RADIO
Jalen Smith Expected to Play Monday
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (finger) is probable for Monday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Smith has played through the sprain without missing time and grabbed 12 rebounds with two blocks in Friday's loss to Boston. The 26-year-old has started all six games with Nic Claxton (hamstring) sidelined, averaging 12.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 24.2 minutes. Claxton is doubtful again, leaving Smith in line for another start. If Joel Embiid (foot) is cleared, Smith would face a more difficult matchup inside against the 6-1 Sixers.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Zach LaVine Uncertain to Face Mavericks on Monday
Sacramento Kings guard/forward Zach LaVine (elbow) is questionable for Monday's game against the Dallas Mavericks with elbow inflammation. LaVine played a season-low 21 minutes in Saturday's lopsided loss to Memphis, finishing with 11 points on 4-for-9 shooting. The 31-year-old has yet to miss a game this season and is averaging 23.5 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 49.5 percent from the field. With Keegan Murray (ankle) already out, Darius Acuff Jr. and De'Andre Hunter would be the strongest candidates to take on more scoring if LaVine sits, while Malik Monk and Emanuel Sharp could also see more touches in the backcourt.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Rudy Gobert Off the Injury Report for Monday
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (back) is off the injury report for Monday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks after missing Saturday's loss to San Antonio with lower-back spasms. The four-time Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 7.0 points and 12.3 rebounds through six appearances this season. Joan Beringer filled in Saturday and posted 12 points and six rebounds in 34 minutes, but he should head back to the bench with Gobert returning. With Anthony Edwards (knee) sidelined for an extended stretch, Minnesota will need Gobert to keep controlling the glass and anchoring the defense.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Ty Jerome Set to Return Monday
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome (back) is off the injury report for Monday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans after missing Saturday's win over Sacramento. The 29-year-old is averaging 25.8 points and 5.8 assists through five games for the unbeaten Grizzlies, though he was held to 10 points on 3-for-12 shooting in his last appearance. Cam Spencer filled in nicely Saturday, handing out 13 assists without a turnover. Scotty Pippen Jr. (back) is doubtful, so Spencer should still have room for a meaningful reserve role even with Jerome back.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Nic Claxton Doubtful for Bulls Debut on Monday
Chicago Bulls center Nic Claxton (hamstring) is doubtful for Monday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers after going through a full practice Sunday. Claxton has missed Chicago's first six games while recovering from a left hamstring strain, but the practice work is a positive step toward his Bulls debut. Jalen Smith (finger) is probable and should remain in the starting lineup if Claxton sits again. Smith is averaging 12.0 points and 8.8 rebounds in 24.2 minutes, though his workload could come down once Claxton is ready to join the rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kyrie Irving Questionable Against Kings
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (knee) remains questionable for Monday's game against the Sacramento Kings as he manages his injury. It will be a notable matchup for the 34-year-old, who tore his left ACL against Sacramento on March 3, 2025. Irving has looked sharp since returning, averaging 21.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.2 threes through five appearances while shooting 52.7 percent from the field. His only absence so far came on the second night of a back-to-back. If Irving sits Monday, Cooper Flagg should take on more of the offense, while Max Christie could see additional backcourt minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Coby White Cleared for Season Debut Monday
Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (calf) is off the injury report and set to make his season debut Monday against the Detroit Pistons. The 26-year-old has missed Charlotte's first seven games after suffering a left calf strain during training camp. White averaged 15.6 points and 3.0 assists across 21 games with the Hornets last season after arriving from Chicago. He should eventually take on a prominent role in the backcourt, though Charlotte may ease him in after the long layoff. Dennis Schroder and Sion James could keep some of their recent minutes until White is ready for a full workload.
