NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 4/2

Apr 2nd 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

  • Joel Embiid (knee) — Available

  • Nikola Jokic (hip, wrist) — Available

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) — Available

  • LeBron James (ankle) — Available

  • Anthony Davis (knee) — Available

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quad) — Out

  • Donovan Mitchell (injury management) — Out

  • Kawhi Leonard (knee) — Out

  • Tyrese Maxey (hip) — Out

  • Jamal Murray (knee) — Out

  • Aaron Gordon (foot) — Available

  • Jalen Williams (ankle) — Out

  • RJ Barrett (conditioning) — In

  • Immanuel Quickley (conditioning) — In

  • Jonathan Kuminga (knee) — Out

  • Klay Thompson (knee) — In

  • Terry Rozier (knee) — Available

  • Khris Middleton (ankle) — Available

  • Patrick Beverley (wrist) — Available

  • Richaun Holmes (toe) — Out

  • Duncan Robinson (back) — Available

  • Nikola Jovic (knee) — Available

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Los Angeles Lakers News

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

  • LeBron James (ankle) — Available

  • Anthony Davis (knee) — Available

  • Jaxson Hayes (calf) — Available

  • Gabe Vincent (injury recovery) — Out

  • Cam Reddish (personal) — Out

  • Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) — Injured

  • Christian Wood (knee) — Injured

  • Jalen Hood-Schifino (back) — Injured

These are the to-be-expected listings for James and Davis. Both players have appeared fully healthy since their last absences, with James dropping 40 points on nine-for-10 three-point shooting on Sunday, and Davis recording at least 24 points and 14 rebounds in two straight games. However, these questionable tags should perhaps be taken more seriously than usual because the Lakers are on a back-to-back Tuesday and Wednesday, against two struggling teams in the Raptors and Wizards, respectively. It shouldn't be a surprise if the team finds a rest spot for one or both of them during this set.

Toronto Raptors News

Confirmed Lineup: Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick, Bruce Brown, RJ Barrett, Kelly Olynyk

  • RJ Barrett (conditioning) — In

  • Immanuel Quickley (conditioning) — In

  • Gary Trent Jr. (rest) — Out

  • Ochai Agbaji (hip) — Out

  • DJ Carton (ankle) — Out

  • Jontay Porter (personal) — Out

  • Scottie Barnes (hand) — Injured

  • Jakob Poeltl (finger) — Injured

  • Chris Boucher (knee) — Injured

Quickley and Barrett are set to return to the lineup after missing six and nine straight games, respectively. Although they may have their minutes monitored, it would make sense if they both start the game as the Raptors continue to be decimated with injuries. Trent Jr. sitting for rest purposes should allow plenty of opportunity for Dick, Brown, and Jordan Nwora.

Milwaukee Bucks News

Confirmed Lineup: Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) — Available

  • Khris Middleton (ankle) — Available

  • Patrick Beverley (wrist) — Available

  • MarJon Beauchamp (back) — Available

  • Damian Lillard (groin) — Out

  • Jaylin Galloway (ankle) — Out

Lillard missed the Bucks' last game on Saturday at Atlanta, but that was listed as for personal reasons, so the switch to a groin strain is noteworthy. Beverley started in Lillard's place in that game, playing 36 minutes while recording 18 points, five assists, and five rebounds. Expect Beverley to remain in the starting lineup against the Wizards as long as he can continue playing through his wrist injury.

Meanwhile, both Antetokounmpo and Middleton continue to be listed probable with these injuries even though each has played at least four straight. Giannis has averaged 30.2 points, 15.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in 38.4 minutes in five games since his last absence. However, Milwaukee is starting a back-to-back set Tuesday at Washington before returning home to play Memphis on Wednesday. It can't be discounted that the team might look to give Antetokounmpo or Middleton a night off during one of those contests.

Washington Wizards News

Confirmed Lineup: Jordan Poole, Corey Kispert, Deni Avdija, Anthony Gill, Marvin Bagley

  • Richaun Holmes (toe) — Out

  • Jared Butler (ankle) — Available

  • Eugene Omoruyi (ankle) — Not on injury report

  • Kyle Kuzma (heel) — Out

  • Tyus Jones (back) — Out

  • Landry Shamet (calf) — Out

  • Bilal Coulibaly (wrist) — Out for season

  • Isaiah Livers (hip) — Out for season

Kuzma will miss his second straight game. Patrick Baldwin Jr. started on his place on Sunday, but he's currently listed as on assignment in the G League for Tuesday, as is Jules Bernard, who also saw playing time against the Heat last time out. Johnny Davis could be in line for another start, which would push Corey Kispert to the three and Deni Avdija to the four. If Holmes is able to suit up and start, sliding Marvin Bagley to the four is another option.

