Grayson Allen to Miss Second Straight Game
Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. This marks the second game in a row that Allen will miss due to left knee soreness. Fantasy managers should consider him questionable ahead of Saturday's contest versus the Milwaukee Bucks. The absence of Allen should mean possibly larger roles for Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin, while Ryan Dunn should stay in the rotation. Gillespie is the best fantasy option out of the bunch, with Goodwin and Dunn offering deep league value.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Luka Doncic Good to Go Against Miami
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (hip) will play Thursday against the Heat despite dealing with minor soreness, keeping the superstar active during a critical stretch of the fantasy playoffs. Doncic is coming off a dominant 40-point performance with nine rebounds and 10 assists in 38 minutes against Houston, reinforcing his elite first-round fantasy value. Managers should continue to treat him as a locked-in lineup cornerstone. LeBron James should continue sharing high usage, while Austin Reaves (forearm) could see fewer playmaking chances if his injury allows him to suit up.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Daniss Jenkins Moves into Starting Five
Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins will move into the starting five ahead of Thursday's game against the Washington Wizards. Jenkins should get a heavier look down the stretch of the season with Cade Cunningham (lung) set to miss an extended period of time. The second-year guard finished with 15 points and seven assists across 21 minutes of action during Tuesday's game. As a starter, Jenkins is averaging 14.8 points, 7.0 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 31.4 minutes per game across eight starts. The 24-year-old should be a popular pickup with Cunningham unlikely to play again this season. Jenkins has enough upside to warrant snagging off the waivers for fantasy managers in the middle of the playoffs.
Source: Omari Sankofa II
Source: Omari Sankofa II
LeBron James Available Thursday Against Heat
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) is available for Thursday's game against the Heat after being listed as questionable on the second night of a back-to-back. The 41-year-old continues to produce at an elite level, finishing with 30 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in 34 minutes in Wednesday's win over Houston. He remains a must-start fantasy anchor during the playoffs given his workload and all-around production. Luka Doncic should continue sharing primary usage, while Austin Reaves (forearm) could see slightly fewer on-ball reps with James active.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Isaiah Collier is Sitting Out on Thursday
Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He'll sit out the second leg of this back-to-back set due to left hamstring soreness. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day ahead of Saturday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Without Collier available, Bez Mbeng and Elijah Harkless should split up the starting point guard role. Between the two, Harkless is the better streaming option, but remains a deep league choice.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Smith to Miss Second Leg of Back-To-Back
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (calf) is out for Thursday's game against the Cavaliers on the second night of a back-to-back, though he is expected to return Monday against Houston. His absence should mean more run for Nick Richards, who finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in 30 minutes in a recent start, putting him on the radar as a deep-league streamer for boards and defensive stats during the fantasy playoffs. Guerschon Yabusele could also see a larger role after producing five rebounds and two steals in a prior start. Matas Buzelis may also absorb extra frontcourt usage.
Source: K.C. Johnson
Source: K.C. Johnson
Collin Sexton is Available for Thursday's Game
Chicago Bulls guard Collin Sexton (leg) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sexton made his return after a four-game absence on Wednesday. He finished with 14 points, five assists, and one steal across 18 minutes of action. There was some speculation that Sexton would sit out the second leg of the back-to-back set. That won't be the case as Sexton is available and should see a slightly heavier workload. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can go ahead and get Sexton active in their lineups ahead of tip-off.
Source: Will Gottlieb
Source: Will Gottlieb
Royce O'Neale to Miss First Game of Season
Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale (knee) is out for Thursday's game against the Spurs, marking his first absence of the season and an unfortunate development during fantasy playoff week with Phoenix scheduled for five games. Rookie forward Rasheer Fleming could draw a spot start after posting nine points with two three-pointers in 15 minutes last game, while Ryan Dunn added seven points, four rebounds, and one block in 17 minutes. Both are only on the radar in deeper leagues for managers needing short-term help.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Darius Garland Won't Play on Thursday
Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Unsurprisingly, the Clippers have decided to rest Garland in the second leg of this back-to-back set. He finished with 13 points with six assists across 29 minutes of action on Wednesday. He figures to be back in the mix for Saturday's game. The expectation is that Kobe Sanders will likely move into the starting five, while Kris Dunn sees an increased workload as well. Dunn is the more consistent fantasy option between the two, even with Sanders likely starting.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Malik Monk Active Thursday
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (ankle) is slated to suit up against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. He will return to action after missing four straight games due to a right ankle sprain. Monk is expected to be assigned a heavy workload in his return, with Nique Clifford (hamstring) sidelined. The 28-year-old is averaging 12.6 points, 2.7 assists and 2.0 three-pointers per contest across 53 outings this campaign.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Joel Embiid Downgraded to Unavailable on Thursday
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (oblique) has been downgraded to unavailable for Thursday's game against the Sacramento Kings. Embiid was previously listed as doubtful and will now miss his 11th consecutive contest due to a right oblique strain. His next opportunity to return will be Saturday against the Utah Jazz. Adem Bona and Andre Drummond should continue to see increased frontcourt minutes in his absence. Drummond has been the more reliable fantasy option of late, even in a reserve role.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Terry Rozier Expected to be Released in Near Future
Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports that Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier is expected to be released in the near future. Chiang adds that Rozier will not be part of the team's playoff roster, with a formal release anticipated in the coming weeks. The 32-year-old veteran has been away from the team since October following his arrest as part of a federal investigation tied to sports gambling.
Source: Anthony Chiang
Source: Anthony Chiang
Nikola Jovic Available Thursday
Miami Heat forward/center Nikola Jovic (back) is slated to suit up Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Jovic was available during Tuesday's matchup with Charlotte, but he didn't see any playing time. Jovic has been out of action for nearly a month due to a back issue. His minutes will likely be limited with Bam Adebayo (calf) back in action after a one-game absence due to right calf tightness.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jaime Jaquez Jr. Out Versus Lakers
Miami Heat guard/forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (hip) is unavailable for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The 25-year-old will be held out of action during tonight's contest due to hip tightness. With Jaquez Jr. out, Simone Fontecchio and Keshad Johnson will likely be assigned expanded roles. Both turned in impressive outings off the bench in Tuesday's loss to the Hornets, combining for 25 points. Johnson also logged three steals and one blocked shot.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Wendell Carter Jr. Will Not Play Thursday in Charlotte
Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (rib) will not play on Thursday due to a rib contusion. Even though he wasn't on the team's initial injury report, they downgraded him straight to out on Thursday afternoon. Carter had been playing well with double-digit points in four straight and six of his last seven, and without him in the middle, the Magic could go with some smaller lineups with Paolo Banchero at center or give Moritz Wagner or Goga Bitadze a much bigger role against the Hornets. Carter's next chance to return will be Saturday against the Lakers.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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