NBA News

Max Strus • SG • Clippers

Max Strus Set to Make Clippers Debut Monday

Los Angeles Clippers forward Max Strus (foot) will make his season and Clippers debut Monday against the Toronto Raptors. Strus has missed the first six games after partially tearing the plantar fascia in his right foot during the preseason opener. The 30-year-old practiced with the San Diego Clippers on Saturday before receiving clearance to return. He averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 12 games with Cleveland last season. Derrick Jones Jr. (knee) and Rui Hachimura (quadriceps) are both out, so there should be room for Strus to work into the wing rotation right away, even if the Clippers ease him back after the long layoff.

5 hours ago

Brandon Williams • PG • Warriors

Brandon Williams Won't Suit Up Versus Phoenix

Golden State Warriors guard Brandon Williams (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Phoenix Suns, according to Anthony Slater. Williams entered the day questionable with a quad contusion on the second night of a back-to-back. The 26-year-old is averaging 11.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 17.3 minutes through seven games. He scored 20 points in his lone start of the season against these same Suns. With Stephen Curry back, De'Anthony Melton and Will Richard could pick up some of Williams' minutes, while Golden State is also without Gui Santos (knee) and Al Horford (rest).

5 hours ago

Alpha Diallo • SF • Nuggets

Alpha Diallo Cleared to Play Monday

Denver Nuggets forward Alpha Diallo (wrist) is available for Monday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing four straight contests with a wrist sprain and personal reasons. Diallo made his only appearance of the season on Opening Night, recording four points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 22 minutes against Oklahoma City. With Spencer Jones (hamstring) and Julian Strawther (knee) still sidelined, Diallo should have a chance to work his way back into Denver's wing rotation. His defense should help him stay in the mix, but he will need to show more on offense before there is much fantasy value to chase.

5 hours ago

Clint Capela • C • Rockets

Clint Capela Downgraded to Out Monday

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Boston Celtics, head coach Ime Udoka told Varun Shankar. Capela rolled his ankle in Saturday's win over Oklahoma City and played just 10 minutes. With Steven Adams (calf) also sidelined, Houston is short on traditional centers behind Alperen Sengun. Oscar Tshiebwe is the leading candidate for backup minutes, while the Rockets could also use smaller frontcourt combinations with Jabari Smith Jr. and Kevin Durant. Tshiebwe could have some short-term value if Houston keeps him in the regular rotation while Capela and Adams are out.

5 hours ago

Reed Sheppard • PG • Rockets

Reed Sheppard Returns Monday Without Minutes Restriction

Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (back) will play Monday against the Boston Celtics without a minutes restriction, head coach Ime Udoka told Varun Shankar. Sheppard missed the previous two games with a back issue. The 22-year-old is averaging 10.5 points, 4.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 2.3 threes in 23.3 minutes through four appearances. He has shot just 37.5 percent from the field and 28.1 percent from deep after hitting 39.4 percent of his threes last season. Sheppard should slide back into a regular backcourt role alongside Fred VanVleet and Marcus Smart.

6 hours ago

Kyrie Irving • PG • Mavericks

Kyrie Irving Downgraded to Out Versus the Kings

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Sacramento Kings, according to Marc Stein. Irving was initially questionable before being downgraded, with the absence listed as injury management. The 34-year-old missed all of last season while recovering from a torn ACL and is coming off a season-high 35 minutes in Friday's win over Houston, when he scored 35 points with nine assists. Irving is averaging 21.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.2 threes through five games. With Sergio de Larrea (knee) also out, Marcus Sasser and Walter Clayton Jr. could pick up extra minutes, while Cooper Flagg should handle more of the playmaking.

6 hours ago

Dejounte Murray • SG • Pelicans

Dejounte Murray Set to Miss Third Straight Game

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (personal) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies, according to Rod Walker. It will be Murray's third straight absence following the birth of his son. The 30-year-old is averaging 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists through four appearances. Herbert Jones is a strong candidate to remain in the starting lineup, while Jeremiah Fears should continue handling plenty of the playmaking with Jordan Poole (ankle) also out. Fears has produced 22 points and 13 assists against Sacramento and 20 points on 9-for-12 shooting against Atlanta over his last two games.

6 hours ago

Jalen Johnson • PF • Hawks

Hawks Forward Jalen Johnson Is Out Vs. Pacers

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (left ankle sprain) has been ruled out for Monday night's game against the Indiana Pacers, per the Hawks. Johnson is averaging 18.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game so far this season while shooting 42.1 percent from the field. Johnson played 28 minutes against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night and scored 13 points with seven rebounds and four assists, with one blocked shot and four turnovers. Johnson will try to recover and return for Wednesday night's game against the Washington Wizards.

7 hours ago

Braden Smith • PG • Pacers

Braden Smith Gets Start For Pacers

Former Purdue Boilermaker point guard Braden Smith will get his first career start for the Indiana Pacers when the team faces the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night, according to the team. Smith is averaging 4.5 minutes played in four games this season but will fill in for the extremely shorthanded Pacers team on Monday night. The Pacers are without Tyrese Haliburton, T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, among others, as they will take on the Hawks with Smith getting his first NBA starting nod.

7 hours ago

Rui Hachimura • PF • Clippers

Rui Hachimura Out of Action on Monday

Los Angeles Clippers forward Rui Hachimura (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Monday's matchup against the Toronto Raptors due to quad soreness. The 28-year-old is averaging 13.4 points and 6.0 rebounds in 30.0 minutes per contest while shooting 36.9 percent from the field in his first season with the Clippers. Kobe Sanders will likely be the main beneficiary of Hachimura's absence, while Gradey Dick and Baba Miller could also see additional minutes on the wing.

