Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Kings center Domantas Sabonis will be reevaluated in 3-4 weeks following surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The three-time All-Star has averaged 17.2 points and 12.3 rebounds this season, having already missed four games. Drew Eubanks and Precious Achiuwa are expected to see increased minutes. The 3-12 Kings have lost seven straight.
Jaden McDaniels (wrist) is questionable for Friday's game against the Suns.
The NBA's Last Two Minute report confirmed the offensive foul called on Brandon Williams with 0.7 seconds left, which negated his game-tying layup against the Knicks. This controversial call secured the Knicks' 113-111 victory over the Mavericks. Coach Jason Kidd described it as a 'tough call.' The loss dropped Dallas's record to 4-12.
Zaccharie Risacher (hip) is available for Thursday's game against the Spurs.
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) is probable for Friday's game against the Rockets.
Jaren Jackson (ankle) has been officially ruled out for Thursday's game against the Kings, as reported by Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee. He will not play due to the injury.
Kawhi Leonard (right knee) underwent offseason clean-up surgery and is a limited practice participant, not yet cleared for contact. His 2024-25 season start is murky; he withdrew from Team USA.
Darius Garland (toe) is questionable for Friday's game against the Pacers. Garland's 2023-24 season was interrupted by a six-week absence from mid-December to late January due to a fractured jaw. He averaged 20.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.6 steals through his first 20 games of the 2023-24 season. After his return, he averaged 16.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.1 steals over his final 37 regular season appearances. In the playoffs, he averaged 15.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.1 steals in 35.9 minutes over 12 outings. He reached the 20-point mark in 22 games, including five with at least 30 and a season-high of 36 points. Garland shot 37.1 percent from deep on the season, knocking down more than three threes on 13 occasions and a high of eight three-pointers in a single game. He also dished more than seven assists 22 times, including a season-high 12 assists on two occasions. Garland is set for his sixth NBA season as a member of the Cavaliers and is likely to continue to shine alongside Donovan Mitchell.
Jarrett Allen (finger) is questionable for Friday's game against the Pacers. Allen is coming off arguably the best season of his career in 2023-24, where he set new career highs with 16.5 points and 2.7 assists per game. He also averaged 10.5 rebounds, the second-best mark of his career, and maintained his streak of averaging at least 1.0 blocks per game in every season. Additionally, 2023-24 was the fifth consecutive season that Allen shot better than 61.0 percent from the field. He was sidelined mid-way through the first round of the playoffs and remained out as his squad battled into the second round. In 81 games played between the regular season and playoffs, Allen reached the 20-point mark on 23 occasions, including two with at least 30, and a season-high of 33 points. He had at least 10 rebounds in 47 outings, including 13 games with at least 15 rebounds and a season-high 23 boards. He also had 44 double-doubles on the year. After signing a three-year extension this offseason, Allen heads into his fifth season as a member of the Cavaliers, maintaining a firm role as the team's starting center and defensive anchor.
Cooper Flagg (illness) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Friday's game against the Pelicans and will return to the hardwood. Flagg missed the first game of his brief NBA career Wednesday night after falling ill. The rookie forward is playing well of late, averaging 18.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 blocks over his previous five appearances. Flagg signed a two-year, $28.34 million contract with the Mavericks in July 2025, which includes a $15.21 million team option for 2027-28. In his rookie 2025 season, he has averaged 15.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks. Prior to the NBA, Flagg was the first freshman named Maine Gatorade Player of the Year in 2021, won 2022 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year, and 2024 National High School Player of the Year. In his lone collegiate season, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks in 30.6 minutes across 37 games for Duke, earning ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC All-Defensive Team, and National College Player of the Year honors.
Jabari Smith (knee) is questionable for Friday's game against the Nuggets. He is back on the injury report due to right knee tendinopathy. The Rockets are likely to see how the big man is feeling closer to Friday's tipoff before clarifying his status. If Smith cannot give it a go, Josh Okogie would be in position to take on heavy playing time in the frontcourt.
Alex Sarr (toe) is questionable for Friday's game against the Raptors. He is in jeopardy of missing his second game of the season Friday, which is the first leg of a back-to-back set. It's possible the Wizards clear him for just one of these based on league trends. With Marvin Bagley (hip) doubtful, Tristan Vukcevic could be in line for a lot of minutes if Sarr is unable to play.
