RADIO
Ausar Thompson Exits Friday with Undisclosed Injury
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Ausar Thompson (undisclosed) exited Friday's 128-111 win over the Miami Heat midway through the third quarter and did not return. Thompson appeared to roll his right ankle after stepping on Andrew Wiggins' heel and limped to the locker room shortly afterward. He finished with four points, three rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in 19 minutes. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff had no postgame update, leaving Thompson's status for Sunday in Philadelphia unclear. Ron Holland II replaced him after the injury and could take on a larger role if Thompson can't play.
Source: Zachary Weinberger
Source: Zachary Weinberger
More Recent News
Jalen Duren Exits Friday's Win with Thigh Injury
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (thigh) exited Friday's 128-111 win over the Miami Heat in the second quarter with a right thigh injury and did not return. Duren grabbed at his right leg after making a move against Giannis Antetokounmpo and headed straight to the locker room, finishing with four points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in 10 minutes. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff had no update afterward, leaving Duren's status for Sunday in Philadelphia up in the air. Paul Reed started the second half and delivered 19 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, putting him in position for a larger role if Duren sits.
Source: Zachary Weinberger
Source: Zachary Weinberger
Cooper Flagg Awaiting Evaluation on Left Shoulder
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Cooper Flagg (shoulder) will be evaluated over the next couple of days after exiting Friday's 121-105 win over the Indiana Pacers with left shoulder soreness. Flagg landed hard after Aaron Nesmith's flagrant foul late in the first half and finished with 14 points, five rebounds, six assists, three steals, and one block in 17 minutes. His status for Saturday against San Antonio is now in doubt, with Monday's game in Miami potentially affected as well. Naji Marshall opened the second half in Flagg's spot and could see a larger role if the reigning Rookie of the Year misses time, while Kyrie Irving and P.J. Washington would have more room to pick up the scoring and playmaking slack.
Source: Noah Weber
Source: Noah Weber
Isaiah Stewart Cleared to Make Grizzlies Debut Friday
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Isaiah Stewart (ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Golden State Warriors, according to The Commercial Appeal's Damichael Cole. Stewart has been sidelined since suffering a moderate left ankle sprain in Memphis' Oct. 5 preseason opener in Atlanta. The 25-year-old averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 22.7 minutes across 58 games for Detroit last season before joining Memphis in an offseason trade. With Zach Edey, Cameron Boozer, and Quinten Post also competing for frontcourt minutes, Stewart may be eased back initially, but his shot-blocking gives him some fantasy appeal once his workload grows.
Source: Damichael Cole
Source: Damichael Cole
Cedric Coward Sidelined Against Warriors
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Cedric Coward (wrist) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Golden State Warriors, according to The Commercial Appeal's Damichael Cole. Coward was listed as doubtful with a left wrist sprain after posting seven points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one block in 28 minutes during Wednesday's win over Utah. GG Jackson II will replace him in the starting lineup after producing 12 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks in 19 minutes off the bench in the opener. Jackson should have a better path to minutes and shots while Coward is sidelined.
Source: Damichael Cole
Source: Damichael Cole
Cooper Flagg Won't Return Friday
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (shoulder) will not return to Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers due to left shoulder soreness. Flagg exited late in the first half after taking a hard foul from Aaron Nesmith on a breakaway and landing on his shoulder. The reigning Rookie of the Year had 14 points, five rebounds, six assists, three steals, and one block in 17 minutes before departing. With Dallas back in action Saturday against San Antonio, his turnaround will be worth monitoring. If Flagg can't go, Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington would be the most likely options to soak up extra frontcourt minutes.
Source: Mavs PR
Source: Mavs PR
Keldon Johnson Good to Go Friday
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (mouth) is available for Friday's game against the Houston Rockets after requiring stitches for a cut inside his right cheek. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year recorded 10 points, four rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 20 minutes off the bench during Tuesday's 116-104 loss to Oklahoma City. With Tobias Harris (calf) sidelined, Johnson should retain a meaningful second-unit role after averaging 13.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in 23.3 minutes across all 82 games last season.
Source: Matt Guzman
Source: Matt Guzman
De'Aaron Fox Available Versus Rockets
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox (wrist) is available for Friday's game against the Houston Rockets in Austin. Fox emerged from Tuesday's 116-104 season-opening loss to Oklahoma City with a right wrist sprain but went through Friday's shootaround before being cleared. The 28-year-old opened the season with 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and one steal on 6-for-9 shooting across 32 minutes. With San Antonio visiting Dallas on Saturday to finish a back-to-back, Fox's workload and wrist will be worth monitoring before the second leg.
Source: Matt Guzman
Source: Matt Guzman
Steven Adams Cleared to Play Friday
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (calf) will play Friday against the San Antonio Spurs, according to the Houston Chronicle's Varun Shankar, while Reed Sheppard (knee) has been ruled out. Adams missed Wednesday's season opener with right calf tightness and will make his first regular-season appearance since undergoing left ankle surgery in January. The 33-year-old averaged 5.8 points and 8.6 rebounds in 22.8 minutes across 32 games last season, leaving him mostly dependent on rebounds for fantasy value. Houston plans to rest Adams for one leg of back-to-backs early on, putting Clint Capela in line for more center minutes Saturday in Atlanta.
Source: Varun Shankar
Source: Varun Shankar
Reed Sheppard Ruled Out Friday Against Spurs
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the San Antonio Spurs due to a left knee bone bruise. The third-year guard was limited to three points in 16 minutes during Wednesday's 128-110 win over Dallas, shooting 1-for-6 from deep while committing three turnovers. Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic are the most likely candidates for extra backcourt minutes with Sheppard unavailable. Houston plays again Saturday in Atlanta, so Sheppard's status will be worth monitoring ahead of the second half of the back-to-back.
