Cedric Coward to Miss Sixth Straight Game
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Cedric Coward (knee) will remain sidelined for Friday's matchup against Dallas due to a sprained knee. The rookie wing is set to miss his sixth straight game, and Memphis has shown little urgency in rushing him back. Jaylen Wells should continue to see steady minutes after logging eight points, two rebounds, three assists, and two triples in 27 minutes last game. Walter Clayton Jr. should see minutes as well, but he is only a fringe streamer in deeper formats.
Source: Grizzlies PR
Source: Grizzlies PR
Taj Gibson Agrees to Deal With Grizzlies
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, forward/center Taj Gibson has agreed to a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, marking his return to the NBA for a 17th season at age 40. With Memphis lacking healthy frontcourt players, Gibson could step into legitimate rotation minutes behind Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Prosper has averaged 25 minutes recently, and Gibson's presence may cap his upside slightly. Still, Gibson looks more like a steady veteran presence and insurance big for Memphis rather than someone fantasy managers need to target, except maybe in the deepest of leagues.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Kyle Anderson Agrees to Buyout, Plans to Join Timberwolves
Free agent forward Kyle Anderson has agreed to a contract buyout with Memphis and is expected to sign with Minnesota once he clears waivers. The 32-year-old veteran is unlikely to command enough minutes in the Timberwolves' rotation to hold standard-league value, projecting more as frontcourt depth. His departure opens the door for Olivier-Maxence Prosper to continue starting in Memphis. Prosper logged three points, two rebounds, and one block in 20 minutes last game after posting 17 points in 25 minutes previously, making him a volatile deep-league streamer.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Jabari Smith Jr. Exits with Right Ankle Injury
Houston Rockets forward/center Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) did not return to Thursday's 113-108 win over Orlando after rolling his right ankle late in the fourth quarter. He finished with 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting with one rebound and one assist across 29 minutes before exiting. Further evaluation is pending, and his status for Saturday is uncertain. Reed Sheppard would be the top fantasy beneficiary after posting 20 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks, and five triples in 31 minutes. Josh Okogie and Dorian Finney-Smith are deeper-league streamers if Smith sits.
Source: Varun Shankar
Source: Varun Shankar
Norman Powell Leaves Game with Groin Injury
Miami Heat guard/forward Norman Powell (groin) did not return to Thursday's game against Philadelphia after sustaining a setback with his right groin in the second quarter. He finished with three points, three rebounds, and two assists in 10 minutes before being ruled out. Powell had been averaging 22.5 points in 30.0 minutes, so his absence would open up significant usage. Jaime Jaquez Jr. posted 19 points, four rebounds, and two steals in 30 minutes off the bench and is a viable short-term add. Pelle Larsson and Tyler Herro should also see expanded roles.
Source: Miami HEAT
Source: Miami HEAT
Alexandre Sarr Considered Week-to-Week
Washington Wizards center Alexandre Sarr (hamstring) is considered week-to-week and will miss at least three additional games as he rehabs a right-hamstring strain. The second-year big man had been averaging 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 26.0 minutes, so his absence keeps Tristan Vukcevic in the starting lineup. Vukcevic logged 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one triple in 17 minutes last game, but he remains a fringe fantasy option given inconsistent minutes. He profiles as a deep-league streamer rather than a must-add.
