Mike Conley Unavailable Friday
Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley (Achilles) won't play on Friday against the Golden State Warriors. The veteran floor general is bothered by right Achilles tendinopathy. Conley has been limited to 19.1 minutes per game this season, so he won't be a big miss. However, Bones Hyland and Rob Dillingham could get a slight boost in playing time, increasing their fantasy prospects. The two may also benefit from the absence of Anthony Edwards (foot), who is listed as questionable for Friday's game. Matchups against Golden State have been favorable for point guards, as the Warriors allow the 12th-most fantasy points in the league to the position.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Dennis Schroder Downgraded to Out Thursday
Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder (hip) will remain out for a seventh consecutive game on Thursday night against the Denver Nuggets. He was always unlikely to play after Sacramento listed Schroder as doubtful on the initial injury report. There's no Zach LaVine (thumb) either on Thursday night, opening up additional playing opportunities for Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, and Nique Clifford. The latter is set to start to contest in LaVine's place. Schroder's next chance to return will be on Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Anthony Edwards Iffy to Face Warriors
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (foot) is considered questionable for Friday's fascinating matchup against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. On Monday night, Edwards dropped 40 points on the Phoenix Suns, but he is now experiencing soreness in his right foot. Mike Conley (Achilles) has been officially ruled out for Friday, meaning Minnesota will be lacking playmakers if Edwards also has to sit. Players like Bones Hyland and Rob Dillingham will be asked to step up. At the same time, Edwards' absence would give additional offensive touches to Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, and Donte DiVincenzo.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kris Murray Makes Third Start of the Campaign Thursday
Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray will join the first unit on Thursday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. Portland is without Donovan Clingan (lower leg), Robert Williams (illness), and Yang Hansen (face), giving Murray a good opportunity to play a big role in the frontcourt. Duop Reath is also expected to see more action on Thursday night. Murray's previous two starts this season didn't go too well, as he averaged 8.0 points and 5.0 rebounds across 30.0 minutes.
Source: Portland Trail Blazers
Source: Portland Trail Blazers
Gary Trent Jr. Replaces Jericho Sims in Starting Unit Thursday
Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Gary Trent Jr. will return to the starting lineup on Thursday against the Boston Celtics, replacing Jericho Sims. Trent Jr. was a regular starter earlier in the campaign but has come exclusively off the bench this month. Sims started each of the last two contests, but the 27-year-old was limited to only 2.0 points per game and had 6.0 rebounds. While Trent Jr. has done a decent job off the bench, his numbers have improved slightly in a starting role this season, jumping to 9.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.
Source: Milwaukee Bucks
Source: Milwaukee Bucks
Jarrett Allen to Remain Sidelined Friday
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (finger) has been ruled out for Friday's action against the Washington Wizards. The big man returned to full practice this week but will sit out a sixth consecutive game. Thomas Bryant and Dean Wade have picked up extra shifts in the rotation during Allen's absence, but neither player has been a good fantasy option. Wade's numbers tend to fluctuate, while Bryant hasn't provided much besides rebounds. On paper, Friday's matchup is a juicy one for Cleveland's frontcourt, as only Chicago has allowed more fantasy points to centers this season than Washington.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
AJ Green Misses Second Consecutive Game
Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (shoulder) will sit out Thursday's tilt against the Boston Celtics, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports. He was initially listed as questionable on the injury report after Green missed his first game of the season last Saturday against the Detroit Pistons. Kyle Kuzma moved to the starting unit against Detroit, while Gary Trent Jr.'s fantasy stock also receives a boost from Green's absence. Green will get his next chance to return on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets.
