Ben Simmons (left calf tightness) is probable for Saturday's game vs. the Nets.
It's very rare in the NBA that a player listed as 'probable' will sit out a game, but that was the case for Simmons vs. Portland on Thursday. He's had a few extra days to let his calf recover, and barring a setback it sounds like he'll be back in his usual role as a nightly triple-double threat. Thursday's unexpected DNP is a vivid lesson why fantasy managers should still confirm his status before relying on him in DFS.
Seth Curry (illness) is questionable to play vs. the Nets on Saturday.
Curry shot 0-of-3 in 29 minutes on Wednesday, then exited Thursday's game after playing 12 scoreless minutes and did not return. He recently returned from COVID-19 and it appears this is just a 'regular' illness, so even if he's out Thursday his absence shouldn't stretch too much longer.
P.J. Dozier (right hamstring strain) won't play vs. the Kings on Saturday.
Dozier doesn't have a timetable to return and he's still being ruled out a day in advance, so more DNPs could be coming. We'll stop updating his status every day and until there's some sign of progress he should be considered 'out indefinitely'.
Facundo Campazzo (sore right knee) is questionable vs. the Kings on Saturday.
It's bad timing for Campazzo, who has been absorbing extra minutes in the absence of Gary Harris (adductor) and P.J. Dozier (hamstring). Jamal Murray is also questionable due to left knee soreness, so it's possible Monte Morris will get all the run he can handle on Saturday.
De'Andre Hunter (right knee discomfort) has been ruled out on Saturday vs the Raptors.
As expected, Hunter will miss tomorrow's contest vs Toronto. Kevin Huerter and Cam Reddish will continue to play extended minutes in his absence.
Onyeka Okongwu (left Achilles soreness) won't play vs. Toronto on Saturday.
Make it four straight DNPs for the rookie. He's not a fantasy asset while John Collins and Clint Capela are active, and he might even have been sent to the G League bubble if the Hawks were taking part.
Nassir Little (left knee sprain) won't play vs. the Knicks on Saturday.
Little remains day-to-day but he's being ruled out a day early, so this may not be the last game he misses. His fantasy appeal was already drying up with Derrick Jones Jr. (foot) probable to return to action vs. the Knicks.
Otto Porter (lower back spasms) won't play vs. Orlando on Friday.
This confirms what coach Billy Donovan suspected, though it's still possible Porter will play in the second half of this back-to-back on Saturday. His absence opens up extra minutes for Denzel Valentine and Thaddeus Young, the latter of whom is on a tear recently.
Payton Pritchard (right knee) is available to play on Friday night vs the Clippers.
The rookie guard will be back for the Celtics tonight after missing a couple of weeks with a Grade 1 MCL sprain. He was playing really well before getting hurt, but with Kemba Walker healthy again, Pritchard is best served as a streamer when Kemba rests. Although Jaylen Brown (knee) is out tonight so Pritchard might play some a decent amount vs the Clips.
Derrick Jones Jr. (left foot sprain) is probable to play on Saturday vs the Knicks.
DJJ could return to the Blazers rotation on Saturday as coach Terry Stotts said he expects both him and Damian Lillard (abdominal) to play. Rodney Hood and Carmelo Anthony might be slight minutes deductions but are still better fantasy options than the high-flying Jones Jr.
Eric Paschall (right knee) is questionable for Saturday vs. Dallas.
According to Steve Kerr, the swelling in Paschall's knee went down and he was able to get up shots at practice. The Warriors would be thrilled to have Paschall back if he's cleared for Saturday with very little depth up front, but we're not picking him up in fantasy with how poorly he has played recently.
Aron Baynes (groin) is probable for Friday vs. the Nets.
His minutes are way up but his fantasy production has left a lot to be desired. The fantasy community is obviously rooting for Chris Boucher to take back some of Baynes' minutes.
LeBron James voiced his concerns about the NBA having an All-Star game this season.
“I have zero energy and zero excitement about an All-Star Game this year,” LeBron said. “I don’t even understand why we’re having an All-Star Game.” De'Aaron Fox called the idea of an All-Star game "stupid" and John Wall spoke out against it as well, so it will be interesting to see if this changes Adam Silver's mind as players would rather have a week off to rest after the short turnaround from last season.
Dario Saric now has a left ankle sprain and will not play on Friday vs. Detroit.
He can't catch a break after missing extended time due to the health and safety protocols. Saric hasn't played since Jan. 11th and is likely looking at restrictions once he's eventually cleared.
Abdel Nader (ankle soreness) is questionable for Friday vs. the Pistons.
He was also questionable for his previous outing and ended up playing 13 minutes with 11 points, two triples and one rebound. Nader could see more minutes tonight with Jae Crowder (foot) considered doubtful, but there are better streaming options on such a busy night.
Cameron Payne (right foot) will not play on Friday vs. Detroit.
This will be Payne's sixth straight absence with no end in sight. He played 18 or fewer minutes in his last four outings anyways and will have very little fantasy appeal when he returns.
Jahlil Okafor (bilateral knee soreness) will not play on Friday vs. the Suns.
Okafor lost his rotation spot to Isaiah Stewart and has no fantasy value anyways.
Nikola Jokic hit just 6-of-16 shots for 13 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and nothing else in 35 minutes of Thursday's 114-93 loss to the Lakers.
The MVP favorite never got it going tonight and was dealing with some foul trouble. He had a nice matchup against the Lakers, but simply didn't get going until late in the game. Jokic now has 21 straight double-doubles to start the season and when he doesn't do it with points and rebounds, he does it with assists. This was a far cry from Jokic's last game of 47 points, 12 boards and a bunch of goodies, but he is a true fantasy monster, even of his off nights.
Michael Porter Jr. played just 20 minutes off the bench and hit 3-of-10 shots and 2-of-2 free throws for eight points, three rebounds and a steal in Thursday's loss to the Lakers.
MPJ was in full effect to start the season and was getting solid minutes after he finally returned from a nearly month-long absence due to COVID protocols, but he's fading fast. He's played 20 or fewer minutes in three straight games and it's becoming clear that he needs to play at least 25 minutes to be truly effective. It's tough, but fantasy managers should do their best to hang in there with MPJ through the recent drought. Once you drop him, he's not coming back to you and his minutes could kick back up at any time. And we know for a fact he's a better talent than JaMychal Green, who is one of the guys stifling his development right now. Drop MPJ at your own risk.
Talen Horton-Tucker got hot off the bench and hit 8-of-12 shots and a 3-pointer to tie his season high with 17 points, three rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block in Thursday's win over the Nuggets.
THT played 19 minutes on Monday against the Hawks and failed to score, which sums him up in a nutshell. He's going to have some big games and has a ton of talent, but he's also going to be invisible on most nights. He's scored in double figures in just six games this season and while he's very intriguing, you have to be in a pretty deep league to think about adding THT to your roster. But when he gets it going, it's a blast to watch him play.