Russell Westbrook Questionable to Play Thursday
Sacramento Kings point guard Russell Westbrook (foot) is on the injury report with a questionable tag ahead of Thursday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The former MVP is experiencing soreness in his right foot. Considering Westbrook's nature as a player, this doesn't appear to be a serious enough issue to keep him off the court. However, he hasn't yet missed any games this season and may need some rest to heal from bumps and bruises. Malik Monk (ankle) is also questionable for Thursday's game, so there could be a huge amount of available minutes in Sacramento's backcourt. Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis, and Nique Clifford are all candidates for larger roles, with Schroder expected to step into the starting lineup in place of Westbrook if he's unavailable.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Zach LaVine Returns From Two-Game Absence
Sacramento Kings guard/forward Zach LaVine (back) is not listed on the injury report for Thursday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The former dunk champion is set to return to the lineup after missing two contests due to a back issue. Nique Clifford started in his absence and will return to a bench role on Thursday night. LaVine has not been a good fit in Sacramento, averaging 19.5 points and a career-low 2.3 assists per game this season. In January, he has been limited to 18.0 points per game despite shooting 43.3 percent from downtown.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Paul George Expected to Play Against Kings
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Paul George (knee) is considered probable for Thursday's matchup against the Sacramento Kings. George has been in and out of the Sixers' lineup recently while managing a knee injury. However, he looked at 100 percent in Tuesday's win over the Milwaukee Bucks, leading all scorers with 32 points in 33 minutes. This was George's second-highest scoring performance of the season. Additionally, the two-time NBA All-Defense First Team member had a fourth consecutive appearance with multiple steals. With George back in the lineup, Dominick Barlow has lost his starting spot and most of the little fantasy value he had.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Joel Embiid Probable Thursday
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) is listed as probable for Thursday's tilt against the Sacramento Kings. This points to Embiid being ready to play, but if he has a setback, Andre Drummond and Adem Bona would again step into larger roles. In January, Embiid has skipped only three contests and has looked near his best when on the court. "Every single time I step on the floor, I become emotional because the last few years have been extremely tough. So I'm just happy," Embiid said after Tuesday's win over Milwaukee. "Finally being consistent, being on the floor. I don't take it for granted." On Tuesday night, Embiid fell one point short of recording his fifth consecutive 30-point performance.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Steven Adams Undergoes Season-Ending Ankle Surgery
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (ankle) will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his left ankle on Wednesday. The veteran big man hurt his ankle in a contest against the New Orleans Pelicans on Jan. 18. Adams ends the campaign with averages of 5.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He made 32 appearances, starting 11 times. Moving forward, Clint Capela figures to have a regular role in the rotation, while the likes of Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason may also see an increased workload.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Egor Demin Won't Play Versus Denver
Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin (foot) won't suit up for Thursday's meeting with the Denver Nuggets. It's the first of a back-to-back for the Nets, so the rookie is getting a night off to rest before likely returning on Friday against the Utah Jazz. Without Demin on the floor, Ben Saraf is the favorite to replace him in the rotation. However, the 19-year-old has struggled in his five starts this season, averaging only 3.2 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.2 rebounds while shooting 16.7% from behind the arc.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Cam Thomas Resting on Thursday Night
Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (hamstring) won't play on Thursday in Denver. The Nets will then travel to Utah to meet the Jazz on Friday night, so Thomas will presumably be back for that contest. With Noah Clowney (back) and Egor Demin (foot) also out, Michael Porter Jr. should receive even more opportunities to produce versus his former squad. The same can be said for Nicolas Claxton, Day'Ron Sharpe, and Terance Mann (back), assuming he suits up.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Collin Murray-Boyles Listed as Questionable for Wednesday's Game
