NBA Player News

Simmons was sidelined on the second night of a back-to-back on Monday, but he isn’t on the injury report for this game. The team was without Nic Claxton, Dorian Finney-Smith and Noah Clowney as well on Monday, though Claxton and DFS are questionable against Phoenix. Simmons’ return will at least give them a center option, though the availability of Claxton and DFS would also help bring some normalcy to the lineup.

Love experienced back spasms during Tuesday’s loss to the Bucks and did not play in Wednesday’s win over Charlotte. Rookie Kel’El Ware played rotation minutes in Love’s absence, but he isn’t in a position where he can provide reliable fantasy value.

Robinson is considered probable for Friday’s game, so fantasy managers should expect to see him on the court. Ranked outside the top 150 in 9-cat formats over the last two weeks, Robinson’s season-long value is outside the top 200. Other than a dire need for 3-pointers, there isn’t much need to roster him.

Brown’s continued absence will not impact fantasy basketball, as he has not appeared in a game this season. It’s unknown when he’ll be available to play, but Brown reaching the conditioning part of the process is a positive sign after he underwent offseason knee surgery.

Dick is set to miss a third consecutive contest with his lingering calf injury. Ja’Kobe Walter could be in for another spot start on Friday after notching a double-double against the New Orleans Pelicans

Rozier was hardly effective against the Hornets on Wednesday but will give it another go against Toronto ahead of the weekend . The Heat guard’s meaningful counting stats have dipped since last season and he’ll look to bounce back against another struggling Eastern Conference squad ahead of the weekend.

It appears like Butler is good to go despite his back tightness. The Heat forward was underwhelming against the Hornets his last time out and will need to be a major contributor to keep Miami afloat. A day of rest could help him get back on track for a productive stat line ahead of the weekend.

After hitting double figures in assists once in his first 13 games, Jones has done so in three of his last five. The assists and lack of turnovers are why he’s ranked safely within the top 100, threatening top-75 value in the aftermath of Wednesday’s performance.

Booker has scored 31 points or more in three of his last five games and has been a 4th-round player in 9-cat formats over the previous two weeks. His season-long value is a bit better, and the most significant concern is the health of sidekicks Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant. As expected, the Suns have struggled when forced to play without one or two members of its “big three.” Booker and Co. will look to end Week 6 on a high when they face the Warriors on Saturday.

Bradley Beal wasn’t the only Suns player to suffer an ankle injury during Wednesday’s game. Durant twisted his right ankle when Ben Simmons inadvertently kicked him late in the fourth quarter. He remained in the game and could move freely, but don’t be surprised if Durant is on the injury report ahead of Saturday’s game against the Warriors.

A night that began with the good news of Beal playing both games of a back-to-back so soon after his calf injury ended on a sour note. He sprained his left ankle during the fourth quarter and did not return. Phoenix doesn’t play again until Saturday; maybe the extra day helps Beal recover from his most recent injury. But if he misses time, Ryan Dunn will be back on the streaming radar.