Karlo Matkovic Dealing With Back Issue, Questionable Thursday
New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Karlo Matkovic (back) is questionable for Thursday's tilt against the Portland Trail Blazers. He's been listed on the injury report with lower back spasms. Matkovic serves as a backup big man in New Orleans, notching 6.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game in March. If he isn't healthy enough to play on Thursday night, Yves Missi and Derik Queen will be looking at a heavier workload. Veterans Kevon Looney and DeAndre Jordan are also options in the frontcourt.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Isaiah Jackson Misses Third Straight Game
Los Angeles Clippers center Isaiah Jackson (ankle) will remain out on Thursday against the San Antonio Spurs. He sprained his right ankle last week and is still being evaluated to determine a return timetable. Jackson had been a good mid-season addition to the Clippers' second unit, averaging 7.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 15.9 minutes. During Jackson's absence, Brook Lopez's workload has increased as the starting center. He produced a solid all-around line across 38 minutes against Portland on Tuesday, finishing a 114-104 defeat with 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and three blocks. In Thursday's matchup against the defensively elite Victor Wembanyama, Lopez is unlikely to have a significant impact on offense.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jordan Goodwin Ready to Face Hornets
Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (hip) will be in the lineup on Thursday against the Charlotte Hornets. He was sent for further evaluation after suffering a hip injury on Tuesday against Orlando. This apparently wasn't a serious issue, and Goodwin hasn't been listed on the injury report ahead of Thursday's game. The 27-year-old has played an important role for the Suns this season, posting averages of 9.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.5 steals in 26.4 minutes per game over his last six appearances. He continues to make an impact on both ends of the court despite being moved to a bench role last week.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Sam Merrill Available Thursday
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Sam Merrill (hamstring) will play on Thursday against the Golden State Warriors. The team has removed him from the injury report after Merrill missed Tuesday's loss to the Lakers to manage a hamstring injury. Merrill has been a starter in each of his last 14 appearances, and his return to the rotation is likely to send Max Strus back to the bench. Although Merrill scored just nine points on Monday night against Utah, he has recently gone through one of his best stretches of the season. Across his last seven outings, Merrill has tallied 14.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Alex Caruso Questionable for Thursday Due to Illness
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Alex Caruso (illness) is questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. The former Laker is dealing with an illness and could be out of the lineup for the first time in 11 games. Caruso's absence would open up playing time for Aaron Wiggins, Jared McCain, and Isaiah Joe. However, the Thunder's second unit could have a quiet night since the Lakers are one of the toughest teams to generate field-goal attempts against as a reserve.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Isaiah Hartenstein Cleared for Thursday's Action
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) isn't on the injury report ahead of Thursday's Western Conference showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers. He missed the second game of a back-to-back on Monday against Detroit. Hartenstein has been a jack of all trades for the Thunder recently, averaging 7.4 points, 13.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game over his last five outings. On Thursday night, Hartenstein has a tricky matchup against the Lakers, who have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points in the league to centers this season.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Williams Good to Go Thursday
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) will be active against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. He was held out of Monday's matchup with Detroit as the defending champions wrapped up a back-to-back. Williams has yet to play more than 29 minutes since returning from a hamstring injury last week. He has averaged 16.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 24.8 minutes per game. The good news is that Williams' minutes have steadily increased with each appearance. He could be ready to handle 30-plus minutes on Thursday night if needed. Due to Williams' return, Ajay Mitchell will move to the second unit, but his workload likely won't change much.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jock Landale Leaves Game with Ankle Injury
Atlanta Hawks center Jock Landale (ankle) will not return to Wednesday's game against Orlando after suffering a right ankle sprain, finishing with eight points, one rebound, and one assist in 15 minutes. If Landale is forced to miss additional time, Onyeka Okongwu should continue handling heavy frontcourt minutes after posting 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks in 31 minutes. Jonathan Kuminga could also see increased offensive chances off the bench, while Mouhamed Gueye may pick up situational minutes. Okongwu stands out as the clearest fantasy beneficiary if Landale remains sidelined.
Source: Kevin Chouinard
Source: Kevin Chouinard
Paul George Explodes for 39 Points in Win Over Wizards
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Paul George erupted for a season-high 39 points in Wednesday's win over Washington, adding six assists, five rebounds, three steals, and six three-pointers in 30 minutes. The veteran wing has been rolling lately, averaging 28.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 triples, 3.5 assists, and 3.0 steals across his last four games while handling a 28.1 usage rate. George looks locked in as a must-start option in all formats, especially with Joel Embiid (illness) sidelined. Tyrese Maxey should continue seeing steady usage, while VJ Edgecombe and Kelly Oubre Jr. could see slightly fewer scoring chances with George taking on a larger offensive role.
Source: Noah Levick
Source: Noah Levick
Jerami Grant Still Out Thursday
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (calf) will miss Thursday's game against New Orleans, extending his recent absence due to a lingering calf strain. His continued absence should keep Scoot Henderson in an elevated role after the young guard produced 15 points with three three-pointers in 29 minutes in the last win over the Clippers and 21 points with seven assists in a prior start. Henderson shapes up as a strong short-term points and assists streamer, while Deni Avdija and Jrue Holiday could also see slightly higher offensive workloads until Grant returns.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Trey Murphy III Could Miss Fourth Straight Game
New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (ankle) is questionable for Thursday's game against Portland and could miss a fourth straight contest due to a right ankle sprain. With the Pelicans out of the playoff race, the team may remain cautious, which keeps Jeremiah Fears and Jordan Hawkins on the deep-league radar for streaming value. Fears posted 12 points, five assists, two steals, and one block in 22 minutes in the last game, while Yves Missi added four blocks as a starter but remains a defensive specialist option. Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray should continue seeing steady usage if Murphy sits.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Marcus Smart to Miss Sixth Straight Game
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (ankle) will miss Thursday's game against Oklahoma City, extending his absence to six straight games because of a right ankle contusion. His continued absence keeps Jake LaRavia in the starting lineup after he logged 14 points, seven rebounds, and two three-pointers in 38 minutes during the last outing, making him a viable deep-league streamer for rebounds and low-end scoring. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves should continue handling most of the backcourt usage, while LaRavia's secure minutes give him short-term value until Smart is cleared to return.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Gary Trent Jr. Exits Early with Hip Injury
Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Gary Trent Jr. (hip) will not return to Wednesday's game against Houston after exiting early with a hip contusion, finishing with one steal and three missed shots in seven minutes. His absence is notable with Milwaukee already missing multiple rotation players, which could push Andre Jackson Jr. and Cormac Ryan into larger roles the rest of the night. Trent had been trending toward deeper league relevance recently due to the injury depleted roster, so this setback adds risk for managers relying on his minutes. AJ Green and Ousmane Dieng may also see small usage bumps.
Source: Milwaukee Bucks
Source: Milwaukee Bucks
Mark Williams Could Return Against Hornets
Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (foot) is questionable for Thursday's game against Charlotte as he nears a return from a monthlong absence caused by a left foot stress reaction. The fourth-year big man has averaged 11.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 23.6 minutes across 56 games, giving him solid value in big man categories if he sees enough minutes. His return would likely push Oso Ighodaro into a smaller role, lowering his already modest fantasy value. Williams could also take some interior opportunities from Royce O'Neale while adding defensive stats for category managers.
Source: Duane Rankin
Source: Duane Rankin
Aaron Gordon Returns Against Utah
Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) is available for Wednesday's game against Utah but is expected to operate under a minutes restriction after missing the previous contest. The veteran has averaged 14.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists across 26.6 minutes over his recent March stretch, though fantasy managers should expect modest production if his workload stays capped. He posted 17 points, seven rebounds, and one block in 31 minutes in a prior meeting with Utah, showing his category versatility. Peyton Watson could still hold value in deeper leagues if Gordon's playing time remains carefully managed alongside Nikola Jokic.
Source: Katy Winge
Source: Katy Winge
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