NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 3/4

Mar 4th 2024J.J. Calle

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

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (Achilles) — Out

  • LeBron James (ankle) — In

  • Anthony Davis (Achilles) — In

  • De'Aaron Fox (knee) — Available

  • Jaren Jackson Jr. (quad) — Out

  • Jerami Grant (quad) — Out

  • Deandre Ayton (hand) — Out

  • Keyonte George (illness) — Available

  • Alex Caruso (hamstring) — Available

  • Ben Simmons (back) — Out

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Memphis Grizzlies News

Confirmed Lineup: Luke Kennard, John Konchar, Vince Willams, Santi Aldama, Trey Jemison

  • Jaren Jackson Jr. (quad) — Out

  • Yuta Watanabe (wrist) — Out

  • Ziaire Williams (hip) — Out

  • Derrick Rose (back) — Out

  • Jordan Goodwin (G League) — Out

  • Desmond Bane (ankle) — Injured

  • Marcus Smart (finger) — Injured

  • Brandon Clarke (Achilles) — Injured

  • Scotty Pippen Jr. (back) — Injured

  • Ja Morant (shoulder) — Out for season

The Grizzlies scored 92 and 100 (in overtime) points in the last two games without Jackson Jr. They’ve lost six straight games since the All-Star break and have ranked last with a 98.1 Offensive Rating and 50.2% true shooting mark in that span. They’ve relied on Jordan Goodwin and Vince Williams to run the offense.

The Nets haven’t been much better under interim coach Ollie, but they defeated the Grizzlies 111-86 last Monday. If another blowout follows, expect reduced minutes for starters on both sides and a low-scoring affair.

Brooklyn Nets News

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

  • Ben Simmons (back) — Out

  • Cam Thomas (ankle, foot) — Out

  • Dariq Whitehead (shin) — Out for season

Los Angeles Clippers News

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

  • Russell Westbrook (hand) — Injured

Milwaukee Bucks News

Confirmed Lineup: Damian Lillard, Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley, Jae Crowder, Brook Lopez

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (Achilles) — Out

  • MarJon Beauchamp (back) — Out

  • Chris Livingston (groin) — Out

  • Khris Middleton (ankle) — Injured

Antetokounmpo was probable the past 12 games with right knee patellar tendinitis, during which he averaged 33.5 minutes per game -- which was depressed by five games settled by at least 21 points. Antetokounmpo is currently dealing with a left Achilles tendinitis.

The Clippers have allowed 57.5 points per 100 possessions in the paint since the All-Star break, and that’s a slight improvement from 58.2 since the trade deadline -- a difference of three extra games. Both marks are in the bottom four in those timeframes. Despite limiting the Timberwolves to 88 points in Sunday’s win, half of those were scored in the paint. Advantage Antetokounmpo if he can play.

Portland Trail Blazers News

Confirmed Lineup: Anfernee Simons, Dalano Banton, Kris Murray, Jabari Walker, Duop Reath

  • Deandre Ayton (hand) — Out

  • Jerami Grant (quad) — Out

  • Matisse Thybulle (hip) — Out

  • Toumani Camara (illness) — Out

  • Scoot Henderson (adductor) — Injured

  • Malcolm Brogdon (elbow) — Injured

  • Shaedon Sharpe (core) — Injured

  • Robert Williams (knee) — Out for season

The Timberwolves won the first three games against the Blazers by 72 combined points. Simons converted 10-of-44 attempts in 94 minutes in those games. When Grant, Henderson, Brogdon, and Sharpe have been off the court, Simons’ usage has increased slightly, but his efficiency has decreased by -3.4% on effective field goal accuracy. With the Timberwolves able to load up on Simons and likely use Jaden McDaniels as his primary defender, the Blazers are staring at another blowout loss.

Minnesota Timberwolves News

Confirmed Lineup: Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert

  • Kyle Anderson (knee) — Available

  • Jordan McLaughlin (illness) — Out

  • Josh Minott (illness) — Out

  • Jaylen Clark (Achilles) — Injured

Washington Wizards News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyus Jones, Bilal Coulibaly, Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma, Marvin Bagley

  • Bilal Coulibaly (pelvis) — Not on injury report

  • Isaiah Livers (hip) — Out for season

Utah Jazz News

Confirmed Lineup: Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Luka Samanic, Taylor Hendricks, John Collins

  • Jordan Clarkson (illness) — Not on injury report

  • Keyonte George (illness) — Available

  • Lauri Markkanen (quad) — Out

  • Walker Kessler (foot) — Out

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

The Jazz have ranked last with a 123.4 Defensive Rating since the trade deadline, and the Wizards have ranked 28th at 121.3. Losing Kessler and Markkanen will further compromise the Jazz’s defense, as will the return of Clarkson. Brice Sensabaugh and Omer Yurtseven are projected to receive significant frontcourt minutes.

Chicago Bulls News

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

  • Alex Caruso (hamstring) — Available

  • Torrey Craig (knee) — Injured

  • Zach LaVine (foot) — Out for season

  • Patrick Williams (foot) — Out for season

  • Lonzo Ball (knee) — Out for season

Sacramento Kings News

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

  • De'Aaron Fox (knee) — Available

  • Sasha Vezenkov (ankle) — Injured

Oklahoma City Thunder News

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

  • Jaylin Williams (knee) — Out

Los Angeles Lakers News

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

  • LeBron James (ankle) — In

  • Anthony Davis (Achilles) — In

  • Cam Reddish (ankle) — Available

  • Christian Wood (knee) — Injured

  • Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) — Injured

  • Gabe Vincent (knee) — Injured