Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (right ankle impingement) is questionable to suit up against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday evening. The 24-year-old is off to the most efficient shooting start of his career (44%), while averaging 24.4 points, 10.2 assists, eight rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. If Ball is inactive on Saturday, veteran Collin Sexton may get the call back to the starting lineup. He moved to lead the bench unit in Charlotte's loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday. Tre Mann would also see an increase in minutes and usage. Fantasy managers will need to check back for Ball's status ahead of the early six o'clock tip time in Minnesota.

According to Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Rockets have exercised the fourth-year team option on guard Amen Thompson's contract on Friday. The move keeps the 22-year-old in Houston through the 2026-27 season. Through four games this campaign, Thompson has averaged 14.5 points, 5.3 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals during 33.5 minutes per contest. A core piece of the Rockets' long-term plans, Thompson should remain a reliable fantasy contributor for years to come.

Indiana Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring)is unavailable for Friday's matchup with the Atlanta Hawks. The 33-year-old sustained a left hamstring strain in preseason that has kept him out of the lineup so far this campaign. Without Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) in the Pacers' backcourt this season, and McConnell's continued absence, more pressure is on the rest of the guards to perform well.However, Andrew Nembhard (shoulder)andBennedict Mathurin (toe) are also sidelined, which has led Ben Sheppard to absorb extra backcourt minutes.

Oklahoma City Thunder Jalen Williams (wrist) recently underwent a follow-up procedure for his wrist injury, which will keep him off the court a little longer than anticipated. The team says Williams will be re-evaluated in 10 to 14 days. The 24-year-old has been in street clothes for the entire regular season so far. The Thunder have been riddled with injuries in the young season, with Isaiah Joe, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, and now Chet Holmgren (back) missing time. Aaron Wiggins and Ajay Mitchell have seen more time on the court in Williams' absence. The one-time All-Star will be a fantasy basketball lineup staple once he returns to action.

Forward Chris Livingston has agreed to a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 58th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this month as the team finalized its opening night roster, despite signing a guaranteed contract during the offseason. The forward played 42 games with the Bucks during his two-year NBA career, averaging 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in 4.7 minutes per game. Livingston is likely to spend most of his time in the G League this season.

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is expected to make his season debut and start on Friday against the Chicago Bulls, according to SNY's Ian Begley. New York's big man posted on his Facebook page that he's ready to play. The team may be careful with his minutes, however, in his first game this season. Robinson appeared in only 17 regular-season games last year but started four games in New York's Eastern Conference Finals series against the Pacers. Ariel Hukporti started two games in Robinson's absence this season, while the Knicks went with a smaller lineup with Karl-Anthony Towns at center in the other two. Hukporti may be phased out of the rotation as long as Robinson can stay healthy. Robinson averaged 5.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 17 minutes per game last year.

According to Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer, the Charlotte Hornets exercised guard/forwardBrandon Miller's(shoulder) fourth-year team option on Friday. The move keeps the star forward in Charlotte through the 2026-27 season. Miller is listed as doubtful for Saturday's matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves and is in danger of missing his fourth consecutive contest due to a left shoulder subluxation. If Miller is unable to suit up, rookie forward Kon Knueppel will likely continue to see an expanded role on Saturday.

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (leg) is unlikely to play Saturday against the Detroit Pistons in Mexico City, according to Marc Stein. Davis was listed on an injury report earlier this week with bilateral Achilles tendinopathy and left Wednesday's game against Indiana with leg soreness after six minutes. The Mavericks appear to be without center Dereck Lively II (knee), as well. Center Daniel Gafford (ankle) has yet to play this season. That could mean a heavy dose of veteran Dwight Powell, who scored 18 points in Dallas' win over the Pacers.

New Orleans Pelicans centerKevon Looney(knee) has been ruled out for Friday's matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers due to a sprained left knee. Looney is likely close to making his season debut after he was initially listed as doubtful on Thursday for this evening's contest. The three-time NBA champion injured his left knee during the preseason. Once the 29-year-old is back in action, he is expected to serve as a backup to starting centerYves Missi, which means he will likely make a minimal impact on fantasy basketball this campaign. Looney also faces competition for playing time from veteran center DeAndre Jordan, who recently signed a one-year deal with the Pelicans.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (finger) has been upgraded to probable ahead of Friday's matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies. Doncic had missed the last three games while recovering from a left finger sprain and lower left leg contusion. Doncic is averaging 46 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists through his first two games. With Marcus Smart (quadriceps) also likely returning, the Lakers will look to improve on their 3-2 record.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (quadriceps) participated in Friday's shootaround ahead of their matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies. Afterward, Smart told reporters he will "most likely" play in tonight's matchup. The Lakers have been devastated by injuries early this season, and Smart's return would be big for the club. The 31-year-old has appeared in three of the team's five games, averaging 7.7 points, one rebound, and one assist in 24.7 minutes per game. If available, Smart will likely start at point guard with Gabe Vincent (ankle) unavailable.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (finger, leg) participated in the team's shootaround on Friday morning ahead of their NBA Cup matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies. The superstar is still listed as questionable right now, but the fact that he participated is a good sign. Fantasy managers will want to stay tuned until tip-off gets closer. As a backup plan, Jake LaRavia and Dalton Knecht should both be available in most leagues. In their last game, LaRavia dropped 27 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block, while Knecht chipped in 15 points, one rebound, one assist, two blocks, and one steal.

Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson II (illness) popped up on the injury report on Friday afternoon with an illness and is now questionable for their NBA Cup game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite showing some promising moments in his rookie season, Jackson appeared in just 29 games last year and has gotten into two contests so far this season. He's not much of a fantasy option, even in deeper leagues, so if he misses this contest it's more impactful for those that might stay on the court longer. Santi Aldama, Cedric Coward, and Cam Spencer have been the first three of the bench for the Grizzlies, and they all should be considered in deep leagues. For standard size leagues, Aldama and Coward can contribute in spurts when needed.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (toe) will be sidelined for a sixth consecutive game on Friday while still recovering from surgery on his toe. The 25-year-old last played in the team's final playoff game on May 13 when they lost to the Indiana Pacers, and Garland is still unsure when he'll be able to get back on the court. If Donovan Mitchell (questionable - hamstring) can't suit up either, there will be a lot of minutes to go around. Jaylon Tyson entered the starting lineup in their last game against the Boston Celtics and dropped 19 points, five rebounds, one assist, and three steals before fouling out. Then, Lonzo Ball and Craig Porter Jr. received the most backcourt minutes off the bench. If Tyson starts, he's likely to be the best streaming option, while Ball and Porter could be serviceable if Mitchell is out too.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (illness) has picked up a questionable status for Friday's NBA Cup contest against the Denver Nuggets. The former first-round pick has seen an uptick in minutes so far this season compared to last year and has stepped up his shooting efficiency. So far, he's averaging 5.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 21.8 minutes per game while shooting .529 from the floor and .333 from beyond the arc. In his absence against the Utah Jazz, Rayan Rupert, Caleb Love, and Matisse Thybulle saw some added minutes, but they would only serve as a streaming option in deeper fantasy leagues.

Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (knee) has been listed as questionable for Friday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets. The former Celtic was assigned to the Blazers' G League affiliate for rehab purposes, and now has a chance to make his season debut. Since joining the Blazers in 2023-24, Williams has appeared in a total of 26 games (three starts). The injury bug has hit him hard over the years, as shown by the fact that he's only registered two seasons with more than 35 games played. With that being said, he does deliver solid rebounding (6.8 per game) and blocks (1.7). It's unclear how he'll slot into the rotation right now, but it's likely that Duop Reath and Yang Hansen would be the two to see fewer minutes.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain (thumb) has officially been ruled out again for Friday's NBA Cup game against the Boston Celtics. The second-year guard has yet to make his season debut after having surgery on his right thumb, but he has returned to practice and is trending in the right direction. Head coach Nick Nurse hasn't given a specific date for his return. While he's out, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes will continue to see heavy minutes while Justin Edwards and Eric Gordon get some minutes in relief. Unfortunately, Edwards and Gordon aren't playing enough to be streaming options while the main three are likely rostered in most, if not all, leagues.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (knee) still is not ready to make his season debut as he was officially ruled out for the team's first NBA Cup game against the Boston Celtics on Friday. He has been able to fully participate in practices over the course of the week, but there still seems to be a ramp-up process that hasn't been completed. In his place, head coach Nick Nurse has gone with a rotation in the two forward spots with Kelly Oubre Jr., Jabari Walker, and Trendon Watford. That will likely continue since Dominick Barlow (elbow) is also sidelined. Oubre would be waiver priority number one if he happens to be available, while Barlow and Walker haven't contributed enough just yet to warrant streaming in standard-size leagues.

Bucks' G Ryan Rollins scored 32 points on 13-of-21 shooting in a 120-110 win over the Warriors on Thursday, Oct. 30. Rollins is owned in only 26.3% leagues.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (quadriceps) is on the injury report with a questionable tag ahead of Friday's showdown against the Memphis Grizzlies. Smart has missed a couple of contests with a quadriceps injury and might also have to skip a meeting with his former team. Before his injury, Smart posted 7.7 points, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steals in 24.7 minutes per game. Players like Jake LaRavia and Dalton Knecht have enjoyed larger roles in the rotation as the Lakers have battled an early-season injury bug.