NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 4/15

Apr 15th 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

  • Julius Randle (ankle) — In

  • Isaac Okoro (knee) — In

Recent NBA News

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Brooklyn Nets News

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

  • Ben Simmons (back) — Injured

Bridges logged increased 34.7% usage in what were effectively his last five games of the season and should remain similarly featured. Dinwiddie posted reduced 19.7% usage and shot 27.5% from downtown during his last 10 games. With Johnson, Finney-Smith, and Claxton being fairly limited offensively, Dinwiddie must correct course to create offense for himself in this series.

Philadelphia 76ers News

Confirmed Lineup: James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, PJ Tucker, Joel Embiid

  • De'Anthony Melton (calf) — Not on injury report

Embiid has an advantage on the 215-pound Nic Claxton and posted a heightened 28.8% defensive rebound rate in two matchups with the Nets this season but logged reduced 32.3% usage during those contests. Harden stated that he's preparing to play at least 40 minutes against the Nets, and every Philadelphia starter except Tucker could follow suit.

Atlanta Hawks News

Confirmed Lineup: Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, De'Andre Hunter, John Collins, Clint Capela

Excluding the end-of-season outlier where both teams emptied their benches, the Hawks lost their last four games to the Celtics by at least nine points. Young posted 39.0% usage as he shouldered even more of the offense in his last five games against Boston. Murray's role remained static in the first two matchups with the Celtics this season, while Hunter and Saddiq Bey attempted at least 6.0 threes per game.

Boston Celtics News

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

  • Jaylen Brown (finger) — Not on injury report

  • Danilo Gallinari (ACL) — Injured

Robert Williams could start instead of White in the playoffs, adding pressure for Smart, Brown, and Tatum to shoulder more offense. However, Brown got stitches out of his right hand Thursday and has been experimenting with different protective measures, which he said have affected the feel of shooting. Additional offensive opportunities could be available across the lineup if Brown is less aggressive, with Smart and Tatum's roles potentially expanding further if Williams starts instead of White.

New York Knicks News

Confirmed Lineup: Jalen Brunson, Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson

  • Julius Randle (ankle) — In

  • Isaiah Roby (ankle) — Out

Randle is reportedly targeting a return but wasn't cleared for contact ahead of Thursday's practice. While Randle could avoid a formal minute restriction if cleared, he could be relegated to being more of a spot-up shooter if his mobility is affected. Brunson, Barrett, Grimes, and Immanuel Quickley will be asked to shoulder more of the offense if Randle is inactive or less involved.

Cleveland Cavaliers News

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

  • Isaac Okoro (knee) — In

  • Dylan Windler (foot) — Out

Despite Garland missing one and Allen missing two of Cleveland's matchups with New York this season, Mobley averaged just 13.3 points on reduced 15.2% usage. If Mobley and Allen's production is diminished by a Knicks team that allowed the fewest points in the paint per game (45.9) this season, then Cleveland's offense will become increasingly reliant on Mitchell and Garland. The duo will be featured even more if Caris LeVert plays fewer minutes in the event Okoro returns.

Golden State Warriors News

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

  • Andrew Wiggins (conditioning) — In

  • Andre Iguodala (wrist) — Injured

  • Ryan Rollins (foot) — Injured

Coach Kerr declined to confirm a report that stated the organization is leaning toward Wiggins coming off the bench to play 20-to-25 minutes after not participating in a live game in nearly nine weeks. Wiggins' ability to get to the rim will be valued against a Kings team that allowed the fifth-most points in the paint per game (53.5) this season. Golden State scored the fifth-fewest points in the paint per game (46.4) since Wiggins last suited up.

Sacramento Kings News

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

  • Harrison Barnes (ankle) — Not on injury report

  • Matthew Dellavedova (finger) — Injured

Highlighted by a 26-point, 22-rebound, eight-assist performance, Sabonis excelled against the Warriors this season, logging increased usage (26.2%) and defensive rebound (44.0%) rates in three matchups. Fox's role was largely steady, and Malik Monk posted 22.4% usage while averaging 27.8 minutes during those contests due to Huerter, Barnes, and Murray not providing a spark. Barnes, in particular, struggled as he averaged 4.3 points on 38.5% shooting in 23.8 minutes per game.