NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 3/24

Mar 24th 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 (calf) — In

  • Anthony Davis (foot) — In

  • Damian Lillard (calf) — Out

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal) — Available

  • James Harden (Achilles) — Out

  • Kyrie Irving (foot) — Available

  • Tyrese Haliburton (ankle) — In

  • DeMar DeRozan (quad) — Out

  • Terry Rozier (foot) — Out

  • D'Angelo Russell (hip) — Out

  • Keldon Johnson (neck) — Available

  • Zach Collins (biceps) — Out

  • Kelly Oubre (shoulder) — Out

  • Jusuf Nurkic (knee) — Out

  • Scottie Barnes (wrist) — Out

  • Devin Vassell (injury management) — Out

  • Kevin Huerter (knee) — Available

  • Mark Williams (thumb) — Available

Recent NBA News

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Indiana Pacers News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner

  • Tyrese Haliburton (ankle) — In

  • Chris Duarte (ankle) — Out

Usage should remain relatively stable if Haliburton rejoins the lineup: Nembhard (+6.4%) and Myles Turner (+1.8%) are the only members of Indiana's core rotation to log a usage differential higher than +1.0% in games Haliburton has missed this season. However, Nembhard and TJ McConnell's on-ball roles will decline sharply if Haliburton is activated.

Boston Celtics News

Confirmed Lineup: Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford

  • Payton Pritchard (heel) — Out

  • Malcolm Brogdon (back) — Out

  • Danilo Gallinari (ACL) — Injured

Similar to how he was limited for an extended period when he first rejoined the lineup this season, Robert Williams logged 20.9 minutes off the bench when returning from a hamstring injury Tuesday. Williams will likely gradually have his minute restriction loosened, but playing 24 minutes or less is likely if he isn't re-inserted into the starting lineup.

San Antonio Spurs News

Confirmed Lineup: Tre Jones, Malaki Branham, Keldon Johnson, Keita Bates-Diop, Zach Collins

  • Keldon Johnson (neck) — Available

  • Zach Collins (biceps) — Out

  • Devin Vassell (injury management) — Out

  • Jeremy Sochan (injury management) — Out

  • Tre Jones (injury management) — Available

  • Devonte' Graham (injury management) — Available

  • Doug McDermott (injury management) — Available

  • Romeo Langford (injury management) — Out

  • Charles Bassey (knee) — Injured

  • Khem Birch (knee) — Injured

Bates-Diop would likely start if Vassell is sidelined, and Sandro Mamukelashvili will start if Collins is ruled out. Johnson (34.9%), Jones (24.0%), and Branham (21.2%) have led the Spurs in usage, while Jones (32.2%) and Mamukelashvili (20.7%) have logged the highest assist rates on the team with Collins, Vassell, Sochan, Jakob Poeltl, and Josh Richardson off the court this season.

Washington Wizards News

Confirmed Lineup: Monte Morris, Corey Kispert, Deni Avdija, Kristaps Porzingis, Daniel Gafford

  • Bradley Beal (knee) — Out

  • Kyle Kuzma (ankle) — Out

Porzingis (+17.4%), Avdija (+5.3%), and Morris (+5.3%) posted the highest usage differentials on the team with Beal and Kuzma sidelined Wednesday. They should similarly be tasked with generating more offense as Avdija and Morris lead the facilitating effort again.

Detroit Pistons News

Confirmed Lineup: Killian Hayes, Jaden Ivey, Isaiah Livers, Marvin Bagley, James Wiseman

  • Jalen Duren (neck) — Not on injury report

  • Isaiah Livers (hip) — Available

  • Cory Joseph (illness) — Out

  • Alec Burks (foot) — Out

  • Rodney McGruder (foot) — Out

  • Isaiah Stewart (shoulder) — Injured

  • Bojan Bogdanovic (Achilles) — Injured

  • Hamidou Diallo (ankle) — Injured

  • Cade Cunningham (shin) — Injured

Toronto Raptors News

Confirmed Lineup: Fred VanVleet, Will Barton, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Jakob Poeltl

  • Scottie Barnes (wrist) — Out

  • Gary Trent Jr. (elbow) — Out

  • Precious Achiuwa (hamstring) — Out

  • Dalano Banton (thumb) — Out

  • Joe Wieskamp (hamstring) — Out

  • Otto Porter (toe) — Injured

Barnes, Trent Jr., and Achiuwa didn't practice Thursday after being sidelined during Wednesday's game. VanVleet's role increased most sharply as he led the team with +7.2% usage and +11.7% assist rate differentials during that match. Siakam and Poeltl could also be featured more in the offensive effort, while Will Barton and Chris Boucher play more significant roles if Barnes and Trent Jr., in particular, remain out.

