NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 3/27

Mar 27th 2024

Ryan 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

  • Nikola Jokic (back, hip) — In

  • LeBron James (ankle) — In

  • Anthony Davis (knee) — Out

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quad) — Out

  • Victor Wembanyama (ankle) — In

  • Anthony Edwards (finger) — Available

  • Dejounte Murray (back) — Available

  • Jamal Murray (ankle) — Out

  • Rudy Gobert (rib) — Available

  • Bradley Beal (finger) — In

  • Aaron Gordon (foot) — In

  • Michael Porter Jr. (illness) — In

  • Cade Cunningham (injury management) — Available

  • Lauri Markkanen (quad) — Available

  • Jaden Ivey (knee) — Out

  • Deandre Ayton (elbow) — Out

  • Jerami Grant (hamstring) — Out

  • Jonathan Kuminga (knee) — Out

  • Keldon Johnson (knee) — Out

  • Jalen Duren (back) — Available

  • Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) — Out

  • Cam Thomas (back) — Available

  • Kelly Oubre (shoulder) — In

  • Max Strus (knee) — In

  • Aaron Nesmith (knee) — Available

  • Ayo Dosunmu (illness) — Available

  • Alex Caruso (ankle) — In

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Brooklyn Nets News

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

  • Cam Thomas (back) — Available

  • Cam Johnson (toe) — Out

  • Dennis Smith Jr. (hip) — Out

  • Keita Bates-Diop (shin) — Out for season

  • Ben Simmons (back) — Out for season

  • Dariq Whitehead (shin) — Out for season

Jalen Wilson received a spot start in Thomas' place on Monday; he played 30 minutes in his second career NBA start, scoring 12 points while adding five rebounds. Although the Nets' backcourt was thin without Thomas and Smith Jr., Lonnie Walker played just nine minutes against Toronto, two fewer than Jacob Gilyard. Expect Wilson to be the biggest beneficiary if Thomas remains out against the Wizards.

Washington Wizards News

Confirmed Lineup: Jordan Poole, Corey Kispert, Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma, Richaun Holmes

  • Kyle Kuzma (shoulder) — Not on injury report

  • Deni Avdija (illness) — Not on injury report

  • Tyus Jones (back) — Out

  • Landry Shamet (calf) — Out

  • Eugene Omoruyi (ankle) — Out

  • Bilal Coulibaly (wrist) — Out for season

  • Isaiah Livers (hip) — Out for season

Cleveland Cavaliers News

Confirmed Lineup: Darius Garland, Max Strus, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

  • Max Strus (knee) — In

  • Donovan Mitchell (nose, knee) — Injured

  • Dean Wade (knee) — Injured

  • Ty Jerome (ankle) — Injured

Strus has been upgraded to questionable for this game after missing 12 straight outings. He has not been in the lineup since March 3. While Cleveland has also endured injuries to Mitchell, Mobley, and Wade over this time period, Strus' return will assist a Cavaliers' squad that has gone 5-7 without him during this current injury. If Strus is not quite ready to come back against Charlotte, expect Caris LeVert to remain in the starting lineup.

Charlotte Hornets News

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

  • LaMelo Ball (ankle) — Injured

  • Mark Williams (back) — Injured

  • Cody Martin (ankle) — Injured

  • Seth Curry (ankle) — Injured

Golden State Warriors News

Confirmed Lineup: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Trayce Jackson-Davis

  • Jonathan Kuminga (knee) — Out

  • Trayce Jackson-Davis (knee) — Available

Orlando Magic News

Confirmed Lineup: Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.

  • Gary Harris (foot) — Out

  • Caleb Houstan (ankle) — Available

Los Angeles Clippers News

Confirmed Lineup: James Harden, Terance Mann, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac

Philadelphia 76ers News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyrese Maxey, Kyle Lowry, Kelly Oubre, Tobias Harris, Mo Bamba

  • Kelly Oubre (shoulder) — In

  • Buddy Hield (ankle) — Not on injury report

  • Joel Embiid (knee) — Injured

  • Robert Covington (knee) — Injured

  • De'Anthony Melton (back) — Injured

Oubre missed Monday's game with a shoulder injury after originally tweaking it on Sunday against the Clippers. Nicolas Batum started in his place against Sacramento, playing 21 minutes. Buddy Hield notched 32 minutes off the bench, his most playing time since March 1, but he was seen limping to the locker room after hurting his ankle near the end of the game. X-rays were negative, however, and he is not listed on the injury report for this contest against the Clippers. He would again be in line for an increased role against Los Angeles if Oubre were unable to return.

