Donovan Clingan Misses Third Consecutive Game
Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (leg) will sit out a third consecutive game on Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans. The 21-year-old big man is nursing a lower leg contusion. Meanwhile, Robert Williams III (illness) and Yang Hansen (face) have been tagged as questionable on the injury report, meaning Portland may be shorthanded at the center position on Thursday night. It could be a big night for Duop Reath if Williams III and Hansen join Clingan on the sidelines. New Orleans allows the fourth-most fantasy points in the league to centers.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jrue Holiday Still Out Thursday
Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (calf) will miss his 13th consecutive game on Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Holiday remains out with a right calf strain. The initial expectation was that Holiday could return to action after two weeks, but it has been almost a month since his last appearance. Caleb Love has been a regular in the lineup during Holiday's absence, but he hasn't exactly set the world alight. The 24-year-old is averaging 8.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 18.0 minutes per game for his rookie season.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
AJ Green Iffy for Thursday
Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (shoulder) is considered questionable for Thursday's Eastern Conference showdown against the Boston Celtics. He is dealing with a shoulder issue and may be absent for a second consecutive game. Green was only a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, which doesn't bode well for his chances to play against Boston. Green has taken a big leap this season, averaging a career-high 11.3 points with 48.5 percent shooting from downtown. He has been a starter in all 24 appearances. With Green unavailable, Kyle Kuzma joined the first unit on Saturday against the Detroit Pistons, finishing with 15 points, four rebounds, and one steal. Kuzma will have additional fantasy value again on Thursday if Green can't return.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Dennis Schroder Likely to Remain Out Thursday
Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder (hip) has been tagged as doubtful on the injury report for Thursday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets, indicating that he is expected to remain out for a seventh consecutive contest. The German star is working his way back from a right hip flexor strain. Zach LaVine (thumb) has already been ruled out for Thursday, while Domantas Sabonis (knee) remains unavailable, meaning Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan, and Keegan Murray will do the heavy lifting offensively. Meanwhile, players like Malik Monk and Nique Clifford may see more playing time due to the holes in the Kings' lineup.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Zach LaVine Out Thursday With Thumb Injury
Sacramento Kings guard/forward Zach LaVine (thumb) won't take the court on Thursday night against the Denver Nuggets. He has been ruled out due to right thumb soreness. LaVine has had a very inconsistent campaign and went from a 42-point effort to a 16-point outing in his last appearance against the Indiana Pacers. His departure from the lineup creates additional playing opportunities for Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, and Nique Clifford. On Thursday, the trio may also benefit from the absence of Dennis Schroder (hip), who is listed as questionable on the injury report.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Alperen Sengun Back From Two-Game Absence Thursday
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (illness) has come off the injury report and will play in Thursday's contest against the Los Angeles Clippers. The star big man has missed a couple of games due to illness. The Rockets will also have Steven Adams (ankle) available on Thursday night, pushing Clint Capela down the pecking order. Before he got sidelined, Sengun had a big start to December, averaging 29.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 2.5 blocks, and 3.0 steals across two games. Meetings with the Clippers have been good matchups for bigs, as they allow the 10th-most fantasy points in the league to centers.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Stephen Curry on Track to Return Friday
Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (quadriceps) practiced fully on Wednesday and is expected to return to action on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Curry, who has missed five games with a left quadriceps contusion, is scheduled to practice again on Thursday. The former MVP might face a minutes restriction in his first game back from injury, but he can still be impactful. In his 17th NBA season, Curry has averaged 27.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in 31.1 minutes. Pat Spencer has had a strong stretch recently, but his fantasy value will take a hit with Curry's return.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Devin Booker Won't Play Against OKC
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (groin) won't play on Wednesday versus Oklahoma City. The 29-year-old suffered a groin injury during the win over the Los Angeles Lakers on December 1 and is now in line to miss his third-straight contest. He was listed as questionable, meaning he could be nearing a return. For now, fantasy managers will await an update on his condition. Collin Gillespie, averaging 21.0 points, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 45.8% shooting from deep in five starts, is expected to remain in the starting lineup. Mark Williams and Dillon Brooks, combining for 40 points in Monday's win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, are also anticipated to see a bump in scoring chances while Booker is out off the floor. With that said, all three, along with everyone else on the Suns' roster, might have their work cut out for them against one of the best defensive teams in the National Basketball Association.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jordan Poole Considered Questionable for Thursday
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Poole (quad) is questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers. Poole has missed 18 consecutive contests due to a quad strain and hasn't been labeled questionable since the injury occurred, dating back to November 4. If the 26-year-old is still unable to return on Thursday, Jeremiah Fears and Jose Alvarado will continue to carry heavy workloads, helping out Trey Murphy III and the Pelicans' backcourt.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Maxi Kleber Sidelined for Wednesday's Matchup With Spurs
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Maxi Kleber (back) is out for Wednesday's NBA Cup tilt against the San Antonio Spurs. The veteran big man will be out of action due to a lumbar muscle strain. His absence won't cause too much distress to the Lakers or fantasy managers, as the 33-year-old hasn't seen many minutes on the floor during this campaign. He's averaging 12.1 minutes per contest while posting 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds across 10 outings.
Source: Jovan Buha
Source: Jovan Buha
Pelle Larsson Sidelined at Least One Week
Tim Reynolds of Associated Press reports that Miami Heat guard/forward Pelle Larsson (ankle) will miss at least a week after an MRI determined he has a sprained right ankle. The 24-year-old sustained the injury during Tuesday's NBA Cup Quarterfinal game against the Magic. He has played in 24 games this season and is averaging 8.7 points, 3.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds across 21.9 minutes per contest. With Larsson on the shelf, Jaime Jaquez will likely take on extra minutes, giving fantasy managers a solid streaming option going into the Heat's next matchup against the Raptors on December 15.
Source: Tim Reynolds
Source: Tim Reynolds
Dereck Lively II to Undergo Season-Ending Foot Surgery
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (foot) will undergo season-ending surgery to address lingering discomfort in his right foot. Lively sought multiple opinions on further treatment for his foot, and doctors determined that surgery would be necessary for the 21-year-old center. During Lively's third NBA season, he averaged 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 blocks in 16.4 minutes per game across seven contests. Lively is expected to make a full recovery after surgery.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Jordan McLaughlin Listed as Questionable for Wednesday
San Antonio Spurs guard Jordan McLaughlin (hamstring) is listed as questionable on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He has missed a month of action due to a left hamstring strain. After he practiced fully on Sunday, McLaughlin looks to be on the cusp of returning to the lineup. However, even if McLaughlin is cleared to play, he may not have a spot in the rotation, especially after Stephon Castle's return to the lineup in Monday's victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Maxi Kleber Questionable Wednesday
Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Maxi Kleber (back) is considered questionable for Wednesday's NBA Cup contest against the San Antonio Spurs. The veteran is battling a back problem. His absence would not be a big blow for the Lakers, as Kleber has seen minimal action this season. He has averaged 12.1 minutes across 10 appearances, posting 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds. These are career-low marks for the 33-year-old German.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Marcus Smart Ready to Face Spurs Wednesday
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (back) is not on the injury report for Wednesday's NBA Cup meeting with the San Antonio Spurs. A back issue has kept Smart out of action for six games. While Smart doesn't move the needle in most fantasy formats, he has been an important player for the Lakers. Across 14 appearances, Smart has averaged 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.8 steals in 26.8 minutes per game. Smart's best offensive performance of the campaign was against the Spurs on Nov. 5, where he totaled 17 points in a 118-116 victory.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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