NBA Player News

Booker will sit out Sunday’s season finale with a sore calf. While expected co-stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal did not hit 65 games due to injuries, Book made 75 appearances and provided top-25 value in eight-cat formats. He’s a safe bet to offer that production level, but it’s pretty clear that significant changes need to be made in Phoenix this offseason. Whether or not that involves Booker remains to be seen. Collin Gillespie should move into the starting lineup on Sunday.

There are two changes to the lineup that began Tuesday’s loss to the Grizzlies. Markkanen and Nurkić are back after not playing against Memphis, with Kevin Love and Kyle Filipowski heading to the bench. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Filipowski is worth rostering, and his value should only increase once the “silly season” begins.

After going from questionable to probable ahead of Friday’s game, Murray’s recent upgrade to available should come as no surprise. The fourth-year forward tied a season high in points the last time he took the floor, and will enter Friday’s contest with a bit of momentum. Despite the strong recent performance, Murray is not someone fantasy managers should consider to be rosterable at the moment. He’ll likely remain in Portland’s starting lineup against the Clippers.

Williams is good to go after sitting out Tuesday’s loss to the Magic, which was Portland’s second game in as many nights. His return means fewer minutes for Yang Hansen and Duop Reath, as the Time Lord will slot in as Donovan Clingan’s backup.

Reaves, who returned to action on Tuesday after missing three games with a mild left calf strain, suffered a similar injury during the first half of Thursday’s loss to the Rockets. Unfortunately, he has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain and will miss at least four weeks. Marcus Smart replaced Reaves in the lineup to begin the third quarter and should remain in that role. While the offensive output can be inconsistent, Smart’s defensive ability is much-needed, as the Lakers are among the worst in the NBA in defensive rating.

Knueppel, who scored 16 points in the first quarter of Friday’s game, exited during the second after spraining his right ankle. Unfortunately, the rookie has been ruled out for the rest of the night. Sion James started the third quarter, and he’ll likely be the replacement in the starting lineup if Knueppel misses time beyond the remainder of Friday’s game.

Carter was held out of Tuesday’s loss to the Pistons, but he has not been a consistent member of the Kings’ rotation when healthy. His status does not affect fantasy basketball.

Holland is back after missing Detroit’s last two games. While he will be in the Pistons’ rotation, the second-year wing is unlikely to get the minutes needed to affect fantasy basketball. Holland should only be rostered in dynasty leagues.

Murray suffered a mild right calf strain during Tuesday’s loss to the Pistons. Due to the timeline, he’ll miss at least four games before being re-evaluated. Nique Clifford replaced Murray in the lineup to begin the third quarter of Tuesday’s game, which may be a sign of how the rookie will be used. While a risky streaming option, Clifford would be worth a look in deep leagues if he starts.

Morant and Coward are back after missing time due to injury, with the former sitting out the last four. However, while they are starting, Morant and Coward are on minutes restrictions. Cam Spencer and GG Jackson will come off the bench, but rotation minutes should not be an issue for either player, especially Spencer.

A late addition to the injury report, Landale will sit with a sore right calf. With Zach Edey (ankle) already out, Santi Aldama takes on even greater importance within the Grizzlies’ rotation. Christian Koloko may pick up additional rotation minutes after playing 10 in his first two games as a Grizzlies player on Monday and Tuesday.