DeRozan (ankle) is questionable for Saturday’s game versus the Pelicans, Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports. DeRozan is in danger of missing his second straight game Saturday due to a sprained left ankle. With Zach Lavine (foot) already out, DeRozan's potential absence could continue to force Ayo Dosunmu and Alex Caruso into the starting lineup.
Rhoden finished with 26 points (9-15 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and a steal across 30 minutes during Thursday’s 137-108 win over the Herd. Rhoden's 26 points was a game-high, and his fifth 25-plus-point performance through just eight games. To this point, Rhoden sports averages of 22.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 37.1 minutes per game.
Randle is questionable for Friday’s matchup against the Raptors due to right knee inflammation. Randle played 38 minutes during Thursday's 118-112 win over Detroit, totaling 29 points (12-21 FG), 10 rebounds and eight assists. His presence on the injury report is likely just precautionary with the Knicks on the second half of a back-to-back set. However, if Randle is sidelined, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo would be candidates for increased playing time, while Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley would presumably run the Knicks' offense.
Livingston (ankle) posted 10 points (4-11 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks across 24 minutes Wednesday in the G League Wisconsin Herd’s 137-108 loss to the Motor City Cruise. Though he's not one of the Bucks' three two-way players, Livingston was sent out to the Herd to pick up playing time after he had recently missed time with a left ankle sprain. The rookie second-round pick out of Kentucky should rejoin the NBA team in short order, though he's unlikely to be a regular part of Milwaukee's rotation.
Harper won’t return to Friday’s G League matchup against the Maine Celtics due to a rib contusion, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but the Raptors 905 are down to just seven healthy players Friday.
Booker (ankle) won’t play in Friday’s game versus the Nuggets, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports. Booker has been downgraded from questionable to out Friday after he played through a right ankle sprain in Wednesday's 112-105 loss to Toronto. With Bradley Beal (back) also out, Eric Gordon, Grayson Allen and Jordan Goodwin should receive extended minutes out of the backcourt. Booker's next chance to play will come during Saturday's matchup with Memphis.
Johnson is probable for Friday’s game against the Pelicans due to right hip tightness, Ty Jager of FanSided.com reports. Johnson lands on the injury report for the second night of a back-to-back set, but the hip injury shouldn't cause him to miss any game action. After an inconsistent start to the season, Johnson has been a steady producer for San Antonio, averaging 19.3 points (50.0 percent shooting), 7.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals-plus-blocks in 34.0 minutes per game over his last eight appearances.
McDermott (illness) has been ruled out for Friday’s game against the Pelicans, independent NBA writer Matthew Tynan reports. McDermott missed Thursday's game against Atlanta due to his illness, and he'll be unavailable for the second half of the back-to-back set Friday. However, he'll have a few additional days to recover before Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves. Julian Champagnie and Cedi Osman are candidates for larger roles Friday.
Wembanyama (hip) has been ruled out for Friday’s game against the Pelicans, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports. Coach Gregg Popovich signaled after Thursday's loss to Atlanta that Wembanyama's status was uncertain for Friday's matchup, and the No. 1 overall pick will officially be sidelined for the second half of the back-to-back set. Wembanyama will have a few days to rest before the Spurs face Minnesota on Wednesday, while Cedi Osman and Charles Bassey could see increased run against New Orleans.
Harris is listed as out for Friday’s game against the Wizards in a coach’s decision. Harris -- who is one of the Magic's two-way players -- has yet to make his NBA or G League debut this season. He was sidelined to begin the season while recovering from right knee soreness, but he's been ruled out for Orlando's more recent contests due to what the Magic have attributed to coach's decisions. The Magic haven't provided an explanation behind Harris' recent absences, but it's possible the team is holding him out in order to conserve his games count at the NBA level. Two-way players are eligible to be active for up to 50 games in a given season.
Williams amassed 21 points (8-13 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-5 FT), five rebounds, seven assists and one block in 29 minutes during Thursday’s 133-110 win over the Lakers. Williams was efficient from the field and reached the 20-point mark for the third time over his last six appearances. He has been wildly inconsistent with his scoring numbers, but more often than not, he's putting up solid stat lines while holding a secondary role in the Thunder's offensive scheme. He's averaging 18.5 points, 3.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game over that aforementioned six-game stretch.
