Los Angeles Clippers power forward Marcus Morris Sr. enjoyed his trip back to TD Garden on Wednesday, scoring a team-high 23 points on 9-for-21 shooting and completing a double-double with 10 rebounds in a 91-82 win over Boston. He also notched two assists and one steal but had a poor night from behind the arc with a 0-for-5 record. Morris Sr. has been the top scorer for the Clippers in both outings since returning to the lineup, and he's put together a strong four-game scoring stretch overall with plenty of rebounds. Friday's meeting with a depleted Raptors team puts him in a great spot to continue the good run.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. He has cleared COVID-19 protocols, but Morris has to work on getting his conditioning back. Fantasy managers should expect Morris to be limited, assuming he does suit up on Monday. However, he'll have increased value going forward with Paul George (elbow) sidelined for roughly a month. Morris could carry some solid value once he's back to full speed. He is certainly someone worth monitoring in most formats.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. had season highs in both points (23) and rebounds (11) Monday night against the Suns, helping his side to a 111-95 victory. He shot 10-for-16 from the field and hit half of his four three-pointers. The veteran has come to life lately with four 20-point efforts in six games. There's currently a chance for all Clippers players to do more offensive because Paul George (elbow) is missing. Morris Sr. will try to stay in good form on Wednesday against Utah, and there's also a very nice spot against OKC coming up this week.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. (knee) is available for Tuesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. He has been banged up all season long, but Morris has been cleared to suit up. He will almost certainly be under a minutes limit, so there won't be much fantasy value for Morris on Tuesday. Nicolas Batum will likely end up losing the most value from the return of Morris. Fantasy managers should wait and see how both players perform on Tuesday.

LA Clippers power forward Marcus Morris Sr. (knee) and center Serge Ibakawill both be unavailable for Thursday's game against the Grizzlies. Morris has not played since Oct. 23 due to a left knee injury, while Ibaka is continuing to ramp up his activity level away from the team. Their absences in the frontcourt have funneled minutes toward Ivica Zubac and Isaiah Hartenstein, while Nicolas Batum (Achilles) has held down the starting gig as a stretch four. Until fantasy managers hear otherwise, both can be presumed unavailable as the Clippers have shown a desire to give them adequate time to be fully healthy before returning them to the court.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. (knee) won't play on Tuesday versus the Trail Blazers. The 32-year-old has appeared in only two contests this season and has missed his previous seven games while recovering from a left knee injury. Fortunately for the team, Serge Ibaka (back) returned on Sunday night during the win over the Charlotte Hornets. However, he is still ramping up his activity level after having not played since May. As a result, Nicolas Batum will likely continue to see extra minutes, with Isaiah Hartenstein also in line for more work. Batum has played well this season and is worth a look from fantasy managers, while Hartenstein and Ibaka can be ignored, at least until they pick things up on the statistical end of things.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. He continues to deal with a lingering knee issue and it's uncertain when he'll actually get on the court. Although, Morris has reportedly begun strengthening his worrisome knee. In the meantime, Nicolas Batum and Terance Mann will get more playing time. Both of them are basically deep league options and risky DFS options on any given night.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. (knee) is out for Monday's contest against OKC. The veteran will miss his fourth straight outing as he continues to deal with a left knee ailment. The 32-year-old has appeared in two games this season but hasn't done much to warrant a stash from fantasy managers, so parting ways with him wouldn't be unreasonable by any means. Nonetheless, his next chance to suit up will come on Wednesday when L.A. takes on Minnesota in the first of two consecutive meetings against the Timberwolves. However, until Morris is ready to go, Isaiah Hartenstein should get more action, although he doesn't offer much in nearly any fantasy setup.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. This marks the third game in a row that Morris has been sidelined. He continues to sit out while he builds strength in his left knee. He could very well miss a few more games. In the meantime, Nicolas Batum will likely remain in the starting five, but isn't much of a fantasy option. At best, Batum is a punt option for DFS contests on Friday.