NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 12/5

Dec 5th 2022Connor Learn

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

  • Ja Morant (ankle) — Out

  • Paul George (hamstring) — In

  • James Harden (foot) — In

  • Jimmy Butler (knee) — In

  • Kawhi Leonard (ankle) — In

  • Chris Paul (heel) — Out

  • Khris Middleton (conditioning) — In

  • Tyler Herro (ankle) — In

  • Jaren Jackson Jr. (injury management) — Out

  • Andrew Wiggins (adductor) — Out

  • Jordan Poole (ankle) — In

  • Christian Wood (illness) — Available

  • Brook Lopez (rest) — Out

  • Marcus Smart (hip) — In

  • Myles Turner (hamstring) — Out

  • Steven Adams (hip) — In

  • Max Strus (shoulder) — Available

  • Mo Bamba (back) — Out

  • Al Horford (back) — Out

  • Malcolm Brogdon (illness) — Out

  • John Konchar (toe) — Out

  • Torrey Craig (groin) — Out

  • TJ McConnell (illness) — Out

  • Grayson Allen (foot) — Out

Recent NBA News

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Los Angeles Clippers News

Confirmed Lineup: Reggie Jackson, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac

  • Paul George (hamstring) — In

  • Kawhi Leonard (ankle) — In

  • Norman Powell (groin) — Out

  • Luke Kennard (calf) — In

  • Moussa Diabate (G-League) — Out

  • Jason Preston (G-League) — Out

John Wall (38.5%), Jackson (29.5%), and Morris (23.0%) recorded increased usage rates as Powell joined George and Leonard on the inactive list for the past two games.

Charlotte Hornets News

Confirmed Lineup: Terry Rozier, Kelly Oubre, Jalen McDaniels, PJ Washington, Mason Plumlee

  • Mark Williams (ankle) — Out

  • LaMelo Ball (ankle) — Injured

  • Gordon Hayward (shoulder) — Injured

  • Dennis Smith Jr. (ankle) — Injured

  • Cody Martin (knee) — Injured

Milwaukee Bucks News

Confirmed Lineup: Jrue Holiday, Jordan Nwora, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) — In

  • Jrue Holiday (knee) — In

  • Brook Lopez (rest) — Out

  • Khris Middleton (conditioning) — In

  • Grayson Allen (foot) — Out

  • MarJon Beauchamp (illness) — Out

  • Serge Ibaka (illness) — Out

  • Joe Ingles (ACL) — Injured

Middleton recorded 20.3% usage and a 30.4% assist rate in 26.6 minutes during his season debut Friday. Antetokounmpo and Holiday's offensive roles declined slightly as Middleton joined them.

Orlando Magic News

Confirmed Lineup: Markelle Fultz, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Moe Wagner, Bol Bol

  • Jalen Suggs (ankle) — Out

  • Mo Bamba (back) — Out

  • Gary Harris (hamstring) — Out

  • Chuma Okeke (knee) — Out

  • Wendell Carter Jr. (foot) — Injured

  • Jonathan Isaac (ACL) — Injured

Oklahoma City Thunder News

Confirmed Lineup: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

  • Kenrich Williams (knee) — Out

  • Chet Holmgren (foot) — Injured

Atlanta Hawks News

Confirmed Lineup: Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, AJ Griffin, Jalen Johnson, Clint Capela

  • Trae Young (shoulder) — In

  • Justin Holiday (health protocols) — Available

  • Trent Forrest (concussion protocols) — Out

  • John Collins (ankle) — Injured

  • De'Andre Hunter (hip) — Injured

Bogdan Bogdanovic posted 27.7% usage in 22.3 minutes during his season debut Friday. He and Griffin figure to play higher-usage roles until Hunter and Collins return.

Boston Celtics News

Confirmed Lineup: Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Blake Griffin

  • Marcus Smart (hip) — In

  • Al Horford (back) — Out

  • Malcolm Brogdon (illness) — Out

  • Robert Williams (knee) — Injured

  • Danilo Gallinari (ACL) — Injured

Malcolm Brogdon played a season-high 32.2 minutes and led the Celtics with a 36.4% assist rate with Smart sidelined Sunday. Brogdon previously played 18.3 minutes in the one game he was active without Smart.

