NBA News

Jake LaRavia • PF • Lakers

Jake LaRavia Joins Lakers' Starting Lineup Wednesday

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia will start Wednesday against the Clippers, with Ziaire Williams (foot) and Luka Doncic (back) both unavailable. LaRavia came off the bench in each of his first three appearances this season, averaging 5.0 points and 2.0 steals in 17.3 minutes. He has plenty of starting experience after making 43 starts last season, when he averaged 8.2 points and 1.3 steals across 82 games. The move should give LaRavia a bump in minutes Wednesday, though his fantasy appeal is likely tied to how long the Lakers remain shorthanded.

5 hours ago

Quentin Grimes • SG • Lakers

Quentin Grimes Starting Against Clippers Wednesday

Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Quentin Grimes will start Wednesday against the Clippers with Luka Doncic (back) and Ziaire Williams (foot) unavailable. Grimes made 19 starts for Philadelphia last season and has already shown he can produce with a larger workload, posting 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists against the Clippers on Friday. Austin Reaves should take on more of the offense without Doncic, but Grimes will also have a chance to handle the ball more and hunt his own shot. The starting nod gives him a better path to points and threes for as long as the Lakers remain shorthanded.

5 hours ago

Brandon Ingram • SF • Clippers

Brandon Ingram's Clippers Debut on Hold for Another Week

Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Brandon Ingram (Achilles) will not travel for the team's upcoming games in Minnesota and Golden State, according to SI.com's Joey Linn. Ingram is making progress but will remain in Los Angeles to continue rehabbing after undergoing right heel surgery in May, when doctors also addressed a partially torn Achilles tendon. The two-time All-Star has yet to make his Clippers debut since arriving from Toronto in the Kawhi Leonard trade. With Ingram still sidelined, Los Angeles will continue to lean on its current wing rotation. However, his eventual return should take a noticeable chunk of minutes and offensive usage off the table.

5 hours ago

Yanic Konan Niederhauser • C • Clippers

Yanic Konan Niederhauser Remains Out This Week

Los Angeles Clippers center Yanic Konan Niederhauser (foot) will not travel for the team's upcoming games in Minnesota and Golden State, according to Joey Linn of SI.com. Niederhauser is making progress but will remain in Los Angeles to continue rehabbing the Lisfranc injury that ended his rookie season after 41 games. He averaged 4.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 10.3 minutes while shooting 64.0 percent from the field last year. Isaiah Jackson has opened the season as the starting center, with Brook Lopez handling a sizable role behind him, so Niederhauser may have to ease back into the rotation once cleared.

5 hours ago

Max Strus • SG • Clippers

Max Strus to Miss Clippers' Two-Game Road Trip

Los Angeles Clippers forward Max Strus (foot) will sit out the team's upcoming road games in Minnesota and Golden State, according to Joey Linn of SI.com. He'll remain in Los Angeles to continue rehabbing the partial plantar fascia tear in his right foot. Strus is nearing the four-week mark since the injury, though the Clippers have not announced a return date. He was limited to 12 games with Cleveland last season because of a separate foot issue, averaging 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 40.2 percent from deep. In his absence, Keaton Wagler has settled into a steady bench role and should remain in the rotation.

5 hours ago

Jordan Poole • PG • Pelicans

Jordan Poole Exits Wednesday's Game with Ankle Injury

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Poole (ankle) was ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's game against the Denver Nuggets, the team announced. Poole had been cleared from an illness earlier in the day before suffering the ankle injury. He entered Wednesday averaging 7.3 points, 4.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in 18.7 minutes across three appearances while working behind Jeremiah Fears. With New Orleans hosting Sacramento on Thursday, Poole's status could be in doubt on the second night of the back-to-back. If he cannot go, Fears should have a little more playmaking responsibility on his plate, while Bennedict Mathurin could see a few extra minutes on the perimeter.

