NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 12/14

Dec 14th 2023

Justin Phan

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

  • Jaylen Brown (ankle) — Available

  • Anthony Edwards (hip) — In

  • Paul George (groin) — Out

  • Jamal Murray (ankle) — Available

  • Kristaps Porzingis (calf) — Available

  • Aaron Gordon (heel) — Available

  • Lauri Markkanen (hamstring) — Out

  • Malcolm Brogdon (knee) — Available

  • Deandre Ayton (knee) — Available

  • John Collins (illness) — Out

  • Jaden McDaniels (ankle) — Available

  • Alex Caruso (ankle) — In

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Cleveland Cavaliers News

Confirmed Lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Dean Wade, Jarrett Allen

  • Evan Mobley (injury management) — Out

  • Ty Jerome (ankle) — Injured

  • Ricky Rubio (personal) — NWT

Boston Celtics News

Confirmed Lineup: Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis

  • Jaylen Brown (ankle) — Available

  • Kristaps Porzingis (calf) — Available

  • Luke Kornet (adductor) — Out

Brown rolled his left ankle on Tuesday during the first half and appeared bothered by it after the game. He's listed as questionable for Thursday's game after playing in 21 of the first 22 contests this season. A potential absence would likely shift Al Horford back into the starting lineup, who has averaged 9.0 points and 7.8 rebounds in his eight prior starts. Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White have all seen increased usage rates with Brown off the court.

Chicago Bulls News

Confirmed Lineup: Coby White, Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic

  • Alex Caruso (ankle) — In

  • Zach LaVine (foot) — Injured

  • Lonzo Ball (knee) — Out for season

Miami Heat News

Confirmed Lineup: Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin, Orlando Robinson

  • Josh Richardson (back) — Out

  • Haywood Highsmith (back) — Out

  • Bam Adebayo (hip) — Injured

  • Tyler Herro (ankle) — Injured

  • Dru Smith (knee) — Out for season

Minnesota Timberwolves News

Confirmed Lineup: Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert

  • Anthony Edwards (hip) — In

  • Jaden McDaniels (ankle) — Available

  • Jordan McLaughlin (knee) — Available

  • Jaylen Clark (Achilles) — Injured

The Wolves once again have several players listed questionable on the injury report, including Edwards, who has missed three of the last five games with a hip injury. McDaniels returned on Tuesday from an extended absence and logged 27 minutes off the bench. He could return to a starting role with Nickeil Alexander-Walker shifting back to the bench. In 11 games with the full starting five available, the Wolves have a 117.8 Offensive Rating.

Dallas Mavericks News

Confirmed Lineup: Luka Doncic, Dante Exum, Derrick Jones Jr., Grant Williams, Dereck Lively II

  • Tim Hardaway Jr. (back) — Available

  • Derrick Jones Jr. (quad) — Available

  • Seth Curry (illness) — Out

  • Kyrie Irving (heel) — Injured

  • Josh Green (elbow) — Injured

  • Maxi Kleber (toe) — Injured

Brooklyn Nets News

Confirmed Lineup: Spencer Dinwiddie, Cam Thomas, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Nic Claxton

  • Dorian Finney-Smith (knee) — Available

  • Dennis Smith Jr. (back) — Out

  • Lonnie Walker (hamstring) — Injured

  • Ben Simmons (back) — Injured

Denver Nuggets News

Confirmed Lineup: Jamal Murray, Justin Holiday, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic

  • Jamal Murray (ankle) — Available

  • Aaron Gordon (heel) — Available

  • Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (concussion protocol) — Out

  • Vlatko Cancar (knee) — Injured

Utah Jazz News

Confirmed Lineup: Collin Sexton, Talen Horton-Tucker, Simone Fontecchio, Kelly Olynyk, Walker Kessler

  • Lauri Markkanen (hamstring) — Out

  • John Collins (illness) — Out

  • Luka Samanic (illness) — Out

  • Keyonte George (foot) — Injured

  • Jordan Clarkson (thigh) — Injured

The Jazz will be shorthanded in the second leg of a back-to-back on Thursday. Keyonte George suffered a foot injury on Wednesday and will miss at least two games while Lauri Markkanen (hamstring) is unlikely to play. John Collins remains uncertain after missing the previous two games due to an illness. Collin Sexton led the team with 18 field goal attempts in Wednesday's victory and figures to once again hold a larger offensive role.

Portland Trail Blazers News

Confirmed Lineup: Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Matisse Thybulle, Toumani Camara, Deandre Ayton

  • Malcolm Brogdon (knee) — Available

  • Deandre Ayton (knee) — Available

  • Jerami Grant (concussion) — Out

  • Ish Wainright (knee) — Out

  • Robert Williams (knee) — Out for season

Oklahoma City Thunder News

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

  • Lu Dort (ankle) — Not on injury report

Sacramento Kings News

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

  • Trey Lyles (illness) — Available

  • Alex Len (ankle) — Injured

Golden State Warriors News

Confirmed Lineup: Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Klay Thompson, Jonathan Kuminga, Kevon Looney

  • Draymond Green (suspension) — Out

  • Gary Payton II (calf) — Injured

Los Angeles Clippers News

Confirmed Lineup: James Harden, Terance Mann, Amir Coffey, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac

  • Paul George (groin) — Out

  • Moussa Diabate (hip) — Out

  • Brandon Boston Jr. (illness) — Questionable

  • Mason Plumlee (knee) — Injured

George suffered a groin injury on Tuesday and was unable to return for the second half. Coach Lue said George could've returned if needed, but George still carries a questionable tag on Thursday. He has played in all 23 games this season while averaging his most minutes per game (35.1) in his Clippers' tenure. A potential absence could shift Norman Powell into the starting lineup, with Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook seeing additional usage.