Toronto Raptors News

Confirmed Lineup: Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, Christian Koloko

  • Juan Hernangomez (ankle) — Out

  • Otto Porter (toe) — Out

  • Precious Achiuwa (ankle) — Injured

Siakam has led Raptors starters with 27.3% usage and a 28.8% assist rate as he has returned for the last four games. The other starters have recorded usage rates below 22.0% in that time.

Philadelphia 76ers News

Confirmed Lineup: James Harden, De'Anthony Melton, Tobias Harris, PJ Tucker, Joel Embiid

  • James Harden (foot) — In

  • Georges Niang (foot) — Out

  • Jaden Springer (quad) — Available

  • Tyrese Maxey (foot) — Injured

Embiid has logged a 37.0% assist rate in his last four games. He likely would act as less of an offensive hub if Harden returns.

Houston Rockets News

Confirmed Lineup: Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, Eric Gordon, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun

  • Eric Gordon (injury management) — In

  • Jae'Sean Tate (ankle) — Injured

During the last four games, coach Silas has opted for a three-center rotation of Sengun, Bruno Fernando, and Usman Garuba.

Miami Heat News

Confirmed Lineup: Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin, Bam Adebayo

  • Jimmy Butler (knee) — In

  • Tyler Herro (ankle) — In

  • Max Strus (shoulder) — Available

  • Gabe Vincent (knee) — Available

  • Duncan Robinson (ankle) — Available

  • Haywood Highsmith (ankle) — Available

  • Dewayne Dedmon (foot) — Available

  • Dru Smith (G-League) — Available

  • Nikola Jovic (G-League) — Available

  • Victor Oladipo (knee) — Injured

  • Omar Yurtseven (ankle) — Injured

Butler (28.2%), Adebayo (27.6%), and Herro (25.0%) led the Heat in usage during Butler's return Friday. None of the starters recorded an assist rate higher than 15.0% as the facilitating responsibilities were balanced.

Memphis Grizzlies News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyus Jones, Dillon Brooks, David Roddy, Santi Aldama, Steven Adams

  • Ja Morant (ankle) — Out

  • Jaren Jackson Jr. (injury management) — Out

  • Steven Adams (hip) — In

  • John Konchar (toe) — Out

  • Ziaire Williams (knee) — Out

  • Jake LaRavia (foot) — Doubtful

  • Desmond Bane (toe) — Injured

  • Danny Green (ACL) — Injured

Brooks (+9.7%), Roddy (+5.1%), Adams (+5.0%), and Aldama (+3.8%) have the highest usage differentials with Morant, Jackson Jr., and Bane off of the floor this season.

Phoenix Suns News

Confirmed Lineup: Cam Payne, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Ish Wainright, Deandre Ayton

  • Chris Paul (heel) — Out

  • Torrey Craig (groin) — Out

  • Duane Washington Jr. (hip) — Out

  • Cam Johnson (knee) — Injured

Dallas Mavericks News

Confirmed Lineup: Luka Doncic, Spencer Dinwiddie, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith, Dwight Powell

  • Christian Wood (illness) — Available

Indiana Pacers News

Projected Lineup: Andrew Nembhard, Buddy Hield, Aaron Nesmith, Jalen Smith, Isaiah Jackson

  • Myles Turner (hamstring) — Out

  • Tyrese Haliburton (groin) — Out

  • TJ McConnell (illness) — Out

  • James Johnson (elbow) — Out

  • Daniel Theis (knee) — Injured

  • Chris Duarte (ankle) — Injured

Nembhard recorded a 32.0% assist rate as he assumed a lead facilitating role with Haliburton and McConnell sidelined Sunday. Turner's 30.4% usage rate led the team.

Golden State Warriors News

Confirmed Lineup: Stephen Curry, Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney

  • Andrew Wiggins (adductor) — Out

  • Klay Thompson (injury management) — Not on injury report

  • Jordan Poole (ankle) — In

  • Andre Iguodala (injury management) — Out

Curry and Thompson would take on additional offensive responsibilities if Wiggins or Poole are ruled out. Donte DiVincenzo, Moses Moody, and Anthony Lamb could claim additional minutes in that event.