RADIO
Draymond Green Set to Return Monday
Golden State Warriors forward/center Draymond Green (rest) is available for Monday's matchup against the Phoenix Suns after sitting out the first half of a back-to-back Sunday versus the Los Angeles Clippers due to bilateral low back injury management. The 36-year-old is averaging just 3.0 points through five games, but his 7.2 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per contest keep him fantasy-relevant against the Suns.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Peyton Watson Questionable for Monday
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Peyton Watson (hamstring) is questionable for Monday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Watson has yet to miss a game this season, though the hamstring is worth monitoring after he dealt with a lengthy strain and a later aggravation while with Denver last season. The 24-year-old is averaging 10.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists through six appearances, with much of his fantasy appeal coming on the defensive end. With Jaylon Tyson (ankle) already ruled out, Sam Merrill, Mario Hezonja, and Meleek Thomas could all pick up additional minutes if Watson sits.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Smith Expected to Play Monday
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (finger) is probable for Monday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Smith has played through the sprain without missing time and grabbed 12 rebounds with two blocks in Friday's loss to Boston. The 26-year-old has started all six games with Nic Claxton (hamstring) sidelined, averaging 12.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 24.2 minutes. Claxton is doubtful again, leaving Smith in line for another start. If Joel Embiid (foot) is cleared, Smith would face a more difficult matchup inside against the 6-1 Sixers.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Johnson Iffy for Monday
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (ankle) is questionable for Monday's game against the Indiana Pacers after leaving Saturday's loss to New Orleans in the third quarter. Johnson finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 28 minutes before exiting. The 24-year-old is averaging 18.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.9 assists this season, leading Atlanta in both rebounds and assists. With Jock Landale (hip) and Mouhamed Gueye (foot) also out, the Hawks are thin up front. Aaron Wiggins and Luguentz Dort are the leading candidates to enter the starting lineup if Johnson cannot play.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Obi Toppin Iffy Against Brooklyn
Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (back) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Brooklyn Nets after missing Friday's loss to Miami with low back soreness. The 28-year-old has been one of Indiana's most productive reserves, averaging 15.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 threes in 22.8 minutes while shooting 53.8 percent from the field. Ivica Zubac (ankle) is still out, so getting Toppin back would give the Pacers some much-needed frontcourt scoring. If he sits again, Jarace Walker and Kobe Brown could pick up more minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Gui Santos Expected to Play Sunday
Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (knee) is probable for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Santos returned from knee tendinitis Friday against the Lakers and finished with two points, five rebounds, and one assist in 16 minutes. The 24-year-old is averaging 7.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 22.4 minutes through five games. With Stephen Curry (rest) and Draymond Green (rest) both sitting, Golden State will need a little more from its supporting cast. Santos has shown he can handle a larger role before, averaging 14.8 points and 5.6 rebounds across 30 starts last season.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Draymond Green Out Sunday Versus Clippers
Golden State Warriors forward/center Draymond Green (rest) will sit out Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers for bilateral low back injury management. Green is expected back Monday against the Phoenix Suns on the second night of the back-to-back. The 36-year-old is averaging just 3.0 points through five games, but his 7.2 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks still give him plenty of fantasy value. With Stephen Curry (knee) also out Sunday, Al Horford should have a bigger frontcourt role, while Charles Bassey and Graham Ike could pick up extra minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jaylen Brown Iffy for Saturday
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Jaylen Brown (knee) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. Brown missed Friday's win over the Knicks with patellar tendinopathy after reporting soreness following a 20-point, 10-rebound performance against Indiana on Wednesday. The 30-year-old is averaging 20.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 steals through five games. With LeBron James (rest) and Joel Embiid (rest) already ruled out, Philadelphia could badly use Brown back in the lineup. If he remains sidelined, Tyrese Maxey should carry more of the offense, while Anfernee Simons and Dean Wade could see more opportunities.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Alperen Sengun Off the Injury Report for Saturday
Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun (back) is not listed on the injury report for Saturday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, putting him in line to return after a two-game absence. Sengun had been dealing with a mild lower back strain after opening the season with 24.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game through four appearances. Houston leaned on a deeper frontcourt while he was out, with Tari Eason grabbing 13 rebounds Friday against Dallas. Sengun's return should restore him to the middle of the offense and cut into the extra minutes that opened up for the reserve bigs.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
LeBron James Ruled Out Saturday Against Charlotte
Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James (rest) will sit out Saturday's game against the Charlotte Hornets for injury management on the second night of a back-to-back. The 41-year-old is coming off his best scoring game of the season, finishing with 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists in Friday's 98-93 win over the Knicks. James is averaging 16.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists through five appearances. Joel Embiid (rest) is also out Saturday, which leaves Tyrese Maxey with even more of the offense on his shoulders. VJ Edgecombe should have room for a few extra touches as well.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Giannis Antetokounmpo Records Triple-Double in NBA Cup Opener
Miami Heat forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo piled up 31 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists in Friday's 145-125 NBA Cup win over the Indiana Pacers. He shot 13-for-19 from the field and committed just one turnover in 31 minutes, becoming the first player in Heat history with at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game. It was Antetokounmpo's second triple-double in three outings after totaling only nine assists across his first three games. He is now averaging 28.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, and the recent jump in playmaking only adds to his already elite fantasy profile.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Jaylon Tyson to Miss Saturday's Game
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Jaylon Tyson (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Tyson played through a cervical strain Thursday in Atlanta but is now dealing with a sprained ankle. The 23-year-old has had a quiet start to his third season, though he did score 15 points with three triples against Brooklyn after managing three points in the opener. Mario Hezonja and Sam Merrill could pick up more minutes with Tyson sidelined, while Meleek Thomas (foot) would also be in the mix if cleared. Tyson's next chance to return comes Monday against Oklahoma City.
Source: Danny Cunningham
Source: Danny Cunningham
Lauri Markkanen Questionable Against Portland
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (wrist) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Markkanen sprained his wrist early in Monday's loss to Memphis and sat out Wednesday's overtime defeat to San Antonio. The 29-year-old had averaged 20.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists through three games before the injury. Utah is already without Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) and Jusuf Nurkic (foot), so another Markkanen absence would leave plenty of work for Ace Bailey. Keyonte George should also remain heavily involved after scoring 31 points Wednesday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Cameron Johnson Cleared to Play Friday
Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson (ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Phoenix Suns after missing the past three contests. Johnson sprained his ankle in the season opener at Oklahoma City, finishing with five points and two rebounds in 11 minutes before exiting. Denver turned to its young forwards while he was out, with Trevon Brazile posting 11 points and eight rebounds in a start Wednesday and Bryce Hopkins starting the previous two games. Johnson averaged 12.2 points and 2.0 threes while shooting 43.0 percent from deep last season. His return is likely to squeeze Hopkins' role first, while Brazile should remain involved.
Source: Denver Nuggets
Source: Denver Nuggets
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