Source: Charlotte Hornets PR
Source: Charlotte Hornets PR
Jalen Johnson Iffy for Monday
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (ankle) is questionable for Monday's game against the Indiana Pacers after leaving Saturday's loss to New Orleans in the third quarter. Johnson finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 28 minutes before exiting. The 24-year-old is averaging 18.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.9 assists this season, leading Atlanta in both rebounds and assists. With Jock Landale (hip) and Mouhamed Gueye (foot) also out, the Hawks are thin up front. Aaron Wiggins and Luguentz Dort are the leading candidates to enter the starting lineup if Johnson cannot play.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Joel Embiid Listed as Questionable Versus Chicago
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (foot) is questionable for Monday's game against the Chicago Bulls due to plantar fascia injury management. The former MVP is averaging 19.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 35.2 minutes through five appearances. Embiid sat out Saturday's win over Charlotte, when Adem Bona moved into the starting lineup and finished with two points, five rebounds, and three assists in 22 minutes. Bona also battled foul trouble with five personals, but he would be in line for another sizable role if Embiid remains sidelined Monday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Trey Murphy III Likely Available Against Memphis
New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (knee) is probable for Monday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies with bilateral patella tendinopathy. The 26-year-old is averaging 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 steals in 31.8 minutes through six games, well below the 21.5 points he averaged last season. Murphy has looked better lately, totaling 34 points over New Orleans' last two wins. If his knee issue keeps him out Monday, Saddiq Bey would be the most likely player to move into the starting lineup, while Trendon Watford could also pick up additional minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Yves Missi to Miss Fifth Straight Game
New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies, marking his fifth straight absence. Missi remains without a timetable as he works his way back from a knee bone bruise. The 22-year-old opened the season with 13 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks against Indiana before getting hurt in his next appearance. Karlo Matkovic has started the past two games and grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds Saturday against Atlanta. He should remain heavily involved up front, with Derik Queen and DeAndre Jordan also available for center minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Dejounte Murray Off the Injury Report for Monday
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (personal) is not listed on the injury report for Monday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies after missing the past two contests for the birth of his son. The 30-year-old is averaging 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 32.3 minutes through four appearances. Herbert Jones should head back to the bench after starting in Murray's absence. Jeremiah Fears has played well with more of the offense in his hands, including a 22-point, 13-assist game against Sacramento, but Murray's return should take some of the playmaking burden off the rookie while Jordan Poole (ankle) remains out.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Gunnar Helm Comes Alive in Unexpected Slugfest
Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm hauled in five of nine targets for 76 yards in the team's 43-36 overtime loss to the hosting Cincinnati Bengals. Helm led the team in receiving yards on Sunday and set career highs with his yardage and target total. In fact, the former Texas Longhorn fell just three yards shy of matching his receiving total for the season in this game alone. It was a nice effort on a day that the team was short a receiving option in wideout Carnell Tate (shoulder). Unfortunately, Helm has been too spotty for fantasy managers to trust consistently, and he's likely to lose considerable volume when Tate returns. That said, he's worth watching in deeper formats, as the Titans rank in the bottom half of the NFL in run rate and Helm is out there for most snaps. Tennessee's options will be out of play in Week 9 with the team on bye.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordan Mason Struggles to Make an Impact Vs. Lions
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason rushed eight times for 20 yards in his team's 19-15 loss to the Detroit Lions. Mason couldn't get anything going in Week 8 against one of the league's better run defenses. For what it's worth, backfield mate Aaron Jones Sr. didn't find much room to work either, but he was still far more effective than Mason with his touches and commanded the duo's only two targets in the receiving game. It was an uncharacteristic outing for Minnesota, as their run/pass split leaned heavier toward the latter for just the third time under quarterback Kyler Murray's direction in the campaign. As it stands, Mason fits well in the RB3 range most weeks, but doesn't possess week-winning upside while sharing a backfield with Jones. They'll get another stiff test in Week 9 against a formidable Buffalo Bills rush defense.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
T.J. Hockenson Provides Steady Production in Vikings' Loss
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson collected four of five targets for 58 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 19-15 road loss to the division-rival Detroit Lions. Hockenson picked up his third outing of four catches and a receiving score on five targets in Week 8, and has been a decent play over the last month or so, sans a win over New Orleans, when he left with a concussion after just two snaps. Even with the suboptimal effort, the eighth-year pro is the PPR TE5 in points per game (14) since Week 4. Furthermore, he's handily led the team in receiving over that stretch, and sits atop the Vikings' pass-catchers with eight red zone looks on the season as a whole. Hockenson may not boast the upside he did earlier in his career, but he still holds some value as a fringy back-end TE1 play with steady opportunity as an outlet for Kyler Murray. He'll look to keep it rolling next Monday night against the visiting Buffalo Bills in what projects to be a favorable outing.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
