Caleb Martin got the fill-in start for Gordon Hayward (left hip strain) on Thursday vs. Toronto, but hit 1-of-7 shots and 3-of-4 free throws for five points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and three turnovers in 24 minutes.
Hayward was probable before being downgraded to out, so there’s a good chance he’s back this weekend. Coach James Borrego is more likely to give Caleb minutes over his brother Cody Martin this season because he doesn't need Cody's ball-handling as much with LaMelo Ball around, but there's still not a realistic path to fantasy value for either twin.
Joel Embiid (back tightness) had a night to forget vs. the Heat on Thursday, shooting 3-of-8 from the field and 2-of-4 from the line with five rebounds, one assist, one steal, one triple and three turnovers in 24 minutes.
Understandably, Embiid was probably a little gassed after playing 39 minutes on Tuesday. He had 45 points, 16 rebounds, five steals and four assists to become the first player since 1983-84 to post those numbers in that game, so he likely burned a lot of DFS managers who were looking to go back to the well tonight. On the bright side, Embiid only played 24 minutes, so maybe the 76ers will let him play both games of their back-to-back this weekend.
Matisse Thybulle (health and safety protocols) returned from a three-game absence vs. the Heat on Thursday, finishing with eight points (2-of-7 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), one rebound, four steals, one block and two triples in 17 minutes.
Philly is nearly at full strength as they are just waiting for Seth Curry (COVID-19). Thybulle was nearly traded to Houston along with Ben Simmons for James Harden according to Shams Charania which would’ve been great for his fantasy value, but unfortunately he’s stuck on a loaded Philly team. We’re always watching him closely for his mouth watering steal/block rates, but he belongs on the waiver wire right now.
Tyrese Maxey made another start on Thursday vs. Miami, scoring 15 points (6-of-10 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs) with one assist, one rebound, one steal, one triple and two turnovers in 26 minutes.
There’s a reason the Rockets wanted him so bad during the James Harden trade negotiations but Philly wasn’t going to let him go. He was putting up top-50 numbers in his previous four games with 21.5 points, 5.0 dimes, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.5 triples, and while two of those games were without Ben Simmons, Maxey is going to make it hard for Doc Rivers to keep him off the court even when Seth Curry (COVID-19) comes back. With a back-to-back coming up this weekend, we’re holding onto the red-hot rookie until he gives us a reason to move on.
Kelly Olynyk cooled off vs. the 76ers on Thursday with 12 points (5-of-13 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, four dimes, one steal and one triple in 39 minutes.
He had a tough start to the season which included a DNP-CD and tonight wasn't great, but Olynyk has been red hot and came into tonight’s game on a top-40 run in 9-cat over the last two weeks -- he put up up 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.4 dimes, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks and 3.4 triples in that span. He’s a lot of fun when he’s getting consistent burn and is a must-start player as long as coach Erik Spoelstra doesn’t mess with the rotations again.
Precious Achiuwa double-doubled vs. the 76ers on Thursday with 10 points (4-of-6 FGs, 2-of-6 FTs), 11 rebounds, two assists and two turnovers in 27 minutes.
This was his second shot at an extended workload with Miami only having eight active players again. He passed the test with flying colors on Tuesday with 17 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot in 36 minutes, but took a slight step back tonight. He did help Miami limit Joel Embiid to nine points though. Miami’s knack for finding talent in the draft has been impressive to watch , and we won’t rule out the possibility of Precious earning more and more minutes. "We're not just trying to develop guys for the future," Spoelstra said. "We're trying to develop guys to learn how to win at the highest level, this year. Right now."
Brian Bowen (groin) will not play on Thursday vs. Portland.
Goga Bitadze (ankle) and Jalen Lecque (ankle) are the other non-rotation players who will join Bowen on the sidelines tonight.
Tobias Harris (medical protocols) returned from a three-game absence on Thursday vs. Miami, scoring 18 points (7-of-13 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs) with four rebounds, two assists, one steal and two triples in 30 minutes.
The 76ers are nearly at full strength again as they’re just waiting on Seth Curry (COVID-19) to get the green light. Tobias was aggressive early in this game and didn’t look like a player coming off a 3-game absence. And you better believe the 76ers are happy to have him back too, as they are 36.3 points per 100 possessions better when Harris is on the floor this season, the best swing in net rating for any player in 2020-21.
Goga Bitadze (right ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's game vs. Portland.
He's yet to play a single game for the Pacers this season.
Mike Scott (right knee soreness) will not return on Thursday vs. the Heat.
He only managed to play five minutes with two rebounds to show for it. Now that Philly is mostly healthy again, Scott's role is going to be very limited anyways.
Anthony Davis (lower back tightness) is questionable vs. the Pelicans on Friday.
Davis is trying his best to be listed on every injury report this season. He's fine, but the Lakers are going to rest him from time to time. This is a non back-to-back set, so we're expecting him to be a full go.
Lou Williams (hip) is questionable to play on Friday vs. the Kings.
Williams was limited to just nine minutes on Wednesday, and he didn't take the court after halftime after experiencing some discomfort in his left hip. He might be a game-time call tomorrow night, but if he's forced to the sidelines, that would open up some extra minutes for Luke Kennard. Stay tuned.
Wesley Matthews (Achilles soreness) is questionable for Friday vs. the Pelicans.
He's progressing and could return from a 3-game absence. Matthews is not on the fantasy radar, averaging 6.1 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.1 dimes and 1.6 triples in 22 minutes.
Torrey Craig (nose) is probable for Friday's game vs. the Mavs.
He might get cleared for tomorrow's game, but he hasn't been a consistent part of the rotation this season, so his playing status is irrelevant in fantasy hoops.
Jared Dudley (calf) will not play on Friday vs. the Pelicans.
Dudley is averaging 3.6 minutes per game this season so he'll have his usual role of fiercely clapping on the bench.
Jrue Holiday (right ankle sprain) is probable for Friday's game vs. the Mavs.
Holiday must have tweaked his ankle the previous game, but it doesn't look like it'll cost him any game-time action. Check back for official confirmation on his status closer to tomorrow's tip.
Buddy Hield (right ankle) is probable for Friday vs. the Clippers.
The Kings are simply listing him as probable again with the same right ankle issue. He's obviously fine and went off on Wednesday night for 26 points, eight triples, six rebounds, five assists and a steal.
T.J. McConnell (personal) is good to go for Thursday's game vs. the Trail Blazers.
He's back from a three-game absence, and he might be able to flirt with close to 20 minutes tonight with Victor Oladipo no longer around. That said, he's nothing more than a low-end dimes streamer in deep leagues.
Karl-Anthony Towns (wrist) is listed as probable for Friday's meeting with the Grizzlies.
KAT felt like he tried to come back too soon from his wrist injury but he's feeling better now. The Wolves don't have a back-to-back until Friday and Saturday Jan. 22 & 23, so hopefully KAT's good to go for another week.
Jake Layman won't play on Friday against the Grizzlies due to personal reasons.
With the Timberwolves also missing Juancho Hernangomez (health and safety), Jarred Vanderbilt and Jarrett Culver should fill in most of the forward responsibilities.