Anthony Edwards Active Against Trail Blazers
Anthony Edwards (back) will play in the season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers. Edwards missed the final preseason game for rest purposes, but he was listed as questionable for the opener due to lower back spasms. Minnesota confirmed that their superstar is suiting up and will start against the Trail Blazers to open his sixth season. The Timberwolves will need Edwards to play at the highest level to contend, and his fantasy value should make him one of the best statistical players in the league. Last season saw the 24-year-old putting up 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and hitting 4.1 three-pointers per game. Similar numbers should come this season for Edwards to warrant starting in fantasy every night he's on the court for Minnesota.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Source: NBA Injury Report
Grayson Allen Active for Suns’ Opening Night Game
Grayson Allen (hip) will be available for the home opener against the Sacramento Kings. The Suns are anticipated to start him this season with a limited roster lacking depth after losing Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Allen played in three Phoenix preseason games, but he's been dealing with hip soreness to put his status in doubt for the season's start. The 30-year-old sharpshooter averaged 10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.3 three-pointers made per game last season. Allen could improve his fantasy value this season via a larger offensive role and open three-point shots coming from Devin Booker's facilitating. Oso Ighodaro, Ryan Dunn, Dillon Brooks and Allen will round out the starting lineup with Booker attempting to lead them to an overachieving season.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Phoenix Suns guard Source: NBA Injury Report
Kevin Porter Jr. Won't Return on Wednesday Evening
Kevin Porter Jr. (ankle) won't return to Wednesday's matchup with the Washington Wizards. The 25-year-old was on a roll to begin the contest. Unfortunately, he tweaked his ankle near the end of the first quarter and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. Porter will officially finish this one with 10 points in nine minutes of action. There should be an update on his status soon. Until then, fantasy managers will be left wondering if he'll be able to suit up on Friday in Toronto. In the meantime, Cole Anthony could be in line for more minutes from off the bench.
Source: Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks guard Source: Milwaukee Bucks
Anthony Edwards a Game-Time Decision for Wednesday
Anthony Edwards (back) remains questionable for Wednesday's meeting with the Portland Trail Blazers. The 24-year-old popped up on the injury report due to back spasms. Fortunately, he was a participant in Wednesday morning's shootaround. For now, Edwards is a game-time call. However, considering he has only missed six games combined in the last three seasons, it would be surprising to not see him out there for the opener. Of course, that could still happen, which would likely mean more scoring opportunities for Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid.
Source: Jon Krawczynski
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Source: Jon Krawczynski
Daniel Gafford Ruled Out for Mavericks Season Opener
Daniel Gafford (ankle) will miss Wednesday's opening night game against the San Antonio Spurs. Gafford sprained his ankle during the opening practice of training camp and missed the entire preseason. The 27-year-old was listed as doubtful until the Mavericks confirmed that he would be sitting out the home opener. Reporters saw Gafford walking around in slides instead of basketball shoes during the portion of shootaround that was open to the media. The big man averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game last season. 21-year-old Dereck Lively II is starting at the center position to boost his fantasy value, and Anthony Davis will play power forward for Dallas' home opener. Gafford is not expected to miss many games, but the Mavericks will likely play it safe with his health so early in the season.
Source: Mike Curtis (Dallas Morning News)
Dallas Mavericks center Source: Mike Curtis (Dallas Morning News)
Luguentz Dort Questionable for Thursday Versus Pacers
Luguentz Dort (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Indiana Pacers. Dort sustained a left ankle sprain during the team's season opener on Tuesday. Despite the setback during the contest, the 26-year-old logged six points, six rebounds, five assists, and one steal across 45 minutes during the 125-124 double-overtime win over the Houston Rockets. If Dort is sidelined on Thursday, Ajay Mitchell will likely see an expanded role in Indiana, boosting his fantasy value.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Source: NBA Injury Report
Caris LeVert Cleared for Wednesday's Game
Caris LeVert (knee) is available to play ahead of Wednesday's game against the Chicago Bulls. As expected, LeVert has been cleared to play after being listed as probable coming into the contest. The expectation is that LeVert is going to have a significant role in the rotation right away. The Pistons are without Jaden Ivey (knee) for the foreseeable future, so LeVert figures to be asked to step up offensively. LeVert should see an uptick in value which makes him an appealing streaming choice on nights without a full slate.
