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NBA News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Wednesday, February 25

Risacher Questionable for Thursday with Right Hip Contusion

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Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Washington Wizards due to a right hip contusion. Teammate Jalen Johnson is also questionable for Thursday's game with a hip injury. If both Risacher and Johnson are forced to the sidelines, Jonathan Kuminga could be asked to play significant minutes in a starting role. Managers should check back for another update on Risacher closer to Thursday's tip-off.

Johnson Questionable for Thursday with Hip Injury

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Jalen Johnson is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Wizards due to a hip injury he sustained during Tuesday's win over Washington. His injury led to increased minutes for Zaccharie Risacher and Jonathan Kuminga in the previous game. If Johnson is held out of Thursday's contest, Kuminga would become an attractive target in daily fantasy leagues. An update on his status is expected after Thursday's shootaround.

Davion Mitchell Questionable with Illness

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Davion Mitchell of the Miami Heat is questionable for Thursday's game against the 76ers due to illness. He played through a questionable tag on Tuesday, recording nine points, eight assists, and six rebounds in 28 minutes. If Mitchell is unable to play, the Heat will likely rely on Kasparas Jakucionis and Dru Smith.

Darius Garland Scrimmages, Targeting March 1 Return for Clippers Debut

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Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland (toe) participated in a 5-on-5 scrimmage on Wednesday, marking significant progress in his recovery. He is also scheduled for another scrimmage on Thursday. While he will not be cleared to play against the Timberwolves, a potential return on March 1 against the Pelicans is on the table if his progress continues. This update suggests fantasy managers may not have to wait much longer to see Garland make his debut for the Clippers.

Jalen Smith Out Indefinitely with Calf Injury, No Timetable Set

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Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith (calf) is currently without a timetable for his return, as reported by Bulls reporter Kevin Lu. Coach Billy Donovan confirmed that Smith was not present at practice on Wednesday and is not considered day-to-day, indicating a more significant absence. Based on this update, Smith has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Portland. In his absence, Nick Richards is expected to see an increase in his playing minutes.

Jaylen Brown Cleared for Wednesday's Game in Denver After Knee Rest

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Jaylen Brown (knee) has been removed from the injury report and is set to return to action with his usual workload for Wednesday's game against Denver. He rested during the front end of the back-to-back set. His return is expected to shift Ron Harper back to the second unit and reduce shot opportunities for Sam Hauser and Baylor Scheierman.

Evan Mobley Ruled Out for Wednesday's Game Against Bucks Due to Calf/Rest

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Evan Mobley (calf) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game in Milwaukee. This marks the second night of a back-to-back set, and Mobley will sit for rest purposes as he continues his recovery from a calf injury. His absence is expected to provide increased opportunities for Nae'Qwan Tomlin, Dean Wade, and Larry Nance.

Trey Murphy Out Fourth Straight Game Thursday with Shoulder Injury

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Trey Murphy (shoulder) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Jazz, marking his fourth consecutive absence. He currently remains without a timetable for his return. The Pelicans are expected to rely more heavily on Jordan Poole and Jeremiah Fears while Murphy is sidelined.

Donovan Mitchell Sidelined Wednesday vs. Bucks with Right Groin Strain

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Donovan Mitchell (right groin strain) will not play in Wednesday's game against the Bucks. The Cavaliers are holding him out cautiously as it's the second leg of a back-to-back set. With James Harden (thumb) also questionable, players such as Dennis Schroder, Craig Porter, and Keon Ellis could see increased involvement in the rotation.

De'Anthony Melton Out Wednesday vs. Memphis After Season-High Performance

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De'Anthony Melton (knee) will not play Wednesday against Memphis, an expected update for the second leg of a back-to-back set. This follows his season-best performance on Tuesday, where he recorded 28 points (8-21 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 9-11 FT), four rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 28 minutes during a 113-109 loss to the Pelicans. In his absence, Moses Moody and Gui Santos could see significant playing time.

Jalen Suggs Questionable With Back Injury

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Jalen Suggs has been listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Rockets due to a back injury. He has missed the last three games for the Orlando Magic. If Suggs continues to be sidelined, Anthony Black and Tristan da Silva are expected to see increased playing time for the team. The exact timeline for his return remains day-to-day.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Remains Out With Calf Injury

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Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss another game Wednesday against the Cavaliers due to a calf injury. There is no clear target date for his return. Antetokounmpo had previously stated his calf felt 100 percent on February 16th, suggesting he is day-to-day. Fantasy managers should monitor updates for the Milwaukee Bucks star.

