NBA Player News

Simons followed up his seven-point performance against the Clippers on Tuesday with 14 points against the Jazz. Technically, it’s a step in the right direction. For fantasy managers, Simons going 8-of-26 with 21 points in his last two games combined is certainly less than ideal. The 25-year-old shooting guard will look to breakout of this mini-slump against the Lakers on Sunday.

Aldama played three minutes before exiting Thursday’s game with a sprained ankle. His chances of returning are slim, so Jake LaRavia should play more minutes off the bench. He’s only worth adding if Aldama is forced to miss an extended period.

Green returned to the lineup Monday after dealing with a leg injury and played against the Lakers on Wednesday. Now he’s on the injury report with a back injury. Kyle Anderson could replace Green in the starting lineup if the latter is out Friday, but he isn’t worth streaming.

Curry will sit out Friday’s game due to pain in both knees. His absence changes the entire Warriors ecosystem on the offensive end of the floor. Buddy Hield, Andrew Wiggins, and Jonathan Kuminga will all have more opportunities to score. Brandin Podziemski will also be in the mix for a more significant workload, which could be the catalyst that the second-year guard needs.

Toppin briefly left the game with ankle injury in the first quarter before returning in the second quarter. Upon returning, the 26-year-old power forward was noticeably slowed by the injury. He didn’t come back for the second half. Toppin is probably a long shot to get back on the floor Friday against the Celtics.

Thursday’s game is the second Williams has missed with his sprained ankle, the first being Monday’s loss to the Mavericks. Deandre Ayton and Donovan Clingan will be the starting and backup centers on Thursday. Clingan’s fantasy value as the backup isn’t great, but he’s worth rostering in deep leagues.

Banton missed two games with a hip injury last week before returning for Monday’s game against the Mavericks. The 25-year-old point guard is out again Thursday. While his absence doesn’t significantly impact fantasy basketball, it’s a blow to the Trail Blazers’ bench depth.

Sabonis was trending towards missing Thursday’s game as he was initially listed as questionable and then missed the afternoon shootaround. Trey Lyles has started both games Sabonis has missed this season and figures to be in the starting lineup again against the Pistons.

Toppin spent some time in the locker room after injuring his ankle during the first quarter of Thursday’s game. He has since returned to game action, which is obviously good news for the Pacers and fantasy managers.

Booker and Allen will miss another game, with the former’s absence being far more impactful on fantasy basketball. Royce O’Neale will remain in the starting lineup until Booker returns, and he is worth rostering for the time being.

Already dealing with a left calf contusion, Payton suffered a mild strain of the same calf during the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s loss to the Lakers. He’ll be re-evaluated in one week, meaning GPII will miss at least three games, beginning with Friday’s game against the Clippers. His absence does not significantly impact fantasy basketball, but it will free up added minutes for Moses Moody.