4 weeks agoMilwaukee Bucks point guard
Damian Lillard (groin) was able to practice on Wednesday in a limited capacity and is expected to get a full session under his belt on Friday. Lillard is trying to get ready for Game 1 of the team's first-round series against Indiana, which starts on Sunday night. It's unlikely that we will see
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) in the lineup at the weekend, and Lillard's unavailability would be another huge blow for Milwaukee. However, the star guard appears to be trending in the right direction. If he's cleared to play, we should see fireworks from Lillard, as he'll be expected to do a lot more without Antetokounmpo. Lillard averaged a big 34-point, 10-assist double-double during his last playoff campaign in 2021.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 weeks agoLos Angeles Clippers guard/forward
Kawhi Leonard (knee) hasn't yet been cleared for five-on-five practice, but head coach Tyronn Lue appears to be confident of having him in the lineup when playoff action starts this weekend. "I'm preparing to have him on the court," Lue said on Wednesday. "We just take it day-by-day. He's getting better and we'll see how much he continues to progress." Leonard missed the final eight regular-season games due to inflammation in his right knee. The Clippers start their first-round series against Dallas on Sunday. Leonard, a two-time Finals MVP, is known as a great post-season performer and has averaged at least 30 points in three of his last four playoff campaigns.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Associated Press
4 weeks agoCleveland Cavaliers shooting guard
Sam Merrill (neck) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice as he continues to work his way back from injury. A neck problem kept him out for the final three regular-season games, but Merrill looks to be on track to return to the lineup for Game 1 of the playoffs against Orlando on Saturday. The 27-year-old averaged a career-high 8.0 points in 17.5 minutes during the regular season, shooting 40.4 percent from downtown. Merrill's shooting ability makes him a good option to have on the bench, but the rotations get tighter during the postseason, and he likely won't see a lot of time on the court.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Chris Fedor
4 weeks agoCleveland Cavaliers forward
Dean Wade (knee) isn't expected to play in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs against Orlando on Saturday. He missed the end of the regular season, making his last appearance on March 8, and Wade wasn't in Wednesday's practice. Wade's absence means more minutes to
Georges Niang and
Marcus Morris Sr. off the Cavaliers bench. However, neither player doesn't carry any significant fantasy value as long as
Evan Mobley stays healthy.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: P.J. Ziegler
4 weeks agoAccording to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Chicago Bulls guard
Alex Caruso suffered a "significant" left ankle sprain in Wednesday's play-in contest against Atlanta and is doubtful to play on Friday versus Miami. Caruso suffered the injury in the first quarter on Wednesday when he collided with teammate
Andre Drummond. Following a visit to the locker room, Caruso was able to return to the court, but he didn't see any action since the 9:43 mark in the third quarter. The injury will likely bring
Javonte Green into the starting unit on Friday. He was a late addition to the Bulls squad during the regular season but had a productive time with the team. In five starts, Green notched 14.0 points and 8.6 rebounds with 1.2 steals in 29.2 minutes.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
4 weeks agoMiami Heat forward
Jimmy Butler (knee) is feared to have suffered an MCL injury in Wednesday's 105-104 loss to Philadelphia in the play-in tournament. He was hurt near the end of the first quarter when Philadelphia's
Kelly Oubre Jr. landed on Butler's right knee. The Heat star managed to complete the contest and logged a productive 40 minutes, but the injury could sideline Butler for an indefinite period. He's scheduled to have an MRI on the knee on Thursday.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. and
Caleb Martin should carry a bigger load if Butler is forced to come out of the lineup for Friday's contest against Chicago.
