KJ Simpson Probable to Play Friday
Charlotte Hornets point guard KJ Simpson (shoulder) is listed as probable for a meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. The 23-year-old is dealing with a shoulder issue, but it doesn't appear to be serious enough to prevent him from playing. However, Simpson is unlikely to have a significant role in the rotation moving forward, as LaMelo Ball (ankle) is expected to return to the lineup against Milwaukee. So far this season, Simpson has averaged 5.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 14.4 minutes over five appearances.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Ausar Thompson Unavailable Friday
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Ausar Thompson (ankle) will sit out a third straight game on Friday against the Philadelphia 76ers. His season has been halted by a right ankle sprain. Javonte Green has started each of the last two games Thompson has missed and looks poised to remain in the first unit on Friday night. Green has averaged 10.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in the two starts he has made. He has also benefited from injuries to Isaiah Stewart (ankle) and Jalen Duren (ankle), both of whom are considered questionable for Friday's game.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Isaiah Stewart in Danger of Missing Fourth Straight Game
Detroit Pistons forward/center Isaiah Stewart (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Friday's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. He has missed three games due to a left ankle sprain and may have to sit out another contest on Friday night. Jalen Duren (ankle) is also questionable for Friday's game, meaning Paul Reed could be in for another busy night. He finished Wednesday's win over the Chicago Bulls with 28 points and 13 rebounds in 31 minutes. The injury situation has also opened the door to the starting lineup for Ron Holland II, who notched nine points, six rebounds, and three steals in 28 minutes on Wednesday night.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Ryan Kalkbrenner Won't Play Friday
Charlotte Hornets center Ryan Kalkbrenner (personal) won't be in the lineup on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks. The rookie big man has been ruled out for personal reasons. After landing a starting role on the Hornets team, Kalkbrenner has enjoyed a solid start to his NBA career, averaging 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks. Only Victor Wembanyama (3.6) averages more swats in the league. On Friday, the Hornets will likely use Moussa Diabate as their starting center, which will increase his fantasy appeal. Mason Plumlee will presumably pick up some extra shifts off the bench. It's a challenging matchup for the Hornets bigs on Friday, as Milwaukee allows the fifth-fewest points and the eighth-fewest rebounds to opposing centers.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
P.J. Washington Questionable Friday Against Clippers
Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Friday's NBA Cup game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Washington left Wednesday night's game against the Phoenix Suns after just five minutes of action due to a left shoulder strain. Dallas listing him as questionable could further harm a roster already hurt by injuries. Fellow frontcourt members Anthony Davis (calf) and Dereck Lively II (knee) are also questionable, potentially opening even more minutes. Forward Naji Marshall will see the strongest value increase if the 27-year-old is unable to suit up Friday, as he's been called upon to step up with so many frontcourt injuries. Washington is having a good season as the team's third-leading scorer, averaging 14.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, but missing time could harm his momentum.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Zion Williamson to Remain Sidelined Friday
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (hamstring) will remain out on Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers. He will be absent for a sixth consecutive game. However, the team announced on Thursday that Williamson is "progressing well" in his recovery from a Grade 1 hamstring strain and has been cleared for contact. There is a possibility he may be ready to rejoin the lineup next week. In the meantime, Saddiq Bey will continue to have increased fantasy value. He will head into Friday's NBA Cup action on the back of an impressive 25-point showing against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Malik Monk Could Miss Another Game Friday
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk may sit out a second consecutive game on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, as the team considers him questionable for the contest. Monk is experiencing soreness in his left ankle and could miss his fourth game already this month. If Monk can't play on Friday, Russell Westbrook and Keon Ellis are likely to receive additional run-outs. Rookie Nique Clifford may also figure more in the plans of Kings head coach Doug Christie, especially after a string of ugly losses.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Dereck Lively II Questionable Friday Versus Clippers
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (knee) is listed as questionable for Friday's matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. Lively has missed the last nine games for the struggling Mavericks, but this questionable tag is good news that he's improving and should return sooner rather than later. Dallas has been hit with the injury bug and recently fired controversial general manager Nico Harrison due to the poor start. Lively holds fantasy value when he's healthy and active due to his ability to score in the paint, rebound at a high level and block shots. Fantasy owners will be ecstatic when the center is back and playing his usual minutes. If the 21-year-old misses another game, Moussa Cisse will continue getting reserve minutes behind starting center Daniel Gafford (knee).
