Orlando Magic forward/center Wendell Carter Jr. (leg) won't play against Brooklyn. The 22-year-old sustained a muscle strain during Friday's matchup against the Heat and was taken back to the locker room in a wheelchair. This certainly isn't ideal, mainly with most of the team out because of health and safety protocols. Nonetheless, it appears as if Chuma Okeke, who had 18 points, 10 boards, six steals, and a block against Miami, will be a popular DFS option again on Saturday night.

Orlando Magic power forward/center Wendell Carter Jr. (knee, leg) departed Friday's game against the Heat early due to what appears to be a significant right leg injury. Carter needed to be helped off the court by teammates before departing on a wheelchair. Prior to his exit, he delivered four points and five rebounds across 11 minutes. The injury comes amidst a wave of negative news for Orlando, who is already down Jalen Suggs (thumb) for an extended period, as well as Cole Anthony (ankle) and Mo Bamba (health and safety protocols) in the short-term. Carter had been enjoying a breakout season, averaging 12.9 points and 10.1 boards per contest. Check back for further updates on his status as they become available.

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. recorded his third consecutive double-double in Saturday's defeat to Cleveland, finishing with a team-high 19 points on 8-for-13 shooting and notching 11 rebounds. He was 1-for-4 with the three-ball and added one assist and two steals to his line in 32 minutes. The 22-year-old now boasts 10 double-doubles for the season. Carter Jr. can finish off next week with a very good matchup against Houston, but he has to face Philly and Denver first, which will seriously test his double-double streak.

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. put in a well-rounded performance during a 129-111 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. The Duke product scored 15 points, nine rounds, two assists, one steal, and one block across 34 minutes. The 22-year-old shot 6-for-8 from the field while going 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. On the season, Carter Jr. is averaging career-highs in several categories with 13.7 points per game, 9.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and a strong 52.1% from the field. Carter Jr. might be best served as a sell-high asset at the moment, as the impending return of Magic forward Jonathan Isaac will logjam the frontcourt rotation.

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (eye) will be available for Saturday's game against the Washington Wizards. He suffered a left eye abrasion on Wednesday and did not return to the contest. Luckily, it was a minor injury and Carter won't be forced to miss time. He is averaging 13.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists this season. Fantasy managers are safe to plug him back into their lineups for Saturday.

Orlando Magic power forward/center Wendell Carter Jr. (eye) has been ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's game against Brooklyn due to a left eye abrasion. With the Nets firmly in control of the contest heading into the fourth quarter, the move could be precautionary more than anything, as Orlando has made it clear that Carter is integral to the team's future. Prior to his departure, Carter compiled nine points and five rebounds across 18 minutes. Entering play Wednesday, Carter was averaging a double-double for the year, having compiled at least nine rebounds in nine of his first 11 games. His next chance to return to action comes Saturday vs. the Wizards.

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. put on his big boy pants and produced a fourth consecutive double-double with 22 points and 15 rebounds in a 107-100 win against Rudy Gobert and the Jazz on Sunday. He had six assists as well with one block in 32 minutes while shooting 9-for-15 from the field and an impressive 4-for-7 from downtown. Carter Jr ended up with a game-high plus-21 rating for the contest. The former Bull was a bit slow out of the gate but seems to have found his rhythm this month, averaging 15.8 points and 13 rebounds per game with 45 percent shooting from outside. He'll be battling with Brooklyn next, which will be a tough matchup for Carter Jr. The Nets have allowed the fourth-fewest points in the league this season to the center position and they don't give up a lot of rebounds either.

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. had a solid game in a losing effort against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. He racked up 13 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals in the game. He shot 5-for-12 from the field while connecting on two of his five three-point attempts. Carter is off to a nice start to the year. He's averaging 12.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game while shooting 51.1% from the field. He's hit at least one three in each of his nine games, which is extremely encouraging as he hit just 15 three-pointers over 54 games last year.

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. put together one of his better efforts of the year in Wednesday's loss to the Hornets. Carter scored 20 points with 10 rebounds, picking up his second double-double of the year. The 22-year-old big man added two assists, two triples, and a steal in 33 minutes of action. The three-point shooting is a facet of the game that Carter seems to have added this offseason- as he is currently on pace for career-highs with 1.2 makes and 3.6 attempts from deep per game. Carter's newfound shooting from beyond the arc combined with his solid rebounding and defensive stats make him a dependable fantasy big man.

