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Yves Missi Out Again Saturday
New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Atlanta Hawks, marking his fourth straight absence. Missi is dealing with a bone bruise and still has no firm return date after opening the season with 13 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks against Indiana. New Orleans has rotated DeAndre Jordan and Karlo Matkovic through the starting spot, with Matkovic scoring 12 points Thursday against Sacramento. Derik Queen has provided the steadiest workload of the group, logging at least 22 minutes in four straight games, and should remain firmly involved until Missi returns.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Chet Holmgren Out at Least 8-10 Weeks
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren (knee) will miss at least eight to 10 weeks after undergoing a biological treatment for a small patellar tendon tear, according to Marc Stein. Holmgren had been sidelined since Oct. 25 with what the Thunder initially called patellar tendinitis. The 24-year-old averaged 12.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks through three games before the injury. Isaiah Hartenstein has responded with three straight double-doubles and should remain a strong source of rebounds. Aday Mara should also stay in the mix for regular bench minutes, with his rebounding and shot-blocking giving Oklahoma City another option inside.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Alperen Sengun Misses Second Straight Game
Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun (back) will miss a second straight game Friday against the Dallas Mavericks, head coach Ime Udoka told reporters, per Will Guillory. Sengun had opened the season averaging 24.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.8 steals while shooting 58.1 percent through four games. Houston got solid frontcourt production without him Wednesday, as Clint Capela finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks in 22 minutes. With Steven Adams (calf) also sidelined, Capela should remain busy. Sengun's next chance to return comes Saturday against Oklahoma City.
Source: Will Guillory
Source: Will Guillory
Karl-Anthony Towns Available for NBA Cup Opener
New York Knicks forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns (wrist) will play Friday against the Philadelphia 76ers, head coach Mike Brown said, per The Athletic's Fred Katz. Towns was listed as probable after hurting his wrist during Wednesday's win over Chicago, but he stayed in the game and finished with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists. The 30-year-old has posted a double-double in all five games this season, averaging 21.8 points and 13.8 rebounds while shooting 58.3 percent from the field. With Towns cleared, he should handle his usual workload in New York's NBA Cup opener.
Source: Fred Katz
Source: Fred Katz
Noah Clowney Good to Go Friday
Brooklyn Nets forward/center Noah Clowney (illness) is available for Friday's NBA Cup matchup against the Detroit Pistons, according to the New York Post's Brian Lewis. The 22-year-old has come off the bench in all four games this season, averaging 6.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 21.5 minutes. Clowney was barely involved offensively Tuesday against Boston, attempting one shot in 24 minutes while finishing with three points and two blocks. His availability keeps Brooklyn's frontcourt rotation intact, but Clowney will need more touches to become a reliable fantasy option.
Source: Brian Lewis
Source: Brian Lewis
Jalen Smith Cleared to Play Friday
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (finger) is available for Friday's game against the Boston Celtics, according to The Athletic's Joel Lorenzi. Smith had been questionable with a finger sprain after logging 30 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Knicks. The 26-year-old has started all five games while Nic Claxton (hamstring) remains sidelined, averaging 13.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 23.4 minutes. Tobe Awaka (ankle) is also available, giving Chicago another option up front, but Smith should continue handling the bulk of the center minutes until Claxton returns.
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Onyeka Okongwu Posts Double-Double In Win over Cavaliers
Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu recorded a double-double Thursday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers with 29 points and 12 rebounds. The talented big man is averaging 12.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in his first six games of this season. Okongwu is a double-double threat each game as he leads the Hawks' game on the low block. The Hawks are off to a 3-3 start to the year, and Okongwu is one of the most valuable big men in fantasy basketball.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Yang Hansen Available Thursday
Portland Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen is available for Thursday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies after being assigned to the G-League's Rip City Remix on Wednesday. The 21-year-old has appeared once this season, finishing with five points and three rebounds in 12 minutes against Phoenix. Portland also exercised Hansen's 2027-28 team option Thursday, keeping the young center in its long-term plans. Robert Williams III (knee) is out, which could open a few minutes behind Donovan Clingan, though Micah Potter and Branden Carlson give Portland other options. For now, Hansen is still more of a long-term piece than someone with a dependable nightly fantasy role.