Houston Rockets News

Confirmed Lineup: Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, KJ Martin, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun

  • Jae'Sean Tate (knee) — Out

  • Frank Kaminsky (migraine) — Out

  • TyTy Washington (G League) — Out

  • DJ Augustin (signed) — TBD

Green led the team with 32 points on 10-for-18 shooting from the field and nine-for-nine from the line, while Martin scored a career-high 31 points on 12-for-18 shooting in Houston's 130-125 road loss to Memphis on Wednesday. Sengun contributed 25 points, eight rebounds, and four assists on 11-for-15 shooting as Porter Jr. led the team with 10 rebounds and 10 assists on his way to a triple-double.

Memphis Grizzlies News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyus Jones, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., Xavier Tillman

  • Dillon Brooks (suspension) — Available

  • Ziaire Williams (foot) — Out

  • Vince Williams Jr. (shoulder) — Out

  • Brandon Clarke (Achilles) — Injured

  • Steven Adams (knee) — Injured

Morant was less aggressive than he typically would be, scoring 17 points on 29.3% usage in his return Wednesday. He shot zero-for-two from downtown, and his shooting should be the aspect of his offense that returns last as he attempts to find his rhythm. Morant played 23.8 minutes off the bench, and the remaining starters will play diminished roles if he is re-inserted into the starting lineup as Brooks returns.

Charlotte Hornets News

Confirmed Lineup: Dennis Smith Jr., Svi Mykhaliuk, Gordon Hayward, PJ Washington, Nick Richards

  • Terry Rozier (foot) — Out

  • Kelly Oubre (shoulder) — Out

  • Mark Williams (thumb) — Available

  • Dennis Smith Jr. (illness) — Available

  • Theo Maledon (G League) — Available

  • James Bouknight (G League) — Available

  • Cody Martin (knee) — Injured

  • LaMelo Ball (ankle) — Injured

Theo Maledon and James Bouknight have spent most of 2023 in the G League, but they'll be needed if Rozier or Smith Jr. are unavailable after not returning Thursday. Bryce McGowens ran the point in the second half Thursday and could handle facilitating responsibilities with Hayward if Maledon and Bouknight aren't recalled from the G League on time in that event.

Dallas Mavericks News

Confirmed Lineup: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Reggie Bullock, Maxi Kleber, Dwight Powell

  • Kyrie Irving (foot) — Available

  • Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) — Out

Doncic shot 11-for-27 from the field and six-for-10 from the line while dishing out 17 assists in 41.1 minutes as he returned while Irving and Hardaway Jr. were sidelined Wednesday. Christian Wood contributed 19 points and four assists on 28.3% usage, and Jaden Hardy scored 27 points on 10-for-18 shooting off the bench. Hardaway Jr.'s potential return would cause Hardy's role to diminish, but it could take Irving rejoining the lineup for Doncic and Wood to be featured to a lesser extent.

Milwaukee Bucks News

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

  • Khris Middleton (injury management) — Out

  • Jae Crowder (calf) — Out

  • Meyers Leonard (calf) — Out

  • Goran Dragic (knee) — Out

Joe Ingles is positioned to play increased minutes off the bench in his first career game against the Jazz. Compared to the rest of their production post-All-Star break, Ingles (+5.8%), Connaughton (+2.4%), and Holiday (+1.8%) posted the highest usage differentials on the team, while Antetokounmpo (+7.2%) and Ingles (+5.3%) logged the highest assist rate differentials in the three matches Middleton missed.

Utah Jazz News

Confirmed Lineup: Talen Horton-Tucker, Ochai Agbaji, Simone Fontecchio, Kelly Olynyk, Walker Kessler

  • Lauri Markkanen (hand) — Out

  • Jordan Clarkson (finger) — Out

  • Rudy Gay (back) — Out

  • Johnny Juzang (hip) — Available

  • Collin Sexton (hamstring) — Injured

Horton-Tucker's time was limited by foul troubles in the last two games, which explains Kris Dunn's spike in minutes. A similar dynamic should play out to when Markkanen and Clarkson were sidelined Monday: Olynyk led the team with 89 touches as he acted as an offensive hub, finishing with 19 points on six-for-12 shooting and eight assists. The point guards also handled additional facilitating responsibilities as they and the starting wings were asked to produce more scoring.

