NBA Player News

Friday’s game will be Watanabe’s third straight on the sideline due to his sprained wrist. The absence has opened up rotation minutes for Matthew Hurt, who hasn’t done enough to merit being rostered in fantasy leagues.

For the first time since January 6, Adebayo and Ware will start together. The latter had a productive game in Sunday’s win over the Wizards, and Miami will hope that he can build on that, filling the void left by Pelle Larsson. The other change to the lineup is Fontecchio, who starts due to Norman Powell’s absence

A late addition to the injury report, Carter is good to go for Monday’s game. Combined with Franz Wagner returning from an ankle injury, Anthony Black is the odd man out of the Magic starting lineup. Joining Carter and Wagner are Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane and Paolo Banchero.

Thompson could get the night off despite not dealing with an injury. He has played roughly 20 minutes per game off the bench over the Mavericks’ last three games and should see a similar role if he’s available. Khris Middleton is expected to make his debut for Dallas, so he would soak up Thompson’s minutes.

Absent from the injury report, Middleton is on track to make his Mavericks debut on Tuesday. With Dallas being best served to strengthen its draft lottery odds, the veteran forward may not log heavy minutes anytime soon. As was the case in Washington, Middleton does not qualify as a must-roster player in most fantasy leagues.

Duren will be back after a one-game absence, which isn’t surprising since he was initially listed as probable. Isaiah Stewart moved into the starting lineup in his place but will return to playing a reserve role with Duren back.

The Hawks will be without two starters for Monday’s game, with Daniels and All-Star Jalen Johnson sitting due to injury. In the case of the former, his absences free up additional minutes for Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum. The former has started five games since being traded to the Hawks, while the latter has only started one. This may also be a spot where Buddy Hield or Gabe Vincent makes their Hawks debut after both received DNP-CDs in Saturday’s loss to the Hornets.

Johnson was a late addition to the injury report, and now he will be unavailable for this game against Minnesota. He has been on a tear over his last four games, and Atlanta will have plenty of available usage and minutes. Mouhamed Gueye and Asa Newell should both play larger roles with Johnson sidelined.

When asked about Herro’s rib injury and a potential return timeline, all Spoelstra would say was that the guard is making progress in his recovery. With the All-Star break just days away, Herro could be out until after the team returns. While Pelle Larsson has been his replacement in the starting lineup, the second-year wing is also out for Monday’s game against the Jazz. Simone Fontecchio and Myron Gardner have seen their minutes increase recently, with the latter playing 21 minutes as the starter in Sunday’s win over the Wizards.

Jones will miss a tenth straight game on Monday has be continues to recover from a strained left hamstring. With the Bulls’ additions at the trade deadline and Collin Sexton now part of the bench unit, Jones’ absence won’t have a significant impact on fantasy basketball.

This will be a second straight absence for Smith, who also missed Saturday’s game against Denver. Guerschon Yabusele started in his place in that game, with Nick Richards filling out the reserve minutes. Yabusele should remain a starter for at least one more game.