NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 3/23

Mar 23rd 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

  • Jalen Brunson (hand) — Out

  • Mitchell Robinson (knee) — Available

Recent NBA News

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

New York Knicks News

Confirmed Lineup: Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson

  • Jalen Brunson (hand) — Out

  • Mitchell Robinson (knee) — Available

The Magic have scored the fifth-fewest points per 100 possessions (112.0) this season. The Knicks have been sharp when playing teams with bottom-ten offensive ratings on the road, posting a 10-2 record while registering the second-best point differential (+10.6) and spread differential (+10.3) league-wide during those contests.

Orlando Magic News

Confirmed Lineup: Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.

  • Jalen Suggs (concussion) — Out

  • Jonathan Isaac (adductor) — Injured

Caleb Houstan and Kevon Harris logged usage and assist rates of 6.3% or less as they absorbed Suggs' minutes during the last three games, creating additional opportunities for Orlando's remaining ball handlers. Fultz (+4.6%) and Cole Anthony (+3.1%) have registered the highest usage differentials on the Magic, while Banchero (+6.2%) and Wagner (+5.5%) have posted the highest assist rate differentials on the team during Suggs' absence.

Cleveland Cavaliers News

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

  • Raul Neto (hamstring) — Out

Despite admitting that his vision is still blurry, Allen was fully unrestricted as he rejoined the lineup for Cleveland's 115-109 road win over Brooklyn on Tuesday, contributing 12 points and 14 rebounds on five-for-11 shooting in 35.1 minutes. Mitchell led the team with 31 points on 10-for-22 shooting despite an illness forcing him to go to the locker room during the first quarter, and Caris LeVert finished second on the team with 18 points in 31.3 minutes against his former team.

Brooklyn Nets News

Confirmed Lineup: Spencer Dinwiddie, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Nic Claxton

  • Ben Simmons (knee, back) — Injured

Day'Ron Sharpe led the Nets with 20 points on eight-for-12 shooting and 11 rebounds in 19.8 minutes off the bench in Brooklyn's 115-109 home loss to Cleveland on Tuesday. Bridges scored 18 points on nine-for-21 shooting (zero-for-eight from three), while Dinwiddie finished with 19 points, five rebounds, and 11 assists on six-for-15 shooting. The Nets shot nine-for-33 (27.3%) from downtown against a Cavs team that's limited opponents to the fourth-fewest made threes per game (11.5) during their last 15 contests.

Charlotte Hornets News

Confirmed Lineup: Terry Rozier, Kelly Oubre, Gordon Hayward, PJ Washington, Nick Richards

  • Cody Martin (knee) — Injured

  • Mark Williams (thumb) — Injured

  • LaMelo Ball (ankle) — Injured

Rozier has recorded at least eight assists in four of Charlotte's last six games, leading the team with 29.7% usage and a 33.6% assist rate during those contests. Hayward maintained a consistent facilitating role as he registered a 20.9% assist rate during those matches, but his reduced 17.4% usage ranked fifth on the team.

New Orleans Pelicans News

Confirmed Lineup: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy, Jonas Valanciunas

  • Jose Alvarado (leg) — Injured

  • Zion Williamson (hamstring) — Injured

Following a four-game period where his minutes were limited post-injury, Valanciunas averaged 31.7 minutes as he excelled during the last three matches, posting heightened usage (24.3%) and rebound rates (23.9%). Opposing starting centers have averaged 23.8 points and 10.2 rebounds in five games against the Hornets since Mark Williams (thumb) was injured.

Oklahoma City Thunder News

Confirmed Lineup: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, Jaylin Williams

  • Kenrich Williams (wrist) — Injured

  • Aleksej Pokusevski (leg) — Injured

  • Chet Holmgren (foot) — Injured

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 31 points, seven rebounds, and four assists on 12-for-25 shooting in Oklahoma City's 101-100 road win over Los Angeles on Tuesday. Additionally, Jalen Williams contributed 20 points on eight-for-15 shooting. Dort scored seven points on 11 shots, and Isaiah Joe scored 12 points on 12 attempts as the Thunder shot 10-for-37 (27.0%) from downtown.

Los Angeles Clippers News

Confirmed Lineup: Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon, Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac

  • Brandon Boston Jr. (tailbone) — Out

  • Paul George (knee) — Injured

  • Norman Powell (shoulder) — Injured

Gordon, Terance Mann, and Nicolas Batum will likely absorb most of George's time until Powell returns. Westbrook (+6.4%), Leonard (+5.9%), and Gordon (+4.6%) have recorded the highest usage differentials on the Clippers with George off the floor since Westbrook made his team debut.