Sat Jan 25 4:26pm ET
Field Level Media
The Portland Trail Blazers will put their season-high four-game winning streak to the test when they face the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.
Portland is beginning a seven-game homestand with a matchup against the Western Conference-leading Thunder, who are trying to bounce back from a 121-115 home loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday.
The Blazers turned in another strong defensive performance on Friday, beating Charlotte 102-97 while holding the Hornets to 37.6 percent shooting.
The impressive outing came one night after Portland limited Orlando to a season-low point total in a 101-79 victory over the Magic.
Anfernee Simons scored 27 points against Charlotte on Friday, while Jerami Grant added 22.
The rebuilding Blazers lost five straight before going on their current win streak. One of the most encouraging elements has been the play of rookie center Donovan Clingan, who had 13 rebounds and four blocks in the win over Charlotte.
"Donovan played great," Simons said. "Altering shots at the rim. Just being a presence down low. That's all we need him to be. Play hard. Get some offensive rebounds. Get some putbacks. Just doing the dirty work."
Portland coach Chauncey Billups also raved about the 7-foot-2 Clingan, who was the seventh selection in last April's draft.
"He gives us so much confidence to know that we can pressure people," Billups said. "When we know he's back there, he's gonna try to clean up all the mistakes that we make with us trying to be so aggressive."
The Blazers are seeking their first win over Oklahoma City since April 3, 2021. Portland has lost 14 straight meetings since then, including two this season.
One of the few teams to give the Thunder (36-8) trouble this season are the Mavericks, who won the season series against Oklahoma City 3-1 with Thursday's victory.
The Thunder played Thursday without reserve guard Isaiah Joe, who has missed the last two games due to illness. Joe is shooting 49.2 percent from 3-point range in 10 games this month.
Thursday marked Oklahoma City's first home loss since Nov. 17, snapping a 12-game win streak on its own court.
"I think (Dallas) outplayed us in really every lineup," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "I thought they were just the better team. They were the aggressor for much of the game, especially in the second half."
Jalen Williams matched his season high with 33 points in the loss to Dallas, while All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points after scoring a career-high 54 in a home win over Utah on Wednesday.
Gilgeous-Alexander is building a strong case for his first MVP Award while averaging 32 points, 6.1 assists and 5.3 rebounds. He is shooting 52.9 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from 3-point range.
Aside from his contributions on offense, Gilgeous-Alexander is also a major reason why the Thunder are forcing a league-best 18.4 turnovers per game entering Saturday. He leads the team with 2.0 steals per contest.
"(Gilgeous-Alexander's) impact on both ends of the floor, efficiency - he's playing like the best player in the world," Oklahoma City guard Alex Caruso said.
The Thunder won 137-114 at Portland on Nov. 1 and beat the Blazers 109-99 on Nov. 20 to begin their 12-game home win streak.
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (toe) will be absent for a fourth consecutive game on Wednesday against the Houston Rockets. He is working his way back from a toe sprain and will now get some extra time to recover, with the league set to head into the All-Star break. Devin Booker (back) and Grayson Allen (knee) will also miss the game against the Rockets, leaving Kevin Durant and Tyus Jones as the only healthy players among Phoenix's top five scorers. Ryan Dunn was limited to only five minutes against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday and should take on a much larger role in Wednesday's game, while Bol Bol might again be involved heavily in the offense. He has averaged 16.5 shot attempts across the past two games, posting 18.5 points.
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen (knee) will sit out the second leg of a back-to-back on Wednesday against the Houston Rockets. Allen is nursing left knee soreness and will skip Wednesday's action after logging 20 minutes in Tuesday's 119-112 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. With Allen out of commission, Ryan Dunn should receive more playing opportunities, especially as Devin Booker (back) and Bradley Beal (toe) also sit out Wednesday's game. The likes of Royce O'Neale and Monte Morris may also get a lot of burn.
Memphis Grizzlies point guardJa Morant (knee) is questionable for Wednesday's matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers. Morant is dealing with left knee soreness after finishing with 26 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal in a win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. If the superstar guard is unable to play, Luke Kennard and Scotty Pippen will anchor the club's backcourt. However, neither player will be a reliable fantasy option this evening.
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Devin Booker (back) will come out of the lineup on Wednesday against the Houston Rockets. He hurt his back in Tuesday's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies as Phoenix kicked off a back-to-back. With Bradley Beal (toe) also out, Kevin Durant will be the last man standing among the Suns' Big Three. He netted a game-high 34 points in Tuesday's loss against Memphis to become the eighth player in NBA history with 30,000 career points. Given Phoenix's injury situation, Tyus Jones and Ryan Dunn should take on additional offensive duties in Wednesday's game.
Philadelphia 76ers point guardKyle Lowry(hip) will sit out Wednesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Lowry is managing a right hip injury and will miss his second straight game. The veteran will now have over a week to recover during the All-Star break. He has averaged only 12.5 minutes per contest this month, and his days as a solid fantasy contributor are gone. With the 38-year-old out of action,Jared Butlermay get a few extra minutes of action behind starting playmakerTyrese Maxeyon Wednesday.
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forwardEric Gordon (wrist) is unavailable for Wednesday's matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. Due to a wrist sprain, he will miss his second consecutive game. Gordon has only posted five points across three appearances in February. The Sixers will have no issues coping with his absence, while fantasy managers should look for other options.Quentin Grimeswill likely take on some extra minutes with the 36-year-old out. Grimes finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals during 36 minutes in Tuesday's 106-103 loss to the Raptors.
