RADIO
Cedric Coward Good to Go Versus Sacramento
Memphis Grizzlies guard/foward Cedric Coward (wrist) is available for Sunday's game against the Sacramento Kings after missing Friday's win over Golden State with a left wrist sprain. Coward opened the season with seven points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one block in 28 minutes against Utah. The second-year guard averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists as a rookie and should step back into a meaningful role immediately. GG Jackson II started in his absence Friday but managed only two points on 1-for-6 shooting in 15 minutes, so his playing time could take a hit with Coward back.
Source: Grizzlies PR
Source: Grizzlies PR
Ivica Zubac Exits Early Against Nets With Sprained Ankle
Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (ankle) will not return to Sunday's game against the Brooklyn Nets after spraining his left ankle in the first quarter. Zubac stepped on teammate Kelly Oubre Jr.'s foot while going for a rebound and finished with two points, one rebound and two assists in seven minutes. Indiana visits Milwaukee on Monday, putting his availability for the second leg of the back-to-back in doubt. Larry Nance Jr. checked in immediately after Zubac went down, but Jay Huff opened the second half at center and would be the more intriguing fantasy option if Zubac misses time after averaging 1.9 blocks across all 82 games last season.
Source: Tony East
Source: Tony East
Jalen Duren to be Re-Evaluated in Two Weeks
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (hamstring) will be re-evaluated in two weeks after suffering a right hamstring strain in Friday's 128-111 win over Miami, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. The 22-year-old All-Star exited in the second quarter with four points, six rebounds, and three assists in 10 minutes. Paul Reed has moved into the starting lineup and enters the role averaging 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds on 71.4% shooting through two appearances off the bench. He carries immediate fantasy appeal while Duren is sidelined, while John Collins could also pick up some minutes at center.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Keegan Murray Out Against Grizzlies
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies due to stiffness in his left ankle, according to James Ham of ESPN 1320. It is the same ankle Murray underwent arthroscopic surgery on in May and later aggravated during training camp. The 26-year-old has struggled through two games, averaging 7.0 points and 3.0 rebounds on 29.4% shooting while going 0-for-7 from three. Precious Achiuwa should be among the players seeing more frontcourt work in Murray's absence. Tuesday's game in San Antonio will be Murray's next opportunity to return.
Source: James Ham
Source: James Ham
Day'Ron Sharpe Tossed in Fourth Quarter
Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe was ejected in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 125-121 loss to Cleveland after picking up his second Flagrant 1 foul of the game. Both came on closeouts against James Harden three-point attempts, with the second also serving as Sharpe's sixth personal foul. The 24-year-old finished with seven points, eight rebounds, one assist, and one steal on 3-for-10 shooting in 23 minutes. Sharpe has collected eight boards in each of his first two games, but early foul trouble is already cutting into his opportunity. He now carries two flagrant points for the regular season.
Source: Erik Slater
Source: Erik Slater
Anthony Black Upgraded to Questionable for Sunday
Orlando Magic guard/forward Anthony Black (ankle) has been upgraded to questionable for Sunday's road game against the New York Knicks, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Jason Beede. The 22-year-old missed the entire preseason and Orlando's first two games with a right ankle sprain. His potential return comes at an opportune time with Paolo Banchero (ankle) facing a multiweek absence. Black showed his upside last December, averaging 18.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 33.1 minutes across 14 games. If cleared, he could quickly reclaim a meaningful backcourt role, likely cutting into the minutes of Jase Richardson and Jevon Carter.
Source: Jason Beede
Source: Jason Beede
Jabari Walker Exits Saturday's Win with Knee Injury
Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (knee) exited Saturday's 127-116 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in the third quarter and did not return. Head coach Nick Nurse said the 24-year-old tweaked his left knee but had no further update. Walker recorded six points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in a season-high 12 minutes while Philadelphia was already short on frontcourt depth. With Joel Embiid expected to rest Sunday against Detroit and several other big men sidelined, Adem Bona could be asked to take on a bigger role after playing 10 minutes Saturday. Walker's status is another one to watch ahead of Sunday's back-to-back finale.
