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Celtics' Jaylen Brown fined $25K for gesture

Fri Dec 6 1:20pm ET
Field Level Media

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown has been fined $25,000 by the NBA on Friday for making an inappropriate gesture on the court.

Brown made a throat slash gesture following a dunk on Isaiah Stewart with 12 seconds remaining in the first quarter of the Celtics' 130-120 victory over the visiting Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

When asked about the gesture during his postgame press conference, Brown admitted that he expected to hear from the league.

"Oh, yeah. I think the NBA and the PA (Players Association) are sensitive about the gestures, so I gotta be mindful of that," said Brown, who is the vice president of the NBPA.


Brown, 28, is averaging 25.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 17 games this season.

A three-time All-Star, Brown is contributing 18.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 557 career games (450 starts) with the Celtics.

Player Notes
Stephen Curry Fri Dec 6 8:30pm

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (knee) will be in the lineup on Friday against Minnesota. The former MVP returns to action after sitting out Thursday's game against Houston because of a knee issue. Curry went close to a triple-double in his last outing against Denver, but he faces a difficult matchup on Friday. The Timberwolves have limited opposing point guards to 43.5 percent shooting from the field, allowing the fifth-fewest points per 48 minutes to the position.

Draymond Green Fri Dec 6 8:30pm

Golden State Warriors forward/center Draymond Green (calf) will return to work on Friday versus Minnesota. The veteran has missed the first two games of the week with a calf issue. Green continues to do a little bit of everything for the Warriors, averaging 8.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.6 assists across his last five appearances. His return on Friday is bad news for Jonathan Kuminga's fantasy value. He's set to land back on the bench despite going off for a career-high 33 points in Thursday's 99-93 victory over Houston.

Kyle Kuzma Fri Dec 6 8:10pm

Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (ribs) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Denver Nuggets, marking his fourth straight absence due to a sprained left rib. With Kuzma struggling to match his strong numbers from last season, this injury adds to his challenges. He's averaging 27.4 minutes, 15.8 points, and 5.6 rebounds per game this year, and his next opportunity to play will come Sunday against Memphis. In the meantime, Bilal Coulibaly, Carlton Carrington, and Johnny Davis are expected to step up and fill the void.

Corey Kispert Fri Dec 6 8:10pm

Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Denver Nuggets due to a left ankle sprain. This will mark his second consecutive game missed. With multiple players on the injury list, younger players like Carlton Carrington, Johnny Davis, and Jared Butler are expected to see increased playing time. Kispert has been averaging 27.8 minutes per game, so there will be plenty of minutes available for others to step up. His next chance to return is set for Sunday's matchup against Memphis.

Malcolm Brogdon Fri Dec 6 8:00pm

Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Denver Nuggets. The veteran guard had been playing well, recording two double-doubles in his last seven games, so his absence is a setback. He is dealing with inflammation in his left hamstring, and fantasy owners are hoping it's not a long-term issue. With Brogdon sidelined, Carlton Carrington is expected to see an increased role. Brogdon's next opportunity to play will be Sunday against Memphis.

Jaden Hardy Fri Dec 6 8:00pm

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) has been listed as doubtful on the injury report ahead of Saturday's encounter with Toronto. Hardy is battling a right ankle sprain and has logged only 10 total minutes across the previous two games. His role has been minuscule lately, so the Mavericks' rotation won't change much without Hardy on Saturday. Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes will continue to play big roles off the bench, especially with Naji Marshall (illness) still sidelined at the weekend.

Kyshawn George Fri Dec 6 7:50pm

Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Denver Nuggets due to a sprained left ankle. This will be George's second consecutive game missed. In his absence, Carlton Carrington, Johnny Davis, and Jared Butler are expected to see more playing time. George has been a bit inconsistent this season but has averaged 26.2 minutes per game as part of the young Wizards squad. His next opportunity to return will be Sunday's game against Memphis.

Naji Marshall Fri Dec 6 7:50pm

Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (illness) will not be ready to return to the lineup on Saturday against Toronto. An illness will keep him out of action for a fourth straight game. Quentin Grimes and Spencer Dinwiddie have larger roles in the rotation with Marshall out. Both players have enjoyed strong stretches lately. Grimes has averaged 16.7 points for the month with 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 steals, while Dinwiddie has produced 16.0 points with 3.7 assists in December.

Davion Mitchell Fri Dec 6 7:40pm

Toronto Raptors guard Davion Mitchell (hip) is listed as questionable for Saturday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks due to right hip stiffness. This injury could cause him to miss his first game of the season. While his scoring has been modest at 6.8 points per game, his value lies in his playmaking and defense. Averaging 5.2 assists per game, Mitchell is an important part of Toronto's rotation, distributing the ball and setting up plays. If he's unable to play on Saturday, Jamal Shead could see more playing time and step up in Mitchell's absence.

Scoot Henderson Fri Dec 6 7:40pm

Portland Trail Blazers point guard Scoot Henderson (quadriceps) will remain out of the lineup for Friday's matchup against Utah. He's sitting out a fourth consecutive contest after the team initially listed him as questionable for Friday's game. Portland's starting backcourt of Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe should be in for another busy night, with Dalano Banton seeing additional action off the bench due to Henderson's absence. Banton is a streaky scorer but appears to be in a good spot on Friday, as the Jazz have the leakiest defense in the Western Conference, with 118.6 points allowed per contest.

Ausar Thompson Fri Dec 6 7:40pm

Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (groin) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the New York Knicks due to left adductor soreness. Thompson missed Wednesday's game against the Celtics due to illness, and now his groin issue is putting his availability for Saturday in doubt. In his five games this season, Thompson has averaged 15.2 minutes, 6.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. If he's unable to play, Ron Holland and Simone Fontecchio are likely to see more minutes off the bench. Fantasy managers will be hoping Thompson can stay healthy and consistently contribute moving forward.

Isaac Okoro Fri Dec 6 7:40pm

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (knee) has been listed as questionable for Saturday's matchup against Charlotte. The three-and-d wing hurt his left knee in Thursday's game against Denver and might have to sit out the meeting with the Hornets entirely. If that's the case, Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, and Dean Wade should share Okoro's minutes. LeVert is the best fantasy option of the three. He had his second-best offensive outing on Thursday with 21 points and six assists.

Marcus Smart Fri Dec 6 7:30pm

Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Boston Celtics. Smart reportedly sprained his right ankle during the Grizzlies' game against the Kings, and his availability for Saturday's contest is now in doubt. If Smart is unable to play, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jake LaRavia could see an uptick in playing time off the bench. Smart has been averaging 21.5 minutes per game, with 9.8 points and 1.5 steals, but his most significant impact for Memphis comes on the defensive end. He's also been playing well recently, especially with his playmaking, registering five straight games with five or more assists. Fantasy managers should check back for updates on his status.

Nick Richards Fri Dec 6 7:20pm

Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to an ankle injury. Richards rolled his ankle during Thursday's game against the Knicks but was able to finish the contest. The injury may have flared up since then, leaving his availability for Saturday in doubt. If Richards is unable to play, Mark Williams is expected to take on a larger role, with Moussa Diabate potentially seeing increased minutes as the backup center. Despite only appearing in eight games this season, Richards has been productive, averaging 11.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. Fantasy managers will be hoping for his return to the court soon.

Zach Collins Fri Dec 6 7:00pm

San Antonio Spurs forward/center Zach Collins will re-enter the starting lineup on Friday against Sacramento. He will replace Jeremy Sochan, who filled in for Victor Wembanyama (back) on Thursday. Sochan has just returned from injury, and it looks like the team wants to manage his load after he had a 36-minute outing Thursday night against Chicago. He should still play a significant role in Friday's game. Collins has averaged 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in three previous starts this season. He faces a tough matchup against Domantas Sabonis on Friday, which might limit Collins' offensive contributions.

Andrew Nembhard Fri Dec 6 6:50pm

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (knee) will play against Chicago on Friday. He's back in the lineup after missing Wednesday's loss to Brooklyn. Nembhard only recently returned from a 12-game absence and has been far from his best in the couple of outings he's had. Fantasy managers should tame their expectations regarding Nembhard. Quenton Jackson lands back among the reserves due to Nembhard's return, but he hasn't done too well as a starter anyway.

Devin Vassell Fri Dec 6 6:40pm

San Antonio Spurs guard/forward Devin Vassell (foot) will exit the lineup on Friday against Sacramento. This is the second leg of a back-to-back for the Spurs, and Vassell will be rested for the contest as he continues to manage a right foot injury. Vassell has been used as a microwave scorer off the bench this season. He's averaged 17.8 points in 23.5 minutes across eight outings. His absence on Friday will give his teammates a lot of additional scoring opportunities. With Victor Wembanyama (back) also on the shelf, Keldon Johnson will be expected to lead the offense alongside Chris Paul and Jeremy Sochan. Johnson led the Spurs with 28 points in Thursday's 139-124 loss to Chicago.

Gabe Vincent Fri Dec 6 6:30pm

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Gabe Vincent will make his second start of the campaign Friday versus Atlanta. He will replace D'Angelo Russell in the starting unit. Vincent's only previous start came last Sunday in a 105-104 win over Utah. The 28-year-old had a quiet but effective game with 10 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Russell should still see a good amount of minutes on Friday, and he actually has performed better as a reserve this season.

Victor Wembanyama Fri Dec 6 6:20pm

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (back) will remain sidelined on Friday against Sacramento. A back problem will keep the French phenom out for a second consecutive contest after he was labeled as a game-time decision earlier in the evening. Jeremy Sochan moved to the first unit as Wembanyama's replacement on Thursday against Chicago, with Zach Collins and Charles Bassey seeing additional action as reserve bigs. Sochan had a nice 16-point, 14-rebound double-double, while Collins put together a decent all-around line. Both players should be good options for fantasy managers again on Friday.

Josh Giddey Fri Dec 6 6:10pm

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (foot) is active ahead of Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers. Giddey appears ready to play after being a late addition to the injury report due to right foot soreness. Giddey was quiet on Wednesday, but finished with a triple-double during Monday's contest. The 22-year-old is averaging 11.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists across 27 minutes this season. Fantasy managers can go ahead and get Giddey active in their lineups on Friday.


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