6 days agoAtlanta Hawks guard
Kobe Bufkin (shoulder) will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign. The 21-year-old has appeared in only 27 games during his two-year career. He has also played sparingly, averaging only 5.0 points in 11.9 minutes per contest. Unfortunately, Bufkin will need surgery to address instability in his right shoulder. With that said, now is not the time for dynasty managers to move him, considering his value can't get much lower. However, the 2023 No. 15 overall pick is talented enough to turn things around, although he'll need to figure out how to stay healthy.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Hawks
6 days agoMemphis Grizzlies guard
Marcus Smart (shoulder) is unlikely to play on Thursday versus the Warriors. Like last season, Smart has had trouble staying on the court during the 2024-25 campaign, missing 10 of Memphis' initial 27 games. Even worse, he has averaged only 9.2 points. He could have been in line for more work with
Ja Morant (back) questionable. But now it appears
Scotty Pippen Jr. could fill the hole at the one against Golden State, with the 24-year-old averaging 14.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 10 starts this season.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Memphis Grizzlies
6 days agoMemphis Grizzlies guard
Ja Morant (back) is questionable heading into Thursday's encounter with the Golden State Warriors. The 2019 No. 2 overall pick has averaged 22.0 points, 8.4 assists, and 1.1 steals during the 2024-25 campaign. However, he's also missed 11 games for various reasons. With
Marcus Smart (shoulder) doubtful,
Scotty Pippen Jr. may fill the void at the one if low back soreness keeps Morant off the floor versus the Dubs. Pippen has played well with the first-five this season, averaging 13.4 points, 5.9 assists, and 1.4 steals in 10 starts, making him a must-start in nearly any fantasy format.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Memphis Grizzlies
6 days agoWashington Wizards guard
Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring) was back in practice on Tuesday. He's missed four games with a left hamstring strain but appears to be on track to return to action soon. The oft-injured guard has appeared in only nine games this season, averaging 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 23.8 minutes. Brogdon has been a regular starter despite seeing limited minutes.
Kyshawn George (ankle) and
Corey Kispert (ankle) also practiced on Tuesday, so Washington might get much-needed help for Thursday's encounter with Charlotte.
Justin Champagnie and
Jared Butler will be bumped down the depth chart once the Wizards return to full health.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Josh Robbins
6 days agoWashington Wizards forward
Kyle Kuzma (ribs) wasn't available for Tuesday's practice but is ramping up in his recovery. Kuzma suffered a rib cartilage sprain on Nov. 27 in a game against the Clippers. He's been out for the subsequent seven contests. It looks like Kuzma still needs more time to recover, but his return shouldn't be far away anymore. The 29-year-old sits second in scoring on the team with 15.8 points per game and has averaged 5.6 rebounds.
Bilal Coulibaly's role on offense has grown during Kuzma's absence. He's averaged 21.0 points across the past three games.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Josh Robbins
6 days agoGolden State Warriors guard/forward
Moses Moody (knee) will likely remain unavailable on Thursday against Memphis. After Moody missed Tuesday's practice, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he would be listed as doubtful for the game. An issue with his left knee has kept Moody sidelined for a couple of contests already. The 22-year-old has posted 7.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 15.6 minutes this season. Moody tends to spark into life occasionally but not often enough to make an impact in fantasy basketball.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Ohm Youngmisuk
6 days agoLos Angeles Lakers forward/center
Christian Wood (knee) has been cleared to resume on-court workouts. The veteran big man is working his way back from left knee surgery, which he had in early September. He appears to be making steady progress, but it remains unclear when Wood will be able to make his season debut. Wood's addition would give the Lakers much-needed frontcourt depth, especially with
Jaxson Hayes (ankle) also out of commission. Hayes has missed nine games and will be re-evaluated next week.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Dave McMenamin
6 days agoPortland Trail Blazers guard/forward
Matisse Thybulle (ankle) is limited to standstill shooting in practice, head coach Chauncey Billups revealed on Tuesday. An ankle injury has kept the 27-year-old off the court for the entire campaign so far, and Thybulle's return doesn't appear to be imminent. Last season, Thybulle averaged 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 22.9 minutes. He has earned two NBA All-Defensive Second Team selections during his five-year career. Thybulle's addition would help Portland improve its defense, but the former first-round pick lacks fantasy appeal due to his limited offensive arsenal.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Sean Highkin
6 days agoPortland Trail Blazers center
Deandre Ayton (illness) was able to practice on Tuesday, signaling he could be ready to return to the lineup on Thursday versus Denver. An illness has kept Ayton out for two games.