Source: Eric Nehm
Source: Eric Nehm
Jordan Poole Cleared for Action Thursday
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Poole (quadriceps) has received the green light to play on Thursday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. The team has upgraded Poole's status from questionable to available. The savvy scorer has been out since early November, making only seven appearances this season. Due to his long layoff, Poole may only see limited action on Thursday. However, once he is back in shape, Poole could be set for a huge stretch, with Zion Williamson (adductor) on the shelf. Before straining his left quadriceps, Poole posted 17.3 points and 3.4 assists in 30.3 minutes per game.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans
Source: New Orleans Pelicans
Ja Morant Listed as Questionable for Friday's Tilt
Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant (calf) has been upgraded to questionable on the injury report ahead of Friday's meeting with the Utah Jazz. Morant has missed 10 games due to a right calf strain, but he has been nearing a comeback and went through full practice on Thursday. This is a good sign that he will be able to return to the lineup. However, considering he has been out for nearly a month, Morant is unlikely to have a full workload against the Jazz. Vince Williams Jr. has been starting during Morant's absence and will be bumped back to the second unit on Friday if Memphis' star man makes a comeback. Cam Spencer also loses fantasy value with Morant's return.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Miles McBride to be Re-Evaluated in One Week
New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (ankle) will be re-evaluated in one week, Ian Begley of SYN reports. McBride injured his left ankle in a contest against the Orlando Magic last Sunday. He has already missed one game and won't be able to help his team in the NBA Cup semifinal matchup against the Magic this weekend and a potential final on Tuesday. Jordan Clarkson will play a more active role in the rotation until McBride returns. The veteran guard put up 12 points and had three rebounds in 26 minutes when New York defeated the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Source: Ian Begley
Source: Ian Begley
Robert Williams III, Yang Hansen Out Thursday
Portland Trail Blazers centers Robert Williams III (illness) and Yang Hansen (face) have been ruled out for Thursday's matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. Both players were listed as questionable on the initial injury report. Donovan Clingan (leg) also won't play against New Orleans, leaving Duop Reath as the only natural center in the Trail Blazers lineup. Kris Murray will probably also handle some of the minutes at the five position. Reath has had a very limited role with Portland this season, but he did post 12 points in 19 minutes during Sunday's loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Source: Portland Trail Blazers PR
Source: Portland Trail Blazers PR
Lauri Markkanen Available Friday Night
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (illness) is set to return from a one-game absence on Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies after the team removed him from the injury report. The Finnish star couldn't play in Sunday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder due to illness, resulting in Kyle Filipowski getting his seventh start of the campaign. Filipowski will probably head back to the bench for Friday's action, but he has performed well recently and should maintain fantasy value. Markkanen has been inconsistent lately, but he could do plenty of damage against a Grizzlies team that allows the fifth-most three-point attempts in the league.
Source: Utah Jazz
Source: Utah Jazz
LaMelo Ball Sidelined for Friday
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) is out for Friday's clash with the Chicago Bulls. Ball will miss his second consecutive game due to a left ankle bruise. His next chance to return will come on Sunday versus the Cavs. Fantasy managers should expect that he will likely carry a questionable tag ahead of Sunday's contest. Across 16 games this season, the 24-year-old is averaging 19.4 points, 8.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 28.9 minutes per contest.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Tyrese Maxey Dealing With Illness But Expected to Play Friday
Philadelphia 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey (illness) is listed as probable for Friday's contest against the Indiana Pacers. He has landed on the injury report with an illness; however, the probable designation suggests that Maxey is expected to be in the lineup. Maxey had led the Sixers' offense all season, averaging 31.5 points and 7.2 assists. Philadelphia faces a pace-up spot on Friday against a defensively-challenged team, putting Maxey in a great position to stuff the stat sheet.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Nique Clifford to Start Thursday
Sacramento Kings shooting guard Nique Clifford will move to the starting unit on Thursday against the Denver Nuggets, Mark Haynes of the Sacramento Observer reports. He will take Zach LaVine's (thumb) spot. Clifford has previously started two games during his rookie season, averaging 7.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in those contests. It's a big opportunity for Clifford to impress, and considering how badly the Kings are doing, we may start seeing the 23-year-old among the starters regularly at some point.
Source: Mark Haynes
Source: Mark Haynes
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