Mavericks Optimistic Kyrie Irving Returns By January
Kyrie Irving (knee) is expected to return to action by January 2026. "The expectation around the Dallas Mavericks, Kyrie Irving, is that he will play a good chunk of next season," said ESPN's Shams Charania on NBA Countdown Wednesday night. "There is optimism that he will be back by January." Irving underwent successful surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee on March 26. The nine-time All-Star has a $43 million player option for next season. However, sources have told Charania that the Mavericks intend to rip up his player option and offer him a new three-year deal, which would align his contract duration with those of Anthony Davis and general manager Nico Harrison. Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in his 14th NBA season.Source: Shams Charania
Dallas Mavericks guard Anthony Davis Available On Wednesday Night
Anthony Davis (adductor) will play on Wednesday against the Kings. AD was listed as probable, so most DFS participants were already anticipating his availability for the pivotal Play-In meeting with Sacramento. He met the Kings four times during the regular season, averaging 24.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, and 1.5 steals, giving him plenty of upside for fantasy managers.Source: Joey Mistretta
Dallas Mavericks forward Ja Morant Says He'll Play On Friday Night
Ja Morant (ankle) says he'll suit up for Friday's Play-In game against the Kings or Mavericks. He tweaked his ankle in Tuesday's loss to the Golden State Warriors. Still, Morant finished with 22 points in 35 minutes. DFS managers will likely see the 24-year-old pop up on the Injury report heading into Friday's contest. If Morant suffers a setback and gets ruled out, Scotty Pippen Jr., who averaged 14.2 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.7 steals in 21 starts during the regular season, will likely take over at the one.Source: Drew Hills
Memphis Grizzlies guard Kevin Durant, Rockets Have "Level Of Mutual Interest"
Kevin Durant this offseason. Charania stated both sides have a "level of mutual interest," although things could change depending on how far the Rockets advance during the playoffs. He has one year left on his current deal, so it's unknown how much Houston would be willing to give up. Still, acquiring Durant, who averaged 26.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.1 blocks this season, could make the Rockets an even bigger threat to clubs around the National Basketball Association. As far as his fantasy outlook is concerned, he should remain a valuable fantasy asset in 2025-26, no matter where he ends up. However, Durant will need to stay healthy, with the veteran logging only 60 games during the 2024-25 campaign.Source: Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Rockets might be interested in trading for Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Love Still Out On Wednesday
Kevin Love (conditioning) will not make his comeback in Wednesday's play-in game against the Chicago Bulls. The veteran big man will be unavailable for a 13th consecutive contest. Bam Adebayo and Kel'el Ware will continue to lead Miami's frontcourt in Wednesday's matchup. Both players are positioned well to have productive outings, as the Bulls allow the fifth-most fantasy points in the league to the center position and the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards.Source: Anthony Chiang
Miami Heat forward/center Nikola Jovic Won't Play Against Bulls
Nikola Jovic (hand) has been ruled out for Wednesday's play-in action against the Chicago Bulls. He will sit out a 28th consecutive contest due to a fractured right hand after the team downgraded Jovic from questionable to out. The questionable tag suggests that Jovic isn't far from being able to make a comeback, and his next opportunity to do so will come on Friday night against the Atlanta Hawks if the Heat win Wednesday's game.Source: Anthony Chiang
Miami Heat forward Pelle Larsson Ready To Return On Wednesday
Pelle Larsson (ankle) will be back in the lineup on Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls. He missed the final three regular-season games due to an ankle sprain and was initially regarded as questionable for Wednesday's play-in game. Larsson has been a starter for each of his last six appearances, averaging 10.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.2 steals. However, during this stretch, he experienced increased usage due to the absence of Andrew Wiggins, who will be in the lineup on Wednesday. Therefore, Larsson will likely have to adjust to a reduced role in the rotation, which will negatively impact his fantasy value.Source: Anthony Chiang
