

Sun Dec 21 12:54pm ET
Field Level Media
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch was fined $35,000 for his actions during Friday's 112-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the NBA announced Sunday.
Finch, 56, appeared to be enraged by physical play early in the game when fouls were not called against Thunder players. He was given a pair of technical fouls and was ejected before the midway point of the opening quarter.
The fine, which was announced by league executive vice president James Jones, was levied for inappropriate language toward game officials and failing to leave the court in a timely manner.
The Timberwolves' victory over the defending NBA champion Thunder came as Anthony Edwards returned from a three-game absence because of a right foot issue. Minnesota has now won eight of its past 10 games since Nov. 29.
Finch, who is in his sixth season as Timberwolves head coach, is 227-170 with the team and has guided it into the Western Conference finals in each of the past two seasons.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (Achilles) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Milwaukee after missing four straight contests. Any return would likely come with minutes restrictions, capping short-term upside while stabilizing Minnesota's second-unit playmaking. If Conley remains out, Bones Hyland continues to benefit from added ball-handling and shot creation, keeping him in the streamer mix for points and assists. Donte DiVincenzo holds steady minutes at the point, while Anthony Edwards remains the primary closer and usage anchor regardless of Conley's status.
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Brandon Clarke (calf) exited early and did not return against Washington, finishing with two points, three rebounds, one steal, and four minutes. The setback comes as Clarke was still ramping up after a lengthy layoff that has already cost him 26 games this season, keeping his role unstable. With Clarke sidelined, Santi Aldama and Jock Landale are positioned for steadier frontcourt minutes, while Jaren Jackson Jr. continues to anchor usage and closing duties. Clarke remains off the standard-league radar until he can string together consistent availability.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (knee) has progressed to five-on-five work and is nearing a return from a sprained MCL after missing 15 games since Nov. 17. Jones is expected to face minutes restrictions initially, but his eventual return could reshape the wing rotation. He averaged 9.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.4 blocks, and 26.3 minutes over his last five before the injury. Jordan Miller stands to lose minutes, while Kris Dunn and Bogdan Bogdanovic could see minor role compression. Jones profiles as a deep-league stash with defensive upside.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (head) was ruled out for the remainder of Saturday's game against Indiana, finishing with five points, three rebounds, three assists, one steal, and 12 minutes. Jones has averaged 10.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.6 steals, and 22 minutes over his last five, so any missed time dents his defensive-category value. Jordan Poole absorbed the direct replacement minutes and additional on-ball reps, making him a short-term streamer for points and assists. Saddiq Bey should see steadier wing minutes with a low-usage profile, while Micah Peavy and Karlo Matkovic remain deep-league only.
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (ankle) exited early and did not return against the Lakers, finishing with five points, two rebounds, one assist, and 11 minutes. Zubac had been steady recently, averaging 14.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 29.7 minutes over his last five, so any absence would materially impact the frontcourt rotation. John Collins stands to benefit most with increased minutes and rebounding chances, while Brook Lopez profiles as a deeper-league streaming option if Zubac misses time.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (leg) exited early and did not return against the Clippers, finishing with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, and 20 minutes. The injury places his short-term availability in question and creates immediate fantasy ripple effects. LeBron James handled the late offense, scoring 36 points in 38 minutes, and remains an elite fantasy option if Doncic misses time. Marcus Smart and second-year forward Dalton Knecht stand to absorb extra minutes and secondary creation. Doncic is still a firm hold, but managers should prepare for usage volatility and possible missed games.
Detroit's G Cade Cunningham recorded a triple-double, finishing with 22 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in a 112-86 win over the Hornets on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Chicago Bulls center Jalen Smith (quadriceps) carries a probable tag on the injury report ahead of a clash against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. He is dealing with a left quadriceps contusion. However, Smith has played in each of the last four games, and the probable tag suggests he will remain in the lineup against Atlanta. Over his last four outings, Smith has posted 4.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in 15.0 minutes per game. He lacks fantasy appeal as long as Chicago's starting center, Nikola Vucevic, stays healthy. On Sunday, Vucevic and Smith could dominate the glass against the Hawks, who have the NBA's fourth-lowest rebounding rate.
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (ankle) has been tagged as questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. White has overcome calf issues but is now nursing an ankle problem. He has played in six consecutive contests, averaging 18.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 28.2 minutes per game. Tre Jones and Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) may have a larger workload if White misses Sunday's game. The latter has joined White on the injury report but is expected to play. White's absence would also increase the offensive usage of Josh Giddey.
Chicago Bulls guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) is listed as probable for Sunday's tilt against the Atlanta Hawks. On Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dosunmu returned to the lineup after missing three games due to thumb injuries. He was eased back into action, logging 14 minutes off the bench. He had eight points, three assists, and one steal. Before the game, it was announced that Dosunmu was under a 24-minute restriction. His workload could increase on Sunday, which would naturally boost his numbers.
Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (back) is considered questionable for Sunday's Eastern Conference clash against the New York Knicks. The veteran is experiencing lower back pain, which could sideline him for a second straight game. Wiggins' absence on Friday against the Boston Celtics gave Jaime Jaquez Jr. a chance to make his first start of the campaign. He had a horrible shooting night, hitting 5-for-15 from the field, but still managed a decent fantasy line with 14 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Simone Fontecchio, who produced 12 points in 30 minutes off the bench against Boston, also benefits from Wiggins' absence.
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (toe) will be sidelined for a fourth consecutive game on Sunday against the New York Knicks. He has been battling a toe injury for a while, appearing in only one of Miami's last six games. With Davion Mitchell (ankle) also out, Kasparas Jakucionis made his first career start on Friday against the Boston Celtics, producing a productive 36-minute effort. Jakucionis may see more minutes again on Sunday, since Mitchell is still listed on the injury report, tagged as questionable.
Miami Heat point guard Davion Mitchell (ankle) has been listed as questionable for a meeting with the New York Knicks on Sunday. Due to an ankle sprain, Mitchell skipped Friday's loss to the Boston Celtics and may now miss a second consecutive game. Mitchell's absence allowed Kasparas Jakucionis to make his first career start, and the 19-year-old had a great time. In 36 minutes of action, Jakucionis tallied 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists, shooting 5-for-8 from beyond the arc. He could have an expanded role again on Sunday, especially with Tyler Herro (toe) already ruled out.
Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young (knee) is not on the injury report for Sunday's meeting with the Chicago Bulls. After returning from a knee injury, Young sat out the second leg of a back-to-back on Friday against the San Antonio Spurs. In his return to action a day earlier against the Charlotte Hornets, Young logged only 20 minutes, so the team is being cautious with him. He finished Thursday's game with eight points and 10 assists. Nickeil Alexander-Walker will drop back to the bench on Sunday, but he will remain an attractive fantasy option.
Sacramento Kings forward Doug McDermott (knee) is available for Saturday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. He was initially listed as questionable for the game as the veteran is dealing with a sore left knee. McDermott has not had much of an opportunity to show his talents this season, logging only 11 minutes across two appearances. He will likely remain out of the regular rotation on Saturday night, even with Domantas Sabonis (knee), Zach LaVine (ankle), and Drew Eubanks (thumb) unavailable.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (Achilles) has been ruled out for Saturday's encounter with the Sacramento Kings. The veteran has had a heavy workload lately and will take Saturday night off due to a sore left Achilles tendon. Portland listed Grant as questionable on the initial injury report. Kris Murray has been announced as Grant's replacement in the starting lineup. While a starting role increases Murray's fantasy appeal, his numbers haven't improved much in the first unit. Across three previous starts this season, Murray has averaged 7.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 29.7 minutes.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (groin) won't be in the lineup on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. The team has downgraded Hachimura from questionable to out, marking the second absence of the season for the Japanese forward. The Lakers' frontcourt will also be without the services of Deandre Ayton (elbow), so Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, and Jaxson Hayes should get plenty of burn against the Clippers. After Saturday night, Hachimura will get a couple of days to recover, as the Lakers will be off until Tuesday.
Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (shoulder) has been ruled out for Saturday's clash against the Utah Jazz, while forward Jonathan Isaac (hip) is returning to the lineup. Both players were originally listed as questionable on the injury report. Da Silva will be absent for a second consecutive game and Isaac will help fill some of his minutes. Meanwhile, Jett Howard, who logged 29 minutes on Thursday night against Denver and had 12 points with six rebounds, will probably lose playing time to Isaac. Orlando has utilized Isaac for only 10.6 minutes per game this season, so he generally doesn't make much of a difference in fantasy basketball.
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (hip) will miss a second consecutive contest on Saturday against the Utah Jazz, as the team has downgraded his status from doubtful to out. Suggs can't play due to a hip contusion, putting Tyus Jones and Anthony Black in a position to see more minutes on the court. With Suggs out of commission, Jones made his second start of the campaign on Thursday against the Denver Nuggets but failed to impress. Anthony Black has also recently worked in the first unit and had his second-highest scoring game on Thursday with 22 points.
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (groin) has been downgraded from doubtful to out ahead of tip-off on Saturday against the Orlando Magic. He is managing a right groin injury and won't be available for a second consecutive contest. In Markkanen's absence, Kyle Filipowski will likely keep his starting spot, with Brice Sensabaugh and Taylor Hendricks potentially getting more minutes in the rotation. Keyonte George, who has posted three consecutive 30-point performances, will lead the charge offensively.
Rotate for more data.