RADIO
Kon Knueppel Exits Season Debut with Leg Soreness
Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kon Knueppel (leg) was ruled out of Wednesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets after experiencing left leg soreness in the first quarter. Knueppel was making his season debut after missing the first eight games with a left hamstring strain and finished with three points and two turnovers in six minutes. The 21-year-old averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists last season while leading the NBA with 273 made threes. If Knueppel can't play Friday against Boston, Sion James would be the most likely candidate to step back into the starting lineup.
Source: Charlotte Hornets PR
Source: Charlotte Hornets PR
Jalen Smith Exits with Left-Hand Injury
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (hand) was ruled out for the rest of Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks after hurting his left hand while contesting a shot in the second quarter. Smith entered the night already dealing with a left finger sprain and was cleared to play before suffering the new setback. The 26-year-old came in averaging 12.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while starting in place of Nic Claxton (hamstring). If Smith misses additional time, Zach Collins should be first in line for more center minutes until Claxton is ready to return.
Source: Chicago Bulls
Source: Chicago Bulls
Jakob Poeltl Back in Action Wednesday
Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (shoulder) is available for Wednesday's game against the Denver Nuggets, according to Sportsnet's Blake Murphy. Poeltl missed the previous two contests with left shoulder bursitis but returns with Toronto set to face Nikola Jokic and Nate Bittle (foot) still sidelined. The 31-year-old is averaging 4.6 points and 5.8 rebounds in 20.2 minutes through five appearances, though he posted 12 points and 11 boards against Orlando last Friday. Collin Murray-Boyles started at center Monday and should move back to the bench with Poeltl available.
Source: Blake Murphy
Source: Blake Murphy
Alpha Diallo Upgraded to Available Against Toronto
Denver Nuggets forward Alpha Diallo (wrist) is available for Wednesday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Diallo returned Monday after missing four straight contests and played only six minutes, grabbing one rebound in the loss to Portland. The reigning EuroLeague Best Defender made his NBA debut in the season opener, posting four points, two rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 22 minutes. Spencer Jones (hamstring) and Julian Strawther (knee) remain out, but Diallo still needs to work his way into a larger role. Until the minutes pick up, he is tough to rely on for fantasy production.
Source: Denver Nuggets
Source: Denver Nuggets
Cameron Johnson Available Wednesday Versus Toronto
Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson (lower body) is available for Wednesday's game against the Toronto Raptors after initially carrying a probable tag for injury management. Johnson appeared to grab the back of his left leg late in Monday's loss to Portland, but he avoided another absence after already missing three games with a right ankle sprain. The 30-year-old is averaging 8.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists through three appearances and has gone just 3-for-11 from three since returning. With Spencer Jones (hamstring) and Julian Strawther (knee) still out, Johnson should continue getting plenty of opportunities to work his way back into form.
Source: Denver Nuggets
Source: Denver Nuggets
Jordan Goodwin Ruled Out Wednesday
Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (calf) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers after leaving Monday's loss to Golden State with right calf soreness. Goodwin is averaging 7.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists through five appearances and has been a regular part of Phoenix's second unit. He also dealt with a left calf strain last season, so the Suns have reason to be cautious with another calf issue. If Goodwin misses additional time, Ryan Dunn could see more minutes on the wing, while Luke Kennard and Collin Gillespie may also get a little more run.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Santi Aldama Downgraded to Out Wednesday
Dallas Mavericks forward Santi Aldama (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. Aldama went through a morning shootaround but was later downgraded from questionable to doubtful before being ruled out. The 25-year-old is still waiting to make his Mavericks debut after undergoing right knee surgery in March, though head coach Dusty May recently said he is "very close." Aldama averaged career highs of 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds with Memphis last season. His next chance to return comes Friday against Utah, while Dallas will continue piecing together its frontcourt with Dereck Lively II (foot) also sidelined.