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers’ season began in an empty arena with cardboard cutouts, COVID-19 tests, and protocols for everything. It ended with the team reaching the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history, even without injured superstar Kawhi Leonard. A masked Leonard watched from the bench as the Clippers lost to the Phoenix Suns in six games on Wednesday night. “Man, we just had a group of guys that loved playing with each other. Everyone was on the same page,” center Ivica Zubac said Thursday. The Clippers overcame 0-2 deficits in the first two rounds to beat Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks and Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz. Leonard sprained his right knee in Game 4 against the Jazz and didn't play again. Zubac also injured his knee and was forced to sit out the final two games against the Suns. The Clippers trailed that series 0-2 and 1-3 before closing to 3-2 and eventually running out of gas. Through the injuries, Paul George kept... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The NBA's top playoff seeds, Philadelphia and Utah, are on the brink of being eliminated. The 76ers have blown leads of 18 and 26 points in back-to-back losses to the Atlanta Hawks, who now lead the Eastern Conference semifinal series 3-2. Atlanta, the No. 5 seed, can clinch the series at home on Friday night after storming back for an improbable 109-106 win on Wednesday night in Philadelphia. “Our backs are against the wall right now and we have to play like it,” said Philadelphia's Tobias Harris. Seth Curry said the 76ers should not have psychological scars from losing big leads in back-to-back losses. “It shouldn’t,” Curry said. “We’re grown men over here. Watch the film and learn from it and bounce back.” Led by Trae Young, the Hawks are attempting to advance to a conference final for only the second time since moving to Atlanta in 1968. The Hawks were swept by Cleveland in the 2015 conference final. The Hawks won their only NBA championship in 1958, when the team was... [More]

The Los Angeles Clippers find themselves in familiar territory — down 2-0 in their second straight playoff series and seeing one player outplay their two superstars. While the Clippers proved they could work their way out of a deep hole before, the challenges are steeper as they prepare to face the Utah Jazz on Saturday as the scene shifts to Staples Center for Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinal series. The downtown Los Angeles court, which has been the franchise's home since 1999, has not given them any advantages when it comes to the postseason. They have lost nine of their last 11 home playoff games. Last Sunday's 126-111 victory over Dallas in Game 7 snapped a eight-game home playoff losing streak. Paul George said after Thursday night's 117-111 loss that they are approaching this two-game deficit the same way they approached being down to Dallas. “We still feel we have a lot of possessions that we can clean up and a lot of possessions that are hurting us that’s our fault,”... [More]

Rudy Gobert saved Utah's opening game of the second round with a blocked shot, the kind of play that's earned him recognition as the NBA's best defender. It would have been ever better if Mark Eaton had seen it. The former Jazz center died last month at 64 and Gobert was thinking about his predecessor Wednesday after breaking a tie with him for most Defensive Player of the Year awards in franchise history by winning it for a third time. “I thought about it last night because I knew that I probably would have got a text after the game,” Gobert said. “I’m sure he’s very proud and I’m going to try to keep making him proud and keep honoring his legacy." Gobert had the most total blocked shots and defensive rebounds in the league this season and became the fourth player to win the award at least three times after leading the Jazz to the best record in the league. A night after a game-sealing blocked shot in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, Gobert received 84 first-place votes and... [More]

Utah's Rudy Gobert won his third Defensive Player of the Year award Wednesday after helping the Utah Jazz to the best record in the NBA. Gobert had the most total blocked shots and defensive rebounds in the league this season and became the fourth player to win the award at least three times. A night after a game-sealing blocked shot in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, Gobert received 84 first-place votes and 464 points from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Philadelphia's Ben Simmons was second with 15 first-place votes and 287 votes, while Draymond Green of Golden State was third with 76 points. Gobert was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019. Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace each won it four times and Dwight Howard three. With Gobert in the middle, the Jazz went 52-20 and earned the overall No. 1 seed for the first time. They limited teams to 44.7% shooting, second-lowest in the league. Miami's Bam Adebayo earned the other first-place vote... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Trae Young didn’t look like a postseason rookie in silencing a rocking road crowd in New York. “The moment wasn’t too big for him,” Atlanta teammate Lou Williams said. Nor for Ja Morant or Devin Booker, who were just as impressive in their debuts. Throw in Luka Doncic picking up where he left off last year, and the opening weekend of the playoffs may have proven that the time is now for some of the NBA’s best young guards. “The great players, in every era, that’s what they do,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “They pose problems.” Booker and Doncic will be back in action Tuesday, hoping to send the two Los Angeles teams into 2-0 holes. Phoenix beat the Lakers 99-90 on Sunday behind 34 points from Booker. In his sixth season, he's got much more NBA experience than Young, Morant or Doncic. But he's still only 24 years old, and no amount of regular-season games is preparation for LeBron James and the defending champions in the postseason. Phoenix coach Monty Williams said... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paul George sat out for the Los Angeles Clippers against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said George tweaked his ankle in Sunday's win over Phoenix and how he warmed up would determine whether he played against the Spurs. “He's going to be the one gauging it,” Lue said before the game. George is averaging 25.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. Los Angeles guard Luke Kennard started in George's place. Also out for the Clippers was Marcus Morris Sr., who has yet to play this season because of a sore right knee. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Luka Doncic's first experience with the playoffs ended with questions about whether Marcus Morris of the Los Angeles Clippers was intentionally trying to hurt the young Dallas sensation in a first-round series won by LA. The Mavericks might have hinted at what they thought through trades and draft picks during this abbreviated offseason. Dallas acquired James Johnson and his black belt in karate from Oklahoma City in a three-team trade after using the club's first-round draft choice at No. 18 overall on Josh Green, who was a strong defender in his only season at Arizona. The Mavericks also sent their best 3-pointer shooter in Seth Curry to Philadelphia for Josh Richardson, described by coach Rick Carlisle as an “edgy guy who is a terrific defender.” “I don’t really take well to my brothers being messed with, but I’m not an instigator in situations so I’m not going to be out there just trying to get in people’s faces and do a lot of extra stuff,” Richardson said on the opening day of training... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks waived veterans Elfrid Payton, Taj Gibson and Wayne Ellington and declined their team option on Bobby Portis on Thursday, just a year after signing them in free agency. The Knicks signed all the veterans as part of a seven-player class in the summer of 2019. They enter free agency Friday with only Julius Randle and Reggie Bullock remaining from the group, having traded Marcus Morris to the Clippers during the season. Former Knicks President Steve Mills insisted at the start of last season that the Knicks got the players they wanted with that group. But successor Leon Rose cut most of them as he prepares to reshape one of the league's worst rosters. The moves have them well-positioned for free agency. Portis' option would have paid him $15.8 million in 2020-21. Gibson was due $9.5 million and Ellington and Payton were each set to earn $8 million. The Knicks also waived forward Kenny Wooten and declined their option on guard Theo Pinson. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks waived veterans Elfrid Payton, Taj Gibson and Wayne Ellington and declined their team option on Bobby Portis on Thursday, just a year after signing them in free agency. The Knicks signed all the veterans as part of a seven-player class in the summer of 2019. They enter free agency Friday with only Julius Randle and Reggie Bullock remaining from the group, having traded Marcus Morris to the Clippers during the season. Former Knicks President Steve Mills insisted at the start of last season that the Knicks got the players they wanted with that group. But successor Leon Rose cut most of them as he prepares to reshape one of the league's worst rosters. The moves have them well-positioned for free agency. Portis' option would have paid him $15.8 million in 2020-21. Gibson was due $9.5 million and Ellington and Payton were each set to earn $8 million. The Knicks also waived forward Kenny Wooten and declined their option on guard Theo Pinson. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Marcus Morris of the Los Angeles Clippers was fined $35,000 by the NBA on Wednesday for his flagrant foul on Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, who was penalized $15,000 for throwing the ball at a referee.Both fines stemmed from actions in Game 6 of a first-round playoff series, which the Clippers won to eliminate the Mavericks.Morris swung his arm down hard and hit a driving Doncic in the neck area early in the second quarter. The forward was given a flagrant foul 2, an automatic ejection.The NBA said the amount of the fine for Morris — whose birthday was Wednesday — was based in part on the fact he has been disciplined several times in the past for physical altercations on the court. Doncic was called for an offensive foul later in the game and threw the ball into official Bill Kennedy's leg.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports