NBA News
Isaiah Jackson Could Sit Out Season Opener
Indiana Pacers center Isaiah Jackson (groin) is listed as questionable ahead of the season opener against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. The good news is that the Pacers are considering Jackson as day-to-day with this minor groin issue. Head coach Rick Carlisle doesn't believe this is something that is going to sideline Jackson for long. The absence of Jackson would probably mean James Wiseman serves as the primary backup center to Myles Turner. Wiseman is a former top draft pick, but hasn't lived up to the hype. He might see 15-20 minutes without Jackson, but he hasn't proven to be a trustworthy option throughout his career.
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Zion Williamson Considered A Game-Time Decision For Wednesday
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (illness) is looking like a game-time decision ahead of Wednesday's season opener against the Chicago Bulls. Williamson missed Tuesday's practice and is currently considered day-to-day due to a minor illness. The good news is that this issue shouldn't be something that sidelines Williamson for long. This is obviously frustrating to see the oft-injured forward on the injury report already, but at least it's for something minor. Herbert Jones and Javonte Green figure to see more run if Williamson is unable to play. Jones is the much better fantasy option between the two, but fantasy managers will need to check back on Wednesday for another update.
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Dejounte Murray Could Miss Season Opener
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (personal) is uncertain to suit up for Wednesday's season opener against the Chicago Bulls. Murray is currently away from the team due to a family emergency. Head coach Willie Green said the team was hopeful that Murray would return for a workout on Tuesday. It seems that Murray is trending towards a game-time decision ahead of Wednesday's game. Backup guard Jose Alvarado (knee) is listed as questionable for this game as well. CJ McCollum would likely be asked to be the primary ball handler if Murray sits out. Also, Jordan Hawkins and Antonio Reeves would see more minutes in the rotation.
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Jose Alvarado Uncertain For Wednesday's Contest
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (knee) is currently listed as questionable ahead of the season opener against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Alvarado is currently dealing with a right knee contusion that could possibly sideline him for Wednesday's game or longer. The 26-year-old figures to be the primary backup to Dejounte Murray (personal) who is also questionable for this game. The Pelicans could be in some trouble if both guards are unable to play. Jordan Hawkins or Antonio Reeves would be candidates for more minutes if Alvarado sits out. Hawkins is the more appealing option between the two, but there should be better streaming choices available.
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Josh Richardson Ruled Out For Wednesday's Opener
Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (heel) has been ruled out for Wednesday's season opener against the Orlando Magic. Richardson saw his season come to an early end last year due to a shoulder issue. He appears to be finally over that, but now Richardson is dealing with a left heel injury. The 31-year-old will miss the season opener, but will hopefully be available for Saturday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. Until then, Duncan Robinson and Alec Burks figure to see increased playing time. Neither of them are likely to see enough minutes to warrant rostering in most formats. Between the two, Robinson is the better fantasy option due to his ability to shoot from beyond the arc.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo Expected To Play In Season Opener
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is currently listed as probable ahead of Wednesday's season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers. The superstar forward is dealing with tendinitis in his knee, but it isn't expected to sideline him for the season opener. It's obviously never good to see Antetokounmpo pop up on the injury report before a game is played. However, this doesn't sound like it's going to be an issue that is going to force him to miss time. Fantasy managers who took Antetokounmpo in the first-round of fantasy drafts should expect him to suit up on Wednesday.
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Lonzo Ball Available For Bulls Season Opener Wednesday
Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball (knee) will suit up for Wednesday's season opener versus the New Orleans Pelicans. After being sidelined with knee injuries, Ball saw action in the preseason for the first time since January 2022. The 26-year-old will most likely see minute restrictions despite playing well during the preseason. With limits in place for now, Ball will not make much of an impact in fantasy, as he will consistently play less than 20 minutes per contest.
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Paul George Sidelined For Wednesday's Season Opener
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (knee) will miss the team's regular-season opener against the Bucks Wednesday, per Shams Charania of ESPN. The 76ers will start the season with a depleted rotation as star center Joel Embiid (knee) is also out and will likely miss up to three games. George has been limited in practice and will be reevaluated later in the week. Expect Caleb Martin and Kelly Oubre Jr. to see more time on the court while the 34-year-old veteran is sidelined.
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Joel Embiid Unavailable To Start Regular Season
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) will be sidelined for Wednesday's regular-season opener versus the Milwaukee Bucks, and he will likely be out on Friday against the Raptors in Toronto, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN. The former MVP is expected to participate in scrimmages soon, but he could miss up to three games before being reevaluated, the 76ers announced. With the absence of Embiid, Andre Drummond will likely see an uptick in minutes early in the regular season.
2 hours ago
Luka Doncic Cleared For Thursday's Season Opener
According to Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic (calf) said he is ready to play Thursday in the season opener against the Spurs. Doncic missed all preseason with a left calf contusion, but the injury was considered minor. The 25-year-old also mentioned that his calf feels "perfect." Fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief as there should be no restrictions on Doncic for the Mavs first regular season contest.