8 hours ago

Draymond Green • PF • Warriors

Draymond Green Set to Return Monday

Golden State Warriors forward/center Draymond Green (rest) is available for Monday's matchup against the Phoenix Suns after sitting out the first half of a back-to-back Sunday versus the Los Angeles Clippers due to bilateral low back injury management. The 36-year-old is averaging just 3.0 points through five games, but his 7.2 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per contest keep him fantasy-relevant against the Suns.

9 hours ago

Stephen Curry • PG • Warriors

Stephen Curry Active on Monday

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (rest) is set to return Monday against the Phoenix Suns after resting for the first half of a back-to-back Sunday versus the Los Angeles Clippers. The 38-year-old is averaging 29.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists through five games. Despite sitting out Sunday, he was a candidate for NBA Player of the Week after scoring 99 points across three straight wins. Curry will reclaim his usual starting role and remains a top fantasy play against the Suns.

9 hours ago

Trey Murphy III • SF • Pelicans

Trey Murphy III Set to Suit Up Monday

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (knee) is available for Monday's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. Murphy is no longer on the injury report after initially being listed as probable with bilateral patellar tendinopathy. The 26-year-old is averaging 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 steals in 31.8 minutes through six games, with his scoring down from last season's 21.5 points per game. However, Murphy has shown improvement lately, totaling 34 points over New Orleans' last two wins, and could be a productive fantasy option on Monday.

10 hours ago

Paul George • SF • Celtics

Paul George Sidelined Against Houston

Boston Celtics forward Paul George (rest) will sit out Monday's matchup against the Houston Rockets. George will rest for the second half of a back-to-back after recording 17 points, eight assists, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in 33 minutes against Orlando on Sunday. The nine-time All-Star is Boston's second-leading scorer, averaging 20.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.3 steals through six games. Baylor Scheierman and Payton Pritchard will likely see expanded roles with George sidelined for this evening's action.

10 hours ago

Alexandre Sarr • PF • Wizards

Alexandre Sarr Out of Action on Monday

Washington Wizards center Alexandre Sarr (knee) will miss Monday's contest against the Orlando Magic after initially being listed as questionable with left knee soreness. The 21-year-old is averaging 9.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks through six games following offseason surgery on his right foot. With Sarr sidelined, Deandre Ayton could make his first start of the season, boosting his fantasy appeal with Washington playing four times this week.

11 hours ago

Peyton Watson • SF • Cavaliers

Peyton Watson Questionable for Monday

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Peyton Watson (hamstring) is questionable for Monday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Watson has yet to miss a game this season, though the hamstring is worth monitoring after he dealt with a lengthy strain and a later aggravation while with Denver last season. The 24-year-old is averaging 10.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists through six appearances, with much of his fantasy appeal coming on the defensive end. With Jaylon Tyson (ankle) already ruled out, Sam Merrill, Mario Hezonja, and Meleek Thomas could all pick up additional minutes if Watson sits.

17 hours ago

Alexandre Sarr • PF • Wizards

Alexandre Sarr Iffy Against Orlando

Washington Wizards center Alexandre Sarr (knee) is questionable for Monday's game against the Orlando Magic after logging a season-high 29 minutes in Friday's win over Charlotte. The 21-year-old is averaging 9.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks through six games after undergoing right foot surgery during the offseason. Those numbers are down from last year's 16.3 points and 2.0 blocks per game. If Sarr cannot play Monday, Deandre Ayton would likely make his first start of the season and could have added value with Washington playing four times this week.

17 hours ago

Jalen Smith • PF • Bulls

Jalen Smith Expected to Play Monday

Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (finger) is probable for Monday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Smith has played through the sprain without missing time and grabbed 12 rebounds with two blocks in Friday's loss to Boston. The 26-year-old has started all six games with Nic Claxton (hamstring) sidelined, averaging 12.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 24.2 minutes. Claxton is doubtful again, leaving Smith in line for another start. If Joel Embiid (foot) is cleared, Smith would face a more difficult matchup inside against the 6-1 Sixers.

17 hours ago

Zach LaVine • SG • Kings

Zach LaVine Uncertain to Face Mavericks on Monday

Sacramento Kings guard/forward Zach LaVine (elbow) is questionable for Monday's game against the Dallas Mavericks with elbow inflammation. LaVine played a season-low 21 minutes in Saturday's lopsided loss to Memphis, finishing with 11 points on 4-for-9 shooting. The 31-year-old has yet to miss a game this season and is averaging 23.5 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 49.5 percent from the field. With Keegan Murray (ankle) already out, Darius Acuff Jr. and De'Andre Hunter would be the strongest candidates to take on more scoring if LaVine sits, while Malik Monk and Emanuel Sharp could also see more touches in the backcourt.

17 hours ago

Rudy Gobert • C • Timberwolves

Rudy Gobert Off the Injury Report for Monday

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (back) is off the injury report for Monday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks after missing Saturday's loss to San Antonio with lower-back spasms. The four-time Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 7.0 points and 12.3 rebounds through six appearances this season. Joan Beringer filled in Saturday and posted 12 points and six rebounds in 34 minutes, but he should head back to the bench with Gobert returning. With Anthony Edwards (knee) sidelined for an extended stretch, Minnesota will need Gobert to keep controlling the glass and anchoring the defense.

18 hours ago

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