Philadelphia 76ers centerJoel Embiid(knee) won't suit up against the Brooklyn Nets. Wednesday's game is the second half of a back-to-back set for the Sixers and Embiid will get the night off for rest maintenance. On Tuesday, the big man posted 27 points,12 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 38 minutes in a 106-103 loss to the Raptors. With the 30-year-old sitting out this evening, Guerschon Yabuselewill likely start at center and see an uptick in extra minutes. Veteran center Andre Drummond will also be available to help out the teams frontcourt.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Max Strus (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's meeting with the Toronto Raptors. After making 23 consecutive appearances, Strus was forced to skip Monday's action against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to ankle soreness. He may now be sidelined for a second consecutive game. Newly acquired De'Andre Hunter took over from Strus in the first unit on Monday, scoring 12 points in 23 minutes during a blowout win. Sam Merrill, who had a 29-minute outing off the bench against Minnesota, also benefits from Strus' absence.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (calf) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Soreness in his right calf may end his streak of 14 consecutive appearances. Jerome is coming off a performance that included 15 points and four assists against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night. Craig Porter Jr. and Sam Merrill may take on larger roles off the bench on Wednesday, especially since Max Strus (ankle) is also iffy for the game.
Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (ankle) will remain sidelined for Wednesday's matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. This will mark his fifth straight absence due to a left ankle sprain. Sexton has one more chance to return before the All-Star break as Utah completes a back-to-back on Thursday versus the Los Angeles Clippers. On Wednesday, we should see Jordan Clarkson get another start in Sexton's place. Since rejoining the first unit, Clarkson has averaged 23.7 points and 4.0 assists while making 4.7 three-pointers per game.
Brooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton (ankle) is questionable to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. He has appeared on the injury report with a right ankle sprain. Day'Ron Sharpe and Trendon Watford will be in line for increased workloads if Brooklyn rules Claxton out for the game. The Nets catch Philadelphia at a good time, as the 76ers finish off a back-to-back, and Joel Embiid is unlikely to play after logging a 38-minute shift against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. Both Sharpe and Watford have performed well in limited minutes recently, and a boost in playing time would give them a lift.
Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (ankle) is questionable to suit up against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. He may be out for a second consecutive game due to a right ankle sprain. This would leave the Mavericks extremely short on healthy frontcourt bodies, as Daniel Gafford (knee) has just joined Anthony Davis (adductor), Dereck Lively II (ankle), and Dwight Powell (hip) on the shelf. Due to the lack of options, Kessler Edwards has begun logging starts, while Olivier-Maxence Prosper played 34 minutes off the bench in Monday's overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings. The latter had a decent showing with 16 points, but Prosper had been anonymous in the previous games.
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring) may miss a third consecutive contest, as the team lists him as questionable for Wednesday's clash against the Portland Trail Blazers. Following a hugely impressive three-game run of 30-point performances, Porter Jr. has landed on the shelf with a left hamstring strain. During his absence, Julian Strawther has stepped into a larger role. He has posted back-to-back 18-point efforts, averaging 37.0 minutes and 14.5 shot attempts. Christian Braun also currently carries a massive load, as Porter Jr. has joined Russell Westbrook (hamstring) and Payton Watson (knee) on the sidelines.
Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young (Achilles) is considered probable for Wednesday's matchup against the New York Knicks. Despite dealing with Achilles tendinitis, Young has played in eight consecutive games and appears to be on track for another appearance at Madison Square Garden. There is no love lost between Young and the Knicks fans, and he has already had two outings at MSG this season, averaging 24.5 points and 8.5 assists with eight makes from downtown.
Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray (knee) has been labeled as probable for Wednesday's matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Murray is experiencing inflammation in his left knee, but he has missed only one game since Christmas Day and is expected to be ready for Wednesday's action. The Canadian star may have something to prove in the contest after getting ejected on Monday against the Trail Blazers. Before getting tossed for picking up two technical fouls, Murray recorded a highly efficient 17 points with eight assists and two steals.
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard (hamstring) is listed as probable for Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Lillard is troubled by a hamstring issue but looks ready to play through the injury. He logged 39 minutes last time out against the Golden State Warriors when Lillard was also on the injury report. The Bucks are without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), making Lillard their main man. He has scored 81 points across the past two games.
Knicks' C Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a double-double, scoring 40 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in a 128-115 win over Indiana on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (elbow) is listed as probable ahead of Wednesday's game against the Utah Jazz. Reaves has been dealing with an elbow contusion for a few games, but he has looked fine during those contests. That being said, Reaves should continue to play through the issue during Wednesday's game. He'll likely be asked to take on a bigger role on offense, assuming Luka Doncic (calf) is unable to play. Reaves dropped a 44-point game last week and has finished with 20 points or more in each of his last five games. Reaves is looking like a must-start in all fantasy formats right now.
Charlotte Hornets center Jusuf Nurkic (trade) is set to make his team debut against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. After falling out of the rotation in Phoenix, Nurkic was traded to the Hornets during last Thursday's deadline. Now, Nurkic is set to make his Hornets debut, but he'll be under a minutes limit because he hasn't played since early January. It's unclear where Nurkic stands in the Hornets rotation right now. Mark Williams is back with the team after the trade with the Los Angeles Lakers fell through, but he's not playing right now. Moussa Diabate (eye) figures to see more minutes at the center spot, but he's questionable for Wednesday's game. That being said, Nurkic might end up starting on Wednesday with the Hornets limited on options.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) is currently considered probable ahead of Wednesday's game against the Utah Jazz. James has been a frequent name on the injury report, but normally he's able to play. It's worth noting that James did miss a game last week, but fantasy managers should expect him back on Wednesday. If active, James is obviously a must-start in all fantasy formats. Otherwise, Austin Reaves (elbow), Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt would be asked to take on a heavier workload if James is downgraded ahead of Wednesday's game.
Rotate for more data.