Myles Turner Expected to Play Friday vs. Nuggets
Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (ankle) is probable to play Friday against Denver after missing one game. His return would tighten Milwaukee's frontcourt rotation, cutting into Bobby Portis' upside after the veteran big delivered 15 points, six rebounds, and nine assists in 37 minutes Wednesday. Turner's recent play has been uneven, averaging 11.2 points and 4.8 rebounds over his last five, which keeps expectations modest. Fantasy managers should view Turner as a low-end hold, while Portis slides from short-term standard-league value back to a capped bench role when Turner is active.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Sam Merrill to Miss Fourth Straight Game Friday
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Sam Merrill (hand) will miss Friday's game against Sacramento, marking his fourth straight absence as he continues to manage a right-hand sprain. With Merrill and Darius Garland (toe) sidelined, Cleveland is again leaning on Jaylon Tyson for secondary scoring and playmaking. Tyson delivered 14 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 31 minutes last game, giving him short-term value in standard formats. Craig Porter Jr. also continues to see an expanded role, though his seven points, one rebound, and two assists in 18 minutes keep him capped as a low-end option.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Bennedict Mathurin Remains Sidelined vs. Thunder
Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) will miss Friday against Oklahoma City as he continues to recover from a right thumb sprain and has now missed 10 straight games. Indiana will keep leaning on Aaron Nesmith and second-year wing Johnny Furphy, though results have been uneven. Nesmith is mired in a slump, shooting 23.1 percent from the field over his last five starts. Furphy has shown flashes with 7.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over that stretch, though the production has been volatile and is best left for deeper formats.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Alex Caruso to Miss Another Game Friday vs. Indiana
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Alex Caruso (adductor) will sit out Friday against Indiana, extending his absence as the Thunder continue to manage his workload. With Caruso and Ajay Mitchell (abdomen) sidelined and Aaron Wiggins (groin) carrying a questionable tag, Oklahoma City's wing rotation thins again. That creates a short-term opportunity for Isaiah Joe, who logged five points in 25 minutes last game and offers situational three-point streaming value in deeper leagues. Caruso remains a defensive-category specialist when active, but his limited scoring profile keeps his fantasy ceiling capped.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Ajay Mitchell Won't Play Friday Against Indiana
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (abdomen) will miss Friday's game against Indiana after exiting early Wednesday, sidelined by an abdominal strain. His absence opens short-term backcourt minutes, pushing Cason Wallace, Luguentz Dort, and Isaiah Joe into larger roles. Wallace logged nine points, two rebounds, two assists, and four steals in 31 minutes last game, making him a viable deep-league streamer for defensive stats. Dort adds scoring stability after scoring 13 points with three three-pointers, while Joe remains a low-usage specialist. Mitchell remains a hold in deeper formats, with a return possible Sunday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Isaiah Hartenstein Still Sidelined Friday Against Indiana
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) will not play Friday against Indiana and remains sidelined by a lingering soleus strain that has kept him out since late December. With no clear timetable, fantasy managers should treat Hartenstein as a stash only in deeper formats. His continued absence opens frontcourt minutes for Kenrich Williams, who logged 18 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes last game, while Branden Carlson added nine points and six rebounds in 16 minutes. Jaylin Williams' (glut) questionable status further boosts Kenrich's streaming appeal in deeper leagues, with fringe standard-league value if minutes hold.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jonathan Kuminga Leaves Thursday's Game With Knee Issue
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (knee) was ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's game against Dallas after exiting early with left knee soreness and is scheduled for an MRI on Friday. Kuminga logged 10 points on 3-3 shooting, one rebound, two assists, and two steals in nine minutes before being shut down as a precaution. Recently back in the rotation following Jimmy Butler III's (knee) season-ending injury, Kuminga remains a hold if cleared quickly. Any absence would boost minutes for De'Anthony Melton, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski, while Draymond Green's usage could tick up in smaller lineups.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Deni Avdija Likely Available Friday Despite Back Scare
Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Deni Avdija (back) exited Thursday's game against Miami early after feeling discomfort, but is expected to suit up Friday versus Toronto, according to coach Tiago Splitter. Avdija was productive before leaving, posting 20 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 18 minutes, and has been on a heater lately, averaging 27.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.8 three-pointers, and 1.2 steals in 32.5 minutes over his last five games. Fantasy managers should treat him as a confident hold, though any late scratch would funnel extra usage to Shaedon Sharpe and Jrue Holiday.
