Anfernee Simons Exits Early In Loss To Detroit
Chicago Bulls guard Anfernee Simons (wrist) will not return to Saturday's game against Detroit after injuring his left wrist in the second quarter. He finished with 4 points on 2-of-6 shooting and two rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench, and his availability for Sunday against New York is now in question. If Simons sits, Tre Jones and Collin Sexton would be in line for expanded roles, especially if Josh Giddey is rested on the back end of the back-to-back. Jones posted seven points and six assists in 26 minutes Saturday, while Sexton's production remains scoring-dependent. Jones is the steadier short-term add for assists and steals.
Source: Chicago Bulls
Source: Chicago Bulls
Kristaps Porzingis On Track To Play Sunday
Golden State Warriors forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against Denver and is expected to come off the bench again with increased minutes. The 30-year-old made his team debut Thursday, finishing with 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting, two threes, one rebound, one assist, and one block in 17 minutes. If his minutes tick up, he becomes even more secure in standard leagues, especially with Stephen Curry (knee) out. There's obvious injury risk baked in with Porzingis, so he comes with volatility, but a 29.0 percent usage rate shows the upside is real when he's on the floor. Draymond Green and Al Horford could see slight role shifts as the rotation settles.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Shaedon Sharpe Remains Unavailable Sunday
Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Shaedon Sharpe (calf) remains out for Sunday's game against Phoenix, marking his sixth consecutive absence as the team continues to err on the side of caution. The backcourt minutes are still up in the air. Vit Krejci scored 11 points with two threes in 17 minutes last game, Matisse Thybulle added five points and three steals in 13 minutes, and Sidy Cissoko chipped in two steals and two blocks in 16 minutes. All three are fringe, risky streaming options in deeper formats.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
John Collins to Miss Orlando Game
Los Angeles Clippers forward/center John Collins (head) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Orlando after sustaining a head laceration and neck soreness in Friday's loss to the Lakers. His next chance to suit up comes Thursday. In his absence, Bennedict Mathurin should continue handling elevated usage after posting 26 points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes last game. Nicolas Batum saw 15 minutes with three rebounds, two assists, and one steal, but remains a low-upside option. Mathurin is the preferred short-term play, while Batum and Kobe Sanders are fringe, deeper-league considerations. Kawhi Leonard's (ankle) status could further shape wing minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Aaron Nesmith to Miss Second Straight Game
Indiana Pacers guard/forward Aaron Nesmith (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Dallas as he continues to recover from a right ankle sprain. This will be his second straight absence, leaving wing minutes available but without a clear fantasy winner. Ben Sheppard logged 20 minutes in the last game and finished with eight points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal, while Kobe Brown played 33 minutes and posted 12 points, five rebounds, two threes, and two steals. Both remain fringe and risky options for streaming in deeper formats. Pascal Siakam and Jarace Walker should continue to absorb stable usage.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Ivica Zubac Remains Sidelined Sunday
Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (ankle) is out for Sunday's game against Dallas as he continues to recover from a sprained ankle. With the Pacers managing multiple rotation injuries, there is little incentive to rush him back. Jay Huff should remain in the starting lineup after erupting for 22 points with five threes in 16 minutes last game, and he previously logged 15 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in 21 minutes. Huff is a clear streamer in standard formats, while Micah Potter profiles as a deep-league add after posting 18 points and four threes. Jarace Walker also gains frontcourt stability minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Rudy Gobert Suspended One Game Sunday
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert will miss Sunday's game against Philadelphia after the league handed him a one-game ban for exceeding the regular-season flagrant foul threshold following Friday's win over Dallas. The 33-year-old averages 32 minutes with a 13.4 percent usage rate, so the fantasy swing comes from his absence, not volume. Naz Reid is the clear beneficiary after posting 21 points, seven rebounds, four threes, four assists, one steal, and two blocks in 31 minutes last game. Reid profiles as a strong short-term start, while Joan Beringer is only a deep-league dart. Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards should see marginal rebounding and usage bumps.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Devin Booker to Miss at Least One Week
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (hip) will be sidelined for at least one week as a result of the right hip strain he suffered in Thursday's loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The 29-year-old has struggled to stay healthy of late, most recently missing seven contests because of a sprained right ankle. Unfortunately, the latest update means he will miss even more time moving forward. With Dillon Brooks (hand) out indefinitely, the Suns will need to lean on Grayson Allen, Collin Gillespie, and Jalen Green. Jordan Goodwin, who had 17 points from off the bench in Saturday's double-overtime win over Orlando, should see even more work and scoring opportunities, at least until Booker is cleared to return.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Dillon Brooks Suffers a Broken Hand
