2 weeks agoMemphis Grizzlies guard
Marcus Smart (ankle) won't play on Saturday in Philadelphia. The 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year tweaked his ankle in Wednesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets and wasn't available on Thursday versus Milwaukee.
Jaylen Wells got the start, finishing with 16 points and seven rebounds while shooting 50% from behind the arc. With Smart and
Desmond Bane (oblique) both without a return date, Wells will have a place in most fantasy lineups as long as both remain on the shelf. The same can be said for
Santi Aldama,
Scotty Pippen Jr., and
Jake LaRavia.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Grizzlies PR
2 weeks agoPhiladelphia 76ers guard/forward
Paul George (knee) will have to sit out at least one more game on Saturday as the team has officially ruled him out against the Memphis Grizzlies. George spoke to the media on Friday and said that the last thing to do is get his cardio back up to speed, and then he should be able to return to the floor. He and
Joel Embiid (knee) both participated in scrimmages on Friday as well, so they're trending in the right direction. For now,
Kelly Oubre Jr.,
Caleb Martin, and
Andre Drummond will see increased usage and are the best streaming options until they return.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Ky Carlin
2 weeks agoDenver Nuggets forward
Vlatko Cancar (ankle) has been tagged as questionable for Friday's matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 27-year-old has only appeared in one game so far this season and has been on the court for two minutes. The Nuggets are currently 2-2 and their depth has looked worse than usual. Cancar hasn't exactly cracked the usual rotation just yet, so he's not on the fantasy radar. If he doesn't play, however, there should be some more minutes for
Peyton Watson,
Dario Saric, and maybe even
Zeke Nnaji.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoToronto Raptors guard
Ja'Kobe Walter (shoulder) is dealing with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder and is listed as questionable for the team's Friday night contest against the Los Angeles Lakers. Walter was the 19th overall pick in this year's NBA Draft but hasn't appeared in a game yet for the Raptors. While he has the chance to play, there are better options right now until Walter has the chance to get his first game under his belt. If he's unable to suit up,
Ochai Agbaji,
Davion Mitchell, and
Jamal Shead will all see minutes off of the bench.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoToronto Raptors forward/center
Kelly Olynyk (back) has been ruled out Friday for their contest against the Los Angeles Lakers. The 33-year-old has yet to suit up for the team this season and will miss at least one more. There hasn't been a firm timetable for his return to action either.
Jakob Poeltl will continue to get a bulk of the minutes at center while
Jonathan Mogbo and
Chris Boucher see a lot of added opportunities in the front court as well. Mogbo and Boucher serve as quality streaming options in deeper leagues.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoBrooklyn Nets forward
Trendon Watford (hamstring) is available for Friday night's matchup against the Chicago Bulls. This will be Watford's season debut as he's been ruled out of action since early October. It should be expected that Watford will come off the bench in his return as he did almost all of last season for Brooklyn when he averaged 6.9 PPG in 13.6 minutes. Fantasy managers should temper their expectations and DFS managers can likely find better options if looking for a plug-and-play on Friday night.
Jalen Wilson has been receiving the most minutes off Brooklyn's bench and his averaging 8.2 PPG and likely will be a better fantasy option on Friday, though Watford will likely eat into his minutes as the season progresses.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoChicago Bulls forward
Jalen Smith (knee) is listed as questionable for Friday night's matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. Smith is dealing with left knee soreness that kept him out of Chicago's most recent game against Memphis on Wednesday night. Smith has been decently effective when active, averaging 11.5 PPG in 13.7 minutes while shooting 57.1% from three. If he's unable to suit up on Friday the beneficiary of more playing time is likely to be
Patrick Williams. Though already in the starting lineup, Williams should see a boost in minutes and potentially more opportunities from deep, especially if teammate
Zach LaVine is also unable to suit up.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoCleveland Cavaliers point guard
Craig Porter Jr. (thumb) is listed as doubtful for Friday night's matchup against the Orlando Magic. Porter is dealing with a thumb strain that has kept him out of Cleveland's last two games. Even when active, though, the 24-year-old has only gotten minutes during garbage time. Cleveland is likely to give Porter enough time to properly heal given their hot start and lack of need for additional production from their guard positions.