Gilgeous-Alexander totaled 33 points (11-18 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 10-10 FT), four rebounds, seven assists and one steal across 35 minutes during Thursday’s 133-110 win over the Lakers. Gilgeous-Alexander delivered another dominant performance Thursday, and the star guard continues to show why he's one of the best fantasy assets in The Association night in and night out. He has adjusted well to having Chet Holmgren as another offensive threat, and his numbers have not suffered considerably after posting career-best figures in 2022-23. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.4 points, 5.9 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game over his last 10 contests.
Holmgren closed with 18 points (8-15 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, one assist and two steals over 28 minutes during Thursday’s 133-110 win over the Lakers. Holmgren had to deal with Anthony Davis on both ends of the court throughout the entire contest, so it's not surprising to see him having a down game -- at least by the standards he has set up following a blistering start to the campaign. Holmgren is feeling the rigors of the campaign and the fact that teams are now planning to contain him, as evidenced by his failure to reach the 20-point mark in four of his last five outings. Luckily for fantasy managers, Holmgren does other things as well, so his value is not entirely tied to his scoring prowess.
Davis ended with 31 points (11-18 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 9-10 FT), 14 rebounds, two assists and two steals across 36 minutes during Thursday’s 133-110 loss to the Thunder. Davis has settled himself as the Lakers' main scoring weapon almost on a regular basis, and he delivered another strong showing here, but his efforts were not enough to lift the Lakers to victory. Despite the team's overall struggles, Davis continues to produce and has delivered elite value across the board in fantasy. Over his last five games, he's averaging 23.6 points, 13.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 steals per game.
Joseph provided one point (0-2 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds and two assists across 22 minutes during Thursday’s 120-114 win over the Clippers. With Chris Paul (lower leg), Andrew Wiggins (finger) and Gary Payton (calf) all sidelined, Joseph played a season-high 22 minutes. Joseph didn't deliver immense production, but he figures to remain a key bench option until the aforementioned trio is healthy.
Kuminga finished with 17 points (6-8 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-4 FT), six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal across 23 minutes during Thursday’s 120-114 win over the Clippers. With Andrew Wiggins (finger), Chris Paul (lower leg) and Gary Payton (calf) all sidelined, Kuminga handled increased usage and showcased a solid all-around skill set. When Kuminga plays at least 19 minutes (13 times), he's averaged 13.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 steals-plus-blocks per game. If the aforementioned trio remains sidelined, Kuminga should remain a focal point of Golden State's rotation.
Exum is listed as out for Friday’s contest versus Memphis due to personal reasons. With Exum and Luka Doncic (personal) out, Kyrie Irving, Jaden Hardy and Seth Curry will likely receive extended minutes in the backcourt against the Grizzlies. Exum's next chance to suit up is Saturday's matchup with the Thunder.
Saric contributed 13 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, five assists and one steal in 27 minutes during Thursday’s 120-114 victory over the Clippers. Saric has scored double figures in eight of his last nine appearances (two starts). During that stretch, he's averaged 14.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 24.3 minutes per game. Despite Kevon Looney starting, Saric is the more appealing fantasy option in Golden State's frontcourt, even with Draymond Green back from his five-game suspension.
James provided 21 points (7-12 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal in 35 minutes during Thursday’s 133-110 loss to the Thunder. James made his presence felt on both ends of the court, but as has been the case in recent years, he can't carry the team on his own to win games as he did in his prime, especially against teams that push up the pace like Oklahoma City. That being said, James remains a valuable contributor in fantasy and continues to deliver above-average value even if his best years are slightly behind him.
Podziemski provided 13 points (5-10 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds and two assists in 31 minutes during Thursday’s 120-114 win over the Clippers. With Chris Paul (lower leg), Andrew Wiggins (finger) and Gary Payton (calf) all sidelined, Podziemski played 30-plus minutes for the season time in his career. When given extended playing time, the rookie has yet to disappoint, averaging 12.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists when playing at least 23 minutes this season (six times). If the aforementioned trio remains out, Podziemski should continue to handle sizable usage as the leader of the second unit.
