NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 12/31

Dec 31st 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

  • LeBron James (knee, illness) — In

  • Anthony Davis (ankle) — In

  • Trae Young (knee) — Available

  • Jrue Holiday (elbow) — Out

  • Nic Claxton (illness) — Available

  • Tyus Jones (foot) — Available

  • Markelle Fultz (knee) — Out

  • Wendell Carter Jr. (knee) — Available

  • Kevin Huerter (hand) — Available

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Atlanta Hawks News

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

  • Trae Young (knee) — Available

  • Onyeka Okongwu (illness) — Out

  • Seth Lundy (ankle) — Out

  • De'Andre Hunter (knee) — Injured

  • Mouhamed Gueye (back) — Injured

Washington Wizards News

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

  • Tyus Jones (foot) — Available

  • Danilo Gallinari (back) — Out

The Wizards have been one of the more disappointing teams this season, and things could get more difficult as they could be without their starting point guard in Jones. Washington's 121.2 Defensive Rating is the league's second-worst. They will face a competitive unit in the Hawks, who have the fifth-best Offensive Rating (119.0) of any team. In the previous meeting between these two teams, Atlanta scored 136 points in a win. The Wizards will attempt to avenge that loss and win back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Los Angeles Lakers News

Confirmed Lineup: LeBron James, Taurean Prince, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Anthony Davis

  • LeBron James (knee, illness) — In

  • Anthony Davis (ankle) — In

  • Cam Reddish (groin) — Out

  • D'Angelo Russell (tailbone) — Out

  • Gabe Vincent (knee) — Injured

New Orleans Pelicans News

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

  • Trey Murphy III (knee) — Out

  • Matt Ryan (elbow) — Injured

Brooklyn Nets News

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

  • Nic Claxton (illness) — Available

  • Lonnie Walker (hamstring) — Injured

  • Ben Simmons (back) — Injured

Oklahoma City Thunder News

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

Boston Celtics News

Confirmed Lineup: Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis

  • Jrue Holiday (elbow) — Out

With Holiday uncertain to play, White could be asked to facilitate the offense more than usual. That hasn't been a problem this season, as he's seen a team-high +5.0% usage rate increase when on the floor sans Holiday. White has had an eventful December, averaging 20.5 points per game after scoring 13.6 points per contest last month. He'll look to maintain his recent success against a Spurs team that gives up a league-high 28.4 points per game to point guards.

San Antonio Spurs News

Confirmed Lineup: Malaki Branham, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, Jeremy Sochan, Victor Wembanyama

  • Keldon Johnson (back) — Out

  • Devonte' Graham (illness) — Available

  • Zach Collins (ankle) — Out

  • Charles Bassey (knee) — Out for season

Sacramento Kings News

Confirmed Lineup: De'Aaron Fox, Chris Duarte, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis

  • Kevin Huerter (hand) — Available

Huerter suffered his injury in the previous outing, forcing him to exit early. If he is sidelined, more shots should be available for De'Aaron Fox, who is already leading the team with 21.7 field goal attempts per game. Fox is the league's fifth-highest scorer, averaging 30.2 points per contest. Regardless of Huerter's final status, Fox and the Kings will have a tough matchup against the Grizzlies, who have posted the league's eighth-best Defensive Rating (113.7) in December.

Memphis Grizzlies News

Confirmed Lineup: Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Bismack Biyombo

  • Derrick Rose (hamstring) — Available

  • Luke Kennard (knee) — Available

  • John Konchar (illness) — Available

  • Brandon Clarke (Achilles) — Injured

  • Steven Adams (knee) — Out for season

Orlando Magic News

Confirmed Lineup: Anthony Black, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Goga Bitadze

  • Markelle Fultz (knee) — Out

  • Wendell Carter Jr. (knee) — Available

  • Jonathan Isaac (hamstring) — Out

  • Gary Harris (calf) — Available

  • Joe Ingles (ankle) — Out

Fultz has been sidelined since November 11 but received an upgrade in status for the Magic's game against the Suns. Orlando has won 15 of their 23 games since Fultz went down. Phoenix got Bradley Beal back last game, and he's available again, meaning the Magic will face the Suns' big three. Fortunately, Orlando has defended shooting guards well, allowing the seventh-fewest points per game (21.2) to the position.

Phoenix Suns News

Confirmed Lineup: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkic

  • Josh Okogie (ankle) — Available

  • Nassir Little (knee) — Out

  • Damion Lee (knee) — Injured