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks sustained a broken left hand in Saturday's double-overtime win over the Magic. He is projected to be out "for an extended period of time," although he will meet with physicians on Sunday to "determine an exact timetable." The 30-year-old has played exceptionally well this season, averaging a career-high 21.2 points with 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals. With Devin Booker (hip) out at least a week, losing Brooks is a tough blow to the Suns, a team looking to remain in the Play-In conversation. At any rate, fantasy managers can expect Collin Gillespie, Jalen Green, and Grayson Allen to lead the offense, at least until Booker is back in the mix. Jordan Goodwin, amassing 17 points versus Orlando, should also gain attention from fantasy managers.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Walter Clayton Jr. is Ready to Go for Saturday
Memphis Grizzlies guard Walter Clayton Jr. (calf) has been upgraded to available ahead of Saturday's game against the Miami Heat. Clayton is ready to go after missing the last three games due to a right calf contusion. It's unclear what kind of role he'll have in the rotation with Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. both available for this game. This season, Clayton is averaging 6.9 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.0 rebounds across 18.3 minutes per game. He's not someone who needs to be rostered in all formats right now, but could gain traction in the second half of the season.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Dru Smith is Available for Saturday's Game
Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (calf) has been upgraded to available ahead of Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Smith was uncertain coming into this game due to left calf soreness that limited him to three minutes on Friday. He was able to shed the questionable tag and will suit up for Saturday's game. That is good news for the Heat, with fellow guard Davion Mitchell (illness) being ruled out for this game. The expectation is that Smith and Kasparas Jakucionis will see increased playing time on Saturday. Smith has been a viable streaming option when he's able to log in 20-plus minutes on the court. It's unclear if he'll play that much on Saturday, but it's possible with Mitchell out and Tyler Herro still limited.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Davion Mitchell Won't Play on Saturday
Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (illness) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Mitchell was able to play through the illness on Friday, but will sit out the second night of this back-to-back set. He finished with seven points, seven assists, and five rebounds across 27 minutes of action on Friday. The Heat will have a significant void to fill in the rotation with Tyler Herro still under a minutes limit. Dru Smith and Kasparas Jakucionis are likely going to see increased roles with Mitchell being ruled out. Herro is the best fantasy option among the guards, but Jakucionis could be a decent streaming option for Saturday's slate.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Nikola Jovic is Ruled Out for Saturday's Contest
Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (back) is ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Jovic has been downgraded to out after being listed as questionable earlier in the day. He's dealing with lower back tightness and will miss this game after playing only three minutes during Friday's contest. His absence should free up playing time for Kel'el Ware and Simone Fontecchio in the rotation. Between the two, Ware is the much better fantasy option for Saturday's slate.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Norman Powell is Cleared for Saturday's Game
Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (illness) is available to play ahead of Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. As expected, Powell will suit up after being listed as probable on the injury report. Powell returned to the court on Friday after missing the final two games before the All-Star break due to an illness. He finished with 15 points, two assists, and three rebounds across 25 minutes of action on Friday. His overall scoring might take a slight hit with Tyler Herro back in the mix now. Fantasy managers should still feel comfortable starting Powell in season-long formats on Saturday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Tyler Herro is Available to Play on Saturday
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (ribs) is available to play ahead of Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. As expected, Herro has been cleared to play after making his return to the court on Friday. It was unclear if Herro would play in both games of the back-to-back set following a 15-game absence due to a rib injury. He finished with 24 points, four rebounds, and three assists across 23 minutes of action. The assumption is Herro will have a similar workload once again while he works his way back to full speed. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can get Herro active on Saturday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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