NBA Player News

Wood missed the final two months of last season after undergoing surgery on his left knee, and now he’ll have another procedure on the same knee that will force him to miss the start of the season. He’ll be re-evaluated in early November, which means that Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt will likely see a few extra minutes to start the season at center behind Anthony Davis.

Cleveland may not be winning games at the rate that they started the year, but Mobley is still cooking. This was his fourth 20-point double-double in their last six games, and he has averaged career-highs in both points and free throw percentage this season, which have contributed to his leap in 9-cat leagues. Mobley’s improvements this season have been a big reason for Cleveland’s early success, even if they have dropped two straight games. They’ll host Boston on Sunday, which will be a battle for the best record in the conference.

Beauchamp’s availability will not impact fantasy basketball, as he is not in the rotation on most nights. Despite Milwaukee not having Giannis Antetokounmpo, Beauchamp only played six minutes in Tuesday’s win over Miami.

Brandon Ingram is sidelined again, but Murphy will be back after a one-game absence. Brandon Boston Jr. will return to playing a role off the bench, though he should still see significant minutes with Jordan Hawkins sidelined.

While Antetokounmpo has played through the patella injury most nights, he was held out of Tuesday’s win over Miami. That gave him six days to recover, and it appears likely that Milwaukee will have its star forward on the court Saturday night. AJ Green will return to the bench, where he offers minimal fantasy value.

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.