Kristaps Porzingis Returns to Warriors Lineup
Golden State Warriors forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) has been cleared to return to action on Saturday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has sat out six games due to illness. Porzingis was knocked out by the illness just after making his Warriors debut. He managed 12 points, one rebound, one assist, and one block across 17 minutes in a matchup with Boston. Golden State is battling several injuries, so Porzingis could be a central figure in Saturday's game.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Darius Garland Available Saturday
Los Angeles Clippers point guard Darius Garland (toe) will play on Saturday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. He is still recovering from a toe injury, and the team decided to keep him out of the lineup on Friday for the first leg of a back-to-back against San Antonio. Garland has averaged 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 23.0 minutes across his first two appearances as a Clipper. He has come off the bench both times occasions. With Garland returning, Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller may have their minutes reduced.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Ausar Thompson to Miss Multiple Games
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Ausar Thompson (ankle) is set to miss multiple games, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press reports. Thompson sprained his right ankle on Thursday night against San Antonio and exited the lineup for Saturday's tilt against Brooklyn. He is also expected to sit out Sunday's meeting with Miami. Detroit will then have a couple of days off, giving Thompson some time to recover. However, it's uncertain whether he can return to action next week. With Cade Cunningham (quadriceps) also unavailable on Saturday, Marcus Sasser and Daniss Jenkins moved into the starting lineup.
Source: Omari Sankofa II
Source: Omari Sankofa II
De'Anthony Melton Won't Play Saturday Night
Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (knee) will sit out Saturday's contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Melton is managing a left knee injury and won't play on Saturday night after initially carrying a questionable tag on the injury report. The Warriors have recently received great production from Melton, who has averaged 17.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals as a starter across his last seven appearances. During this stretch, Melton managed three 20-point performances. Melton's absence could see Pat Spencer return to the starting unit, where he's posted averages of 11.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game this year.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Anthony Black Sustains Back Injury Saturday
Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (back) was limited to 2:01 of action in Saturday's win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was forced to leave early due to a lower back strain. Tristan da Silva started the second half in Black's place, and he might also have a bigger role in Sunday's matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks if Black misses additional time. The 24-year-old sophomore had a solid performance against Minnesota, finishing with 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. As a starter, da Silva has averaged 10.0 points and 3.5 rebounds this season.
Source: Orlando Magic PR
Source: Orlando Magic PR
Chet Holmgren Out Saturday Due to Illness
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren (illness) has been ruled out for Saturday's clash against the Golden State Warriors. Holmgren wasn't on the initial injury report, but an illness has now sidelined him for the game. Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) also won't play on Saturday, putting the spotlight once again on Jaylin Williams. The Arkansas product has averaged 27.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in two games without Holmgren and Hartenstein this season.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Nikola Vucevic to Be Re-Evaluated in 3-4 Weeks After Surgery
Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (finger) underwent successful surgery on Saturday to stabilize a fracture in his right ring finger. The team will re-evaluate him in 3-4 weeks. Vucevic injured his finger in Friday's win over the Dallas Mavericks. Unfortunately, we won't see Vucevic back in action until at least late March, but Boston will be glad to know that the two-time All-Star will be available to help the team in the playoffs. In the meantime, Luka Garza will take on a larger workload behind starting center Neemias Queta. While Garza has been a beast in the G League for years, he hasn't had many opportunities in the NBA. On Friday, he made good use of his minutes, contributing 10 points, three rebounds, one assist, and two blocks off the bench.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Deni Avdija to Miss Seventh Straight Game
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (back) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Houston Rockets. As expected, Avdija will miss this game after being listed as doubtful on the injury report. He'll miss his seventh game in a row due to a lingering back issue. His next chance to play will come on Sunday against the Indiana Pacers. Fantasy managers will need to check back this weekend for another update on his status. Scoot Henderson should continue to see increased playing time with Avdija banged up. Henderson is worth a look in deep leagues, but he doesn't have a ton of upside outside of that.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Brandon Williams is Returning on Friday
Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Williams (quad) is available to play ahead of Friday's contest versus the Boston Celtics. Williams is back in action after sitting out Thursday's loss due to a quad issue. Luckily, it seems like a minor issue, so Williams will return to the court for the second leg of this back-to-back set. Since the All-Star break, Williams is averaging 15.9 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in 24.7 minutes per game across seven contests. Williams has been a sneaky solid fantasy option lately, but his value figures to drop with Cooper Flagg back in the mix. Fantasy managers who have Williams rostered can get him active in their lineups ahead of tip-off.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Klay Thompson is Upgraded to Available on Friday
Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (groin) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Boston Celtics. As expected, Thompson will suit up after being listed as probable on the injury report. Since the All-Star break, Thompson is averaging 12.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.5 three-pointers in 21.2 minutes per game in six contests. The veteran guard has been inconsistent in terms of fantasy value this season. Thompson has been playing better lately and could be worth a look as a streaming option for Friday's slate. He knocked down seven three-pointers on Thursday, so hopefully he can keep it going here.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Amen Thompson is Available on Friday
Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (ankle) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Thompson has been upgraded to available after coming into this game with a questionable tag. He tweaked his ankle during Thursday's game, but it won't be enough to keep him off the court. He played 44 minutes during Thursday's overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Rockets monitor Thompson on Friday. Regardless, fantasy managers should feel comfortable plugging him into their lineups ahead of tip-off.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Daniel Gafford Won't Play on Friday
Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Boston Celtics. As expected, Gafford will head to the sideline after being listed as doubtful for this game due to an ankle injury. This is likely the Mavs being cautious with Gafford after he played 25 minutes during Thursday's contest. The expectation is that Gafford will be back for Sunday's game, but fantasy managers should check back for an update this weekend. The Mavs are thin at the center spot, which means Dwight Powell and Moussa Cisse could play heavy minutes. Powell could be worth a look as a deep league streaming option on Friday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Andrew Wiggins is Downgraded to Out
Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. Wiggins has been playing through knee tendinitis, so it's not shocking to see him sitting out the second leg of this back-to-back set. His next chance to play will come on Sunday versus the Detroit Pistons. The Heat are expected to use a committee approach to fill the void left by Wiggins on Friday. Kel'el Ware, Pelle Larsson, and Myron Gardner all figure to see increased roles here. Among the three, Ware is the best fantasy option, but he's also rostered in most leagues. Otherwise, Larsson could be another option to look at in deep leagues with Wiggins unavailable.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Deandre Ayton is Ruled Out for Friday's Game
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) is ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers. Ayton won't play after exiting during the first half of Thursday's contest due to a left knee injury. The severity is unknown, but the Lakers are likely just being cautious in the second leg of this back-to-back set. His absence will mean increased roles for Jarred Vanderbilt and Jaxson Hayes on Friday. Hayes finished with 19 points and five rebounds across 27 minutes of action on Thursday. He figures to be a safe streaming choice with Ayton and LeBron James (elbow) both out on Friday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
LeBron James Won't Suit Up on Friday
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (elbow) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers. James was forced to sit out during the fourth quarter of Thursday's game due to a left elbow injury. It appears to be significant enough to keep him out of the second leg of this back-to-back set. The severity of the injury is unknown right now, but his next chance to play will come on Sunday. The Lakers are expected to use a committee approach to fill the void left by James. That means Rui Hachimura, Jake LaRavia, and Jarred Vanderbilt should all see increased playing time. Among the three, LaRavia is probably the most consistent option for fantasy managers seeking a streaming option on Friday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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