Guest of the League
Trust The Process
Fantasy Week 3 | NBA Week 3

NBA roundup: Big names help Bucks end losing streak

Fri Nov 8 12:54am ET
Field Level Media

Damian Lillard poured in 34 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo collected 31 points and a game-high 16 rebounds to lift the host Milwaukee Bucks to a 123-100 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.

Lillard also dished out seven assists for Milwaukee, which snapped a six-game skid. Bobby Portis netted 19 points in a reserve role for the Bucks.

Jordan Clarkson paced Utah with 18 points off the bench. Collin Sexton paired 14 points with seven assists for the Jazz, who won their previous game after dropping their first six.

Lillard and Antetokounmpo combined for 22 of the Bucks' 31 points in the third, which ended with Milwaukee holding an 88-77 lead. The Bucks were up by at least 11 for the entirety of the fourth.


Timberwolves 135, Bulls 119

Anthony Edwards produced a game-high 33 points plus eight rebounds and six assists and Julius Randle added 22 points and 10 rebounds as visiting Minnesota rallied past Chicago.

Rudy Gobert had 21 points and nine rebounds for the Timberwolves, who outscored the Bulls 45-24 in the fourth quarter to win for the third time in four games. Chicago has lost four straight.

Nikola Vucevic (25 points) and Coby White (24) paced Chicago, which was outrebounded 40-33.

Spurs 118, Trail Blazers 105

Malaki Branham and Keldon Johnson each scored 17 points off the bench as San Antonio used an uber-balanced attack to defeat visiting Portland.

Eight players scored in double figures for San Antonio, which snapped a two-game losing streak. Zach Collins, Stephon Castle and Julian Champagnie had 14 points each while Victor Wembanyama scored 12, Harrison Barnes 11 points and Blake Wesley 10. Johnson pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.

Deandre Ayton and Jerami Grant led the Trail Blazers with 21 points apiece. Ayton chipped in 10 rebound as Portland took its third loss in four games.

Player Notes
Ja Morant Thu Nov 7 6:50pm

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (hip) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Washington Wizards. This doesn't come as a huge surprise after Morant was forced to exit early on Wednesday due to injury. The Grizzlies haven't given a timetable for Morant, so the assumption is that it's a day-to-day issue. Scotty Pippen Jr. should see heavy playing time with Morant sidelined on Friday. Pippen finished with 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists in 25 minutes of action on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should consider Pippen a solid streaming option while Morant is out.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Thu Nov 7 6:40pm

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (groin) is available ahead of Thursday's game against the Utah Jazz. The superstar forward is back after sitting out of Monday's game. Antetokounmpo figures to have a normal workload, but could see the bench early if the Bucks are able to blowout Utah. Fantasy managers can go ahead and get Antetokounmpo back in their lineups on Thursday. Bobby Portis figures to head back to the bench and will take a hit in value. It's worth noting that the Bucks play on Friday as well, so it's possible that Antetokounmpo sits out in that one if his groin is still giving him issues.

Zach LaVine Thu Nov 7 6:40pm

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. As expected, LaVine will miss his third game in a row due to a lingering groin issue. Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White should both see increased playing time and scoring chances with LaVine absent. Both players struggled from the floor on Wednesday, but are worth looking at as streaming options with the Bulls lacking legitimate scoring options.

Brandon Miller Thu Nov 7 6:30pm

Charlotte Hornets guard Brandon Miller (shoulder) is considered probable ahead of Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers. Miller dropped 19 points with six rebounds during Wednesday's game, but he picked up a shoulder injury in the process. The fact he's listed as probable means Miller should be good to go, but fantasy managers should check back. The Hornets would be in bad shape if Miller sat out with Miles Bridges (knee) already ruled out. Seth Curry and Cody Martin could be asked to play big minutes if Miller is unable to play.

Miles Bridges Thu Nov 7 6:20pm

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers. Bridges suffered a hypertension of his right knee during the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game. He was able to return to the contest, but the Hornets are going to take the cautious approach here. It sounds like Bridges is considered day-to-day, so fantasy managers shouldn't be too concerned. Cody Martin is likely to move into the starting five, which should give him increased value for at least one game.

Zach LaVine Thu Nov 7 6:10pm

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (groin) is considered as doubtful ahead of Thursday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. LaVine is now in danger of missing his third game in a row due to a groin issue. The assumption is that LaVine is day-to-day, but the team hasn't given many updates. His absence should result in more playing time for Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White. Both players will see an increase in playing time and fantasy value until LaVine is able to return. Fantasy managers should prepare to be without LaVine on Thursday.

Devin Vassell Thu Nov 7 6:00pm

San Antonio Spurs forward Devin Vassell (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Vassell has yet to play this season while he recovers from foot surgery. The organization was hopeful he'd return during the first week of November, but that didn't happen. Although, there's hope that Vassell could make his season debut against the Utah Jazz on Saturday. Fantasy managers should expect Vassell to be limited during his first few games. However, Vassell should be a solid fantasy asset once he's back to full health. Stephon Castle should take a hit in playing time once Vassell is ready to go again.

Wendell Carter Jr. Thu Nov 7 5:50pm

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (foot) is listed as out on the injury report ahead of Friday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The big man has missed the last two games due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot. The team is currently considering Carter as day-to-day, but this is the type of injury that is really only healed by rest. Both Goga Bitadze and Moritz Wagner should see extended run in the rotation until Carter is available again. Both players are worth a look as streaming choices with Carter missing at least one more game.

