1 week 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
1 week 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
1 week 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
1 week 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
1 week 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
1 week agoOklahoma City Thunder forward/center
Jaylin Williams (hamstring) will not suit up for Tuesday's matchup against Milwaukee. He's been unavailable for the entire year so far because of a hamstring injury and won't be ready to return for the 2024 NBA Cup final.
Kenrich Williams will continue to provide backup for starting center
Isaiah Hartenstein. However, the 30-year-old has very little fantasy appeal, having averaged 7.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 13.7 minutes this month.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoMilwaukee Bucks forward
Khris Middleton (illness) is considered probable for Tuesday's NBA Cup final against Oklahoma City. An illness kept him out from Monday's practice, but Middleton is expected to be fine for Tuesday's game. The 33-year-old has made his first four appearances of the season this month, notching 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in 21.3 minutes. He's been coming off the bench as the Bucks have tried to keep Middleton's workload under control. Considering his limited role, Middleton has done well through his first few outings, although his shooting stroke appears to be quite rusty, as the former All-Star has made only 25.9 percent of his shots.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoMilwaukee Bucks point guard
Damian Lillard (calf) has been listed as probable for Tuesday's NBA Cup final against Oklahoma City. The veteran star didn't practice on Monday, leaving a question mark hanging over him, but it looks like he will be good to go for the big game. Lillard played a vital role in last week's quarterfinal win against Orlando and also had a fine game against Atlanta in the semifinal. He will enter Monday's action with averages of 25.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.2 steals for the month. The Thunder are among the top defensive teams in the league and allow the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing point guards.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoBrooklyn Nets forward/center
Trendon Watford (hamstring) could not complete Monday's contest against Cleveland. He was ruled out for the rest of the game early in the third quarter because of left hamstring soreness. Watford posted eight points in 10 minutes before his premature exit. The 24-year-old missed the start of the season with a left hamstring strain, so this isn't a new issue for him. Watford has contributed 8.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.1 minutes off the bench.
Noah Clowney and
Day'Ron Sharpe should get additional action on the Nets frontcourt if Watford has to sit on the sidelines for a bit.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Erik Slater
1 week agoToronto Raptors center
Jakob Poeltl (groin) was limited to 22 minutes in Monday's 122-121 loss to Chicago. The big man from Austria suffered a left groin injury when he slipped on the floor early in the fourth quarter. Poeltl finished the night with six points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal. The 29-year-old has been a walking double-double in 2024-25 and will be a big miss for Toronto if Poeltl has to sit out additional action. If that's the case,
Jonathan Mogbo,
Kelly Olynyk, and
Chris Boucher will take care of his minutes. Boucher had the best game of the three on Monday with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Sportsnet
1 week agoDetroit Pistons guard
Jaden Ivey (knee) was a late scratch on Monday versus Miami because of left knee pain. He was already announced as a starter before the team pulled him from the game.
Malik Beasley filled in for Ivey in the first unit and had a great night with a season-high 28 points on 7-for-13 three-point shooting. Ivey's issue doesn't sound serious, but fantasy managers should definitely monitor the situation. Beasley led the Pistons in scoring on Monday and will have additional fantasy value if Ivey remains out. Detroit returns to the court Thursday night versus Utah.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Pistons PR
1 week agoChicago Bulls guard
Josh Giddey (ankle) exited Monday night's game against the Toronto Raptors early and won't return after injuring his ankle. Giddey went to contest a
Gradey Dick three-point attempt and immediately grabbed at his right ankle before going to the floor and was writhing in pain. The 22-year-old was shown being helped to the locker room, pointing towards this injury being potentially serious. If Giddey is forced to miss an extended period of time, it's unclear who would take over in the starting lineup for Giddey as
Patrick Williams,
Lonzo Ball and
Matas Buzelis all could fit the bill. One starter who could pick up additional assists is
Ayo Dosunmu, who's shown an ability to facilitate Chicago's offense in past seasons.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Chicago Bulls
1 week agoCharlotte Hornets forward
Brandon Miller (ankle) was removed from Monday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers after injuring his ankle during a layup attempt. He was ruled out by the team and won't return. Miller appeared to roll his ankle while landing on Sixers forward
Guerschon Yabusele's foot. The 22-year-old put up 12 points in 31 minutes before being removed and had been Charlotte's main offensive weapon with
LaMelo Ball out the past seven games before returning tonight. If Miller is forced to miss time, expect
Cody Martin to pick up additional minutes.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Charlotte Hornets PR
1 week agoDenver Nuggets guard
Christian Braun (back) has been ruled out of Monday night's game against the Sacramento Kings. Braun is dealing with a lower back strain that he was able to play through on Friday night but wasn't able to overcome on Monday. This will be the 23-year-old's first game missed this season. In his absence, expect the Nuggets to start either
Julian Strawther or
Russell Westbrook. Both will be a step down defensively but bring different offensive skillsets to the table. With Sacramento generally being weaker to deep shots, Strawther may be the more viable fantasy and DFS option on Monday night.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Denver Nuggets
1 week agoUtah Jazz guard
Jordan Clarkson (foot) is listed as available for Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Clarkson had missed seven straight games dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot before returning off the bench and putting up 23 points in Friday night's loss to the Phoenix Suns. The 32-year-old should be in line for another solid outing on Monday night as he put up 21 points against the Clippers earlier this season. Fantasy managers and DFS managers should target the guard as a solid option in the late slate.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
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