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Thybulle

Thybulle has yet to play this season, since he suffered a severe ankle injury while recovering from a knee procedure that he underwent just before the regular season. It appears he still isn’t that close to returning, but that won’t impact fantasy basketball.

Thybulle injured his ankle while ramping up from a right knee procedure that he underwent shortly before the season started, but this setback will keep him sidelined until at least the middle of December. It’s unfortunate news for Thybulle, but it won’t have any direct impact on their recent rotations.

Thybulle has been dealing with inflammation in his knee, and a decision was made to have him undergo a procedure to address the issue. His absence ensures young wings such as Kris Murray and Dalano Banton will be able to earn minutes, but this is unlikely to impact fantasy basketball significantly.

Thybulle was forced to exit Friday’s loss to the Heat after playing seven minutes, a sign he may have returned too early after missing five games. His absence frees up additional minutes for Rayan Rupert and Dalano Banton, with the latter offering a superior fantasy ceiling.

Thybulle had missed their last five games due to this same ankle injury, and he logged seven minutes in this game before exiting for the night. They are down more than 40 points, which could be a factor in ending his night early. Dalano Banton and Rayan Rupert should take on some extra minutes.

Ayton and Thybulle will both be back after multi-game absences, which is a bit surprising for the tanking Blazers. Ayton’s return should push Duop Reath back to the bench, while Jabari Walker has already been reported as the starter in place of the injured Toumani Camara.

Ayton has missed Portland’s last four games, while Thybulle has sat out the previous five. The former’s availability is more impactful, as Duop Reath has been a solid fantasy option in Ayton’s absence. Should Thybulle be cleared to play, he can absorb some of the minutes that would have gone to Toumani Camara, who has been ruled out with a rib injury.

All three players will remain sidelined once again, which will allow Portland to continue to roll out its starting unit of five rookies. Rupert is the only member of thise starting group that doesn’t rank inside the top-125 in 9-cat scoring over the past week, though Dalano Banton has met those qualifications as a reserve.

Ayton is the more prominent name regarding Portland’s rotation and fantasy value. His absence recently has pushed Duop Reath back into the starting lineup, and the rookie is worth streaming in that role. As for Thybulle, Dalano Banton has logged heavy minutes in his absence. Like Reath, Banton is worth streaming with the Blazers down multiple contributors.

Thybulle will miss a fourth straight game, which will allow Rayan Rupert to remain in the starting unit. That also opens the door for Dalano Banton to continue to see extra minutes off the bench. In their last game, Banton logged 33 minutes, while Rupert only played 16, despite starting. Banton is the better fantasy option moving forward.