Mon Mar 10 2:22am ET
Field Level Media
Houston Rockets small forward Amen Thompson has a sprained left ankle that will keep him sidelined for 10 to 14 days, ESPN reported on Sunday night.
Thompson, 22, had an MRI on Sunday that did not show structural damage to the ankle, per the report, and he will undergo treatment and rehabilitation.
The injury occurred with less than six minutes remaining in the Rockets' 146-117 rout of the visiting New Orleans Pelicans. Thompson needed one rebound for a triple double to go with 15 points and 11 assists when he fell on a shot attempt and limped off the court, ending his night.
Thompson is averaging 14.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.3 blocks and 32.5 minutes in 60 games (33 starts) as he has improved on his numbers from 62 games (23 starts) in his rookie season of 2023-24. Also a strong defender, Thompson was selected by the Rockets with the fourth overall pick of the 2023 draft.
His twin brother, Ausar Thompson, was the fifth overall selection to the Detroit Pistons.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (back) is dealing with back soreness on Monday and has been listed as questionable for their matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. With LeBron James (groin) sidelined, Doncic will have to pull out all of the heroics that he displayed in Dallas. Through 11 games with the Lakers, he's averaging 24.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 4.1 turnovers per game. His efficiency may not be the same since changing teams, but his stats remain undeniably elite across the board. If he's unable to suit up, Austin Reaves will have to take on the scoring load while Dorian Finney-Smith and Dalton Knecht likely see huge bumps in usage.
Charlotte Hornets center Jusuf Nurkic (neck) draws another probable tag for Monday's game against the Miami Heat despite dealing with a sore neck. The veteran big man will probably come off of the bench since Mark Williams isn't on the injury report anymore. So far, through March, Nurkic averages 6.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 turnovers across 18.3 minutes per game. Since he's been relegated to a backup role, he holds more value when Williams doesn't play.
Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson (ankle) suffered a left ankle sprain and will be sidelined for 10-to-14 days, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The second-year wing underwent an MRI which didn't show any structural damage. Charania reports that Thompson will receive treatment and go through some rehab for the swelling in his ankle. This likely means some added minutes for a combination of Jabari Smith Jr., Cam Whitmore, and maybe even Reed Sheppard. Smith seems to have the most consistent role in the rotation right now, and he averages 11.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.6 threes per game in March.
Thunder's G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points on 15-of-32 shooting in a 127-103 win over the Nuggets on Sunday, Mar. 9.
Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Ben Simmons (knee) won't travel with the team for the upcoming three-game road trip. Simmons has missed the last five games and will sit out at least three more contests. When healthy, Simmons was actually a decent fantasy option for the Clippers, but it's unclear when he's going to play again. In the meantime, Amir Coffey and Derrick Jones Jr. should see increased roles in the rotation. Neither player is an ideal fantasy option, but they could offer some deep league value.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Luka Garza (ankle) is available ahead of Sunday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. Garza has been cleared to play after being listed as questionable due to a sprained left ankle. Fellow big man Rudy Gobert (back) is returning on Sunday after missing the last 10 games. That being said, Garza will probably fall out of the rotation or play only a handful of minutes with Gobert returning. There is no need to stream Garza with Gobert and Naz Reid healthy.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jabari Walker (hand) is available to play ahead of Sunday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Walker was tagged as questionable coming into this game due to a hand issue, but is feeling good enough to play now. He'll likely play an increased role with Deni Avdija (quad) remaining sidelined for the second straight game. Walker should be considered a decent low-end streaming option while Avdija is out.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (back) is returning to the court ahead of Sunday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. Gobert has missed the last 10 games due to a lingering back issue. That being said, it's uncertain if the Wolves plan to limit Gobert during his first game back. His return will shift Naz Reid back to the bench on Sunday. However, Reid might still see decent playing time with Gobert likely facing some restrictions. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can go ahead and get Gobert active in their lineups ahead of tip-off.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (quad) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Avdija was questionable coming into this game, but will officially miss his second straight game due to a left quad contusion. The absence of Avdija should mean more playing time for Shaedon Sharpe and Kris Murray in the rotation. Sharpe has been playing big minutes lately with 33 minutes or more in each of his last six games. He has been a solid fantasy option during that span and should continue being a viable option when playing 30-plus minutes per night.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. (knee) will make his return to the court during Sunday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Trent is back in the mix after missing each of the last two games due to right knee soreness. There is no word on Trent being limited, so he figures to have his full workload on Sunday. He has been a decent scoring option lately with 15 points or more in four of his last five games. That being said, Trent is worth a look as a streaming option for Sunday's slate.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (ankle) is available to play ahead of Sunday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kuzma has been dealing with an ankle sprain, but that won't stop him from suiting up on Sunday. He has been a solid option for the Bucks lately with 10 points or more in each of the last five games. Kuzma has been playing big minutes for the Bucks and figures to continue offering low-end value in 12-team formats.
Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (illness) is available to play ahead of Sunday's game against the Utah Jazz. The big man was uncertain coming into this game due to an illness, but it appears Drummond is feeling good enough to play. He has started the last five games and averaged 11.0 points and 11.6 rebounds across 24.6 minutes during that span. The Sixers are shorthanded at the center spot, so Drummond is looking like a solid fantasy option right now.
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (rest) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Unsurprisingly, Kessler will sit this game out as the Jazz continue to limit the 23-year-old big man. It seems that the Jazz are playing Kessler for one game and then resting him in the next contest. Kyle Filipowski will slide into the starting five with Kessler out again. He has been a fairly solid streaming option lately with the Jazz being shorthanded.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (hip) will play on Sunday against Memphis. He had 17 points and seven assists in Saturday's loss to the Houston Rockets. But Alvarado was listed as questionable for this one because of hip soreness, although that has been the norm over the last few games. With CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson resting versus the Grizzlies, Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins are both worth starting in any fantasy format.
According to Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, center Rudy Gobert (back) is a game-time decision regarding his availability for Sunday's meeting with the Spurs. The multi-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year is currently carrying a questionable tag after missing the last 10 games because of a back injury. Naz Reid has been handling things in the middle. But even if Gobert is cleared to suit up, he hasn't played in nearly a month, meaning he may be limited. With that in mind, fantasy managers can consider keeping Gobert on the bench even if he's available.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (rest) won't play on Sunday against Memphis. The former Duke Blue Devil logged 28 minutes in Saturday's blowout loss to the Rockets, finishing with a team-high 20 points with two steals. CJ McCollum (rest) will also take the night off. As a result, Jose Alvarado (hip), who is questionable, and Bruce Brown, who is off the injury report, could move into the starting lineup.
New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (rest) won't play on Sunday against the visiting Grizzlies. The veteran amassed 17 points, five boards, and one steal while shooting 4-for-7 from deep in Saturday's loss to the Houston Rockets. But McCollum and Zion Williamson will take the night off to rest. Bruce Brown is off the injury report, so he could move into the starting lineup. Jose Alvarado (hip), who is questionable after totaling 17 points and seven assists on Saturday, may also find himself with the first five.
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (calf) didn't return to Sunday's loss to OKC. He looked good early on. However, the 29-year-old experienced calf tightness and exited the game after only seven minutes, finishing with five points and two rebounds. Gordon has had multiple stints on the shelf because of the calf injury this season, so nobody will be surprised if he misses more time moving ahead, including Monday's rematch with the Thunder. If Gordon is ruled out, Russell Westbrook will likely slide into the starting lineup. The 2016-17 MVP has averaged 14.5 points, 6.9 assists, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 29 starts this year.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (elbow) finished Sunday's loss to OKC with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists. He also got after it on the defensive end by amassing three blocks and one steal. The three-time MVP injured his elbow early in the contest and slowed down the rest of the way. But head coach Michael Malone indicated after the game that Jokic was "fine," with the 30-year-old echoing the same with a bag of ice on his elbow. The Nuggets and Thunder will do it again on Monday night. But it sounds as if Jokic will be out there for the rematch. Still, fantasy managers could see his name on the injury report. If he can't suit up, DeAndre Jordan and Zeke Nnaji will split time in the middle, although Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., and Russell Westbrook should all benefit the most on the offensive end, even more so if Aaron Gordon (calf) can't play after exiting Sunday's loss with calf tightness.
Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson (ankle) exited Saturday's win over the New Orleans Pelicans. He narrowly missed a triple-double, amassing 15 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds. Unfortunately, the 2023 No. 4 overall pick suffered an ankle injury late in the contest. Thompson, averaging 14.0 points, 8.3 boards, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 steals this season, has stepped up in the absence of Fred VanVleet (ankle). However, with Thompson observed leaving the arena with crutches and a walking boot, he'll likely miss time. He will undergo an MRI on Sunday. But while Thompson and VanVleet are off the floor, Jalen Green should see a bump in usage while serving as the primary option at the one. Aaron Holiday, who had 20 points on Saturday night, may also see more work, potentially even entering the starting lineup.
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