NBA Player News

Wood will be available to play for the first time since before the All-Star break. However, Jaxson Hayes wasn’t in the rotation in Game 3, and they may not want to include Wood in their rotation in an elimination game. He will be available if needed, but he may not see the floor.

Cain’s continued absence will not significantly impact fantasy basketball, even with the Pelicans’ many injuries. It’s safe to leave him on the waiver wire when healthy.

Murphy will be back after a one-game absence, and he should fill one of the starting forward spots with Brandon Ingram and Jordan Hawkins both sidelined. His availability means that Brandon Boston Jr. won’t get the chacne to move into the starting unit.

Morant was initially listed as probable and has now officially been upgraded to active. He should return to his spot in the starting unit, which will push Scotty Pippen Jr. back to a reserve role for this game.

Middleton has yet to appear in a game this season, and that will not change on Saturday. However, Bucks coach Doc Rivers said on Friday that he hopes that will change soon. Middleton remains without a timeline, so managers who have stashed him in an IL+ slot should continue to stay patient.

Murray is trending toward a return after missing Portland’s last two games, good news for a team likely to be without Jerami Grant (doubtful). However, in most fantasy leagues, Murray isn’t worth the risk, even if Grant cannot play.

Henderson wasn’t initially on the injury report for this game, but he has been added with the same quad contusion that was giving him problems about a week ago. With Dalano Banton also questionable, it’s unclear who will be available as the team’s backup point guard for this game. It’s possible that the role falls to Rayan Rupert if both Scoot and Banton are sidelined.

Absent from the initial injury report, Banton is now questionable to play on Friday. His potential absence won’t significantly impact fantasy basketball, especially if Scoot Henderson (questionable) and Kris Murray (probable) are available.

Edey, who injured his ankle during a November 17 game against Denver, was considered week-to-week. Based on Jenkins’ comments before Friday’s game against the Pelicans, a two-week timeline appears in the cards. Edey was coming off the bench before the injury, backing up Brandon Clarke, and that’s likely to be the case when he returns.

Javonte Green should remain with the starting five in Ingram’s absence, though he hasn’t done enough to land on the streaming radar. Ingram will miss a third straight game, while Hawkins will be absent after playing in three straight. Trey Murphy III is a GTD, but he could see a bump in playing time if he’s available.

Beal picked up his ankle injury in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s matchup with the Nets, but he’s expected to play through it after two days of rest. Expect him to handle his typical workload.