Jalen Smith (sprained left ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Kings.
Smith sprained his ankle during Saturday's loss, playing just four minutes as a result. With this being the second game of a back-to-back, it would not be a surprise if the Suns decided to keep the rookie on the bench. Smith doesn't offer much in the way of fantasy value when healthy, so feel free to leave him on the waiver wire for the time being.
Tony Snell (right foot inflammation) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Clippers.
Even when healthy, Snell won't offer much in the way of fantasy value. He can be left on the waiver wire.
The Thunder have picked up Ty Jerome's third-year rookie contract option.
Jerome was acquired during the offseason as part of the Chris Paul trade, and he's the only player that the Thunder decided to hang onto. While the second-year point guard is currently sidelined due to an ankle injury, Jerome is a player that Oklahoma City likes. He'll have his chances to produce once cleared to play.
Jaylen Nowell (left soleus strain) has been ruled out for Sunday game against the Lakers.
When healthy Nowell isn't part of the Timberwolves rotation, so nothing changes when it comes to his fantasy value.
Marquese Chriss will undergo surgery after suffering a right syndesmosis ankle injury with a fibular fracture during Saturday's practice.
Chriss has already been ruled out indefinitely, with Shams Charania of The Athletic reporting on Sunday morning that he would miss the remainder of the season. The Warriors have yet to provide an official timeline for recovery, saying via statement that it will not do so until after the operation is completed.
The Blazers have exercised the fourth-year rookie scale option for Anfernee Simons and the third-year rookie scale option for Nassir Little, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Simons, who had been sidelined due to a hamstring injury, played 10 minutes in his regular season debut Saturday night. As for Little, he has yet to fully rejoin his teammates after having to miss time due to the league's medical protocols. Portland picking up both players' options doesn't come as a surprise, especially with the promise that Simons has shown at various points in his young career.
Immanuel Quickley (left hip pointer) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Bucks.
Quickley was held out of Saturday's loss to Philadelphia, and it appears likely that he will miss a second straight game. Dennis Smith Jr. served as the backup point guard but wasn't particularly impressive, and Frank Ntilikina's name wasn't called until the fourth quarter. Neither is worth rostering in any fantasy format.
Edmond Sumner (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Celtics.
Sumner did not play in Saturday's win over the Bulls for the same reason. Even if he is cleared to go Sunday night, Sumner isn't worth the trouble in any fantasy format.
Thaddeus Young (leg infection) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Warriors.
Young was listed as out on Saturday's injury report ahead of the Bulls' loss to Indiana, so the upgrade represents a step in the right direction. That being said, the veteran forward is unlikely to be made available for Sunday's game. And Young isn't a fantasy option in any format once cleared to play.
Austin Rivers (right groin soreness) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bucks.
Rivers has yet to appear in a game for the Knicks this season, but he has made some progress towards full clearance. Given how bad the team's point guards have been, Rivers could offer some low-end value once he's able to play.
Derrick White (left toe) is listed as out for Sunday's game against the Pelicans.
No surprise here, as there remains no timeline for a return even with Gregg Popovich saying on Saturday that White "should return soon." Video of White going through his pregame paces ahead of Saturday's win over the Raptors hit the internet, which backs up Popovich's assessment of the situation. The young guard will factor prominently in Spurs' plans, so if White isn't already stashed in an IL spot, now is the time to rectify that.
James Ennis (right calf/hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Wizards.
Ennis has missed each of Orlando's three regular season games, and at this point it is unknown when he'll be cleared to play. Dwayne Bacon has been starting in his place, but he hasn't been all that productive. Feel free to leave him on the waiver wire, as Terrence Ross (who should already be rostered in most leagues) is a far better choice.
Kevin Knox (left knee soreness) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Bucks.
Knox played 29 minutes in Saturday's loss to the 76ers, accounting for seven points, four rebounds, three assists and one 3-pointer. He hasn't been great, but the third-year forward has done enough to ensure himself of a spot in Tom Thibodeau's rotation. Leave Knox on the waiver wire for the time being.
