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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Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (conditioning) has been ruled out of Monday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Nurkic has missed the last six games with an illness, making Monday's matchup against Cleveland the seventh straight game he'll have missed in a row. The injury report lists this as a "return to conditioning" designation, but the Bosnian has also been rumored to be in trade discussions. In his absence, expect Mason Plumlee and the newly-acquired Nick Richards to clean up the glass for Cleveland. Richards grabbed 11 boards in 29 minutes off the bench for Phoenix in his Suns debut, making him the preferred option over Plumlee on Monday.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (calf) has been ruled out of Monday's game against the Phoenix Suns. Mobley strained his right calf against the Thunder on Thursday night and was forced to miss Saturday's game against the Timberwolves as well. The 23-year-old has been a big piece of Cleveland's success this season, averaging 18.6 PPG and 8.8 RPG. In his absence, expect Jarrett Allen to get more usage in the starting lineup. Also expect Caris LeVert to be inserted into the starting lineup while George Niang should get more minutes off the bench. Niang grabbed 10 rebounds on Saturday while putting up 15 points. Niang should be a sneaky DFS play on Monday.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (foot) has been upgraded to probable for Monday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Morant has been dealing with foot soreness that forced him to miss the Grizzlies' last game against the Spurs but he'll be able to tough it out today. The 25-year-old is obviously a must start in all fantasy formats today, though in his only game against the Timberwolves this season he scored just 12 points and recorded just four assists. Those are well below his season norms of 21.4 PPG and 7.5 APG, so fantasy managers may want to temper expectations.
Dallas Mavericks guard Quentin Grimes (back) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. Grimes is dealing with back spasms that will force him to miss just his third game this season. Grimes has been a decent contributor off the bench for Dallas, averaging 10.2 PPG and 4.0 RPG. With Dallas very short on depth at the guard position, expect Kyrie Irving and Spencer Dinwiddie to get extended minutes beyond their normal starter minutes today with both Jaden Hardy and Grimes unavailable off the bench.
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (shoulder) is listed as probable for Monday's game against the New York Knicks. Johnson has been dealing with right shoulder inflammation that caused him to miss five games in a row before returning against Boston on Saturday. Johnson has been fantastic for the Hawks this year, averaging 19.7 PPG and 10.2 RPG. His 5.2 APG is a career high as well, making him a very well-rounded fantasy threat. The 23-year-old grabbed 15 rebounds in both matchups against New York this season while also averaging 22.0 PPG, making him a must start in all fantasy formats on Monday.
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (heel) is listed as probable for Monday's game against the New York Knicks. Young is dealing with Achilles soreness in his right heel but will be able to play through it. Fantasy managers should have high expectations for the 26-year-old today as he generally loves playing in Madison Square Garden. Against the Knicks this season Young has averaged 21.5 PPG and 10.5 APG in two games. He's a must start in all fantasy formats.
Nuggets' C Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 10 assists and 14 rebounds in a 113-100 win over Orlando on Sunday, Jan. 19.
