NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 12/19

Dec 19th 2023

Cooper Boni

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

  • Zion Williamson (illness) — In

  • Kristaps Porzingis (injury management) — Out

  • Shaedon Sharpe (adductor) — Available

  • Andrew Wiggins (illness) — Available

  • Malik Beasley (illness) — Available

  • Grayson Allen (hamstring) — Available

  • Bismack Biyombo (back) — Not on injury report

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Memphis Grizzlies News

Confirmed Lineup: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Vince Williams, Jaren Jackson Jr., Bismack Biyombo

  • Ja Morant (suspension) — In

  • Bismack Biyombo (back) — Not on injury report

  • Marcus Smart (foot) — Injured

  • Derrick Rose (hamstring) — Injured

  • Luke Kennard (knee) — Injured

  • Brandon Clarke (Achilles) — Injured

  • Steven Adams (knee) — Out for season

Morant will make his season debut as his 25-game suspension has concluded. He needed to complete a program before his return and recently met with Adam Silver. Morant is not expected to have a minutes limit in his first game back. Rose and Jacob Gilyard have primarily filled in at point guard to start the season, but Rose is now considered week-to-week, and Gilyard will likely have his playing time reduced. Morant's return is much needed, as the Grizzlies have won just six of their first 25 games and currently sit 7.5 games out of the playoffs.

New Orleans Pelicans News

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

  • Zion Williamson (illness) — In

  • Naji Marshall (ankle) — Available

  • Matt Ryan (elbow) — Injured

  • Larry Nance Jr. (rib) — Injured

San Antonio Spurs News

Confirmed Lineup: Malaki Branham, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, Zach Collins

  • Victor Wembanyama (ankle) — Out

  • Charles Bassey (knee) — Out for season

In their lone game without Wembanyama earlier in the year, the Spurs saw statistical decreases in almost every major category compared to their season averages, including points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. They also had 19 turnovers in that outing sans Wembanyama, 3.6 more than their season average of 15.4 per contest. San Antonio has lost 19 of the last 20 games and will be without Wembanyama again against a Bucks team with the league's seventh-best Net Rating (+4.9).

Milwaukee Bucks News

Confirmed Lineup: Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez

  • Malik Beasley (illness) — Available

  • Jae Crowder (adductor) — Injured

Boston Celtics News

Confirmed Lineup: Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford

  • Kristaps Porzingis (injury management) — Out

  • Luke Kornet (adductor) — Injured

Porzingis is uncertain to play in the first leg of a back-to-back set, and the Celtics could opt to rest Porzingis in the first game and then sit Al Horford in the second game. The center position will be compromised if either is unavailable in either game, as Kornet remains sidelined. If Porzingis does suit up, he'll have an inviting matchup against the Warriors, who have seen opposing centers score 23.8 points per game, the seventh-most league-wide.

Golden State Warriors News

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

  • Andrew Wiggins (illness) — Available

  • Chris Paul (illness) — Available

  • Draymond Green (suspension) — Out

  • Gary Payton II (calf) — Injured

Phoenix Suns News

Confirmed Lineup: Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkic

  • Grayson Allen (hamstring) — Available

  • Josh Okogie (hip) — Out

  • Keita Bates-Diop (hip) — Out

  • Bradley Beal (ankle) — Injured

  • Damion Lee (knee) — Injured

Portland Trail Blazers News

Confirmed Lineup: Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton

  • Shaedon Sharpe (adductor) — Available

  • Robert Williams (knee) — Out for season

The Blazers could have to adjust the starting unit as Sharpe's availability is in question. He has remained in the starting lineup ahead of Malcolm Brogdon and Scoot Henderson, but his offensive production has been muted the last three games with the return of Ayton and Grant. He's been limited to 7.7 points per contest over that span. Regardless of Sharpe's final status, Portland will have a tough matchup against a Suns team they lost to by 13 in their previous meeting.