1 day agoLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) is expected to be available for Wednesday's meeting with the Memphis Grizzlies. After missing Tuesday's overtime thriller against the Milwaukee Bucks because of left ankle soreness, James is set to return on the second night of LA's back-to-back. Expect the 39-year-old future Hall of Famer to handle his usual workload in a soft matchup with the 24-48 Grizzlies. Across 13 appearances since the All-Star break, James is averaging 27.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 7.2 dimes, 1.0 steals, and 2.3 three-pointers and could take on even more playmaking duties if Anthony Davis (knee) is ruled out after playing 52 minutes on Tuesday.Source: Dave McMenamin - ESPN
1 day agoDetroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (back) is listed as available to play on Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Duren will return from a three-game absence due to lower back spasms, bouncing James Wiseman from Detroit's starting lineup in the process. Although Minnesota is giving up the sixth-fewest DraftKings points to enemy centers, Duren's matchup outlook would greatly improve if interior presence Rudy Gobert (ribs) sits out on Wednesday. The 20-year-old 2022 first-round pick has notched 12 double-doubles post-All-Star break, averaging 13.5 points while shooting 60.5% from the floor, 11.8 boards, 2.5 assists, and 0.9 blocks through his last 15 outings. He's unlikely to have his minutes restricted, but a clash with the first-place T-Wolves presents significant blowout risk that could affect his playing time.Source: NBA.com
1 day agoDetroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (knee) is now listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ivey being a late addition to the injury report with soreness in his left knee is not a good sign for his chances of suiting up on Wednesday. With Cade Cunningham (knee) also iffy, the 12-60 Pistons could be severely undermanned in the backcourt against a vaunted Minnesota defense that's holding point guards to the fifth-fewest DraftKings points this season. Marcus Sasser (illness), who is probable, and Malachi Flynn could be in line for big minutes for Detroit in this one, and although they wouldn't be the most appetizing season-long streamers during the fantasy semifinals, they're worth watching as DFS salary-relief options on a massive 12-game slate.Source: NBA.com
1 day agoGolden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (knee) and center Trayce Jackson-Davis (knee) are questionable for Wednesday's contest against the Orlando Magic. Both players are experiencing knee soreness, which could leave Golden State's frontcourt shorthanded against Paolo Banchero. Jackson-Davis is at risk of missing a second straight game, which would allow Kevon Looney to maintain reserve minutes from the Warriors' bench. Given the team's lack of depth in the frontcourt to begin with, the Dubs could be forced into a greater rate of small-ball units, with Draymond Green monopolizing center minutes. The 34-year-old veteran has been a dependable nine-category fantasy player lately, averaging 8.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.1 steals in 29.6 minutes over his last 10 games, but Green takes on a Magic team that's giving up the fourth-fewest FanDuel points to opposing centers.Source: Anthony Slater - The Athletic
1 day agoSan Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (ankle) and forward Keldon Johnson (knee) participated in Wednesday's morning shootaround. While both players remain formally listed as questionable for the game against the Utah Jazz, their presences at the session puts them on the right side of their designations. Wembanyama is dealing with a sprained left ankle, while Johnson is nursing soreness in his left knee, and their next chance to return would come on Friday against the New York Knicks if they sit out on Wednesday. In eight games without Wemby this season, Zach Collins is averaging 16.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.6 threes and could dominate frontcourt minutes as a must-start fantasy play against a Jazz squad yielding the most FanDuel points to enemy power forwards.Source: Tom Orsborn - San Antonio Express-News
1 day agoNew York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is expected to be active and available to play in Wednesday's matchup versus the Toronto Raptors. Upgraded to questionable on Wednesday morning, Robinson now moves to the cusp of a return following ankle surgery that's kept him out since Dec. 8. The shot-blocking big man is going to face minutes restrictions upon his return to the floor for the 43-28 Knicks, so he won't be a recommended fantasy option in season-long or DFS settings in his first game back, despite a matchup against a Raptors bunch allowing the seventh-most FanDuel points to opposing centers. Isaiah Hartenstein has filled in admirably down low in the Big Apple, averaging 8.1 points on 65.0% shooting from the field, 9.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.5 combined steals plus blocks over 39 starts this season, but he has the most to lose from a fantasy perspective with Robinson back in the mix.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski - ESPN
1 day agoUtah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (quadriceps) is available for Wednesday's tilt versus the San Antonio Spurs. A right quadriceps contusion continues to plague Markkanen, but the All-Star forward will suit up for the 29-43 Jazz against a Spurs club that could be missing Rookie of the Year favorite and defensive menace Victor Wembanyama (ankle) on Wednesday. San Antonio already owns the seventh-worst defensive efficiency rating (114.9) in the league. Make sure Markkanen is inserted in all fantasy lineups, as he's averaging a robust 25.5 points, 6.5 boards, 2.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 3.0 triples covering four performances in the month of March, but Utah could hand him random maintenance days down the stretch.Source: Utah Jazz on X
