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Thursday, January 12

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) is currently listed as probable for Thursday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. The All-Star forward sat out of Monday's game due to left ankle soreness. However, it sounds like James is feeling good enough to get back on the court after a one-game absence. Max Christie would head back to the bench where he won't have as much streaming appeal. Fantasy managers should check back on Thursday, but it sounds like James should be good to go.
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Patrick Beverley (illness, hip) is currently listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. He was forced to exit early during Monday's game and sat out of Wednesday's practice. It sounds like the illness is what kept Beverley out of practice on Wednesday. That being said, fantasy managers are likely going to have to wait until Thursday to see how Beverley is feeling. Austin Reaves and Dennis Schroder would likely benefit the most if Beverley is unable to play on Thursday.

Tuesday, January 10

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Patrick Beverley sat out the whole second half against Denver on Monday after suffering a right hip injury. He went scoreless in the contest and had one rebound and one steal in 12 minutes. Beverley doesn't do a lot on a nightly basis, but he has been a regular starter for the Lakers and the injury-hit team will be forced into yet another change in the starting unit if the veteran guard needs time off to recover. Kendrick Nunn started the second half in Beverley's place on Monday and showed plenty of fantasy promise, scoring 15 points and picking up three steals in 24 minutes.

Monday, January 09

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) has been downgraded to questionable for Monday's game against the Denver Nuggets. The superstar forward was listed as probable, but it appears his ankle is still bothering him. His absence would mean Russell Westbrook moves into the starting five. A move to the starting unit would boost his fantasy value. Also, Dennis Schroder and Thomas Bryant would see more scoring chances if James is unable to play. Fantasy managers will have to check back closer to tip-off for another update on James.
		Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (foot) is set to begin ramping up activities this week. The 29-year-old is recovering after suffering a fractured bone spur and a stress reaction in his navicular bone. He has been sidelined since mid-December. The hope is that Davis can get back on the floor within the next few weeks. Thomas Bryant has been playing well in his absence, but will ultimately shift to the bench once Davis is ready to return. In the meantime, Bryant can remain rostered in basically all fantasy formats until Davis gets cleared to play.
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) is listed as out for Monday's game against the Denver Nuggets. The All-Star forward was originally probable before getting a questionable tag earlier in the day. Now, the Lakers have decided to rule out James for this contest. His absence should mean Russell Westbrook sees his usage skyrocket. Also, Dennis Schroder and Thomas Bryant should both see more scoring chances on Monday. The Lakers are extremely shorthanded, so all three of these players should be reliable options for Monday's slate.

Sunday, January 08

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Sacramento Kings. The superstar forward is dealing with left ankle soreness after playing 33 minutes on Friday. Possibly, the Lakers decide to rest James, but this will likely end up being a game-time decision. His absence would open up more playing time for Russell Westbrook, Dennis Schroder, and Kendrick Nunn. All of these players would be favorable fantasy options if James sits out. The Lakers are extremely shorthanded right now, so losing James would significantly hurt.
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (foot) is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Sacramento Kings. The veteran guard is back on the injury report due to left foot soreness. However, it's worth noting that Westbrook hasn't missed a game since December 21. He could see an expanded role with LeBron James (ankle) listed as questionable for this game. Westbrook would be asked to take control of the offense, assuming James sits out. He nearly had a triple-double on Wednesday when James was out. Fantasy managers will have to check back for another update before tip-off.

Friday, January 06

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (hamstring) is listed as out for Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. This is not good news for the Lakers who are already without Lonnie Walker IV (tailbone) for the time being. Also, Troy Brown Jr. (quad) is considered questionable after getting injured on Wednesday. He'd be an interesting streaming option if healthy. Otherwise, Max Christie might get decent playing time during Friday's game. He wouldn't be anything more than a risky dart throw in DFS contests.
		Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard/small forward Austin Reaves (hamstring) has been shut down for at least two weeks due to a strained left hamstring, at which point the team will re-evaluate his progress. Reaves has played an integral wing role for L.A. this season, averaging 10.8 PPG while shooting 48.8 percent overall. With injuries sweeping the Lakers' depth chart, it may take some time for head coach Darvin Ham to establish a new rotation, but Kendrick Nunn and Max Christie are early candidates to see a bump in playing time. Reaves' extended absence likely pushes him toward the waiver wire in all but the deepest of season-long formats.
		Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard/small forward Lonnie Walker IV (knee) has been sidelined for at least the next two weeks due to left knee tendinitis. L.A. is set to play eight contests in that span, opening minutes on the wing for Juan Toscano-Anderson and Max Christie, among others. Walker has averaged a career-best 14.7 PPG across 32 games (all starts) this season, leaving another offensive void to be filled by the Lakers in the short term. The 24-year-old can be stashed on IR slots where available, with the team expected to provide an update on his status in around two weeks.

