Bucks get second crack at NBA Cup semis vs. Trae Young, Hawks
Fri Dec 13 5:48pm ET
Field Level Media
LAS VEGAS -- The Milwaukee Bucks are making a return trip to the NBA Cup semifinals after falling short in Sin City last season. This time around, they'll have the responsibility of stopping one of the game's great entertainers in Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks.
Young rolled a pair of imaginary dice over the New York Knicks' midcourt logo in the closing moments of the Hawks' 108-100 win in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, a nod to the Hawks' trip to Vegas.
It was yet another example of Young's showmanship, something the Knicks have seen firsthand over the years. The Bucks also got to experience a bit of Young's big-game prowess in the 2021 Eastern Conference finals, but Young suffered an ankle injury in Game 3 of that series and wasn't the same the rest of the way.
If "Ice Trae" has it his way, the Bucks will be the latest victim of his prime-time heroics on Saturday night. Even if he doesn't like to linger on the memories of that series.
"I don't let past things make me mad (and I don't) hold a grudge on those things," the 26-year-old Young said. "Yeah, I'm young. I'm not super young anymore, where I like, let those things really affect me.
"I remember it like it was yesterday. It definitely hurts, but I mean, this is a new team. I'm part of a new team. They're a different team. So I can't let my past affect my mental and my focus on right now, because it's a totally different team and totally different place."
Young is averaging 21 points per game to go along with 12.2 assists, numbers that have only been equaled by Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas over the course of an entire NBA season. He's gotten a fair bit of help too, most notably in the form of 19.8 points and a team-high 10.1 rebounds per game from fourth-year forward Jalen Johnson.
The Hawks earned the No. 3 seed in NBA Cup knockout play after going 3-1 in the East Group C stage. Atlanta's among the hottest teams in the league at the moment, having won seven of its last eight games overall.
The Bucks, on the other hand, are the only team of the four remaining that made it to the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas last season. They had a short trip, falling 128-119 to the Pacers, but the hope is that last year's experience better prepared them for all of the outside hoopla that comes with this stage.
At the very least, they have a much better understanding of what winning the NBA Cup would entail.
"I think last year, most people didn't even understand what was going on until they got to the final stages," Bucks star Damian Lillard said. "When we got to the game against New York last year, where the winner got to go to Vegas, we started to have a better understanding of what was on the line.
"Coming into this season, I think everybody understood better. Everybody cared more, not just because it's an opportunity to win money. Even though it's not the ultimate goal, I think it gives you an edge. We want to be the last team standing in it. We want to win the money. We want to continue going in the right direction as a team."
The Bucks entered Tuesday's quarterfinal as the East's top seed in NBA Cup play, going 4-0 in East Group B play despite a turbulent 2-8 start to the season. They've won nine of their last 11 games and eclipsed .500 for the season by beating the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday and the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo sits atop the NBA scoring leaders as of Friday afternoon, averaging 32.7 points and a team-high 11.4 rebounds per game. Lillard has also played at an All-Star level, averaging 25.8 points per game in addition to 7.6 assists. Bobby Portis (13.2 ppg) and Brook Lopez (11 ppg) are the only other Bucks averaging double figures.
--Will Despart, Field Level Media
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- Luka Doncic (hamstring) out vs. Warriors but reportedly isn't badly hurt
- Nuggets' Peyton Watson (hamstring) out at least 4 weeks
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson (rest) is on the injury report with a questionable tag ahead of Tuesday's tilt against the Phoenix Suns. Luckily, the veteran isn't dealing with an injury, but the team is undecided about whether to rest Thompson for the game. Thompson has improved his productivity since the turn of the year, averaging 13.4 points over his last 14 appearances. Khris Middleton is available for his Mavericks debut on Tuesday and will likely soak up most of Thompson's minutes if needed. Middleton is projected to be a bench contributor in Dallas, limiting his fantasy upside.