Donovan Clingan and
Jabari Walker have filled in for Ayton in the starting unit. The Portland big man has averaged a double-double for the season with 14.2 points and 10.0 rebounds, but he can't seem to stay healthy, missing nine games already this term. If he's ready to return on Thursday, Ayton will, of course, find himself in a very challenging matchup against
Nikola Jokic.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Sean Highkin
7 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers guard
Jared McCain (knee) underwent successful surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn left meniscus. He is out indefinitely. The 20-year-old out of Duke was in the running to win this season's Rookie of the Year award, averaging 15.3 points (23.8 points in eight starts). Without question, it's a tough blow to a team that has been riddled with injuries, with
Joel Embiid,
Tyrese Maxey, and
Paul George all missing time during the 2024-25 campaign. Nonetheless, dynasty managers should hold on to McCain, considering he appears to have a bright future ahead of him. But until he's cleared to return,
Eric Gordon could see more minutes, although he's not worth adding to any fantasy roster.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Jason Dumas
7 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (face) remains sidelined due to another sinus fracture, his third throughout his career. He's due to be re-evaluated in a week. However, fantasy managers have reason to remain hopeful, with head coach Nick Nurse indicating his latest fracture is "not nearly as severe" as his previous two. In hindsight, Embiid didn't miss as much time as expected in previous instances. But when he's cleared to return, he'll likely need to wear protective face covering. Embiid has missed plenty of time due to various injuries this season. Yet, the 30-year-old was beginning to heat up in previous appearances ahead of his most recent injury. With that in mind, there's a good chance Embiid will return in the next few weeks. Until then,
Andre Drummond and
Guerschon Yabusele will handle things in the middle.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Steve Reed
7 days agoMilwaukee Bucks forward
Andre Jackson Jr. will start in Tuesday's NBA Cup final versus Oklahoma City.
Khris Middleton (illness) was expected to play. Unfortunately, things changed drastically heading into this contest, resulting in another absence from the veteran. As usual,
Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) and
Damian Lillard (calf) will pick up most of the slack offensively. However, single-game DFS participants should keep Jackson in mind, considering he'll likely get more minutes and scoring opportunities.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Milwaukee Bucks
7 days agoMilwaukee Bucks guard
Damian Lillard (calf) is available for Tuesday's NBA Cup final versus OKC. The veteran has a contusion on his right calf. However, after missing practice on Monday, he is good to go. Lillard has played well this season, averaging 25.7 points, 7.5 assists, and 37.1% from behind the arc. With
Khris Middleton (illness) unable to get on the floor, Lillard could be even more productive against Oklahoma City.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Milwaukee Bucks
7 days agoMilwaukee Bucks forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) will play in Tuesday's NBA Cup championship versus the Thunder. Despite dealing with right patella tendinopathy for a good portion of the 2024-25 campaign, the multi-time All-Star has had a fantastic season, averaging a career-high 32.7 points with 11.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks. He'll likely get all the minutes he can handle against OKC. But with
Khris Middleton (illness) sidelined for this one, Antetokounmpo should get more scoring opportunities.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Milwaukee Bucks
7 days agoMilwaukee Bucks forward
Khris Middleton (illness) won't play in Tuesday's NBA Cup championship versus OKC. The 33-year-old appeared to have a good chance of playing. However, he's not feeling well, so he won't be out there. Fortunately,
Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) and
Damian Lillard (calf) will play, which will help.
Andre Jackson Jr. could enter the starting lineup, although he's averaged only 4.1 points in 16 starts throughout the 2024-25 campaign.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Milwaukee Bucks
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