Russell contributed 16 points (6-13 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, 10 assists and one steal over 32 minutes during Thursday’s 133-110 loss to the Thunder. Russell delivered his second double-double of the campaign and rounded out a solid stat line despite the 23-point loss. Russell has a secondary role on offense behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but he's finding ways to contribute and has scored at least 15 points in four of his last six appearances.
Looney racked up two points (0-4 FG, 2-2 FT), five rebounds and two assists across 13 minutes during Thursday’s 120-114 win over the Clippers. Looney played his season-fewest minutes of the season and failed to deliver meaningful production once again. Over his last five appearances (all starts), Looney has averaged just 4.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 21.0 minutes per game. At this point, Dario Saric is the more attractive fantasy option in Golden State's frontcourt, regardless of who's in the starting lineup.
Prosper (ankle) is available for Friday’s game versus the Grizzlies. Prosper has been upgraded from questionable to available Friday despite dealing with a right ankle sprain. With Luka Doncic (personal) out and Tim Hardaway (back) questionable, the rookie forward could see an increase in minutes.
Green amassed 13 points (4-8 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds and five assists over 29 minutes during Thursday’s 120-114 win over the Clippers. Making his second appearance following a five-game suspension, Green delivered modest production and failed to register a tally in either defensive category. The defensive-minded forward was limited to start the regular season due to an ankle injury he suffered during training camp but appears full go as he's played 33 and 29 minutes, respectively, in the last two games. On the season, Green is averaging fewer rebounds, assists, blocks and steals per game than last season, but he's scoring 9.1 points per game, which would be his highest mark since 2017-18.
Doncic has been ruled out for Friday’s game against the Grizzlies due to personal reasons, NBA writer Marc Stein reports. Doncic will be sidelined for the first time this season, and it's not yet clear whether he'll return to action Saturday against Oklahoma City. Dante Exum, Kyrie Irving, Jaden Hardy and Seth Curry are candidates to pick up the slack in Doncic's absence.
Thompson provided 22 points (8-18 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six rebounds, two assists and one block across 34 minutes during Thursday’s 120-114 victory over the Clippers. Thompson failed to score 20 points in 13 straight appearances to start the season, but he's eclipsed that mark in four of his last five games. During that stretch, the sharpshooter has averaged 20.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 31.0 minutes per game.
Moody accumulated 13 points (6-10 FG, 1-4 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist and one block over 28 minutes during Thursday’s 120-114 win over the Clippers. With Andrew Wiggins (finger) sidelined, Moody stepped into the starting lineup and delivered quality production. He tied his season high with 13 points, marking his eighth double-digit scoring performance. When Moody has played at least 20 minutes (six times), he's averaging 10.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 23.0 minutes, so if Wiggins remains out, Moody could emerge as a streaming candidate.
Curry racked up 26 points (8-15 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 7-9 FT), seven rebounds, eight assists, one block and one steal across 33 minutes during Thursday’s 120-114 win over the Clippers. While the rest of the Warriors struggle with consistency, Curry remains looked in. The two-time MVP has averaged 27.2 points on 46.7 percent shooting to go along with 5.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists over his last six games.
Bey closed with 13 points (5-8 FG, 3-4 3Pt), four rebounds and three steals over 34 minutes during Thursday’s 137-135 win over the Spurs. Bey was efficient on both ends of the court and delivered a decent stat line in an offense carried by Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. Bey has been playing as the starting power forward in place of Jalen Johnson (wrist), and he figures to remain in that role for the time being since Johnson is expected to be out for a few weeks in a best-case scenario.
Theis provided 10 points (4-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds and two assists over 15 minutes during Thursday’s 120-114 loss to the Warriors. Theis scored in double figures for the second time this season. With Mason Plumlee (knee) sidelined, Theis has garnered a solid role as the primary backup to Ivica Zubac, averaging 7.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.9 blocks in 17.4 minutes over his last seven appearances.
