NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 4/5

Apr 5th 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

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) — Out

  • Luka Doncic (knee) — Out

  • Damian Lillard (adductor) — In

  • Jalen Brunson (foot) — In

  • Zion Williamson (finger) — Out

  • Jaylen Brown (hand) — Out

  • Tyler Herro (foot) — Available

  • Miles Bridges (wrist) — Available

  • Brandon Miller (wrist) — Available

  • Jusuf Nurkic (calf) — Available

  • Jalen Williams (ankle) — Out

  • OG Anunoby (elbow) — In

  • Derrick White (back) — Out

  • Myles Turner (finger) — Available

  • Andrew Wiggins (ankle) — Out

  • Jonathan Kuminga (knee) — Out

  • Terry Rozier (knee) — Available

  • Josh Hart (wrist) — In

  • Amen Thompson (ankle, finger) — Out

  • Deni Avdija (migraine) — Available

  • Duncan Robinson (back) — In

  • Jerami Grant (hamstring) — Out

  • Keldon Johnson (foot) — Out

  • Luke Kennard (knee) — Out

  • Nick Richards (foot) — Out

  • Vasilije Micic (shoulder) — Available

  • Richaun Holmes (toe) — Out

  • Grayson Allen (hip) — In

  • Ochai Agbaji (hip) — 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.

  • Caleb Houstan (ankle) — Out

Charlotte Hornets News

Confirmed Lineup: Vasijile Micic, Tre Mann, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Grant Williams

  • Miles Bridges (wrist) — Available

  • Brandon Miller (wrist) — Available

  • Nick Richards (foot) — Out

  • Grant Williams (ankle) — Available

  • Vasilije Micic (shoulder) — Available

  • Amari Bailey (illness) — Out

  • Leaky Black (abdominal) — Questionable

  • Mark Williams (back) — Injured

  • LaMelo Ball (ankle) — Out for season

  • Cody Martin (ankle) — Out for season

  • Seth Curry (ankle) — Out for season

Oklahoma City Thunder News

Confirmed Lineup: Josh Giddey, Isaiah Joe, Lu Dort, Gordon Hayward, Chet Holmgren

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quad) — Out

  • Jalen Williams (ankle) — Out

Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams remain out for the third straight game, leaving the Thunder down two starters in Friday's matchup. Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins have filled in as starters. The usage has been spread out with SGA sidelined, with no player reaching 15 field goal attempts in the last two contests. Josh Giddey has continued to see an elevated role over the previous six games.

Indiana Pacers News

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

  • Myles Turner (finger) — Available

  • Bennedict Mathurin (shoulder) — Out for season

Portland Trail Blazers News

Confirmed Lineup: Scoot Henderson, Rayan Rupert, Kris Murray, Jabari Walker, Deandre Ayton

  • Jerami Grant (hamstring) — Out

  • Justin Minaya (hip) — Available

  • Anfernee Simons (knee) — Out

  • Matisse Thybulle (ankle) — Out

  • Ibou Badji (back) — Out

  • Malcolm Brogdon (elbow) — Injured

  • Shaedon Sharpe (core) — Injured

  • Robert Williams (knee) — Out for season

  • Toumani Camara (rib, kidney) — Out for season

Washington Wizards News

Confirmed Lineup: Jordan Poole, Corey Kispert, Johnny Davis, Deni Avdija, Tristan Vukcevic

  • Deni Avdija (migraine) — Available

  • Richaun Holmes (toe) — Out

  • Johnny Davis (ankle) — Available

  • Kyle Kuzma (ankle) — Out

  • Tyus Jones (back) — Out

  • Landry Shamet (calf) — Out

  • Marvin Bagley (knee) — Injured

  • Bilal Coulibaly (wrist) — Out for season

  • Isaiah Livers (hip) — Out for season

Wizards-Blazers feature two teams with nothing to play for, and the injury reports for each team align with the tank. Jordan Poole should continue to consume majority of the team's usage. Tristan Vukcevic could draw his second straight start after scoring double-digit points in each of the last two contests.