New York Knicks News

Confirmed Lineup: Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, Isaiah Hartenstein

  • Mitchell Robinson (ankle) — In

  • Alec Burks (shoulder) — Out

  • Julius Randle (shoulder) — Injured

  • OG Anunoby (elbow) — Injured

Toronto Raptors News

Confirmed Lineup: Javon Freeman-Liberty, Gary Trent Jr., Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, Kelly Olynyk

  • RJ Barrett (conditioning) — Out

  • Immanuel Quickley (conditioning) — Out

  • DJ Carton (ankle) — Out

  • Jontay Porter (personal) — Out

  • Scottie Barnes (hand) — Injured

  • Jakob Poeltl (finger) — Injured

  • Chris Boucher (knee) — Injured

Portland Trail Blazers News

Confirmed Lineup: Scoot Henderson, Rayan Rupert, Kris Murray, Toumani Camara, Duop Reath

  • Deandre Ayton (elbow) — Out

  • Matisse Thybulle (ankle) — Out

  • Jerami Grant (hamstring) — Out

  • Anfernee Simons (knee) — Out

  • Malcolm Brogdon (elbow) — Injured

  • Shaedon Sharpe (core) — Injured

  • Robert Williams (knee) — Out for season

Simons is sitting for a third straight game. Although Rayan Rupert has started both previous times in his place, Dalano Banton has been the biggest beneficiary. Banton has averaged a whopping 35.8 minutes as a reserve over the two-game span while recording 21.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per outing.

Atlanta Hawks News

Confirmed Lineup: Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Vit Krejci, De'Andre Hunter, Clint Capela

  • Dejounte Murray (back) — Available

  • Onyeka Okongwu (toe) — Out

  • Trae Young (finger) — Injured

  • Jalen Johnson (ankle) — Injured

  • Kobe Bufkin (toe) — Injured

  • AJ Griffin (ankle) — Injured

  • Mouhamed Gueye (knee) — Injured

  • Saddiq Bey (knee) — Out for season

Murray has popped up on Atlanta's report with a new injury. He has had one of the biggest roles in the league in recent weeks. Since Young was injured ahead of February 25's game, Murray has averaged 25.1 points, 9.3 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.1 steals in 36.8 minutes per contest (15 appearances). Trent Forrest has been his like-for-like backup and could be the favorite to start if Murray sits out against Portland.

Detroit Pistons News

Confirmed Lineup: Cade Cunningham, Marcus Sasser, Tosan Evbuomwan, Chimezie Metu, Jalen Duren

  • Cade Cunningham (injury management) — Available

  • Jaden Ivey (knee) — Out

  • Marcus Sasser (illness) — Available

  • Jalen Duren (back) — Available

  • Simone Fontecchio (toe) — Out

  • Quentin Grimes (knee) — Out

  • Taj Gibson (hamstring) — Out

  • Ausar Thompson (blood clot) — Out for season

  • Isaiah Stewart (hamstring) — Out for season

  • Stanley Umude (ankle) — Out for season

Cunningham missed both ends of Detroit's back-to-back set on Sunday and Monday with an injury management listing, and he's once again on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves. After playing in 17 straight contests from early February through mid-March, Cunningham has missed three of Detroit's last five games overall. Marcus Sasser would likely remain the starter at point guard if Cunningham missed out again; Sasser has averaged 13.5 points and 4.5 assists in a team-leading 30.9 minutes per game over these last two games with Cade out.

Meanwhile, Duren is set to return after missing three games. James Wiseman would likely once again play off the bench in that instance, but he did well in three starts for Duren, averaging a double-double with 17.7 points and 10.3 rebounds in 31.6 minutes per game.

Minnesota Timberwolves News

Confirmed Lineup: Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Rudy Gobert

  • Anthony Edwards (finger) — Available

  • Rudy Gobert (rib) — Available

  • Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) — Injured

  • Jaylen Clark (Achilles) — Injured

This is the fourth straight game that the Wolves have bestowed a questionable tag upon Edwards with this injury, but, as usual, he hasn't really ever appeared in danger of missing a contest. Over the Wolves' last three games, Edwards has played 36.6 minutes per outing, averaging 23.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists.

