RADIO
Isaiah Stewart Cleared to Make Grizzlies Debut Friday
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Isaiah Stewart (ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Golden State Warriors, according to The Commercial Appeal's Damichael Cole. Stewart has been sidelined since suffering a moderate left ankle sprain in Memphis' Oct. 5 preseason opener in Atlanta. The 25-year-old averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 22.7 minutes across 58 games for Detroit last season before joining Memphis in an offseason trade. With Zach Edey, Cameron Boozer, and Quinten Post also competing for frontcourt minutes, Stewart may be eased back initially, but his shot-blocking gives him some fantasy appeal once his workload grows.
Source: Damichael Cole
Source: Damichael Cole
Cedric Coward Sidelined Against Warriors
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Cedric Coward (wrist) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Golden State Warriors, according to The Commercial Appeal's Damichael Cole. Coward was listed as doubtful with a left wrist sprain after posting seven points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one block in 28 minutes during Wednesday's win over Utah. GG Jackson II will replace him in the starting lineup after producing 12 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks in 19 minutes off the bench in the opener. Jackson should have a better path to minutes and shots while Coward is sidelined.
Source: Damichael Cole
Source: Damichael Cole
Cooper Flagg Won't Return Friday
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (shoulder) will not return to Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers due to left shoulder soreness. Flagg exited late in the first half after taking a hard foul from Aaron Nesmith on a breakaway and landing on his shoulder. The reigning Rookie of the Year had 14 points, five rebounds, six assists, three steals, and one block in 17 minutes before departing. With Dallas back in action Saturday against San Antonio, his turnaround will be worth monitoring. If Flagg can't go, Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington would be the most likely options to soak up extra frontcourt minutes.
Source: Mavs PR
Source: Mavs PR
Keldon Johnson Good to Go Friday
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (mouth) is available for Friday's game against the Houston Rockets after requiring stitches for a cut inside his right cheek. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year recorded 10 points, four rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 20 minutes off the bench during Tuesday's 116-104 loss to Oklahoma City. With Tobias Harris (calf) sidelined, Johnson should retain a meaningful second-unit role after averaging 13.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in 23.3 minutes across all 82 games last season.
Source: Matt Guzman
Source: Matt Guzman
De'Aaron Fox Available Versus Rockets
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox (wrist) is available for Friday's game against the Houston Rockets in Austin. Fox emerged from Tuesday's 116-104 season-opening loss to Oklahoma City with a right wrist sprain but went through Friday's shootaround before being cleared. The 28-year-old opened the season with 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and one steal on 6-for-9 shooting across 32 minutes. With San Antonio visiting Dallas on Saturday to finish a back-to-back, Fox's workload and wrist will be worth monitoring before the second leg.
Source: Matt Guzman
Source: Matt Guzman
Steven Adams Cleared to Play Friday
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (calf) will play Friday against the San Antonio Spurs, according to the Houston Chronicle's Varun Shankar, while Reed Sheppard (knee) has been ruled out. Adams missed Wednesday's season opener with right calf tightness and will make his first regular-season appearance since undergoing left ankle surgery in January. The 33-year-old averaged 5.8 points and 8.6 rebounds in 22.8 minutes across 32 games last season, leaving him mostly dependent on rebounds for fantasy value. Houston plans to rest Adams for one leg of back-to-backs early on, putting Clint Capela in line for more center minutes Saturday in Atlanta.
Source: Varun Shankar
Source: Varun Shankar
Reed Sheppard Ruled Out Friday Against Spurs
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the San Antonio Spurs due to a left knee bone bruise. The third-year guard was limited to three points in 16 minutes during Wednesday's 128-110 win over Dallas, shooting 1-for-6 from deep while committing three turnovers. Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic are the most likely candidates for extra backcourt minutes with Sheppard unavailable. Houston plays again Saturday in Atlanta, so Sheppard's status will be worth monitoring ahead of the second half of the back-to-back.
