RADIO
Sam Merrill Exits Friday's Win with Elbow Injury
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Sam Merrill (elbow) did not return to Friday's 119-95 win over the Philadelphia 76ers after getting hurt in the first half, according to Serena Winters. Merrill made his first start of the season with Jarrett Allen (knee) unavailable and went scoreless with three rebounds and two steals in 13 minutes. The 30-year-old entered Friday averaging 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 34.1 percent from deep. Meleek Thomas replaced Merrill to begin the second half, putting the rookie in position for additional minutes if Merrill misses time.
Source: Serena Winters
Source: Serena Winters
Brandon Ingram Says He's Close to Returning
Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Brandon Ingram (Achilles) says he is getting closer to his season debut as he continues 5-on-5 work. The 29-year-old underwent surgery in May to remove a heel spur, with a partial Achilles tear also addressed during the procedure. Ingram still does not have a firm return date and said he will come back when he feels ready. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 77 games with Toronto last season. Once cleared, Ingram should immediately take on a major scoring role alongside Darius Garland, which could tighten touches across the Clippers' wing rotation.
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Dennis Schroder Won't Suit Up Against Boston
Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Schroder (thigh) has been ruled out for Friday's NBA Cup matchup against the Boston Celtics, marking his first absence of the season. The 33-year-old opened the year as Charlotte's starting point guard before shifting to the bench when Coby White returned Monday. Schroder is averaging 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists through nine appearances. White should take on more of the ball-handling while Schroder sits, with Sion James also in line to stay heavily involved. Kon Knueppel (hamstring) remains sidelined after aggravating the injury Wednesday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Trey Murphy III Available Versus Minnesota
New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (knee) is available for Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves after missing Wednesday's overtime win over Utah with bilateral patella tendinopathy. Murphy had initially carried a probable tag before being ruled out, marking his first absence of the season. The 26-year-old is averaging 14.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 33.0 minutes per game. His return could send Herbert Jones back to the bench, while Saddiq Bey may see fewer scoring chances after putting up 22 points in Wednesday's win.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Davion Mitchell Records 22 Points In Loss To Warriors
Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell had a nice game in the team's defeat to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. The guard recorded 22 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field and 4-of-9 shooting from the 3-point line in the team's 120-100 loss. Mitchell added eight assists, two rebounds, and a steal in the team's losing effort. Mitchell averages 16.1 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game this season while shooting 50 percent from the field. Mitchell is a talented scorer and provides fantasy managers with points and assists while maintaining a pretty good shooting percentage. Thursday's effort was a good sign for the guard and he will be counted on by the Heat moving forward.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Stephen Curry Knocks Down Six Threes En Route To 29 Points
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry made six three-pointers on his way to 29 points in his team's 120-100 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday night. Curry shot well on the night, knocking down six of 12 from long range and nine of 19 overall from the field. The All-Star guard added 5-for-5 from the free-throw line and chipped in with four assists and a steal. Curry is averaging 29.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game on 46.9 percent shooting from the field. Curry is an elite fantasy scorer and a great source of three-pointers made. He scored right on his average in the win over Miami on Thursday night and will continue to be one of the top guards in the league.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Devin Booker Pours In 30 Points In Win Over Magic
Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker tallied 30 points in his team's 117-104 win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday night. Booker shot 11-of-22 from the field, 4-of-8 from the 3-point line, and 4-of-4 from the free throw line in his team's big win. The talented shooter added eight assists and chipped in defensively with three steals. Booker is averaging 25.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game on 48.8 percent shooting from the field. Booker is an elite scoring guard for fantasy and anything he can add in terms of rebounds and assists is icing on the cake. He is not the best for defensive categories so the three steals on Thursday night were a welcome sign.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Terrence Shannon Jr. Carries Questionable Tag for Friday
