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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Domantas Sabonis (back) will play in Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies, returning from a two-game absence due to lower back soreness. His return will likely push Maxime Raynaud back to the second unit. Since his minutes restriction was lifted on January 23, Sabonis has averaged 15.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 29.3 minutes across four games.
Peyton Watson went to the locker room during the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game against the Knicks due to a right hamstring injury. He came up favoring his hamstring and was taken out of the game at the 8:30 mark of the fourth quarter. He is currently being evaluated by medical staff to determine if he can return to Wednesday's game. Julian Strawther should see a slight uptick in minutes if Watson is unable to return.
Santi Aldama is available to play in Wednesday's game against Sacramento, but he will play fewer minutes than normal as he returns from a four-game absence due to a right knee injury. The 24-year-old forward typically averages 28.0 minutes per game this season, and it's unclear exactly how much he'll play Wednesday. Aldama should have a high usage rate given the absence of Jaren Jackson (recently traded) and Ja Morant (elbow).
Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs) is officially available for Wednesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder after missing one game with a thigh injury. He is projected to score over 15.5 points, having historically performed well against the Thunder with previous scores of 22, 24, 19, and 20 points in four meetings. The Thunder's defense has struggled against opposing guards. Castle's return could impact minutes for Julian Champagnie or Devin Vassell. This season, he's averaging 16.6 points, 7.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.1 triples, and 1.3 steals per game.
Luka Dončić's previous deal with the Mavericks is reportedly aging even worse following the recent Anthony Davis trade. The Mavericks ended the Anthony Davis era after 368 mostly disappointing days, a move that has significant implications for Dončić's situation. Dallas, after a strange year, can now officially move on from what is being termed the 'Luka Dončić debacle' following the trade.
Rookie Cooper Flagg is silencing doubters with exceptional play, averaging 24 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4 assists on 50% shooting over his last 10 games. He recently posted 49 points, 10 boards, and 3 assists against Charlotte; 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists against Houston; and 36 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists against Boston. Teammate Naji Marshall expressed a desire to play his entire career with Flagg. Following the Anthony Davis trade, Dallas is now 'officially Cooper Flagg's team'.
Anthony Davis has been traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Washington Wizards in an eight-player blockbuster deal. He is currently sidelined by a finger injury and is not expected to be re-evaluated until early March, limiting his immediate fantasy impact. Davis is expected to operate in the pick-and-roll with Trae Young down the road. This move marks the end of his 368-day era with the Mavericks, who acquired him for Luka Doncic a year ago.
Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks) exited Wednesday's game against the Nuggets after sustaining a gash above his right eye from a collision with Spencer Jones. He briefly went to the locker room but was given the green light to return to the game. It's unclear if the injury required stitches or was simply a concussion check. While he was initially sidelined, Mitchell Robinson was expected to see increased playing time at center, but Towns' return negates that.
Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Lakers due to an ankle injury. He previously missed Tuesday's win over the Warriors, which was the second game of a back-to-back set. His status will become clearer following shootaround. If Embiid is able to return to action, Andre Drummond would likely move back to the bench.
Spencer Jones, starting for the Denver Nuggets against the Knicks, sustained a cut above his right eye during a collision with Karl-Anthony Towns. Both players were bleeding, but Jones remained in the game briefly. This game marks Jones' 50th on the active roster, after which the Nuggets must convert his two-way deal to a standard NBA contract for him to be eligible to suit up again.
Ron Harper is slated to start for the Boston Celtics in Wednesday's game against the Houston Rockets. This marks a notable opportunity for Harper, who has only made seven appearances and accumulated 35 minutes of play for the Celtics this season. His promotion to the starting lineup is a direct result of Jaylen Brown being sidelined with hamstring and knee soreness. Harper will join Derrick White, Baylor Scheierman, Luka Garza, and Neemias Queta in the Celtics' first unit.
Devin Booker has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors due to a sprained right ankle, marking his sixth consecutive missed game. Despite making strong progress in his recovery, the Phoenix Suns' star guard is not yet ready to return to the court. His continued absence has allowed Grayson Allen to maintain a spot in the starting lineup. Booker's next potential return to action is scheduled for Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Jalen Green is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors, dealing with hamstring and hip issues. He has already missed the past two games, and his potential absence could extend that streak to three. If Green remains sidelined, the Phoenix Suns will likely rely on Collin Gillespie and Grayson Allen for increased offensive production, with Jordan Goodwin also expected to see more available minutes.
Jaylen Brown has been officially ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Houston Rockets, citing left hamstring tightness and right knee soreness. The Celtics guard will miss the second leg of a back-to-back set and is now considered questionable for Friday's matchup against the Heat. His absence will lead to increased minutes for Jordan Walsh and Hugo Gonzalez, with Derrick White and Payton Pritchard expected to shoulder a heavier offensive load for Boston.
Stephen Curry has been officially ruled out for Thursday's game against the Phoenix Suns due to a right knee injury. This marks the second consecutive game the Golden State Warriors' star guard will miss. His next potential return to action is scheduled for Saturday against the Los Angeles Lakers. While Curry is sidelined, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, and Gui Santos are expected to continue operating in expanded roles for the team.
Myles Turner has been officially cleared to play in Wednesday's game against the Pelicans, overcoming a left ankle sprain sustained during Tuesday's victory over the Bulls. The Milwaukee Bucks center was initially listed as probable but received the green light to play. In his last five outings, Turner has been highly productive, averaging 18.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.0 threes, 3.0 blocks, and 1.2 steals over 18.2 minutes per game.
Jalen Pickett is not in the Nuggets' starting lineup against the Knicks on Wednesday, with Spencer Jones entering the starting five. Pickett has started in 17 of the Nuggets' last 19 games but has struggled recently, failing to score in three of his last four outings while shooting 3-for-14 from the field (and 1-for-11 from three-point range) over that span.
Julius Randle (thumb) has been upgraded from questionable to available for Wednesday's game against Toronto. Despite dealing with a sore left thumb, Randle has yet to miss a game this season. He is averaging 22.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across 33.4 minutes per game.
P.J. Washington (concussion) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Spurs. He will miss a second consecutive game while in the league's concussion protocol. His next opportunity to play will be in Saturday's rematch against San Antonio. Caleb Martin and Klay Thompson are expected to operate in expanded roles during Washington's absence.
Kevin Durant (ankle) is good to go and will play Wednesday's game versus the Celtics. He is back in the starting lineup after a one-game absence, which will shift Reed Sheppard back to the second unit. Durant will start alongside Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith, and Alperen Sengun for Wednesday's contest.
