1 week agoBrooklyn Nets forward/center
Trendon Watford (hamstring) will not play against Atlanta on Wednesday. Watford was ruled out for two weeks on Oct. 7 but hasn't recovered in time to be ready for the season opener. His next chance to play will come on Friday versus Orlando, although it's unclear if Watford is even close to being game-ready. With
Day'Ron Sharpe (hamstring) also unavailable,
Noah Clowney will join Claxton in an attempt to outbattle Atlanta's one-two punch of
Clint Capela and
Onyeka Okongwu in the paint.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoBrooklyn Nets center
Nicolas Claxton (hamstring) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's matchup against Atlanta. This strongly indicates that he will be ready to play in the season opener despite missing the preseason with a hamstring injury. Claxton should be out to prove his worth right away after getting a four-year, $100 million contract from the Nets in the summer. However, considering he's just back from injury, the team could elect to limit Claxton's minutes in the opener. This would put
Noah Clowney in a good position to perform, as the Nets lack alternative frontcourt options.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoSacramento Kings guard
Kevin Huerter (shoulder) has a chance to play in Thursday's meeting with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He's been working his way back from shoulder surgery. However, head coach Mike Brown said after Tuesday's practice that Huerter "looks good," adding, "he doesn't look like he's missed a beat." Brown also indicated the 26-year-old would "probably" start if he's cleared to play. Fantasy managers can consider Huerter a starting option if that's the case. If he doesn't suit up,
Keon Ellis, who averaged 8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 40.4% shooting from deep in 21 starts last season, would be worth streaming in deep category formats.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Jason Anderson
1 week agoHouston Rockets center
Steven Adams (knee, calf) is questionable for Wednesday's game versus the Charlotte Hornets. The veteran, who missed the 2023-24 campaign, was traded to Houston in February. While he's expected to continue providing leadership to a young, up-and-coming club, he will come off the bench behind
Alperen Sengun, so he'll have a tough time providing consistent production for fantasy managers. With that said, even if Adams suits up, he could see fewer minutes than anticipated while he gets up to speed. Keep him out of the starting lineup.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoPhoenix Suns forward
Grayson Allen (Achilles) is anticipated to suit up for Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The former Duke Blue Devil has been dealing with Achilles soreness and is uncertain to go for the Suns' opener. However, barring a setback, he should be good to go. Allen is coming off the best year of his career, averaging 13.5 points and shooting 46.1% from behind the arc. While he's anticipated to come off the bench in 2024-25, he'll see enough minutes to remain relevant for fantasy managers. His three-point prowess is an added boost for category participants.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoCharlotte Hornets center
Mark Williams (foot) has resumed on-court activities. Unfortunately, he remains without a return date, with the Hornets planning to provide an update "when appropriate." The 2022 No. 15 overall pick appeared in only 19 games last season. Unfortunately, he strained a tendon in his foot nearly a month ago while working his way back and has been on the shelf since. With that in mind,
Nick Richards, who averaged 10.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 51 starts during the 2023-24 campaign, is more than capable of holding things down underneath the rim until Williams can return.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Charlotte Hornets PR
1 week agoToronto Raptors forward/center
Kelly Olynyk (back) won't play in Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers. The veteran is battling a back issue, although it's unknown when he'll be ready to play. Olynyk had a decent run with the Raptors last season, averaging 12.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists (28 games). However, he shot 33.8% from behind the arc, a significant regression from his time in Utah. Olynyk is expected to come off the bench behind
Jakob Poeltl this season, so
Bruno Fernando and
Chris Boucher should see more action until he returns.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoToronto Raptors guard/forward
Bruce Brown (knee) won't play in Wednesday's matchup with the Cavaliers. He remains without a return date. The 28-year-old is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery. Fortunately, he's recently been practicing somewhat, so he is moving in the right direction. Brown is coming off a down year, averaging 9.6 points in 34 games with the Raptors in 2023-24. He'll likely need time to ramp up once he's cleared to return. But with
RJ Barrett (shoulder) and
Kelly Olynyk (back) also out for the opener,
Scottie Barnes,
Immanuel Quickley, and
Gradey Dick should be Toronto's top producers on the offensive end.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoToronto Raptors forward
RJ Barrett (shoulder) won't play in Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers. The former Duke Blue Devil suffered an AC joint sprain a few weeks ago and has been working his way back since. He was hoping to be ready for the opener. However, that won't happen. Fortunately, he's been increasing his activity level, so fantasy managers shouldn't shut the door regarding a potential return for upcoming meetings with Philadelphia, Minnesota, or Denver. But with
Bruce Brown (knee) and
Kelly Olynyk (back) ruled out,
Scottie Barnes and
Immanuel Quickley should carry the load on the offensive end. There's also room for
Gradey Dick and
Ochai Agbaji to smash their projections for Wednesday evening.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoIndiana 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.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 week agoNew 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.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 week agoNew 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.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 week agoNew 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.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 week agoMiami 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.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 week agoMilwaukee 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.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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