Tyrese Maxey Thu Nov 7 12:30pm

Philadelphia 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey (hamstring) is expected to miss multiple weeks due to a right hamstring injury obtained in Wednesday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Maxey played through three quarters in Wednesday's game but did not come back for the fourth quarter and was ruled out with hamstring soreness. Philadelphia head coach initially said Maxey not returning was "precautionary" and didn't seem worried, however today's news shows much more concern. Maxey has carried the Sixers' offense to start the season, averaging 27.6 PPG while Philadelphia's other oft-injured stars Joel Embiid and Paul George fight back from their own injuries. Philadelphia has taken a very cautious approach to re-inserting those two into the lineup and it should be expected they'll take a similar approach with Maxey to maximize their health for the playoffs. In Maxey's absence, expect Kyle Lowry to take the reins as starting point guard. Lowry should be on all fantasy manager's radars and should drive value for them through assists and three point shooting.

Jonathan Mogbo Thu Nov 7 10:10am

Toronto Raptors power forward Jonathan Mogbo (hip) was limited to 18 minutes against Sacramento on Wednesday. He exited the game in the fourth quarter with a right hip pointer injury. The 23-year-old rookie notched five points and five rebounds before leaving. Mogbo has looked promising early in the campaign, averaging 6.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 17.7 minutes. However, he could now be forced to miss some time. Toronto also lost Ja'Kobe Walter (shoulder) on Wednesday, which means the team's depth will be tested even further going forward.

Tyrese Maxey Thu Nov 7 10:00am

Philadelphia 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey (hamstring) didn't finish Wednesday's game against the Clippers. He sat out the entire fourth quarter, finishing with 12 points on 5-for-13 shooting in 32 minutes. Luckily, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse called Maxey's exit "precautionary" after the game. It was announced that Maxey is dealing with hamstring soreness, which doesn't sound like a serious issue. He gets Thursday off before Philadelphia faces the Lakers on Friday night. Maxey will likely land on the injury report ahead of the game, but it's possible he will remain in the lineup. However, if he can't play, Kyle Lowry will run the Sixers offense.

Jalen Duren Thu Nov 7 9:50am

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (ankle) was forced to make an early exit against Charlotte on Wednesday. He sprained his left ankle early in the game, finishing scoreless in eight minutes with three rebounds and one assist. The team announced that Duren will be considered day-to-day. It seems like the talented big man escaped serious injury on Wednesday, but he might still have to sit out some games. Paul Reed entered the rotation on Wednesday and played well at both ends, while Isaiah Stewart could get extra work on Friday versus Atlanta. The Hawks are giving up the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season, making this a good matchup for Detroit's big men. A meeting with Houston on Sunday is also a favorable spot for them.

Isaiah Collier Thu Nov 7 9:40am

Utah Jazz point guard Isaiah Collier (hamstring) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's clash with the Bucks. Due to a hamstring injury, the 20-year-old rookie has yet to play this season. However, he participated fully in Wednesday's practice, signaling that Collier might be ready for his NBA debut on Thursday. Collier was the 29th pick out of USC in the 2024 draft. He's got a bunch of people ahead of him on the depth chart and isn't expected to make a significant contribution in 2024-25.

Jordan Clarkson Thu Nov 7 9:30am

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (heel) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against Milwaukee. Utah ruled Clarkson out for at least a week last Friday, but he came through a full practice session on Wednesday and appears to be ahead of schedule in his recovery. The veteran scorer has missed two games with a heel problem. Clarkson's return will likely push Collin Sexton back to the second unit. However, Sexton should still be impactful. Milwaukee is allowing the fourth-most three-point makes in the league, giving Clarkson a good opportunity to find some rhythm behind the arc. He's nailed only 19.2 percent of his triples so far.

Joel Embiid Thu Nov 7 9:20am

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee, suspension) is slated to make his season debut on Tuesday versus the Knicks. Embiid has been unavailable for the start of the year because of a knee problem and began a three-game suspension on Wednesday against the Clippers. Fittingly, he will be eligible to return to the lineup against the team that ended Philadelphia's season in 2023-24. Tuesday's clash is also going to be an NBA Cup game. Embiid will likely carry a minutes restriction, and it's highly likely he won't play on Wednesday in the second leg of a back-to-back versus Cleveland, meaning fantasy managers won't get full value out of him.

Domantas Sabonis Thu Nov 7 2:00am

Sacramento's F Domantas Sabonis recorded a triple-double, finishing with 17 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in a 122-107 win over the Raptors on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Nikola Jokic Thu Nov 7 2:00am

Denver's C Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double, finishing with 23 points, 16 assists and 20 rebounds in a 124-122 win over the Thunder on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Zaccharie Risacher Thu Nov 7 2:00am

Atlanta's F Zaccharie Risacher scored 33 points on 11-of-18 shooting in a 121-116 win over the Knicks on Wednesday, Nov. 6. Risacher is owned in only 33.6% leagues.

Cade Cunningham Thu Nov 7 2:00am

Pistons' G Cade Cunningham recorded a triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in a 107-108 loss to Charlotte on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Wed Nov 6 10:50pm

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (adductor) is questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Utah Jazz. The Freak didn't play in Monday's loss to the Cavaliers because of a right adductor strain, marking his first absence of the 2024-25 campaign. Bobby Portis got the start in that one, finishing with 21 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks. If Antetokounmpo is ruled out again, Portis could be in line for another solid fantasy performance. The same can be said for Damian Lillard, who had 36 points on Monday night.


Rotate for more data.