NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 4/7

Apr 7th 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 (hamstring) — In

  • Jayson Tatum (knee) — Out

  • Joel Embiid (injury recovery) — Out

  • Luka Doncic (knee) — In

  • LeBron James (illness) — Out

  • Zion Williamson (finger) — Available

  • Anthony Davis (knee) — Available

  • Tyrese Haliburton (back) — Available

  • Jaylen Brown (hand) — Available

  • James Harden (foot) — In

  • Tyrese Maxey (hip) — Available

  • Donovan Mitchell (injury management) — Out

  • Jalen Williams (ankle) — Out

  • Coby White (ankle) — Available

  • Alex Caruso (ankle) — Out

  • Terry Rozier (neck) — Available

  • Andrew Wiggins (ankle) — Out

  • Jonathan Kuminga (knee) — In

  • Amen Thompson (ankle, finger) — In

  • Kyle Kuzma (ankle) — Out

  • Jerami Grant (hamstring) — Out

  • Keldon Johnson (foot) — In

  • Tobias Harris (knee) — Out

  • Nic Claxton (ankle) — Out

  • Dennis Schroder (Achilles) — Available

  • Gary Trent Jr. (illness) — In

  • Nick Richards (foot) — Available

  • Kyle Lowry (rest) — Out

  • Cam Johnson (toe) — Out

  • Richaun Holmes (toe) — Out

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Houston Rockets News

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

  • Amen Thompson (ankle, finger) — In

  • Jae'Sean Tate (ankle) — Out

  • Alperen Sengun (ankle, knee) — Injured

  • Tari Eason (leg) — Out for season

  • Steven Adams (knee) — Out for season

Dallas Mavericks News

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

  • Luka Doncic (knee) — In

  • Maxi Kleber (back) — Available

  • Greg Brown III (personal) — Out

  • Dereck Lively II (knee) — Injured

  • Josh Green (ankle) — Injured

Cleveland Cavaliers News

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

  • Isaac Okoro (toe) — In

  • Donovan Mitchell (injury management) — Out

  • Dean Wade (knee) — Injured

  • Ty Jerome (ankle) — Injured

Los Angeles Clippers News

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

  • James Harden (foot) — In

  • Daniel Theis (thumb) — Out

  • Kawhi Leonard (knee) — Out

  • Josh Primo (ankle) — Out

Miami Heat News

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

  • Terry Rozier (neck) — Available

  • Orlando Robinson (back) — Out

  • Josh Richardson (shoulder) — Out for season

Indiana Pacers News

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

  • Tyrese Haliburton (back) — Available

  • Jalen Smith (ankle) — Available

  • Bennedict Mathurin (shoulder) — Out for season

One game after meeting the 65-game requirement for postseason awards, Haliburton coincidentally landed on the injury report for the first time since the All-Star break. There were multiple reports of Haliburton getting through Sunday’s practice, and he has routinely played despite being questionable.

The Pacers have ranked second since the All-Star break with a 120.2 Offensive Rating. However, they face the Heat, who have ranked third with a 108.4 Defensive Rating during the same timeframe. Against teams in the top 10 in Offensive Rating since the break, the Heat have maintained their defensive prowess with a 112.0 Defensive Rating -- fourth-best.

Portland Trail Blazers News

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

  • Jerami Grant (hamstring) — Out

  • Anfernee Simons (knee) — Out

  • Matisse Thybulle (ankle) — Out

  • Ibou Badji (back) — Available

  • Malcolm Brogdon (elbow) — Injured

  • Shaedon Sharpe (core) — Injured

  • Robert Williams (knee) — Out for season

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

Boston Celtics News

Confirmed Lineup: Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis

  • Jayson Tatum (knee) — Out

  • Jaylen Brown (hand) — Available

  • Derrick White (back) — Not on injury report

  • Jaden Springer (knee) — Available

The Celtics already clinched home-court advantage throughout the postseason. Over the past 15 games, they have had their preferred starting lineup only three times. They’ve lost only twice in that timeframe, one of which came with the typical starters.

Brown and White sat the previous game, and the training staff could alternate rest days over the final five games for the rotation players. Porzingis and Holiday missed the first game against the Blazers this season. Now it’s time for Brown and Tatum to relax. Porzingis is the only Celtics’ rotation player who won’t be eligible for postseason awards due to the games-played threshold.

