NBA News
Nikola Vucevic Out Against The Hornets
Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (illness) will miss his first game of the 2024-25 campaign on Friday against the Hornets. The 34-year-old has played at an All-Star-caliber level this season, averaging 21.0 points, 9.8 boards, and shooting 47.4% from behind the arc. Without him, Jalen Smith will presumably enter the starting lineup, immediately giving him credibility as a streaming option and DFS value play. Josh Giddey, Zach LaVine, and Coby White could also see a bump on the scoring end with Vucevic sidelined.
1 hour ago
Josh Giddey Will Play On Friday Evening
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (back) is cleared to suit up in Friday's matchup versus the Charlotte Hornets. Like his teammate, Zach LaVine (back), he was battling back spasms. However, it won't cost Giddey his first game of the 2024-25 campaign. The 22-year-old has played well in his first season in Chicago, averaging 11.7 points, 6.9 assists, and 6.2 rebounds, although he may be even more productive in the favorable matchup against the Hornets.
1 hour ago
Zach LaVine Cleared To Face The Hornets
Chicago Bulls forward Zach LaVine (back) will play in Friday's game against the Hornets. The veteran has played well throughout the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 22.1 points and shooting 43.2% from behind the arc. But he was dealing with back spasms. Fortunately, it won't keep him off the floor for the favorable matchup versus Charlotte.
1 hour ago
Patrick Williams Says He'll Suit Up Versus Charlotte
Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (foot) said he will play in Friday's game against the Hornets. The 23-year-old has been out of commission since November because of issues with his left foot, the same one he had surgery on back in March. With that in mind, he has averaged only 9.9 points and 5.0 rebounds this season, so he isn't the most dependable fantasy option. But Williams' return could at least mean less work for Ayo Dosunmu and Matas Buzelis.
1 hour ago
Evan Mobley Won't Play On Friday Night
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (ankle) won't play on Friday against the Wizards. The 23-year-old has played well this season, averaging 18.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.1 steals. But he'll miss his second game of the 2024-25 campaign, so his next chance to play will be on Monday in Brooklyn. Without Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland, and Donovan Mitchell should get a few extra scoring opportunities. Georges Niang could also work his way into the starting lineup, giving him DFS value potential.
1 hour ago
Thomas Bryant Traded To Indiana
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Heat have agreed to trade center Thomas Bryant to the Pacers. In exchange, Indiana will swap a future second-round pick with Miami. The 27-year-old has averaged only 4.1 points and 3.2 rebounds this season. But with James Wiseman (Achilles) and Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) both sidelined, the team needed another big. While Bryant won't start unless Myles Turner isn't available, he should see more playing time in Indiana. Still, unless he finds himself with the first five, his contributions could be sporadic.
2 hours ago
Austin Reaves Now Probable For Friday Night
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (pelvis) is probable for Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He has missed the Lakers' previous five contests because of a pelvic contusion and was initially labeled as questionable heading into this one. Luckily, Los Angeles will likely have him back on the court on Friday night. It can't come at a better time, considering LeBron James (foot) isn't available. As such, Reaves could be more involved on the scoring end, which is why he'll surely see more attention from DFS managers.
2 hours ago
Tidjane Salaun Tagged As Questionable Against Bulls
Charlotte Hornets forward Tidjane Salaun (ankle) has been listed as questionable on Friday while he deals with an ankle sprain. The Hornets are set to take on the Chicago Bulls who have lost their last two games and could be dealing with some injuries of their own. Salaun started to see some added playing time with the Hornets' injury report growing until he sprained his left ankle against the Knicks. If he has to miss another game, Cody Martin and Josh Green should remain in the starting lineup while Martin serves as the better streaming option. In their last game, Martin finished with 14 points, six rebounds, one assist, and two steals across 33 minutes.
4 hours ago
Zach Edey Considered Doubtful On Friday
Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (ankle) is headed for his 12th consecutive missed game as he's considered doubtful to play on Friday against the Brooklyn Nets. The rookie big man has been battling an ankle sprain since November 17 and there isn't a firm timetable for his return. The fact that he hasn't been ruled out right away is at least a trend in the right direction. Jay Huff should continue to see extra minutes off of the bench. Over the last three games, Huff has averaged 12.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 2.3 threes per game.
4 hours ago
Kyle Kuzma Out Again Friday Against Cavaliers
Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (ribs) has been ruled out again for the sixth consecutive game since injuring his ribs against the Los Angeles Clippers on November 27. The veteran power forward has yet to find his footing this year in the midst of the injuries he's experienced. Right now, his numbers have decreased across the board from last season, especially in scoring and efficiency. In his place, Justin Champagnie will likely continue to get some more playing time. Champagnie has averaged 15.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game over the last three games.