Source: Matt Guzman
Source: Matt Guzman
De'Aaron Fox Participates in Friday's Morning Shootaround
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox (wrist) is questionable for Friday's matchup against the Houston Rockets with a right-wrist sprain. However, Fox participated in shooting drills during Friday's morning shootaround, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. The two-time All-Star logged 32 minutes in Tuesday's season opener, finishing with 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and one steal while shooting 6-for-9 from the field. If Fox can't suit up Friday, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle could take on more playmaking responsibilities, while Julian Champagnie may be a candidate to enter the starting lineup.
Source: Tom Osborn
Source: Tom Osborn
Taurean Prince Upgraded to Available on Friday
Detroit Pistons forward Taurean Prince (personal) is available for Friday's matchup against the Miami Heat. Prince missed Tuesday's season-opening win over Boston while attending to a personal matter. The 32-year-old averaged 9.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 23.5 minutes per game with Milwaukee last season while shooting 43.6 percent from three-point range. He appeared in just 26 regular-season contests after undergoing neck surgery in November to address a herniated disc. Although he was cleared to make his Pistons debut, Prince is expected to play a limited role and offers minimal fantasy value outside deeper leagues.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Tobe Awaka Available for Friday's Matchup With Milwaukee
Chicago Bulls forward Tobe Awaka (knee) is available for Friday's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. The 22-year-old undrafted rookie from Arizona was also listed on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's loss to the Toronto Raptors but ended up playing. Awaka finished with two points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one block in 14 minutes. While his rebounding is encouraging, his limited playing time makes him a risky option in most fantasy formats.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Zach Collins Active on Friday
Chicago Bulls center Zach Collins (quadriceps) is available for Friday's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. Collins was previously listed as probable with a quadriceps injury but has now been cleared to play. He will likely see limited minutes in Friday's contest after missing time during the preseason due to the injury. The 28-year-old is unlikely to make a significant fantasy impact until he returns to a full workload and establishes a consistent role in Chicago's rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Josh Giddey Set to Suit Up Friday
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (wrist) is available for Friday's contest against the Milwaukee Bucks. Giddey will suit up for the first game of Chicago's back-to-back set after initially being listed as probable with a left wrist sprain. The 24-year-old struggled in Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Raptors, scoring just two points across 24 minutes. Despite the slow start, Giddey remains a solid fantasy option because he can contribute across multiple statistical categories. However, fantasy managers should monitor his workload as he continues to deal with the wrist injury.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Dalton Knecht Inks Deal With Knicks
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, free-agent guard/forward Dalton Knecht has agreed to a two-way contract with the New York Knicks. The 25-year-old joins the Knicks after being waived by the Lakers on Monday. Knecht averaged 4.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 10.2 minutes per game last season. The move gives him a fresh start, though he will likely spend time developing in the G League. With a limited path to consistent NBA minutes, Knecht is unlikely to have much fantasy impact in the near future.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Steven Adams Could Miss Second Straight Game
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (calf) is questionable for Friday's matchup with San Antonio in Austin, per the Houston Chronicle's Varun Shankar. The 33-year-old missed Wednesday's opener after developing right calf tightness following a practice earlier in the week. Houston also plans to sit Adams for one leg of back-to-backs early in the season, with another game Saturday in Atlanta. He averaged 8.6 rebounds in 22.8 minutes last season. If Adams remains out, Clint Capela should continue backing up Alperen Sengun, though Capela logged only eight minutes in the opener.
Source: Varun Shankar
Source: Varun Shankar
Reed Sheppard Questionable Against Spurs
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (knee) is questionable for Friday's matchup with San Antonio due to a left knee contusion and bone bruise, per the Houston Chronicle's Varun Shankar. The 22-year-old is coming off a quiet opener against Dallas, scoring three points on 1-for-6 shooting from deep with three turnovers in 16 minutes. Marcus Smart played 26 minutes off the bench, while Fred VanVleet's return has tightened Houston's backcourt rotation. If Sheppard sits, Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic could see additional work. Sheppard averaged 13.5 points, 2.8 threes and 1.5 steals last season.
Source: Varun Shankar
Source: Varun Shankar