1 day agoBoston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (shoulder) participated in practice on Wednesday. Holiday has missed Boston's last five games with a shoulder injury, but his activity at Wednesday's session is encouraging for his status for Thursday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. The first-place Celtics will submit their official injury report later on Wednesday, and the two-way veteran guard should be tentatively deemed questionable at worst ahead of time. The sharpshooting Payton Pritchard has enjoyed quite a hot run as a fantasy streamer, averaging 17.7 points, 7.7 dimes, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.2 threes on 45.2% shooting from downtown across his past six showings (two starts), but he would revert to the second unit if Holiday returns. Atlanta carries the third-worst defensive efficiency rating (116.8) in the Association during 2023-24.Source: Gary Washburn - Boston Globe
1 day agoCleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (nose/knee) is targeting a return to action as soon as Friday's home game versus the Philadelphia 76ers. Mitchell has been sidelined since March 16 due to a knee issue and nasal fracture, but he's now on the cusp of a return. Although the two-way All-Star guard won't be available for Wednesday's contest against the Charlotte Hornets, Mitchell still has a chance to return during the fantasy semifinals and boost playoff rosters. Swingman Caris LeVert is averaging 12.5 points, 7.8 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 three-pointers over his last 11 appearances (seven starts), and he remains a must-roster player against a Hornets team that's tied for the third-worst defensive efficiency rating (116.8) in basketball.Source: Shams Charania - The Athletic
1 day agoPortland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (knee) will remain sidelined for a third straight game on Wednesday versus Atlanta. He's hurt his left knee, and the team has zero initiative to rush him back with the season basically done and dusted. We should see Rayan Rupert get a third consecutive start while Scoot Henderson will continue to have the ball more in his hands. It's been a bumpy rookie campaign for the third-overall pick from last year, but Henderson has performed well lately and should have another productive outing against a team that has the fourth-worst defensive rating in the league. Dalano Banton is another guy who plays a larger role without Simons, and his confidence should be sky-high ahead of Wednesday's action after he had a big 28-point, 11-rebound double-double versus Houston on Monday.Source: NBA Injury Report
1 day agoPortland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (elbow) is questionable for Wednesday's favorable matchup against Atlanta. A left elbow injury could keep Ayton out of the lineup for a fourth straight game. His health issues have benefited Duop Reath throughout the campaign, and the 27-year-old rookie has again put together a pair of strong performances lately as a member of the first unit. He's had 13.0 points and 5.8 rebounds in 27.2 minutes across the entire season in a starting role. The Hawks are currently missing Onyeka Okongwu (toe) from the lineup and have had a tough time against centers all season. Only three teams have given up more rebounds per 48 minutes to opposing fives, and the shooting percentage for centers has been at 59.4 percent against Atlanta.Source: NBA Injury Report
1 day agoDetroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (knee) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's tilt against Minnesota. He's already missed two games and could remain out of the lineup due to left knee injury management. Marcus Sasser has jumped into the starting unit during Cunningham's absence. He struggled initially but looked good on Monday versus the Knicks with 24 points and six assists. Wednesday's matchup could be a tough one again for the 23-year-old rookie, as Minnesota boasts the best defensive record in the league against opposing point guards, allowing 21.0 points per 48 minutes with 42.0 percent shooting.Source: NBA Injury Report
1 day agoPhoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (finger) is questionable for Wednesday's game against Denver. The veteran star sprained a finger near the end of Monday's 104-102 loss to San Antonio and could be out of action for the first time this month. Eric Gordon and Royce O'Neale should take care of most of Beal's minutes if he can't play, with Grayson Allen in a position to get a few more shots. He was anonymous in back-to-back games against the Spurs but is having an impressive month overall, with 15.8 points averaged on 48.5 percent shooting from three-point range. However, snipers like Allen and Gordon might struggle in a matchup against a team like the Nuggets, who allow the second-fewest three-point makes in the league.Source: NBA Injury Report
1 day agoPhoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) might have to skip Wednesday's battle against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. He tweaked his right ankle against the Spurs on Monday and has been listed as questionable on the injury report. Drew Eubanks will be asked to step up in a big way if Nurkic isn't able to go on Wednesday. He will find himself in a really tough matchup but should be able to improve on his season averages in a bigger role. Eubanks has posted 5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across 15.7 minutes for the campaign.Source: NBA Injury Report
1 day agoDenver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray (knee) is questionable for Wednesday's meeting with the Suns. The Canadian star has sat out two games with a knee issue and might have to miss three games on the bounce for the first time since an 11-game absence in November. Reggie Jackson has filled the shoes of Murray well, averaging 19.0 points, 6.5 assists, and 1.5 steals over the past two games in the starting unit. Only Detroit gives up more points per 48 minutes to point guards than Phoenix, so we should see another good performance from Jackson if Murray can't return on Wednesday.Source: NBA Injury Report