Source: ᴍᴇɢʜᴀɴ ᴍᴄᴘᴇᴀᴋ
Source: ᴍᴇɢʜᴀɴ ᴍᴄᴘᴇᴀᴋ
Lauri Markkanen to Miss At Least Two Weeks
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (hip) will miss at least two weeks after imaging confirmed a hip impingement with inflammation and a bone bruise suffered in practice. The 28-year-old had been averaging 23.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 28.0 minutes, leaving a sizable frontcourt void. Kyle Filipowski is the priority add after posting 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two triples in 18 minutes as a starter last game. Brice Sensabaugh and John Konchar should see added run, while Ace Bailey and Isaiah Collier could absorb more usage.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Jaxson Hayes Good to Go Thursday Night
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (ankle) has been upgraded to available for Thursday's game against Phoenix after previously carrying a probable tag. Hayes is averaging 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in 17.3 minutes this season and should slot back into his usual reserve role behind Deandre Ayton. His availability likely trims frontcourt minutes for Maxi Kleber and Jarred Vanderbilt, limiting their deep-league appeal. Hayes remains a fringe option outside of very deep formats, offering modest rebounding and field-goal percentage support without consistent volume.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
Donovan Clingan Out, Robert Williams III and Yang Hansen Cleared
Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (illness) is out, while centers Robert Williams III (foot) and Yang Hansen (back) are available for Thursday's game against Chicago. Clingan's absence opens frontcourt minutes, giving Williams per-minute upside appeal. Over his last five games, Williams has averaged 6.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in 14.6 minutes, positioning him as a viable blocks streamer who can deliver efficient production even in a limited role. Hansen profiles as a deeper, riskier option. Jerami Grant and Toumani Camara should also see slight rebounding boosts with Clingan sidelined.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Smith, Patrick Williams Out At Least One Week
Chicago Bulls center Jalen Smith (calf) and forward Patrick Williams (quad) are expected to miss at least one week due to right leg strains. The timeline likely sidelines both for multiple games, thinning Chicago's frontcourt rotation. Guerschon Yabusele started the last contest and logged 27 minutes, producing 11 points, four rebounds, three three-pointers, one assist, and two steals, while Nick Richards added six points and five rebounds in 22 minutes. Yabusele profiles as a short-term streamer for threes and steals, and Richards offers deep-league rebounding value. Matas Buzelis should continue to see a steady run in the frontcourt.
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Keldon Johnson is Active on Thursday
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (shoulder) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Johnson was a late addition to the injury report, but he does shed the questionable tag. He figures to have his normal workload after only playing 14 minutes during Wednesday's contest. Johnson has been struggling lately; he has only scored over 10 points in two of his last seven games. The hope is that he is able to bounce out of this rough patch soon. Fantasy managers should continue to ride with him and should get him active ahead of tip-off on Thursday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Khris Middleton Available Thursday Against Sacramento
Dallas Mavericks forward Khris Middleton (shoulder) will play Thursday against Sacramento after entering the night with a shoulder stinger. The veteran wing has averaged 14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 three-pointers in 23.0 minutes across his last five games, but he remains a volatile fantasy option given fluctuating minutes and workload management risk. With Dallas shorthanded in the frontcourt, Middleton should see steady involvement, though his availability could trim opportunities for Klay Thompson and Caleb Martin on the wing. Middleton is more of a matchup-based play in standard leagues, while deeper formats can justify holding for scoring and triples.
Source: Ron Harrod Jr.
Source: Ron Harrod Jr.
Daniel Gafford Ruled Out Thursday vs. Kings
Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (ankle) will sit out Thursday's game against Sacramento due to right ankle injury management. With P.J. Washington (ankle) also sidelined, Dallas is thin up front. Marvin Bagley III is the clear streaming target after posting 22 points, five rebounds, and one assist in 20 minutes off the bench in the last win. He should approach 24 to 28 minutes if inserted into the starting group. Naji Marshall and Khris Middleton could see added frontcourt usage, while Bagley profiles as a short-term points and rebounds boost.
Source: Ron Harrod Jr.
Source: Ron Harrod Jr.
Nikola Jovic Remains Out on Thursday
Miami Heat forward/center Nikola Jovic (back) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. This marks the third straight game that Jovic has missed due to a lingering back issue. His next chance to play will come on Saturday versus the Houston Rockets. The absence of Jovic should mean increased playing time for Simone Fontechhio and Pelle Larsson. Neither player offers great fantasy value at the moment. Larsson has been consistent with 10 or more points in each of the last three games. He's worth a look as a low-end streaming option while Jovic is out.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Stephon Castle Cleared to Play Thursday vs. Nets
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (hip) is available for Thursday's game against Brooklyn after being listed as questionable with left hip tightness. The second-year guard has averaged 15.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.0 three-pointers across 25.0 minutes over his last five outings and logged 28 minutes in Wednesday's win, signaling no workload restriction. Castle's 27.7 percent usage keeps him rostered in standard formats, especially with Keldon Johnson (shoulder) questionable. He offers points and assists with manageable risk, while De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama continue to command primary touches.
Source: Paul Garcia
Source: Paul Garcia
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