Oklahoma City Thunder News

Confirmed Lineup: Josh Giddey, Cason Wallace, Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Chet Holmgren

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quad) — Out

  • Jalen Williams (ankle) — Out

  • Gordon Hayward (leg) — Out

  • Isaiah Joe (ankle) — Probable

Charlotte Hornets News

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

  • Nick Richards (foot) — Available

  • Amari Bailey (illness) — Out

  • Leaky Black (abdominal) — Available

  • Mark Williams (back) — Injured

  • LaMelo Ball (ankle) — Out for season

  • Cody Martin (ankle) — Out for season

  • Seth Curry (ankle) — Out for season

Chicago Bulls News

Confirmed Lineup: Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Javonte Green, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic

  • Coby White (ankle) — Available

  • Alex Caruso (ankle) — Out

  • Torrey Craig (knee) — Available

  • Julian Phillips (foot) — Injured

  • Zach LaVine (foot) — Out for season

  • Patrick Williams (foot) — Out for season

  • Lonzo Ball (knee) — Out for season

White and Caruso both suffered ankle injuries during the previous game. Coach Donovan mentioned the team will prioritize health over playoff seeding.

The Bulls are currently in the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference, 1.5 games ahead of the Hawks. Both teams will face each other in the Play-In Tournament. The Bulls’ magic number to clinch the home game in the 9-10 matchup is three with five games remaining.

Orlando Magic News

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

  • Caleb Houstan (ankle) — Out

Washington Wizards News

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

  • Richaun Holmes (toe) — Out

  • Anthony Gill (knee) — Out

  • 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

Toronto Raptors News

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

  • Bruce Brown (knee) — In

  • Gary Trent Jr. (illness) — In

  • DJ Carton (ankle) — Out

  • Jontay Porter (personal) — Out

  • Scottie Barnes (hand) — Injured

  • Jakob Poeltl (finger) — Injured

  • Chris Boucher (knee) — Injured

New Orleans Pelicans News

Confirmed Lineup: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas

  • Zion Williamson (finger) — Available

  • Naji Marshall (shoulder) — Out

  • Jose Alvarado (oblique) — Available

  • Brandon Ingram (knee) — Injured

Phoenix Suns News

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

  • Damion Lee (knee) — Injured

New York Knicks News

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

  • Bojan Bogdanovic (wrist) — Available

  • Julius Randle (shoulder) — Out for season

Milwaukee Bucks News

Confirmed Lineup: Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) — In

  • Patrick Beverley (ankle) — Out

  • MarJon Beauchamp (ankle) — Out

  • Jaylin Galloway (ankle) — Out

Philadelphia 76ers News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyrese Maxey, Cam Payne, Kelly Oubre, Nicolas Batum, Paul Reed

  • Tyrese Maxey (hip) — Available

  • Tobias Harris (knee) — Out

  • Mo Bamba (illness) — Not on injury report

  • Joel Embiid (injury recovery) — Out

  • Kyle Lowry (rest) — Out

  • De'Anthony Melton (back) — Injured

  • Robert Covington (knee) — Injured

San Antonio Spurs News

Confirmed Lineup: Tre Jones, Malaki Branham, Julian Champagnie, Keldon Johnson, Victor Wembanyama

  • Keldon Johnson (foot) — In

  • 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

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

Brooklyn Nets News

Confirmed Lineup: Dennis Schroder, Cam Thomas, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Wilson, Noah Clowney

  • Nic Claxton (ankle) — Out

  • Dennis Schroder (Achilles) — Available

  • Dennis Smith Jr. (hip) — Out

  • Cam Johnson (toe) — Out

  • Dorian Finney-Smith (knee) — Out

  • Ben Simmons (back) — Out for season

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

  • Dariq Whitehead (shin) — Out for season

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

  • Kris Dunn (knee) — Out

  • Lauri Markkanen (shoulder) — Injured

Golden State Warriors News

Confimed Lineup: Chris Paul, Brandin Podziemski, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Trayce Jackson-Davis

  • Andrew Wiggins (ankle) — Out

  • Jonathan Kuminga (knee) — In

  • Gary Payton II (ankle) — In

  • Stephen Curry (rest) — Out

  • Dario Saric (knee) — Out

The Warriors have gone 1-5 without Curry this season. Four of the losses were by double-digits. Brandin Podzieski and Kuminga are the only Warriors with a positive true shooting mark in those games, and no one on the team posted a positive Net Rating.

The Warriors are playing their eighth game in 13 days, and they’ve selected an advantageous spot to rest Curry. Their opponent, the Jazz, have the fewest wins (3) since the All-Star break, and their 122.4 Defensive Rating ranks last in that span.

Minnesota Timberwolves News

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

  • Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) — Injured

  • Jaylen Clark (Achilles) — Injured

Los Angeles Lakers News

Confirmed Lineup: D'Angelo Russell, Spencer Dinwiddie, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Anthony Davis

  • LeBron James (illness) — Out

  • Anthony Davis (knee) — Available

  • Gabe Vincent (injury recovery) — Out

  • Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) — Injured

  • Christian Wood (knee) — Injured

  • Jalen Hood-Schifino (back) — Injured