NBA Player News

James made history on Wednesday by becoming the third player in USA Men’s National Team history to score 300 points in the Olympics, joining Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony. He played well in this game (aside from the turnovers), and he sealed the win with a late dunk off a pass from Anthony Davis. James is likely playing in his final Olympics, so we should expect him to do everything in his power to go out with another gold medal.

Barrett missed Thursday’s matchup with Brooklyn, but he appears on track to play on Sunday against Houston. Rookie Ja’Kobe Walter started in his place, but he will return to a role off the bench if Barrett is able to suit up.

Love will miss the second night of this back-to-back, but he doesn’t play a significant role in the rotation. Nikola Jovic may take on a few extra minutes, but there won’t be any dramatic fantasy impacts here.

Even when he has been available to play, Richardson hasn’t been part of the team’s rotation. He hasn’t seen the floor in over a month, so his absence in this game won’t impact fantasy basketball.

Butler played just seven minutes in Friday’s game before exiting due to this illness, though he did also twist his ankle in that game. The illness is what is expected to keep him sidelined, which will mean more minutes for Jaime Jaquez Jr., Dru Smith and Terry Rozier.

IQ has played a total of three games this season, and while this doesn’t mean that a return is imminent, he is definitely making progress. Hopefully he won’t be sidelined much longer, but he’ll have to go through some contact practices before that happens.

Garza is a late addition to the injury report, but he doesn’t play a large enough role in the rotation for this to impact fantasy basketball.

Theis was initially listed as questionable after not being with the team in their previous game, but he’ll be available for this one. He’ll fill out the backup center minutes behind Yves Missi, but Theis won’t be worth rostering.

Suggs was initially listed as probable to play after injuring his ankle on Thursday, but now there is a chance that he sits out. If he ends up missing this game, Anthony Black and Cole Anthony will likely take on the point guard minutes. Black had 23 points in 31 minutes off the bench in their last game and would be worth streaming.

Booker had already been ruled out for Saturday’s game, which means that he will also sit out Monday’s game in Denver. A re-evaluation will give a better timeline for when he could return, though the next chance that he will have to play will be on Wednesday, with the Nuggets coming to town. Royce O-Neale and Grayson Allen should both see extra minutes in his place.

Morant was listed as doubtful on the initial injury report, but he has now officially been ruled out. Scotty Pippen Jr. should get the starting nod at point guard in his place, where he has been effective this season.