Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (hamstring) is expected to miss some time, head coach David Adelman confirmed in his post-game press conference, as reported by Vic Lombardi of Altitude Sports. Gordon exited Friday's win against the Rockets in the second quarter due to the hamstring issue. This follows him already missing Wednesday's game versus the Pelicans with the same problem, indicating a recurring concern for the forward.
Collin Gillespie delivered a stellar performance for the Phoenix Suns in Friday's 114-113 come-from-behind win over the Timberwolves, tallying 20 points (7-12 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 3 turnovers in 34 minutes. He sealed the victory with a crucial pull-up jumper from nine feet out with 6.4 seconds left, completing an improbable comeback after the Suns trailed by eight with 49 seconds remaining. Gillespie has averaged 18.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 3.0 triples, and 1.7 steals over his last three games.
Anthony Edwards delivered a dominant performance for the Minnesota Timberwolves, piling up 41 points (14-24 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 8-12 FT), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 1 block, and 5 turnovers across 40 minutes during Friday's 114-113 loss to Phoenix. Edwards tied his season-high in points, rebounding strongly after struggling in his previous three outings where he shot just 33.3 percent from the field and 2-for-23 from three-point range. Despite his herculean effort, the Timberwolves fell short, extending their record to 0-6 against teams with a winning record this season.
Andrew Nembhard of the Indiana Pacers delivered a career-high 32 points (11-20 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 7-7 FT), along with eight assists, one rebound, and two steals in 33 minutes during Friday's 120-109 loss to the Cavaliers. This performance topped his previous best by one point, and he also led the team in assists. Since returning from a seven-game shoulder strain absence, Nembhard has averaged 20.9 points, 6.8 assists, and 1.8 rebounds across 31.2 minutes.
Josh Giddey of the Chicago Bulls recorded 19 points (6-14 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-9 FT), 11 rebounds, and nine assists in 31 minutes during Friday's 143-107 loss to the Heat. He fell just one assist shy of his fourth triple-double of the 2024-25 season, which would have been his second in four games. This performance follows a nine-point outing on Wednesday. Through 13 games this season, Giddey is averaging 20.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 9.6 assists across 33.9 minutes.
Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers delivered 32 points (11-22 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 6-8 FT), nine rebounds, five assists, and one steal in 34 minutes during Friday's 120-109 win over the Pacers. This marks his eighth 30-plus point performance of the season and his fourth in the last five games. Mitchell is currently averaging 30.3 points, 5.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 triples, and 1.5 steals per contest this season.
Nic Claxton achieved his first NBA triple-double with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists, helping the Brooklyn Nets secure a 113-105 victory over the Boston Celtics. This win marked the Nets' first in the NBA Cup in-season tournament and broke a nine-game losing streak against Boston. The Nets' record now stands at 3-12 overall and 1-2 in NBA Cup play.
Michael Porter Jr. scored 33 points for the Brooklyn Nets, leading them to a 113-105 victory over the Boston Celtics. This marked the Nets' first win in the NBA Cup in-season tournament and snapped a nine-game losing streak against Boston. The Nets improved their overall record to 3-12 and their NBA Cup play record to 1-2.
Brandon Ingram recorded 24 points (6-12 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 12-13 FT), eight rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block in 30 minutes during the Toronto Raptors' 140-110 win over the Wizards on Friday. Ingram compensated for a modest shooting night by attempting a season-high 13 free throws, co-leading the Raptors in scoring and posting a game-high +25 differential. Through 15 games, he averages 20.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks.
Scottie Barnes posted an efficient 23 points (10-15 FG, 3-4 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists, and three steals in 30 minutes during the Toronto Raptors' 140-110 win over the Wizards on Friday. Barnes extended his impressive streak of at least one steal to 12 consecutive games and has shot 50.0% or better from the field in five of his last seven outings. Over this recent stretch, he's averaged 17.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.1 steals.
Isaac Okoro headed to the locker room after tweaking his left hamstring, per Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald. The Chicago Bulls forward sustained the injury while being fouled on a drive, though he remained in to hit free throws before immediately subbing out. Okoro is considered questionable to return, and his potential absence could create more minutes for teammates Ayo Dosunmu and Patrick Williams.
Draymond Green responded to Kenyon Martin's 'underachieved' comments, calling Martin an underachiever as a former No. 1 pick with one All-Star nod, contrasting it with his own 'way more impactful' career as a 35th pick with 4 All-Star selections, DPOY, and 9 All-Defensive Teams. Green also discussed Steph Curry's sneaker free agency, hoping Jordan Brand creates blue and gold designs, comparing it to Kobe Bryant's past free agency, and expects a new partnership soon.
Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (illness) is available for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers. Hield will play through his illness, but his fantasy upside is expected to be limited. This is due to the return of key players Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, who are all back in action Friday night. On the season, Hield is averaging 7.3 points and 1.3 triples per game.
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler (back) has been upgraded to available for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers. Butler was one of three probable players, alongside Draymond Green and Buddy Hield, who will all play. This month, Butler has been performing strongly, averaging 19.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, providing a significant boost to the team's lineup.
Jerami Grant (illness) is officially confirmed to play in Friday's game against the Warriors for the Portland Trail Blazers, after being listed as probable. In his last outing, Grant scored a season-high 33 points. With teammate Shaedon Sharpe (calf) sidelined for another game, Grant is expected to see a significant volume of shots, making him a key offensive contributor for the Blazers.
Norman Powell is questionable to return to Friday's game against the Bulls for the Miami Heat, having sustained a left groin strain during the first quarter. His status for the remainder of the contest is uncertain. If Powell remains sidelined, teammates Simone Fontecchio and Jaime Jaquez are anticipated to receive increased playing time and offensive opportunities, stepping into a larger role for the Heat.
Dereck Lively will not be in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Pelicans. Daniel Gafford is set to start at center. Lively is expected to play but remains under a strict minutes restriction, having not exceeded 21 minutes in any game this season. This ongoing limitation is noted to impact his fantasy upside.
Daniel Gafford will start for the Dallas Mavericks in Friday's game against the Pelicans, joining Brandon Williams, Cooper Flagg, Max Christie, and P.J. Washington in the first unit. This marks his tenth start of the season. In his previous nine starts, Gafford has averaged 10.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per contest.
Steven Adams (ankle) is confirmed to be in the starting lineup for the Houston Rockets' Friday game against the Nuggets, as reported by Lachard Binkley of SI.com. This will be his second consecutive start, where he'll join Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith, Kevin Durant, and Alperen Sengun in the first unit. Across three starts this season, Adams has averaged 7.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steal, and 2.0 turnovers.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (hamstring) is set for a re-evaluation in 2-4 weeks. Henderson previously tore a tendon in his left hamstring in September and, despite making progress in his recovery, is not expected to return soon. Fantasy managers are advised to keep him on the waiver wire in re-draft formats due to his extended absence.
