NBA Player News

Fernandez’s timetable has been fluid throughout as he deals with a bad back. He’s missed five straight games with the injury, but Fernandez is working his way toward a return in the near future. He’s averaging 9.3 points, 1.1 steals and 1.3 treys in 24 minutes per game.

White did not play in Thursday’s loss to the Warriors, and he’s likely to be sidelined even longer than Saturday’s game against Philadelphia. Lonzo Ball has been White’s replacement in the starting lineup, which gives him a chance to provide deep-league value despite still being under a minutes restriction.

Suggs has missed Orlando’s last 10 games after straining his lower back during a January 3 win over Toronto. While Cole Anthony was his replacement in the starting lineup on most nights, Anthony Black has filled in most recently due to Anthony’s illness. Due to the amount of time he has missed, Suggs will likely be under a minutes restriction if he is available to play.

Bitadze has missed Orlando’s last five games, all of which have been defeats for the Magic. Wendell Carter Jr. has been the replacement in the starting lineup, and he is worth streaming whenever Bitadze is unavailable. Orlando is 1-9 in games Bitadze has missed this season.

An illness kept Anthony out of losses to Toronto and Portland, with Anthony Black replacing him in the starting lineup. The second-year guard may get a third start if Anthony remains out, but this will not significantly impact fantasy basketball.

Thompson is questionable for Saturday’s game after sitting out the last two games with a sprained left ankle. The Mavericks turned to different starters in the two games Thompson missed, with Olivier-Maxence Prosper starting against Minnesota on Wednesday and Kessler Edwards receiving the nod for Thursday’s game against Oklahoma City. Neither Prosper nor Edwards is worth the risk regardless of who starts if Thompson sits.

Hardy has missed Dallas’ last three games with a sprained right ankle. While his absence has not significantly impacted fantasy basketball, it has left the Mavericks down another guard with Luka Doncic (calf) already sidelined. Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes can absorb the minutes that would have gone to Hardy if he remains out.

Edwards is not guaranteed to be available for Saturday’s game against the Nuggets. With Donte DiVincenzo already out, Minnesota will be in a tough spot if Edwards misses a game for the first time this season. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Rob Dillingham would take on more prominent roles within the rotation, with the former likely starting.

Fox is dealing with a sprained right thumb, hence his inclusion on the injury report for Saturday night. Keon Ellis will move into the starting lineup if he cannot play, raising his fantasy ceiling. Also receiving a boost would be starter Malik Monk, as he would take on more playmaking responsibilities with Fox out.

In addition to Joel Embiid, the 76ers are without Andre Drummond for Friday’s game. Yabusele will start, with rookie Adem Bona serving as his backup. Yabusele is worth streaming and, given Embiid and Drummond’s injury woes, worth holding onto for the foreseeable future.

The Hornets are without LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, opening up two spots in the starting lineup. Micic and Martin will fill the resulting voids, and both are worth streaming on a three-game night in the NBA.