Coby White Nearing A Return?
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (calf) fully practiced on Friday, according to head coach Billy Donovan. White has yet to play this season as he manages the calf issue. Donovan now wants to see how he responds to a contact practice before making a ruling on his availability. Chicago next plays Sunday night in Utah, so the Bulls and White have some extra time to determine whether he can make his season debut. Once he's back up to speed, White should start next to Josh Giddey (ankle) in Chicago's backcourt. White averaged 20.4 points, 4.5 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 74 games last season.
Source: K.C. Johnson
Source: K.C. Johnson
Josh Giddey Fully Practices On Friday
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (ankle) fully practiced Friday, according to the team's head coach, Billy Donovan. Fellow guard Coby White (calf) also fully practiced. Giddey has missed the last two games, both losses, due to the ankle ailment. Donovan now wants to see how Giddey responds to a contact practice before making a ruling on his availability. The Bulls don't play again until Sunday night, but it's trending toward Giddey returning to the lineup. The 23-year-old is playing at an All-Star level this season, averaging 21.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 9.3 assists, and one steal per game. Kevin Huerter has been starting in Giddey's place, and should pick up another start if Giddey isn't ready to return.
Source: K.C. Johnson
Source: K.C. Johnson
Day'Ron Sharpe Available to Play on Friday
Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe (glute) will play on Friday night when the team visits the Orlando Magic for an NBA Cup contest. Sharpe missed one game while managing a left glute contusion. The 24-year-old has appeared in 10 games for the 1-10 Nets, averaging 6.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.9 steals per game. He only sees about 15 minutes per game, playing behind starting center Nic Claxton. With minimal usage, Sharpe doesn't offer much fantasy value. Fantasy managers can likely find a better option to get into their lineup for Friday's nine-game slate.
Source: Erik Slater
Source: Erik Slater
Julian Champagnie Questionable For Rematch Against Warriors
San Antonio Spurs guard/forward Julian Champagnie (hip) is questionable for Friday's NBA Cup game against the Golden State Warriors. Champagnie, who is managing a hip contusion, recently moved to the bench with the return of guard De'Aaron Fox, but played 20 minutes against the Warriors on Wednesday. The 24-year-old is used as a floor spacer and three-point shooter in San Antonio's rotation, and isn't on the radar for fantasy basketball purposes. Forward Jeremy Sochan, who played just six minutes on Wednesday, and guard Lindy Waters III would see an increase in minutes if Champagnie can't suit up.
Source: Matthew Tynan
Source: Matthew Tynan
Jonathan Kuminga Sitting Out Friday's NBA Cup Game
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (knee) will be inactive on Friday when the team faces the San Antonio Spurs. Kuminga entered Wednesday's game with a questionable tag for a knee injury and didn't make it through the entire game. The Warriors believe this will be a short-term injury and want to give Kuminga rest to help with his bilateral knee tendinitis. Kuminga was removed from the starting lineup for the first time on Wednesday. Moses Moody and rookie Will Richard should get starts again. Gary Payton II saw increased minutes in the second half on Wednesday after Kuminga left the game.