5 hours ago

Ajay Mitchell • PG • Thunder

Ajay Mitchell Cleared to Play Wednesday

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (ankle) will play Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks, coach Mark Daigneault said, per Clemente Almanza of USA Today. Mitchell entered the day questionable after spraining his ankle following Monday's win over Phoenix, when he scored a career-high 30 points on 10-for-16 shooting. He is averaging 16.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists through four games, and Oklahoma City still needs plenty from him with Jalen Williams (leg), Cason Wallace (shoulder), and Alex Caruso (ankle) unavailable. That should keep Mitchell involved offensively alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander even if his scoring cools off from Monday's career night.

6 hours ago

Caleb Martin • SF • Mavericks

Caleb Martin Upgraded to Available Wednesday

Dallas Mavericks forward Caleb Martin (thumb) is available for Wednesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and is set to make his season debut. The 31-year-old missed Dallas' first four games with a right thumb sprain after averaging 3.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 14.8 minutes across 58 appearances last season. Naji Marshall (illness) and Sergio de Larrea (knee) are both out, which could help Martin crack the rotation immediately. Still, he played no more than 17 minutes in any preseason game, and Dallas has enough forward depth to keep his fantasy ceiling low.

6 hours ago

Naji Marshall • SF • Mavericks

Naji Marshall Sidelined for Second Straight Game

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Naji Marshall (illness) will miss Wednesday's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking his second straight absence after sitting out Monday's 113-109 win over Miami. Marshall averaged 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.7 steals across his first three games while handling a useful secondary playmaking role. Zaccharie Risacher should remain one of the main beneficiaries after collecting eight rebounds and three blocks despite shooting 2-for-13 against Miami. Walter Clayton Jr. could also retain added backcourt opportunities with Sergio de Larrea (right knee) sidelined, though Marshall's eventual return should tighten the rotation.

6 hours ago

Kyrie Irving • PG • Mavericks

Kyrie Irving Cleared to Play Against Thunder

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (knee) is available for Wednesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder after carrying a questionable tag for left knee injury management. Irving missed Saturday's home opener on the second night of a back-to-back but returned Monday to post 18 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals in 33 minutes against Miami. The 34-year-old is averaging 19.0 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals on 51.2% shooting through three games. Dallas is still managing him carefully after last season's ACL injury, so his availability in future back-to-backs is worth watching.

6 hours ago

Jaxson Hayes • C • Jazz

Jaxson Hayes Returns Wednesday

Utah Jazz center Jaxson Hayes (shoulder) is available and will start Wednesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs after missing Monday with right shoulder soreness. The 26-year-old has averaged 10.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 23.7 minutes over three games. With Lauri Markkanen (wrist), Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) and Jusuf Nurkic (foot) all sidelined, Hayes should have a sizable role in Utah's depleted frontcourt. Mo Bamba will likely still get meaningful minutes after posting 14 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks on Monday, but Hayes' return to the starting five lowers Bamba's short-term fantasy appeal.

6 hours ago

Lauri Markkanen • PF • Jazz

Lauri Markkanen Ruled Out Against Spurs

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (wrist) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs with a right wrist sprain. The 29-year-old was initially considered day-to-day after leaving Monday's loss to Memphis and will now miss his first full game since the injury. Markkanen had scored 28 points with five threes against the Lakers on Sunday. With Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) also sidelined, Ace Bailey should see a bigger share of the offense after posting 17 points and 10 rebounds Monday, while Brice Sensabaugh could also pick up more shots on the wing.

6 hours ago

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

Luka Doncic Out Vs. Clippers With Back Tightness

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (back) will miss Wednesday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers due to back tightness, according to Bleacher Report. The game is the second game of a back-to-back after the Lakers played the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night. Doncic is averaging 36.0 points per game, 6.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game this season, while shooting 48.4 percent from the field. Doncic scored 41 points on Tuesday against the Blazers and finished with five rebounds and nine assists.

7 hours ago

Justin Champagnie • SG • Wizards

Justin Champagnie Set to Miss Several Months

Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports that Washington Wizards forward Justin Champagnie (foot) is expected to miss several months after undergoing surgery Wednesday to repair a fracture in his right foot. According to Robbins, the Wizards are hopeful the 25-year-old Champagnie can return by the All-Star break. Champagnie sustained the injury during Monday's 110-103 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. With Champagnie sidelined for an extended period, Bilal Coulibaly could take on a larger role behind AJ Dybantsa (ankle), who is expected to make his NBA debut Wednesday.