Coby White (rest) is questionable for Friday's game against the Heat. He enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023-24, averaging career highs of 19.1 points, 5.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.6 threes in 36.5 minutes across 79 regular-season appearances (78 starts), including a career-high 42 points in Chicago's Play-In Game victory over the Hawks. This increased production was correlated to Zach LaVine's long-term absence. With Josh Giddey expected to start at point guard, White should move to shooting guard, though the Bulls' situation remains fluid. He finished 48th in eight-category leagues last season, but his lack of defensive statistics and team question marks make a top-50 pick ill-advised. White is also coming off a season where he averaged just 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 three-pointers in 23.4 minutes per game, starting only two of 74 games, despite shooting 44.3 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from behind the arc. The Bulls brought him back on a three-year contract. With Lonzo Ball (knee) ruled out, White will battle Jevon Carter, Alex Caruso, and Ayo Dosunmu for backcourt minutes. His role shrunk after a promising second season due to roster changes, averaging 12.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 27.5 minutes, achieving a career-high 56.4 percent true shooting and reducing turnovers to 1.5 per 36 minutes. The addition of Goran Dragic further complicates his role, making him unlikely to be an impact player in standard fantasy leagues, though he remains a dynasty/keeper option. In his near-full-time starting role, he averaged 15.1 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.1 rebounds in 31.2 minutes, with three 30-point games and three 10-assist performances. As a rookie, he showed flashes of offensive excellence, posting a career high of 35 points and making the All-Rookie Second Team, eventually starting under new coach Billy Donovan. He averaged 2.7 assists and shot 39.4 percent from the field as a point guard, with 5.8 three-point attempts at 35.4 percent. His strengths include quickness and scoring ability, averaging 15.0 points in summer league. As a rookie, he was the first point guard off the bench, with Tomas Satoransky starting.
Jordan Poole (quadriceps) is out for Friday's game against the Mavericks. Poole was a major fantasy disappointment last season after being traded to the Wizards from Golden State, where he had averaged 20.4 points and 4.5 assists in 30.0 minutes in 2022-23. With the Wizards, he struggled initially, scoring 20 points only twice in his first 12 games and averaging 16.3 points on 40/31/86 shooting with 3.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 29.4 minutes from October through February, even moving to the bench after the All-Star break. He found his form in March and April, averaging 20.3 points on 44/36/94 shooting, 6.2 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 31.8 minutes across his final 21 appearances. Washington is not projected to improve this season, offering the 25-year-old a chance to lead the offense. He is better suited for points leagues due to potential efficiency issues but has upside in category leagues around pick 100. Poole's 2022-23 season ended disappointingly in the playoffs, leading to his trade for Chris Paul this offseason. He posted 17.0 points and 3.8 assists per game during the Warriors' 2021-22 championship run, earning a four-year, $128 million extension, but averaged only 10.3 points and 3.5 assists in the 2022-23 postseason after an altercation with Draymond Green. In Washington, he is expected to start regularly and be a go-to playmaker alongside Kyle Kuzma. Despite a solid regular season in 2022-23 with career highs of 20.4 points and 4.5 assists, he shot a career-worst 33.6 percent from three and committed a career-high 3.1 turnovers per game. As a former third or fourth option, he is poised for a jump in Year 5 as a No. 1 option. He made a significant impact on the Warriors' title path, emerging as a dynamic rising star, with per-game averages of 18.5 points, 4.0 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.8 three-pointers on 44.8 percent field goal and 92.5 percent free throw shooting. He was particularly effective during Stephen Curry's 12-game absence, averaging 25.8 points, 6.2 dimes, 5.0 boards, and 4.1 triples. In his second NBA campaign, he increased his scoring from 8.8 to 12.0 points per contest due to improved shooting efficiency (43.2% FG, 35.1% 3P). After a G League stint, he averaged 14.7 points, 2.4 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.3 three-pointers over the final 36 regular-season games. As a rookie, the 28th overall pick from Michigan struggled with turnovers and was limited to a minimal role as a three-point specialist off the bench.
Wiggins will not play Friday against the Bulls with a left hip injury.
