NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 2/8

Feb 8th 2023

Connor 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

  • Joel Embiid (foot) — In

  • Kyrie Irving (traded) — In

  • Jaylen Brown (illness) — Available

  • Donovan Mitchell (groin) — Out

  • Darius Garland (thumb) — Out

  • Bradley Beal (foot) — Available

  • Kyle Kuzma (ankle) — Out

  • Keldon Johnson (ankle) — Available

  • D'Angelo Russell (traded) — Out

  • Rudy Gobert (groin) — Out

  • Mike Conley (traded) — Out

  • Kyle Anderson (back) — Out

  • Tre Jones (foot) — Out

  • Al Horford (knee) — Out

  • Robert Williams (ankle) — Out

  • Jeremy Sochan (back) — Out

  • Monte Morris (back) — Out

Recent NBA News

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Detroit Pistons News

Confirmed Lineup: Killian Hayes, Jaden Ivey, Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren

  • Marvin Bagley (hand) — Injured

  • Cade Cunningham (shin) — Injured

The Pistons have registered the lowest winning percentage (13.6%) and the second-worst offensive rating (106.9) against teams with top-ten defensive ratings this season. Detroit has a 2-9 record playing those teams on the road. The Cavs will play at home and have allowed the third-fewest points per 100 possessions (110.5) this season.

Cleveland Cavaliers News

Confirmed Lineup: Raul Neto, Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

  • Donovan Mitchell (groin) — Out

  • Darius Garland (thumb) — Out

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

  • Dylan Windler (ankle) — Injured

Charlotte Hornets News

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

  • Cody Martin (knee) — Out

  • Kelly Oubre (hand) — Injured

Washington Wizards News

Confirmed Lineup: Delon Wright, Bradley Beal, Deni Avdija, Kristaps Porzingis, Daniel Gafford

  • Bradley Beal (foot) — Available

  • Kyle Kuzma (ankle) — Out

  • Monte Morris (back) — Out

  • Daniel Gafford — Not on injury report

Kuzma opted for an individual workout Tuesday, and Beal practiced with the team. Beal has recorded a +5.6% usage differential in the two games he's played without Kuzma this season. Monte Morris, Deni Avdija, and Will Barton, in particular, could play heightened offensive roles if both remain out.

Philadelphia 76ers News

Confirmed Lineup: James Harden, De'Anthony Melton, Tobias Harris, PJ Tucker, Joel Embiid

  • Joel Embiid (foot) — In

Embiid has averaged 13.0 rebounds per game against the Celtics in the last two seasons but has generally struggled offensively. He exceeded 26 points just once and shot 41.9% from the field across five matches.

Boston Celtics News

Confirmed Lineup: Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Grant Williams, Blake Griffin

  • Jaylen Brown (illness) — Available

  • Al Horford (knee) — Out

  • Robert Williams (ankle) — Out

  • Luke Kornet (ankle) — Available

  • Marcus Smart (ankle) — Injured

  • Danilo Gallinari (ACL) — Injured

White's offensive role should diminish in Brown's expected return, but he's stepped up in Smart's absence. He's logged 20.3% usage, a 13.5% defensive rebound rate, and a 21.6% assist rate in the last seven games after posting 15.6% usage, an 8.9% defensive rebound rate, and a 17.3% assist rate in his first 47 contests this season.

Indiana Pacers News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Buddy Hield, Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner

  • Chris Duarte (ankle) — Available

Miami Heat News

Confirmed Lineup: Gabe Vincent, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin, Bam Adebayo

  • Victor Oladipo (ankle) — Out

  • Gabe Vincent (ankle) — Probable

  • Orlando Robinson (thumb) — Probable

  • Jamal Cain (G League) — Available

  • Jamaree Bouyea (signed) — Available

  • Kyle Lowry (knee) — Injured

  • Duncan Robinson (finger) — Injured

  • Nikola Jovic (back) — Injured

  • Omer Yurtseven (ankle) — Injured

Vincent, Haywood Highsmith, and Max Strus played additional time in an eight-man rotation Monday but could play reduced minutes if Cain or Bouyea are deployed. Martin (+10.3%), Herro (+2.5%), and Butler (+1.3%) posted positive usage differentials, while Adebayo's eight assists led the team with Lowry and Oladipo sidelined Saturday.

San Antonio Spurs News

Confirmed Lineup: Malaki Branham, Josh Richardson, Keldon Johnson, Keita Bates-Diop, Jakob Poeltl

  • Keldon Johnson (ankle) — Available

  • Tre Jones (foot) — Out

  • Jeremy Sochan (back) — Out

  • Romeo Langford (adductor) — Out

  • Dewayne Dedmon (not with team) — Out

  • Dominick Barlow (G League) — Out

  • Devin Vassell (knee) — Injured

Branham cooled off Monday after clearing 20 points in back-to-back games, scoring 15 points on six-for-18 shooting. However, his 24.1% usage nearly matched Johnson's 24.3% clip, and Branham figures to continue playing an elevated role until Sochan returns.

