Sun Nov 3 7:29pm ET
Field Level Media
Paul George is expected to make his season and team debut Monday night when his new club, the Philadelphia 76ers, visit the Phoenix Suns, ESPN reported Sunday.
George, 34, suffered a bone bruise in his left knee during the preseason and sat out the first five games of the regular season, along with fellow Sixers star Joel Embiid, who is recovering from a knee injury of his own.
Without them, the Sixers have tumbled to a 1-4 start. They absorbed a 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at home on Saturday and Embiid shoved a columnist who had been critical of his lack of availability.
As for George, the nine-time All-Star forward signed a four-year, $212 million contract to join the 76ers in free agency, following five seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers.
George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals over 74 starts last season. In 14 NBA seasons with the Indiana Pacers (2010-17), Oklahoma City Thunder (2017-19) and Clippers, George has put up 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game in 867 appearances (819 starts).
The 76ers had not yet published the official injury report for Monday's game, the start of a three-game road swing that also includes Wednesday's game at the Clippers, George's return to his former team. Embiid's readiness to return was not yet known.
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (hip) is listed as probable for Tuesday night's game against the Golden State Warriors. Watson is dealing with an adductor issue but it hasn't forced him to miss any time. Watson has been seeing additional minutes while filling in for Aaron Gordon, who's been dealing with calf issues, but with Gordon's return on Sunday night Watson will be at risk of losing minutes going forward. In Gordon's return on Sunday Watson was still able to play 28 minutes in a start, but if Gordon is back in the starting lineup then the 22-year-old will be at risk of losing minutes. Fantasy managers should keep their eyes open for any news about the Nuggets' starting lineup on Tuesday before making any decisions about starting or sitting Watson.
Utah Jazz center Kyle Filipowski (leg) has been ruled out of Tuesday night's game against the Utah Jazz. Filipowski will now miss his sixth straight game as he deals with a lower leg issue. The rookie has been okay in limited minutes, averaging 7.3 PPG and 4.7 RPG in 19 minutes per game this season. With Filipowski continuing to miss time, expect more minutes overall from Jazz big men Walker Kessler and John Collins. Off the bench, expect Drew Eubanks to get some minutes but he likely won't have a big impact overall. Kessler and Collins will make much stronger fantasy options for those in need.
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (calf) is listed as probable for Tuesday night's game against the Golden State Warriors. Gordon had missed 10 games dealing with a calf issue but was able to return on Sunday night against the Clippers. Gordon put up 10 points in nearly 24 minutes of action in his first game back as he came off the bench for the Nuggets. If he's feeling better it won't be a surprise to see him return to the starting lineup given Denver's defensive struggles this season. The 29-year-old also excelled against the Warriors last season, averaging 19.3 PPG and 9.0 RPG. Fantasy managers and DFS managers should keep an eye out for any news on an expected start for Gordon as it would greatly increase his value in both formats.
Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (foot) will miss his fifth straight game on Tuesday as he continues to battle plantar fasciitis in his left foot. While Clarkson has been sidelined, Keyonte George and Collin Sexton have carried more work in the backcourt while rookie Isaiah Collier and Johnny Juzang have been able to get expanded time off the bench. Juzang had 11 points, five assists, and four rebounds in his 16 minutes against the Lakers on Sunday, and he'll remain an interesting punt play for DFS contests.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (hip) has been ruled out for Tuesday night's game against the Utah Jazz. Caruso has been dealing with a hip strain that's caused him to miss five straight games now. The 30-year-old has brought value to the Thunder, though it hasn't translated much into fantasy value. His continued absence won't mean much to fantasy managers. Expect Aaron Wiggins to continue getting minutes off the bench for OKC. Wiggins has averaged 9.4 PPG and is a better fantasy option than Caruso, but neither will be a great option in the long run.
Raptors guard Gradey Dick (calf) was able to participate in practice on Monday and could be ready to return from a four-game absence on Tuesday as the Raptors welcome in Indiana in an NBA Emirates Cup matchup that will have no impact since both teams have already been eliminated from advancing. Dick is averaging 18.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.3 three-pointers in over 32 minutes per game so far this season. Ja'Kobe Walter has started the last three games in his place and made a great impression. Dick will likely return to the lineup when healthy, but Walter could remain involved off the bench.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (knee) is listed as probable for Tuesday night's game against the Denver Nuggets. Curry has been dealing with knee issues that caused him to miss one game last week, though he was back on the court on Saturday against the Suns. Curry has been a strong start this season, averaging 22.5 PPG while shooting 43.4% from three. With Denver's struggles on defense this season, the 36-year-old may be in for a big night against the Nuggets. Fantasy managers in all leagues need to ensure Curry's in their starting lineups.
Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (knee) returned to the Pacers' lineup on Sunday, but he's uncertain to play Tuesday when the Pacers visit Toronto. In his return, he played just 15 minutes but looked sharp with 14 points, four assists, two steals, two three-pointers, and two rebounds. Nembhard could be ready for an increased workload if he plays on Tuesday, but if he needs more time to recover, Quenton Jackson would likely return to the starting lineup in his spot. Jackson started the second half in Nembhard's place on Sunday so that Nembhard could close, but the game turned into a blowout keeping Nembhard's minutes so low.
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (calf) is listed as probable for Tuesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. The Suns have been managing Beal's calf injury and should be good to go on Tuesday after missing Saturday's game against Golden State. The 31-year-old has been very solid for the Suns when active, averaging 18.2 PPG. With all three of the Suns' big three healthy, expect good things out of the Suns on Tuesday. Fantasy managers and DFS managers should all aim to have Beal in their lineups.
Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (ankle) has been sidelined since November 17 with an ankle issue, and it looked like he would miss Tuesday's game as well. However, he was upgraded to questionable and could be ready to rejoin the Cavs' bench. He was in Cleveland's second unit for his last six games, producing 3.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while playing 19.7 minutes per game. While he has been out, Isaac Okoro and Georges Niang have played expanded roles, and they will have their roles reduced when Wade returns. All three have struggled to produce many impact games, though, when the Cavs are at full strength.
Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (thigh) is listed as out for Tuesday night's game against the San Antonio Spurs. Nurkic is dealing with a thigh contusion that's forced him to miss two games now. The Suns' big man has battled injuries this season and this will be his fourth contest overall he's been unable to suit up for. In his absence, expect Mason Plumlee to get the start. Plumlee has not been a great offensive threat, only scoring in double-digits once in his four starts in Nurkic's place. Instead, he will drive more value from a rebounding perspective. Fantasy managers needing help with rebounds should consider adding Plumlee.
76ers guard Kyle Lowry (hip) appears to be on the verge of returning to the floor for Philly on Tuesday's game in Charlotte. Lowry has missed the last five games with a right hip strain, but before that, he was a regular fixture in the starting lineup. Lowry averaged 6.2 points, 3.4 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 24.2 minutes per game while starting 10 of his 13 games. With Tyrese Maxey back from his injury and the emergence of rookie Jared McCain, Lowry could play a reduced role even when he's healthy.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince (quad) is listed as probable for Tuesday night's game against the Detroit Pistons. Prince is dealing with a right quad contusion but it isn't hindering his abilities enough to hold him out. The 30-year-old is leading the league in three-point percentage, hitting threes at a 54.2% clip though at a fairly limited volume. He went three-for-eight against Detroit in their last meeting, showing the potential for a higher ceiling against the Pistons. He also grabbed 10 rebounds in that game, well above his season average of 4.6 RPG. He makes an intriguing DFS option for Tuesday night that DFS players should consider.
76ers guard Reggie Jackson (knee) is probable for Tuesday's NBA Emirates Cup matchup in Charlotte. Jackson missed Saturday's game in Detroit but had been playing significant minutes off the bench before the injury. Jackson had seven points and matched his season-high with four assists in 12 minutes against the Clippers. With Kyle Lowry (hip) also probable, the Sixers' backcourt will be crowded for this matchup with Charlotte, making both veterans hard to count on for fantasy purposes.
Milwaukee Bucks guard MarJon Beauchamp (hamstring) is listed as probable for Tuesday night's matchup against the Detroit Pistons. Beauchamp is dealing with a lingering hamstring issue that's affected his ability to suit up this year. The 24-year-old has missed eight of the Bucks' 19 games this season and has averaged just 1.6 PPG. He's not getting many minutes off the bench, only having two games where he's been on the floor for five or more minutes. With Milwaukee's other options at guard all being relatively healthy, don't expect Beauchamp to make any realistic impact on Tuesday.
76ers forward Caleb Martin (back) was listed as probable for Tuesday's matchup against his former team, the Hornets. Martin has started 15 of his 16 games for the Sixers this season but missed the last two games with upper back soreness. He was limited in his most recent game but averaged 10.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while logging 33.3 minutes per contest. Martin will likely return to the starting five, and he could either replace Kelly Oubre Jr. or Andre Drummond (ankle), who has already been ruled out.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is probable for Tuesday night's matchup against the Detroit Pistons. Antetokounmpo has been dealing with a knee swelling issue that caused him to miss one game last week, though he returned on Saturday and put up 42 against the Washington Wizards. Expect a huge night from The Greek Freak on Tuesday against the Pistons. In his only matchup against Detroit this season he put up a season high 59 points to go along with 14 rebounds and seven assists. He's a must start in all formats.
Hornets center Mark Williams (foot) has missed the first 20 games of the season, but he was listed as questionable for Tuesday's game with the 76ers. Williams has not played in an NBA game since December 8 of last year when a back injury cut short his second NBA season. In his 19 games before the injury, Williams averaged 12.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 26.7 minutes per game. He rehabbed his back but picked up a foot injury in training camp that has kept him sidelined. He can be excellent when healthy at full strength, but he'll likely be playing severely limited minutes after such a long layoff.
Hornets guard Tre Mann (back) will miss his sixth straight game on Tuesday when the Hornets face the Sixers in Charlotte. With both Mann and LaMelo Ball (calf) out at least two weeks, the Hornets will rely on Vasilije Micic to run point and Brandon Miller to pick up heavy usage. Micic has started the last two games for the Hornets, both narrow defeats. In his first start, he had nine points and eight assists in 31 minutes against the Knicks, and he followed that with 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists against the Hawks. Micic is a solid play for as long as Mann and Ball are sidelined.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (calf) is not ready to return to the lineup on Monday against Atlanta. The initial signs were encouraging regarding Ingram's potential return, but it has been confirmed that he will be absent for a fifth straight game. Ingram's absence will secure another start for Javonte Green. The veteran forward has not been a good option for fantasy managers, averaging 7.4 points and 3.5 rebounds in a starting role. With Ingram on the shelf, the offense will continue to run throw CJ McCollum and Dejounte Murray.
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