2 weeks agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) has yet to play this season. As a result, tensions have been high in recent interactions between the media and some members of the team. However, it reached a boiling point on Saturday after the Sixers loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, with ESPN's Shams Charania reporting that Embiid got into an "altercation" with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes. The 2023 MVP confronted Hayes, reportedly taking issue with a recent column that made mention of Embiid's deceased brother while also referencing his son. As expected, it didn't sit well with Embiid, resulting a verbal confrontation followed by the multi-time All-Star allegedly "shoving" Hayes before both were eventually separated. The league has already launched an investigation, although it's unknown if Embiid will be punished for the incident.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
2 weeks agoMemphis Grizzlies forward
Desmond Bane (oblique) was diagnosed with a right oblique strain. He is considered "week-to-week." The 26-year-old has averaged 18.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 40.6% from behind the arc this season. Of course, this is a tough blow for the Grizzlies, although it is magnified, considering Bane hasn't played more than 58 games in each of the last two seasons. With
Marcus Smart (ankle) sidelined as well moving forward, the team will turn to
Jaylen Wells and
Santi Aldama to fill the void, with the duo combining for 25 points and 18 rebounds in Saturday's win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Fantasy managers can look in their direction while Bane and Smart are on the shelf. The same can be said for
Scotty Pippen Jr., who had 12 points and 13 assists off the bench on Saturday.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Grizzlies PR
2 weeks agoMemphis Grizzlies guard
Marcus Smart (ankle) was diagnosed with a sprained right ankle, an injury he sustained during the October 30 meeting with the Brooklyn Nets. He is considered "week-to-week." Smart is no stranger to injury, with the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year appearing in just 20 games in his first season with the Grizzlies in 2023-24. With that said, it's not an ideal scenario for the team, especially with
Desmond Bane (oblique) also on the shelf. But in the meantime,
Jaylen Wells,
Santi Aldama, and
Scotty Pippen Jr. should continue to benefit from a production standpoint, so fantasy managers can consider each player for streaming purposes until Smart or Bane are back on the floor.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Memphis Grizzlies PR
2 weeks agoNew Orleans Pelicans guard
Jordan Hawkins (back) is questionable heading into Sunday's game versus the Atlanta Hawks. The 22-year-old has been battling a back issue of late, so this isn't the first time he's appeared on the injury report. However, barring a setback, he should be good to go. The Pels don't have
CJ McCollum (thigh),
Dejounte Murray (hand), and
Herbert Jones (shoulder), resulting in Hawkins getting more work. Fortunately, he's taken advantage of his extra time on the court, averaging 23.0 points in his two starts. As long as Hawkins continues to produce at that level, he'll have a place on fantasy rosters. But if he can't suit up on Sunday,
Javonte Green and
Brandon Boston Jr. could see more action.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoOrlando Magic center
Wendell Carter Jr. (knee) is questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Dallas Mavericks. Carter is dealing with a knee issue, keeping him off the floor for Friday's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. With
Goga Bitadze (foot) also sidelined for that one,
Moritz Wagner got the start, finishing with 14 points, five boards, and two steals. If Carter and Bitadze remain out on Sunday, Wagner will be worth streaming in all fantasy formats.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoPhoenix Suns guard/forward
Bradley Beal (elbow) will play on Saturday versus the Portland Trail Blazers. He's missed the last two games because of a sprained right elbow. As a result,
Ryan Dunn got the start, most recently scoring 16 points in Thursday's win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Fantasy managers can get Beal back in the starting lineup. However, Dunn's upside is capped with his return to the bench.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Duane Rankin
2 weeks agoBrooklyn Nets utility man
Ben Simmons (back) is questionable for Sunday's contest versus Detroit. It's the first of back-to-back outings for Brooklyn, so if Simmons plays against the Pistons, he likely won't be out there on Monday against the Grizzlies. The 28-year-old started in all five of his appearances this season. But he hasn't been productive, averaging 6.2 points, 6.2 assists, and 6.0 rebounds. With
Nicolas Claxton returning to form after battling a hamstring injury to begin the year, Simmons will likely return to the bench. However, no matter his role, he hasn't been a reliable starting option for fantasy managers.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoIndiana Pacers center
Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) is done for the season after suffering an injury during Friday's game. Jackson suffered a torn right Achilles tendon which was a non-contact play during Friday's loss. Fellow big man
James Wiseman (Achilles) suffered a season-ending injury on Opening Night. The Pacers have now lost two big men what seems like only a handful of games. That leaves
Obi Toppin and
Jarace Walker as the primary big men behind
Myles Turner. Toppin hasn't been great this season, but is worth looking at with the Pacers extremely shorthanded now. He's averaging 10.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists across 20 minutes per game and his playing time is only going to increase now.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
2 weeks agoPortland Trail Blazers guard
Anfernee Simons (arm) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday's game against the Phoenix Suns. Simons fell on his arm during Friday's loss, but it seems like it was a minor issue. Simons appears to be fine and should play his normal workload on Saturday. He put together his worst performance of the season on Friday, but has been solid outside of that. Fantasy managers should go ahead and get him back in their lineups for this one.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Portland Trail Blazers
2 weeks agoGolden State Warriors forward
Andrew Wiggins (back) is back in the starting five ahead of Saturday's game against the Houston Rockets. Wiggins will make his return to the court after missing each of the last two games due to a lower back strain. His return will push
Lindy Waters III to the bench, which will certainly hurt his streaming value. The Warriors are without
Stephen Curry (ankle) so Wiggins should be asked to do more on offense. Fantasy managers can go ahead and get Wiggins active in their lineups on Saturday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com
2 weeks agoCleveland Cavaliers guard
Craig Porter Jr. (thumb) has been cleared to play ahead of Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Porter hasn't played in each of the last three games due to a right thumb sprain. He's available on Saturday, but hasn't seen more than eight minutes when healthy. However,
Caris LeVert (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game. That should mean more minutes for Porter in the rotation, but he won't be a reliable streaming option with the Cavs mostly healthy.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoMilwaukee Bucks forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) has been cleared to play ahead of Saturday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. As expected, Antetokounmpo will play despite dealing with a knee issue. The Bucks continue to list him as probable, but Antetokounmpo has suited up every game this season. He has finished with a double-double every game with over 22 points in each of the first six games. Fantasy managers can go ahead and get Antetokounmpo active in their lineups.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Jackson Gross
2 weeks agoSacramento Kings forward
Doug McDermott will move into the starting five ahead of Saturday's game against the Toronto Raptors. The veteran forward will get the starting nod with
Kevin Huerter (illness) unable to play.
Keon Ellis figured to get the start, but the Kings decided to go with McDermott. Normally, McDermott isn't a great fantasy option off the bench, but he could be more effective with extended run. He should be able to provide reliable shooting from beyond the arc.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Chris Biderman
2 weeks agoDenver Nuggets guard
Jamal Murray (concussion) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz. This doesn't come as much of a shock after Murray was forced to exit early during Friday's game. He's currently in the league's concussion protocol, which could mean he misses a few games. The Nuggets haven't named the replacement for Murray, but
Russell Westbrook figures to be the most likely candidate. Westbrook is a hit-or-miss type of fantasy players, but fantasy managers in need of help should look his way on Saturday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Denver Nuggets
2 weeks agoCleveland Cavaliers guard/forward
Caris LeVert (knee) won't play in Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. LeVert is dealing with knee soreness. However, it's more likely he's getting a night off, considering he logged 22 minutes on Friday against the Orlando Magic. The 30-year-old has averaged 12.0 points and 4.3 assists this season. He's also shot an impressive 52.4% from behind the arc. With
Max Strus (ankle) on the shelf, LeVert has been a vital piece of the Cavs rotation. But without him,
Ty Jerome and
Sam Merrill could benefit the most versus Milwaukee.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
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