NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 3/5

Mar 5th 2024Cooper Boni

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 (ankle) — In

  • Victor Wembanyama (shoulder) — In

  • Jaylen Brown (knee) — In

  • Jalen Brunson (knee) — Out

  • Kristaps Porzingis (quad) — In

  • Tyrese Maxey (concussion evaluation) — Out

  • Jusuf Nurkic (calf) — Available

  • Ben Simmons (back) — Out

  • Cam Thomas (ankle, foot) — Out

  • Aaron Nesmith (quad) — Available

  • Nick Richards (foot) — Available

  • Isaac Okoro (elbow) — Available

  • Julian Champagnie (ankle) — Available

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Orlando Magic News

Confirmed Lineup: Jalen Suggs, Gary Harris, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.

  • Markelle Fultz (injury maintenance) — Out

Charlotte Hornets News

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

  • Nick Richards (foot) — Available

  • Seth Curry (ankle) — Injured

  • Cody Martin (ankle) — Injured

  • LaMelo Ball (ankle) — Injured

  • Mark Williams (back) — Injured

Curry and Martin are both set to miss at least two weeks, further hampering the Hornets' depth. Due to the team's injuries, Micic has had an increased role, starting in the previous outing and averaging 31.8 minutes per game over the last two contests. He'll likely have similar responsibilities against the Magic, who have won eight of their last 10 games.

In regards to Ball and an update on his injury, coach Clifford was asked about it on Tuesday but didn't provide anything too informative. "Melo's doing more and more," Clifford said. "He had a good workout today, and did some live. I feel like he's getting closer but not quite there yet."

Boston Celtics News

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

  • Kristaps Porzingis (quad) — In

  • Jaylen Brown (knee) — In

  • Neemias Queta (knee) — Injured

After winning by 52 points against the Warriors sans Porzingis last game, the Celtics added another player to their injury report. Boston has won all five contests played without Brown this season and has gone 13-3 without Porzingis available. However, if both players were to be ruled out against Cleveland, the Celtics could be in store for a more competitive outing, despite the Cavs being without Donovan Mitchell (knee) and Max Strus (knee).

Boston has won each of the first two games of the regular season series against Cleveland, and Tuesday's nationally televised meeting is the final one of the 2023-2024 campaign.

Cleveland Cavaliers News

Confirmed Lineup: Darius Garland, Sam Merrill, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

  • Caris LeVert (elbow) — Available

  • Isaac Okoro (elbow) — Available

  • Max Strus (knee) — Out

  • Donovan Mitchell (knee) — Injured

  • Tristan Thompson — Suspended

  • Ty Jerome (ankle) — Injured

Philadelphia 76ers News

Confirmed Lineup: Kyle Lowry, Cam Payne, Buddy Hield, Tobias Harris, Mo Bamba

  • Cam Payne (illness) — In

  • KJ Martin (ankle) — Available

  • Tyrese Maxey (concussion evaluation) — Out

  • Joel Embiid (knee) — Injured

  • Robert Covington (knee) — Injured

  • De'Anthony Melton (back) — Injured

Brooklyn Nets News

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

  • Lonnie Walker (ankle) — Available

  • Ben Simmons (back) — Out

  • Cam Thomas (ankle, foot) — Out

  • Day'Ron Sharpe (wrist) — Out

  • Dariq Whitehead (shin) — Out for season

Detroit Pistons News

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

  • Quentin Grimes (knee) — Out

Miami Heat News

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

  • Caleb Martin (mouth) — Available

  • Tyler Herro (foot) — Out

  • Kevin Love (heel) — Out

  • Josh Richardson (shoulder) — Injured

  • Dru Smith (knee) — Out for season

Atlanta Hawks News

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

  • Kobe Bufkin (toe) — Out

  • Trae Young (finger) — Injured

  • Onyeka Okongwu (toe) — Injured

  • Mouhamed Gueye (back) — Injured

New York Knicks News

Confirmed Lineup: Miles McBride, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, Precious Achiuwa, Isaiah Hartenstein

  • Jalen Brunson (knee) — Out

  • Julius Randle (shoulder) — Injured

  • OG Anunoby (elbow) — Injured

  • Mitchell Robinson (ankle) — Injured

Brunson appeared to have suffered a non-contact injury in the first quarter of the previous outing, but after some clarity was provided, it's apparent that he banged knees with Hartenstein, causing him to be helped off the court. His X-rays after that contest came back negative, and his teammates were positive and lighthearted about the injury after the game, which provided some sense of relief. “I asked him if he was OK. And he said he’ll be fine. And that’s everything to me,” DiVincenzo said. Hart also got in on the commentary, joking that Brunson just wanted to sit out. "Jalen decided he didn’t want to play," said Hart.

In that last game, Miles McBride played 47 consecutive minutes and never went to the bench after Brunson went down. If Brunson is sidelined, expect McBride to play extended minutes again.

New Orleans Pelicans News

Confirmed Lineup: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas

  • Dyson Daniels (knee) — Injured

Toronto Raptors News

Confirmed Lineup: Immanuel Quickley, Gary Trent Jr., Ochai Agbaji, RJ Barrett, Kelly Olynyk

  • Bruce Brown (knee) — Out

  • Jakob Poeltl (finger) — Out

  • Scottie Barnes (hand) — Injured

San Antonio Spurs News

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

  • Victor Wembanyama (shoulder) — In

  • Julian Champagnie (ankle) — Available

  • Charles Bassey (knee) — Out for season

Wembanyama was fouled by Myles Turner toward the end of the fourth quarter in the previous outing which led to an appearance on the injury report. He has played in 20 consecutive games, averaging 22.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks per contest over that span. If he's sidelined, the Spurs will likely start Zach Collins at center against Houston. If Wembanyama is available, he'll look to build off his last game against the Rockets, in which he posted 15 points, 18 rebounds, and five blocks in a loss.

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

Indiana Pacers News

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

  • Aaron Nesmith (quad) — Available

  • Bennedict Mathurin (foot) — Available

  • Ben Sheppard (illness) — Available

  • Doug McDermott (calf) — Out

Dallas Mavericks News

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

  • Luka Doncic (ankle) — In

  • Maxi Kleber (knee) — Available

  • Derrick Jones Jr. (shoulder) — Available

Phoenix Suns News

Confirmed Lineup: Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkic

  • Jusuf Nurkic (calf) — Available

  • Josh Okogie (abdomen) — Out

  • Nassir Little (knee) — Out

  • Devin Booker (ankle) — Injured

  • Damion Lee (knee) — Injured

Denver Nuggets News

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

  • Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (personal) — Not on injury report

  • Braxton Key (personal) — Not on injury report

  • Vlatko Cancar (knee) — Injured