Caris LeVert,
Ty Jerome and
Sam Merrill have all clearly shown they are more dynamic options in front of Porter. Fantasy managers looking for value off Cleveland's bench should set their sights on one of these three guards rather than Porter.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoOrlando Magic center
Goga Bitadze (foot) has been listed as questionable for Friday night's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Bitadze is dealing with a tendon strain in his left foot that has kept him out of Orlando's last two games. His potential absence likely won't affect much of Orlando's gameplan as the 25-year-old had yet to play more than seven minutes in any of the three games he's played in. If Bitadze is able to play his presence likely won't provide an fantasy value. Fantasy managers looking for an option at center off Orlando's bench should look towards the much more reliable
Moritz Wagner, who's averaging 11 PPG and 4.4 RPG in just over 15 minutes per game.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoBoston Celtics forward
Sam Hauser (back) is available for Friday night's game against the Charlotte Hornets. Hauser has been dealing with a back issue that's already forced him to miss three of Boston's five games so far. The 26-year-old did return to action in the Celtics' most recent game on Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers. He played significantly fewer minutes against the Pacers compared to the opening night blowout against the New York Knicks, but much of that can be attributed to the game against the Pacers being much closer. Tonight's matchup against the Charlotte Hornets may provide an opportunity for Hauser to receive more minutes in garbage time if Boston, a 10.5 point favorite, blows out Charlotte. Fantasy managers may have better options to get into their starting lineup. DFS managers wanting to take a shot on a cheaper option may find more value in adding Hauser to their lineup than traditional fantasy managers.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) told reporters on Friday that he is unavailable for Philly's matchup on Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies. The news comes after Embiid practiced fully on Friday, a potential sign that the former MVP may be close to returning to the Sixers' starting lineup. The 30-year-old's knee has not been as healthy as the team previously indicated, leading the NBA to fine the organization $100,000 for misleading comments about Embiid's health. Embiid also indicated on Friday that the level of strain experienced while playing during the Olympics does not match up to what he experiences while preparing to play for the Sixers. Fans have been questioning that aspect of his return to the court, forcing him to clarify his absence from the start of the season. While Embiid works on his recovery, expect
Andre Drummond to continue to get starts at center. At 12.5 RPG it's hard to ignore his value on the boards.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Derek Bodner
2 weeks agoNew Orleans Pelicans center
Yves Missi (abdomen) is listed as questionable ahead of Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers. It sounds like the rookie center is dealing with a right lower abdominal contusion, which means it wouldn't be shocking if he sits out. Fellow big man
Daniel Theis (ankle) is also listed as questionable for Friday's game. Whichever of them is active would see a bigger role otherwise the Pelicans could see forced to use a small-ball rotation on Friday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoNew Orleans Pelicans guard
Jordan Hawkins (back) is tagged as questionable ahead of Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers. The Pelicans could be in some trouble with
CJ McCollum (groin) and
Herbert Jones (shoulder) ruled out for Friday. Hawkins has stepped up and played well with the Pelicans shorthanded, but they'd have a tough time filling the void if he sits out as well.
Jose Alvarado and
Antonio Reeves could be asked to take on bigger roles if Hawkins is unable to go on Friday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoNew Orleans Pelicans forward
Herbert Jones (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers. This marks the second game in a row that Jones will miss due to a right shoulder strain. The absence of Jones should mean that
Jordan Hawkins continues getting increased looks in the rotation. He shined on Wednesday as he scored 23 points with four rebounds in 38 minutes of action. He could be worth a look as a streaming option until Jones is able to get back on the court. He should see significant playing time against the Pacers on Friday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers guard
D'Angelo Russell (back) is listed as probable ahead of Friday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Russell continues to deal with a lower back issues, but it's not expected to keep him out of the lineup. He has been off to a slow start to the season but has the ability to be a legitimate threat because of his shooting ability. He only saw 24 minutes during Wednesday's game, so the Lakers might continue to limit him until he's fully healthy again.
Gabe Vincent might see an uptick in playing time on Friday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
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