Source: Trail Blazers PR
Source: Trail Blazers PR
Robert Williams III Downgraded to Out Thursday
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (knee) has been ruled out of Thursday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies as part of injury management. Williams had played in each of Portland's first three games, averaging 9.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 18.0 minutes. Donovan Clingan should have more room to work on the glass with Williams out, while Yang Hansen and Micah Potter could split the reserve minutes at center. Williams' next status will be worth monitoring as Portland continues to manage his knee early in the season.
Source: Trail Blazers PR
Source: Trail Blazers PR
Alperen Sengun Questionable Friday
Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun (back) is questionable for Friday's game against the Dallas Mavericks, according to Lachard Binkley. Sengun missed Wednesday's 132-100 win over Milwaukee after imaging revealed a mild lower back strain. Head coach Ime Udoka said he hopes the issue will only cost Sengun a few games at most. The 24-year-old has averaged 24.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.8 steals through four appearances. Clint Capela delivered 10 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks in 22 minutes Wednesday and would remain a strong short-term option if Sengun sits again with Steven Adams (calf) also out.
Source: Lachard Binkley
Source: Lachard Binkley
Robert Williams III Doubtful for Thursday
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (knee) is doubtful for Thursday's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies due to left knee injury management. Williams has appeared in all three of Portland's games this season, averaging 9.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 18.0 minutes per contest. His availability has been an ongoing concern, though he played 59 games last season in one of the healthiest campaigns of his career, averaging 17.1 minutes. If Williams sits out Thursday, Yang Hansen could see additional minutes behind Donovan Clingan.
Source: Trail Blazers PR
Source: Trail Blazers PR
Donovan Clingan's Option Picked Up Thursday
The Portland Trail Blazers exercised their team option on center Donovan Clingan on Thursday. Portland's starting center since February 2025, Clingan averaged 12.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game during the 2025-26 campaign. He also collected a franchise-record 347 offensive rebounds, the NBA's second-highest single-season total over the past five seasons. His secure starting role and strong production in rebounds and blocks make him a reliable fantasy option at center.
Source: Portland Trail Blazers
Source: Portland Trail Blazers
Yanic Konan Niederhauser's Third-Year Option Picked Up on Thursday
The Los Angeles Clippers exercised their third-year team option on center Yanic Konan Niederhauser (foot) on Thursday, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. The move keeps Niederhauser in the Clippers' long-term plans as he continues rehabbing the Lisfranc injury that ended his rookie season after 41 games. He averaged 4.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 10.3 minutes per contest while shooting 64.0 percent from the field last season. Isaiah Jackson has opened the season as the starting center, with Brook Lopez handling a sizable reserve role, so Niederhauser could face limited minutes upon his return, keeping his fantasy appeal modest.
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Victor Wembanyama Posts Massive Line In OT Win Over Jazz
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama scored 36 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the Spurs outlasted the Jazz in overtime on Wednesday night. Wembanyama is averaging 25.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 3.8 blocks per game this season while shooting 48 percent from the field. The Spurs forward added two steals and two blocked shots in the win over the Jazz on Wednesday. Wembanyama is the best fantasy play out there because of his contributions on the defensive end, specifically with blocked shots. His 3.8 blocks per game can win you that category, while he still gives massive contributions in the scoring, rebounding, and assist categories.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Naz Reid Benched At Halftime In Loss To Pistons
Charlotte Hornets forward/center Naz Reid was benched at halftime and didn't play in the second half of a 97-89 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. "Unfortunately, he didn't meet our standards in the first half, and at halftime we made a decision that he wouldn't play in the second half. But I look forward to him meeting those standards come next game," Hornets coach Charles Lee said. Reid played 13 minutes in the Pistons game and scored seven points on 2-of-6 shooting from the field with six rebounds and one blocked shot. He was 1-of-1 from behind the 3-point line. Reid is averaging 17.0 points per game this season with 8.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
Source: Hornets Reddit
Source: Hornets Reddit