Toronto Raptors forward/center Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb) practiced on Tuesday, but he is still listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks. A thumb injury could keep the talented rookie sidelined for a fifth consecutive game. Due to Jakob Poeltl's (back) health issues, Murray-Boyles' role has grown throughout the campaign, and he took over as the starting center at the beginning of January. In Murray-Boyles' absence, Sandro Mamukelashvili has enjoyed a good spell as a starter. Given how well Mamukelashvili has played, Murray-Boyles might come off the bench if he's available.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jock Landale Available for Wednesday's Tilt
Memphis Grizzlies center Jock Landale (personal) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Wednesday's contest against the Charlotte Hornets. The Australian big man will return to action after sitting out one game for personal reasons. Landale has gained a lot of momentum lately, posting back-to-back double-doubles and averaging 13.9 points and 8.6 rebounds for the month. On Wednesday, Landale finds himself in a tricky spot, as only six teams have allowed fewer fantasy points to centers than Charlotte. Landale's return will likely bump Santi Aldama back to the bench, but he will remain an important part of the rotation and could still see around 30 minutes of action.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kel'el Ware in Danger of Missing Another Game
Miami Heat forward/center Kel'el Ware (hamstring) is questionable for Wednesday's meeting with the Orlando Magic. He's dealing with a right hamstring strain and may be sidelined for a fifth consecutive game. Still, Ware returned to practice on Tuesday, suggesting that he could soon be back in the lineup. Nikola Jovic has seen consistent minutes during Ware's absence, averaging 17.5 points and 4.5 rebounds over the last two games. While Jovic has been productive in recent games, his numbers have been lacking for most of the campaign, making him a risky fantasy choice.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Davion Mitchell Iffy for Wednesday
Miami Heat point guard Davion Mitchell (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's matchup against the Orlando Magic. He may miss his fourth consecutive game due to a left shoulder injury that Mitchell sustained earlier this month. If Mitchell can't return against Orlando, Kasparas Jakucionis will remain in the starting unit. The Lithuanian rookie has made five total starts this season, averaging 8.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He could be a bit busier on Wednesday against an Orlando team that gives up the seventh-most fantasy points to point guards.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Norman Powell Questionable Wednesday
Miami Heat guard/forward Norman Powell (back) is considered questionable for Wednesday's game against the Orlando Magic. Powell has recently played through a back issue, but he may eventually need to take some time off to recover. With Tyler Herro (ribs) out, Miami relies heavily on Powell on the offensive end. If he can't play on Wednesday, there would be additional playing time available for Pelle Larsson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Simone Fontecchio. Although Larsson has enjoyed a couple of very good performances lately, Jaquez Jr. has more fantasy potential.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Tyler Herro Remains Out Wednesday
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (ribs) won't play against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, missing his seventh straight game. The Heat have two back-to-backs scheduled this week, meaning Herro could miss several more games. Miami is currently dealing with other injury issues as well, giving Pelle Larsson, Dru Smith, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kasparas Jakucionis additional playing opportunities. The team has a good fantasy matchup on Wednesday against a mediocre defensive team.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Nikola Jokic to Be Re-Evaluated in One Week
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (knee) will be re-evaluated in one week, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. "The Denver Nuggets will re-evaluate Nikola Jokic in about a week," Charania said on Tuesday's episode of NBA Today. "He is making great progress; he's in the ramp-up phase of his return to play process." After injuring his left knee on Dec. 29, Jokic returned to on-court activities two weeks ago. The three-time MVP has missed 15 games. Jonas Valanciunas, who notched 16 points and 16 rebounds in Tuesday's loss to the Detroit Pistons, will continue to start at center until Jokic returns.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Darius Garland Won't Be Available Wednesday
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland (toe) will miss a seventh consecutive game on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. He was back at practice on Monday, but Wednesday's game comes too soon for Garland to be ready to play. However, he could be available later in the week as the team plans to re-evaluate Garland soon. During Garland's absence, both Donovan Mitchell and Jaylon Tyson have stepped up as playmakers, while Lonzo Ball's workload has increased.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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