11 hours ago

Alex Caruso • SG • Thunder

Alex Caruso Expected to Miss Time With Ankle Sprain

Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports that Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (ankle) is expected to miss time due to a right ankle sprain, with no clear timeline for his return. The 32-year-old suffered the injury when Dillon Brooks landed on his ankle late in the second quarter of Monday's 125-114 win over Phoenix. Caruso finished with nine points, two rebounds and three assists in nine minutes. With Caruso ruled out for Wednesday's matchup against Dallas, Josh Dix and Bennett Stirtz, who both logged more than 20 minutes Monday, could continue seeing increased playing time in OKC's depleted rotation.

12 hours ago

Tyrese Haliburton • PG • Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton Set to Miss Time Due to Hamstring Injury

ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) has sustained a left hamstring strain and will miss an undetermined amount of time. Haliburton met with team medical personnel and executives Wednesday afternoon to assess the injury. During an appearance on 107.5 The Fan in Indianapolis, head coach Rick Carlisle expressed hope that the injury would not be a long-term issue. The 26-year-old has played in all four of Indiana's games since returning from a torn Achilles, averaging 21.8 points, 9.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 33.0 minutes per contest. With T.J. McConnell (hamstring) also sidelined and Andrew Nembhard (neck) dealing with an injury, Quenton Jackson could see a larger backcourt role, while Pascal Siakam will likely see more touches, boosting his fantasy value.

13 hours ago

AJ Dybantsa • SF • Wizards

AJ Dybantsa to Make NBA Debut on Wednesday

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa (ankle) will make his NBA debut Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The No. 1 overall pick missed Washington's first four contests after spraining his left ankle during the Oct. 16 preseason finale. Dybantsa averaged 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists across four preseason appearances and should eventually take on a sizable role in the Wizards' rotation. Kyshawn George has benefited from his absence, highlighted by a 22-point, nine-rebound, five-assist and four-block outing in Saturday's 110-103 loss to Charlotte. Dybantsa could face a minutes restriction in his debut, but his presence may eventually reduce George's offensive production.

13 hours ago

Jaxson Hayes • C • Jazz

Jaxson Hayes Carries Questionable Tag for Wednesday

Utah Jazz center Jaxson Hayes (shoulder) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs after missing Monday's loss to Memphis with right shoulder soreness. Utah is already without Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee), who will miss at least six weeks with a torn MCL, and Jusuf Nurkic (foot), leaving Hayes with a clear path to more work once healthy. The 26-year-old is averaging 10.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in 23.7 minutes through three games. If Hayes remains out, Mo Bamba should stay busy after posting 14 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks Monday.

17 hours ago

Kyrie Irving • PG • Mavericks

Kyrie Irving Questionable Against Thunder

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (knee) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder with left knee injury management, according to Grant Afseth. Irving sat out Saturday's loss to San Antonio on the second night of a back-to-back before returning for 33 minutes in Monday's win over Miami. He is averaging 19.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists through three appearances. Sergio de Larrea (knee) has already been ruled out, so Marcus Sasser could see more ball-handling work if Irving also sits. Cooper Flagg would also be a candidate for additional touches.

17 hours ago

Ajay Mitchell • PG • Thunder

Ajay Mitchell Questionable Against Dallas

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. Mitchell hurt his right ankle during Monday's win over Phoenix, where he scored a career-high 30 points on 10-for-16 shooting in his first start of the season. The third-year guard is averaging 16.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists through four games. With Jalen Williams (ankle) and Cason Wallace (shoulder) facing lengthy absences, Mitchell has a clear path to heavy minutes once healthy. If he sits Wednesday, Jared McCain and rookie Bennett Stirtz could take on more work with Alex Caruso (ankle) also unavailable.

18 hours ago

NBA News

LEGEND