Toronto Raptors News

Confirmed Lineup: Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, Precious Achiuwa

  • OG Anunoby (wrist) — Injured

  • Otto Porter (toe) — Injured

Siakam has played a more limited offensive role despite Anunoby missing the last five games, registering 25.7% usage and a 15.1% assist rate as Toronto's offensive effort has been more balanced. He posted 28.1% usage and a 27.4% assist rate in his first 40 games this season.

Sacramento Kings News

Confirmed Lineup: De'Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis

  • Kessler Edwards (traded) — TBD

Following Monday's 140-120 road win, the Kings have averaged 138.0 points against the Rockets this season, winning by an average margin of 21.7 points. Sabonis averaged 11.7 assists during those three matchups, and Sacramento's shooters have thrived as they've averaged 20.0 made threes per game.

Houston Rockets News

Confirmed Lineup: Jalen Green, Eric Gordon, KJ Martin, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun

  • Garrison Mathews (toe) — Out

  • Kevin Porter Jr. (foot) — Injured

Although the Rockets haven't been able to play competitive matches with the Kings this season, their best young players have flashed in those three contests. Green has averaged 26.7 points on 32.0% usage and a 53.0 eFG%; Sengun has averaged 8.0 assists while posting a 32.4% assist rate.

Minnesota Timberwolves News

Confirmed Lineup: Jaylen Nowell, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Taurean Prince, Naz Reid

  • Rudy Gobert (groin) — Out

  • Kyle Anderson (back) — Out

  • Austin Rivers (suspension) — Out

  • Jordan McLaughlin (injury management) — Available

  • D'Angelo Russell (traded) — Out

  • Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) — Injured

Naz Reid started at the four with Anderson sidelined Tuesday, but Minnesota allowed 79 first-half points as their defense cratered. Taurean Prince started the second half after that failed experiment and could be more likely to get the starting nod than Reid if Anderson remains out.

Utah Jazz News

Confirmed Lineup: Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen, Kelly Olynyk, Walker Kessler

  • Jarred Vanderbilt (traded) — Out

  • Mike Conley (traded) — Out

  • Malik Beasley (traded) — Out

  • Nickeil Alexander-Walker (traded) — Out

Conley has played a heightened facilitating role during the last five matches, averaging 9.6 assists while posting a 38.7% assist rate. He logged a 33.6% assist rate and averaged 7.4 dimes during his first 38 games this season.

Dallas Mavericks News

Confirmed Lineup: Kyrie Irving, Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., Reggie Bullock, Dwight Powell

  • Luka Doncic (heel) — Out

  • Kyrie Irving (traded) — In

  • Frank Ntilikina (illness) — Available

  • Markieff Morris (traded) — Expected to be available

  • Davis Bertans (calf) — Injured

  • Maxi Kleber (hamstring) — Injured

Irving should assume a central role in Dallas' offense, causing Green, McKinley Wright, and Jaden Hardy's roles to diminish after an impressive showing Monday. However, Green's offense and Hardy's potential sixth-man role could remain important if Wood struggles to find his rhythm and Hardaway Jr. continues to slump.

Los Angeles Clippers News

Confirmed Lineup: Terance Mann, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac

  • John Wall (abdominal) — Injured

Leonard and George have played remarkably similar roles with George unrestricted for their last seven games. Leonard logged 27.9% usage and a 20.0% assist rate in 37.2 minutes per game, while George posted 27.2% usage and a 19.3% assist rate in 37.2 minutes per game.

Golden State Warriors News

Confirmed Lineup: Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney

  • Andre Iguodala (hip) — Out

  • Stephen Curry (leg) — Injured

Poole led the Warriors with 12 assists in Monday's 141-114 win after previously recording a -1.3% assist rate differential in games that Curry has missed this season. Jonathan Kuminga played 22.8 minutes despite starting, while Looney played 21.6 minutes off the bench. They likely would have played additional time in a more competitive contest and could continue to play fairly even minutes, no matter who gets the starting nod.

Portland Trail Blazers News

Confirmed Lineup: Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, Gary Payton II, Jerami Grant, Drew Eubanks

  • Drew Eubanks (back) — Available

  • Josh Hart (traded) — Out

  • Keon Johnson (ankle) — Out

  • Ibou Badji (knee) — Out

  • Jusuf Nurkic (calf) — Injured

  • Justise Winslow (ankle) — Injured

Lillard has averaged 38.5 points on 34.0% usage and a 65.3 eFG% during the last eight games and collected the last two Western Conference Player of the Week honors. An Oakland native, Lillard has played well against the Warriors, averaging 32.2 points on 32.1% usage against them in the last eight seasons.