Terry Rozier Expected to be Released in Near Future
Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports that Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier is expected to be released in the near future. Chiang adds that Rozier will not be part of the team's playoff roster, with a formal release anticipated in the coming weeks. The 32-year-old veteran has been away from the team since October following his arrest as part of a federal investigation tied to sports gambling.
Source: Anthony Chiang
Source: Anthony Chiang
Nikola Jovic Available Thursday
Miami Heat forward/center Nikola Jovic (back) is slated to suit up Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Jovic was available during Tuesday's matchup with Charlotte, but he didn't see any playing time. Jovic has been out of action for nearly a month due to a back issue. His minutes will likely be limited with Bam Adebayo (calf) back in action after a one-game absence due to right calf tightness.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jaime Jaquez Jr. Out Versus Lakers
Miami Heat guard/forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (hip) is unavailable for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The 25-year-old will be held out of action during tonight's contest due to hip tightness. With Jaquez Jr. out, Simone Fontecchio and Keshad Johnson will likely be assigned expanded roles. Both turned in impressive outings off the bench in Tuesday's loss to the Hornets, combining for 25 points. Johnson also logged three steals and one blocked shot.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Wendell Carter Jr. Will Not Play Thursday in Charlotte
Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (rib) will not play on Thursday due to a rib contusion. Even though he wasn't on the team's initial injury report, they downgraded him straight to out on Thursday afternoon. Carter had been playing well with double-digit points in four straight and six of his last seven, and without him in the middle, the Magic could go with some smaller lineups with Paolo Banchero at center or give Moritz Wagner or Goga Bitadze a much bigger role against the Hornets. Carter's next chance to return will be Saturday against the Lakers.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Smith Questionable for Thursday Against the Cavs
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (calf) is listed as questionable for the team's home game on Thursday night against Cleveland. Since returning from a multi-game absence with a calf injury, Smith has started four of the last five games, sitting out the second night of a back-to-back. While he only played 17 minutes in the team's loss on Wednesday, the Bulls could still choose to be cautious with their best big man, who has stepped up since joining the starting lineup. If Smith is out, Nick Richards will likely move into the starting five as he did for the last game without Smith. Richards had 10 points and eight rebounds in 30 minutes in that game, while Guerschon Yabusele played 20 minutes off the bench. Both players would get an upgrade if Smith is out on Thursday, although the matchup is a tough one against Cleveland's Evan Mobley.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Bam Adebayo Set to Suit Up Thursday
Miami Heat forward/center Bam Adebayo (calf) is available for Thursday's matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. Adebayo was previously listed as probable after sitting out Tuesday's contest due to calf tightness. The 28-year-old big man has been dominant of late, averaging 34.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.6 three-pointers, 1.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks across 37.6 minutes per game over his last five outings. He should remain locked into fantasy lineups during the playoffs. Kel'el Ware is expected to see a reduced role with Adebayo back in action, while Tyler Herro and Norman Powell should continue to provide fantasy managers with consistent offensive production.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Donovan Mitchell Downgraded to Questionable
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (eye) was added to the team's injury report for Thursday against the Bulls as questionable due to a left eye contusion. Late additions to the injury report often lead to absences, and if Mitchell is unable to play this game in Chicago, it will be a great spot for Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis, and Max Strus next to James Harden. Evan Mobley could also get even more work in a great matchup, so check back on Spida's status to see if the rest of the Cavs get an upgrade from Mitchell missing.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Bilal Coulibaly Will Not Play on Thursday
Washington Wizards guard/forward Bilal Coulibaly (heel) will miss Thursday's rematch with the Pistons, which will be his second straight absence. With Trae Young (quad), Kyshawn George (elbow), and Coulibaly all sidelined, there should be plenty of work for rookies Tre Johnson and Will Riley, along with Bub Carrington and Jaden Hardy, who chipped in 16 points in 32 minutes on Tuesday in the team's first game against Detroit. Riley and Hardy are both strong enough plays to consider as DFS bargains or streaming options this Thursday against Detroit, which is also dealing with injury issues.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Alexandre Sarr Will Play on Thursday Against Detroit
