NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 1/15

Jan 15th 2024

Jay Persson

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

  • LeBron James (ankle) — In

  • Anthony Davis (ankle) — In

  • Joel Embiid (knee) — In

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (knee) — In

  • Jaylen Brown (knee) — Out

  • Luka Doncic (ankle) — Out

  • Jimmy Butler (toe) — In

  • Jalen Brunson (calf) — Out

  • Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) — Available

  • Zion Williamson (quad) — Available

  • Brandon Ingram (Achilles) — Available

  • CJ McCollum (ankle) — Available

  • Bruce Brown (knee) — Out

  • Bojan Bogdanovic (calf) — Out

  • Dereck Lively II (ankle) — Available

  • Derrick Jones Jr. (calf) — Out

  • Max Strus (knee) — In

  • Jaime Jaquez Jr. (groin) — Out

  • Aaron Nesmith (shins) — Out

  • Kyle Lowry (hand) — Available

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Houston Rockets News

Confirmed Lineup: Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun

  • Tari Eason (leg) — Injured

  • Victor Oladipo (knee) — Injured

Philadelphia 76ers News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre, Tobias Harris, Nicolas Batum, Joel Embiid

  • Joel Embiid (knee) — In

  • De'Anthony Melton (back) — Out

  • Mo Bamba (knee) — Out

  • Jaden Springer (ankle) — Out

  • Kelly Oubre (toe) — Not on injury report

  • Robert Covington (knee) — Out

  • Kenneth Lofton Jr. (shoulder) — Out

The Sixers are playing in a back-to-back set on Monday and Tuesday -- their second set in the last 10 days.

Joel Embiid has been sidelined for three straight games but was able to return to practice on Sunday. In his absence, Paul Reed and Mo Bamba have fulfilled extra minutes in the frontcourt. However, Bamba is doubtful on Monday and the Sixers could be thin in size if Embiid remains out. De'Anthony Melton is already out, which should allow Kelly Oubre to draw the start in his return from a one-game absence.

When healthy, Embiid has led the league with a 37.9% usage rate this season. Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris have both recorded usage rates of at least 28.0% in the last three games without Embiid.

New Orleans Pelicans News

Confirmed Lineup: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas

  • Zion Williamson (quad) — Available

  • Brandon Ingram (Achilles) — Available

  • CJ McCollum (ankle) — Available

  • Trey Murphy III (knee) — Available

  • Matt Ryan (elbow) — Injured

Dallas Mavericks News

Confirmed Lineup: Kyrie Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green, Maxi Kleber, Dereck Lively II

  • Luka Doncic (ankle) — Out

  • Dereck Lively II (ankle) — Available

  • Derrick Jones Jr. (calf) — Out

  • Maxi Kleber (toe) — Available

  • Dante Exum (heel) — Out

The Mavericks have played the previous two outings sans Doncic and will likely be without him again on Monday. In those two games, Irving led the charge offensively, posting a team-high 36.4% usage rate and averaging 38.5 points per contest. He’ll be expected to receive increased usage again against the Pelicans, who have had the league’s second-best Defensive Rating (109.4) over the last 10 outings. Dallas faced New Orleans in their previous game and lost by double digits despite Irving scoring 33 points.

Orlando Magic News

Confirmed Lineup: Jalen Suggs, Caleb Houstan, Chuma Okeke, Paolo Banchero, Goga Bitadze

  • Wendell Carter Jr. (knee) — Available

  • Franz Wagner (ankle) — Out

  • Markelle Fultz (injury maintenance) — Available

  • Joe Ingles (injury maintenance) — Available

  • Gary Harris (calf) — Out

New York Knicks News

Confirmed Lineup: Miles McBride, Donte DiVincenzo, OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, Isaiah Hartenstein

  • Jalen Brunson (calf) — Out

  • Mitchell Robinson (ankle) — Injured

Detroit Pistons News

Confirmed Lineup: Killian Hayes, Jaden Ivey, Kevin Knox, Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren

  • Bojan Bogdanovic (calf) — Out

  • Danilo Gallinari (acquired) — Out

  • Mike Muscala (acquired) — Out

  • Cade Cunningham (knee) — Injured

  • Monte Morris (quad) — Injured

Washington Wizards News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyus Jones, Jordan Poole, Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma, Daniel Gafford

  • Johnny Davis (illness) — Available

  • Marvin Bagley (acquired) — Out

  • Isaiah Livers (acquired) — Out

San Antonio Spurs News

Confirmed Lineup: Tre Jones, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, Jeremy Sochan, Victor Wembanyama