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Terrence Shannon Jr. (hip) is questionable for Friday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans after missing two straight contests with a left hip contusion. The 26-year-old had carved out a productive bench role before the injury, averaging 12.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 22.0 minutes while shooting 39.4% from three. With Anthony Edwards (knee) facing a lengthy absence, Shannon should have plenty of opportunity once healthy. If he sits again, Ayo Dosunmu could take on a little more scoring, while Jaylen Clark may also benefit from the extra minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Dennis Schroder Iffy for Friday
Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Schroder (thigh) is questionable for Friday's NBA Cup game against the Boston Celtics. Schroder played through a foot issue last week before moving to the bench Monday after Coby White returned, logging 23 minutes against Detroit. The 33-year-old is averaging 10.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists this season. If Schroder sits, White should take on more ball-handling duties, while Charlotte may have to dig deeper into its guard rotation, with Kon Knueppel (hamstring) also sidelined.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Max Christie Expected Back Friday Versus the Jazz
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Max Christie (hip) is probable for Friday's NBA Cup game against the Utah Jazz after missing Wednesday's loss to San Antonio. Christie left Monday's game against Sacramento after eight scoreless minutes and had started all seven of his appearances before the injury. He is averaging 7.1 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting just 27.0% from three this season. Zaccharie Risacher started in his place Wednesday but scored only two points in 18 minutes, so Christie has a good chance to return to the first unit. He'll need to get closer to last season's 40.4% mark from deep to offer much fantasy value.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kon Knueppel Ruled Out Friday Against Boston
Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kon Knueppel (hamstring) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Boston Celtics after his season debut lasted only six minutes Wednesday in Brooklyn. Knueppel had already missed the first eight games with a left hamstring strain before returning with soreness in the same leg. The 2026 Rookie of the Year runner-up averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists last season while leading the NBA with 273 made threes. With Knueppel sidelined again, Sion James should remain busy, while Grayson Allen could also see more shots after scoring 22 points Wednesday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Trey Murphy III Probable for Friday Versus Timberwolves
New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (knee) is probable for Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves after missing Wednesday's overtime win over Utah with bilateral patella tendinopathy. It was Murphy's first absence of the season after averaging 14.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists through seven games. Herbert Jones started in his place Wednesday but scored only two points, while Saddiq Bey provided 22 off the bench. Murphy averaged 21.5 points last season, and getting his minutes and shot volume back up will be key to closing the gap on that production.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jordan Goodwin Ruled Out Again Thursday
Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (calf) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Orlando Magic, his second straight absence since hurting his right calf Monday against Golden State. Goodwin entered that game averaging 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.8 steals in 21.0 minutes. He also dealt with a left calf strain last season and aggravated that same calf during the playoffs. Ryan Dunn could get a little more run while Goodwin is sidelined after pulling down five offensive rebounds Wednesday, while Luke Kennard remains another option off the bench.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Luka Doncic Drops 40 Points as Lakers Win Third Straight
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic poured in 40 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in Wednesday's 116-103 win over the Sacramento Kings, shooting 11-for-23 from the field and knocking down six threes. Doncic has now posted at least 35 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five triples in six straight games, the longest streak in NBA history. He also became the first player since Michael Jordan in 1988-89 to top 300 points through his first eight games of a season. Austin Reaves added 21 points, while Walker Kessler chipped in 15 points, eight rebounds, four blocks, and three steals. Doncic carries the historic scoring run into Friday's matchup with Portland.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Vit Krejci Suffers Leg Fracture Against Suns
Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Vit Krejci (leg) suffered a fracture to his lower left leg during Wednesday's 132-119 win over the Phoenix Suns, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Siegel reported that head coach Micah Nori confirmed the fracture during his postgame press conference. Portland initially called it a left ankle injury after Krejci went down trying to take a charge from Miles Bridges late in the third quarter. The 26-year-old finished with five points, three rebounds, and two assists in 12 minutes. No timetable has been announced, but Krejci appears headed for an extended absence. Sidy Cissoko and Chris Youngblood could pick up a few extra minutes with Portland already missing Ja Morant (hamstring) and Shaedon Sharpe (knee).
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