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Monday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Beal has missed each of the last two games due to a left ankle sprain. The fact that he was upgraded to questionable means that Beal is trending in the right direction. The Suns are likely to use a committee approach to fill the void if Beal continues to miss time. That means, Ryan Dunn, Grayson Allen, and Royce O'Neale should all see increased playing time. Both Allen and Dunn are worth looking at as streaming options if Beal is forced to miss another game.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (ankle) is questionable heading into Monday's game against the Celtics. The 36-year-old injured his ankle late in Saturday's win over the Washington Wizards. Head coach Steve Kerr labeled him as "day-to-day." However, Curry indicated he was planning to play, so fantasy managers may not be without him on Monday night. With Draymond Green (calf), Jonathan Kuminga (ankle), and Brandin Podziemski (abdomen) sidelined, the Warriors could rely on Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, and Buddy Hield for most of their production if Curry isn't available.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (foot) is listed as questionable ahead of Monday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Morant is in danger of missing his second straight game due to a foot injury. He has reportedly been playing through the issue for some time, but possibly it's getting worse. The absence of Morant should mean that Scotty Pippen Jr. gets additional playing time. Pippen got off to a hot start to the season, but has cooled down lately. He's still worth a look as a streaming option if Morant is unable to play.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (toe) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. DiVincenzo will now miss his third game in a row due to toe issue. The absence of DiVincenzo should mean that Mike Conley gets additional playing time. The 37-year-old has played over 20 minutes in each of the last two games. Conley will be a slightly more appealing fantasy option until DiVincenzo returns.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (illness) is questionable heading into Monday's game against the Jazz. The former Duke Blue Devil is no stranger to the league's injury report. He's already missed 32 games this season for various reasons. But Williamson is in danger of missing this one because of an illness. If he's out versus Utah, Javonte Green, averaging 7.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 14 starts this season, is the favorite to replace him in the lineup, although CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, and Dejounte Murray (elbow) should benefit the most on the scoring end.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Monday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. This doesn't come as a shock after Gobert rolled his ankle during Saturday's contest. Luckily, Gobert was able to finish the contest, but is now dealing with a right ankle sprain. The Wolves are likely going to wait and see how Gobert feels on Monday before making a final decision. If he sits, Naz Reid figures to have an increased role. Reid has been playing fairly well lately, so the absence of Gobert would only increase his value.
Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (calf) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Thompson is now in danger of missing a second straight game after sitting out on Saturday's contest. Another absence for Thompson would mean increased roles for Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason. On Saturday, Whitmore looked solid as he posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He'd be worth looking at as a streaming option if Thompson is once again unavailable.
Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (knee) has been upgraded to available ahead of Sunday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. As expected, LaVine has been cleared to play after being listed as probable heading into this game. Fantasy managers have been getting solid results from the veteran guard this month. It's anyone's guess how long LaVine will remain in a Bulls uniform, but fantasy managers can feel free to get him active in their lineups on Sunday. The 29-year-old figures to take on his normal workload and might see a slight increase in minutes with Lonzo Ball (knee) unavailable.
Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (calf) has been upgraded to available ahead of Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Davis is back in the mix after missing Friday's contest due to a calf issue. He was questionable coming into this game, but he appears to be feeling good enough to play. Jaxson Hayes played 33 minutes on Friday, but now he'll likely go back to seeing minutes in the teens. Davis shouldn't be limited at all after a one game absence, so fantasy managers can go ahead and get him active in their lineups.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) will play on Sunday versus the Clippers. As usual, the 40-year-old was listed on the injury report because of his nagging right foot injury. But, as expected, he'll be out there. James has only missed three games this season. He's also remained productive, averaging 23.8 points, 8.8 assists, and 7.5 rebounds, keeping him a must-start in all fantasy setups.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (ankle) will suit up on Sunday versus Chicago. He missed the last three games because of a sprained ankle. Fortunately, Jerami Grant recently returned from a lengthy stint on the shelf, so he filled the void in the lineup. With that said, head coach Chauncey Billups is looking for more efficiency on the defensive side of the ball, meaning Avdija will start alongside Grant, with Shaedon Sharpe heading back to the bench. While Avdija is already a capable fantasy producer, his ceiling was raised even more after the team announced that Anfernee Simons (elbow) won't suit up.
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (ankle) won't play on Sunday against the Bulls. Deandre Ayton (back) didn't suit up for Saturday's loss to the Rockets. As a result, Williams got the start and finished with four points, four rebounds, three blocks, and one steal. But with Ayton back in the equation, Williams wouldn't have started. However, with Williams and Donovan Clingan (ankle) both out, Jabari Walker, amassing 10 points, five rebounds, and one steal versus the Rockets, could remain involved.
Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (back) will play on Sunday versus the Bulls. He was sidelined for Saturday's loss to the Rockets because of low back soreness. While the 26-year-old was in danger of missing another contest, he'll be back on the floor on Sunday night. With Donovan Clingan (ankle) and Robert Williams III (ankle) both out, Ayton will get all the minutes he can handle, with Jabari Walker, amassing 10 points and five rebounds on Saturday night, in line to remain involved from off the bench.