Los Angeles Clippers point guard Darius Garland (toe) doesn't have a return timeline, Law Murray of The Athletic reports. Garland has been dealing with toe injuries this season and still hasn't fully recovered from offseason left toe surgery. "We're gonna get it right and take as long as it takes," Clippers president Lawrence Frank said on Monday. Once healthy, Garland is set to form a new-look backcourt for the Clippers with Bennedict Mathurin. Kris Dunn will continue to start at point guard until Garland returns. He has averaged 8.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists across February.
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (knee) underwent successful surgery on his torn right ACL on Monday, the team announced. The veteran star suffered the season-ending injury on Jan. 19. Golden State added that Butler's progress won't be updated until "early next season." Butler will likely be sidelined for a large chunk of the 2026-27 campaign. With Butler III out, the Warriors brought in Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) to bolster the frontcourt. He is expected to make his team debut after the All-Star break. In the meantime, Gui Santos will have additional fantasy value. The Brazilian forward is averaging 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals this month.
Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (knee) has been ruled out for the 2026 All-Star Game. This essentially means he also won't play on Wednesday versus the San Antonio Spurs. Curry is dealing with patellofemoral pain syndrome, also known as runner's knee. He has been out for four games. Golden State hopes Curry will be back in the lineup after the All-Star break, when the team continues the season with a matchup against the Boston Celtics on Feb. 19. Pat Spencer has taken over as the starting point guard, averaging 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.5 steals across the past four games.
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges and center Moussa Diabate were ejected in the third quarter of Monday's 110-104 loss to the Detroit Pistons. With 7:09 remaining in the quarter, Diabate committed a foul on Pistons center Jalen Duren, leading to the two players butting heads. A brawl broke out after Duren pushed Diabate in the face. Bridges threw punches at Duren and Isaiah Stewart, who joined the altercation from the Pistons' bench. Charlotte also finished the game without head coach Charles Lee, who was ejected in the fourth quarter after losing his cool over a foul call. There are likely suspensions for players involved in the incident. The absence of Bridges and Diabate from the rotation would enhance the fantasy value of Ryan Kalkbrenner and Grant Williams.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren and forward/center Isaiah Stewart were ejected from Monday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. The two were involved in a brawl that erupted midway through the third quarter after Duren butted heads with Hornets big man Moussa Diabate and pushed him in the face. Stewart joined the altercation off the bench and appeared to throw multiple punches at Hornets forward Miles Bridges. The ugly incident is likely to result in multiple suspensions. Duren returned from a knee injury and was having a great game before he was kicked out. He finished with 15 points and five rebounds in 20 minutes. Paul Reed's workload increased after the ejections, as he finished with 12 points, three rebounds, and two steals.
Nuggets' C Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double, finishing with 22 points, 11 assists and 14 rebounds in a 117-119 loss to the Cavaliers on Monday, Feb. 9.
Timberwolves' F Julius Randle recorded a triple-double, finishing with 18 points, 10 assists and 12 rebounds in a 138-116 win over the Hawks on Monday, Feb. 9.
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is ruled out ahead of Tuesday's game against the Indiana Pacers. This is the front end of a back-to-back set, so the Knicks will take the cautious approach here. Robinson will sit out for rest purposes before suiting up for Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers are a much more competitive team, so it makes sense that they'd rest Robinson against the Pacers. The absence of Robinson should mean more minutes for Ariel Hukporti as the backup center. He'll offer low-end streaming value, but doesn't have a ton of upside with Karl-Anthony Towns healthy.
Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (ankle) is questionable for Tuesday's matchup against the New York Knicks, as he continues to work back from a left ankle sprain that has delayed his Pacers debut. Zubac closed his Clippers tenure strong with consistent double-double production, but his availability remains uncertain. If he sits again, Jay Huff is a strong short-term stream after starting Sunday and posting 15 points, two 3-pointers, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks in 30 minutes. Huff offers immediate value in points, blocks, and threes, while Zubac remains a stash with upside once cleared.
