Christian Braun is Downgraded to Out
Denver Nuggets guard/forward Christian Braun (ankle) has been downgraded to out ahead of Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Braun was originally probable, but will now sit out Sunday's game due to an ankle problem. His absence should mean that Bruce Brown will move into the starting five. Brown has been an inconsistent fantasy option, but is worth a look with a heavier workload. He finished with 19 points and six rebounds across 39 minutes of action against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. Fantasy managers looking for help on Sunday night should consider Brown.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jamal Murray is Unavailable on Sunday
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (ankle, illness) is ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He will miss his second straight game due to an ankle issue and lingering illness. The already banged-up Nuggets will need to rely on Jalen Pickett to play big minutes once again. He has posted back-to-back seven-point performances, but the increased playing time does make Pickett more appealing for Sunday's slate. Fantasy managers looking for a streaming option should consider Pickett, as he'll at least be able to offer low-end value.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kristaps Porzingis Won't Play on Sunday
Atlanta Hawks center Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) is ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Golden State Warriors. Porzingis will miss his second game in a row due to left Achilles tendinitis. When healthy, Porzingis is a viable fantasy option, but he has only been able to suit up for 17 games this season. His absence should mean increased playing time for Mouhamed Gueye and Asa Newell in the rotation. Neither player has been consistent enough to warrant streaming in most 12-team redraft formats. As for Porzingis, his next chance to play will come on Tuesday, so fantasy managers should check back for another update.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kevin Porter Jr. is Available to Play on Sunday
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (hip) is officially available ahead of Sunday's game against the Denver Nuggets. Porter was listed as probable earlier in the day due to a left hip contusion. It won't be enough to hold him out of this game, so he should play his regular role in the rotation. Porter is playing extremely well lately, with two double-doubles over his last four games. This season, Porter is averaging 18.6 points, 7.7 assists, and 5.1 rebounds in 34.4 minutes per game. Fantasy managers can safely deploy Porter into their lineups ahead of tip-off on Sunday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Christian Braun Downgraded to Questionable on Sunday
Denver Nuggets guard/forward Christian Braun (ankle) has been downgraded from probable to questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. This is not a good sign, especially with the 8:00 pm ET tip-off quickly approaching. Braun was held scoreless across 25 minutes of action during Friday's game. The ankle issue that forced him to miss 23 games could still be bothering him. The Nuggets would likely use a committee approach to fill the void if Braun is unable to play. Bruce Brown, Jalen Pickett, and Tim Hardaway Jr. are all candidates to see additional minutes. Between the trio, Pickett is the best streaming choice, but Hardaway is also a decent option with the Nuggets banged up right now.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Tyler Herro to Suit Up on Sunday
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (toe, ribs) has been cleared to suit up for Sunday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Herro is working through a pair of injuries, but will play through them during the second leg of the back-to-back on Sunday. It didn't seem to impact him on Saturday when he dropped 21 points, seven rebounds, and four assists across 32 minutes of action. Herro could be asked to take on a larger role offensively with Norman Powell (back) ruled out for this contest. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can go ahead and get Herro active ahead of tip-off. Herro is also looking like an elite DFS option with the Heat missing a key shooter in Powell for Sunday's game.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Norman Powell Ruled Out for Sunday's Game
Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (back) is ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Powell was a late addition to the injury report due to lower back soreness. It's the second night of a back-to-back set, so the Heat will take the cautious approach and hold out Powell. With him sidelined, Pelle Larsson and Jaime Jaquez Jr. are candidates to see increased playing time. Between the two, Jaquez is the most appealing streaming option. When healthy, Jaquez has been a viable fantasy option and should see a boost without Powell available.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Victor Wembanyama Cleared for Sunday
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (knee) is available to play ahead of Sunday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He will shed the questionable tag and play through a left knee bone bruise. The knee issue hasn't impacted his performance as he finished with 21 points, six rebounds, and three blocks across 26 minutes on Saturday. The Spurs have been monitoring his minutes lately, but it hasn't stopped him from being an elite fantasy option. Fantasy managers can safely get Wembanyama back in their lineups ahead of tip-off.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jrue Holiday Cleared to Suit Up Versus New York
Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (calf) will play on Sunday against the Knicks. He hasn't played in nearly two months. As a result, it may take him at least a few contests to find his footing. With that said, Holiday was averaging 16.7 points before going down with the injury, his highest in years, so fantasy managers can get him back in the lineup.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Josh Hart Returning on Sunday Night
New York Knicks forward Josh Hart (ankle) will play on Sunday against Portland. He sprained his right ankle during the Christmas win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, keeping him off the floor for the Knicks' last eight contests. The 30-year-old was averaging 12.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.4 steals before going down. Although Hart might have his minutes reduced for at least a few games, he can be added back to all fantasy lineups for the favorable matchup.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Chet Holmgren Available Sunday
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren (shin) will be back in the lineup on Sunday against the Miami Heat. He missed Friday's win over the Memphis Grizzlies due to shin pain. With Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) out for an eighth consecutive game, Holmgren will be expected to handle much of the heavy lifting in the middle for the reigning champions. Branden Carlson will also pick up a few extra minutes, despite moving back to the bench with Holmgren's return.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Dennis Schroder Suspended for Three Games for Attempting to Strike Another Player
Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder has been suspended for three games for confronting and attempting to strike another player, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The German veteran reportedly waited 40 minutes after the Kings' loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 28 before approaching an unnamed player and initiating an altercation. Schroder's suspension will start with Sunday's matchup against the Houston Rockets. His absence from the lineup will open up more playing time for Malik Monk, Nique Clifford, and Devin Carter.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Kristaps Porzingis May Return Sunday
Atlanta Hawks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) is considered questionable for an encounter with the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. The Latvian veteran didn't play in Friday's blowout win over the Denver Nuggets due to left Achilles tendinitis. With Porzingis out, Mouhamed Gueye and Asa Newell saw more action off the bench. However, neither player impressed, and their impact on Sunday may be even smaller, as Golden State allows the fewest bench points in the league.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Zaccharie Risacher to Miss Second Consecutive Game Sunday
Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (knee) will remain out on Sunday against the Golden State Warriors, missing a second consecutive game. The French sophomore is sidelined due to inflammation in his left knee. With Risacher out of commission, Vit Krejci received the starting nod on Friday night against the Denver Nuggets. Unfortunately, he couldn't get going in a blowout win, finishing with zero points on 0-for-8 shooting. He went 0-for-7 with his three-point attempts. Defensively, Krejci contributed well, notching two steals and two blocks.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kevin Porter Jr. Considered Probable for Sunday
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Kevin Porter Jr. (hip) is listed as probable for Sunday's tilt against the Denver Nuggets. The talented guard is dealing with a hip contusion, but the issue doesn't appear serious enough to knock Porter Jr. out of the lineup. While Porter Jr. has struggled with his three-point shot lately, he has still provided plenty of fantasy value. Across four January appearances, the 25-year-old is averaging nearly a double-double, with 16.7 points and 9.7 assists per game. Porter Jr. also often makes a mark on the defensive end. He had four steals in Friday's win over the Los Angeles Lakers and is averaging 1.7 steals for the month.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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