Stephen Curry Expected to Return Sunday
Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (knee) is expected to rejoin the lineup on Sunday against the Houston Rockets, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The two-time MVP has sat out 27 games due to a right knee problem. Curry has been scrimmaging this week, with Warriors head coach Steve Kerr saying that he has "looked good." Given he hasn't played since Jan. 30, it's likely Curry will have a minutes restriction when he returns to the court. Curry's return will impact the offensive roles of Gui Santos and Brandin Podziemski, while Pat Spencer and LJ Cryer will see a decrease in playing time.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Ryan Rollins Expected to Return Against Celtics
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (hip) is probable for Friday's contest against the Boston Celtics. He is expected to return from a one-game absence. AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr. will lose playing time to Rollins, who has been Milwaukee's most productive player late in the season. The 23-year-old has averaged 22.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.8 steals over his last five outings. If he's cleared to play, Rollins should once again be a focal point of Milwaukee's offense, though Boston held him to just five points in their last meeting.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Bobby Portis to Remain Out Friday
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Bobby Portis (wrist) will miss a sixth straight game on Friday against the Boston Celtics. He is struggling to shake off a wrist injury, and since Milwaukee has nothing left to play for, it wouldn't be surprising to see Portis sit out the rest of the regular season. Pete Nance has carved out a regular spot in the rotation during Portis' absence. He impressed with a 23-point outing on Wednesday against Houston, but it's unlikely he will be able to repeat that performance on Friday, especially with Kyle Kuzma (Achilles) and Myles Turner (ankle) back in the fold.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Daniel Gafford Ready to Face Magic
Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (shoulder) is not on the injury report for Friday's matchup with the Orlando Magic. Gafford hurt his right shoulder in Tuesday's loss to Milwaukee, but he has quickly shaken off the injury. The 27-year-old big man can be infuriatingly inconsistent with his performances, but his average numbers were strong in March. Over 11 appearances, he posted 15.1 points and 9.2 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game. From a fantasy perspective, Orlando tends to be stingy to centers, so Gafford will have a challenging matchup on Friday night.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Brunson Back in Action Friday
New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson (ankle) will rejoin the lineup on Friday against the Chicago Bulls. Brunson sat out Wednesday's win over Memphis to manage an ankle injury, but his name hasn't been included on the injury report ahead of Friday's game. With Brunson back on the court, we will see a lot less of Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet, and Tyler Koler in the Knicks' rotation, especially with Miles McBride (pelvic) also expected to return. Brunson had just 12 points on Tuesday night against Houston, but he had previously impressed with two 30-point efforts in three games. On Friday, he has an ideal fantasy matchup against a defensively weak team that likes to run.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Clippers Will Re-Evaluate Isaiah Jackson in One Week
Los Angeles Clippers center Isaiah Jackson (ankle) will be re-evaluated in one week, Janis Carr of The Orange County Register reports. The big man suffered a high right ankle sprain on March 27 against Indiana and will be out for a third consecutive game on Thursday night versus Portland. The regular season ends next Sunday, so it's possible the Clippers won't have Jackson available until the postseason. Starting center Brook Lopez looks set for a heavy workload in the final few games, while John Collins will see more time at the No. 5 spot.
Source: Janis Carr
Source: Janis Carr
Karlo Matkovic Won't Play Thursday
New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Karlo Matkovic (back) has been ruled out for Thursday's tilt against the Portland Trail Blazers. He has landed on the shelf due to lower back spasms after initially carrying a questionable tag on the injury report. Since Matkovic won't be available Thursday, he might not be ready to play on Friday either, when New Orleans visits Sacramento to complete a back-to-back. Yves Missi and Derik Queen will likely benefit the most from Matkovic's absence.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Isaiah Collier Remains Out Friday
Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (hamstring) is out for Friday's game against the Rockets, extending his absence to nine straight games. His continued absence should keep Bez Mbeng involved after he logged seven points, one rebound, two assists, and one steal in 23 minutes last game. Kennedy Chandler could also maintain a sizable role after finishing with 16 points, five rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block in 33 minutes. Chandler looks like the more reliable deep-league streamer, while Mbeng is a deeper-league gamble.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Trey Murphy III Returns From Three-Game Absence
New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (ankle) will make his return to the lineup on Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers. The 25-year-old has recovered from an ankle sprain, shedding a questionable tag. Murphy III has missed three games, which has opened the door for Yves Missi to move back into the starting lineup. He will likely be bumped back to the bench on Thursday. During a disappointing campaign, Murphy III's performance has been one of the few positives for the Pelicans. He is averaging a career-high 21.7 points, along with 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals. New Orleans is in a pace-up spot on Thursday night, giving Murphy III a good opportunity to put up numbers above his season averages.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans
Source: New Orleans Pelicans
Tre Jones Could Miss Friday's Game
Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game against the Knicks, while Josh Giddey (hamstring) is also on the injury report. If either guard is out, Collin Sexton could see another start after finishing with 18 points, one three-pointer, three rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in 26 minutes last game. Sexton is averaging 20.4 points, 2.6 three-pointers, and 3.2 assists over his last five games and looks like a solid points streamer. Rob Dillingham may also see increased minutes as a deep-league option.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Seth Curry Won't Play Thursday Night
Golden State Warriors guard Seth Curry (adductor) won't be in the lineup on Thursday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team has downgraded his status from questionable to out. This was expected after Curry played in Wednesday's loss to San Antonio. The veteran has just returned from an adductor strain, and Golden State won't want to overwork him so soon after his injury. Curry has only a limited role with the Warriors, and his absence shouldn't be an issue for the team on Thursday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Gui Santos Active Thursday
Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (pelvic) will play on Thursday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Brazilian forward sat out the first leg of a back-to-back on Wednesday versus San Antonio and was initially listed as questionable for Thursday's game. Santos has taken a big leap this season and has been especially impressive since the All-Star break. Over his last 20 outings, Santos has averaged 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals. Santos will lead the Warriors' offense on Thursday alongside Kristaps Porzingis and Brandin Podziemski.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
De'Anthony Melton Good to Go Thursday
Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (thumb) will play Thursday against the Cavaliers after missing one game due to a sprained thumb. He should return to his usual workload and offer streaming value for managers targeting defensive stats. Melton is averaging 9.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals over his last five appearances. He also recorded three assists and two steals in 25 minutes in his last start. With Stephen Curry (knee) still out, Melton could continue seeing steady backcourt minutes alongside Brandin Podziemski and Gary Payton II.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Tobias Harris Exits Early Thursday
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (knee) won't finish Thursday's contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press reports. Harris hurt his left knee in a collision with Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, exiting the action in the first quarter. He was initially considered questionable to return before the team ruled him out. Javonte Green started the second half instead of Harris and could have a more prominent role going forward if the veteran has to miss some time.
Source: Omari Sankofa II
Source: Omari Sankofa II
Marvin Bagley III Unlikely to Play Friday
Dallas Mavericks forward/center Marvin Bagley III (shoulder) is doubtful for Friday's game against the Magic and could miss a third straight contest. His likely absence should keep Daniel Gafford locked into steady frontcourt minutes, while Dwight Powell may continue to serve as the primary backup after posting three points, three rebounds, and one steal in 15 minutes last game. Bagley posted 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in his last game, but the injury makes him tough to rely on. Gafford remains the safer fantasy option for rebounds and blocks.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
RADIO



