Giannis Antetokounmpo Questionable For Matchup Versus Sacramento
    
        
        Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis  Antetokounmpo (left knee patellar tendinopathy) is questionable to suit up against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, per the team's official injury report. The knee injury is the only thing slowing down the nine-time All-Star so far this season. He's averaging career-bests in points (36.3), rebounds (14), and assists (seven) in four games. The knee issue forced him to miss Milwaukee's win over Golden State on Thursday. This doesn't appear to be a long-term issue, and Antetokounmpo should be back in the starting lineup soon. Kyle  Kuzma started in place of Antetokounmpo on Thursday, while guard Ryan  Rollins picked up the scoring slack.
Source: Milwaukee Bucks
Source: Milwaukee Bucks
Joel Embiid To Remain On Minutes Restriction On Friday
    Philadelphia 76ers center Joel  Embiid (knee, injury management) will be limited to 20 minutes of play time in the team's NBA Cup game against the Boston Celtics on Friday, according to head coach Nick Nurse. That's in line with Embiid's minutes so far this year. He's averaging 21 minutes per game in three contests, and reached a season-high 23 minutes against Washington on Tuesday. The restrictions are a part of a long-term plan to take things slow with the seven-time All-Star after offseason surgery. The minutes cap has brought Embiid's averages down (16.3 points, five rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game), making him a shaky fantasy asset until his minutes increase.
Source: Tony Jones - The Athletic
Source: Tony Jones - The Athletic
Amen Thompson's Fourth-Year Option Picked Up on Friday
    According to Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Rockets have exercised the fourth-year team option on guard Amen  Thompson's contract on Friday. The move keeps the 22-year-old in Houston through the 2026-27 season. Through four games this campaign, Thompson has averaged 14.5 points, 5.3 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals during 33.5 minutes per contest. A core piece of the Rockets' long-term plans, Thompson should remain a reliable fantasy contributor for years to come.
Source: Danielle Lerner
Source: Danielle Lerner
LaMelo Ball Questionable For Saturday's Game
    Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo  Ball (right ankle impingement) is questionable to suit up against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday evening. The 24-year-old is off to the most efficient shooting start of his career (44%), while averaging 24.4 points, 10.2 assists, eight rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. If Ball is inactive on Saturday, veteran Collin  Sexton may get the call back to the starting lineup. He moved to lead the bench unit in Charlotte's loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday. Tre  Mann would also see an increase in minutes and usage. Fantasy managers will need to check back for Ball's status ahead of the early six o'clock tip time in Minnesota.
Source: Rod Boone - The Charlotte Observer
Source: Rod Boone - The Charlotte Observer
Jalen Williams Undergoes Follow-Up Procedure, Will Miss More Time
    Oklahoma City Thunder Jalen  Williams (wrist) recently underwent a follow-up procedure for his wrist injury, which will keep him off the court a little longer than anticipated. The team says Williams will be re-evaluated in 10 to 14 days. The 24-year-old has been in street clothes for the entire regular season so far. The Thunder have been riddled with injuries in the young season, with Isaiah  Joe, Alex  Caruso, Cason  Wallace, and now Chet  Holmgren (back) missing time. Aaron  Wiggins and Ajay  Mitchell have seen more time on the court in Williams' absence. The one-time All-Star will be a fantasy basketball lineup staple once he returns to action.
Source: Marc Spears
Source: Marc Spears
T.J. McConnell Out of Action on Friday
    Indiana Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is unavailable for Friday's matchup with the Atlanta Hawks. The 33-year-old sustained a left hamstring strain in preseason that has kept him out of the lineup so far this campaign. Without Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) in the Pacers' backcourt this season, and McConnell's continued absence, more pressure is on the rest of the guards to perform well. However, Andrew Nembhard (shoulder) and Bennedict Mathurin (toe) are also sidelined, which has led Ben Sheppard to absorb extra backcourt minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Chris Livingston Reaches Two-Way Deal With Cleveland
    Forward Chris Livingston has agreed to a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 58th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this month as the team finalized its opening night roster, despite signing a guaranteed contract during the offseason. The forward played 42 games with the Bucks during his two-year NBA career, averaging 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in 4.7 minutes per game. Livingston is likely to spend most of his time in the G League this season.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Brandon Miller's Fourth-Year Option Picked Up on Friday
    According to Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer, the Charlotte Hornets exercised guard/forward Brandon  Miller's (shoulder) fourth-year team option on Friday. The move keeps the star forward in Charlotte through the 2026-27 season. Miller is listed as doubtful for Saturday's matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves and is in danger of missing his fourth consecutive contest due to a left shoulder subluxation. If Miller is unable to suit up, rookie forward Kon  Knueppel will likely continue to see an expanded role on Saturday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Mitchell Robinson Returning To Starting Lineup On Friday