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

Boston Celtics News

Confirmed Lineup: Jrue Holiday, Sam Hauser, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis

  • Jaylen Brown (hand) — Out

  • Derrick White (back) — Out

  • Jaden Springer (knee) — Out

  • JD Davison (ankle) — Not on injury report

The Celtics have clinched home court advantage through the playoffs and could rest key starters down the stretch of the regular season. Brown is still dealing with a sprained hand but was able to suit up last game, while White's back injury is new. Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard are candidates to see increased minutes, with more offense being available for Jayson Tatum.

New York Knicks News

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

  • Jalen Brunson (foot) — In

  • Josh Hart (wrist) — In

  • OG Anunoby (elbow) — In

  • Julius Randle (shoulder) — Out for season

  • OG Anunoby (elbow) — Injured

Chicago Bulls News

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

  • Torrey Craig (knee) — Available

  • Javonte Green (personal) — Available

  • Julian Phillips (foot) — Injured

  • Zach LaVine (foot) — Out for season

  • Patrick Williams (foot) — Out for season

  • Lonzo Ball (knee) — Out for season

Miami Heat News

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

  • Tyler Herro (foot) — Available

  • Terry Rozier (knee) — Available

  • Duncan Robinson (back) — Available

  • Josh Richardson (shoulder) — Out for season

Herro is traveling with the Heat for the current three-game road trip and reportedly has a chance to return to the lineup as early as Friday. He has been sidelined for 20 games due to a right foot injury. After missing the postseason last year with a broken hand, this is encouraging news for the Heat less than two weeks out of the playoffs.

It's possible Herro will be limited in his first game back after a lengthy absence. Prior to the injury, he was averaging a career-high 20.8 points per game.

Houston Rockets News

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

  • Amen Thompson (leg) — Out

  • Jae'Sean Tate (ankle) — Out

  • Alperen Sengun (ankle, knee) — Injured

  • Tari Eason (leg) — Out for season

  • Steven Adams (knee) — Out for season

Detroit Pistons News

Confirmed Lineup: Marcus Sasser, Jaden Ivey, Troy Brown Jr., Tosan Evbuomwan, Jalen Duren

  • Cade Cunningham (injury management) — Out

  • Taj Gibson (hamstring) — Out

  • Simone Fontecchio (toe) — Out

  • Ausar Thompson (blood clot) — Out for season

  • Isaiah Stewart (hamstring) — Out for season

  • Quentin Grimes (knee) — Out for season

  • Stanley Umude (ankle) — Out for season

Cunningham remains out due to injury management as the Pistons have nothing to play for and also play in the first leg of a back-to-back. He has now missed five of the last 10 games.

Marcus Sasser replaced Cunningham in the starting lineup but the start was Malachi Flynn, who erupted for 50 points in 34 minutes off the bench. Flynn made 18 of 25 field goal attempts while contributing six rebounds and five assists. He'll have another opportunity to showcase his upside with Cunningham out.

Memphis Grizzlies News

Confirmed Lineup: Scotty Pippen Jr., Jordan Goodwin, Jake LaRavia, GG Jackson, Trey Jemison

  • Jaren Jackson Jr. (quad) — Out

  • Luke Kennard (knee) — Out

  • Brandon Clarke (injury maintenance) — Out

  • John Konchar (foot) — Out

  • Desmond Bane (back) — Out

  • Santi Aldama (foot) — Out

  • Yuta Watanabe (personal) — Out

  • Marcus Smart (finger) — Injured

  • Vince Williams (knee) — Injured

  • Derrick Rose (back, groin) — Injured

  • Ziaire Williams (hip, back) — Injured

  • Ja Morant (shoulder) — Out for season

The Grizzlies have once again filled up the injury report, listing 12 players ahead of Friday's matchup. With nothing to play for, Desmond Bane is sitting for the sixth straight game. The team will also be without starters Jaren Jackson Jr., Luke Kennard, and Santi Aldama. Friday's starting lineup will be the 48th different lineup of the season. Trey Jemison, Lamar Stevens, and Lake LaRavia will see increased roles.

