Lauri Markkanen Unlikely to Play Saturday
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (groin) is considered doubtful for Saturday's matchup against the Orlando Magic. The 2023 All-Star is poised to miss a second straight game with a groin problem. Kyle Filipowski is set to maintain a starting role if Markkanen doesn't play, offering double-double upside for fantasy managers. At the same time, Keyonte George, who notched 34 points in Thursday's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, will be the main man on the offensive end. Isaiah Collier and Ace Bailey also had additional offensive touches on Thursday night.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Klay Thompson Iffy for Saturday
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson (knee) may miss Saturday night's action against the Philadelphia 76ers, as the team has listed him as questionable on the injury report. The veteran sniper could be sidelined for the third time this season due to a sore left knee. Thompson's fantasy stock has plummeted this season, with Dallas mainly using him off the bench. He is averaging 10.8 points in 21.7 minutes, shooting below 40 percent from the field for the first time in his career. Thompson's absence on Saturday would result in additional playing time for Max Christie, Naji Marshall, and D'Angelo Russell.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Anthony Davis Expected to Play Saturday
Dallas Mavericks forward/center Anthony Davis (illness) is listed as probable for Saturday's encounter with the Philadelphia 76ers. The star big man has been battling an illness this week. He had 15 points and 14 rebounds while dealing with the issue on Thursday night against the Detroit Pistons. It was a tough matchup for Davis against Jalen Duren, and things may not be easy for him on Saturday either if Joel Embiid (illness) suits up. The former MVP has also come down with an illness, sitting out Friday's game against the New York Knicks.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
James Harden Available Saturday
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (calf) will be available for Saturday's Battle of Los Angeles against the Lakers, Law Murray of The Athletic reports. The veteran superstar sat out Thursday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a left calf contusion. Harden has been fairly quiet this month and settled for only 13 points and six assists in his last outing against the Memphis Grizzlies. Bogdan Bogdanovic will likely return to the bench on Saturday night and won't have a significant offensive role.
Source: Law Murray
Source: Law Murray
Domantas Sabonis to Miss 4-5 More Weeks
Sacramento Kings forward/center Domantas Sabonis (knee) will be re-evaluated in 4-5 weeks, James Ham of ESPN reports. The Lithuanian star has already missed five weeks due to a partially torn meniscus in his left knee. Sacramento is currently also without Drew Eubanks (thumb), which has given a massive boost to Maxime Raynaud's fantasy value. The French rookie had a career night on Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers, putting up 29 points and securing his second double-double of the season with 11 rebounds. Raynaud will try to replicate the effort on Saturday night in a rematch against Portland.
Source: James Ham
Source: James Ham
Anthony Edwards Returns Without Minutes Restriction Friday
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (foot) will be back in the lineup on Friday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA insider Marc Stein reports. Edwards has missed three games while managing a right foot injury. The Timberwolves superstar reportedly won't have a minutes restriction on Friday, so fantasy managers can expect something big from Edwards in a head-to-head clash against reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In his first meeting with the Thunder this season, Edwards tallied 31 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Zach Collins Upgraded to Available Friday
Chicago Bulls center Zach Collins (wrist) will be active against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. The team has upgraded his status from probable to available. Collins made his season debut only recently and has played in five consecutive games. He has averaged 7.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in 17.4 minutes as a backup big for the Bulls. The 28-year-old has faced Cleveland already once this week, finishing an impressive 127-111 win on Wednesday with 10 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Tre Jones Available With Minutes Restriction
Chicago Bulls point guard Tre Jones (hamstring) has been cleared for Friday's matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he will be limited to 24 minutes. The skilful playmaker was listed as questionable on the initial injury report and was upgraded to probable earlier Friday. Jones played 24 minutes in Wednesday's win over Cleveland, posting a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists, while adding three steals to his tally. However, this performance came while Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) was out of the lineup. On Friday, Dosunmu will be available, though also limited to 24 minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Ayo Dosunmu Returns From Three-Game Absence
Chicago Bulls guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) will end a three-game absence on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has been dealing with thumb injuries lately. Dosunmu is set to be limited to 24 minutes on Friday. This is actually just a few minutes less than his season average playing time, so fantasy managers could still get plenty of value from Dosunmu. The 25-year-old has posted 15.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 27.8 minutes per game this season.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kasparas Jakucionis Makes First Career Start Friday
Miami Heat guard Kasparas Jakucionis will have a night to remember on Friday, as he has been named a starter for the first time in his NBA career for a matchup against the Boston Celtics. This will also be only the third career appearance for the 19-year-old rookie. Jakucionis made his debut in the Association at the start of this month with a 54-second cameo against the Los Angeles Clippers. He logged 7:38 of action in Thursday's win over the Brooklyn Nets. Since Jakucionis is largely untested, projecting his performance on Friday is impossible. He will be joined in the first unit by Norman Powell, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Bam Adebayo, and Kel'el Ware.
Source: Miami Heat
Source: Miami Heat
Davion Mitchell Ruled Out Friday
Miami Heat point guard Davion Mitchell (ankle) will miss Friday's matchup against the Boston Celtics, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports. The team had initially listed Mitchell as questionable for the game. Miami's backcourt will also be without Tyler Herro (toe), and the team won't have its fourth-highest scorer, Andrew Wiggins (back), meaning the offense will run through Norman Powell, Bam Adebayo, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. The latter will make his first start of the campaign.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Craig Porter Jr. Skips Friday's Game
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Craig Porter Jr. (illness) won't be in the lineup on Friday against the Chicago Bulls, Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic reports. The Cavaliers seem to be dealing with an illness bug in the locker room, as Porter Jr. will join Donovan Mitchell (illness) on the sidelines. He was initially listed as questionable for the game. With two backcourt players out, Lonzo Ball could receive extended minutes to show his former team that they are missing. Rookie Tyrese Proctor might also pick up additional shifts in the rotation.
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Sam Hauser Available Versus Heat
Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (ankle) will play on Friday night against the Miami Heat. The 28-year-old sharpshooter tweaked his left ankle in Monday's loss to Detroit, exiting the contest after only four minutes. However, he won't miss additional time. As a three-point specialist, Hauser has a very favorable matchup on Friday, as Miami allows the second-most three-point attempts in the league. With that said, Hauser has not been much of a factor offensively this season, averaging 6.6 points in 21.6 minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Andrew Wiggins Misses Friday's Action
Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (back) will exit the lineup for Friday's tilt against the Boston Celtics. He is dealing with lower back pain after logging 33 minutes in Thursday's win over the Brooklyn Nets. In Wiggins' absence, Simone Fontecchio could get a fresh opportunity to start, while players Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kel'el Ware are also in a position to benefit. The latter two are better fantasy options, as Fontecchio has played a limited role on offense, even when starting.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Donovan Mitchell Unavailable Friday Due to Illness
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (illness) won't suit up on Friday against the Chicago Bulls, The Athletic's Joel Lorenzi reports. An illness will force the Cavaliers' superstar to miss his third game of the season. With Mitchell out, Darius Garland will have the ball more in his hands, while there will be additional scoring opportunities for the rest of the starting group. Friday's matchup is particularly tasty for Cleveland's frontcourt, as Chicago allows the second-most fantasy points to power forwards and the third-most to centers.
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Source: Joel Lorenzi
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