Jamal Murray Active Wednesday Night
Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray (ankle, illness) will play on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks. Murray had 35 points in 37 minutes during a busy night against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, and it was initially uncertain whether he would suit up for the second leg of a back-to-back. However, he has been officially cleared for action. With Nikola Jokic (knee) out of the picture, Murray is the main man offensively for Denver and could go for another big scoring night against Dallas.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Cade Cunningham Ready to End Two-Game Absence
Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham (wrist) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Thursday's matchup against the Phoenix Suns. The talented playmaker appears ready to return from a two-game absence. Cunningham's return is bound to push Jaden Ivey back to the bench, while Daniss Jenkins will also have a smaller role. Cunningham has been outstanding all season, and his recent form is particularly noteworthy. Detroit's ascending star has recorded five double-doubles in his last seven appearances, averaging 27.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 11.7 assists, and 2.0 steals.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Devin Booker Questionable for Thursday Night
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (ankle) is considered questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Detroit Pistons. He injured his left ankle during Tuesday's loss to the Miami Heat, though Booker finished the game and logged heavy minutes. The Suns star reached the 40-minute mark for only the second time this season, which may indicate that Booker isn't dealing with a bad injury. However, if he must take some time off to recover, Jordan Goodwin and Ryan Dunn will be in line for more work on Thursday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Giannis Antetokounmpo Probable to Face Spurs
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) is listed as probable for Thursday's intriguing matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. The Greek superstar is on the injury report with a left ankle sprain, but the probable designation indicates that it's not a serious injury and that Antetokounmpo is likely to play. While Milwaukee has recently monitored Antetokounmpo's minutes, he has still stuffed the stat sheet. Over his last six appearances, Antetokounmpo has posted 29.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Brandon Williams Available Wednesday
Dallas Mavericks point guard Brandon Williams (illness) will return from a two-game absence on Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets. He has recovered from an illness and will make a timely return, as the Mavericks lost Max Christie (illness) for Wednesday night. Williams is a candidate to replace Christie in the starting five, though head coach Jason Kidd may explore other lineup options. Before he was knocked out of the lineup, Williams was performing well in a bench role. He's contributed 12.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.0 steals per game in January.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Max Christie Out Wednesday
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Max Christie (illness) won't play on Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets. This comes as no surprise, since Dallas listed Christie as doubtful on the initial injury report. Christie's absence opens up a spot in the starting lineup. Klay Thompson and Ryan Nembhard are the main candidates to join the first unit. Wednesday's matchup looks like a great spot for Thompson, as Denver gives up the 10th-most three-point attempts in the league.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
P.J. Washington Returns to Action Wednesday
Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (ankle) has been upgraded to available for Wednesday's contest against the Denver Nuggets. The 27-year-old is ready to rejoin the action after missing four games with an ankle sprain. Washington will presumably head straight back to the first unit, and as a result, Naji Marshall may land on the bench. Still, Marshall has played a significant role all season, and Dallas will count on him to fill some of Max Christie's (illness) minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Scotty Pippen Jr.'s Season Debut Delayed for at Least Four More Weeks
Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) is expected to be out for 4-6 more weeks, the team announced on Wednesday. The 25-year-old has yet to play this season due to a toe injury. He is recovering from sesamodectomy that was performed on Oct. 21. Life could be very different in the Grizzlies' backcourt once Pippen Jr. is cleared to play, as Ja Morant (calf) is not expected to finish the season with the team. Morant's departure could open the door for Pippen Jr. to take on greater responsibilities, though he'll likely face a minutes cap when he first returns.
Source: Memphis Grizzlies PR
Source: Memphis Grizzlies PR
Brandon Clarke to Miss 4-6 More Weeks
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Brandon Clarke (calf) will be sidelined for 4-6 more weeks, the team announced on Wednesday. He is reportedly progressing well in his recovery from a Grade 2 right calf strain. With Zach Edey (ankle) also on the shelf, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jock Landale, and Santi Aldama are doing the heavy lifting in the Grizzlies' frontcourt. Christian Koloko has also been in the mix, but his second 10-day contract just expired.
Source: Memphis Grizzlies PR
Source: Memphis Grizzlies PR
Josh Giddey Starting Ramp-Up Period, Could Return Soon
Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports that head coach Billy Donovan said Wednesday that Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (hamstring) has started his ramp-up period, which is slated to last about one week, and if all goes well, he could return shortly after that. Giddey has been out of action since Dec. 29 due to a left hamstring strain. Barring any setbacks, the 23-year-old could return before the end of January. During Giddey's continued absence, Tre Jones will likely remain the Bulls' primary ballhandler. Jones is coming off an impressive outing on Tuesday as he dropped a career high 34 points, seven assists, two rebounds, and one steal in a losing effort to Houston.
Source: Will Gottlieb
Source: Will Gottlieb
Ja Morant Unavailable Thursday
Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant (calf) won't play in Berlin on Thursday against the Orlando Magic. The star guard has been ruled out for a sixth consecutive game as Morant continues to nurse a right calf contusion. His continued absence means more playing time for Cam Spencer and Vince Williams Jr. Spencer is the more attractive fantasy piece, averaging 10.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists in January. He has finished back-to-back outings with double-digit assists.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Julian Phillips Out Wednesday
Chicago Bulls forward Julian Phillips (wrist) won't play on Wednesday against the Utah Jazz. The 22-year-old is bothered by a wrist sprain and will sit out both games during a back-to-back. He was initially considered questionable for Wednesday night. Phillips has averaged around 12 minutes per game in January, and his minutes will mainly be soaked up by Patrick Williams. Williams is coming off a zero-point dud against the Houston Rockets and isn't a recommended fantasy option.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Coby White to Be Limited to 28-30 Minutes Wednesday
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (calf) will play 28-30 minutes on Wednesday against the Utah Jazz, Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports. The 25-year-old is back in the lineup after sitting out the front end of a back-to-back on Tuesday against the Houston Rockets. White has played more than 30 minutes just four times this season, so he will essentially have his regular workload on Wednesday night. In the first meeting with the Jazz this season, White posted 27 points and eight assists in 30 minutes.
Source: Will Gottlieb
Source: Will Gottlieb
Paul George Active Against Cavaliers
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Paul George (knee) will suit up for Wednesday's tilt against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The injury-prone star was listed as probable on the initial injury report before the team upgraded him to available. Due to poor shooting efficiency, George has struggled to put together big fantasy lines. Across six January appearances, he has averaged 15.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 1.3 steals.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Joel Embiid Cleared to Play Wednesday
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee, adductor) will be in the lineup on Wednesday versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. The former MVP has been upgraded from probable to available. Embiid faces a tough night against Cleveland's well-equipped frontcourt, but he has been highly effective. In January, Embiid has averaged 26.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, with 55.3 percent shooting from the field.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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