Phoenix's Deandre Ayton had Guy Fieri leaping out of his courtside seat with a thundering dunk. Atlanta's Trae Young had Spike Lee leaving early in disappointment. Dallas' Luka Doncic impressed Paul George so much that the Clippers’ veteran insisted on trading jerseys with the youngster. They’re all part of the NBA’s draft class of 2018. And that group, so far, might be the class of these playoffs. Doncic is gone, but plenty of others — Young, Ayton, Michael Porter Jr., Mikal Bridges, Kevin Huerter, Bruce Brown and more — from the group that got drafted three years ago remain. And they’ve seemed right at home in this postseason, even though for many it’s the first time on this big a stage. “I think it’s the best class in NBA history,” Ayton, the Phoenix center who went No. 1 overall in that class three years ago, said after the Suns won their first-round series over the 2020 NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. “That’s how I feel. ... Guys like Luka, MPJ and Trae, it’s been great to watch us... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls acquired an All-Star center and sent a loud message to the rest of the NBA with one blockbuster trade. They're serious about becoming a contender. And they're ready to welcome top free agents. The Bulls pulled off their first major trade since Arturas Karnisovas was hired to lead their basketball operation last spring by acquiring two-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic from Orlando prior to Thursday's deadline. They also added Al-Farouq Aminu in the deal and sent Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr. and two future first-round selections with certain lottery protections to the Magic. “We're trying to improve our team,” Karnisovas said. “That was an opportunity. You don't get so many opportunities to improve with players like that. I think we've done pretty well today." Vucevic is averaging a career-best 24.5 points and 11.8 rebounds in his 10th NBA season and ninth in Orlando. He has two full seasons remaining after this one on the four-year, $100 million... [More]

Kyle Lowry wound up staying with Toronto after all. Victor Oladipo is finally in Miami, a destination he's eyed in the past. And Rajon Rondo is headed back to Los Angeles, though not with the team he helped win the NBA title last season. The trade deadline has come and gone. And now, playoff pushes can really begin. Miami, Denver, the Clippers, Portland, Dallas, Boston and Atlanta were likely among the teams feeling convinced that they improved on deadline day after a flurry of moves Thursday, though the best player — at least this season — might have been landed by the Chicago Bulls. They got All-Star forward Nikola Vucevic from Orlando, a move that ushered in the start of a big-time rebuild by the Magic. “Anytime you trade a player like Nikola, it is a tough decision to make," Magic President Jeff Weltman said. Vucevic is the only player from this season's All-Star Game to be traded at the deadline. It was a steep price; Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu went to the Bulls for Otto Porter, Wendell... [More]