Toronto Raptors News

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

  • Bruce Brown (knee) — Out

  • RJ Barrett (injury management) — Available

  • Kelly Olynyk (rest) — Available

  • Ochai Agbaji (hip) — Available

  • Gary Trent Jr. (back) — Available

  • DJ Carton (ankle) — Out

  • Jontay Porter (personal) — Out

  • Scottie Barnes (hand) — Injured

  • Jakob Poeltl (finger) — Injured

  • Chris Boucher (knee) — Injured

Milwaukee Bucks News

Confirmed Lineup: Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley, Khris Middleton, Jae Crowder, Brook Lopez

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) — Out

  • Damian Lillard (adductor) — In

  • Khris Middleton (injury management) — Available

  • Patrick Beverley (ankle) — Out

  • MarJon Beauchamp (ankle) — Out

  • Jaylin Galloway (ankle) — Out

Antetokounmpo has been playing through his left hamstring injury lately but is now listed questionable to play Friday. He recently expanded on the importance of playing through the injury with the playoffs less than two weeks ago.

Lillard has a chance to return from a three-game absence, and could immediately step into a heavy offensive role if Antetokounmpo is unable to suit up. It would make sense for the Bucks to not rush Lillard back and give Antetokounmpo time off facing the Raptors, but the team is coming off back-to-back losses to the Grizzlies and Wizards.

San Antonio Spurs News

Confirmed Lineup: Tre Jones, Malaki Branham, Julian Champagnie, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Victor Wembanyama

  • Keldon Johnson (foot) — Out

  • Dominick Barlow (knee) — Out

  • Cedi Osman (ankle) — Out

  • Devin Vassell (foot) — Out for season

  • Jeremy Sochan (ankle) — Out for season

  • Charles Bassey (knee) — Out for season

New Orleans Pelicans News

Confirmed Lineup: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Dyson Daniels, Trey Murphy III, Jonas Valanciunas

  • Zion Williamson (finger) — Out

  • Jose Alvarado (oblique) — Out

  • Brandon Ingram (knee) — Injured

Williamson received positive news with a negative X-ray on his injured finger and has been labeled day-to-day. He suffered the injury on Wednesday and was unable to return for the final seven-plus minutes of the fourth quarter. The Pelicans are fortunate that the injury wasn't worse with Brandon Ingram (knee) already sidelined with the playoffs just 10 days away.

CJ McCollum could see a larger offensive role if Williamson is unable to suit up with Naji Marshall a candidate to enter the starting lineup.

Golden State Warriors News

Confirmed Lineup: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Moses Moody, Draymond Green, Trayce Jackson-Davis

  • Andrew Wiggins (ankle) — Out

  • Jonathan Kuminga (knee) — Out

  • Gary Payton II (ankle) — Available

  • Dario Saric (knee) — Out

Dallas Mavericks News

Confirmed Lineup: Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum, Derrick Jones Jr., PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford

  • Greg Brown III (personal) — Out

  • Luka Doncic (knee) — Out

  • Maxi Kleber (back) — Out

  • Dereck Lively II (knee) — Injured

  • Josh Green (ankle) — Injured

Minnesota Timberwolves News

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

  • Mike Conley (rest) — Available

  • Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) — Injured

  • Jaylen Clark (Achilles) — Injured

Phoenix Suns News

Confirmed Lineup: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkic

  • Jusuf Nurkic (calf) — Available

  • Grayson Allen (hip) — In

  • Damion Lee (knee) — Injured

Nurkic is dealing with a sore calf and is questionable to play Friday. However, the team will likely get Grayson Allen back after a one-game absence. The Suns are currently holding onto the 6 Seed with plenty to play for down the stretch of the season. Drew Eubanks would be in line for a spot start if Nurkic is downgraded, with usage continuing to funnel through the Big 3.

Utah Jazz News

Confirmed Lineup: Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Brice Sensabaugh, Taylor Hendricks, Omer Yurtseven

  • Walker Kessler (nose) — Out

  • John Collins (back) — Out

  • Jordan Clarkson (back) — Out

  • Lauri Markkanen (shoulder) — Injured

Los Angeles Clippers News

Confirmed Lineup: James Harden, Terance Mann, Paul George, PJ Tucker, Ivica Zubac

  • Kawhi Leonard (knee) — Out

  • Josh Primo (ankle) — Out