RADIO
Kawhi Leonard Begins Return-to-Play Process
Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) has successfully completed treatment for swelling and will return to Toronto to begin the team's return-to-play process. Leonard has missed five straight games, and the Raptors plan to provide another update in one week. The 35-year-old averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 steals in his first two appearances of the season. Nov. 11 against Boston is the earliest he could return, though that will depend on how his ramp-up goes. Ja'Kobe Walter should remain in the starting lineup for now, with Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett continuing to handle much of the scoring.
Source: Blake Murphy
Source: Blake Murphy
Trey Murphy III Likely Available Against Utah
New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (knee) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Utah Jazz with bilateral patella tendinopathy. The issue did not keep him from logging 40 minutes in Monday's overtime win over Memphis, when he finished with 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists on 5-for-11 shooting. The 26-year-old is averaging 14.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists through seven games after scoring 21.5 points per game last season. If Murphy is unexpectedly ruled out, Saddiq Bey would be a strong candidate to move into the starting lineup.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Peyton Watson Ruled Out Again on Wednesday
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Peyton Watson (hamstring) will miss a second straight game Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Watson dealt with the same hamstring last season, when a strain and later aggravation kept him out for stretches and sidelined him for Denver's entire first-round playoff series. The 24-year-old is averaging 10.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.8 blocks through six starts, though he has made just four of 24 attempts from deep. Meleek Thomas scored 17 points in his first career start Monday and could remain in the starting mix while Watson and Jaylon Tyson (ankle) are out.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Johnson Questionable for Wednesday Against the Wizards
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Washington Wizards after sitting out Monday's win over Indiana. Johnson sprained his ankle Saturday against New Orleans and is averaging 18.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.9 assists while shooting 42.1 percent through seven games. CJ McCollum took on more of the playmaking Monday and handed out 12 assists, while Luguentz Dort stepped into the starting lineup and knocked down four threes on his way to 14 points. If Johnson sits again, McCollum should remain heavily involved as a creator, with Dort a strong candidate to stay in the first unit.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kon Knueppel Upgraded to Probable Versus Nets
Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kon Knueppel (hamstring) is probable to make his season debut Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets. The 21-year-old has missed Charlotte's first eight games after suffering a hamstring strain during offseason workouts. Knueppel averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists as a rookie while becoming the first first-year player to lead the NBA in three-pointers with 273. Charlotte may ease him back after the long layoff, but his return gives the offense another proven shooter alongside Brandon Miller. Sion James could move back to the bench once Knueppel rejoins the starting group.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Josh Hart Questionable for Wednesday
New York Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Chicago Bulls with soreness. Hart finished Monday's win over Brooklyn with eight points, six rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in 27 minutes before fouling out. The 31-year-old has scored in single digits in four straight games, but he is still averaging 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals through seven appearances. If Hart sits, Landry Shamet and Miles McBride would both be candidates to enter the starting lineup, with Shamet coming off a season-high 22 points Monday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jayson Tatum Could Be Rested On Wednesday
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (rest) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Tatum could be rested as the Celtics are in the midst of an eight-game stretch in the span of 13 days. Tatum is averaging 27.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game this season. His absence would leave a big scoring void in the Celtics' lineup.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Dalen Terry Agrees to Two-Year Deal with Thunder
Free-agent guard/forward Dalen Terry has agreed to a two-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The former No. 18 overall pick spent training camp with Golden State before being waived in October and now gives a depleted Thunder roster another perimeter option. Jalen Williams (leg) and Cason Wallace (shoulder) are out long-term following surgery, while Alex Caruso (ankle) has also been sidelined. Terry averaged 4.1 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 12.4 minutes across 14 games with Philadelphia last season. He may get a chance to crack the rotation while Oklahoma City is short-handed, but Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain remain ahead of him for fantasy purposes.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Max Christie Exits Monday's Game with Hip Injury
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Max Christie (hip) will not return to Monday's game against the Sacramento Kings. Christie played just eight minutes before exiting, with Walter Clayton Jr. replacing him in the lineup to begin the second half. The 23-year-old entered Monday averaging 8.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 36.7 percent from the field through six starts. If Christie ends up missing time beyond Monday, Clayton should stay in the mix for extra minutes, with Marcus Sasser also a candidate for a larger backcourt role.
Source: Mavs PR
Source: Mavs PR
Derrick Jones Jr. Sidelined Against the Raptors
Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Toronto Raptors, according to Joey Linn. Jones left Sunday's loss to Golden State after banging his knee late in the third quarter and finished with nine points and seven rebounds in 28 minutes. The 29-year-old is averaging 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 52.0 percent from three. It's the same knee that gave him trouble last season, so his status is worth monitoring. With Max Strus returning, Kobe Sanders, Gradey Dick, and Baba Miller could still see some extra wing minutes.
Source: Joey Linn
Source: Joey Linn
Scottie Barnes Good to Go Monday
Toronto Raptors forward/center Scottie Barnes (hip) is available for Monday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers after dealing with soreness and tightness. Barnes played 36 minutes in Sunday's loss to the Lakers, finishing with 29 points, six rebounds, and five assists. The 25-year-old has been carrying a heavy offensive load with Kawhi Leonard (knee) sidelined, scoring 41 points Friday and averaging 24.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists through six games. RJ Barrett should remain heavily involved after adding 22 points and 10 rebounds Sunday.
Source: Zulfi Sheikh
Source: Zulfi Sheikh
Max Strus Set to Make Clippers Debut Monday
Los Angeles Clippers forward Max Strus (foot) will make his season and Clippers debut Monday against the Toronto Raptors. Strus has missed the first six games after partially tearing the plantar fascia in his right foot during the preseason opener. The 30-year-old practiced with the San Diego Clippers on Saturday before receiving clearance to return. He averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 12 games with Cleveland last season. Derrick Jones Jr. (knee) and Rui Hachimura (quadriceps) are both out, so there should be room for Strus to work into the wing rotation right away, even if the Clippers ease him back after the long layoff.
Source: Joey Linn
Source: Joey Linn
Alpha Diallo Cleared to Play Monday
Denver Nuggets forward Alpha Diallo (wrist) is available for Monday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing four straight contests with a wrist sprain and personal reasons. Diallo made his only appearance of the season on Opening Night, recording four points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 22 minutes against Oklahoma City. With Spencer Jones (hamstring) and Julian Strawther (knee) still sidelined, Diallo should have a chance to work his way back into Denver's wing rotation. His defense should help him stay in the mix, but he will need to show more on offense before there is much fantasy value to chase.
Source: Denver Nuggets
Source: Denver Nuggets
Hawks Forward Jalen Johnson Is Out Vs. Pacers
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (left ankle sprain) has been ruled out for Monday night's game against the Indiana Pacers, per the Hawks. Johnson is averaging 18.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game so far this season while shooting 42.1 percent from the field. Johnson played 28 minutes against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night and scored 13 points with seven rebounds and four assists, with one blocked shot and four turnovers. Johnson will try to recover and return for Wednesday night's game against the Washington Wizards.
Source: Atlanta Hawks
Source: Atlanta Hawks
Trey Murphy III Set to Suit Up Monday
New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (knee) is available for Monday's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. Murphy is no longer on the injury report after initially being listed as probable with bilateral patellar tendinopathy. The 26-year-old is averaging 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 steals in 31.8 minutes through six games, with his scoring down from last season's 21.5 points per game. However, Murphy has shown improvement lately, totaling 34 points over New Orleans' last two wins, and could be a productive fantasy option on Monday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
