NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 1/29

Jan 29th 2023Connor Learn

Each day, this column will provide live updates for all NBA news. Enjoy up-to-the-minute alerts for injuries and lineup confirmations. The Key News to Watch section will highlight notable injuries to monitor for the current NBA slate.

Key NBA News to Watch

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) — Available

  • Donovan Mitchell (groin) — In

  • Paul George (knee) — Out

  • Kawhi Leonard (injury management) — Out

  • Brandon Ingram (injury recovery) — Out

  • CJ McCollum (thumb) — Out

  • Desmond Bane (knee) — Out

  • Marcus Morris (rib) — Out

Recent NBA News

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Miami Heat News

Confirmed Lineup: Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin, Bam Adebayo

  • Gabe Vincent (ankle) — Available

  • Duncan Robinson (finger) — Injured

  • Nikola Jovic (back) — Injured

  • Omer Yurtseven (ankle) — Injured

Adebayo has averaged 20.8 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on 27.5% usage in six games against the Hornets since they acquired Mason Plumlee, though Herro was sidelined for three of those matches. Additionally, Adebayo has been sharp this month, averaging 22.3 points while leading the team with 26.2% usage and recording a heightened 16.4% rebound rate.

Charlotte Hornets News

Confirmed Lineup: LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, PJ Washington, Mason Plumlee

  • Dennis Smith Jr. (illness) — Available

  • Cody Martin (knee) — Out

  • Theo Maledon (G League) — Available

  • Kelly Oubre (hand) — Injured

Connecting on threes remains imperative to beating the Heat. The Hornets have shot the third-lowest three-point percentage (32.5%) in the league with Oubre unavailable for their previous 14 games, and Oubre shot 50.0% from three on 9.0 three-point attempts per game during the first two matchups against Miami this season. Rozier attempted 9.5 threes per game in those contests and could shoot an even higher volume in Oubre's absence.

Indiana Pacers News

Confirmed Lineup: TJ McConnell, Chris Duarte, Buddy Hield, Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner

  • Tyrese Haliburton (elbow, knee) — Injured

  • Daniel Theis (knee) — Injured

Chris Duarte averaged 14.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 33.0 minutes on 16.6% usage while starting the previous three games. However, Nembhard was sidelined for two of those matches before returning to play 20.0 minutes off the bench Friday. Duarte and McConnell will play diminished roles if Nembhard rejoins the starting lineup.

Memphis Grizzlies News

Confirmed Lineup: Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, Ziaire Williams, Brandon Clarke, Jaren Jackson Jr.

  • Desmond Bane (knee) — Out

  • John Konchar (concussion) — Out

  • Danny Green (knee) — Out

  • Steven Adams (knee) — Injured

The Grizzlies have recorded the second-worst offensive rating (104.6) and the sixth-worst three-point percentage (31.1%) in the league as they have lost their last five games. However, a matchup with a Pacers team that has allowed the second-highest three-point percentage (42.3%) in their previous ten games could help Memphis correct course.

Los Angeles Clippers News

Confirmed Lineup: Terance Mann, Amir Coffey, Norman Powell, Nicolas Batum, Ivica Zubac

  • Paul George (knee) — Out

  • Kawhi Leonard (injury management) — Out

  • Marcus Morris (rib) — Out

  • Reggie Jackson (Achilles) — Out

  • Luke Kennard (calf) — Available

  • Robert Covington (personal) — Out

  • Moses Brown (G League) — Out

  • Moussa Diabate (G League) — Available

  • Jason Preston (G League) — Available

  • Brandon Boston Jr. (G League) — Available

  • John Wall (abdominal) — Injured

The rotation could remain reasonably stable if Morris returns while Leonard is ruled out, though Norman Powell, Nicolas Batum, and Amir Coffey would play additional time if both are sidelined. George (+4.1%), Zubac (+3.1%), and Reggie Jackson (+1.5%) posted the highest usage differentials on the Clippers in the six games Leonard and Wall both missed this season.

Cleveland Cavaliers News

Confirmed Lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

  • Donovan Mitchell (groin) — In

  • Kevin Love (back) — Out

  • Ricky Rubio (injury management) — Not on injury report

  • Dylan Windler (ankle) — Injured

Mitchell played 38.3 minutes when he first returned from his groin injury Tuesday, and his time could be more carefully managed to avoid another re-aggravation if he rejoins the lineup. Mobley has scored 17 or more points in each of the five games Mitchell has recently missed and now leads the Cavs with a +4.4% usage differential with Mitchell sidelined.

New Orleans Pelicans News

Confirmed Lineup: Jose Alvarado, Herb Jones, Naji Marshall, Trey Murphy, Jonas Valanciunas

  • Brandon Ingram (injury recovery) — Out

  • CJ McCollum (thumb) — Out

  • Dyson Daniels (ankle) — Injured

  • Zion Williamson (hamstring) — Injured

Devonte' Graham, Willy Hernangomez, Larry Nance Jr, Kira Lewis Jr., and Garrett Temple likely comprise the reserve unit. With Ingram, McCollum, and Williamson off the court this season, Valanciunas (26.8%), Marshall (26.8%), and Alvarado (25.0%) have led the Pelicans in usage, while Graham (24.7%) and Alvarado (22.5%) have posted the highest assist rates on the team.

Milwaukee Bucks News

Confirmed Lineup: Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) — Available

  • MarJon Beauchamp (knee) — Available

  • AJ Green (G League) — Out

  • Bobby Portis (knee) — Injured

The Pelicans have registered the second-worst offensive rating (109.0) in the league with Zion Williamson (hamstring) unavailable for their last 14 games, and they scored only 105.2 points per 100 possessions as Brandon Ingram returned but struggled to find his rhythm in the previous two. Surprisingly, Milwaukee has an 8-7 record against teams with bottom-ten offensive ratings across the entire season. They've scored the sixth-fewest points per 100 possessions (112.1) against those teams, typically playing lower-scoring matches.