NBA Player News

Due to a sprained UCL in his left (non-shooting) elbow, Morant will not play on Friday. Cam Spencer is the most likely replacement in the starting lineup, but there have been times when Vince Williams Jr. received the nod instead. Regardless of who head coach Tuomas Iisalo decides to go with, Spencer offers a considerably higher fantasy upside.

Williams was initially listed as probable with an ankle injury, so his availability isn’t much of a surprise. He returned from a two-game absence Thursday with five points and three rebounds in 16 minutes off the bench in the win over the Timberwolves. Williams isn’t worth rostering in most fantasy leagues.

Giddey was initially listed as probable, so his availability doesn’t come as much of a surprise. The 23-year-old guard returned from a hamstring injury and came off the bench, playing 26 minutes in Thursday’s win over the Timberwolves. The Bulls could continue to deploy Giddey this way until he feels 100 percent.

Nurkić was initially listed as doubtful with an illness. With the 31-year-old center being upgraded to questionable Saturday, his odds of suiting up against the Heat have certainly improved. With his status still up in the air, though, Kyle Filipowski could move into the starting lineup and be worth streaming if Nurkić is ruled out prior to game-time.

Kalkbrenner came off the bench in the Hornets’ win over the Magic on Thursday, but the 24-year-old rookie center played 27 minutes compared to starter Moussa Diabate’s 16 minutes. The Hornets’ Twitter account initially had Kalkbrenner in Saturday’s starting lineup, before correctly showing Diabate as the starter. Both centers will likely still play Saturday, but if Charlotte continues to give Kalkbrenner more minutes he could move into the starting lineup eventually.

Riley moves into the starting lineup with Khris Middleton (foot) out. The 19-year-old forward is making the first start of his career. According to the Wizards, this is the youngest starting lineup in NBA history with an average age of 20.64 years old.

Morant suffered a UCL sprain in his left (non-shooting) elbow during Wednesday’s loss to the Hawks. The injury is expected to sideline the 26-year-old point guard for at least the next three weeks, at which point he’ll be reevaluated. Cam Spencer started in Morant’s place Friday and had 21 points and 11 assists, making him a legitimate fantasy option while Morant is out.

Middleton was listed as questionable initially, but has since been ruled out with left foot soreness. In his absence, Justin Champagnie could slide into the starting lineup with Will Riley picking up rotation minutes off the bench.

Kalkbrenner was originally listed as probable with a wrist injury, so it’s no surprise he’s available for Saturday’s game. The 24-year-old rookie center had 10 points and nine rebounds in 27 minutes off the bench in the Hornets’ win over the Magic on Thursday. We don’t expect Kalkbrenner to be limited against the Wizards, though he’ll still share center minutes with Moussa Diabate.

Miller was initially listed as probable with an ankle injury, so his availability Saturday isn’t a surprise. The 23-year-old small forward is averaging 24.2 point per game over his last five games and has an excellent matchup against the Wizards.

While it’s unclear when exactly Antetokounmpo suffered the injury during Friday night’s loss to the Nuggets, the 31-year-old power forward didn’t mince words in his postgame media availability. Antetokounmpo said he expects the MRI, which is scheduled for Saturday, to show that he popped something in his calf and that he won’t return before the end of February at the earliest. While the injury is potentially devastating for fantasy managers, it also has major implications on the Bucks’ playoff hopes. Milwaukee is currently two and a half games behind Atlanta for the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference and will have to find a way to tread water without their star player for at least the next month.