Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Miss At Least One More Week
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) will be re-evaluated in approximately one week and is set to miss additional time after sitting out since Feb. 3. With the All-Star sidelined alongside Ajay Mitchell (abdomen), Oklahoma City's backcourt minutes are wide open. Over his last five games, Isaiah Joe has averaged 16.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.4 threes in 28.1 minutes, while Cason Wallace has produced 11.0 points, 4.2 assists, and 1.8 steals in 30.8 minutes. Jared McCain added 13 points in 24 minutes last game. Joe and Wallace are strong streamers, with Chet Holmgren likely absorbing added usage.
Source: Brandon Rahbar
Source: Brandon Rahbar
Jusuf Nurkic Won't Face Memphis on Friday Night
Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic (nose) won't play on Friday versus Memphis. The veteran is listed as out on the injury report due to injury management purposes, so he'll likely be back on Monday in Houston. In the meantime, Kyle Filipowski will presumably remain in the starting lineup. Filipowski is coming off a solid 15-point, nine-rebound, six-steal effort in the loss to the Trail Blazers ahead of the All-Star break.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Keyonte George Not Ready to Return on Friday
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (ankle) remains out for Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The 22-year-old missed three games because of a left ankle injury at the beginning of February. While he returned for the matchup with the Orlando Magic on February 7, he tweaked his right ankle and will now miss his fourth-straight contest. It's unknown how close George is to returning to the floor, although it's certainly realistic to assume he could miss more games moving forward. Jusuf Nurkic (nose) also won't suit up on Friday, meaning Lauri Markkanen, Ace Bailey, Isaiah Collier, and Brice Sensabaugh should receive extra scoring opportunities on the offensive end.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Collin Murray-Boyles, Sandro Mamukelashvili Cleared To Play Thursday
Toronto Raptors forwards/centers Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb) and Sandro Mamukelashvili (rib) are available for Thursday's game against Chicago, but their upside hinges on minutes in a crowded frontcourt with Jakob Poeltl active. Over his last five games, Murray-Boyles averaged 9.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.6 blocks in 25.7 minutes, flashing category juice if the workload holds. Mamukelashvili posted 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 threes in 25.3 minutes across that span. Both carry deep-league appeal, yet Poeltl's presence caps ceilings, leaving Scottie Barnes as the safest frontcourt play.
Source: Blake Murphy
Source: Blake Murphy
Noah Clowney is Ready to Play on Thursday
Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (ankle) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Clowney is back after missing the final game before the All-Star break due to an ankle injury. His return to the rotation should mean decreased roles for Ziaire Williams and Terance Mann. This season, Clowney is averaging 13.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across 28.4 minutes per game. He's getting steady playing time and is worthy of rostering in deep leagues at the minimum. Fantasy managers can get him active ahead of tip-off on Thursday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Michael Porter Jr. is Returning on Thursday
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (knee) will suit up for Thursday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Porter is returning after missing the final two games before the All-Star break due to right knee tendinitis. He was given plenty of time to rest and is healthy enough to suit up on Thursday. Fantasy managers can safely get Porter back in their lineups ahead of tip-off on Thursday. This is the front end of a back-to-back set, so fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked to see an injury maintenance day on Friday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Smith is Cleared for Thursday's Game
Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith (calf) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Smith will play after missing the final three games before the All-Star break due to a lingering calf injury. The return of Smith should mean reduced roles for Guerschon Yabusele and Nick Richards. Over the last 12 games, Smith is averaging 13.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists across 26.8 minutes per game. Smith figures to see an uptick in value as the starter with Nikola Vucevic being traded away at the deadline. Fantasy managers should keep Smith on their radar, assuming he can stay healthy.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Aaron Nesmith to Play on Thursday
Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (back) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Washington Wizards. Nesmith sat out the final game before the All-Star break due to lower back soreness. He was able to get fully healthy during the break and has shed the questionable tag ahead of Thursday's game. His return to the rotation should move Ben Sheppard back to the bench. Nesmith is averaging 13.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 30.5 minutes per game this season. He's worth rostering in deep leagues as he's usually a fairly consistent contributor.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Tre Jones to Suit Up on Thursday
Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (hamstring) is active ahead of Thursday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Jones is back after missing 11 straight games due to a strained left hamstring. He was able to rest and fully recover during the All-Star break. He's cleared to play on Thursday, but it's unclear how much he's going to play. The Bulls added Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton, and Jaden Ivey during the trade deadline. Also, Josh Giddey (hamstring) is active for Thursday's game as well. Fantasy managers can hold Jones for now, but he could become a cut candidate if he doesn't get consistent playing time.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Josh Giddey is Available for Thursday's Contest
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (hamstring) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Giddey is back in the mix after missing the last eight games before the All-Star break due to a lingering hamstring injury. He's feeling good enough to play after the break, but it's unclear if Giddey is going to start. The Bulls might ease Giddey back into action and have him come off the bench while he gets up his conditioning. Regardless, fantasy managers in season-long formats can get Giddey active in their lineups. Collin Sexton and Anfernee Simons could take a hit in production with Giddey back in the mix now.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
OG Anunoby is Cleared for Thursday's Game
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (toe) is cleared to suit up for Thursday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Anunoby is back in action after missing the last four games before the All-Star break due to left toe soreness. He had plenty of time to rest and is now ready to get back on the court. There is no word on him being limited, so fantasy managers should expect Anunoby to have a normal workload. His return to the court should mean a reduced role for Landry Shamet in the rotation. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can safely get Anunoby back in their lineups.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
T.J. McConnell Out of Action Versus Wizards
According to Tony East of Forbes.com, Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is unavailable for Thursday's game against the Washington Wizards. McConnell will miss his second straight game due to a right hamstring injury. The 33-year-old's next chance to return could come on Friday versus Washington. Kam Jones will be expected to take on a heavier workload while McConnell is on the shelf, but he provides minimal fantasy value this evening.
Source: Tony East
Source: Tony East
Stephen Curry Sidelined Again on Thursday
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (knee) is unavailable to suit up on Thursday against the Boston Celtics. Curry will be held out of action due to a knee issue. An MRI taken on Wednesday showed no structural damage, but the 37-year-old still has swelling and there isn't a clear timetable on when he will return. While Curry is out, the Warriors will have to continue to rely on Brandin Podziemski and Pat Spencer to take on extended minutes.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Malik Monk Set to Return on Thursday
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (illness) is available for Thursday's clash with the Orlando Magic. An illness kept the 28-year-old sidelined for four consecutive contests. Monk is averaging 12.4 points, 2.6 assists and 2.0 rebounds across 22.2 minutes in 43 games this season. With Zach LaVine (hand) and Domantas Sabonis (knee) out for the remainder of the season, Monk could absorb more offensive responsibility moving forward.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Russell Westbrook Set to Suit Up Thursday
Sacramento Kings point guard Russell Westbrook (ankle) is active for Thursday's matchup with the Orlando Magic. The 37-year-old was sidelined for the Kings' last game before the All-Star break due to an issue with his left ankle. Westbrook's fantasy value received a boost recently as Zach LaVine (hand) and Domantas Sabonis (knee) are unavailable for the rest of the season. He will likely see plenty of extra minutes on the floor for the forseeable future.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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