  • Sidy Cissoko (ankle) — Out

  • Doug McDermott (ankle) — Available

  • Victor Wembanyama (rest) — Available

  • Zach Collins (ankle) — Injured

  • Charles Bassey (knee) — Out for season

Atlanta Hawks News

Confirmed Lineup: Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Saddiq Bey, Jalen Johnson, Clint Capela

  • Wesley Matthews (calf) — Out

  • De'Andre Hunter (knee) — Injured

  • Mouhamed Gueye (back) — Injured

  • Vit Krejci (shoulder) — Injured

Golden State Warriors News

Confirmed Lineup: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Dario Saric, Kevon Looney

  • Stephen Curry (rest) — Available

  • Draymond Green (reconditioning) — Available

  • Moses Moody (calf) — Injured

  • Chris Paul (hand) — Injured

  • Gary Payton II (hamstring) — Injured

Memphis Grizzlies News

Confirmed Lineup: Luke Kennard, Vince Williams, Ziaire Williams, Jaren Jackson Jr., Xavier Tillman

  • Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) — Available

  • Santi Aldama (knee) — Available

  • Desmond Bane (ankle) — Injured

  • Jake LaRavia (ankle) — Injured

  • Marcus Smart (finger) — Injured

  • Derrick Rose (hamstring) — Injured

  • Brandon Clarke (Achilles) — Injured

  • Ja Morant (shoulder) — Out for season

  • Steven Adams (knee) — Out for season

On Sunday, the Grizzlies announced that Bane will miss at least six weeks with a Grade 3 left ankle sprain. Memphis is now dealing with extended absences from multiple starters, including Morant, who the team recently revealed will miss the remainder of the season. The Grizzlies lost their two previous games by a combined 21 points and will now face the Warriors, who are three games under .500 and also dealing with numerous injuries. The two teams haven’t faced each other this season after splitting the season series with two wins a piece in the 2022-2023 campaign.

Chicago Bulls News

Confirmed Lineup: Coby White, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, Nikola Vucevic

  • Patrick Williams (ankle) — Out

  • Ayo Dosunmu (shoulder) — Available

  • Dalen Terry (knee) — Available

  • Julian Phillips (leg) — Out

  • Torrey Craig (foot) — Injured

  • Lonzo Ball (knee) — Out for season

Cleveland Cavaliers News

Confirmed Lineup: Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, Jarrett Allen

  • Max Strus (knee) — In

  • Evan Mobley (knee) — Injured

  • Darius Garland (jaw) — Injured

  • Ty Jerome (ankle) — Injured

Miami Heat News

Confirmed Lineup: Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic, Bam Adebayo

  • Jimmy Butler (toe) — In

  • Kyle Lowry (hand) — Available

  • Jaime Jaquez Jr. (groin) — Out

  • Kevin Love (knee) — Out

  • Dru Smith (knee) — Out for season

Brooklyn Nets News

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

  • Dorian Finney-Smith (illness) — Not on injury report

  • Day'Ron Sharpe (knee) — Injured

  • Ben Simmons (back) — Injured

Boston Celtics News

Confirmed Lineup: Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis

  • Jaylen Brown (knee) — Out

Boston leads the entire NBA in point differential with a starting five that carries a +16.5 Net Rating. The lineup could look different on Monday though, with Jaylen Brown questionable.

Al Horford would draw a spot start if Brown is unable to suit up. In 14 previous starts this season, Horford has seen an additional 5.0 minutes per game. Jayson Tatum could see extra field goal attempts to increase his team-high 29.2% usage rate. With Brown off the court this season, Derrick White has seen a +6.3% usage rate differential.

Toronto Raptors News

Confirmed Lineup: Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, Jontay Porter

  • Gradey Dick (thumb) — Out

  • Gary Trent Jr. (illness) — Out

  • Otto Porter Jr. (knee) — Out

  • Jakob Poeltl (ankle) — Injured

  • Christian Koloko (respiratory) — Injured

Indiana Pacers News

Confirmed Lineup: Andrew Nembhard, Buddy Hield, Bennedict Mathurin, Jalen Smith, Myles Turner

  • Bruce Brown (knee) — Out

  • Aaron Nesmith (shins) — Out

  • Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) — Injured

Utah Jazz News

Confirmed Lineup: Kris Dunn, Collin Sexton, Simone Fontecchio, Lauri Markkanen, John Collins

Oklahoma City Thunder News

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

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (knee) — In

  • Lindy Waters III (illness) — Not on injury report

Los Angeles Lakers News

Confirmed Lineup: D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Taurean Prince, LeBron James, Anthony Davis

  • LeBron James (ankle) — In

  • Anthony Davis (ankle) — In

  • D'Angelo Russell (illness) — Available

  • Cam Reddish (knee) — Out

  • Gabe Vincent (knee) — Injured