SATURDAY 5-GAME SLATE
Last Updated: 5:15 pm EDT
Top Five Injuries to Watch
- Malcolm Brogdon (neck) is suddenly questionable for Saturday after looking great in the scrimmages. Plus, Victor Oladipo isn’t a lock to play either. There was some talk of managing Brogdon, so there’s a very good chance he sits. If one or both of Dipo or Brogdon sit, both Aaron Holiday and T.J. McConnell would be in big time spots — McConnell gets a revenge game. Edmond Sumner and Justin Holiday would also be on the board, and the Pacers would likely have to go bigger with Warren at the three more to open up minutes for Doug McDermott and T.J. Leaf (all the TJ?). Oladipo is not on the injury report, and he said he’s optimistic for what it’s worth
UPDATE 5:15 pm EDT: Victor Oladipo will be out there and is expected to play 28-30 minutes, but Brogdon will not be out there. That will put the Holiday boys will be in the starting lineup with some upside for Aaron and T.J. McConnell. - On top of Will Barton and Gary Harris getting ruled out, Jamal Murray (left hamstring strain) is questionable for the first game of the day. You’re playing Michael Porter Jr. in cash regardless (and probably in GPP), but Monte Morris could be a little limited after his late arrival, and Troy Daniels, Mason Plumlee and Bol Bol could also benefit here.
UPDATE Noon EDT: Jamal Murray is out, so Monte Morris is headed for big minutes. PJ Dozier will back him up while Torrey Craig and Troy Daniels also step up. Bol Bol could see a little more playing time, but he is dicey. - Goga Bitadze (knee) is listed as questionable, which is a bit of a surprise after coach Nate McMillan said he’d be out for a bit. That should put JaKarr Sampson in as the backup five while Leaf, McBuckets and maybe even Alize Johnson may have to help out if Dipo and Brogdon can’t go.
- Joel Embiid not being on the injury report is good news. Still, he could have a minutes limit, so he’s not exactly the strongest play. We might get an exact number from coach Brett Brown.
- The Lakers are always going to list Anthony Davis (eye) as probable, and they did so again. They also added LeBron James (groin) and Kyle Kuzma (ankle), but all of those guys were on the report for the same reason on Thursday. Even in the bubble environment, they should still be a go after getting big minutes on Thursday.
Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets, 1:00 PM ET
The Nuggets will not have Gary Harris (right hip), Vlatko Cancar (foot) and Will Barton (knee) for their first scrimmage. This puts Michael Porter Jr. in a smash spot. Jamal Murray (hamstring) is also questionable. Even if Jamal Murray goes, there should be minutes for Monte Morris and Troy Daniels. If Jamal is out, the Nuggets will likely go very big with more Jerami Grant at the three to open up minutes for Mason Plumlee and Bol Bol.
UPDATE Noon EDT: Jamal Murray is out, so Monte Morris is headed for big minutes. PJ Dozier will back him up while Torrey Craig and Troy Daniels also step up. Bol Bol could see a little more playing time, but he is dicey.
The Heat have no injuries on their injury report.
UPDATE: Not injury related, but Jae Crowder is starting over Meyers Leonard and Derrick Jones Jr. This is likely a situation to avoid.
Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 3:30 PM ET
The Jazz have no injuries on their injury report.
The Thunder have no injuries on their injury report.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. LA Clippers, 6:00 PM ET
The Clippers will not have Montrezl Harrell (personal) and Lou Williams (lemon pepper BBQ chicken wings) for this one, and Amir Coffey (hip) also is questionable after getting some minutes on Thursday. Without Lou, that should set up Reggie Jackson for a revenge game, and Landry Shamet could see more minutes again. Pat Beverley minutes may increase from 16 on Thursday.
UPDATE 4:25 PM EDT: Amir Coffey is available, but he may not be in the rotation anyway.
Zion Williamson is not on the injury report, but he will have limited minutes. That will help Josh Hart, Nicolo Melli and J.J. Redick.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Indiana Pacers, 7:00 PM ET
As mentioned up top, the Pacers could be really thin with Malcolm Brogdon (neck) questionable and Vic Oladipo possibly sitting out, too. Aaron Holiday and T.J. Warren are already in play and no Brogdon would open up a McConnell revenge game with some tourney Pacers bigs.
UPDATE 5:15 pm EDT: Victor Oladipo will be out there and is expected to play 28-30 minutes, but Brogdon will not be out there. That will put the Holiday boys will be in the starting lineup with some upside for Aaron and T.J. McConnell.
Goga Bitadze (knee) is listed as questionable, but coach Nate McMillan said he was expected to miss a few more days. JaKarr Sampson should be a backup to Myles Turner.
Joel Embiid is not on the injury report after missing two scrimmages. He practiced and should be in the 27-30 range.
Raul Neto (back) is probable and won’t be in the rotation, and Glenn Robinson III (hip) is doubtful. No fallout here.
Update 2:00 PM EDT: Raul Neto is available and Mike Scott was added to the injury report as questionable. Nothing to see here.
Update: No Glenn Robinson III and Mike Scott are now out.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Toronto Raptors, 8:30 PM ET
The Lakers listed Anthony Davis (eye), LeBron James (groin) and Kyle Kuzma (ankle) as questionable. They were all on the injury report for the last game for the same reason, so they’re all good.
Patrick McCaw (knee) is doubtful, which locks in Terence Davis II for minutes.
UPDATE 5:22 PM: McCaw is out, as expected.
Oshae Brissett (knee) is doubtful, but he’s not in the rotation anyway.
UPDATE 5:22 PM: Brissett is out.