Murray totaled 24 points (10-21 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, two assists and five steals across 35 minutes during Thursday’s 137-135 victory over the Spurs. Murray stuffed the stat sheet against his former team and delivered a well-rounded stat line as the Hawks barely escaped with a win over the Spurs. The veteran floor general has struggled with consistency in terms of his scoring figures, but he's trending in the right direction of late and has scored at least 20 points in three of his last six appearances.
Westbrook had 14 points (5-13 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 11 rebounds and six assists over 26 minutes during Thursday’s 120-114 loss to the Warriors. Westbrook continues to come off the bench but notched his second double-double over the last three games. Coming off the bench was a struggle for Westbrook at first, as he averaged just 7.3 points on 27.8 percent shooting through the first four games. However, he has picked things up of late, averaging 12.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists over the past four matchups. Westbrook's fantasy value remains limited in his current role, but he can still make an impact as a reserve.
Young produced 45 points (15-29 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 13-16 FT), four rebounds, 14 assists and two steals across 40 minutes during Thursday’s 137-135 victory over the Spurs. Young can light up the scoreboard on any game, and he was impressive Thursday against a combative San Antonio team that didn't go down at any point in the contest. Young has been a double-double machine this season and has registered that tally in 11 of his 17 appearances. Plus, this was a season-high mark in scoring, and his third outing with 40 or more points in the current campaign. Young can be prone to deliver some off nights in terms of shooting and turnovers, but his shooting volume and usage rate grant him a high floor every time he steps on the court.
Zubac produced 18 points (7-11 FG, 4-5 FT), 13 rebounds and one block across 27 minutes during Thursday’s 120-114 loss to the Warriors. Zubac appears to be finding his niche with the new-look Clippers, as the big man has recorded three double-doubles over his last four games. During that stretch, he has averaged 16.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks in 28.0 minutes.
Leonard supplied 23 points (9-17 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds and two steals in 35 minutes during Thursday’s 120-114 loss to the Warriors. Leonard has scored at least 20 points in seven of his last eight appearances, averaging 23.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks in 34.4 minutes during that stretch. The addition of James Harden has certainly impacted Leonard's production, as the latter is averaging fewer points, rebounds and assists per game than last year, but Leonard remains a consistent producer regardless of who he shares the court with.
Johnson registered 22 points (8-15 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists and one steal across 33 minutes during Thursday’s 137-135 loss to Atlanta. The Spurs came up short and lost to the Hawks, but Johnson had another impressive performance to extend his sizzling streak. Since returning from a one-game absence in mid-November, Johnson scored 20 or more points in five of his last seven contests while shooting an impressive 51.1 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from three-point range. Johnson has seen his numbers dip a bit with the emergence of players such as Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama (hip), but he's still a talented player who can carry the Spurs on offense through prolonged stretches.
Mann ended Thursday’s 120-114 loss to the Warriors with nine points (4-10 FG, 1-4 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist and one steal over 34 minutes. Mann has started eight straight games, averaging 7.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 27.5 minutes during that stretch. He figures to remain in a starting role while Russell Westbrook operates off the bench, but it'll be difficult for Mann to deliver consistent fantasy production when sharing the court with James Harden, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
Richardson closed with 19 points (8-11 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four rebounds and three assists in 32 minutes off the bench during Thursday’s 142-132 win over the Pacers. The veteran guard has scored in double digits in six straight games, and Richardson has become a key figure in the Miami backcourt while Tyler Herro (ankle) has been sidelined. Richardson is averaging 30.1 minutes over 11 games without Herro in the lineup, supplying 12.5 points, 3.5 assists, 2.9 boards, 1.5 threes and 0.8 steals over that stretch. With Herro inching closer to a return though, Richardson's run of deep-league fantasy utility could soon come to an end.
