NBA Player News

Zubac recorded his fifth double-double in 10 games on Monday, continuing to provide solid fantasy value at the center position. Something to watch moving forward is Big Zu’s playing time, as he’s logged at least 30 minutes on five occasions. During the preseason, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said he wanted Zubac to play fewer minutes after he averaged 32 per game in 2024-25. However, offseason signing Brook Lopez (nine points, two assists, one block and two three-pointers) has not done enough to give the Clippers the two-headed monster they desired at the center position. If Zubac can consistently hit or exceed 30 minutes, his chances of making good on his Yahoo! ADP (41) increase.

Sidelined since injuring his ankle during a December 20 win over the Lakers, Zubac will be available on Saturday. Brook Lopez has filled in admirably as his replacement in the lineup, providing a different look offensively with his three-point shooting. With Zubac back, Yanic Konan Niederhäuser will likely fall out of the rotation entirely.

Absent from the Warriors’ initial injury report, Kuminga is now questionable. His potential absence would not affect fantasy basketball, as Kuminga has not been a consistent member of the rotation.

The Pelicans won’t have Trey Murphy, Derik Queen, Herb Jones or Saddiq Bey for Friday’s game, opening up multiple spots in the starting lineup. Poole, McGowens and Missi will step up to fill the voids, with Poole being the most reliable fantasy option.

Bridges is back after missing Wednesday’s loss to the Warriors, and his return means that Collin Sexton will head to the bench. The other change is Hall, who makes his first career start due to injuries to Ryan Kalkbrenner, Moussa Diabaté and Mason Plumlee. Out of sheer necessity, Hall is worth considering as a deep-league streamer.

Not only will the Knicks be without Josh Hart for Friday’s game, but Karl-Anthony Towns is out with an illness. McBride, who came off the bench in his first games back from a sprained ankle, will start, bumping Mohamed Diawara to the bench. Hukporti steps in to start for Towns.

Allen is set to miss his eighth game in a row for right knee injury management reasons. Royce O’Neale should remain in the starting lineup until Allen returns, though Collin Gillespie has seen the biggest jump in value during Allen’s absence.

Added to the Knicks’ injury report late Friday morning, Towns is now out. Ariel Hukporti has been the replacement in the past, and that should be the case on Friday. However, he is not worth the streaming risk in most leagues.

Murray is the only regular in the Nuggets’ starting lineup. Holmes enters the starting lineup for Friday’s game, two days after Jonas Valančiūnas suffered a strained calf. While the move does raise the rookie’s ceiling, fantasy managers should not expect to see Holmes play starters’ minutes, as he missed all of last season with a ruptured Achilles.

Antetokounmpo was initially listed as probable for right calf injury management reasons, so his availability doesn’t come as a surprise. The 31-year-old power forward is coming off a 33-point performance against the Wizards on Wednesday and has another good matchup against the Hornets on Friday.

Dealing with a strained neck, Harris will not be available on Friday. His absence does not affect fantasy basketball.