Zion Williamson Showing Improved Durability

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Zion Williamson appears to be overcoming past durability concerns, demonstrating an increased ability to stay on the court. This development is part of a broader league trend where players are finding ways to maintain their availability. The article also notes emerging options on the Clippers, Kings, and Jazz.

Banchero Erupts for Game-High 36 Points, Records Career-High Double-Double

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Paolo Banchero exploded for a game-high 36 points (12-22 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 10-11 FT), 10 rebounds, and six assists in 38 minutes during Tuesday's 110-109 win over the Lakers. This marked his best scoring performance since January 26 and a new career high with his 17th double-double of the season. The Magic forward has been in excellent form, topping 20 points in five of his last eight games, averaging 22.6 points, 7.6 boards, 5.6 assists, 1.6 threes, and 1.0 blocks over that stretch.

Jaden McDaniels delivers 29 points, career-high 8 blocks/steals in win

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Jaden McDaniels had a dominant performance for the Minnesota Timberwolves in Tuesday's 124-121 win over the Trail Blazers, recording 29 points (12-16 FG, 5-6 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists, five blocks, and three steals in 37 minutes. His five made three-pointers tied a season high, and his eight combined blocks and steals marked a new career high. Over his last five games, the 25-year-old forward is averaging 18.8 points, 6.2 boards, 3.6 assists, 3.0 blocks, 2.0 threes, and 1.8 steals, shooting 54.0% from the field and 50.0% from deep.

Anthony Edwards pours in game-high 34 points, continues scoring surge

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Anthony Edwards led the Minnesota Timberwolves with a game-high 34 points (11-27 FG, 5-13 3Pt, 7-10 FT), adding four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 38 minutes during Tuesday's 124-121 victory over the Trail Blazers. The All-Star guard has been a consistent force, scoring 30-plus points in seven of his last 10 games. Over that stretch, he's averaging 30.6 points, 5.5 boards, 3.3 assists, 3.2 threes, 1.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks, leading Minnesota in their push for the No. 3 seed.

Tuesday, February 24

Ron Harper Jr. Shines in Start, Delivers Key Block for Celtics

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Ron Harper Jr., on a two-way contract, made his second NBA start for the Boston Celtics in their 97-81 victory over the Phoenix Suns, replacing the injured Jaylen Brown. In 30 minutes, Harper contributed 8 points, 5 rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a crucial block on Jamaree Bouyea, which he celebrated enthusiastically with teammate Baylor Scheierman. His performance was praised by Sam Hauser for maintaining team rhythm. Harper is expected to return to a bench role once Jaylen Brown recovers from his knee contusion.

Baylor Scheierman Shines with Double-Double, Key Defense in Celtics Win

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Baylor Scheierman is having a breakthrough season for the Boston Celtics, recently tallying 11 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal in 32 minutes during their 97-81 win over the Suns. Starting his fifth consecutive game, Scheierman was pivotal in a key defensive play alongside Ron Harper Jr., earning praise from teammates and coaches for his well-rounded game and strong defense. He's shooting 38.1% from three and averaging 5.6 defensive rebounds per 36 minutes. His role has increased with Jaylen Brown out, but may diminish upon Jayson Tatum's return.

LeBron James Misses Buzzer-Beater, Lakers Fall to Magic 110-109

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LeBron James and the Lakers suffered a 110-109 loss to the Magic after James missed a last-second shot. The game concluded with a botched sidelines out-of-bounds play where Luka Doncic passed to James, who was off-balance. James finished with 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. He started strong with 10 first-quarter points. This defeat leaves the Lakers at 34-23 overall and 16-12 at home, with James expressing uncertainty about their home performance.

Rookie Kon Knueppel Shatters NBA Three-Point Record in Historic Season

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Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel has made NBA history, becoming the fastest player to reach 200 three-pointers in just 58 games, surpassing the previous record by 11 games. He currently leads the league with 201 threes and is only six away from breaking the all-time rookie record. Knueppel scored 21 points, including three 3-pointers, in the Hornets' 131-99 victory over the Bulls, contributing to their eighth straight road victory. He's recently averaged 23 points and 50% from downtown over his last seven games.