Jaquez closed Thursday’s 142-132 win over Indiana with 24 points (8-13 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 7-7 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal over 33 minutes. It was a career-best scoring effort for the 18th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, as Jaquez continues to take advantage of Tyler Herro's absence due to an ankle injury. The 22-year-old is averaging 32.4 minutes in 11 games since Herro was sidelined with 16.0 points, 4.6 boards, 3.0 assists, 1.6 threes and 1.0 steals, plus a 53.8/46.2/90.0 shooting line that belies his status as a rookie. Herro should be back in the lineup early in December, but Jaquez doesn't figure to give up his increased role in the rotation easily.
Harden chipped in 18 points (6-13 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, seven assists and one steal over 37 minutes during Thursday’s 120-114 loss to the Warriors. Harden sank a season-high five three-pointers during Wednesday's win over Sacramento and tied that mark Thursday. He also continues to distribute at a high level, notching at least six assists in seven of his last eight appearances, and has recorded at least one steal in seven straight games. Harden isn't as prolific as his days in Houston, but he can still deliver quality fantasy outings consistently, even when sharing the court with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook.
Butler produced 36 points (9-18 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 18-20 FT), 10 rebounds and three assists over 38 minutes during Thursday’s 142-132 win over the Pacers. The veteran forward tied his season high in scoring and produced his second double-double of the campaign as he carried the load for a Heat roster that's still without Tyler Herro (ankle) and which saw Bam Adebayo (hip) play only 12 minutes Thursday. Butler had missed the last two games himself due to an ankle injury, but his short-term usage figures to skyrocket if Adebayo is forced to miss additional time. In his eight games since Herro was sidelined, Butler's averaging 24.6 points, 4.6 boards, 4.4 assists, 1.3 threes and 1.0 steals.
George posted 15 points (6-18 FG, 3-10 3Pt), one rebound and 10 assists in 37 minutes during Thursday’s 120-114 loss to Golden State. George's shooting struggles continued Thursday, and he's connected on just 30.6 percent of his field-goal attempts over his last three games. He also got into foul trouble again, but that didn't deter him from playing heavy minutes. While the season-high 10 assists salvaged George's fantasy line, fantasy managers are certainly hoping for more consistent, all-around production from the All-Star forward.
Sochan had 33 points (12-14 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), eight rebounds, six assists and one steal across 36 minutes during Thursday’s 137-135 loss to Atlanta. The experiment of playing Sochan as a point guard has drawn mixed reviews and has delivered a few head-scratching moments, but head coach Gregg Popovich is sticking with his idea. From a statistical perspective, it worked Thursday, as Sochan posted one of the best games of his career while contributing at both ends. His overall-season numbers have looked on par with last season's, though. This 33-point output was a season-high mark by a wide margin, as his previous season-best mark was "only" 19 points.
Brown finished Thursday’s 142-132 loss to the Heat with 15 points (5-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 5-7 FT), six rebounds and three assists across 32 minutes. The veteran wing continues to provide consistent production in a supporting role for the Pacers. Brown has scored in double digits in seven straight games, averaging 12.6 points, 3.9 boards, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals over 32.0 minutes a night during that stretch, and he's done it while struggling to find his rhythm from beyond the arc -- he's shooting just 21.7 percent (5-for-23) on three-point attempts in that time, a number that could improve rapidly given that Brown shot 37.1 percent from downtown over the prior two seasons.
DiVincenzo ended with 12 points (4-8 FG, 4-8 3Pt), three rebounds, two assists and one block across 23 minutes during Thursday’s 118-112 victory over the Pistons. DiVincenzo doesn't stand out for his scoring ability, but he made his presence felt Thursday after knocking down four attempts from beyond the arc. He's not expected to deliver these numbers on a regular basis, however, so his fantasy upside should remain limited given his bench role and inconsistencies on offense. After all, he has scored in double digits just six times across 18 appearances.