Miami Heat guard/forward Dalen Terry Active On Wednesday
Dalen Terry (calf) will suit up for Wednesday's win-or-go-home matchup against the Miami Heat. Due to a calf contusion, Terry initially carried a probable tag on the injury report, but the team has now upgraded him to available. Terry will provide depth for a Bulls squad that is without Lonzo Ball (wrist), Ayo Dosunmu (shoulder), and Tre Jones (midfoot). The 22-year-old has posted 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in 17.0 minutes over five April appearances.Source: NBA Injury Report
Chicago Bulls guard/forward Lonzo Ball Remains Out Against Heat
Lonzo Ball (wrist) will miss his 23rd consecutive game on Wednesday against the Miami Heat. The versatile guard continues to deal with a lingering wrist injury, and the team has downgraded his status from doubtful to out. Kevin Huerter and Dalen Terry (calf) will continue to play more in Ball's absence. Huerter has been the better fantasy option of the two, averaging 14.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 30.0 minutes this month.Source: NBA Injury Report
Chicago Bulls point guard Josh Giddey Officially Available Wednesday
Josh Giddey (forearm) has been upgraded to available for Wednesday's play-in game against the Miami Heat. Giddey is dealing with pain in his right arm and hand, but will play through the issue on Wednesday night as the Bulls attempt to extend their season. It has been a spectacular finish to the season for Giddey, who has averaged 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 9.3 assists, and 1.5 steals since the All-Star break. The Bulls will need another monster effort from him on Wednesday to compete with a tough Miami team.Source: NBA Injury Report
Chicago Bulls guard/forward Tre Jones Remains Out On Wednesday
Tre Jones (foot) is not healthy enough to return to action on Wednesday against the Miami Heat. A left midfoot sprain ended Jones' regular season on a sour note, causing him to miss 12 games, and he still has no timetable for his return. With Lonzo Ball (wrist) unlikely to play on Wednesday, Josh Giddey and Coby White must carry the backcourt as the Bulls try to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.Source: NBA Injury Report
Chicago Bulls point guard Kevin Love Could Return To Action Wednesday
Kevin Love (conditioning) has picked up a questionable tag ahead of Wednesday's play-in action against the Chicago Bulls. The veteran has missed 12 straight contests due to personal reasons, but he is working on his conditioning to get back into game shape and could be available for Wednesday's win-or-go-home matchup. However, even if Love is cleared to return, fantasy managers should not expect him to make a big impact. During the regular season, Love was limited to 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 10.9 minutes.Source: NBA Injury Report
Miami Heat forward/center Pelle Larsson Iffy For Wednesday
Pelle Larsson (ankle) is considered questionable for Wednesday's matchup against the Chicago Bulls. After spraining his right ankle, Larsson has been forced to skip three games, and he may have to sit out another one. The Swedish rookie saw a big boost in playing time late in the season and made six consecutive starts before his injury. With Larsson unavailable, the Heat need to get more out of Kyle Anderson, Duncan Robinson, and Alec Burks (back), who is set to return from a one-game absence.Source: NBA Injury Report
Miami Heat guard/forward Nikola Jovic Listed As Questionable For Wednesday
Nikola Jovic (hand) seems to be nearing his return to the lineup, as he has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's play-in game against the Chicago Bulls. The 21-year-old missed the final 27 regular-season games due to a fractured right hand. Jovic was cleared to resume on-court activities in late March, so he has been building up his form for quite some time. Before breaking his hand in February, Jovic was enjoying a fine campaign, averaging 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 25.1 minutes.Source: NBA Injury Report
Miami Heat forward Alec Burks Active On Wednesday
Alec Burks (back) has been listed as available for Wednesday's meeting with the Chicago Bulls. A back problem kept Burks sidelined for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Washington Wizards, but he will be ready to help his team during the Play-In Tournament. Burks has made 10 consecutive starts for the Heat and seems poised to play a significant role in Wednesday's contest. As a member of the first unit, the 33-year-old has averaged 11.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists this season.Source: NBA Injury Report
Miami Heat guard/forward