Dennis Smith Jr. (left quad contusion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Milwaukee.
With Immanuel Quickley (left hip pointer) doubtful to play, DSJ has managed to slide into the backup point guard role. But he isn't worth rostering in any fantasy format. If anything, the turmoil at the point guard position has boosted Alec Burks' fantasy value. Grab him off of the waiver wire if he's still available.
Bam Adebayo said recently that one of the reasons why rookie Precious Achiuwa has been playing well is the presence of Goran Dragic.
Dragic is back in the sixth man role after moving into the starting lineup during Miami's run to the NBA Finals, and one of the players who has benefitted is Achiuwa. While the rookie still has plenty to learn, playing alongside the veteran point guard has helped him early on. "He wants Precious to score. He wants Precious to do the little things and he congratulates him by giving him the ball, throwing him lobs," Adebayo said when asked about Dragic. "That’s how you get rookies kind of get their feet wet: keep giving them the ball and keep feeding them. Goran has been feeding him positive energy, so [Achiuwa] has been playing well." Achiuwa was limited to 19 minutes in Friday's win over the Pelicans but he was productive, finishing with 11 points, three rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot. At this point he doesn't offer much in the way of fantasy value, but that could change as the season wears on.
Rodney Hood finished Saturday's overtime win over the Rockets with three points (1-of-2 FGs), one assist, two steals and one 3-pointer in 16 minutes.
Hood scored his first points since returning from the ruptured Achilles tendon that ended his 2019-20 season last December, and he is part of a fierce competition for second-unit minutes on the wing. Gary Trent Jr. played just six minutes Saturday night and Anfernee Simons, who can also be used at the point, played 10 minutes in his first game back from a hamstring injury. Trent's play in the bubble raised his fantasy profile entering this season, and he remains the best option of the three. Hood is still on a minutes restriction, and Simons won't be rushed back either.
DeAndre Ayton played 30 minutes but scored just nine points on 3-of-5 shooting in a loss to the Kings on Saturday night.
Through two games, Ayton has a combined 22 points, 20 rebounds and 14 shot attempts. He should be doing that every game, honestly. If you drafted Ayton, you’re certainly not satisfied with these numbers. The Suns need to feed Ayton in the post and run more PNR and pick-and-pop action with him to maximize his size and skillset. He is a former No. 1 overall pick, after all.
Anfernee Simons shot 2-of-5 from the field and 1-of-2 from the foul line in Saturday’s overtime win over Houston, scoring seven points with one rebound, one steal and two 3-pointers in 10 minutes.
Simons made his season debut Saturday night after missing the opener and much of the preseason due to a hamstring injury. He didn’t play much, but Simons’ return will likely siphon some minutes away from Gary Trent Jr. A breakout play in the bubble, Trent Jr. played just six minutes Saturday night and accounted for one rebound. With both Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum and Derrick Jones Jr. all playing at least 36 minutes, there weren’t many minutes available to either Simons or Trent Jr. If this happens on a consistent basis, that doesn’t bode well for either when it comes to their respective fantasy values.
Jusuf Nurkic tallied 12 points (5-of-11 FGs, 2-of-6 FTs) 11 rebounds, six assists and one blocked shot in 35 minutes Saturday vs. the Rockets.
Nurkic’s 2-of-6 night from the charity stripe did those who have him rostered no favors, but at least he came through with a double-double and a solid assist tally. Portland’s starting center played just 22 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to Utah, but he should consistently pass the 30-minute barrier on most night. The good news when it comes to managing Nurkic’s workload: Portland won’t have its first back-to-back until January 13-14.
Enes Kanter played 18 minutes off the bench in Saturday’s win over the Rockets, scoring 10 points (4-of-5 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs) to go along with nine rebounds and one blocked shot.
After a rough stint off the bench during the first half, Kanter was much better during the second half. Long known for his offensive rebounding prowess (he had four Saturday), Kanter was able to extend multiple possessions as the Blazers mounted their rally. With Zach Collins still sidelined Kanter is worth grabbing off of the waiver wire (if available), especially for those in need to rebounding.