7 days agoCleveland Cavaliers guard
Sam Merrill (ankle) could be in line for a larger workload with
Donovan Mitchell (rest) out against the Raptors on Thursday, but the 28-year-old from Utah State will have to overcome his own questionable tag. Merrill has missed the last three games for Cleveland but could be able to return for the second half of his team's home back-to-back Thursday night. Merrill had 20 points in a spot start against the Jazz just before Christmas, so he does have potential upside. However, on the season, he has only averaged 7.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.8 three-pointers while playing 19.2 minutes per game.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoMiami Heat guard
Josh Richardson (heel) hasn't played since November 18 and was originally listed as doubtful for Thursday's game in Utah, but the veteran was upgraded to questionable and has a chance to return to action for the first time in 23 games. He has only played eight games all season, averaging 18.4 minutes and 4.0 points in his very limited action. Even when he does return, it is unclear how much work there is for him with
Tyler Herro and
Terry Rozier taking most of the work in the backcourt and
Duncan Robinson and
Alec Burks serving as their primary backup.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: Miami Heat
7 days agoGolden State Warriors forward
Andrew Wiggins (personal) was ruled out on Thursday, leaving the Warriors potentially extremely short-handed for their road game against the Pistons. Steph Curry (knee),
Draymond Green (ankle), Dennis Schröder (hip), and
Moses Moody (knee) remain questionable while
Jonathan Kuminga (ankle),
Brandin Podziemski (abdomen), and Gary Payton (calf) have already been ruled out in addition to Wiggins. Draymond Green will have a big role if available, but if he sits,
Trayce Jackson-Davis could have to play more power forward with
Kevon Looney at center.
Kyle Anderson will also step into a larger role without Wiggins and Kuminga, and
Lindy Waters III and
Buddy Hield may have to carry more of the workload as well, depending on who is available in the backcourt.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoDetroit Pistons forward
Ausar Thompson (illness) is on track to play on Thursday night when his Pistons host the Warriors. He missed his team's last two games due to illness, but just before that, he stepped up with 10 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and an impressive total of six steals in 26 minutes against the Timberwolves. He got the start in that contest in place of
Jaden Ivey (leg), and if Thompson is back in the starting lineup on Thursday, he'll be a strong DFS option at his salary. The 21-year-old brings plenty of multi-category production potential as he continues to ramp up after getting a late start to his second NBA season due to a blood clot issue. Thompson has at least five rebounds in six straight games and has averaged 7.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.2 steals despite playing just 20.6 minutes per game in those six contests.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoOrlando Magic forward
Paolo Banchero (oblique) will return from his extended injury absence when the Magic face the Bucks on Friday, according to NBA Insider Chris Haynes. Banchero was officially listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Timberwolves, but according to this report, he will miss one more game before returning for the second half of Orlando's back-to-back. Banchero got off to a great start to the season, averaging 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 36.3 minutes per game in his first five games of the season. He looked ready to make the leap to superstar status before being shelved since October 30. While he will likely play limited minutes in his first few games back, he is an elite fantasy producer. He should step into a large role as soon as possible since the Magic remain without
Jalen Suggs (back) and
Franz Wagner (oblique).
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: Chris Haynes
7 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers forward
Paul George (groin) missed the Sixers' win on Wednesday with groin tightness, but he was able to return to practice on Thursday, according to coach Nick Nurse as reported by NBC's Noah Levick. George has played 24 games in his first season in Philly, including 14 straight before missing Wednesday's game. In those 14 games, PG13 averaged 16.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.6 steals in 33.7 minutes per game. There seems to be a good chance both he and
Joel Embiid (foot) return on Friday against the Pelicans after both stars were able to practice on Thursday. Check back on the Sixers' official injury report as we get closer to game time.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: Noah Levick
7 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (foot) was able to return to practice on Thursday, according to coach Nick Nurse as reported by NBC's Noah Levick. Embiid has missed the last two games for Philadelphia with a foot sprain and has been limited to just 13 games this season due to a variety of issues and injuries. He has averaged 24.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 blocks in his 29.5 minutes per game, and he hasn't fully ramped up to his typical 30+ minute workload. He definitely has a chance to play on Friday in Philly's next game, which is at home against the Pelicans. Stay tuned for his official status and more updates on Embiid's potential return leading up to Friday's tip time.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: Noah Levick
7 days agoUtah Jazz forward
Brice Sensabaugh (illness) will miss a second straight game while battling an illness when the Jazz host the Heat on Thursday night. Sensabaugh was a first-round pick of the Jazz before last season, and he recently made a splash with 34 points against the Heat and 27 points against the Jazz last weekend in Florida. He missed Tuesday's game against Atlanta, though, and will also miss Thursday's contest, leaving more work for
Johnny Juzang,
Patty Mills, and
Cody Williams. Williams played 30 minutes on Tuesday but only finished with four points, three rebounds, and three assists.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoUtah Jazz point guard
Jordan Clarkson (foot) will not suit up for Thursday's contest against the Miami Heat. The last time he played, Clarkson had to leave the court due to a foot injury and played only three minutes against the Miami Heat on January 4th. Later in the game, the Jazz announced that Clarkson injured his left plantar fascia. In 22 games played this year, Clarkson is averaging 16 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Clarkson is set to miss upcoming games against the Phoenix Suns, and Brooklyn Nets.