Thursday, January 05

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV (knee) will miss his third straight game on Wednesday. The 24-year-old is dealing with knee tendinitis which could lead him to missing more time. Head coach Darvin Ham mentioned that the organization plans to bring Walker along slowly. It doesn't sound like they currently have a timetable for him, so fantasy managers should expect Walker to remain sidelined for now. In the meantime, Troy Brown Jr. and Austin Reaves will gain the most fantasy value. Between the two players, Reaves is the better fantasy option in the short term.
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (foot) is available for Wednesday's game against the Miami Heat. The 34-year-old exited early during Monday's contest due to left foot soreness. It appears to be a minor injury as Westbrook will suit up and isn't expected to be limited on Wednesday. In fact, Westbrook is likely to take on a bigger role with LeBron James (illness) on the sideline. It's unclear whether Westbrook will start, but regardless he should have plenty of value with James off the court.

Wednesday, January 04

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers power forward LeBron James (illness) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Heat due to a non-COVID illness. James' absence will create a large offensive void for L.A., who remains without Anthony Davis (foot) for the time being. With Lonnie Walker IV (knee) also unavailable, Russell Westbrook, Dennis Schroder and Thomas Bryant stand to see significant DFS upside. James has been on an elite run over the past three weeks, scoring at least 31 points in nine of his last 11 contests. His next chance to return to action comes Friday vs. Atlanta, whom he scorched for a season-high 47 points last Friday.
		Los Angeles Lakers small forward Lonnie Walker IV (knee) has been ruled out for the third consecutive contest Wednesday against Miami, but this time it's due to a sore left knee. Walker has been battling a tailbone contusion over the past week, with his latest ailment keeping L.A. short-handed on the wing with LeBron James (illness) also unavailable. Troy Brown Jr., Austin Reaves and Juan Toscano-Anderson all stand to see sizable minute increases without Walker in the mix, with the former duo possessing significant DFS upside. Walker's next chance to return to action comes Friday vs. the Hawks.

Tuesday, January 03

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook was unable to complete Monday's matchup against Orlando because of left foot soreness. It appears to be a nagging issue, as Westbrook also missed a pair of games with the same problem last month. The injury clearly didn't allow him to be at his best against the Magic, with the former MVP shooting only 1-for-8 from the field and committing three turnovers in 11 minutes before calling it a night. It was a huge drop-off from his recent form, as Westbrook had multiple triple-doubles in December and finished the month with averages of 14.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 8.6 assists. Dennis Schroder and Patrick Beverley should share most of the minutes at the point guard position if Westbrook is forced to miss time, while Austin Reaves could get a boost in playing time. He impressed Monday with 15 points, six rebounds and seven assists off the bench.

Monday, January 02

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV (tailbone) has been tagged as questionable for the team's Monday night contest against the Charlotte Hornets. The 24-year-old was held out of the last game with the same tailbone contusion and now could miss his fifth game of the season. Walker carried solid fantasy value earlier in the season while the Lakers dealt with a lot of injuries, but he's since cooled off. If he can't give it a go, Austin Reaves and Troy Brown Jr. could be good streaming options.
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV (tailbone) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. The 24-year-old will miss his second straight game due to a tailbone contusion. In his absence, Troy Brown Jr. and Austin Reaves should see additional playing time. Between the two, Reaves is the much better fantasy option for Monday's slate. Brown should still have value, but mainly in deep leagues.

Saturday, December 31

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard/small forward Lonnie Walker IV (tailbone) will miss Friday's contest against the Hawks, allowing Austin Reaves to step into the starting five. Walker had found his offensive rhythm prior to going down, drilling multiple triples in six straight outings prior to injury. While Reaves is coming off a scoreless performance Wednesday, he will likely see significant last-minute DFS appeal due to the 13.4 PPG he has averaged across 10 starts this year. Juan Toscano-Anderson also stands to see additional minutes without Walker in the mix, but L.A. will have to get creative offensively to make up for his 14.7 points per contest average.