Philadelphia 76ers News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyrese Maxey, De'Anthony Melton, Tobias Harris, PJ Tucker, Joel Embiid

  • Joel Embiid (calf) — In

  • James Harden (Achilles) — Out

  • Danuel House (shoulder) — Out

  • Jalen McDaniels (hip) — Out

Embiid didn't return to Wednesday's game when the 76ers had a sizable halftime lead and said he expects to play Friday postgame, though Philadelphia is facing the front end of a back-to-back set. Paul Reed has been the primary backup center over Montrezl Harrell lately and got the second-half start when Embiid didn't return. Maxey, Harris, De'Anthony Melton, and Shake Milton should be tasked with generating additional offense if Embiid or Harden are ruled out.

Golden State Warriors News

Confirmed Lineup: Stephen Curry, Donte DiVincenzo, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney

  • Andrew Wiggins (personal) — Out

  • Andre Iguodala (wrist) — Injured

  • Gary Payton II (adductor) — Injured

  • Ryan Rollins (foot) — Injured

Chicago Bulls News

Confirmed Lineup: Patrick Beverley, Alex Caruso, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic

  • DeMar DeRozan (quad) — Out

  • Alex Caruso (foot) — Available

  • Javonte Green (knee) — Out

  • Lonzo Ball (knee) — Injured

Though LaVine has logged +1.3% usage and +2.1% rebound rate differentials in games DeRozan has missed this season, Vucevic and Coby White's roles previously expanded most during those contests. Vucevic led the Bulls with usage and assist rate differentials of +5.9%, while White recorded 18.0% usage in 30.5 minutes per game in the six matches DeRozan has been unavailable for.

Portland Trail Blazers News

Confirmed Lineup: Ryan Arcidiacono, Shaedon Sharpe, Matisse Thybulle, Trendon Watford, Drew Eubanks

  • Damian Lillard (calf) — Out

  • Anfernee Simons (foot) — Out

  • Jerami Grant (quad) — Out

  • Jusuf Nurkic (knee) — Out

  • Nassir Little (concussion) — Available

  • Ibou Badji (knee) — Injured

  • Justise Winslow (ankle) — Injured

Lillard posted elevated 34.2% usage and led the team with 12 assists, while Sharpe contributed 24 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and four steals on nine-for-19 shooting with Simons and Grant sidelined Wednesday. Additionally, Watford finished with 21 points, nine boards, and five assists on nine-for-16 shooting. Lillard, Sharpe, and Watford should continue to play similar roles, potentially assuming even more responsibilities if Nurkic is unavailable.

Phoenix Suns News

Confirmed Lineup: Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Josh Okogie, Torrey Craig, Bismack Biyombo

  • Deandre Ayton (hip) — Out

  • Kevin Durant (ankle) — Injured

Sacramento Kings News

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

  • Kevin Huerter (knee) — Available

Huerter fully practiced Thursday, and coach Brown said Huerter would have played if Monday's game was the playoffs. The reserves will play fewer minutes, and Murray will likely attempt fewer shots if Huerter rejoins the lineup.

Oklahoma City Thunder News

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

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal) — Available

  • Kenrich Williams (wrist) — Injured

  • Aleksej Pokusevski (leg) — Not on injury report

  • Chet Holmgren (foot) — Injured

Before Thursday's game, coach Daigneault expressed that Gilgeous-Alexander could play Friday because of how well he's recovered from his abdominal injury. However, Isaiah Joe would likely get the starting nod if Gilgeous-Alexander is ruled out. Giddey (24.9%), Jalen Williams (24.5%), and Dort (23.7%) led the Thunder in usage, while Giddey (37.7%) and Jalen Williams (28.2%) similarly logged the highest assist rates on the team in the seven games Gilgeous-Alexander has missed since the All-Star break concluded.

Los Angeles Lakers News

Confirmed Lineup: Dennis Schroder, Austin Reaves, Troy Brown Jr., Jarred Vanderbilt, Anthony Davis

  • Anthony Davis (foot) — In

  • D'Angelo Russell (hip) — Out

  • Mo Bamba (ankle) — Injured

  • LeBron James (foot) — Injured

A big part of Reaves' rise lately has been his success at getting to the line: no player in the league had made (11.3) or attempted (13.3) more free throws per game during their last four contests. The Thunder play tight, physical defense, and their opponents have shot the fourth-most free throws per game (25.7) this season.