Randle accumulated 29 points (12-21 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-6 FT), 10 rebounds, eight assists and one block across 38 minutes during Thursday’s 118-112 win over the Pistons. Randle posted his second straight double-double, but that's not all, as the star power forward ended just two boards shy of recording what would've been his first triple-double of the campaign. Randle has bounced back following an ugly start to the season, and while he could improve a bit in the consistency department, it's worth noting he's moving in the right direction. Over his last five appearances, Randle is averaging 23.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
Brunson closed Thursday’s 118-112 victory over the Pistons with 42 points (13-24 FG, 7-12 3Pt, 9-10 FT), six rebounds, eight assists and one steal across 40 minutes. Brunson was coming off a subpar 12-point effort against the Hornets on Nov. 28, but he bounced back admirably and recorded his second-best scoring mark of the campaign. The star guard has been on an absolute tear of late, scoring at least 20 points in all but one of his last 10 appearances and shooting a robust 52.4 percent from the field in that span.
Toppin closed with 25 points (10-15 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 2-5 FT), two rebounds, three assists and one block in 33 minutes during Thursday’s 142-132 loss to the Heat. The 25-year-old forward is emerging as a real asset for the Pacers on the offensive end of the court, although Toppin's defensive limitations still cost him court time on occasion. He's scored at least 15 points in five straight games during which he's played at least 24 minutes, although he's fallen short of that mark in two other contests during that seven-game stretch. With Jalen Smith (knee/heel) sidelined and lacking a firm timeline for his return, Toppin's role in the frontcourt seems secure in the short term.
Duren posted 10 points (5-7 FG), 12 rebounds and two assists in 34 minutes during Thursday’s 118-112 loss to the Knicks. Duren was efficient from the field and made his presence felt on both ends of the court Thursday en route to his third double-double over his last four appearances. Duren has slowed down a bit following an impressive start to the campaign, but he remains a must-roster player across all formats due to his two-way play and sky-high potential.
Haliburton had 44 points (15-28 FG, 6-16 3Pt, 8-12 FT), two rebounds, 10 assists, one block and three steals over 40 minutes during Thursday’s 142-132 loss to Miami. The Pacers eventually faded late to lose the track meet, but Haliburton set a new career scoring high along the way, topping the 43 points he dropped on the Hornets less than a month ago. The double-double was also the 13th in 16 games for the fourth-year guard, and Haliburton leads the NBA in assists with 11.8 per game while also sitting just outside the top 10 with 27.0 points per contest.
Allen amassed 12 points (6-9 FG), 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 38 minutes during Thursday’s 103-95 loss to the Trail Blazers. The 25-year-old center has just three double-doubles on the season, but they've all come in the last six contests as Allen finally appears back in form after an ankle injury cost him the first five games of 2023-24. Over that six-game stretch, he's averaging 15.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 71.2 percent from the floor and 88.9 percent from the free-throw line.
Tillman (knee) is questionable for Friday’s game against the Mavericks. Tillman has missed six straight games due to a left knee injury but has a chance to suit up Friday. Even if the Michigan State product is cleared, he'll presumably handle a reserve role behind Bismack Biyombo, who's drawn 11 straight starts in the Grizzlies' depleted frontcourt.
Mobley ended Thursday’s 103-95 loss to the Trail Blazers with 20 points (9-14 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and two steals in 34 minutes. It was the third-year big's best scoring effort since he dropped 21 on Portland in their last meeting Nov. 15, but it was also just the second time in his last 10 games that Mobley has failed to pull down double-digit boards. The 22-year-old is averaging 16.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.6 blocks and 0.9 steals over that stretch while shooting 62.9 percent from the floor, and while his offensive role hasn't grown since his rookie season, Mobley's gradually improving his efficiency and defensive contributions.
Mitchell closed Thursday’s 103-95 loss to the Trail Blazers with 23 points (7-20 FG, 1-9 3Pt, 8-8 FT), seven rebounds, six assists and four steals across 33 minutes. The 27-year-old guard led the Cavs in scoring, but his struggles from beyond the arc were also emblematic as the team shot just 21.9 percent (7-for-32) from three-point range on the night. Mitchell is still trying to find his rhythm since returning from a hamstring strain -- over his last four games, he's shooting 36.3 percent from the floor and just 19.4 percent (6-for-31) from long distance while averaging 23.8 points, 7.0 boards, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.5 threes.
