Cam Thomas Cleared to Return on Saturday Night
Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (hamstring) will play on Saturday against Minnesota. He hasn't been on the floor in nearly two months, so he'll presumably see fewer than the 28.3 minutes he averaged before suffering the hamstring strain. However, despite the chance of a reduced workload, Thomas is a must-start in all fantasy setups. It's unknown how his presence will impact others, although his return could severely decrease the statistical contributions of Michael Porter Jr., who has averaged a career-high 25.7 points.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Giannis Antetokounmpo Back in Action Saturday
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) has been officially cleared to play on Saturday against the Chicago Bulls. He is ready to end a seven-game absence after the team initially listed Antetokounmpo as questionable on the injury report. The former MVP likely won't see his full workload on Saturday night, but he doesn't need to log heavy minutes to make a fantasy impact. Bobby Portis, Jericho Sims, and Kyle Kuzma are set to lose minutes with Antetokounmpo's return, while Kevin Porter Jr.'s offensive usage might suffer.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Darius Garland Good to Go Against Rockets
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland (illness) will play in Saturday's contest against the Houston Rockets. He was a late addition to the injury report due to illness, but the team has upgraded Garland's status from probable to available. Cleveland's playmaker has looked sharp lately, posting two double-doubles in his last three games. On Saturday, Garland faces a difficult matchup against a team that gives up the fifth-fewest fantasy points to point guards.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kel'el Ware Upgraded to Available on Saturday Night
Miami Heat forward/center Kel'el Ware (quadriceps) will play on Saturday against Indiana. With Bam Adebayo (back) sidelined on Friday night, Ware took advantage, finishing with 16 points, 13 rebounds, one steal, and one block. It's unknown exactly when he received the quad contusion. However, fantasy managers weren't overly concerned, considering he carried a probable designation throughout most of the day. Adebayo will miss another contest on Saturday night, making Ware an even more attractive fantasy option for the meeting with the 6-25 Pacers.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Victor Wembanyama Returns to Starting Lineup Saturday
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama will return to the starting lineup on Saturday against the Utah Jazz, ESPN's Michael C. Wright reports. Since missing 12 games due to a calf injury, the Spurs have used the French superstar off the bench to better manage his minutes. He has averaged only 21.7 minutes per game since making his comeback. His return to the first unit suggests that Wembanyama is now ready to start logging 30-plus minutes regularly again. Luke Kornet will drop to the bench and won't have much fantasy value if Wembanyama starts logging his usual minutes. Julian Champagnie will also rejoin the starters on Saturday, filling in for De'Aaron Fox (adductor).
Source: Michael C. Wright
Source: Michael C. Wright
Aaron Nesmith Back on Saturday Night
Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (knee) will play on Saturday against Miami. The 2020 No. 14 overall pick averaged a career-high 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds before a sprained left MCL put him on the Injury Report for over a month. He'll presumably be eased back into action, so his fantasy ceiling could be capped for at least a few contests, making him a risky option until he starts seeing around the 30 minutes he logged per contest prior to the injury.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Josh Giddey Cleared to Play Saturday
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (ankle) will suit up for Saturday's tilt against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bulls conclude a back-to-back, and Giddey was initially listed as questionable for the game after logging 33 minutes in Friday's win over the Philadelphia 76ers. While Giddey had a poor shooting night on Friday, he still logged a double-double with 12 points and 11 assists. He has a favorable matchup on Saturday, as the Bucks rank a lowly 20th in defensive efficiency.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Alperen Sengun Unavailable Saturday
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (calf) will miss his third game of the season on Saturday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Turkish star played through a calf injury on Christmas Day against the Los Angeles Lakers but will take Saturday off to rest. Steve Adams will start at center for Houston, with Clint Capela moving up in the depth chart. Jabari Smith Jr. could also see some action as a center. With that said, this is a tough matchup for Houston against Cleveland's twin towers of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Grayson Allen, Ryan Dunn Out Saturday
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen (knee) and forward Ryan Dunn (knee) won't be in the lineup on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Allen will miss a fifth consecutive contest, while Dunn will exit the lineup after appearing in each of the last nine games. The young forward hurt his right knee in Friday's win over the Pelicans. Collin Gillespie, Royce O'Neale, and Jordan Goodwin have seen increased roles because of Phoenix's injuries and continue to offer added fantasy value on Saturday, although the latter two were quiet against New Orleans on Friday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Mark Williams Available Saturday
Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (knee) will be active on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans. The two teams meet for a second consecutive night in New Orleans, and Williams was initially considered questionable for the game due to right knee injury management. The injury-prone big man will play both games in a back-to-back situation for the first time this season. He had a great night against the Pelicans on Friday, recording 24 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block in 27 minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Goga Bitadze Misses Third Consecutive Game
Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (knee) will miss a third consecutive game on Saturday against the Denver Nuggets. The Georgian giant hasn't been able to play this week after spraining his left knee. Since his departure from the lineup, Jonathan Isaac has taken on a few extra minutes. However, Isaac has not made a fantasy impact. Starting center Wendell Carter Jr. will be in for a challenging night on Saturday against Nikola Jokic. He enjoyed the battle in this season's first head-to-head meeting, scoring 26 points in 29 minutes during a 126-115 loss on Dec. 18.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Suggs Remains Out Saturday
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (hip) will be out for a sixth consecutive game on Saturday against the Denver Nuggets. He continues to nurse a left hip contusion, and Suggs' absence allows Tyus Jones to start. Despite the starting role, Jones has not been a productive fantasy contributor. Anthony Black has benefited more from Suggs' absence, taking additional touches on the offensive end. Black has notched 20-plus points in four of five games since Suggs exited the lineup.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
De'Aaron Fox Sits Out Saturday's Game
San Antonio Spurs point guard De'Aaron Fox (adductor) won't play in Saturday's matchup against the Utah Jazz. He picked up a questionable tag on the initial injury report and has now been ruled out due to an adductor issue. With Fox sidelined, Julian Champagnie could land back in the first unit on Saturday, though Dylan Harper is also a candidate to start. Meanwhile, players like Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, and Victor Wembanyama could get more scoring opportunities in an excellent matchup against the Jazz, who have the NBA's second-worst defense.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Anthony Edwards Available Saturday Night
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (shoulder) will play on Saturday night against the Brooklyn Nets. Initially, he was iffy for the contest after the team listed Edwards as questionable due to a shoulder injury. Edwards went for 44 points on Christmas Day against the Denver Nuggets and has thoroughly enjoyed December. He is averaging 30.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game this month.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Giannis Antetokounmpo Could Return as Bucks Face Bulls
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Bulls as he works through pregame testing following a right calf strain that has sidelined him since Dec. 3. Antetokounmpo has averaged 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in 29.1 minutes across 17 games this season, anchoring Milwaukee's offensive structure when active. If he returns, usage and frontcourt minutes would tilt back in his direction, narrowing recent workloads for Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma, who have averaged 28.9 and 29.2 minutes, respectively, during his absence. Peripheral contributors such as Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. would also see reduced involvement.
Source: Eric Nehm
Source: Eric Nehm
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