All-Star forward Nikola Vucevic is being traded from the Orlando Magic to the Chicago Bulls, a person with knowledge of the deal said Thursday. Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu are going to the Bulls in exchange for Wendell Carter Jr. and two future first-round selections, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was still pending NBA approval. The deal would appear to be the start of a rebuild for the Magic, with Vucevic unquestionably the team's best player for the past several seasons. The two-time All-Star is averaging a career-best 24.5 points this season and 11.8 rebounds. He also has two full seasons left after this one on his contract, a four-year, $100 million deal signed in 2019. Vucevic is in his 10th NBA season, the last nine of which have been with the Magic. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls expect forward Lauri Markkanen to miss two to four weeks because of a sprained right shoulder, another setback for a 7-footer off to his best start as a pro. The Bulls said Monday an MRI confirmed he has a sprained acromioclavicular joint. Markkanen was hurt Friday at Orlando when he was fouled by Magic forward Gary Clark early in the third quarter. The Bulls were scheduled to host Washington on Monday. Coach Billy Donovan described the injury as a “bit freakish” with Markkanen “driving to the basket, being physical.” Markkanen is averaging a career-high 19.1 points and 6.1 rebounds coming off a disappointing season. He is shooting 51% overall and about 40% on 3-pointers — both personal bests. Markkanen had back-to-back outings with 30 or more points against Portland and New York on Jan. 30 and Feb. 1. He missed seven consecutive games early in the season because of COVID-19 protocols. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 draft, Markkanen has not played in... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Bulls center Wendell Carter Jr. is expected to miss at least another month because of a bruised right quadriceps after an MRI on Tuesday confirmed the original diagnosis, the team announced. Carter, averaging 12.8 points and eight rebounds, sat out the past three games following a collision in practice. The team said he will be re-evaluated in four weeks. It’s the third straight season he will miss significant time because an injury. The No. 7 overall pick in 2018, he played in just 44 games as a rookie. Last year, he appeared in 43 of Chicago’s 65 games. The Bulls are 7-10 in their first season under coach Billy Donovan. They are scheduled to host the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls' new top basketball executive wasn't ready to make any announcements about the coaching staff on Saturday.Arturas Karnisovas still has not met in person with head coach Jim Boylen. And that's something he would like to do before going public with any decisions.Boylen's future is the biggest issue hanging over the Bulls, who were left out when the NBA’s Board of Governors approved a 22-team format to restart the pandemic-interrupted season next month in Orlando. Chicago has missed the playoffs in four of the past five seasons, a tough stretch for a franchise whose dominance in the 1990s was chronicled in the ESPN documentary “The Last Dance.”The Bulls overhauled their front office when they hired Karnisovas as executive vice president of basketball operations in April and Marc Eversley as general manager a few weeks later.Boylen remains on the job. But for how much longer?“I haven't met face to face yet,” Karnisovas said during a conference call. “There haven't... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — All-Star starters Luka Doncic of Dallas and Trae Young of Atlanta headlined the list of players released Friday to participate in the Rising Stars game at All-Star weekend in Chicago.Also on the list: likely rookie of the year frontrunner Ja Morant of Memphis, and No. 1 overall draft pick Zion Williamson of New Orleans.The format has 10 first- and second-year players from the U.S. on one team, against 10 first- and second-year players from other nations. Doncic leads the World team, joined by Nickeil Alexander-Walker of New Orleans, Deandre Ayton of Phoenix, RJ Barrett of New York, Brandon Clarke of Memphis, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City, Rui Hachimura and Moritz Wagner of Washington, Svi Mykhailiuk of Detroit and Josh Okogie of Minnesota.Joining Young, Morant and Williamson on the U.S. team are Miles Bridges, PJ Washington and Devonte’ Graham of Charlotte, Wendell Carter Jr. of Chicago, Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn of Miami, Jaren Jackson Jr. of Memphis and Eric Paschall of Golden State.Williamson is an injury replacement for Carter, who has a sprained right ankle and is not expected to play for the Bulls until after the All-Star break.With Alexander-Walker, Barrett, Clarke and Gilgeous-Alexander, the game features a record four Canadians. Hachimura is the first Japanese player to be selected for the game.The game is Friday, Feb. 14.__More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls expect center Wendell Carter Jr. to miss four to six weeks because of a sprained right ankle.Carter rolled his ankle going for a layup when he landed on Mavericks center Dwight Powell's foot in the third quarter of Monday's loss at Dallas. The Bulls said Thursday an MRI confirmed the sprain.Carter is averaging 11.7 points and 9.9 rebounds in his second season. A thumb injury that required surgery limited the Duke product to 44 games as a rookie after he was drafted with the No. 7 overall pick.The Bulls also said a follow-up MRI showed forward Otto Porter Jr.'s broken left foot is healing. Averaging 11.2 points in nine games, he has been sidelined since he was hurt against Atlanta on Nov. 6. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Jazz answered a big run with one of their own and withstood a final push down the stretch to walk away with another victory. Those are adding up for Utah.Bojan Bogdanovic scored 19 points and the surging Jazz held off the Chicago Bulls 102-98 on Thursday night.The Jazz went on a 24-4 run in the third quarter to grab a nine-point lead and emerged with their 10th win in 12 games after Chicago tied it in the closing minutes.Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert each scored 17 for Utah. Mitchell hit two free throws with 19 seconds remaining, and Gobert had 12 rebounds. The Jazz also got big contributions from their bench, with their reserves outscoring the Bulls' 36-23.“Everybody did a little something in a given time to help us win the game," coach Quin Snyder said. "And that's how you win on the road and that's how you win close games.”Zach LaVine led Chicago with 26 points and Lauri Markkanen scored 18. Wendell Carter Jr. added 18 points and 13 rebounds. The Bulls lost for... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Bojan Bogdanovic scored 19 points and the surging Utah Jazz held off the Chicago Bulls 102-98 on Thursday night.The Jazz went on a 24-4 run in the third quarter to grab a nine-point lead and came away with their 10th win in 12 games after Chicago tied it in the closing minutes.Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert each scored 17 for Utah. Mitchell hit two free throws with 19 seconds remaining, and Gobert had 12 rebounds.Zach LaVine led Chicago with 26 points and Lauri Markkanen scored 18. Wendell Carter Jr. added 18 points and 13 rebounds but the Bulls lost for the third time in four games.The Jazz led 96-88 in the closing minutes before Chicago scored eight straight, tying it on LaVine's 3 with 1:43 remaining. Bogdanovic hit two free throws and Gobert drove for a dunk to make it a four-point game, before Carter made two free throws for Chicago with 47 seconds remaining.After Mitchell missed a 3, LaVine missed on a wild drive. The Jazz got the rebound, and Mitchell hit two free... [More]