Tristan Vukcevic Will Be Available on Thursday
Washington Wizards Tristan Vukcevic (hip) was questionable with a hip impingement, but he'll be able to play on Thursday against Atlanta. Vukcevic has been dealing with a hand injury in addition to his hip issue, but he should be ready to roll on Thursday. He had five points, six rebounds, and one assist in 22 minutes on Tuesday in the first game of this two-game series in Atlanta. He and Anthony Gill have been sharing the minutes at center with Alex Sarr (hamstring) sidelined. If Vukcevic is limited at all, Gill could get more run, but for now, it looks like each will limit the upside of the other.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kyshawn George Ruled Out Against Atlanta
Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (knee) was downgraded from questionable to out for Thursday night's matchup against the Hawks. George has been effective when available but has been in and out of the lineup with a variety of injuries. Now he's dealing with a left knee contusion, possibly suffered on Tuesday in a loss to the Hawks in the first game of this two-game set in Atlanta. Without him on Thursday, the Wizards will likely give more playing time to Justin Champagnie, Will Riley, and Jamir Watkins, who has his two-way contract converted to a standard deal earlier in the day.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Lauri Markkanen Will Not Play Thursday
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (ankle, hip) will not play Thursday after spraining his right ankle and suffering a right hip impingement during Wednesday's practice. His status is not surprising since the Jazz are being so cautious with their best players, and Markkanen could be headed for an extended absence, depending on the results of the MRI he had on Wednesday. Without him against the Pelicans on Thursday, other Jazz forwards like John Konchar, Brice Sensabaugh, and Kyle Filipowski will pick up more work and could have fantasy value in a favorable matchup.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Norman Powell Downgraded to Questionable Thursday Against the 76ers
Miami Heat guard/forward Norman Powell (groin) was a late addition to his team's injury report on Thursday afternoon and is questionable for the team's game in Philadelphia due to right groin soreness. He missed time just before the All-Star break due to an illness, but he has played three games since the break and scored 26 points in Tuesday's loss to Milwaukee. With Davion Mitchell (illness) also questionable, there could be lots of work in Miami's backcourt for Kasparas Jakucionis, Pelle Larsson, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. alongside Tyler Herro, who is still playing limited minutes after his recent return.
Source: NBA Injury Report.
Source: NBA Injury Report.
Jamir Watkins Signs a Two-Year Deal with Washington
Washington Wizards forward Jamir Watkins has been getting good playing time lately, and the two-way player has played his way into a standard contract. The 24-year-old has played seven of the Wizards' last eight games, averaging 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 steals in 28 minutes per game. Watkins should continue to get good playing time now that the team doesn't have to manage his days with the NBA team. He's a bargain DFS option or a deep league streamer to consider when the Wizards are short-handed, as they will be on Thursday against the Hawks.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Daniel Gafford Doubtful Versus Kings
Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (ankle) is doubtful for Thursday's matchup against Sacramento as he manages a right ankle injury. With Dallas on a back-to-back, the expectation is that Gafford could return Friday against Memphis, but he is unlikely to suit up in this opener. Marvin Bagley III is positioned to start after producing 22 points and five rebounds in 20 minutes last game. Bagley becomes a short-term streaming option, while Naji Marshall and Max Christie could absorb added rebounding chances if Gafford sits.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Lauri Markkanen Questionable Against Pelicans
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (ankle/hip) is questionable for Thursday's matchup against New Orleans after picking up right ankle and hip issues during practice. Markkanen is one of Utah's go-to scorers and key floor spacers, so if he sits, the Jazz will have to spread those shots around and lean more on their other scoring options. John Konchar could slide into the starting group after logging 24 minutes with five points and three steals last game, but Brice Sensabaugh carries the higher ceiling after erupting for 26 points and four three-pointers in 32 minutes.