5 hours ago
Evan Mobley Considered Questionable Against Wizards
Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center Evan Mobley (ankle) has drawn a questionable status for Friday's game against the Washington Wizards. He's suffering from a sprained left ankle but will likely test it out during warm-ups and determine if he can play. The young big man has been a consistent force in scoring and boards, so if he has to miss this game, Jarrett Allen's usage should increase. Georges Niang will likely see some added playing time while Tristan Thompson may get a crack at some relief minutes. Niang's only start of the season yielded 14 points, eight rebounds, one steal, and four threes against the Chicago Bulls.
5 hours ago
Miles Bridges Could Miss Another Game On Friday
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (knee) has been tagged as questionable and is in danger of missing his 11th consecutive game due to a bone bruise in his right knee. The sixth-year wing has appeared in 11 games this season with averages of 16.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.2 threes, and 1.4 turnovers per game. If he's still unable to suit up, however, Cody Martin and Josh Green should remain in the starting five. Martin has turned himself into a valuable streamer in deeper leagues with 9.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.0 threes per game over the last five contests.
5 hours ago
LaMelo Ball Sidelined Friday Against Bulls
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (calf) is dealing with a left calf strain and has been ruled out of Friday's game against the Chicago Bulls. This will be the seventh consecutive game that he's missed after suffering the calf strain against the Miami Heat near the end of November. Since Tre Mann (back) is also sidelined, Vasilije Micic has become a starter with Josh Green while Isaiah Wong has seen some time off of the bench. Micic has been the most reliable streaming option of the three as he's averaged 12.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 2.2 threes per game across his six starts.
5 hours ago
Caleb Martin Ruled Out Friday Against Pacers
Philadelphia 76ers forward Caleb Martin (shoulder) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers due to a right-shoulder impingement. The 29-year-old has been going through a rough stretch during the first quarter of the season, and he barely saw any playing time over the last two games. As Martin watches from the sidelines, Kenyon Martin Jr. has been enjoying a solid streak over the last seven games. During that time, he's averaged 11.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 66.0% from the floor.
5 hours ago
Jusuf Nurkic Off The Injury Report
Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (thigh) is off the injury report ahead of Friday's game against Utah. The 30-year-old missed the last six games because of a thigh contusion. As a result, Mason Plumlee took his spot in the lineup. However, with Nurkic back in the mix for the favorable matchup with the Jazz, Plumlee isn't worth starting in any fantasy lineup.
23 hours ago
Kevin Durant Expected Back Against The Jazz
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (ankle) is probable for the meeting with the Jazz on Friday night. The 36-year-old has been banged up a few times during the 2024-25 campaign, most recently missing the last three games because of a sprained ankle. But outside of that, he continues to play well, averaging 25.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 44.9% from downtown. With Durant's anticipated return, Royce O'Neale, coming off a 16-point, seven-rebound effort versus Orlando on December 8, likely won't be as productive.
23 hours ago
Austin Reaves Likely Out Again On Friday
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (pelvis) is unlikely to play in Friday's matchup with the Timberwolves, marking his sixth-consecutive absence. LeBron James (foot) has already been ruled out due to left foot soreness, so the Lakers could be without two of their top scoring options. As a result, Anthony Davis would be in line for a bump in offensive production. Rui Hachimura, D'Angelo Russell, and Dalton Knecht could also see an uptick in scoring opportunities.
23 hours ago
Patrick Williams Questionable Against The Hornets
Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (foot) is questionable for Friday's game against the Hornets. The 23-year-old has been sidelined for nearly a month because of an issue with his surgically-repaired left foot. However, he may need a few more days to recover, although the questionable designation is a step in the right direction. With that in mind, since Williams has averaged only 9.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals this season, there aren't many fantasy managers concerned with his availability. But until Williams is back on the floor, Ayo Dosunmu, averaging 15.5 points in 12 starts this season, should remain with the first five.
Yesterday
Josh Giddey Uncertain For Friday Night
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (back) is questionable for Friday's encounter with the Charlotte Hornets. The 22-year-old has played as well as expected in his first season in The Windy City, logging 11.7 points, 6.9 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per contest. He's dealing with back spasms, so there's a chance it could keep him off the floor. If that is the case, Lonzo Ball (knee), who is probable, may see additional minutes, with Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu also in line for more work and scoring opportunities.
Yesterday
Nikola Vucevic Questionable Versus Charlotte
Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (illness) is questionable for Friday's matchup versus the Hornets. The veteran hasn't missed a game all year. He's also played extremely well, averaging 21.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 47.4% shooting from behind the arc. But if the illness keeps Vucevic off the floor, Jalen Smith could find himself in the starting lineup. But even if Smith doesn't start, he should see enough minutes to justify his presence in fantasy lineups.
Yesterday
Nikola Vucevic
• C
•
Bulls
