2 weeks agoMemphis Grizzlies guard
Marcus Smart (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Boston Celtics. Smart reportedly sprained his right ankle during the Grizzlies' game against the Kings, and his availability for Saturday's contest is now in doubt. If Smart is unable to play,
Scotty Pippen Jr. and
Jake LaRavia could see an uptick in playing time off the bench. Smart has been averaging 21.5 minutes per game, with 9.8 points and 1.5 steals, but his most significant impact for Memphis comes on the defensive end. He's also been playing well recently, especially with his playmaking, registering five straight games with five or more assists. Fantasy managers should check back for updates on his status.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoCharlotte Hornets center
Nick Richards is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to an ankle injury. Richards rolled his ankle during Thursday's game against the Knicks but was able to finish the contest. The injury may have flared up since then, leaving his availability for Saturday in doubt. If Richards is unable to play,
Mark Williams is expected to take on a larger role, with
Moussa Diabate potentially seeing increased minutes as the backup center. Despite only appearing in eight games this season, Richards has been productive, averaging 11.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. Fantasy managers will be hoping for his return to the court soon.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoSan Antonio Spurs forward/center
Zach Collins will re-enter the starting lineup on Friday against Sacramento. He will replace
Jeremy Sochan, who filled in for
Victor Wembanyama (back) on Thursday. Sochan has just returned from injury, and it looks like the team wants to manage his load after he had a 36-minute outing Thursday night against Chicago. He should still play a significant role in Friday's game. Collins has averaged 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in three previous starts this season. He faces a tough matchup against
Domantas Sabonis on Friday, which might limit Collins' offensive contributions.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: San Antonio Spurs
2 weeks agoIndiana Pacers guard
Andrew Nembhard (knee) will play against Chicago on Friday. He's back in the lineup after missing Wednesday's loss to Brooklyn. Nembhard only recently returned from a 12-game absence and has been far from his best in the couple of outings he's had. Fantasy managers should tame their expectations regarding Nembhard.
Quenton Jackson lands back among the reserves due to Nembhard's return, but he hasn't done too well as a starter anyway.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoSan Antonio Spurs guard/forward
Devin Vassell (foot) will exit the lineup on Friday against Sacramento. This is the second leg of a back-to-back for the Spurs, and Vassell will be rested for the contest as he continues to manage a right foot injury. Vassell has been used as a microwave scorer off the bench this season. He's averaged 17.8 points in 23.5 minutes across eight outings. His absence on Friday will give his teammates a lot of additional scoring opportunities. With
Victor Wembanyama (back) also on the shelf,
Keldon Johnson will be expected to lead the offense alongside
Chris Paul and
Jeremy Sochan. Johnson scored a team-high 28 points in Thursday's 139-124 loss to Chicago.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers point guard
Gabe Vincent will make his second start of the campaign Friday versus Atlanta. He will replace
D'Angelo Russell in the starting unit. Vincent's only previous start came last Sunday in a 105-104 win over Utah. The 28-year-old had a quiet but effective game with 10 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Russell should still see a good amount of minutes on Friday, and he actually has performed better as a reserve this season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Kings
2 weeks agoSan Antonio Spurs center
Victor Wembanyama (back) will remain sidelined on Friday against Sacramento. A back problem will keep the French phenom out for a second consecutive contest after he was labeled as a game-time decision earlier in the evening.
Jeremy Sochan moved to the first unit as Wembanyama's replacement on Thursday against Chicago, with
Zach Collins and
Charles Bassey seeing additional action as reserve bigs. Sochan had a nice 16-point, 14-rebound double-double, while Collins put together a decent all-around line. Both players should be good options for fantasy managers again on Friday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Dusty Garza
2 weeks agoMilwaukee Bucks guard/forward
Khris Middleton (ankle) is officially good to go for his season debut on Friday versus Boston. The team has upgraded him from probable to available. He will come off the bench in his first game since May. It will likely take some time before Middleton is fully up to speed, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect too much from him initially.
Gary Trent Jr.,
Andre Jackson Jr., and Taurean Price are all in danger of losing playing time to Middleton.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoMilwaukee Bucks forward
Taurean Prince (illness) will play against Boston on Friday. He was initially iffy for the contest due to an illness. Prince has recently had a productive spell with the Bucks, scoring in double figures five times in the past six games. He's shot an amazing 16-for-23 from behind the three-point line during the stretch. However, Boston gives up the third-fewest three-point attempts in the league, so it might be difficult for Prince to keep his hot shooting spell going.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Milwaukee Bucks
2 weeks agoChicago Bulls guard
Josh Giddey (foot) is active ahead of Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers. Giddey appears ready to play after being a late addition to the injury report due to right foot soreness. Giddey was quiet on Wednesday, but finished with a triple-double during Monday's contest. The 22-year-old is averaging 11.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists across 27 minutes this season. Fantasy managers can go ahead and get Giddey active in their lineups on Friday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoChicago Bulls guard
Zach LaVine (back) is available ahead of Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers. As expected, LaVine will suit up as he was listed as probable on the injury report due to back soreness. LaVine nearly notched a triple-double during Thursday's win over the San Antonio Spurs. This season, LaVine is averaging 21.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across 33 minutes per game this season. He'll be good to go on Friday despite it being a back-to-back set. Fantasy managers can safely get LaVine active in their lineups ahead of tip-off.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers forward/center
Anthony Davis (foot) will take the court on Friday against Atlanta. He has been upgraded from probable to available. This has become the norm this season with Davis, who has sat out only one game. The nine-time All-Star will look to break out of a funk after shooting just 7-for-28 in his past two outings, producing 20 total points. He's not in a favorable position to do so on Friday, as the Hawks allow a league-low 18.4 points per 48 minutes to opposing centers.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Trevor Lane
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers forward
LeBron James (foot) will be active against Atlanta on Friday. The NBA's all-time leading scorer picked up a questionable tag ahead of the contest but has now been cleared to play. James ended a shooting slump in the last game, posting 29 points with 12-for-18 shooting in 29 minutes in a blowout loss to Miami on Wednesday. The Hawks allow the fourth-most points in the league (118.4), making this a good matchup for James to start building momentum.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Jovan Buha
2 weeks agoChicago Bulls forward
Matas Buzelis (nose) has been upgraded to available ahead of Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers. The rookie forward suffered a nose contusion and is likely going to wear a mask because of it. He scored 20 points during Monday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Despite that, fantasy managers shouldn't expect too much from Buzelis. He has been fairly inconsistent as a contributor this season and usually only plays minutes in the teens.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Cody Westerlund
2 weeks agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Andre Drummond (ankle) will suit up against Orlando on Friday. The 31-year-old rebounding machine will return from a two-game absence. With the 76ers frontcourt battling injuries, Drummond has carved out a decent role in the rotation. He has averaged 8.1 points and 8.2 rebounds with 1.3 steals in 20.4 minutes this season. Orlando is a mediocre rebounding team, so Drummond should have a productive night at the office. He will start the contest alongside
Guerschon Yabusele,
Paul George,
Kelly Oubre Jr., and
Tyrese Maxey.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
RADIO