Paul George (knee) has been removed from the injury report and is cleared to play in Thursday's game against the Bucks. After five injury-riddled years with the Clippers, George signed a four-year max contract with the Philadelphia 76ers over the summer. He projects as the team's third option behind Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, though he is expected to have ample opportunities to control the offense due to the team's weak bench and Embiid's injury history. George has a history of trouble staying on the court, with a strained right knee sidelining him for much of last season's fantasy playoffs and the Clippers' first-round loss. Despite this, he reportedly had a normal offseason and is expected to be ready for the start of the campaign. When healthy, the eight-time All-Star continues to deliver excellent numbers, averaging 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.8 three-pointers, and 1.5 steals while shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 87.1 percent from the charity stripe in a healthy season. His addition to the 76ers replaces Tobias Harris, bringing a higher-usage player to the team, though his exact impact on usage alongside Embiid and Maxey is yet to be determined.
Joel Embiid (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Bucks. The 2022-23 MVP's last campaign was cut short by a meniscal flap tear, sidelining him from late January to early April, resulting in only 39 regular-season appearances in 2023-24. During those games, he averaged 34.7 points on 53/39/88 shooting, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.2 steals, making him the No. 1 per-game producer in eight-category formats. Embiid, entering his age-30 season, has a history of injuries, having missed his first two career years and never playing 70 games in a season. The 76ers have acquired Paul George, a high-usage player with his own injury concerns, to replace Tobias Harris. This move is expected to potentially allow Embiid to play fewer minutes and rest more, aiming to preserve him for the playoffs, although the impact of George on Embiid's and Tyrese Maxey's usage is yet to be determined.
Jayson Tatum's absence due to an Achilles injury has significantly impacted the Boston Celtics, leading to a major roster overhaul. Following his injury, the team dismantled its previous structure, selling off key players like Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet to avoid substantial luxury tax payments for a roster without its best player. This has resulted in a chaotic and unpredictable season for the Celtics, who are now navigating an "Eat, Pray, Love" journey to find their identity while waiting for Tatum to mend.
Paolo Banchero, a 23-year-old forward for the Orlando Magic, is currently sidelined due to a left groin strain and has no timetable for his return. Coach Jamahl Mosley confirmed Thursday that the team does not set timelines, stating, "They don't put timelines on it. As he recovers from each session, we'll go from there." Banchero will miss his fourth straight game against the Clippers, and the Magic do not anticipate an imminent return. His 2025 stats include 21.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.9 blocks. Banchero signed a two-year, $22.66 million contract with the Magic in July of 2022. The Magic exercised his $12.16 million team option for 2024-25 in October of 2023, and his $15.33 million team option for 2025-26 in October of 2024. He signed a five-year maximum rookie extension in July of 2025. Banchero was born November 12, 2002, in Seattle, Washington. His mother, Rhonda, played college basketball at Washington and professionally, becoming a coach. His father, Mario, played college football at Washington. Banchero, of Italian descent, received Italian citizenship in February 2020. He played basketball, football, and track growing up, ranking among the top 50 eighth-graders nationally in both sports. At O'Dea High School, he was a backup quarterback on the state championship team as a freshman, averaging 14.1 points and 10.2 rebounds in basketball. As a sophomore, he led the school to a Class 3A state championship, averaging 18.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, earning MVP honors. As a junior, he was named Washington Gatorade Player of the Year and MaxPreps Junior of the Year with 22.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game. He was a five-star recruit, named to the McDonald's All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic rosters. He committed to Duke in August 2020, where he averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.1 steals in 33.0 minutes across 39 freshman appearances, earning ACC Freshman of the Year and Consensus All-American Second Team honors. He was selected No. 1 overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Lauri Markkanen is currently averaging 30 points per game, placing him among the league's top six scorers. This resurgence follows a period where fantasy managers had pushed him outside the top 50 in ESPN ADP due to missing numerous games and a dip in performance last season, where he averaged 19 PPG over 47 games with subpar shooting and rebounding. In contrast, his debut season for Utah saw him average 25.6 PPG and 8.6 RPG over 66 games, with strong 3-point shooting. Markkanen has significantly increased his aggression, now taking 21.5 field goal attempts per game (fourth in the league) and averaging 3.8 3-pointers. While his career-high 35.9 minutes per game raise health concerns given his history of never playing more than 68 games in a season, the 28-year-old is eager to play. The Utah Jazz's lack of scoring depth, exacerbated by starting center Walker Kessler's season-ending shoulder injury, further positions Markkanen as the primary offensive option, with Keyonte George effectively facilitating. Markkanen has already posted a 51-point game against the Phoenix Suns in the first week and has exceeded 40 points in two of his last three games. His high-volume scoring and shooting make him particularly valuable in points formats, though his rebound, assist, and block numbers remain modest. His continued high-level production could be impacted by health or a potential trade to a contender.
