Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Wesley Matthews (illness) is a question mark ahead of Thursday's matchup against the Suns. The veteran sniper is feeling under the weather and might not be able to play. With the team battling the injury bug, Matthews has started a couple of games lately, and Jalen Johnson's (ankle) injury has made him a candidate to move into the first unit again on Thursday. Garrison Mathews and Vit Krejci should take care of most of Matthews' minutes if he can't play on Thursday. They are not recommended fantasy targets.

Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Wesley Matthews (calf) is listed as questionable for Saturday's encounter with the Heat. The 37-year-old has yet to play this season but could be ready to make his team debut on Saturday. Matthews has been kept out of the lineup by a calf strain. The Hawks are off to a good start to the year, and it won't be easy for Matthews to break into the rotation, so his availability likely won't change much in fantasy hoops. The 15-year-veteran averaged 15.8 minutes with the Bucks last season, posting 3.4 points and 2.2 rebounds.

Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Wesley Matthews (calf) will remain on the shelf for Thursday's matchup against Orlando. The veteran sniper has yet to feature this season due to a right calf strain. Last season, Matthews played with the Bucks, averaging close to 16 minutes per game, but his shooting was off all year, and he didn't really do anything for fantasy managers. At 37 years old, Matthews is on his last legs and likely won't have a big part to play for the Hawks either when he's eventually healthy enough to play.

Atlanta Hawks guard Wesley Matthews (calf) underwent an MRI on Wednesday that revealed a mild right calf strain. The team announced that he would be re-evaluated in two weeks and then his status would be updated. Since Matthews just joined the team this past offseason, he won't affect the rotation all that much. Once he returns, the question will be whose minutes he takes if he gets playing time early on. As of right now, he's not on the fantasy radar.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Wesley Matthews (calf) has already been ruled out of his second consecutive game due to a right calf strain. The veteran guard is normally an important piece to their defensive unit off of the bench but hasn't been able to play since Game 2. In Game 3, the Bucks gave up 121 points as both Matthew and Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) missed the contest. His next chance to play will come Wednesday in Game 5.

Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Wesley Matthews (calf) has been ruled out Wednesday against the Miami Heat. Matthews is dealing with a calf strain which he likely picked up in Game One on Sunday. Matthews played 18 minutes on Sunday, recording just six points and three rebounds. With Matthews sidelined, Joe Ingles and Jae Crowder should see some extra minutes off the bench.

Milwaukee Bucks small forward Wesley Matthews landed in the league's health and safety protocols Wednesday, ruling him out for at least the contest vs. Sacramento. Matthews has shifted to a full-time bench role this season and has scuffled mightily from the field, shooting just 30.5 percent overall and 29.8 percent from deep. His absence on the wing won't make a discernible difference in the Bucks' rotation, but Pat Connaughton and Jordan Nwora could see some added offensive looks. Once a solid roster addition for his three-point shooting alone, Matthews' is averaging fewer than one made triple per contest this season, leaving him on the outside looking in of all formats.

Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Wesley Matthews (ankle) has been removed from the injury report and is ready to play in the team's season opener on Thursday against Philadelphia. The veteran sniper missed the preseason with an ankle problem but will now provide the Bucks with a warm body to throw on the court. Matthews doesn't have much fantasy appeal, but he finds himself in an interesting spot ahead of the season opener with Khris Middleton (wrist) and Pat Connaughton (calf) unavailable, which opens up extra minutes for the 36-year-old.

Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard Rodney Hood (Achilles) and small forward Wesley Matthews have been lifted from the injury report ahead of Wednesday's matchup against Houston. Hood missed one game due to an Achilles ailment and has played a limited role among the team's second unit for the past month, having scored in double digits just once. Matthews has been in a similar boat, appearing in just four games before his five-contest absence due to COVID-19. Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo unavailable for the time being, neither Hood nor Matthews boasts enough fantasy upside entering play to merit DFS consideration, although their presence gives Milwaukee ample wing depth.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — No team in the NBA has a longer active streak of postseason appearances than the Portland Trail Blazers, who have gotten there in each of the last eight seasons. That wasn’t enough to save Terry Stotts, and Portland will have a new coach next season. The Trail Blazers and Stotts parted ways Friday, ending a nine-year run that saw the team good enough to get to the playoffs — but not good enough to get past the first round in four of the last five seasons. “I have the utmost respect for Terry and what he has accomplished these past nine seasons,” Blazers President Neil Olshey said. “This was a difficult decision on both a personal and professional level but it’s in the best interest of the franchise to move in another direction. “Terry will always hold a special place in the Trail Blazer family and the Portland community. We relied on the integrity, professionalism and consistency he brought to the job every day and we wish he and Jan nothing but the best.” It was being... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — After two seasons that felt like one relentless grind interrupted only by a strange championship celebration, the Los Angeles Lakers simply need a rest. The 2020 NBA champs weren't happy to be headed home this weekend after the Phoenix Suns knocked them out of the first round. Yet the early playoff exit came with the consolation of a title memory that's still fresh in many players' minds — and an abiding belief they will contend again next year if they just rest up and then stay healthy. “The one thing that bothers me more than anything is we never really got an opportunity to see our full team at full strength,” LeBron James said. “Either because of injury or COVID or something going on with our ballclub this year, we could never fully get into a rhythm and never really see the full potential of what we could be capable of.” When these Lakers were healthy, they were outstanding. But that period was brief, and it ended early. Los Angeles was 21-6 on Valentine's Day when... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis has been ruled out for the second half of Game 4 against the Phoenix Suns due to a left groin strain. The defending NBA champion Lakers also played Sunday without starting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who was sidelined by a bruised knee. Chris Paul played for the Phoenix Suns despite his injured right shoulder, managing six points and five assists in the first half of Game 4. Davis played 19 minutes in the first half, but scored only six points on 2-for-9 shooting. He hyperextended his leg in Game 3, but was attempting to play through the latest in a long series of injuries for the superstar big man this esason. Davis scored 34 points in each of the Lakers’ back-to-back victories in the series, but he was ineffective in Game 4. He didn't come out for the second half warmups with his teammates, and the Lakers ruled him out shortly afterward. Caldwell-Pope was injured in the third quarter of the Lakers' victory in Game 3. He went... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Starting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will miss Game 4 of the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round playoff series with the Phoenix Suns due to a bruised knee. The defending NBA champion Lakers announced the decision shortly before tipoff Sunday at Staples Center. Los Angeles forward Anthony Davis and Phoenix guard Chris Paul are active for Game 4 despite injuries. Caldwell-Pope was injured in the third quarter of the Lakers' victory in Game 3. He went through a pregame workout before Game 4, but Los Angeles decided to hold him out. Caldwell-Pope was the third-leading scorer on the Lakers' championship team last season, but he struggled in the first three games against Phoenix before his injury. He scored just 12 points in 92 minutes, going 1 for 13 on 3-pointers and failing to score at all in Game 2. Veteran Wesley Matthews took Caldwell-Pope's spot in the starting lineup. Matthews hit two key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter of Game 3. Paul was in Phoenix's starting lineup again despite being clearly limited in the last two games by his right shoulder injury. The star point guard skipped practice Saturday to rest ahead of Sunday's game. Davis was listed as questionable after hyperextending his knee during Game 3, but he vowed Saturday to play through any discomfort. He scored 34 points in each of the Lakers' back-to-back victories in the series. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks all began their first-round playoff series at a home-court disadvantage. After moving ahead of their higher-seeded opponents with early-series road wins, all three are up 2-1 and in position to move to the brink of the second round Sunday. The stakes are similar in all four NBA playoff games on a tantalizing slate: Atlanta, Dallas and the defending NBA champions will attempt to seize firm control of their series at home, while the heavily favored Brooklyn Nets can do the same in Boston. Los Angeles, Atlanta and Dallas are probably aware of the massive statistical edge for NBA teams with a 3-1 series lead — only 13 of 260 teams in that situation have ever blown it. They also realize Phoenix, New York and the Clippers will play for a split with appropriate intensity. “It’s going to be probably the biggest game in this series unless, it goes to a Game 7,” Lakers forward Anthony Davis said Saturday. “We’re going in... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers starting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has a mildly bruised left knee, and his availability is uncertain for Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against Phoenix. An MRI exam of Caldwell-Pope's knee revealed no structural damage, the Lakers announced Friday. Caldwell-Pope was injured in the third quarter of the Lakers' 109-95 victory over the Suns on Thursday night. The win put the defending NBA champions up 2-1 in the series. Game 4 is Sunday at Staples Center. Caldwell-Pope averaged 9.7 points in the regular season, but he has struggled so far in the playoffs. He scored just five points in 26 minutes in Game 3, and he went scoreless in 30 minutes in Game 2 after contributing only seven points with 1-for-7 shooting from 3-point range in the series opener. Caldwell-Pope was the Lakers' third-leading scorer on their championship team last year, contributing 10.7 points per game as their primary perimeter shooting threat with 37.8% shooting on 3-pointers. Wesley Matthews stepped up in Caldwell-Pope's absence late in Game 3, scoring eight points and hitting two key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Matthews could get more playing time if Caldwell-Pope sits out. Talen Horton-Tucker and Markieff Morris also would be options for coach Frank Vogel after neither player saw action in Game 3. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — After the longest season and the shortest offseason in NBA history, the champion Los Angeles Lakers are back at work with two content superstars, a younger lineup around them — and a steady confidence they can do it all again. The Lakers seem confident and collected as they head into team workouts this weekend, about eight weeks after they finished off the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals on Oct. 11. A distinct lack of vacation time aside, Los Angeles begins the new season in an apparently stellar position. LeBron James and Anthony Davis extended their commitments to the Lakers earlier this week, and they'll lead a slightly reconfigured roster that looks even better than last season's squad with NBA veterans Dennis Schröder, Montrezl Harrell, Marc Gasol and Wesley Matthews. Before Frank Vogel gets down to the week-to-week challenges of keeping his veterans fresh, navigating travel during a pandemic and taking every opponent's best shot every night, the Lakers coach laid out... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Davis finalized a five-year contract worth up to $190 million to return to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. One day after LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $85 million contract extension with the Lakers through 2022-23, Davis committed to the Lakers through the 2024-25 season. Agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who represents both Davis and James, confirmed the terms of both deals to The Associated Press. General manager Rob Pelinka announced both of his All-NBA first-team superstars had agreed to new contracts Thursday night without disclosing their terms. James and Davis won an NBA championship in the first season of their partnership, and Los Angeles is back to work in training camp this week with a solid chance to repeat. “In the Orlando bubble, Anthony Davis proved he is one of the game’s most complete and dominant two-way players,” Pelinka said in a statement. “Now, Lakers fans get to watch AD continue to grow and lead our franchise for years to come."... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Davis is finalizing a five-year contract worth up to $190 million to return to the Los Angeles Lakers. Davis' agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, confirmed the terms of Davis' pending free agent deal to The Associated Press on Thursday. The Lakers didn't comment. One day after LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $85 million contract extension with the Lakers through 2022-23, Davis committed to the Lakers through the 2024-25 season. Davis' deal includes an early termination clause prior to the fifth year, but the lengthy contract is still a clear declaration that the 27-year-old Davis sees his long-term future with the 17-time NBA champions. James and Davis won an NBA championship in the first season of their partnership, and they're returning this month with new contracts and a solid chance to repeat. “Those are great contracts, and they’re well-deserved,” veteran Lakers forward Markieff Morris said Thursday from the opening workouts of training camp. “It’s a big... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Davis is finalizing a five-year contract worth up to $190 million to return to the Los Angeles Lakers. Davis' agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, confirmed the terms of Davis' pending free agent deal to The Associated Press on Thursday. The Lakers didn't comment. One day after LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $85 million contract extension with the Lakers through 2022-23, Davis committed to the Lakers through the 2024-25 season. Davis' deal includes an early termination clause prior to the fifth year, but the contract is still a clear declaration that the 27-year-old Davis sees his long-term future with the 17-time NBA champions. The Lakers acquired Davis in a trade before last season, shipping most of their young core to New Orleans to acquire one of the best big men of his generation. With Klutch clients James and Davis at their core, the Lakers immediately built a championship contender around them. The 6-foot-10 Davis immediately clicked alongside James,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James has agreed to a two-year, $85 million contract extension through the 2022-23 season with the Los Angeles Lakers. James' agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, confirmed the deal Wednesday during the first week of training camp for the NBA champions. The Lakers are still finalizing their new contract with big man Anthony Davis, who is also represented by Paul. James is getting the maximum deal to extend his tenure in Los Angeles, where he moved two seasons ago after his second stint with his hometown Cavaliers. Davis and James teamed up last season and won the Lakers' 17th championship in the bubble in central Florida. James' previous contract ran through the upcoming season with a player option for 2021-22, allowing the third-leading scorer in league history to become a free agent next summer if he chose. Instead, James has committed to play through his 20th NBA season with the Lakers, where he moved in 2018 after title-winning tenures in Cleveland and Miami.... [More]