Tyler Herro and
Bam Adebayo will be asked to do more on the offensive end.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 weeks agoCleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (knee) stated he's "100 percent" heading toward the postseason. The multi-time All-Star has battled a knee injury, limiting him to 10 games since March 1. Fortunately, Mitchell reported he received platelet-rich plasma injections while being closely monitored by the team's medical staff, so he'll be ready to go. The Cavs begin the postseason series with the Magic on Saturday. While DFS managers will continue to be apprehensive about Mitchell's health, it appears the knee issue is behind him, at least for now.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Tom Withers
4 weeks agoMiami Heat guard
Tyler Herro scored a game-high 25 points in Wednesday's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. He added nine assists and two boards. With
Terry Rozier (neck) unavailable, Herro was the team's primary ball handler. While he benefitted from a usage standpoint, he had five turnovers. Even worse, he didn't shoot the ball well, going 9-for-27 from the field and 4-for-14 from deep. It's anyone's guess how much longer Herro will be forced to operate at the one spot. But if Rozier isn't back on the floor for Friday's Play-In game between Chicago or Atlanta, Herro could continue to see an uptick in production. His ceiling could rise even higher if
Jimmy Butler (knee) is limited after suffering an injury on Wednesday.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 weeks agoMiami Heat forward
Jimmy Butler had 19 points in Wednesday's Play-In loss to the 76ers. The veteran played well in this one, especially on the defensive end, ending the night with five steals. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, with Miami getting one more chance to advance into the playoffs. With that said, Butler took a hard fall in this one and was down on the court holding his right knee, so he'll likely appear on the injury report heading into Friday's matchup. However, barring a setback, he should be out there, although the ailment could limit his productivity.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 weeks agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) finished with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in Wednesday's Play-In win over the Heat. The reigning MVP carried a questionable tag heading into this one due to his infamous knee injury. But after practicing the last two days, he was available. Not only that, he logged 38 minutes. Without question, Embiid looked tired at times and also was observed grabbing his knee. However, it was a respectable showing for a guy who is nowhere near fully healthy. Fortunately, the Sixers will get a few days off before meeting the Knicks on Saturday to begin their series. Embiid will likely make another appearance on the injury report, although he should be good to go, barring a setback.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 weeks agoMiami Heat guard
Duncan Robinson (face) will be active ahead of Wednesday's play-in game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Robinson will make his return to the rotation after missing each of the last four games. The Heat have said that Robinson won't have a minutes limit during this game. There was some questions as to whether he'd replace
Caleb Martin in the starting five. That won't be the case, though, as Robinson will come off the bench during Wednesday's contest.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Sports Illustrated
4 weeks agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) will suit up for Wednesday's play-in game against the Miami Heat. The big man was questionable coming into this game due to a left knee issue. However, it was hard to believe that Embiid was going to sit out a game of this importance. He will suit up and figures to have his normal workload on Wednesday. DFS players can feel safe using Embiid in this one.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Sports Illustrated
4 weeks agoThe NBA announced on Wednesday that forward
Jontay Porter, a two-way player recently under contract with the Toronto Raptors, has been banned from the league. A league investigation found that Porter violated league rules by disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting his own participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games. The 24-year-old big man appeared in 26 games (five starts) for the Raptors during the 2023-24 season, posting 4.4 points while shooting 38.5% from the field, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 13.8 minutes per contest as a depth piece in Toronto's injury-depleted frontcourt. Porter's case is one the Association hasn't witnessed in many years, but his lifetime ban will have no impact whatsoever on the fantasy basketball landscape entering the 2024-25 campaign.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com
4 weeks agoChicago Bulls guard
Ayo Dosunmu (quadriceps) got shots up during the morning shootaround ahead of Wednesday's play-in game versus the Atlanta Hawks. Dosunmu sat out Chicago's final four contests of the regular season due to a right quadriceps contusion, but he's trending in the right direction to return on Wednesday. The 24-year-old sharpshooter stepped up in the Bulls' backcourt when healthy down the stretch to help mitigate the never-ending void of
Lonzo Ball (knee), averaging 19.7 points, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.2 three-pointers on 47.1% shooting from downtown over his last 11 appearances of the 2023-24 season. Dosunmu would be a very popular DFS play in Wednesday's two-game contests if he's available against Atlanta, who allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards during the regular season.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: K.C. Johnson - NBC Sports Chicago
4 weeks agoNew Orleans Pelicans forward
Zion Williamson (hamstring), who has been ruled out for Friday's play-in game against the Sacramento Kings, will be re-evaluated in two weeks. It's a huge blow to New Orleans' chances of clinching a playoff berth, as Williamson exited Tuesday's loss to the visiting Los Angeles Lakers due to a strained left hamstring. Unless the Pelicans are able to go on an unlikely deep postseason run, Williamson's season may very well be over. The 23-year-old slashing superstar played in a career-high 70 games during the regular season, collecting 22.9 points on 57.0% shooting from the floor, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.1 steals in 31.5 minutes per contest. Marksman
Trey Murphy III is the most likely candidate to join the starting lineup on Friday against the Kings, averaging 17.9 points, 5.4 boards, 2.6 dimes, 1.0 swipes, and 3.5 three-pointers in seven games without Williamson this year.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Jennifer Hale
RADIO