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Alexandre Sarr Hopes To Play In Thursday's Season Opener
Washington Wizards forward/center Alexandre Sarr (calf) hopes to be available when the team kicks off its 2024-25 campaign by hosting the defending-champion Boston Celtics on Thursday. He's nursing calf soreness, which forced Sarr to miss Washington's final two preseason games. Sarr looked in good form during the preseason before dropping out of the lineup. He averaged 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks while shooting 54 percent from three-point range with 3.4 attempts. The 19-year-old would become a very popular man among fantasy managers if he manages to post similar numbers during the regular season.
10 hours ago
Vince Williams Jr. "A Couple Of Weeks Away" From Playing
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Vince Williams Jr. (shin) has been ruled out for the start of the season. According to Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins, Williams Jr. is "a couple of weeks away" from being ready to play. The 24-year-old is recovering from a shin stress reaction. Once he's healthy again, Williams Jr. will be leading the second unit. He did most of his damage as a starter last year, so Williams Jr.'s fantasy stock will be lower in 2024-25 unless Memphis starts losing its key guys to injuries again. Jake LaRavia and John Konchar should handle Williams Jr.'s minutes until he's ready to return. Neither player is a good fantasy option.
10 hours ago
Luke Kennard To Miss First Week Of Regular Season
Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Luke Kennard (foot) has been ruled out for at least the first week of the 2024-25 regular season by head coach Taylor Jenkins. Kennard is battling foot soreness sustained during preseason action last week. Memphis has three games scheduled for the first week, starting with a matchup against Utah on Wednesday. John Konchar could see more time on the court in Kennard's absence, although the Grizzlies have their regular backcourt healthy for the start of the season, leaving the bench guys with few opportunities to make an impact.
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Patrick Williams Practices On Monday
Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (ankle) was able to practice on Monday. He exited Chicago's preseason finale against Cleveland with an ankle injury, but it looks like it wasn't anything serious. Williams also battled a wrist injury during the preseason. However, as of right now, Williams should be expected to be in the lineup for Wednesday's season opener against New Orleans. The 23-year-old is set to begin the campaign as a starter, and fantasy managers could get some decent value out of him. Last season, Williams averaged 11.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 30 games as a member of the first unit.
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Nicolas Claxton Remains On Track To Play In Season Opener
Brooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton (hamstring) is trending in the right direction and is expected to play in Wednesday's season opener against Atlanta. Claxton missed the preseason due to a hamstring issue but has had a chance to rehab the injury for a few weeks now and should be good to go on Wednesday. Claxton averaged 10.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks against the Hawks a season ago and could have even more fun on Wednesday night, as Atlanta's bigs have been troubled by health issues. Clint Capela (ankle) was hurt near the end of preseason, and Onyeka Okongwu missed most of the preseason action while recovering from a toe procedure, making only one 16-minute appearance.
11 hours ago
Jarred Vanderbilt Out On Tuesday
Los Angeles Lakers power forward Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) isn't ready to play in Tuesday's season opener against the Timberwolves. After having procedures done on both feet in May, there was hope a week ago that Vanderbilt would be ready for the start of the regular season, but he still needs more time to recover. He will sit out at least the first five games before being re-evaluated. This is a bitter blow for Vanderbilt after he already missed most of last season because of health issues. Due to his absence, Rui Hachimura has had an opportunity to lock down a starting role. He posted 15.4 points and 4.8 rebounds as a starter last season.
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Christian Koloko Will Not Play In Season Opener
Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko (illness) will sit out Tuesday's season opener against Minnesota. Following a bout with blood clots, Koloko isn't yet ready to play. The Cameroonian big man was brought in on a two-way contract last month. He adds an extra frontcourt option to the Lakers but isn't expected to play a big role for the team, and it appears likely that Koloko will spend most of the campaign in the G League.
11 hours ago
Jaden Hardy, Mavs Agree On Contract Extension
Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy agreed to a three-year, $18 million contract extension with the team. The 22-year-old has spent his first two seasons in the league with the Mavs, averaging 7.9 points and shooting 37.9% from behind the arc. Although Hardy gives Dallas a reliable bench option, he'll likely have a tough time entering any fantasy lineups this season. However, if Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving miss time during the 2024-25 campaign, which will likely happen, Hardy has streaming potential.
22 hours ago
Aaron Gordon Gets Contract Extension From Denver
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon agreed to a four-year, $133 million contract extension with the club. The deal includes a player option in 2028-29. There were questions when this would happen. However, the team made the deal on the eve of the start of the NBA season. The 29-year-old has been instrumental to the Nuggets' success over the years, most recently averaging 13.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 2023-24. As long as Gordon remains healthy, he'll see more than enough minutes to be at least a top-50 fantasy asset at the position in points leagues. But his shooting from behind the arc will compromise his desirability in category formats.
22 hours ago
Marcus Sasser Has Option Picked Up By Detroit
The Pistons picked up the third-year team option on guard Marcus Sasser on Monday. The 24-year-old had a decent rookie campaign in 2023-24, averaging 8.3 points and 3.3 assists (13.1 points and 4.7 assists in 11 starts). While he'll come off the bench, there is potential for some starts this season, considering Cade Cunningham has had issues staying healthy over the years. For now, Sasser shouldn't be viewed as anything more than a dynasty stash.
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