NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 2/27

Feb 27th 2024Ryan Schwepfinger

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

  • Luka Doncic (nose) — Available

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) — Available

  • Jalen Brunson (neck) — Out

  • Paolo Banchero (illness) — Out

  • Zion Williamson (foot) — In

  • Karl-Anthony Towns (personal) — Out

  • CJ McCollum (ankle) — Out

  • Rudy Gobert (ankle) — Available

  • Terry Rozier (knee) — Available

  • Tyler Herro (knee) — Out

  • Cade Cunningham (injury management) — Available

  • Deni Avdija (heel) — Out

  • Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles) — Out

  • Andrew Wiggins (personal) — Out

  • Cam Thomas (ankle) — Out

  • Josh Green (elbow) — Available

  • Dereck Lively II (nose) — Available

  • Jaden Ivey (ankle) — Available

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Brooklyn Nets News

Confirmed Lineup: Dennis Schroder, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Nic Claxton

  • Cam Thomas (ankle) — Out

  • Ben Simmons (injury maintenance) — Out

  • Dariq Whitehead (shin) — Out for season

Simmons played off the bench Monday after being listed on the injury report with a sore left leg, an injury that limited him to just 15 minutes on Saturday. He has yet to play both ends of a back-to-back all season and has already been ruled out Tuesday. Complicating the lineup situation for Brooklyn is that Cam Thomas left Monday night's game in the fourth quarter and did not return with an ankle injury.

Orlando Magic News

Confirmed Lineup: Jalen Suggs, Gary Harris, Caleb Houstan, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr.

  • Paolo Banchero (illness) — Out

  • Jonathan Isaac (knee) — Out

  • Markelle Fultz (injury maintenance) — Not on injury report

  • Gary Harris (injury maintenance) — Not on injury report

The Magic have been cautious with Fultz since the All-Star break, resting him for the first two games afterward, followed by a 12-minute bench stint on Sunday. He is not listed on the injury report Tuesday, and it's possible he could return to the starting lineup against Brooklyn. If Orlando continues bringing Fultz off the bench, Gary Harris or Anthony Black are options to start.

Dallas Mavericks News

Confirmed Lineup: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Josh Green, PJ Washington, Dereck Lively II

  • Luka Doncic (nose) — Available

  • Josh Green (elbow) — Available

  • Dereck Lively II (nose) — Available

  • Maxi Kleber (nose) — Available

  • Dante Exum (knee) — Out

Cleveland Cavaliers News

Confirmed Lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

  • Ty Jerome (ankle) — Injured

  • Tristan Thompson — Suspended

Although the Cavaliers have lost three out of their last five, they remain the team with the best winning percentage since January 1, going 19-5 (.792) since that date.

Golden State Warriors News

Confirmed Lineup: Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green

  • Chris Paul (hand) — Not on injury report

  • Andrew Wiggins (personal) — Out

  • Gui Santos (knee) — Injured

Paul is set to return after missing the past seven weeks due to a fractured left hand. Coach Kerr said that Paul will play both in the second unit and alongside Curry. Paul could have his minutes limited initially, but his return should excise Lester Quinones from the rotation and reduce minutes for Klay Thompson.

Washington Wizards News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyus Jones, Landry Shamet, Corey Kispert, Kyle Kuzma, Marvin Bagley III

  • Deni Avdija (heel) — Out

  • Corey Kispert (illness) — In

  • Landry Shamet (neck) — In

  • Bilal Coulibaly (pelvis) — Out

  • Isaiah Livers (hip) — Out for season

New Orleans Pelicans News

Confirmed Lineup: Zion Williamson, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy III, Jonas Valanciunas

  • Zion Williamson (foot) — In

  • CJ McCollum (ankle) — Out

  • Jose Alvarado — Suspended

  • Dyson Daniels (knee) — Injured

Notably, this is the first game of a back-to-back for the Pelicans, who face Indiana on Wednesday. Williamson did play each end of New Orleans' most recent back-to-back set, on February 22 and 23, but he has sat at least one leg on six separate occasions this year. He has yet to miss consecutive games this season, a remarkable feat for someone with his injury history. If he's active and McCollum is not, Williamson would likely remain the team's starting point guard. He totaled 11 assists in that role with McCollum out on Sunday.

New York Knicks News

Confirmed Lineup: Miles McBride, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, Precious Achiuwa, Jericho Sims

  • Jalen Brunson (neck) — Out

  • Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles) — Out

  • Julius Randle (shoulder) — Injured

  • OG Anunoby (elbow) — Injured

  • Mitchell Robinson (ankle) — Injured

Philadelphia 76ers News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyrese Maxey, Buddy Hield, Tobias Harris, Nicolas Batum, Paul Reed

  • KJ Martin (ankle) — Out

  • Joel Embiid (knee) — Injured

  • Robert Covington (knee) — Injured

Boston Celtics News

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

Utah Jazz News

Confirmed Lineup: Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Taylor Hendricks, John Collins

  • Otto Porter Jr. (not with team) — Out

Since returning to the starting lineup on February 12, George has averaged 14.8 points and 5.6 assists over 32.9 minutes per game. Fellow rookie Hendricks has also been given a chance in Utah's first five over the team's last two outings, and he's averaged 10.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in 25.8 minutes per game over that span. However, Utah has lost five of its last six games. The Jazz have gone 3-6 in February after posting an 18-12 record in December and January combined.