Source: Omari Sankofa II
Detroit Pistons guard Source: Omari Sankofa II
Ryan Kalkbrenner Starting on Wednesday
Ryan Kalkbrenner will move into the starting five for Wednesday's season opener against the Brooklyn Nets. It appears Kalkbrenner has won the starting gig at center. Moussa Diabate figures to have a decent role behind him off the bench. Both players should be able to offer late-round value with Kalkbrenner having the higher ceiling. It appears the rebuilding Hornets are going to lean on their younger players to do big things early in the season.
Source: Rod Boone
Charlotte Hornets center Source: Rod Boone
Jaylen Brown Available Versus Philadelphia
Jaylen Brown (hamstring) will play on Wednesday versus the Philadelphia 76ers. The 28-year-old was listed as questionable because of a hamstring injury. However, it won't be enough to keep him off the floor for the opener. Brown averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals last season. With Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out for the foreseeable future, he could see an increase in all statistical areas. Brown's availability will presumably mean fewer scoring opportunities for Anfernee Simons, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard.
Source: Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics forward Source: Boston Celtics
OG Anunoby Available to Play in Season Opener
OG Anunoby (ankle) is available to play in Wednesday's season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. As expected, Anunoby is cleared to play after coming into this game as probable with an ankle injury. The expectation was that he'd play unless something happened pre-game. He'll slide right into the starting five and should be started in basically all fantasy formats. Last season, Anunoby finished with top-40 value and should be able to offer similar value again.
Source: James L. Edwards
New York Knicks forward Source: James L. Edwards
Alex Caruso Placed in Concussion Protocol Wednesday
Alex Caruso has been placed in concussion protocol. Caruso sustained a concussion during the season-opening 125-124 win over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday. He registered eight points, two rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block across 30 minutes in a double-overtime thriller. While the 30-year-old is out of action, Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace will likely see a boost in fantasy production with the added minutes on the floor.
Source: Rylan Stiles
On Wednesday, Rylan Stiles of SI.com reports that Oklahoma City Thunder guard Source: Rylan Stiles
Joel Embiid on a Minutes Cap Versus Boston
Joel Embiid (knee) is available for Wednesday's matchup versus the Boston Celtics. The 31-year-old spent all offseason working his way back from knee surgery. While he's received the green light to get on the floor, head coach Nick Nurse indicated Embiid would be on a minutes cap. It's unknown how much action he'll see. However, Embiid is still a must-start in all fantasy formats. On the other hand, he may not be the safest option for DFS managers. Adem Bona and Andre Drummond may also get some extra work, although not enough to warrant serious consideration for fantasy lineups.
Source: Bobby Krivitsky
Philadelphia 76ers center Source: Bobby Krivitsky
Kel'el Ware Available for Season Opener
Kel'el Ware (ankle) is available to play ahead of Wednesday's season opener against the Orlando Magic. Ware was questionable coming into this game due to an ankle issue. Despite that, Ware is good to go and doesn't appear to have any minutes limit for this contest. It's unclear if he'll be in the starting five, but regardless Ware should be rostered in most standard leagues. Last season, Ware averaged 9.3 points and 7.4 rebounds in 22.2 minutes per game with the Heat. He figures to have a similar role or increased responsibilities this season.
Source: Tim Reynolds
Miami Heat center Source: Tim Reynolds
De'Andre Hunter Absent on Wednesday
De'Andre Hunter (knee) is headed to the bench ahead of Wednesday's season opener against the New York Knicks. Hunter was listed as questionable coming into this game due to a knee contusion. He suffered the injury in a preseason game roughly a week ago and is still dealing with the issue. Dean Wade and Jaylon Tyson figure to see increased roles with Hunter sidelined. Between the two, Tyson has the higher ceiling in terms of streaming value for Wednesday's slate. It's unclear when Hunter will return, so fantasy managers will need to stay tuned for more updates.
Source: Chris Fedor
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Source: Chris Fedor
Karl-Anthony Towns to Play in Season Opener
Karl-Anthony Towns (quad) has been cleared to suit up for Wednesday's season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. His status has changed throughout the day, but it sounds like Towns will play, barring any setbacks. It doesn't sound like Towns is going to be limited at all. However, it's the season opener, so the Knicks might be cautious given Towns probably isn't 100 percent healthy. He figures to play a bigger role than normal with Mitchell Robinson (ankle) sidelined. Fantasy managers can feel safe plugging Towns into their lineups right now.
Source: Ian Begley
New York Knicks forward/center
Source: Ian Begley