Source: Ben Anderson
Source: Ben Anderson
P.J. Washington Won't Play Thursday Against Kings
Dallas Mavericks forward/center P.J. Washington (ankle) will sit out Thursday against Sacramento after spraining his left ankle late in Tuesday's win over Brooklyn. Washington usually soaks up around 28 minutes a night, so there are real minutes to fill, especially with Daniel Gafford (ankle) also banged up. Klay Thompson stepped into a larger scoring role last game with 17 points in 23 minutes, while Caleb Martin chipped in five rebounds across the same workload. Thompson carries scoring upside but remains streaky, and Martin is more of a deep-league filler. Naji Marshall should see the most stable bump in usage.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Branden Carlson Exits Early with Back Issue
Oklahoma City Thunder center Branden Carlson (back) will not return Wednesday against Detroit after experiencing low back soreness in the opening quarter. The two-way big man logged four minutes and finished with four points, four rebounds, and two assists before exiting. Carlson averages just 11 minutes and typically sees run only when Chet Holmgren (back) or Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) rests, limiting his fantasy relevance. If Holmgren and Hartenstein remain sidelined on Friday, Jaylin Williams becomes the priority add after erupting for 30 points, 11 rebounds, and five three-pointers in 36 minutes last game.
Source: Nick Crain
Source: Nick Crain
Isaiah Joe Exits Early with Glute Injury
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (glute) was ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's game against Detroit after suffering a left glute contusion in the first half. He logged 14 minutes and finished with three points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal before being sidelined. The injury halts his recent surge, as he had delivered back-to-back 22-point outings with six three-pointers in each. Should he miss Friday, Jared McCain becomes a viable streaming target after posting 20 points and four three pointers in 30 minutes last game.
Source: Nick Crain
Source: Nick Crain
Collin Murray-Boyles Leaves Game After Aggravating Thumb
Toronto Raptors forward/center Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb) will not return Wednesday against San Antonio after aggravating a left thumb contusion in the second half. The rookie logged 15 minutes and produced four points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal before being shut down. Murray-Boyles has averaged 22 minutes this season, but any absence should push Jakob Poeltl into a heavier run after he posted 15 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks in 28 minutes off the bench last game. Sandro Mamukelashvili is a deeper-league flier.
Source: Kayla Grey
Source: Kayla Grey
Jamal Murray Leaves Game After Eight Minutes
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (illness) exited Wednesday's game against Boston and will not return after logging just eight minutes. He finished with two points on 1-of-3 shooting and one assist before being shut down. Murray entered the night averaging 34.8 minutes and a 28.4 percent usage rate, so any absence would shift ballhandling toward Nikola Jokic and Christian Braun. Bruce Brown, who posted four points, four rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 28 minutes last game, becomes a fringe streamer if Murray sits Friday.
Source: Denver Nuggets
Source: Denver Nuggets
Kyshawn George Questionable Thursday
Washington Wizards guard/forward Kyshawn George (knee) has been tagged as questionable for Thursday's contest against the Atlanta Hawks. The 22-year-old sophomore led the starters with 11 points in Tuesday's blowout loss to the Hawks, but he may skip the rematch due to a left knee contusion. While George turned a lot of heads early in the season, his form has faded over the course of the season. Across February, he has averaged only 10.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. Justin Champagnie could replace George in the first unit on Thursday, and he'll be worthy of some fantasy attention after averaging 12.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steals over his last six appearances.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Zaccharie Risacher Dealing With Hip Issue, Questionable for Thursday
Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (hip) is listed as questionable for Thursday night's action against the Washington Wizards. He is dealing with a right hip contusion and may depart the lineup after tallying nine points, nine rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 28 minutes against the Wizards on Tuesday. Jalen Johnson (hip) is also questionable for the game, meaning we could see a lot more of Jonathan Kuminga and Corey Kispert on Thursday night. Kuminga was very impressive in his Hawks debut on Tuesday, totalling 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 24 minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Tagged as Questionable for Thursday
Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (foot) is questionable for Thursday's contest against the Washington Wizards. He has landed on the injury report with a sprained left foot. Jalen Johnson (hip) is also questionable for Thursday's action, and the Hawks' offense could have a completely different dynamic if both Alexander-Walker and Johnson miss the game. CJ McCollum and Jonathan Kuminga would handle more of the offense, while Corey Kispert and Gabe Vincent could see their minutes increase. There might be a larger role for Zaccharie Risacher (hip) as well, but he's also questionable to play.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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