Source: Mavs PR
Source: Mavs PR
Kelly Oubre Jr. Misses Second Straight Game
Indiana Pacers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (calf) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies with a left calf contusion. Oubre was also a late scratch Monday against Atlanta due to a bruised left knee, so this will be his second straight absence. He is averaging 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists through seven games in his first season with Indiana. Jarace Walker should remain involved after averaging 31.0 minutes over his last three games, though the returns of Obi Toppin and Ivica Zubac could keep his workload from reaching Monday's 45-minute mark again. Oubre's next chance to return comes Saturday against Denver.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Obi Toppin Cleared to Play Wednesday
Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (back) is available for Wednesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies after missing three straight contests with a lumbar strain. Toppin's back tightened up before shootaround in Miami on Oct. 30, but he is ready to return after nearly a week on the sidelines. The 28-year-old was playing well before the injury, averaging 15.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 threes in 22.8 minutes while shooting 53.8% from the field. With Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (calf) sidelined, Toppin should get every chance to return to that workload, which could cut into Jarace Walker's minutes now that Ivica Zubac (ankle) is cleared as well.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Ivica Zubac Available for Wednesday
Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (ankle) is available for Wednesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies after missing five straight contests. Zubac sprained his left ankle in the first quarter of the Oct. 25 win over Brooklyn and has been sidelined since. He opened the season with 16 points and 15 rebounds against New Orleans and should give Indiana a much-needed boost on the glass. Jay Huff has been starting in his absence and will likely head back to the bench, while Larry Nance Jr. could also see his minutes trimmed with Zubac back in the mix.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jordan Poole Back in Action Versus the Jazz
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Poole (ankle) is available for Wednesday's game against the Utah Jazz after missing three straight contests. Poole has been out since leaving the Oct. 28 loss to Denver early with a left ankle issue. The 27-year-old has struggled in limited action this season, averaging 6.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in 16.0 minutes while shooting just 19.0% from the field. Dejounte Murray is also back after a three-game absence, while Jeremiah Fears has played well in an expanded role, leaving Poole with plenty of competition for minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Trey Murphy III Ruled Out Against Jazz
New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Utah Jazz after initially carrying a probable tag with bilateral patella tendinopathy. Murphy played through the issue Monday, finishing with 18 points in 40 minutes during an overtime win at Memphis. The 26-year-old is averaging 14.9 points through seven games after putting up 21.5 per game last season. Saddiq Bey should have more shots available with Murphy sidelined, while Herbert Jones could take on a little more responsibility. Murphy's next chance to return comes Friday against Minnesota.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Coby White Gets the Green Light Against the Nets
Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (calf) is available for Wednesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets after carrying a probable tag for left calf injury management. White made his season debut Monday after missing the first seven games, finishing with seven points and three assists in 16 minutes against Detroit. His workload should gradually increase as he works his way back into form. Charlotte enters Wednesday with the league's lowest offensive rating, and White should eventually take on a larger scoring and playmaking role. Kon Knueppel (hamstring) is also making his season debut, giving the Hornets another much-needed offensive option.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Payton Pritchard Available for Wednesday's Game Against Bucks
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (shoulder) is available for Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks after carrying a questionable tag with a right shoulder contusion. Pritchard has struggled over his last two games, scoring seven points on 3-for-11 shooting against Orlando before going 0-for-7 for four points Monday in Houston. The 28-year-old is averaging 13.4 points and 3.4 assists in 27.9 minutes through seven games. With Jayson Tatum (rest) out Wednesday, Pritchard should have a few more shots available alongside Paul George as he looks to work his way out of the slump.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Terrence Shannon Jr. Out on Wednesday
The Minnesota Timberwolves announced that guard/forward Terrence Shannon Jr. (hip) is unavailable for Wednesday's game against the Houston Rockets. Shannon will miss his second straight contest due to a left hip contusion. The 26-year-old is averaging 12 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 22.0 minutes through seven appearances. Jaylen Clark will likely see additional minutes again with Shannon sidelined, giving him some appeal in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
