1 week agoDetroit Pistons center
Jalen Duren (ankle) was forced to make an early exit against Charlotte on Wednesday. He sprained his left ankle early in the game, finishing scoreless in eight minutes with three rebounds and one assist. The team announced that Duren will be considered day-to-day. It seems like the talented big man escaped serious injury on Wednesday, but he might still have to sit out some games.
Paul Reed entered the rotation on Wednesday and played well at both ends, while
Isaiah Stewart could get extra work on Friday versus Atlanta. The Hawks are giving up the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season, making this a good matchup for Detroit's big men. A meeting with Houston on Sunday is also a favorable spot for them.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 week agoUtah Jazz point guard
Isaiah Collier (hamstring) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's clash with the Bucks. Due to a hamstring injury, the 20-year-old rookie has yet to play this season. However, he participated fully in Wednesday's practice, signaling that Collier might be ready for his NBA debut on Thursday. Collier was the 29th pick out of USC in the 2024 draft. He's got a bunch of people ahead of him on the depth chart and isn't expected to make a significant contribution in 2024-25.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoUtah Jazz guard
Jordan Clarkson (heel) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against Milwaukee. Utah ruled Clarkson out for at least a week last Friday, but he came through a full practice session on Wednesday and appears to be ahead of schedule in his recovery. The veteran scorer has missed two games with a heel problem. Clarkson's return will likely push
Collin Sexton back to the second unit. However, Sexton should still be impactful. Milwaukee is allowing the fourth-most three-point makes in the league, giving Clarkson a good opportunity to find some rhythm behind the arc. He's nailed only 19.2 percent of his triples so far.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee, suspension) is slated to make his season debut on Tuesday versus the Knicks. Embiid has been unavailable for the start of the year because of a knee problem and began a three-game suspension on Wednesday against the Clippers. Fittingly, he will be eligible to return to the lineup against the team that ended Philadelphia's season in 2023-24. Tuesday's clash is also going to be an NBA Cup game. Embiid will likely carry a minutes restriction, and it's highly likely he won't play on Wednesday in the second leg of a back-to-back versus Cleveland, meaning fantasy managers won't get full value out of him.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
1 week agoUtah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (back) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The veteran has missed Utah's previous three games because of back spasms, opening the door for
Kyle Filipowski to enter the starting lineup. The rookie has been decent with the first five, averaging 7.0 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 37.5% from deep. However, that kind of production won't earn him a place in most fantasy lineups. Instead,
John Collins, who is coming off a massive 28-point, 13-rebound, and five-assist showing from off the bench in Monday's win over the Bulls, should be the preferred fantasy option if Markkanen doesn't suit up.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoMilwaukee Bucks forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo (adductor) is questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Utah Jazz. The Freak didn't play in Monday's loss to the Cavaliers because of a right adductor strain, marking his first absence of the 2024-25 campaign.
Bobby Portis got the start in that one, finishing with 21 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks. If Antetokounmpo is ruled out again, Portis could be in line for another solid fantasy performance. The same can be said for
Damian Lillard, who had 36 points on Monday night.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoMemphis Grizzlies point guard
Ja Morant injured his hamstring during the third quarter in the Grizzlies' matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Morant went up for a lob attempt and got blocked by Lakers center
Christian Koloko before tumbling to the ground. The play happened with about 3:50 left in the third quarter.
Luke Kennard checked in for Morant about 30 seconds later and Morant didn't return to the game after. No details have been released by the team yet regarding Morant's hamstring, but fantasy managers should certainly keep an eye on the superstar's condition going forward. Memphis' next game is Friday against the Washington Wizards. If Morant is unable to play, expect
Scotty Pippen Jr. to take the reins at point guard.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Grizzlies PR
1 week agoPhoenix Suns guard
Bradley Beal (elbow) will play during Wednesday's game against the Miami Heat. As expected, Beal will play through his elbow strain like he did on Monday. He finished with 17 points and five rebounds in 34 minutes of action during that game. That being said, Beal doesn't seem to be impacted by the elbow issue, so fantasy managers can leave him in their fantasy lineups. The expectation is that Beal will see his normal workload during Wednesday's game.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Duane Rankin
1 week agoChicago Bulls guard
Josh Giddey (illness) is available ahead of Wednesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. As expected, Giddey will suit up for this game after being considering as probable with a minor illness. He'll resume his role in the starting five and should see a higher usage with
Zach LaVine (groin) sidelined once again. He finished with 15 points and seven assists through 30 minutes of action during Monday's game. Giddey should be rostered in most fantasy formats and managers can get him in there as active on Wednesday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoChicago Bulls guard
Zach LaVine (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Wednesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. LaVine will miss his second straight game due to a lingering groin issue.
Ayo Dosunmu has been filling in for LaVine in the starting five. He finished with 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists during 35 minutes of playing time on Monday. Dosunmu should be a strong streaming option until LaVine is able to get back on the court. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly ahead of tip-off.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Mark Followill
1 week agoDallas Mavericks center
Dereck Lively II (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Wednesday's game against the Chicago Bulls. Lively will now miss his second game in a row due to a right shoulder sprain. The expectation is that
Daniel Gafford should see a boost in playing time with Lively unable to play. Gafford only played 15 minutes during Monday's game. That being said,
Dwight Powell might end up seeing more time than Gafford, but neither player is an ideal streaming option for Wednesday's game.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: K.C. Johnson
1 week agoLos Angeles Lakers guards
D'Angelo Russell (hip) and
Austin Reaves (ankle) are both available ahead of Wednesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. As expected, both players will suit up for this game after being listed as probable. The Lakers are missing some key pieces on offense, so Russell and Reaves should be asked to do more heavy lifting on offense. Both players should see significant boosts in fantasy value ahead of Wednesday's game.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Ryan Ward
1 week agoNew Orleans Pelicans guards
Jose Alvarado (ankle) and
Jordan Hawkins (back) are both available ahead of Wednesday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Both players were considered questionable coming into this one, but it appears they're feeling good enough to give it a go. Hawkins is back after a one-game absence due to lower back tightness. Hawkins has stepped into a bigger role for the Pelicans lately. He's averaging 21.7 points and 3.7 rebounds across the last three games. He's worth a look as a streaming choice right now. Alvarado scored 18 points during his last game, but Hawkins is the better streaming choice between the two.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: New Orleans Pelicans
1 week agoNew Orleans Pelicans forward
Zion Williamson (thigh) is available ahead of Wednesday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The big man is back in the starting five after missing the last two games due to right thigh soreness. This is great news for the banged up Pelicans roster right now. The return of Williamson should shift
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl back to the bench. It's unlikely that Robinson-Earl is going to have viable streaming value with Williamson back in the mix. Fantasy managers can get Williamson back in their lineups on Wednesday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Marc J. Spears
1 week agoLos Angeles Lakers center
Anthony Davis (foot) won't play on Wednesday versus Memphis. He's been dealing with a foot injury since the summer. Unfortunately, he re-injured it in Monday's loss to the Detroit Pistons. AD was on the floor taking shots before the game. However, fantasy managers are now left wondering if this is the start of a lengthy absence. With
Rui Hachimura (illness) also out,
Dalton Knecht,
Christian Koloko, and
Jaxson Hayes warrant streaming attention.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Marc Stein
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