Friday, December 30

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (foot) has been listed as probable to suit up against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. He's found his way onto the injury report the last few games with some of the same ailments and has played each time. The starting guard was able to play almost 35 minutes in their last outing against the Miami Heat as well. Even while receiving starter's minutes, Schroder is a low-end fantasy asset that's only truly relevant in deeper leagues.
		Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard/small forward Lonnie Walker IV (tailbone) has been tagged as questionable to suit up for Friday's contest vs. the Hawks due to a tailbone contusion. Walker's status is moving in the wrong direction ahead of tip-off, a concerning update on the heels of his first scoreless outing of the season. An absence from Walker -- who has started all 32 of his appearances this year -- would pave the way for Troy Brown Jr. and Max Christie to play elevated roles on the wing.

Wednesday, December 28

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's matchup against Miami. He's been dealing with a sore left ankle for a while and might take the night off as the team completes a back-to-back set. LeBron led the troops with 28 points in Tuesday's 129-110 victory over the Magic. He also missed the second leg of a back-to-back last week and Dennis Schroder had a big game in his absence with 30 points against Phoenix. Russell Westbrook is also set to get a usage bump if James sits out Wednesday. The former MVP has looked great lately and even posted his third triple-double of the campaign Tuesday.
		Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward LeBron James (ankle) will play Wednesday against the Miami Heat. There were some rumblings of James sitting at least one of this back-to-back set, but the veteran star will play against his former team on Wednesday. James has been dealing with lingering ankle soreness, but has not affected his play. With Anthony Davis (foot) out indefinitely, James remains the focal point of the offense and should continue his stellar run.

Tuesday, December 27

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) is probable for Tuesday's meeting with Orlando. The King has been in and out of the lineup all season because of left ankle soreness, so his presence on the injury report is nothing new. James logged 34 minutes during the Christmas Day loss to Dallas, finishing with 38 points. Los Angeles will play the first of back-to-back contests on Tuesday as part of a four-game road trip. As a result, James may get a night off at some point moving ahead. At the very least, he could see a reduction in minutes if any of the team's upcoming games get out of hand, something for DFS participants to consider.
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (foot) is expected to play on Tuesday night in Orlando. The veteran is dealing with left foot soreness, although it shouldn't be a cause for alarm. In Schroder's 16 starts this season, he has averaged 11.5 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 28.5 minutes. With Anthony Davis (foot) out indefinitely, Schroder should continue to benefit offensively, keeping him classified as a must-start fantasy option versus the Magic.

Saturday, December 24

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers center Thomas Bryant suffered a shoulder injury late in Friday's 134-130 loss to Charlotte. While going up for a shot, Bryant was hit on his right arm by Charlotte's Mason Plumlee and he left the court in pain after logging 33 minutes of action. The 25-year-old had eight points and a game-high 13 rebounds in the contest. Bryant is now under evaluation to determine the severity of the injury. The team will be desperate to get some good news, as frontcourt depth will become an issue if Bryant gets sidelined. He has been filling in for Anthony Davis (foot) lately, posting some solid numbers. Wenyen Gabriel would be the next man up at the center position if Bryant misses time.

Friday, December 23

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		The timeline for a return to action for Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (foot) appears to have been extended. The team announced Friday that Davis is dealing with a stress injury in his right foot and will be sidelined indefinitely due to the ailment. The eight-time All-Star was reportedly expected to miss at least one month of action, but there is hope that resting the injury will allow a quicker return to the court. Davis was amidst a dominant campaign, averaging 27.4 points and a career-high 12.1 rebounds per game, all while shooting 59.4 percent overall and adding 2.1 blocks each night. Thomas Bryant has stepped in as the Lakers' center and can now safely be added in all-sized formats, as he figures to get an extended look in the frontcourt.
		Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook (foot) has been listed as probable to play in Friday's contest vs. Charlotte, after having missed the previous two outings due to a sore left foot. Westbrook's return would elevate L.A.'s second unit and likely cut into the workload that Max Christie has seen as of late. While Westbrook has scuffled mightily from long range in December (12 percent), he will likely garner significant DFS attention with the matchup against the Hornets drawing the highest projected total of the night in Vegas (242 points).