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (toe) is listed as questionable ahead of Tuesday's game against the Indiana Pacers. He has missed each of the last two games due to a lingering toe injury. His absence has led to increased playing time for Landry Shamet and Mohamed Diawara in the rotation. Shamet finished with three points, three assists, and four rebounds in 28 minutes of action on Sunday. Neither player has offered viable fantasy value while Anunoby is sidelined. Diawara is the slightly better option, but fantasy managers should be able to find better streaming options if Anunoby misses a third game in a row.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (Achilles) participated in select portions of practice with the Maine Celtics on Monday before being recalled to Boston to continue his rehabilitation. The controlled work marks another step forward after he was recently cleared for limited five-on-five action in team settings. While there is no firm return timetable, the progression is notable. Fantasy managers in deeper formats can consider a speculative IL stash, as Tatum's upside remains elite once cleared, though patience and roster flexibility are required.
Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (ankle) will sit out Monday against Minnesota due to right ankle inflammation, removing a key perimeter defender and secondary playmaker. Daniels had averaged 7.2 points, 5.6 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals across his last five games, so his absence consolidates usage. C.J. McCollum is set to start and becomes a viable stream after logging 12 points, three assists, and one steal on 62.5 percent shooting in his last outing. Nickeil Alexander-Walker should shoulder heavier playmaking.
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (knee) will sit out Monday against Minnesota after being added to the injury report earlier in the day and ruled inactive with left knee inflammation. His absence creates a short-term opening across Atlanta's frontcourt. Onyeka Okongwu is positioned for a heavier workload and remains the primary fantasy beneficiary after posting 16 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in 31 minutes in his last outing. Zaccharie Risacher and Corey Kispert should also see steadier minutes, while Johnson remains a firm hold once healthy.
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (calf) will miss Monday's game against Brooklyn, marking his second straight absence as he continues to recover from a right calf strain. With Nikola Vucevic traded, Smith still carries long-term hold value, even as his injury shuffles Chicago's center short-term. Guerschon Yabusele is the primary beneficiary and profiles as a viable streamer. He started Saturday against Denver and logged 26 minutes with 12 points, four 3-pointers, two rebounds, one steal, and two blocks. Nick Richards remains a deeper option, while Yabusele offers short-term value in points, triples, and defensive stats.
Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) is available to play ahead of Monday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Carter will shed a questionable tag and will suit up despite dealing with left ankle soreness. There is no word of a minutes limit, so fantasy managers should expect Carter to be a full-go for Monday's contest. Carter has been struggling lately, with 6.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 23.3 minutes over his last four games. Fantasy managers should hold him through his struggles and hope he bounces out of his slump soon.
Chicago Bulls guards Josh Giddey (hamstring) and Tre Jones (hamstring) will both sit out Monday against Brooklyn, keeping Chicago's backcourt thin heading into the final week before the All-Star break. Giddey is set to miss a seventh straight game, while Jones remains unavailable as his absence stretches toward double digits. Their continued absence locks in expanded roles for Anfernee Simons, Jaden Ivey, and Collin Sexton. In Saturday's loss to Denver, Simons played 33 minutes with 15 points, three triples, four rebounds, and six assists, while Sexton scored 17 points in 29 minutes. Simons is the safest short-term stream, with Ivey offering upside in steals.
According to Farbod Esnaashari of Sports Illustrated, guard Bennedict Mathurin will make his Los Angeles Clippers debut against Houston on Tuesday. The 23-year-old was acquired from Indiana at the trade deadline. Mathurin is expected to have a significant role with his new club, playing alongside Kawhi Leonard. He's averaged 17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 31.8 minutes across 28 outings so far this season.
On Monday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports that Indiana Pacers forward/guard Johnny Furphy (knee) will miss the remainder of the season due to sustaining a torn right ACL. Across 31 outings, the 21-year-old averaged 5.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.7 three-pointers in 18.4 minutes per game. Now that Furphy is out for the forseeable future, Ben Sheppard and Quenton Jackson will be relied upon to take on expanded roles.
Orlando Magic Franz Wagner (ankle) is set to suit up Monday against the Milwaukee Bucks. The 29-year-old has missed nine consecutive contests due to a sprained left ankle. In his return, Wagner will probably play less than the 32.8 minutes he's averaged this campaign. Anthony Black could continue to see an expanded role this evening, giving fantasy managers a solid option until Wagner is ready to take on his regular workload.
