NBA Player News

Friday was a night to forget for Sharpe and the Trail Blazers, who likely saw their chances of advancing out of the Emirates NBA Cup group stage go up in flames in Houston. While he has been putting up points since returning from injury, Sharpe’s inconsistent production in other categories relegates him to deep-category/points league status. Hopefully, two-steal nights like his one on Friday can become the norm.

This will be the second game in a row that Watson is listed as probable due to this adductor strain. He should continue to play through the injury and start at power forward until Aaron Gordon returns to the lineup.

Curry has gone from left knee bursitis to a bilateral knee issue, which isn’t good news. If he is forced to miss Wednesday’s game, Brandin Podziemski would likely slide into the starting unit in his place.

Antetokounmpo was downgraded from probable to questionable about 15 minutes before he was ruled out for this game. This will only be his second absence this season despite being on the injury report before every game. Bobby Portis should get the start in his place and have a chance at a big night.

Both players were initially listed as probable, so while their availability doesn’t come as a surprise, it won’t have an impact on fantasy basketball, since neither player is part of the team’s rotation.

Smith isn’t part of the team’s rotation when healthy, so this won’t impact fantasy basketball.

As expected, Prince will play through the illness. He should continue to play his usual role and may be asked to do a bit more with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined.

Giannis has consistently appeared on the injury report with this knee issue, but he has only missed one game because of it. However, with a downgrade this late in the day, it appears there is a real chance that he is sidelined. If that happens, Bobby Portis should slide into the starting unit and be in for a big night.

DeRozan played 36 minutes in Monday’s loss to the Thunder, but the back issue has lingered for approximately two weeks. He’ll miss at least one game, with the Kings announcing that “further updates will be provided as necessary.” Keegan Murray should figure more prominently in the offense, boosting his fantasy value, as will Keon Ellis and Malik Monk.

Lyles injured his calf during the first half of Monday’s loss to the Thunder, exiting after playing six minutes off the bench. His injury robs Sacramento of one of its more dependable bench options, even if this will not significantly impact fantasy basketball. The Kings signed Jae Crowder to a deal on Tuesday to address the recent spate of injuries. Also, Doug McDermott may pick up a few more minutes, but he is not worth streaming.