hold out Gobert until the postseason. Naz Reid should take on a larger role once again with Gobert hitting the bench. His fantasy value will see a boost until Gobert is back in the mix.

Yesterday

Tari Eason • SF • Rockets

Tari Eason is Cleared to Play on Thursday

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (illness) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Eason carried a questionable tag into this game, but he is feeling good enough to suit up. He finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, and three steals across 31 minutes during Tuesday's game. He has been a consistent contributor this season, so fantasy managers should be able to continue to rely on him. Fantasy managers can get Eason active in their lineups ahead of tip-off. Josh Okogie and Jae'Sean Tate should play their regular roles with Eason active.

Yesterday

Kobe Brown • PF • Pacers

Kobe Brown Won't Play on Thursday

Indiana Pacers forward Kobe Brown (back) is ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Brown was forced to exit early during Tuesday's game due to a back issue. He's not feeling 100 percent yet, but fantasy managers should check back for another update ahead of Friday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. His absence should mean larger roles for Jarace Walker, Obi Toppin, and Jalen Slawson. Walker likely has the highest upside among the three players ahead of Thursday's slate.

Yesterday

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