Washington Wizards center Alexandre Sarr (toe) was upgraded from questionable to available for his team's home game against Jalen Duren and the Pistons on Thursday night. Sarr has a very high ceiling when he's at full strength and is averaging 16.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 28 minutes per game on the season. He missed a month before returning last Sunday, but in his four games since then, he has played 23 minutes or less. He can still post excellent numbers in short bursts, but his workload for this game and for the rest of the season is very uncertain, with the Wizards well out of playoff contention.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kawhi Leonard May Not Play Thursday
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is on the team's injury report on Thursday, listed as questionable for the second game of the two-game, back-to-back set in New Orleans. Kawhi had 25 points in 29 minutes in the team's loss on Wednesday, but it isn't certain if he'll be able to play as the team looks to bounce back Thursday. With Darius Garland (toe) out for the second game of the set, Kris Dunn and Jordan Miller will already get more work in the backcourt, and if Kawhi is also out, the Clippers would likely rely more heavily on Derrick Jones Jr. and Kobe Sanders since Bennedict Mathurin (toe) has already been ruled out as well.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Darius Garland Ruled Out Thursday
Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland (toe) will not play on Thursday, as his team finishes a back-to-back set against the Pelicans in New Orleans. Garland played 29 minutes in the team's loss on Wednesday, but only had 13 points to go with six assists. While he is out for injury maintenance on Thursday, Kris Dunn and Jordan Miller will carry more work in the backcourt, while Kawhi Leonard (ankle) will be more the focal point of the offense if he's able to play through a questionable tag of his own. Garland's next chance to return will be Saturday in Dallas.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Austin Reaves Uncertain for Thursday's Game Against the Heat
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (forearm) was listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup in Miami, joining LeBron James (foot) and Luka Doncic (hip), who also have questionable tags. If Reaves plays and either or both of the other two stars sit, he'll have a very high ceiling against the Heat, but there's also a chance that the Lakers sit all three stars. If Reaves doesn't play, Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura, and Luke Kennard could step in and pick up more work. Reaves has played big minutes lately, but he has been quiet offensively, while Luka and LeBron have carried most of the work.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
LeBron James Questionable for His Return to Miami
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) may not be taking his talents to South Beach after all--at least not for Thursday's game against the Heat. James was listed as questionable for the second game of the team's back-to-back, along with Luka Doncic (hip) and Austin Reaves (forearm). If any one or two of the three play, they'll have a large workload, and if all three sit, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, and Luke Kennard could step in and pick up more work. For LeBron specifically, Rui Hachimura and Jake LaRavia would likely step up at forward, making them good plays against the up-tempo Heat on Thursday if James gets the night off.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Luka Doncic Listed as Questionable for Thursday
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (hip) was listed as questionable for the second game of his team's back-to-back on Thursday. After beating the Rockets on Wednesday, the Lakers listed Doncic, LeBron James (foot), and Austin Reaves (forearm) each as questionable for Thursday's game in Miami. Doncic had 40 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds in Wednesday's win, but he had to play 38 minutes. He also played big minutes against Houston on Monday in another win. Doncic and the Lakers have won seven straight, and during that span, Luka has averaged 38.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks across 37.4 minutes per game. With such a heavy workload, the Lakers could get him a day off on Thursday in Miami. If he's out, James or Reaves could pick up more work if available, but if the Lakers rest all their stars, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, and Bronny James could be in the mix for more opportunities.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Cade Cunningham Will Miss at Least Two Weeks
Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham (lung) will miss at least two weeks, according to the official team update, as he deals with a left collapsed lung. He will be re-evaluated at that time, although this kind of injury usually sidelines players a little longer than just two weeks. There is still optimism that he'll be back for the playoffs, but he may come up short of qualifying for postseason awards if he doesn't play any more games. This is also a huge hit for the Pistons, who are the top seed in the Eastern Conference and have looked like title contenders. In the short term, Daniss Jenkins and Marcus Sasser will fill in for Cunningham, who was averaging 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 9.9 assists, and 1.5 steals. Jalen Duren and the rest of the rotation will all get more usage as the team battles to stay atop the Conference while Cunningham recovers. The timeline is still uncertain, but he'll be out until at least early April.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
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