Atlanta Hawks News

Confirmed Lineup: Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Saddiq Bey, Jalen Johnson, Clint Capela

  • Trae Young (finger) — Injured

  • Onyeka Okongwu (toe) — Injured

  • Mouhamed Gueye (back) — Injured

De'Andre Hunter played 28 minutes off the bench in Atlanta's first game following news of Young's long-term injury as the Hawks played small for a good portion of the contest, limiting Capela to just 17 minutes from the starting lineup. Hunter should have an higher ceiling without Young as his minutes limitation continues to increase.

Charlotte Hornets News

Confirmed Lineup: Tre Mann, Cody Martin, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Nick Richards

  • Davis Bertans (knee) — Available

  • Seth Curry (hip) — Available

  • LaMelo Ball (ankle) — Out

  • Mark Williams (back) — Injured

Ball is set to miss his 15th straight game with a right ankle injury after missing 20 consecutive games earlier in the season due to an injury on the same ankle. His ailments have created an opportunity for Tre Mann to break out. Since being acquired at the trade deadline, Mann is averaging 11.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists over 29.4 minutes per contest as a Hornet. Vasilije Micic has also been given an opportunity to play significant minutes off the bench, and he's averaging 9.7 points and 6.0 assists across 22.2 minutes per game while in Charlotte. Both players should continue to see elevated roles for as long as Ball sits.

Milwaukee Bucks News

Confirmed Lineup: Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley, Jae Crowder, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) — In

  • Andre Jackson Jr. (illness) — Out

  • Khris Middleton (ankle) — Injured

Detroit Pistons News

Confirmed Lineup: Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren

  • Cade Cunningham (injury management) — Available

  • Jaden Ivey (ankle) — Available

  • Marcus Sasser (knee) — Injured

Isaiah Stewart is eligible to return following his three-game suspension. He hasn't played since January 28, as he also was dealing with a sprained left ankle prior to the altercation with Drew Eubanks. Due to the long layoff, he may come off the bench in his return to the lineup.

Chicago Bulls News

Confirmed Lineup: Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic

  • Torrey Craig (knee) — Injured

  • Zach LaVine (foot) — Out for season

  • Patrick Williams (foot) — Out for season

  • Lonzo Ball (knee) — Out for season

San Antonio Spurs News

Confirmed Lineup: Tre Jones, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, Jeremy Sochan, Victor Wembanyama

  • Charles Bassey (knee) — Out for season

Since Wembanyama's minutes restriction was lifted ahead of January 15's game, he and Anthony Davis are the only two players in the NBA averaging at least 20.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. Wembanyama leads the league in blocks per game with 3.3, a full half-block ahead of Brook Lopez and Walker Kessler (2.7 each). Only six rookies have ever averaged 3.0 blocks per game in NBA history, for as long as the stat has been recorded.

Additionally, with 1.3 steals per game, Wembanyama is on track to become just the second rookie ever to average at least 3.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per outing. If he completes that feat, he would join fellow Spur David Robinson, who averaged 3.9 blocks and 1.7 steals per game in 1989-90.

Minnesota Timberwolves News

Confirmed Lineup: Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson, Rudy Gobert

  • Rudy Gobert (ankle) — Available

  • Karl-Anthony Towns (personal) — Out

  • Jaylen Clark (Achilles) — Injured

Gobert practiced Monday after missing Minnesota's last game due to the injury. Coach Finch added that he is feeling good and the practice was low intensity. He was limited to seven rebounds in 37 minutes the last time he faced the Spurs, and that was a team-high. If Gobert rejoins the lineup, Naz Reid and Kyle Anderson will revert to their normal roles off the bench.

Houston Rockets News

Confirmed Lineup: Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun

  • Tari Eason (leg) — Injured

  • Steven Adams (knee) — Out for season

Oklahoma City Thunder News

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

Miami Heat News

Confirmed Lineup: Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic, Bam Adebayo

  • Terry Rozier (knee) — Available

  • Tyler Herro (knee) — Out

  • Orlando Robinson (back) — Out

  • Josh Richardson (shoulder) — Injured

  • Thomas Bryant — Suspended

  • Dru Smith (knee) — Out for season

Portland Trail Blazers News

Confirmed Lineup: Anfernee Simons, Kris Murray, Toumani Camara, Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton

  • Scoot Henderson (adductor) — Injured

  • Malcolm Brogdon (elbow) — Injured

  • Shaedon Sharpe (core) — Injured

  • Moses Brown (wrist) — Injured

  • Robert Williams (knee) — Out for season

Henderson will miss his third straight game. Murray has been the biggest beneficiary, starting each of the last two contests and averaging 34.0 minutes per outing. Dalano Banton and Ashton Hagans are candidates to pick up extra minutes from the bench.