Source: Anthony Slater - ESPN
Source: Anthony Slater - ESPN
Dereck Lively II Expected To Return To Action Friday
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (knee) is expected to play on Friday night versus the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Lively himself didn't confirm the report, however, telling reporters, with a grin, that "time will tell" if he's back in the lineup. The Mavericks' center has been in street clothes since October 26th. The former first-round draft pick was a starter in all three games he's played this season. Typically, he splits his minutes with Daniel Gafford. He holds fantasy value due to a high field goal percentage, rebounding rate, and shot-blocking skills. Lively's fellow frontcourt members, Anthony Davis (calf) and P.J. Washington (shoulder), are also questionable for tonight's NBA Cup game.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Kawhi Leonard Out on Friday vs. Mavs
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (ankle) will miss Friday's game against Dallas, marking his sixth straight absence. With Leonard out, James Harden remains a must-start after averaging 29.0 points, 9.0 assists, and 6.0 rebounds over his last two games, including a 35-point triple-double against Atlanta. Derrick Jones Jr. and Bogdan Bogdanovic may benefit with additional scoring opportunities on the wing, while Kris Dunn, Cam Christie, and Nicolas Batum will continue to see increased minutes but remain fringe fantasy options for now.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Lauri Markkanen Drops 40 Points Against Hawks
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen did everything he could, but the team fell short on Thursday to the Atlanta Hawks by a score of 122-132. The ninth-year pro finished with 40 points on 15-for-25 shooting overall and 6-for-12 from deep with only four free throws. He also chipped in seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, and four turnovers. Markkanen has had an incredible start to this season, with averages of 29.3 points (career high), 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 3.6 threes per game (career high). As long as Markkanen can stay healthy compared to his last few season, he'll remain a top fantasy option in all formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Onyeka Okongwu Posts Double-Double in Win Over Jazz
Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu led the team in scoring on Thursday as they beat the Utah Jazz 132-122. The big man registered 32 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and three blocks while shooting 11-for-18 overall and 8-for-14 from deep. He moved into the starting lineup for this game which was his fourth start of the season. In his time as a starter this season, he averages 18.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while collecting over two blocks per contest too. He's currently a great choice in any fantasy format, but especially for managers looking for some added three-point production from the center spot.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jalen Johnson Produces Huge Triple-Double
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson posted a monster game in their win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday. The Duke product finished with 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists, seven steals, and six turnovers while shooting 10-for-19 from the floor and 4-for-5 from beyond the arc. Johnson has taken full control of the Hawks' offense since Trae Young (knee) has been out, and the results speak for themselves. In the seven games since then, Johnson averages 22.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.4 threes, and 3.1 turnovers per game while shooting a red-hot .578 overall.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kel'el Ware Ready to Suit Up on Friday
Miami Heat center/forward Kel'el Ware (hip) is listed as available for Friday's NBA Cup game against the New York Knicks. The second-year big man has been has started in all but three games so far this season, and will continue to see a lot of opportunities while Bam Adebayo (toe) is sidelined. His rebounding numbers have especially been huge for fantasy managers in category leagues. Over his last three games, he's averaged 12.7 points, 15.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game. Which puts him in play for both points and category leagues for the time being.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Norman Powell Listed as Available Against Knicks
Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (hip) is ready to suit up for Friday's NBA Cup game against the New York Knicks after being listed as available on the official injury report. The veteran guard has been dealing with a hip contusion, but it looks like it's not severe enough to keep him out of this one. Powell has been the primary scoring option while Bam Adebayo (toe) and Tyler Herro (ankle) have been sidelined. In fact, in his 11th season, Powell is averaging a career high in points per game at 24.8. He's definitely a must-roster in all fantasy formats, and will likely remain that way even when the team gets fully healthy.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Davion Mitchell Good to Go Friday Vs. Knicks
Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (back) appeared on the injury report with a back contusion, but the team has listed him as available for their NBA Cup game on Friday. The defensive-minded point guard will be ready to take on the New York Knicks, who are third in the league in offensive rating, and have put up 130 or more points in three of their last four games. Mitchell has been a great source of assists and steals in category leagues this season as he's averaging career highs so far with 7.3 and 1.5 per game. His value remains higher while Tyler Herro (ankle) is sidelined.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jaime Jaquez Jr. Available for Friday's Matchup with Knicks
Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (ankle) has been listed as available for Friday's NBA Cup matchup with the New York Knicks. The third-year wing has popped up on the injury report a few times, but has yet to miss a game this season. Despite not being a starter, Jaquez has seen the most minutes of his career through the beginning of this season and has produced career highs in points (17.0), rebounds (7.2), assists (5.1), field goal percentage (.544), and free throw percentage (.826). As long as Bam Adebayo (toe) and Tyler Herro (ankle) are sidelined, Jaquez will see plenty of opportunities.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Terrence Shannon Jr. Ruled Out Friday vs. Kings
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (foot) will remain out on Friday, marking a fifth straight absence. The second-year forward has had minimal fantasy impact so far, averaging 3.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 16.4 minutes on 32.1% shooting with 36.4% from deep and 71.4% at the line. His continued absence keeps Minnesota's rotation status quo, with Anthony Edwards carrying a heavy load and Donte DiVincenzo locked into starter minutes. In deeper formats, Mike Conley and Jaylen Clark are the only mild beneficiaries for assists or defensive stats, but both remain fringe plays.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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