NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 3/16

Mar 16th 2024

Jay Persson

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 (ankle) — Available

  • Anthony Davis (Achilles) — Available

  • Stephen Curry (ankle) — Available

  • Desmond Bane (ankle) — In

  • Jaren Jackson Jr. (quad) — Available

  • Rudy Gobert (rib) — Out

  • Anfernee Simons (knee) — Available

  • Jerami Grant (hamstring) — Out

  • Coby White (hip) — Out

  • Tobias Harris (ankle) — Out

  • Lauri Markkanen (quad) — Out

  • Jordan Clarkson (groin) — Out

  • John Collins (rest) — Out

  • OG Anunoby (elbow) — In

  • Herb Jones (back, hip) — Out

  • Tyus Jones (back) — Out

  • Deni Avdija (knee) — Available

  • Draymond Green (back) — Available

  • Kevin Huerter (leg) — Available

  • Dean Wade (knee) — Out

  • Richaun Holmes (toe) — Available

  • Vince Williams (knee) — Out

  • Santi Aldama (elbow) — Available

  • Kyle Anderson (shoulder) — Available

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Cleveland Cavaliers News

Confirmed Lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Georges Niang, Jarrett Allen

  • Dean Wade (knee) — Out

  • Max Strus (knee) — Out

  • Evan Mobley (ankle) — Injured

  • Tristan Thompson — Available

  • Ty Jerome (ankle) — Injured

Houston Rockets News

Confirmed Lineup: Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr.

  • Cam Whitmore (knee) — Injured

  • Alperen Sengun (ankle, knee) — Injured

  • Tari Eason (leg) — Out for season

  • Steven Adams (knee) — Out for season

Brooklyn Nets News

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

  • Ben Simmons (back) — Out for season

  • Dariq Whitehead (shin) — Out for season

Indiana Pacers News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner

  • Doug McDermott (calf) — Out

  • Bennedict Mathurin (shoulder) — Out for season

Charlotte Hornets News

Confirmed Lineup: Vasilije Micic, Tre Mann, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Nick Richards

  • Bryce McGowens (knee) — Out

  • LaMelo Ball (ankle) — Injured

  • Mark Williams (back) — Injured

  • Cody Martin (ankle) — Injured

  • Seth Curry (ankle) — Injured

Philadelphia 76ers News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyrese Maxey, Kyle Lowry, Kelly Oubre, Nicolas Batum, Mo Bamba

  • Tobias Harris (ankle) — Out

  • Joel Embiid (knee) — Injured

  • Robert Covington (knee) — Injured

  • De'Anthony Melton (back) — Injured

Despite playing through his injury in the previous game, Harris is listed questionable on the official injury report. He sprained his ankle and briefly went to the locker room but returned during the timeout.

Harris has been durable this season, playing in 60 games so far. However, his production has been inconsistent, leading to questions of whether coach Nurse should shift him to a bench role. Over the last 15 games, Harris is averaging just 14.5 points per contest. The Sixers have won just seven of the last 22 games with Joel Embiid (knee) sidelined.

Portland Trail Blazers News

Confirmed Lineup: Anfernee Simons, Dalano Banton, Kris Murray, Toumani Camara, Deandre Ayton

  • Anfernee Simons (knee) — Available

  • Matisse Thybulle (ankle) — Out

  • Rayan Rupert (ankle) — Available

  • Jerami Grant (hamstring) — Out

  • Jabari Walker (hip) — Available

  • Malcolm Brogdon (elbow) — Injured

  • Shaedon Sharpe (core) — Injured

  • Robert Williams (knee) — Out for season

Simons is expected to return to the lineup after a one-game absence but Grant is on track to miss his third straight. The Blazers have conceded the season and are listing several players on the injury report each night. Deandre Ayton has seen his role increased in one of the best stretches of his career, averaging 25.1 points and 15.1 rebounds over seven consecutive double-doubles.

