Kristaps Porzingis Unlikely to Debut Saturday vs. Lakers
Golden State Warriors forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) traveled with the team to Los Angeles on Friday but is unlikely to play Saturday against the Lakers as he continues to recover. Acquired on Wednesday in a trade that sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield out, Porzingis has not appeared since Jan. 7. He has played just 17 games this season, averaging 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.8 three-pointers, and 1.3 blocks in 24.3 minutes. When healthy, Porzingis would command significant frontcourt usage, reducing Al Horford's minutes and easing the scoring burden on Stephen Curry, though durability remains a concern.
Source: Dalton Johnson
Source: Dalton Johnson
Ivica Zubac Not Ready for Indiana Debut on Friday
Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (personal/trade) will not play Friday against Milwaukee as his move from Los Angeles continues to be finalized, leaving his Indiana debut on hold. Zubac averaged 14.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 61.3 percent shooting in 30.9 minutes this season, and he is expected to slide into the starting center role once available. That likely creates short-term pressure on Jarace Walker, who has been productive recently with expanded minutes. Walker's role could tighten initially, though his strong play may still earn him featured opportunities later. Pascal Siakam remains locked into heavy usage, while Jay Huff profiles as a rotation casualty.
Source: Tomer Azarly
Source: Tomer Azarly
Grayson Allen Exits Early vs. Warriors
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen (knee) did not return late in Thursday's loss to Golden State after suffering a right knee injury, finishing with 21 points, five rebounds, four assists, and one steal in 33 minutes. His status for Saturday against Philadelphia remains uncertain. If Allen misses time, Phoenix's short-handed backcourt would lean more heavily on Collin Gillespie, Dillon Brooks, and Jordan Goodwin. Gillespie has averaged 17.0 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.8 three-pointers over his last five games, while Brooks has posted 24.8 points and 5.0 rebounds. Goodwin offers streaming value as a source of three-pointers, rebounds, and steals if his minutes tick up.
Source: Duane Rankin
Source: Duane Rankin
Luka Doncic Exits Early with Hamstring Soreness
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) was limited to 16 minutes Thursday against Philadelphia before exiting with soreness in his left hamstring, prompting the team to schedule imaging to clarify his status. The Lakers are still determining whether this is an injury or a precautionary issue, but any missed time would significantly reshape the fantasy landscape. Doncic carries a massive 38.3 percent usage rate, and his absence would funnel offense toward Austin Reaves, who erupted for 35 points in relief, while Marcus Smart would see added ball-handling duties. Luke Kennard offers spacing and three-point shooting appeal if he is available immediately after the deadline deal that sent Gabe Vincent out.
Source: Dan Woike
Source: Dan Woike
Bobby Portis Questionable to Play Friday
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Bobby Portis (hip) is considered questionable for Friday's tilt against the Indiana Pacers. He is bothered by a hip problem, which may keep Portis sidelined for a third consecutive game. After Portis exited the lineup, Amir Coffey had a pair of outings as a starter. Coffey is no longer on the team, opening an opportunity for Jericho Sims and Pete Nance. Both played well as reserves in Wednesday's overtime win against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Nikola Vucevic Set for Celtics Debut Friday
Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic is not on the injury report for Friday's clash against the Miami Heat, indicating that he will make his team debut. Vucevic's arrival in Beantown is bad news for Neemias Queta, who has been Boston's starting center this season. As a strong rebounder, Quete will still have a role to play on the team, but his minutes are set to drop. This season, Vucevic has not enjoyed his time against Bam Adebayo and the Heat, posting only 11.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 34.2 percent from the field across three games.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Joel Embiid Good to Go Against Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) will play against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. He will start the contest after the team initially listed Embiid as questionable for the matchup. The former MVP will return from a one-game absence, having sat out the second leg of a back-to-back on Tuesday against Golden State. Recently, Embiid has been on a roll, averaging 32.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across his last eight appearances. With Embiid back, Andre Drummond will return to a reserve role.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Andrew Nembhard Ready to Return Friday
Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (back) is not on the injury report for Friday's contest against the Milwaukee Bucks. Indiana rested several regulars, including Nembhard, when the team wrapped up a back-to-back set on Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz. Nembhard has been inconsistent in recent outings and was quiet on Monday against Houston, finishing with seven points and eight assists. He has a significantly better matchup on Friday against a team ranked eighth from the bottom in defensive efficiency. With T.J. McConnell (knee) also back on Friday, Kam Jones and Quenton Jackson must settle for lesser roles.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Pascal Siakam Available Friday
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (rest) will hop back into the lineup on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks. The team has removed him from the injury report after Siakam sat out the second leg of a back-to-back on Tuesday against Utah for rest. Siakam's return will push Jarace Walker to the bench, though he should still have a prominent role in the rotation. In two meetings with the Bucks this season, Siakam has averaged 23.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.0 steals. He's in a good spot to improve his numbers on Friday, as Milwaukee remains without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and might be without Bobby Portis (hip), who is listed as questionable on the injury report.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Ty Jerome to Sit Out Friday's Action
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome (calf) won't suit up on Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers. Memphis will begin a back-to-back on Friday night, and Jerome will exit the lineup after making his first three appearances of the season. He has looked very impressive in his first few outings, averaging 22.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.0 steals in just 20.3 minutes per game. Cam Spencer and Javon Small are set to fill the point guard minutes on Friday night.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Deni Avdija Considered Questionable for Friday's Matchup
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (back) is questionable for Friday's encounter with the Memphis Grizzlies. Avdija practiced on Thursday, but Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reported that he is unlikely to play on Friday night. However, Avdija hasn't been officially ruled out, leaving hope that he can return to the court. Due to a lingering back issue, Avdija has played in only four of the last 11 games. Jerami Grant and Sidy Cissoko see increased usage in Avdija's absence, while the returning Scoot Henderson (hamstring) will also help fill the void.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
De'Anthony Melton Will Play Against Suns
Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (knee) will be active on Thursday night against the Phoenix Suns, Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. He was initially considered questionable for the game due to a sore left knee. Melton has enjoyed a productive campaign as a reserve guard in San Francisco, averaging 13.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.6 steals across his last eight outings. With Stephen Curry (knee) out, Melton can make an even larger impact.
Source: Dalton Johnson
Source: Dalton Johnson
Jalen Duren Exits Early Thursday
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (knee) won't return to Thursday's game against the Washington Wizards. He managed only four points and three rebounds in 13 minutes during the first half before being ruled out for the rest of the contest due to right knee soreness. Ron Holland II started the second half in Duren's place. Paul Reed will help fill the center minutes behind Isaiah Stewart. Hopefully, this isn't a serious injury for Duren, as he's been having a great year. Across 42 outings, Duren has averaged 18.0 points and 10.7 rebounds.
Source: Detroit Pistons PR
Source: Detroit Pistons PR
Darius Garland Unavailable Friday Night
Los Angeles Clippers point guard Darius Garland (toe) won't be ready to make his team debut on Friday against the Sacramento Kings. Garland has landed in L.A. nursing a toe injury, and it remains uncertain when he will be available for action. With Garland out of the mix, Kris Dunn and Kobe Sanders have more fantasy appeal, but the two are hard to trust due to their inconsistent performances. After a couple of strong outings, Sanders produced a four-point dud as a starter in Wednesday's loss to Cleveland. Meanwhile, Dunn has been limited to 5.3 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game over his last four appearances.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Domantas Sabonis Iffy for Friday
Sacramento Kings forward/center Domantas Sabonis (back) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Lithuanian star returned from a back problem in Wednesday's loss to Memphis, but the team hasn't removed him from the injury report. Sabonis had 24 points and 15 rebounds in 24 minutes against the Grizzlies. If he can't play on Friday night, Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell will see additional action against a Clippers frontcourt that no longer has Ivica Zubac, making it an easier matchup for Sacramento's bigs.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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