NBA Player News

Doc Rivers seemed optimistic recently that Middleton will be back sooner rather than later, but there still isn’t a clear timeline for him. He fully participated in 5-on-5 practice a week ago, so he shouldn’t be far off from a return. This game will be the first leg of a back-to-back, so keep an eye on the injury report ahead of their matchup with the Hawks on Wednesday.

The Pelicans are getting healthier on the perimeter, so Payton’s services are no longer needed. He averaged 6.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 6.9 assists in seven games. This transaction will not impact fantasy basketball.

Horford and Porzingis are back after not playing in Monday’s win over Miami, Boston’s second game in as many nights. While the latter is guaranteed to start, the former will start if Jrue Holiday or Jayson Tatum does not. Both are questionable on the initial injury report.

Due to some absences in their last game, Jordan Walsh got his first start of the season. However, with Hauser back, Walsh’s role will be limited, though he wasn’t a player to stream anyway. Jayson Tatum is questionable, so Hauser could see an extended role if Tatum is forced to miss a game for the first time this year.

Tatum hasn’t missed a game yet this season, but there is a chance that he is sidelined for this game. If that happens, minutes should open up for both Al Horford and Sam Hauser, with one of them sliding into the starting unit.

Holiday, who was dealing with tightness in his adductor, did not play in Monday’s win over the Heat. He’s once again questionable, but knee tendinopathy is why he’s on the injury report for Wednesday. Payton Pritchard and Derrick White will be players of added importance of Holiday can’t play against the Pistons.

After playing 13 minutes off the bench in Sunday’s win over the Jazz, Hood-Schifino missed Monday’s loss to Minnesota. His availability does not impact fantasy basketball, especially if Austin Reaves plays.

Reaves has missed the Lakers’ last two games, and there is a chance that he makes it a third straight absence against Miami. D’Angelo Russell played well as a starter in place of Reaves in their last game and should have a large workload again if Reaves remains sidelined.

The Lakers are once again listing Davis as probable for a game. Look for him to play and take on his usual workload in Miami in the penultimate game of Los Angeles’ current road trip.

Jovic last played on November 24, and his absence does not significantly impact fantasy basketball. More minutes will be available to Haywood Highsmith and Jaime Jaquez Jr., who were already ahead of Jovic in the pecking order.

Love missed Miami’s last game while Richardson is in danger of missing his seventh consecutive contest. Thomas Bryant can stay in the rotation if Love misses more time and Richardson hasn’t been much of a factor at all this season.