NBA Player News

Even with the Knicks trading Obi Toppin to the Pacers, a member of the Toppin family will be present when training camp begins in September. Jacob, who was undrafted after four years at Kentucky, has been signed to an Exhibit 10 deal that guarantees him a spot in training camp and $75,000. It was initially believed that he had been signed to a two-way contract. This transaction won’t impact fantasy basketball.

Thursday’s game will be the third that Marshall has missed due to illness. Multiple Mavericks players were impacted by the “bug” last week, forcing some to the sideline at the time. Marshall’s absence means more playing time for Spencer Dinwiddie, who’s played well off the bench over the last two weeks.

Payton Pritchard might not start but will likely be in line for a much more significant role with Holiday out of the picture after scoring 25 points off the bench in his latest performance.

Tatum will not be available after the Celtics listed him as questionable on the initial injury report. Al Horford and Sam Hauser will figure more prominently in the rotation, with the former moving into the starting lineup. Hauser will be worth streaming in deep leagues.

Jones is set to miss a second straight game after returning from an ankle injury for two games. He hasn’t been present enough this season to affect the rotation.

Wembanyama appears to have to have tweaked his back during his double-double performance against the Suns. Zach Collins an Charles Bassey will get a chance t take on larger roles against Chicago.

Bridges has not played since November 19, but he resumed on-court activities on November 27. He’ll miss at least one more game, keeping Tidjane Salaun in the starting lineup. While the opportunities have been there, Salaun hasn’t been consistent enough to merit being streamed in most leagues.

Cancar injured his knee during a November 19 game against the Grizzlies and has not played since. Part of the concern was that this was the same knee he injured (torn ACL) in the summer of 2023 that cost Cancar the entire 2023-24 campaign. His absence will not impact fantasy basketball.

He was also questionable ahead of Tuesday’s win over the Pacers, a game Gradey ultimately missed. If cleared to play, he’ll bump Ja’Kobe Walter to the bench.

Giddey is a little banged up after recording his first Bulls triple-double. Coby White has already been ruled out, so Ayo Dosunmu could be in line for a larger role.

Jerome sat out Tuesday’s win over the Wizards, a blowout that included Darius Garland exiting with a head injury. However, with Garland absent from the injury report for Thursday, Jerome will be in his usual backup role if cleared. Caris LeVert may spend more time on the ball if Jerome remains sidelined, and the Cavs can also stagger the minutes of starters Garland and Donovan Mitchell.