New Orleans Pelicans News

Confirmed Lineup: CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas

  • Herb Jones (back, hip) — Out

  • Larry Nance Jr. (illness) — Out

  • Dyson Daniels (knee) — Injured

Washington Wizards News

Confirmed Lineup: Jordan Poole, Bilal Coulibaly, Corey Kispert, Kyle Kuzma, Richaun Holmes

  • Tyus Jones (back) — Out

  • Deni Avdija (knee) — Out

  • Richaun Holmes (toe) — Available

  • Landry Shamet (calf) — Out

  • Marvin Bagley (back) — Injured

  • Isaiah Livers (hip) — Out for season

The Wizards will start a different lineup Saturday with Jones set to miss his first game of the season. Avdija suffered a knee injury towards the end of Thursday's loss and is questionable. With two regular starters potentially out of the mix, Jordan Poole and Corey Kispert would be in line for extra playing time. Kyle Kuzma should continue to lead the starting unit in usage with Poole also seeing an increased role.

Chicago Bulls News

Confirmed Lineup: Ayo Dosunmu, Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan, Torrey Craig, Nikola Vucevic

  • Coby White (hip) — Out

  • Julian Phillips (foot) — Injured

  • Zach LaVine (foot) — Out for season

  • Patrick Williams (foot) — Out for season

  • Lonzo Ball (knee) — Out for season

Oklahoma City Thunder News

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

Memphis Grizzlies News

Confirmed Lineup: Luke Kennard, Desmond Bane, GG Jackson, Santi Aldama, Jaren Jackson Jr.

  • Desmond Bane (ankle) — In

  • Jaren Jackson Jr. (quad) — Available

  • Santi Aldama (elbow) — Available

  • Lamar Stevens (adductor) — Out

  • Vince Williams (knee) — Out

  • Scotty Pippen Jr. (shin) — Out

  • Jordan Goodwin (G League) — Out

  • Trey Jemison (G League) — Out

  • Yuta Watanabe (personal) — Out

  • Marcus Smart (finger) — Injured

  • Ziaire Williams (hip, back) — Injured

  • Derrick Rose (back, groin) — Injured

  • Brandon Clarke (Achilles) — Injured

  • Ja Morant (shoulder) — Out for season

Golden State Warriors News

Confirmed Lineup: Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green

  • Stephen Curry (ankle) — Available

  • Draymond Green (back) — Available

Coach Kerr expects Curry to return to the lineup after a three-game absence, as the narrative of star players suiting up against the Lakers continues. Chris Paul will return to a reserve role while Jonathan Kuminga should see reduced usage after averaging 25 points per game with Curry sidelined. Curry has scored a combined 78 points in two previous matchups against the Lakers this season.

Los Angeles Lakers News

Confirmed Lineup: D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, Anthony Davis

  • LeBron James (ankle) — Available

  • Anthony Davis (Achilles) — Available

  • Cam Reddish (ankle) — Out

  • Christian Wood (knee) — Injured

  • Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) — Injured

  • Gabe Vincent (knee) — Injured

  • Colin Castleton (wrist) — Injured

Minnesota Timberwolves News

Confirmed Lineup: Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson, Naz Reid

  • Rudy Gobert (rib) — Out

  • Kyle Anderson (shoulder) — Available

  • Monte Morris (hamstring) — Available

  • Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) — Injured

  • Jaylen Clark (Achilles) — Injured

Utah Jazz News

Confirmed Lineup: Keyonte George, Kris Dunn, Brice Sensabaugh, Taylor Hendricks, Walker Kessler

  • Lauri Markkanen (quad) — Out

  • Jordan Clarkson (groin) — Out

  • John Collins (rest) — Out

  • Kris Dunn (rest) — Available

New York Knicks News

Confirmed Lineup: Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Isaiah Hartenstein

  • OG Anunoby (injury management) — In

  • Julius Randle (shoulder) — Injured

  • Mitchell Robinson (ankle) — Injured

Sacramento Kings News

Confirmed Lineup: De'Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis

  • Kevin Huerter (leg) — Available

  • Trey Lyles (knee) — Injured

  • Sasha Vezenkov (ankle) — Injured