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Zach LaVine Available for NBA Cup Action Friday
Sacramento Kings guard/forward Zach LaVine (thigh) isn't on the injury report for Friday's NBA Cup game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. A thigh injury kept LaVine sidelined on Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks, resulting in his second absence of the season. Russell Westbrook returned to the starting lineup on Wednesday night and will presumably head back to the bench for Friday's game. 10 appearances into his first full season with the Kings, LaVine has averaged 23.9 points on 51.9 percent shooting. Unfortunately, his rebounding and assists numbers have dipped, negatively impacting his fantasy value. In his first meeting with the Timberwolves this season, LaVine finished with 26 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jonathan Kuminga Listed as Questionable for Friday
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (knee) is questionable for Friday night's game against the San Antonio Spurs. Kuminga was one of the most important players for Golden State and helped the team with improved play earlier in the season. Unfortunately, a cold streak dropped his stats to averages of 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. The questionable tag and soreness in his knee could lead to the 23-year-old missing his first game of the season. Role players Moses Moody, Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield would see more minutes and a chance at better statistical performances if he's ruled out. Kuminga will still have value if he plays, especially since the Warriors have looked like a much better team when he's one of the top three options behind Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Domantas Sabonis Considered Questionable for Friday
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (ribs) is considered questionable for Friday's NBA Cup tilt against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Sabonis has regularly been on the injury report lately due to a left ribcage contusion. However, he has played in each of the past three games, suggesting that the Kings will likely upgrade him to available ahead of Friday's tip-off. If Sabonis is ruled out, Drew Eubanks will probably handle a larger workload, with Precious Achiuwa potentially also logging some extra minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
LaMelo Ball Tagged as Probable for Friday
Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) looks set to return to the lineup Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks after the team listed him as probable on the injury report. Ball has dealt with right ankle impingement, sitting out five games. Before the injury, Ball had a strong start to the season, averaging 23.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.7 steals. Rookie Sion James has started during Ball's absence, although it's possible Collin Sexton will land in the second unit on Friday night to provide bench scoring for the Hornets. Milwaukee ranks 10th in the league for points allowed to opposing point guards, making this a favorable matchup for Ball.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Giannis Antetokounmpo Expected to Return Friday
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is likely to return to the lineup on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets, as the team has listed him as probable on the injury report. Antetokounmpo missed his second game of the season on Wednesday against the Hornets due to a small knee issue. Kyle Kuzma moved to the first unit on Wednesday, but he had an ineffective performance with eight points on 3-for-12 shooting. Antetokounmpo is off to a dominant start to the season, leading the NBA in scoring with 33.4 points per game and averaging 11.9 rebounds with 6.2 assists.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Duren Listed Questionable For Friday Night, May Miss Second Straight Game
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (ankle) is listed as questionable for Friday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Duren is dealing with a left ankle sprain that held him out of Tuesday's victory over the Chicago Bulls. The 21-year-old has been very good this season, averaging 19.4 PPG and 12.0 RPG. If active he will be a must start for fantasy managers. If he's unable to go then expect Paul Reed to get another start. Reed put up 28 points and 13 rebounds against Chicago on Tuesday. He may not reach those levels on Friday, if he gets the start, but he'll certainly be fired up to face off against his former team.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Bam Adebayo to Remain Out Friday
Miami Heat forward/center Bam Adebayo (toe) has been ruled out for Friday's big NBA Cup matchup against the New York Knicks. This will be his fifth consecutive absence after Adebayo sprained his left big toe. Kel'el Ware has returned to the first unit during Adebayo's injury layoff, producing some impressive performances, including a 20-rebound effort on Monday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Overall, Ware has averaged 10.0 points and 9.8 rebounds in 24.2 minutes as a starter this season. Friday's matchup looks like a tough one on paper for Ware, as defensive specialist Mitchell Robinson is expected to play, and the Knicks have the fifth-highest rebounding rate in the league.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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