Hayes finished Thursday’s 118-112 loss to the Knicks with 23 points (10-13 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-4 FT), three rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 28 minutes. Hayes was impressive in his return to the starting lineup, and he continues to evidence improved rapport and chemistry when playing alongside Cade Cunningham in the backcourt. Hayes is averaging 11.1 points and 4.5 assists per game when deployed as a starter, and he might remain in that role against the Cavaliers on Saturday. If that's the case, then his fantasy upside could get a considerable uptick based on his usage rate.
Walker supplied six points (3-7 FG, 0-2 3Pt), 12 rebounds, one assist and one steal in 24 minutes during Thursday’s 103-95 win over Cleveland. The dozen boards were a career high for Walker, but it's just the second time in 18 games this season he's reached double digits. The 2022 second-round pick isn't supplying consistent production yet, but he's played at least 14 minutes off the bench in 12 straight games as he helps fill in for Robert Williams (knee), averaging 8.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.7 threes in just 19.2 minutes a night. Should anything happen to remove Jerami Grant from the frontcourt picture, Walker's fantasy value could skyrocket.
Reath provided 13 points (4-5 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 18 minutes during Thursday’s 103-95 win over the Cavaliers. The 27-year-old rookie seems to enjoy playing against Cleveland -- the two biggest scoring performances of his NBA career have come versus the Cavs, as he dropped 16 points on them back on Nov. 15. Reath has seen consistent minutes in the Blazers' frontcourt rotation since Robert Williams (knee) was lost for the season, but as yet he hasn't supplied much fantasy value beyond his three-point shooting.
Cunningham had 31 points (12-20 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, eight assists and two steals in 37 minutes during Thursday’s 118-112 loss to New York. The Pistons fought hard in this one, and while they took another loss, the performance of their young backcourt of Cunningham and Killian Hayes was encouraging. Cunningham is firmly entrenched as Detroit's primary scoring threat, and the numbers back him up, as he's cleared the 25-point mark in four of his last five appearances. He's averaging 26.0 points, 6.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game in that span.
Sharpe chipped in 29 points (11-15 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 10 rebounds, five assists and one steal across 39 minutes during Thursday’s 103-95 victory over the Cavaliers. The second-year guard led all scorers on the night as he tied his season highs in points and made three-pointers while delivering his first double-double. Sharpe has only failed to score in double digits once so far in 2023-24, and the 20-year-old has taken full advantage of Damian Lillard's departure and a thumb injury to Anfernee Simons. Simons is aiming for a mid-December return, which could cut into Sharpe's usage, but having some reliable help in the backcourt aside from Malcolm Brogdon -- rookie Scoot Henderson is shooting just 33.3 percent from the floor -- might also boost his efficiency.
Howard was recalled from the G League’s Orlando Magic on Friday, Philip Rossman-Reich of OrlandoMagicDaily.com reports. Howard spent the last week and a half in the G League but will rejoin the parent club ahead of Orlando's back-to-back set this weekend. Howard has been on the fringes of Orlando's rotation this year and is unlikely to see significant playing time now that he's back in the NBA.
Embiid (illness), who remains questionable for Friday’s game against the Celtics, wasn’t at the 76ers’ morning shootaround, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports. Embiid missed Wednesday's game against New Orleans due to an illness, and his absence from Friday's shootaround doesn't bode well for his availability against Boston. However, the 76ers will presumably continue to monitor the center as tipoff approaches. Marcus Morris, Paul Reed and Robert Covington are candidates for increased work if Embiid sits.
LaVine (foot) will be out for Saturday’s game against the Pelicans and is expected to be sidelined for at least the next week, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports. The 28-year-old sat out Thursday's win over the Bucks with foot soreness and is expected to miss at least two additional games. LaVine's next chance to take the court should come Dec. 8 in San Antonio. Alex Caruso, Ayo Dosunmu and Jevon Carter should have expanded roles in LaVine's absence.
