2 weeks agoNew York Knicks forward
Karl-Anthony Towns is available and starting for the Knicks on Friday in their matchup against the Detroit Pistons. Towns was originally listed as questionable with a wrist injury but will be able to play through the pain. The 28-year-old will have a tough matchup against the Pistons who have been strong defensively against forwards. Towns has been sporadic in his offensive production so far, posting up point totals of 12, 21, 13 and 44 on the season. He's providing much more consistency from a rebounding perspective, averaging 11.3 RPG. Fantasy managers will certainly still want him in their starting lineups no matter what. DFS managers may want to take caution with adding him in their lineups given the volatility of tonight's matchup.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Stefan Bondy
2 weeks agoNew Orleans Pelicans center
Daniel Theis (ankle) is on track to play Friday against the Indiana Pacers, according to head coach Willie Green. The 32-year-old exited early in Wednesday's loss to Golden State with a right ankle issue, but it appears he'll be able to suit up without any missed time. Over his first five games of the season, Theis has averaged 4.0 points and 4.4 rebounds as a reliable role player. Expect him to resume his usual role barring any last-minute setbacks.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: Madeline Adams
2 weeks agoGolden State Warriors guard
De'Anthony Melton (back) won't play on Saturday against Houston due to inflammation in his lower back. It will be the third consecutive game he will miss. Melton has played in three games this season after he was limited to 38 contests with the 76ers last season because of a back injury. With
Stephen Curry (ankle) also out Saturday, Lindy Waters and
Moses Moody will likely see more action.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoNew Orleans Pelicans guard
Jordan Hawkins (back) is expected to be available for Friday's matchup against the Indiana Pacers, according to head coach Willie Green. The young guard has been managing back spasms but is expected to play through the issue in a depleted backcourt. With
CJ McCollum (thigh) and
Dejounte Murray (hand) both sidelined, Hawkins is set for an expanded role. Over five regular-season games, he has averaged 16.2 points per game and could take on even more responsibility Friday.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: Madeline Adams
2 weeks agoBoston Celtics center
Al Horford (rest) won't play on Friday against Charlotte. Horford has averaged 9.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.0 steals this season. He's also shot 60.0% from behind the arc. But the veteran will take the night off before presumably suiting up for the rematch with the Hornets on Saturday. With that said,
Luke Kornet will likely take over at the five and is worth starting in all fantasy formats.
Xavier Tillman Sr. and
Neemias Queta will also draw value attention from DFS participants.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoGolden State Warriors forward
Andrew Wiggins (back) is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Houston Rockets. Wiggins has missed two consecutive contests with a lower back strain. If the 29-year-old can go, he will provide a spark to the Warriors' rotation, as
Stephen Curry (ankle) and
De'Anthony Melton (back) will be sidelined on Saturday once again.
Moses Moody,
Brandin Podziemski, and
Jonathan Kuminga will take on extra minutes if Wiggins cannot suit up.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers guard
D'Angelo Russell (back) will play against the Raptors on Friday night. He continues to battle back soreness. However, it hasn't cost him any games yet this season. Unfortunately, Russell has struggled in the Lakers' five games, averaging 10.8 points, 5.8 assists, and 25.0% shooting from behind the arc. He should break out of his funk at some point. But until then, fantasy managers may want to consider keeping Russell on the bench.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Dave McMenamin
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers center
Anthony Davis (hip) will play on Friday versus Toronto. Davis' appearance on the injury report is nothing new for fantasy managers. However, he was listed as probable, so the latest update confirms what most had anticipated. The 31-year-old is having an MVP-caliber season, averaging 30.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.6 steals. Of course, fantasy managers should keep him starting. Yet, Davis may exceed production in a favorable matchup with the Raptors.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Blake Murphy
2 weeks agoChicago Bulls guard
Zach LaVine (shoulder) will play on Friday versus the Brooklyn Nets. The veteran was questionable because of an AC joint sprain. However, he'll be out there for the Bulls. LaVine has played well this season, averaging 23.0 points, 6.4 boards, and 2.8 assists. He's also shot a career-high 43.6% from deep. With that said, LaVine should be featured in all fantasy starting lineups.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Chuck Swirsky
2 weeks agoToronto Raptors guard
Immanuel Quickley (pelvis) won't suit up on Friday versus the Los Angeles Lakers. The 25-year-old last played in the opener versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, he exited that one after a fall and has been on the shelf since because of a pelvic contusion. Fortunately, Quickley is making progress. Yet, he'll also probably miss Saturday's meeting with the Kings. With Quickley out of the equation,
Davion Mitchell, averaging 8.8 points, 7.0 assists, and 2.3 rebounds in four starts, is worth rostering in most fantasy setups, although category participants won't appreciate his 31.3% shooting from deep.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Josh Lewenberg
2 weeks agoThe New Orleans Pelicans announced Friday that guard
CJ McCollum (adductor) has a right adductor strain and will miss at least 2-3 weeks. McCollum had already been listed as unavailable for Friday's contest with the Indiana Pacers. With the 33-year-old likely out until mid-November,
Jose Alvarado will likely take his place in the starting five. DFS managers should remember that Alvarado will be a great value pick moving forward while McCollum is sidelined.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: New Orleans Pelicans
2 weeks agoOrlando Magic guard
Anthony Black will start on Friday versus the undefeated Cavaliers. With
Paolo Banchero (oblique) sidelined, Black will get his chance to roll with the first five. The 20-year-old has shown signs of promise in his second year in the National Basketball Association, averaging 8.4 points, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 44.4% shooting from behind the arc. Naturally,
Franz Wagner (illness),
Jalen Suggs, and
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are expected to do most of the heavy lifting on the offensive end. However, Black warrants fantasy consideration in deeper formats. He'll also draw value interest from DFS managers.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Orlando Magic HQ
2 weeks agoOrlando Magic forward
Franz Wagner (illness) will play on Friday versus the undefeated Cavaliers. The 23-year-old has been under the weather, forcing his premature exit in the Magic's previous two contests. Hopefully, he'll see his usual workload against Cleveland. If that's the case, Wagner could finish the game as Orlando's highest scorer, considering
Paolo Banchero (oblique) is on the shelf.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoThe New Orleans Pelicans announced Friday that forward
Herbert Jones (shoulder) sustained a right shoulder strain and a small low-grade partial-thickness tear in his rotator cuff. His recovery timeframe is approximately 2-4 weeks. Jones's return to play will be based on how he responds to treatment and rehabilitation. The absence of Jones should mean that
Jordan Hawkins will continue to see more minutes. On Wednesday, Hawkins posted 23 points with four rebounds in 38 minutes. He will likely see an uptick in playing time against the Pacers on Friday with Jones sidelined.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: New Orleans Pelicans
2 weeks agoMemphis Grizzlies forward
Desmond Bane (oblique) won't play on Saturday against the 76ers. Bane suffered an oblique strain in Wednesday's loss to the Brooklyn Nets and didn't play on Thursday versus the visiting Bucks.
Marcus Smart (ankle) was also sidelined for that one, opening the door for
Jaylen Wells and
Santi Aldama to enter the starting lineup and finish the night by combining for 35 points.
Scotty Pippen Jr. and
Jake LaRavia also received more work from off the bench, with the duo combining for 27 points. As long as Smart and Bane remain on the shelf, Aldama, LaRavia, Pippen, and Wells are all worth considering for fantasy lineups. Of course,
Ja Morant, who had a triple-double on Thursday, will likely continue to lead the way offensively.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Memphis Grizzlies PR
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