Houston Rockets News

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

  • Alperen Sengun (ankle, knee) — Injured

  • Cam Whitmore (knee) — Injured

  • Tari Eason (leg) — Out for season

  • Steven Adams (knee) — Out for season

Oklahoma City Thunder News

Confirmed Lineup: Josh Giddey, Cason Wallace, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quad) — Out

Indiana Pacers News

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

  • Aaron Nesmith (knee) — Available

  • TJ McConnell (ankle) — Available

  • Bennedict Mathurin (shoulder) — Out for season

Chicago Bulls News

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

  • Alex Caruso (ankle) — In

  • Ayo Dosunmu (illness) — Available

  • Julian Phillips (foot) — Injured

  • Zach LaVine (foot) — Out for season

  • Patrick Williams (foot) — Out for season

  • Lonzo Ball (knee) — Out for season

Although Caruso has played through an injury listing on his ankle over each of Chicago's last three games, coach Donovan elected to bring him off the bench on Monday, starting Torrey Craig in his place. Caruso still hit 33 minutes in a narrow loss to the Wizards during that game, while Craig played just 19. Even if Caruso does continue to come off the bench, expect him to play a full batch of minutes against the Pacers.

Los Angeles Lakers News

Confirmed Lineup: D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, Jaxson Hayes

  • LeBron James (ankle) — In

  • Anthony Davis (knee) — Out

  • Gabe Vincent (knee) — Injured

  • Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) — Injured

  • Christian Wood (knee) — Injured

  • Jalen Hood-Schifino (back) — Injured

  • Colin Castleton (wrist) — Not on injury report

Memphis Grizzlies News

Confirmed Lineup: Scotty Pippen Jr., Desmond Bane, GG Jackson, Santi Aldama, Jaren Jackson Jr.

  • Brandon Clarke (Achilles) — In

  • John Konchar (heel) — Out

  • Vince Williams (knee) — Out

  • Luke Kennard (personal) — Out

  • Yuta Watanabe (personal) — Out

  • Marcus Smart (finger) — Injured

  • Derrick Rose (back, groin) — Injured

  • Ziaire Williams (hip, back) — Injured

  • Ja Morant (shoulder) — Out for season

Clarke is on the cusp of returning after missing over a full calendar year after a left Achilles tendon repair procedure. He hasn't appeared in an NBA game since March 3, 2023. While he'd surely be eased back into action, his potential return would diminish the roles of Trey Jemison and Maozinha Pereira.

San Antonio Spurs News

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

  • Victor Wembanyama (ankle) — In

  • Keldon Johnson (knee) — Out

  • Charles Bassey (knee) — Out for season

The Spurs are coming off of a shock upset win over the full-strength Suns on Monday. San Antonio played without Wembanyama in that game, paving the way for Sochan to lead the way with 26 points and 18 rebounds. Zach Collins started for Wembanyama and played 30 minutes in the victory. He'd remain in the first five against Utah if Wembanyama were unable to return.

Utah Jazz News

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

  • Lauri Markkanen (quad) — Available

  • Johnny Juzang (back) — Out

  • Jordan Clarkson (back) — Out

  • Kris Dunn — Suspended

Phoenix Suns News

Confirmed Lineup: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant, Drew Eubanks

  • Bradley Beal (finger) — In

  • Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) — Out

  • Damion Lee (knee) — Injured

Beal and Nurkic are both questionable Wednesday. Neither player was able to participate in practice on Tuesday. Beal left the prior game with just a few minutes remaining and didn't return after suffering a sprained right ring finger. He was seen getting his fingers taped on the bench. After the game, coach Vogel confirmed that Beal received negative X-rays, and Beal said he plans on playing Wednesday. If he's unable to suit up, Eric Gordon and Royce O'Neale would see increased playing time.

Denver Nuggets News

Confirmed Lineup: Reggie Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic

  • Nikola Jokic (back, hip) — In

  • Jamal Murray (ankle) — Out

  • Aaron Gordon (foot) — In

  • Michael Porter Jr. (illness) — In

  • Zeke Nnaji (adductor) — Out

  • Vlatko Cancar (knee) — Injured

Murray has been out for two straight games now and appears to have the most concerning injury situation of any of the Nuggets' "big four," all of whom have been listed on the report for Wednesday. If Murray doesn't return against the Suns, expect Reggie Jackson to remain in the starting lineup; Jackson has averaged 19.0 points and 6.5 assists over 26.5 minutes per game with Murray out over these last two outings.