Source: Joe Freeman
Source: Joe Freeman
Norman Powell Ready to Face Trail Blazers
Miami Heat guard/forward Norman Powell (back) will play in Thursday's matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Although the team downgraded Powell from probable to questionable earlier in the day, he is now listed as available. Powell is dealing with lower back tightness, which may affect his performance against Portland. Recently, the 32-year-old has been in excellent form, shooting 42.1 percent from beyond the arc and averaging 23.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists across the last five games.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Robert Williams III Active Thursday Night
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (knee) will be in the lineup on Thursday against the Miami Heat. He was unavailable for the last game on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings when Portland concluded a back-to-back set. Thursday's game kicks off another back-to-back for the team, making it likely that Williams III will sit out Friday's matchup against the Toronto Raptors. With Williams III returning, Duop Reath and Yang Hansen will slide down the depth chart on Thursday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jerami Grant, Sidy Cissoko Cleared to Play
Portland Trail Blazers forwards Jerami Grant (Achilles) and Sidy Cissoko (illness) will be active against the Miami Heat on Thursday night. Both were listed as questionable on the injury report. A couple of hours before tip-off, Portland upgraded Grant and Cissoko to probable, and they have now been listed as available. Grant will rejoin the action after missing the second leg of a back-to-back on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings. Cissoko has started seven consecutive games, but with Grant and Jrue Holiday back from lengthy injury absences, he may soon lose his spot in the first unit.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kawhi Leonard Returns to Action Thursday
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) will return from a three-game absence on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, NBA insider Chris Haynes reports. The Clippers initially listed Leonard as questionable on the injury report. With Leonard back, Kobe Sanders is likely to return to the second unit. Leonard has been a man on a mission since the turn of the year, averaging 29.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.5 steals, while shooting 42.5 percent from three-point range.
Source: Chris Haynes
Source: Chris Haynes
Jrue Holiday Available Against Heat
Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (calf) will play on Thursday against the Miami Heat, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports. The veteran will be back in action after skipping the second leg of a back-to-back on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings. Holiday recently returned from a right calf injury, averaging 10.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 steals in 19.3 minutes. He has been productive since returning, but the team has understandably limited Holiday's workload following his two-month injury layoff.
Source: Danny Marang
Source: Danny Marang
Davion Mitchell Will Miss Thursday's Game
Miami Heat point guard Davion Mitchell (shoulder) won't play Thursday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. He has been trending in the wrong direction throughout the day, and the team has downgraded Mitchell from doubtful to out before tip-off. Last week, Mitchell injured his left shoulder. He returned to the lineup on Monday and played in both games of a back-to-back set, but it appears his shoulder still hasn't fully healed. Kasparas Jakucionis saw an increased workload with Mitchell out of the rotation last week and is likely to see significant minutes again, especially with Tyler Herro (ribs) also sidelined.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Santi Aldama Won't Play Friday
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Santi Aldama (knee) will miss Friday's contest against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Spanish veteran is experiencing right knee soreness, forcing him to skip a second consecutive game. Following Aldama's exit from the lineup, John Konchar started in Wednesday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Unfortunately, he had a quiet evening with two points in 21 minutes. GG Jackson II also logged 21 minutes as a member of the second unit, contributing nine points, two rebounds, one assist, and two blocks. Both players could have expanded roles again on Friday night, though neither looks like a reliable fantasy option.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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