Patty Mills will see more work in Clarkson's absence.
--Alen Kurbasic - RotoBallerSource: NBA
7 days agoCleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (rest) will not play on Thursday when the Cavs finish their back-to-back with a home game against the Raptors. Mitchell played 35 minutes in Wednesday's big win over the Thunder, and he finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists in Cleveland's win, despite struggling from the field, going just 3-of-16. Mitchell's absence will leave more playing time and usage for
Caris LeVert and
Max Strus alongside
Darius Garland, who will pick up more workload with Spida on the sidelines. This will be just the second game all season that Mitchell has missed.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoAtlanta Hawks guard
Bogdan Bogdanovic (leg) was listed as probable for Thursday night's game against the Suns. He has been battling a lower leg contusion and has only been able to play two games since Christmas. He played two of the Hawks' last three games, and on Tuesday, he played 28 minutes and scored 11 points, three assists, and three three-pointers. Bogdanovic has averaged 10.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 25.5 minutes per game in his 16 games this year.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoDallas Mavericks center
Daniel Gafford is questionable for the Mavs' Thursday matchup with the Trail Blazers after missing just one game with a sprained ankle suffered in Monday's loss to the Grizzlies. After the injury, coach Jason Kidd said Gafford was "probably going to be out some time," so him missing just one game would actually seem to be a very favorable outcome for the 26-year-old big man. Gafford has averaged 11.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 20.1 minutes per game while sharing time in the middle with
Dereck Lively II. Gafford had a few big games while Lively was sidelined recently, but he'll be back in the timeshare if he's able to return Thursday. If he misses a second game, Lively would carry the load in the middle with
Maxi Kleber getting more work off the bench.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoAccording to Shams Charania of ESPN, the NBA is postponing Thursday night's game between the Hornets and the Lakers due to the tragic wildfires raging in the Los Angeles area. The game was scheduled to take place at Crypto.com Arena but will be postponed to an unspecified later date. Charania also reports that the fire has impacted several of the Lakers' personnel, including coach JJ Redick, who lost his home. The Lakers' next game is scheduled for Saturday at home against the Spurs, while the Hornets are next scheduled to take the floor on Saturday against the Clippers, also in the L.A. area.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
7 days agoMiami Heat center
Kevin Love (personal) will not play on Thursday against the Utah Jazz. He has been downgraded from doubtful to out due to personal reasons. The specific nature of the personal issue has not been disclosed. This season, Love has averaged 5.9 points per game, along with 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists. It remains to be seen when he will be back in the lineup for the Heat. This means more work for
Duncan Robinson and
Nikola Jovic moving forward.
--Alen Kurbasic - RotoBallerSource: NBA
7 days agoGolden State Warriors guard
Dennis Schroder (hip) was listed as questionable for Thursday's road game in Detroit.
Stephen Curry (knee) and
Moses Moody (knee) are also questionable, so even if Schroder is available, his role is uncertain. Since joining the Warriors, Schroder has not missed a game, starting 11 straight games for Golden State but producing only 9.5 points, 4.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.5 steals in 27.9 minutes per game. Schroder could be in for a large workload in a favorable matchup if he plays through his questionable tag and Curry is out, but he has yet to really flourish with his new team. If he is out, Moses Moody,
Lindy Waters III, and
Buddy Hield could help pick up extra work.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury report
RADIO