Source: Kris Rhim
Source: Kris Rhim
Cedric Coward Could Return Sunday
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Cedric Coward (wrist) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Sacramento Kings with a left wrist sprain. Coward missed Friday's 111-108 win over Golden State after previously carrying a doubtful tag, so the upgrade is an encouraging step. The All-Rookie First Team selection averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists last season before opening this campaign with seven points and seven rebounds in 28 minutes. GG Jackson II started Friday but managed two points on 1-for-6 shooting in 15 minutes, while Jerami Grant also picked up some additional run. Both could remain more involved if Coward sits again.
Source: Grizzlies PR
Source: Grizzlies PR
Zach Edey Ruled Out Versus Kings
Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Sacramento Kings as part of his left ankle return-from-injury management. The 24-year-old is sitting out the front end of a back-to-back after two ankle surgeries and playing only 11 games last season. Edey has averaged 7.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in 21.8 minutes through two starts this year. Isaiah Stewart and Quinten Post should both have more room in the center rotation Sunday, with Monday's game in Utah representing Edey's next chance to return.
Source: Grizzlies PR
Source: Grizzlies PR
Gui Santos Leaves Saturday's Game with Knee Soreness
Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (knee) exited Saturday's 131-122 loss to the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter with left knee soreness and did not return, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater. Santos, who started with Draymond Green (back) sidelined, finished with seven points, four rebounds, and three assists in 23 minutes. He called the injury a tweak afterward and did not believe it was serious. Santos also briefly injured the same knee during the preseason finale eight days earlier. With Jimmy Butler III (knee) and Moses Moody (knee) still out, Will Richard and Georges Niang could pick up more wing minutes if Santos misses Monday's game in Denver.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Ausar Thompson Iffy for Sunday
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Ausar Thompson (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's road game against the Philadelphia 76ers, according to the Detroit Free Press' Omari Sankofa II. Thompson stepped on Andrew Wiggins' heel during Friday's 128-111 win over Miami and did not return, finishing with four points, three rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in 19 minutes. He opened the season with an 11-point, 11-rebound, five-assist double-double against Boston. With Jalen Duren (hamstring) already out, another absence would further thin Detroit's rotation, with Isaiah Joe and Javonte Green candidates for added minutes.
Source: Omari Sankofa II
Source: Omari Sankofa II
Charles Bassey Set to Debut Against Suns
Golden State Warriors center Charles Bassey (knee) is available for Saturday's game against the Phoenix Suns after missing the first two games with right patellar tendinopathy. His return comes at a good time for a depleted Golden State frontcourt, with Al Horford (back) and Draymond Green (back) both sidelined and Kristaps Porzingis (illness) still away from the team. Bassey averaged 10.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 20.1 minutes across five appearances with the Warriors last season. If he gets a similar workload Saturday, he could provide useful rebounds and blocks.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Duren Ruled Out for Sunday
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers with a right hamstring strain. Duren exited Friday's 128-111 win over Miami in the second quarter after grabbing at his right leg and did not return. The reigning All-NBA Third Team selection averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds on 65.0% shooting last season, leaving Detroit with a significant hole inside. Paul Reed is positioned for a much larger role after stepping in Friday and producing 19 points and 11 rebounds on 8-for-11 shooting.
Source: Omari Sankofa II
Source: Omari Sankofa II
Oso Ighodaro Out for Suns' Home Opener
Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro (oblique) has been ruled out for Saturday's home opener against the Golden State Warriors, according to The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin. The 24-year-old suffered a right oblique strain after recording eight points, three rebounds, and three assists in 15 minutes against Portland. Head coach Jordan Ott said Phoenix hopes the injury is more day-to-day than long-term. With Mark Williams (shoulder) already sidelined, Khaman Maluach should take on more responsibility at center after grabbing six rebounds in the opener, while Duop Reath could also see additional minutes.
Source: Duane Rankin
Source: Duane Rankin
Luke Kennard Available Against Warriors
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Luke Kennard (knee) is available for Saturday's home opener against the Golden State Warriors, according to The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin. Kennard missed Wednesday's loss to Portland with left knee tendinopathy, a game in which Phoenix went just 6-for-31 from three. The 30-year-old led the NBA at 47.8% from deep last season despite attempting only 3.1 triples per game, and the Suns have encouraged him to shoot more. Kennard showed that approach in the preseason, scoring 20 points while going 4-for-10 from three against San Antonio. His return could cut into Jordan Goodwin's minutes off the bench.
Source: Duane Rankin
Source: Duane Rankin
