6 days agoPhoenix Suns forward
Kevin Durant (calf) suffered a left calf strain in Friday's win over the Dallas Mavericks. Unfortunately, he will miss at least two weeks before being re-evaluated. The 36-year-old continues to play well despite being in the league since 2007, averaging 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 42.9% from behind the arc. The Suns are thin as it is, so losing a player of Durant's caliber is not good news for a team aspiring for a championship. While he is sidelined,
Devin Booker and
Bradley Beal should pick up some of the slack on the scoring end.
Tyus Jones,
Grayson Allen, and Royce O'Neale could also surpass fantasy expectations at times until Durant returns.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Duane Rankin
6 days agoChicago Bulls forward/center
Jalen Smith (knee) will be available for Saturday's matchup against Atlanta. The 24-year-old carries a knee problem, which has made him a regular on the injury report, but he's missed only one game this season. Working as the backup center, Smith has averaged 8.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in 14.4 minutes. Atlanta tends to struggle against opposing centers, allowing the 11th-most fantasy points to the position this season; however, Smith is unlikely to see much action behind
Nikola Vucevic.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoChicago Bulls forward
Torrey Craig (illness) will sit out Saturday's matchup against Atlanta. He has been ruled out for the contest after initially carrying a questionable tag. Craig was a regular in the Bulls rotation last season, but he's been limited to only two games and a handful of minutes in 2024-25. The veteran misses a second consecutive game due to an illness on Saturday and will get the next chance to return on Monday night versus Cleveland.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Joe Cowley
6 days agoChicago Bulls guard/forward
Zach LaVine (adductor) will return from a three-game absence on Saturday versus Atlanta. The two-time All-Star has opened the campaign in fine form, averaging 22.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists with 45.8 percent shooting from three-point range.
Ayo Dosunmu's fantasy value takes a hit with LaVine's return, as he's been a member of the starting unit for the past three games. However, Dosunmu will still have a significant role to play in the rotation. Atlanta is ranked 25th in defensive efficiency, making this a good matchup for LaVine and the Bulls.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Joe Cowley
6 days agoMemphis Grizzlies point guard
Ja Morant (hip) is considered week-to-week. The team announced Morant has been diagnosed with a posterior hip subluxation and multiple Grade 1 pelvic muscle strains. He will miss a second consecutive game on Sunday versus Portland. Memphis is also without
Marcus Smart (ankle) and
Desmond Bane (oblique), meaning the
Scotty Pippen Jr. train is in full flow again. Making his first start of the campaign, Pippen Jr. produced his first career triple-double against Washington on Friday. As a result of the injuries,
Jaylen Wells has also become a starter.
Luke Kennard has just returned from injury and should get a chance to play a larger role as well.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Memphis Grizzlies PR
6 days agoAtlanta Hawks forward
De'Andre Hunter (knee) remains out for Saturday's matchup with the Chicago Bulls. He's appeared in only two games this season, most recently finishing with 24 points and seven boards in the win over the Hornets on October 25. However, he hasn't been on the floor since, so Saturday will mark his ninth-consecutive absence. It's unknown when Hunter will be ready to return. But until he does,
Zaccharie Risacher, averaging 12.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks in eight starts this season, has a place in fantasy lineups.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoBrooklyn Nets utility man
Ben Simmons (back) won't play in Saturday's game against the undefeated Cavaliers. He had one of his best games of the 2024-25 campaign in Friday's overtime loss to the Boston Celtics, amassing eight points, eight assists, six boards, and one steal. But as will be the case for Simmons for the foreseeable future, he won't play in back-to-back contests in an effort to preserve his health.
Noah Clowney could see some action on Saturday night with Simmons off the floor. However, Clowney has averaged just 6.1 points and 3.3 rebounds this season, giving him little value for fantasy managers.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoNew Orleans Pelicans guard/forward
Trey Murphy III (hamstring) is expected to make his 2024-25 debut on Monday against Brooklyn. The 24-year-old, who recently signed a four-year, $112 million extension, averaged 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 38.0% shooting from behind the arc last season. Unfortunately, he hasn't played yet this season because of a hamstring injury. Without question, this is certainly excellent news for the Pelicans, considering the team is without
Dejounte Murray (hand),
Zion Williamson (hamstring), and
CJ McCollum (adductor). While Murphy could see limited time on the floor for a few games, it shouldn't take him long to enter the starting lineup, where he should remain until Murray, Williamson, and McCollum return.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Chris Haynes
6 days agoNew Orleans Pelicans forward
Zion Williamson (hamstring) is out indefinitely, the team announced on Saturday. The 24-year-old has averaged 22.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks this season. However, he's been limited to only six games. Fantasy managers remember when a hamstring injury forced the former Duke Blue Devil to miss the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign, so there is obvious concern. Hopefully, that won't be the case this time around. With Williamson sidelined moving ahead,
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, averaging 12.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in two starts this season, could continue to fill the void in the rotation, at least until
Trey Murphy III (hamstring) or
Herbert Jones (shoulder) are back on the court.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: New Orleans Pelicans
7 days agoSan Antonio Spurs guard
Devin Vassell (foot) is probable heading into Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz. The 24-year-old is coming off a solid season, averaging a career-high 19.5 points in 68 games. Unfortunately, he suffered a stress fracture late in March and has been working his way back since. Without question, Vassell has untapped potential. While there's an excellent chance he'll be even more productive during the 2024-25 campaign, it could take him a few weeks to get back up to speed. It's unknown if Vassell will come off the bench or start in his first game back, whenever that will be. But he will likely see limited minutes, meaning
Stephon Castle, coming off a 14-point, six-assist showing, could see at least a few more starts.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoSan Antonio Spurs guard
Malaki Branham (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's contest versus the Utah Jazz. The 2022 No. 20 overall pick recorded a season-high 17 points in Thursday's win over the Portland Trail Blazers. But he tweaked his ankle late in the game and is now questionable against a Jazz team with only one victory during the 2024-25 campaign. Branham has played relatively well this season. However, he's not a consistent fantasy producer, and even if he plays, his outlook won't be as favorable if
Devin Vassell (foot) is back on the floor.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoUtah Jazz guard
Keyonte George (foot) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Spurs. The 21-year-old has played well this season, averaging a career-high 15.6 points and 6.4 assists. But he's in danger of missing the meeting with San Antonio because of foot soreness. If George can't get on the floor,
Jordan Clarkson would presumably take over his spot in the rotation, increasing his fantasy potential.
Collin Sexton and
Lauri Markkanen could also benefit from a production standpoint without George in the equation.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoToronto Raptors guard
Immanuel Quickley (pelvis) is questionable for Saturday's game versus the Clippers. He hasn't played since the opener and has been on the shelf since because of a pelvic contusion. Fortunately, there's optimism the former Knick will be back soon, potentially as early as Saturday's game. It's unknown if Quickley will see limited minutes in his first game back, assuming he plays. But if he's not back on the floor,
Davion Mitchell, averaging 10.3 points, 6.8 assists, and 1.0 steals in eight starts this season, could continue to directly benefit.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoChicago Bulls guard
Zach LaVine (adductor) is questionable for Saturday's game in Atlanta. The 29-year-old last played in the win over Brooklyn on November 1, scoring 21 points while going 5-for-9 from behind the arc. However, he's missed the Bulls' previous three contests because of a right adductor strain. If LaVine can't return for Saturday's contest,
Ayo Dosunmu, averaging 14.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in three starts this season, should continue to fill the void in the rotation.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoMiami Heat forward
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (illness) will not suit up against the Denver Nuggets on Friday, Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press reports. Jaquez has been out the last two games due to an illness, and the Heat are testing his conditioning before he returns to the lineup. While the 23-year-old is out of the team's rotation for the time being.
Nikola Jovic and
Josh Richardson will likely see an uptick in minutes.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Tim Reynolds
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