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
Tyrese Haliburton (knee) — Available
Jalen Brunson (hip) — Out
Fred VanVleet (back) — Out
Keldon Johnson (back) — Available
Devin Vassell (knee) — Out
Kelly Oubre (hand) — Available
Malcolm Brogdon (illness) — Out
Reggie Bullock (illness) — Out
Recent NBA News
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Confirmed Lineup: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, Jaylin Williams
Eugene Omoruyi (G League) — Available
Jaylin Williams (G League) — Available
Aleksej Pokusevski (leg) — Injured
Ousmane Dieng (wrist) — Injured
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (ankle) — Injured
Chet Holmgren (foot) — Injured
Muscala, Darius Bazley, Jaylin Williams, and Omoruyi should man the center position until either Pokusevski or Robinson-Earl returns. Coach Daigneault likely continues to deploy his favored three-center rotations.
Confirmed Lineup: LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, PJ Washington, Mason Plumlee
Kelly Oubre (hand) — Available
Dennis Smith Jr. (ankle) — Out
Nick Richards (ankle) — Available
Cody Martin (knee) — Injured
Confirmed Lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Lamar Stevens, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Cedi Osman (back) — Out
Robin Lopez (illness) — Out
Mamadi Diakite (G League) — Out
Dean Wade (shoulder) — Injured
Dylan Windler (ankle) — Injured
Ricky Rubio (ACL) — Injured
Mitchell scored 41 points on 34.6% usage and a 75.0 eFG% against Indiana on December 16th. The Pacers have allowed the most offensive rebounds per game (13.7) in December. However, the Cavs secured just six offensive boards in their 118-112 win over the Pacers earlier in the month.
Confirmed Lineup: Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Buddy Hield, Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner
Tyrese Haliburton (knee) — Available
Daniel Theis (knee) — Injured
Nembhard recorded 22.0% usage and a 41.2% assist rate with Haliburton and TJ McConnell out for two games earlier in the month. He could be vaulted into a similar role if Haliburton is ruled out, though McConnell could start in Haliburton's stead and split distributing responsibilities. Bennedict Mathurin (+5.8%) and Turner (+4.8%) have logged the highest usage differentials on the team with Haliburton off the floor this season.
Confirmed Lineup: Reggie Jackson, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac
Norman Powell's offensive role could decline in John Wall's return, but Powell has been on a tear since returning from his groin injury. He has averaged 15.3 points on 30.6% usage and a 63.8 eFG% in 21.9 minutes during the last four matches.
Confirmed Lineup: Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford
Malcolm Brogdon (illness) — Out
Payton Pritchard (thigh) — Not on injury report
Blake Griffin (illness) — Out
Danilo Gallinari (ACL) — Injured
Brown and Tatum were limited to 21 and 20 points, respectively, in Boston's 113-93 road loss to the Clippers earlier in the month. Both players recorded an eFG% of 40.0% or less, and none of the other starters scored double-digit points in that game.
Confirmed Lineup: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., Steven Adams
David Roddy (G League) — Out
Jake LaRavia (G League) — Out
Danny Green (ACL) — Injured
Memphis shot 24.6% from three, and none of the Grizzlies except Morant averaged over 11.5 points as Memphis lost their last two games. Toronto works to force the ball out of lead guards' hands: opposing guards attempted the fewest field goals per game (22.6) against the Raptors this season. Morant has averaged 17.5 points on 24.1% usage against Toronto in his career.
Confirmed Lineup: Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby, Juancho Hernangomez, Pascal Siakam, Christian Koloko
Fred VanVleet (back) — Out
Precious Achiuwa (ankle) — Out
Christian Koloko (knee) — Available
Dalano Banton (G League) — Out
Otto Porter (toe) — Injured
Malachi Flynn and Gary Trent Jr. absorbed much of VanVleet's minutes when he didn't return Tuesday, and they could benefit similarly if VanVleet is ruled out against the Grizzlies. Barnes' +5.4% assist rate differential with VanVleet off the floor this season leads the Raptors, and Anunoby's +2.3% usage differential with VanVleet off the court leads the team.
Confirmed Lineup: Miles McBride, Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson
Jalen Brunson (hip) — Out
RJ Barrett (finger) — Out
Obi Toppin (knee) — Injured
Quickley, Grimes, and Miles McBride exceeded 46 minutes with Brunson sidelined and Barrett playing 1.6 minutes in New York's overtime loss Tuesday. Brunson (+4.3%), Grimes (+2.7%), and Randle (+2.4%) have recorded positive usage differentials with Barrett off the floor this season.
Confirmed Lineup: Tre Jones, Romeo Langford, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, Jakob Poeltl
Keldon Johnson (back) — Available
Devin Vassell (knee) — Out
Doug McDermott (knee) — Available
Blake Wesley (G League) — Out
The Spurs have scored the fourth-most points in the paint per game (55.8) during their last ten matches. Conversely, in their last ten contests, the Knicks have limited opponents to the fourth-least points in the paint per game (44.4).
Confirmed Lineup: Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, Eric Gordon, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun
Eric Gordon (injury maintenance) — Not on injury report
Jae'Sean Tate (ankle) — Injured
The Rockets have registered the second-best rebounding rate (54.3%), and the Mavs have posted the fourth-worst rebounding rate (47.8%) in December. Houston out-rebounded Dallas by a 45-34 margin in their 112-106 home loss last Friday.
Confirmed Lineup: Frank Ntilikina, Luka Doncic, Spencer Dinwiddie, Tim Hardaway Jr., Christian Wood
Reggie Bullock (illness) — Out
Dorian Finney-Smith (adductor) — Injured
Josh Green (elbow) — Injured
Maxi Kleber (hamstring) — Injured
Doncic scored 50 points to go with eight rebounds and 10 assists in Dallas' 112-106 road win against Houston last Friday. Wood scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds in 28 minutes, struggling against a Houston defense that has allowed the second-fewest points in the paint per game (43.5) over their last 15 matches.