Thu Dec 12 11:38am ET
Field Level Media
Taking an eight-day break to rest his sore left foot is the apparent plan for LeBron James with a return to the Lakers this weekend.
ESPN reported James, who turns 40 on Dec. 30, is unlikely to play Friday against the Timberwolves.
He started 22 games this season before missing his first game of the season on Dec. 8 against Portland because of the foot injury. The Lakers' next game is Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies in Los Angeles.
James is averaging 23 points, 9.1 assists and eight rebounds but didn't attend practice on Wednesday, igniting speculation about his health and potential trade candidacy.
"LeBron is not with the team right now," Lakers coach JJ Redick said. "He's out for personal reasons, excused absence."
Redick said Austin Reaves practiced Wednesday and is expected to be available Friday after missing five games with a pelvic injury.
ESPN also reported Wednesday that the Golden State Warriors are one team "definitely monitoring" James' potential availability in a trade. James and Stephen Curry led Team USA to a gold medal in the Paris Olympics this summer under Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
In the offseason, James signed a two-year, $101.4 million contract with the Lakers that includes a full no-trade clause.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (wrist) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Boston Celtics. The big man was tagged as questionable coming into this game, but Duren will officially sit out due to a wrist sprain. The loss of Duren should mean an increased role for Isaiah Stewart in the rotation. Stewart has been quiet lately but figures to have more fantasy value with an expanded role on Thursday. He's worth a look as a streaming option with Duren unavailable.
Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Detroit Pistons. This was expected to happen after Hauser suffered a groin injury during their last game. The Celtics are going to be shorthanded at the forward spot with Jayson Tatum (knee) also heading to the sideline. The expectation is that Payton Pritchard, Al Horford, and possibly Drew Peterson gets additional playing time with Hauser and Tatum sidelined. Pritchard is the best streaming option between the three players for Thursday's game.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot, personal) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. James reportedly left practice early on Wednesday due to personal reasons. However, he is also considered day-to-day due to a left foot injury. It's uncertain which issue is actually keeping him out of this game, but regardless James will miss his second straight game on Friday. Max Christie figures to see an expanded role with James sidelined. Christie finished with four points and four rebounds across 26 minutes during their last game. Cam Reddish should also see an expanded role, but neither player is an ideal streaming option with James out.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (wrist) is currently listed as questionable ahead of Thursday's game against the Boston Celtics. The big man was a late addition to the injury report due to a wrist issue. Duren missed some time in November due to a wrist sprain, so possibly this is related to his wrist sprain from last month. If Duren sits, Isaiah Stewart would likely see an increased role in the rotation. Stewart has been quiet lately, but could be worth a look as a streaming option with extra playing time.
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (knee) is available ahead of Thursday's game against the Toronto Raptors. As expected, Butler will play after being listed as probable heading into this game. Butler has been dealing with a right knee issue, but will play in fourth straight game on Thursday. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too concerned about this knee problem. Butler should get his regular workload and is obviously a must-start in fantasy formats.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (knee) won't play in Thursday's meeting with the Detroit Pistons. He has a case of right patella tendinopathy, so he'll miss his second game of the 2024-25 campaign. With Sam Hauser (adductor) also sidelined, Al Horford will likely enter the starting lineup and handle things at the four spot. But without Tatum on the floor, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis should benefit the most from an offensive standpoint.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Javonte Green (ankle) is questionable for Thursday's game against Sacramento. A sore left ankle may keep Green off the court for a second consecutive game. Green has been a big beneficiary of New Orleans' injury troubles this season, starting in 12 contests. However, the Pelicans have started to get everybody back, making Green an afterthought. He's only had 5.0 points and 2.8 rebounds as a reserve. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl might receive additional work without Green, although the Pelicans frontcourt will also have Daniel Theis back in the lineup after he sat out three games due to neck spasms.
Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (heel) will be unavailable for at least one week. Per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Richardson has had an injection in his right heel. The 31-year-old hasn't seen the court since Nov. 18, although he has recently been in the lineup. The 2024-25 campaign could not have gone much worse for Richardson, who has shot below 29 percent from the field to average 4.0 points in 18.6 minutes across eight outings. Miami has done just fine without Richardson, so his absence won't change the team's dynamics. If he can return in a week, Richardson will be out for two games, starting with Thursday's matchup against Toronto.
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (knee) is expected to remain in the lineup against Toronto on Thursday. The team has listed him as probable for the game. Butler is battling knee soreness but has played in three straight contests. It's been an extremely efficient month for Butler, as he's shot 64.4 percent from the field to average 19.0 points with 6.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals. His efforts include a 6-for-9 shooting night against the Raptors. Butler has just found himself in the rumor mill, which might give him extra initiative to perform well.
Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (adductor) is considered doubtful for Thursday's clash with the Pistons. He missed the second half of Saturday's 127-121 loss to Memphis due to an adductor strain, and it appears likely that Hauser will miss Thursday's game entirely because of the injury. Prior to last weekend, Hauser enjoyed a strong stretch of games, including his best scoring performance of the season with a 20-point effort against Detroit last week. He's averaging 8.5 points in 22.2 minutes. Hauser's absence may give Drew Peterson a role in the rotation, who recently logged 25-plus minutes in back-to-back games. However, Peterson wasn't impactful, so he's not a good fantasy option.
Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson is not on the injury report for Thursday's game against Boston. He's set to return from a two-game absence. Thompson battled an illness last week and also missed time due to a groin problem. Following a bout with blood clots, Thompson has been limited to five appearances this season. He's averaged 6.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 15.2 minutes. Thompson is capable of helping out fantasy managers in many areas, but he needs more playing time to make a significant contribution.
Boston Celtics forward/center Al Horford (toe) will suit up for Thursday's battle against Detroit. The veteran missed Saturday's matchup against Memphis with a toe injury, but he's not listed on the injury report ahead of Thursday's game. Horford has started in all but one appearance this season, posting 9.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. With Kristaps Porzingis back in the lineup, he will likely have to come off the bench in most games going forward. However, question marks hang over Jayson Tatum (kneecap) and Sam Hauser (adductor) on Thursday, which might lead to Porzingis and Horford starting together.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (kneecap) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against Detroit. He's trying to overcome right patella tendinopathy. The five-time All-Star recently missed a meeting with the Pistons due to the ailment. With Sam Hauser (adductor) doubtful for the game, Drew Peterson might return to the frontcourt rotation on Thursday. Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford are also expected to do additional work. At the same time, there would be extra scoring opportunities for everybody involved.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is reportedly open to a trade involving the Suns. There are a few teams already rumored to be interested in his services. But if talks between Miami and Phoenix intensify, it's unknown exactly how both sides would make it happen, considering both are strapped for cash. Bradley Beal also has a no-trade clause. At any rate, Butler is still a capable producer. However, he hasn't been able to stay healthy over the years. With the 35-year-old averaging only 19.0 points this season, it's possible he may be even less productive with the Suns, especially with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker on the roster.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (ankle) will "miss several weeks" due to a right ankle sprain suffered in Monday's loss to the New York Knicks. The 23-year-old already spent time on the shelf this season because of a right orbital fracture, costing him 11 games, so it's not an ideal situation. Barnes, who agreed to a lucrative contract extension during the offseason, has averaged career-highs in points (20.6), rebounds (8.4), and assists (7.4). But with Toronto winning just two games while he was sidelined earlier in the season, the team will need to figure out how to stay afloat until he returns. With Immanuel Quickley (elbow) also out, RJ Barrett will be tasked with picking up more of the scoring load. Gradey Dick, Davion Mitchell, Ochai Agbaji, and Ja'Kobe Walter may also see an uptick in offensive opportunities for the foreseeable future.
Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (ankle) is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday versus Houston. He missed Sunday's matchup against Minnesota with an ankle issue. Officially, Wiggins has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's action. However, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr declared Wiggins is "ready to go" after he had a full practice session with the team on Tuesday. Wiggins' performance levels fluctuate, but he enjoyed a meeting with the Rockets last week, posting 23 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block. Gary Payton II will likely return to a bench role with Wiggins in the lineup.
Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet (knee) appears ready to rejoin the action on Wednesday versus Golden State. He missed Sunday's 117-106 win against the Clippers with a knee contusion but isn't on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game. VanVleet's most recent appearance came against the Warriors, and it was a struggle for him with 5-for-16 shooting and 13 points in a 99-93 loss. He also had a difficult time in this season's first head-to-head meeting and was limited to 9.3 points on 21.2 percent shooting in the matchup in 2023-24, so it looks like the Warriors have worked out what stifles VanVleet offensively.
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Bogdan Bogdanovic (quadriceps) has a questionable designation on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal against the Knicks. A quadriceps contusion might keep Bogdanovic off the court for the second straight game. Garrison Mathews and Vit Krejci get extra work with Bogdanovic out, but neither was productive in Sunday's heavy loss to Denver. The two combined for only five points and four assists off the bench despite both seeing 20-plus minutes of action.
Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (knee) has been labeled as probable ahead of Wednesday's NBA Cup game against the Knicks. Hunter continues to manage a knee injury, and he took a blow to the head in Sunday's loss to Denver, but the 27-year-old is set to make a 12th consecutive appearance. Atlanta has seen the best of Hunter lately, as he's finished each of the last four games with 20-plus points. Hunter took a whopping 20 shots in 24 minutes on Sunday and should get additional offensive duties again in Wednesday's game if Jalen Johnson (shoulder) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (quadriceps) remain sidelined.
New York Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart (ankle) is considered questionable for Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal against Atlanta. He might miss his first game of the season because of an ankle sprain. New York's bench mob, featuring Miles McBride, Cameron Payne, and Precious Achiuwa, will likely be more involved in the game if Hart doesn't get cleared for Wednesday night. McBride offers the most fantasy value out of the three, but he's been quiet offensively in recent games, finishing back-to-back outings with eight points.
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