Craig closed with 10 points (4-10 FG, 2-6 3Pt), eight rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 27 minutes during Thursday’s 120-113 overtime victory over the Bucks. Craig played a larger role than usual with the second unit, as the Bulls were shorthanded Thursday with Zach LaVine (foot) and DeMar DeRozan (ankle) both sitting out. While Thursday's performance was solid, Craig has fallen behind Patrick Williams in the pecking order for Chicago. For a player that needs a lot of minutes in fantasy to make up for his low usage rate, Craig is not in a great spot for value these days.
Portis amassed four points (2-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt), nine rebounds, two assists and two steals across 31 minutes during Thursday’s 120-113 overtime loss to the Bulls. This was an uninspiring fantasy line from Portis, especially considering he played 31 minutes. He's been cold for several games now, scoring in double figures just once in his last five contests. Over that stretch, Portis is averaging 5.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in 26.0 minutes.
Beasley finished with 19 points (7-19 FG, 5-15 3Pt), three rebounds, three assists and two steals over 41 minutes during Thursday’s 120-113 overtime loss to the Bulls. Beasley's 41 minutes marked a season high with this game going to overtime. He's now hit at least five triples in four games this season, and he's been heating up in recent games. Over his last three appearances, Beasley has averaged 16.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 4.3 three-pointers.
Dosunmu ended Thursday’s 120-113 overtime win over Milwaukee with 14 points (6-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, six assists and three steals over 39 minutes. Dosunmu moved into the starting lineup Thursday, as the Bulls were without Zach LaVine (foot) and DeMar DeRozan (ankle). Dosunmu set season highs in minutes played (39), points (14), assists (six) and rebounds (six), and he also tied his season best of three steals. Another heavy workload could be on the table for Saturday against the Pelicans if the Bulls are shorthanded again.
White registered 23 points (7-20 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 5-6 FT), four rebounds, seven assists, one block and one steal across 45 minutes during Thursday’s 120-113 overtime victory over the Bucks. The Bulls snapped a five-game losing streak Thursday, and they did it despite the absence of Zach LaVine (foot) and DeMar DeRozan (ankle). That explains the increased usage for White on Thursday, as he and Nikola Vucevic combined to score 52 points. With the status of LaVine and DeRozan in the air for Saturday against the Pelicans, White could be in line for more usage again.
Vucevic chipped in 29 points (11-21 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 10 rebounds, six assists and one steal in 40 minutes during Thursday’s 120-113 overtime victory over the Bucks. Vucevic finally found his groove Thursday, breaking a streak of three straight games with single-digit points. Vucevic had no choice but to be more assertive offensively, as the Bulls were without Zach LaVine (foot) and DeMar DeRozan (ankle) on Thursday. The Bulls snapped a five-game losing streak, and this performance could help Vucevic pick up some momentum.
Washington finished Thursday’s 129-128 win over the Nets with 10 points (2-11 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds, five assists, two blocks and three steals in 33 minutes. Brandon Miller (ankle) sat out Thursday's game, and although Washington didn't get the start, he reached 33 minutes for the first time since Nov. 18. Miles Bridges is clearly the favored option at power forward for Charlotte, but Washington's ability to contribute across the box score will help to keep his fantasy value afloat as a key part of the second unit.
McGowens posted 14 points (5-7 FG, 4-5 3Pt), two rebounds, three assists and one block across 22 minutes during Thursday’s 129-128 win over the Nets. McGowens drew the start in place of Brandon Miller, who is day-to-day with an ankle issue. McGowens' 14 points marked a season high, and it was the third time this season he scored in double figures. With LaMelo Ball (ankle) sidelined for multiple games, McGowens could see his fantasy value trend up if Miller also misses more time, as the Hornets need some floor spacing.
Rozier produced 37 points (13-25 FG, 7-9 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, 13 assists and two steals across 40 minutes during Thursday’s 129-128 win over the Nets. Rozier's 37 points mark a season high, and he finished six points shy of his career high (43). This is what fantasy managers want to see from Rozier in the absence of LaMelo Ball (ankle), as they were left disappointed when Rozier was held to 11 points in 33 minutes against the Knicks on Tuesday. Expect heavy usage from Rozier for the foreseeable future.