Source: Matt Guzman
Source: Matt Guzman
De'Aaron Fox Participates in Friday's Morning Shootaround
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox (wrist) is questionable for Friday's matchup against the Houston Rockets with a right-wrist sprain. However, Fox participated in shooting drills during Friday's morning shootaround, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. The two-time All-Star logged 32 minutes in Tuesday's season opener, finishing with 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and one steal while shooting 6-for-9 from the field. If Fox can't suit up Friday, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle could take on more playmaking responsibilities, while Julian Champagnie may be a candidate to enter the starting lineup.
Source: Tom Osborn
Source: Tom Osborn
Taurean Prince Upgraded to Available on Friday
Detroit Pistons forward Taurean Prince (personal) is available for Friday's matchup against the Miami Heat. Prince missed Tuesday's season-opening win over Boston while attending to a personal matter. The 32-year-old averaged 9.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 23.5 minutes per game with Milwaukee last season while shooting 43.6 percent from three-point range. He appeared in just 26 regular-season contests after undergoing neck surgery in November to address a herniated disc. Although he was cleared to make his Pistons debut, Prince is expected to play a limited role and offers minimal fantasy value outside deeper leagues.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Tobe Awaka Available for Friday's Matchup With Milwaukee
Chicago Bulls forward Tobe Awaka (knee) is available for Friday's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. The 22-year-old undrafted rookie from Arizona was also listed on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's loss to the Toronto Raptors but ended up playing. Awaka finished with two points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one block in 14 minutes. While his rebounding is encouraging, his limited playing time makes him a risky option in most fantasy formats.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Zach Collins Active on Friday
Chicago Bulls center Zach Collins (quadriceps) is available for Friday's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. Collins was previously listed as probable with a quadriceps injury but has now been cleared to play. He will likely see limited minutes in Friday's contest after missing time during the preseason due to the injury. The 28-year-old is unlikely to make a significant fantasy impact until he returns to a full workload and establishes a consistent role in Chicago's rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Josh Giddey Set to Suit Up Friday
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (wrist) is available for Friday's contest against the Milwaukee Bucks. Giddey will suit up for the first game of Chicago's back-to-back set after initially being listed as probable with a left wrist sprain. The 24-year-old struggled in Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Raptors, scoring just two points across 24 minutes. Despite the slow start, Giddey remains a solid fantasy option because he can contribute across multiple statistical categories. However, fantasy managers should monitor his workload as he continues to deal with the wrist injury.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Dalton Knecht Inks Deal With Knicks
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, free-agent guard/forward Dalton Knecht has agreed to a two-way contract with the New York Knicks. The 25-year-old joins the Knicks after being waived by the Lakers on Monday. Knecht averaged 4.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 10.2 minutes per game last season. The move gives him a fresh start, though he will likely spend time developing in the G League. With a limited path to consistent NBA minutes, Knecht is unlikely to have much fantasy impact in the near future.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Steven Adams Could Miss Second Straight Game
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (calf) is questionable for Friday's matchup with San Antonio in Austin, per the Houston Chronicle's Varun Shankar. The 33-year-old missed Wednesday's opener after developing right calf tightness following a practice earlier in the week. Houston also plans to sit Adams for one leg of back-to-backs early in the season, with another game Saturday in Atlanta. He averaged 8.6 rebounds in 22.8 minutes last season. If Adams remains out, Clint Capela should continue backing up Alperen Sengun, though Capela logged only eight minutes in the opener.
Source: Varun Shankar
Source: Varun Shankar
Reed Sheppard Questionable Against Spurs
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (knee) is questionable for Friday's matchup with San Antonio due to a left knee contusion and bone bruise, per the Houston Chronicle's Varun Shankar. The 22-year-old is coming off a quiet opener against Dallas, scoring three points on 1-for-6 shooting from deep with three turnovers in 16 minutes. Marcus Smart played 26 minutes off the bench, while Fred VanVleet's return has tightened Houston's backcourt rotation. If Sheppard sits, Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic could see additional work. Sheppard averaged 13.5 points, 2.8 threes and 1.5 steals last season.
Source: Varun Shankar
Source: Varun Shankar
De'Aaron Fox Iffy for Friday
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox (wrist) is questionable for Friday's matchup with Houston due to a right wrist sprain. The two-time All-Star played 32 minutes in Tuesday's season opener, finishing with 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and one steal on 6-for-9 shooting. San Antonio visits Dallas on Saturday to complete a back-to-back, giving the Spurs another reason to be cautious with Fox. If he sits Friday, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle should take on more playmaking responsibility, while Julian Champagnie could move into the starting five.
Source: Matt Guzman
Source: Matt Guzman
Keldon Johnson Questionable for Friday
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (mouth) is questionable for Friday's game against Houston in Austin, per Matt Guzman. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year needed three stitches for a deep cut inside his right cheek after Tuesday's 116-104 loss to Oklahoma City but still finished with 10 points, four rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 20 minutes. With Tobias Harris (calf) also out, Julian Champagnie could take on a larger wing role if Johnson sits, while Harrison Barnes and Carter Bryant may also pick up minutes.
Source: Matt Guzman
Source: Matt Guzman
Santi Aldama Misses Second Straight Game
Dallas Mavericks forward Santi Aldama (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's road game against Indiana, per Dallas Sports Journal's Grant Afseth. It will be his second straight absence to open the season as he works back from right knee surgery, though head coach Dusty May said earlier this week that Aldama was "getting very close." Dallas brought the 25-year-old over from Memphis in July after he averaged 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.6 three-pointers last season. Once healthy, his ability to stretch the floor should keep him firmly in the frontcourt rotation.
Source: Grant Afseth
Source: Grant Afseth