    New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is expected to make his season debut and start on Friday against the Chicago Bulls, according to SNY's Ian Begley. New York's big man posted on his Facebook page that he's ready to play. The team may be careful with his minutes, however, in his first game this season. Robinson appeared in only 17 regular-season games last year but started four games in New York's Eastern Conference Finals series against the Pacers. Ariel Hukporti started two games in Robinson's absence this season, while the Knicks went with a smaller lineup with Karl-Anthony Towns at center in the other two. Hukporti may be phased out of the rotation as long as Robinson can stay healthy. Robinson averaged 5.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 17 minutes per game last year.
Source: Ian Begley, SNY
Source: Ian Begley, SNY
Kevon Looney Downgraded to Unavailable on Friday
    New Orleans Pelicans center Kevon  Looney (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers due to a sprained left knee. Looney is likely close to making his season debut after he was initially listed as doubtful on Thursday for this evening's contest. The three-time NBA champion injured his left knee during the preseason. Once the 29-year-old is back in action, he is expected to serve as a backup to starting center Yves  Missi, which means he will likely make a minimal impact on fantasy basketball this campaign. Looney also faces competition for playing time from veteran center DeAndre  Jordan, who recently signed a one-year deal with the Pelicans.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Anthony Davis Not Expected To Play Saturday
    Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony  Davis (leg) is unlikely to play Saturday against the Detroit Pistons in Mexico City, according to Marc Stein. Davis was listed on an injury report earlier this week with bilateral Achilles tendinopathy and left Wednesday's game against Indiana with leg soreness after six minutes. The Mavericks appear to be without center Dereck  Lively  II (knee), as well. Center Daniel  Gafford (ankle) has yet to play this season. That could mean a heavy dose of veteran Dwight  Powell, who scored 18 points in Dallas' win over the Pacers.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Luka Doncic Upgraded to Probable Ahead of Friday's Matchup
    Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (finger) has been upgraded to probable ahead of Friday's matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies. Doncic had missed the last three games while recovering from a left finger sprain and lower left leg contusion. Doncic is averaging 46 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists through his first two games. With Marcus Smart (quadriceps) also likely returning, the Lakers will look to improve on their 3-2 record.
Source: Brad Turner
Source: Brad Turner
Marcus Smart Participates in Shootaround, Likely to Play
    Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus  Smart (quadriceps) participated in Friday's shootaround ahead of their matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.  Afterward, Smart told reporters he will "most likely" play in tonight's matchup.  The Lakers have been devastated by injuries early this season, and Smart's return would be big for the club.  The 31-year-old has appeared in three of the team's five games, averaging 7.7 points, one rebound, and one assist in 24.7 minutes per game.  If available, Smart will likely start at point guard with Gabe  Vincent (ankle) unavailable.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
Luka Doncic Participates in Shootaround, Remains Questionable
    Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka  Doncic (finger, leg) participated in the team's shootaround on Friday morning ahead of their NBA Cup matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies. The superstar is still listed as questionable right now, but the fact that he participated is a good sign. Fantasy managers will want to stay tuned until tip-off gets closer. As a backup plan, Jake  LaRavia and Dalton  Knecht should both be available in most leagues. In their last game, LaRavia dropped 27 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block, while Knecht chipped in 15 points, one rebound, one assist, two blocks, and one steal.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
GG Jackson II Added to Injury Report with Illness
    Memphis Grizzlies forward GG  Jackson  II (illness) popped up on the injury report on Friday afternoon with an illness and is now questionable for their NBA Cup game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite showing some promising moments in his rookie season, Jackson appeared in just 29 games last year and has gotten into two contests so far this season. He's not much of a fantasy option, even in deeper leagues, so if he misses this contest it's more impactful for those that might stay on the court longer. Santi  Aldama, Cedric  Coward, and Cam  Spencer have been the first three of the bench for the Grizzlies, and they all should be considered in deep leagues. For standard size leagues, Aldama and Coward can contribute in spurts when needed.
Source: NBA Injury Report
    
    
Source: NBA Injury Report
                    
                        
                    
                                
                            
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