Thursday, December 22

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (ankle) won't play against Sacramento, marking his second consecutive absence because of a sprained left ankle. Russell Westbrook (foot) is out as well, so L.A. will be shorthanded in the backcourt on Wednesday night. As a result, Dennis Schroder, who had 30 points in the loss to Phoenix, should continue to see an uptick in production. Patrick Beverley and Max Christie may also get some additional minutes, although they aren't consistent fantasy options.
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) is active for Wednesday's meeting with Sacramento. James has been dealing with left ankle soreness for most of the season, so it's something that may continue to bother him moving ahead. That said, considering L.A. won't have Anthony Davis (foot) and Russell Westbrook (foot) on the floor, James could be in for a bigger night than usual for fantasy managers.

Wednesday, December 21

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook (foot) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game vs. Sacramento due to a sore left foot. Westbrook was unavailable due to the ailment Monday, paving the way for Kendrick Nunn to lead the bench unit with 17 points; another absence from Westbrook makes Nunn a highly desirable DFS candidate. While Westbrook has struggled mightily from long range during December (12 percent), he has averaged 13.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists, returning to the nightly triple-double threat that has made him a fantasy stalwart for the past decade-plus. His next chance to return to action comes Friday against the Hornets.

Monday, December 19

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers power forward LeBron James (ankle) and shooting guard/small forward Austin Reaves (ankle) have been ruled out for Monday's game against the Suns. James' absence marks his second consecutive instance of missing both legs of a back-to-back, having dropped 33 points in 37 minutes Sunday in a win over Washington. With Anthony Davis (foot) also sidelined, Russell Westbrook, Dennis Schroder, Lonnie Walker IV and Thomas Bryant will stand to see their offensive roles increased exponentially, making the quartet potential upside DFS plays. While James should be ready to return Wednesday vs. Sacramento, Reaves' absence marks his first of the year, making his return to action the murkier of the two.
		Los Angeles Lakers point/shooting guard Patrick Beverley (calf) has been listed as questionable to play in Monday's contest vs. the Suns due to a sore right calf. Beverley missed the team's outing Sunday, and with LeBron James (ankle), Anthony Davis (foot) and Austin Reaves (ankle) already ruled out Monday, the Lakers could be vastly short-handed from their regular contributors. Lonnie Walker IV, Dennis Schroder, Russell Westbrook and Kendrick Nunn would all see their DFS value rise if Beverley is ultimately ruled out. Beverley snagged a season-best 10 rebounds against Phoenix on Nov. 22 before being ejected after shoving Deandre Ayton, which earned him a three-game suspension.
		Los Angeles Lakers forward Wenyen Gabriel (shoulder) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Monday's game against the Phoenix Suns. He has missed the last seven games due to left shoulder soreness. Normally, Gabriel isn't a great fantasy option, but could have streaming value on Monday. The Lakers are without LeBron James (ankle) and Anthony Davis (foot), so Gabriel should have an extended role in the rotation.

Sunday, December 18

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (foot) is expected to miss at least one month of action. The big man suffered a right foot sprain during Friday's game. That being said, Davis will miss at least a month, but given his injury history there is a good chance he misses more time than that. His absence is going to significantly hurt the Lakers roster. Thomas Bryant is expected to move into the starting five with Davis absent. He should be rostered everywhere, but he obviously won't be able to put up the same numbers as Davis offensively.

Saturday, December 17

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (foot) exited Friday's win over the Nuggets because of a right foot injury. He didn't return. The veteran would finish with 10 points, four rebounds, one block, and one steal across 17 minutes of work. While the severity of Davis' condition is unknown, there's a good chance he will miss a few games, starting with Sunday's contest against Washington. If that happens, Thomas Bryant, who had 21 points, six boards, and two steals in 24 minutes versus Denver, could prove useful to fantasy managers if Davis can't suit up moving ahead.

Friday, December 09

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) is likely to give it a go against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night. He's been experiencing some ankle soreness, but he's also been on the injury report more than he hasn't so far this season. Fantasy managers will just need to keep tabs on the injury reports to make sure he's nothing more than questionable ahead of tipoff each time. Since he and Anthony Davis will both be back on the floor together, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Thomas Bryant will take a hit to their fantasy value.
		Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (illness) was forced to leave the team's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to flu-like symptoms. After sitting out the second half of a back-to-back and getting a day off in between, he's listed as probable to play again on Friday night. He'll be welcomed back with open arms both by the team and fantasy managers everywhere since he's been a top three fantasy option this season and has only missed three games so far in the process.
		Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (illness) will play in Friday's meeting with the 76ers. Head coach Darvin Ham confirmed the news, and it comes after Davis exited Tuesday's game in Cleveland with Flu-like symptoms while missing Wednesday's matchup in Toronto. While the 29-year-old has a tough challenge on tap versus Joel Embiid, he remains a must-start. Thomas Bryant, who had 16 points, five rebounds, two steals, and two blocks against the Raptors while filling in for Davis, will move back to the bench.
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) will play on Friday against the 76ers after getting the night off for Wednesday's meeting with Toronto because of left ankle soreness. While the absence was concerning for fantasy managers, it was mostly done for precautionary measures, considering the team was playing the second of back-to-back meetings. That said, James will return to his usual must-start status for the nationally televised matchup in Philadelphia.