New York Knicks News

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

  • Mitchell Robinson (ankle) — Available

  • Julius Randle (shoulder) — Injured

  • OG Anunoby (elbow) — Injured

Miami Heat News

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

  • Terry Rozier (knee) — Available

  • Duncan Robinson (back) — Available

  • Nikola Jovic (knee) — Available

  • Caleb Martin (ankle) — Available

  • Tyler Herro (foot) — Injured

  • Josh Richardson (shoulder) — Out for season

Oklahoma City Thunder News

Confirmed Lineup: Josh Giddey, Aaron Wiggins, Lu Dort, Jaylin Williams, Chet Holmgren

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quad) — Out

  • Jalen Williams (ankle) — Out

Gilgeous-Alexander returned after a two-game absence on Sunday, playing 35 minutes in a win over the Knicks. While he hit a late game-winner to give the Thunder the victory, he struggled overall, recording just 19 points on 16 shots and adding only three assists and two rebounds. It's possible he's still playing through discomfort in the quad. Notably, the Thunder are beginning a back-to-back set on Tuesday as well. The team might look to get SGA or Williams an additional night off in one of these two outings.

Philadelphia 76ers News

Confirmed Lineup: Kyle Lowry, Cam Payne, Kelly Oubre, Tobias Harris, Joel Embiid

  • Tyrese Maxey (hip) — Out

  • Joel Embiid (knee) — Available

  • Mo Bamba (illness) — Out

  • De'Anthony Melton (back) — Out

  • Robert Covington (knee) — Out

Although Embiid is listed out, he is reportedly close to a return from a left knee meniscus procedure and is expected to return to the lineup sometime this week. Embiid has recently gone through multiple five-on-five contact practices. He suffered a meniscus injury on January 30, and it's been eight weeks since he underwent surgery. The Sixers have gone 11-18 without Embiid and have slid down to the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. The team has seven games remaining in the regular season and might also be without Maxey for the second consecutive game on Monday. Cam Payne started in his place on Sunday against Toronto.

Houston Rockets News

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

  • Alperen Sengun (ankle, knee) — Injured

  • Tari Eason (leg) — Out for season

  • Steven Adams (knee) — Out for season

Minnesota Timberwolves News

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

  • Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) — Injured

  • Jaylen Clark (Achilles) — Injured

Cleveland Cavaliers News

Confirmed Lineup: Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

  • Donovan Mitchell (injury management) — Out

  • Isaac Okoro (toe) — Out

  • Craig Porter Jr. (illness) — Out

  • Dean Wade (knee) — Injured

  • Ty Jerome (ankle) — Injured

Utah Jazz News

Confirmed Lineup: Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Brice Sensabaugh, Taylor Hendricks, Walker Kessler

  • John Collins (back) — Out

  • Jordan Clarkson (back) — Out

  • Lauri Markkanen (shoulder) — Injured

San Antonio Spurs News

Confirmed Lineup: Tre Jones, Malaki Branham, Julian Champagnie, Cedi Osman, Victor Wembanyama

  • Keldon Johnson (foot) — Out

  • Dominick Barlow (knee) — Out

  • Devin Vassell (foot) — Out for season

  • Jeremy Sochan (ankle) — Out for season

  • Charles Bassey (knee) — Out for season

Both Vassell and Sochan were ruled out for the rest of the season Monday evening. Vassell underwent an MRI on Monday, which revealed a stress reaction in his right foot. Meanwhile, Sochan will be undergoing arthroscopic surgery to correct a left ankle impingement.

This season, Vassell built upon the expanded game he showed in limited action during the 2022-23 season. He'll finish the campaign with career-best averages of 19.5 points and 4.1 assists in 68 appearances (62 starts). Before the season, he signed a five-year, $146 million extension that kicks in next year.

Sochan had started each of San Antonio's first 74 games to open the season before suffering the injury and missing his first game on Sunday. He improved across the board from his rookie to his sophomore campaign, and he'll finish the year with per-game averages of 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. The Spurs picked up his $5.6 million team option for next season already.

Denver Nuggets News

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

  • Jamal Murray (knee) — Out

  • Nikola Jokic (hip, wrist) — Available

  • Aaron Gordon (foot) — Available

  • Zeke Nnaji (adductor) — Out

  • Vlatko Cancar (knee) — Injured

While multiple Nuggets have been on the injury report in recent days, Murray's injury appears to be the only one of any real concern, as he's missed five straight games. Reggie Jackson has been effective in his absence, averaging 16.0 points and 5.8 assists in 28.4 minutes over the span. Expect Jackson to continue in the first five if Murray remains out against San Antonio.

Dallas Mavericks News

Confirmed Lineup: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford

  • Dereck Lively II (knee) — Injured

  • Greg Brown III (personal) — Out

  • Josh Green (ankle) — Injured

Golden State Warriors News

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

  • Jonathan Kuminga (knee) — Out

  • Klay Thompson (knee) — In

  • Dario Saric (knee) — Out

Los Angeles Clippers News

Confirmed Lineup: James Harden, Terance Mann, Norman Powell, Paul George, Ivica Zubac

  • Kawhi Leonard (knee) — Out

Sacramento Kings News

Confirmed Lineup: De'Aaron Fox, Keon Ellis, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis

  • Malik Monk (knee) — Injured

  • Kevin Huerter (shoulder) — Out for season