NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 2/14

Feb 14th 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

  • Jayson Tatum (illness) — Out

  • Kyle Kuzma (ankle) — Available

  • Jerami Grant (concussion) — Out

  • Andrew Wiggins (personal) — Out

  • Klay Thompson (injury management) — Available

  • Gary Trent Jr. (calf) — Out

  • Al Horford — Out

  • Marcus Morris (stomach) — In

  • Robert Williams (ankle) — In

Recent NBA News

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Orlando Magic News

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

  • Cole Anthony (wrist) — Out

  • Goga Bitadze (signed) — Unlikely to play

  • Jonathan Isaac (injury management) — Out

Fultz led the team with nine assists as he largely absorbed Anthony's facilitating responsibilities Monday. Fultz's 3.8 assists per game in the previous six contests ranked second on the team to Anthony's 4.2 dimes per game.

Toronto Raptors News

Confirmed Lineup: Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, Precious Achiuwa, Jakob Poeltl

  • Gary Trent Jr. (calf) — Out

  • Precious Achiuwa (ankle) — In

  • OG Anunoby (wrist) — Injured

  • Otto Porter (toe) — Injured

The Magic have played respectable basketball lately, posting an 8-7 record and allowing the fifth-fewest points in the paint per game (46.9) during their last 15 matches. VanVleet has led the Raptors with 10.6 three-point attempts per game with Trent Jr. sidelined and a +8.2% usage differential with Trent Jr. and Anunoby off the court this season.

Boston Celtics News

Confirmed Lineup: Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Grant Williams, Mike Muscala, Blake Griffin

  • Jayson Tatum (illness) — Out

  • Robert Williams (ankle) — In

  • Al Horford — Out

  • Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles) — Available

  • Grant Williams (elbow) — Available

  • Jaylen Brown (face) — Injured

  • Marcus Smart (ankle) — Injured

  • Danilo Gallinari (ACL) — Injured

Brogdon and Payton Pritchard project to serve as the top reserves for a shorthanded Boston team. Brogdon (36.2%), White (29.7%), and Pritchard (24.1%) have led the Celtics in usage and also posted the three highest assist rates on the team with Tatum, Brown, and Smart off the court this season.

Milwaukee Bucks News

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

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) — Available

  • Khris Middleton (injury management) — Not on injury report

  • Pat Connaughton (calf) — Available

  • Jae Crowder (conditioning) — Out

  • Bobby Portis (knee) — Injured

Sacramento Kings News

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

  • Malik Monk (ankle) — Out

  • KZ Okpala (knee) — Out

Huerter has averaged 39.4 minutes in the two games Monk has missed this season. Terence Davis and Trey Lyles exceeded 24.0 minutes in regulation when coach Brown condensed the rotation to nine Saturday and could play similar time if Davion Mitchell again isn't given any shooting guard minutes.

Phoenix Suns News

Confirmed Lineup: Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Josh Okogie, Torrey Craig, Deandre Ayton

  • TJ Warren (acquired) — Available

  • Darius Bazley (acquired) — Available

  • Kevin Durant (knee) — Injured

  • Cam Payne (foot) — Injured

  • Landry Shamet (foot) — Injured

Okogie averaged 21.0 points on 19.4% usage and a 63.0 eFG% in 33.7 minutes per game during the last two matches, but he and Ish Wainwright will primarily lose minutes with Warren and Bazley available to temporarily complete the forward rotation.

Golden State Warriors News

Confirmed Lineup: Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, Donte DiVincenzo, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney

  • Andrew Wiggins (personal) — Out

  • Klay Thompson (injury management) — Available

  • JaMychal Green (wrist) — Available

  • Andre Iguodala (hip) — Out

  • Gary Payton II (adductor) — Injured

  • Stephen Curry (leg) — Injured

Poole (+6.7%), DiVincenzo (+2.9%), and Wiggins (+1.9%) have posted the highest usage differentials on the Warriors with Curry and Thompson off the court this season. Jonathan Kuminga, Ty Jerome, and Moses Moody could play increased minutes on the wing if the Warriors remain committed to preserving the games remaining on Anthony Lamb's two-way pact and Thompson is sidelined.

Los Angeles Clippers News

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

  • Kawhi Leonard (injury management) — Not on injury report

  • Marcus Morris (stomach) — In

  • Eric Gordon (trade pending) — Available

  • Mason Plumlee (trade pending) — Available

  • Bones Hyland (trade pending) — Available

It's unclear if Hyland will be utilized: Gordon will assume a reserve facilitating role, and coach Lue would need to expand the rotation to ten to include Hyland. Norman Powell has posted 25.3% usage through 21 contests in 2023, but his opportunities could be reduced with Gordon adding an additional second-unit scoring option. Powell's role would diminish most sharply if Hyland is included in a ten-man rotation.

Washington Wizards News

Confirmed Lineup: Monte Morris, Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma, Kristaps Porzingis, Daniel Gafford

  • Kyle Kuzma (ankle) — Available

Beal and Porzingis will be less central to the offensive effort, while Corey Kispert, Deni Avdija, and Kendrick Nunn will see fewer opportunities if Kuzma rejoins the lineup. The Wizards and Trail Blazers have thrived offensively while playing on zero days of rest this season: Portland ranks first (124.9), and Washington ranks seventh (119.2) in offensive rating during those matches.

Portland Trail Blazers News

Confirmed Lineup: Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, Cam Reddish, Matisse Thybulle, Drew Eubanks

  • Jerami Grant (concussion) — Out

  • Ibou Badji (knee) — Out

  • Jusuf Nurkic (calf) — Injured

  • Justise Winslow (ankle) — Injured

Although Thybulle and Nassir Little each made at least three threes with Grant sidelined Monday, it was evident that Portland's shot creation is going to increasingly come from Lillard, Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe until Grant is cleared to return. Lillard scored 40 points on the strength of shooting eight-for-14 from three, while Sharpe notched a career-high four assists in an expanded second-unit role.