NBA Player News

As of Friday, Durant was expected to return for Saturday’s tilt against South Sudan or Monday’s matchup with Germany. He’ll end preseason play without an appearance, but he’s expected to be ready for Olympic play at the Paris games. For now, Durant is considered day-to-day.

Jovic injured his ankle during the fourth quarter of Thursday’s win over Orlando and did not return. With Jimmy Butler and Josh Richardson ruled out, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Alec Burks will play more minutes regardless of Jovic’s availability. If Jovic sits, there may also be room in the rotation for Pelle Larsson, who did not play against Orlando.

Richardson hasn’t played in about six weeks, so his continued absence will not have much of an impact on the team’s rotation or fantasy basketball.

Miller missed three games due to his sprained ankle before returning and playing 36 minutes in Thursday’s loss to the Wizards. If he cannot play against the Thunder, Cody Martin is the most likely replacement in the starting lineup. Martin isn’t the scorer that Miller is, but he would be worth streaming if forced to start.

Williams reported some soreness after Thursday’s game, but he was still able to participate in practice on Friday. If he were to miss this weekend’s game, Nick Richards would likely return to the starting lineup in his place, with Moussa Diabate filling out the reserve minutes down low.

Ball is dealing with multiple injuries, but the good news is that he’s questionable for Saturday instead of “doubtful” or “out.” If he cannot play, Vasilije Micic will move into the starting point guard role. He’s worth streaming in that spot, even with the difficult matchup.

Bogdanovic has missed Atlanta’s last two games, most recently sitting out Thursday’s win over the Bulls. While Garrison Mathews has been his replacement in the rotation, the production has been a mixed bag. One game removed from hitting seven 3-pointers, Mathews shot 1-of-7 from the field on Thursday. Fantasy managers in deep leagues can certainly stream “Garry Bird,” but keep the expectations in check.

Young has been able to play through their last two games with this heel contusion, but he did miss a game last weekend because of it. If he were to miss this one, Vit Krejci could start in his place, as he did in Trae’s last absence, with Keaton Wallace coming off the bench. However, neither player would be worth streaming, and Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels would likely take on extra playmaking duties.

Saturday’s game will be the fifth that Okongwu misses, and he was initially expected to miss four. Larry Nance Jr. will fill in as the backup center, and he is worth streaming until Okongwu is healthy enough to return.

Butler has already missed three games and will miss at least two more. Haywood Highsmith has been starting in his place, but Alec Burks and Terry Rozier both played extended roles off the bench in their last game, with Jaime Jaquez Jr. also playing well as a starter in their last game.

Add Johnson to the list of Nets players who will not be available for Friday’s game, joining Cam Thomas and Ben Simmons to name two starters. Jalen Wilson and Tyrese Martin will play more minutes, with the former likely moving into the starting lineup.