Wednesday, December 07

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (illness) won't return to Tuesday's contest versus the Cavaliers. L.A. entered this one having won eight of the last 10 games, with Davis being a major factor in the team's success. However, he lasted only eight minutes before exiting with flu-like symptoms. The 29-year-old has played fantastic this season, averaging a career-high 26.6 points and 12.8 rebounds while adding 2.5 blocks and 1.4 steals. It's certainly possible Davis doesn't play on Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons. If that's the case, Thomas Bryant may fill the hole in the lineup. Bryant had nine points, four rebounds, and three blocks in his only start in 2022-23, so he's not be a viable replacement for A.D.
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) and forward/center Anthony Davis (illness) won't play Wednesday against Toronto. James is dealing with left ankle soreness and Davis is still battling an illness, which forced him to leave Tuesday's matchup versus Cleveland after only eight minutes. Neither player will likely be out for long, but their absence on Wednesday will create a number of intriguing fantasy options. Thomas Bryant looks nailed on to have his best outing as a Laker, while Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder should also see a lot more opportunities offensively.
		Los Angeles Lakers point/shooting guard Patrick Beverley (knee) has been deemed doubtful to play in Wednesday's contest against the Raptors as he battles a sore right knee. Without Beverley, LeBron James (ankle) and Anthony Davis (illness) in the mix, Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder stand out as huge upside DFS selections. Lonnie Walker IV and Austin Reaves also stand to benefit from a potential Beverley absence, while Kendrick Nunn would figure to crack the backcourt mix as well. The three-time All-Defensive winner has scuffled mightily from the field this season, shooting just 27.1 percent overall. Barring a dramatic turn of events, Beverley's next best chance to suit up will come Friday vs. Philadelphia.

Friday, December 02

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV (foot) is now on the injury report listed as probable to play on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Earlier, on Friday morning, he carried a questionable status with a sore foot. This means that the Lakers will most likely have their normal starting five all healthy again. Walker has returned solid value across all fantasy formats as he's ranked at 106 in terms of value. That's enough to land him in the ninth round of a draft for a 12-team league. This could be a tough matchup, however, as the Bucks are a top-three defense in the league.
		Los Angeles Lakers point/shooting guard Dennis Schroder (personal) has been ruled out for Friday's contest against the Bucks. Schroder's absence -- due to the birth of his child -- marks his first since making his season debut on Nov. 18 and should pave the way for Russell Westbrook and Austin Reaves to see slight upticks in usage. It's unclear whom head coach Darvin Ham will elevate to the starting five, but Schroder has played at least 29 minutes in each of his last four appearances. The veteran is off to a slow start, averaging 8.4 points and 3.6 assists this year, shooting just 39.6% overall. His next chance to suit up comes Sunday vs. Washington.

Monday, November 28

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (calf) has been upgraded to probable ahead of Monday's game against the Indiana Pacers. The big man was expected to return here after sitting out the second game of the back-to-back set on Saturday. The Lakers have made it known that they aren't afraid to rest Davis in order to keep him healthy. The expectation is that he'll have a full workload here. Fantasy managers should make sure that Davis is in their lineups for this favorable matchup against Indiana.

Tuesday, November 22

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (adductor) will miss his fifth game in a row due to his left adductor strain. He was officially ruled out well ahead of tipoff which doesn't provide any confidence that he'll return soon. The Lakers are likely being cautious since the team has struggled for the most part so far. As has been the case, Austin Reaves and Troy Brown Jr. will likely see added minutes and usage while James watches from the sidelines.

Monday, November 21

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (adductor) will miss his fourth straight game due to a left adductor strain. He seems to be progressing toward making a return sooner rather than later. There still isn't a firm date or timetable for his exact return, however. Austin Reaves and Troy Brown Jr. will continue to get more opportunities as James sits out. The former seems to be the bigger beneficiary and better streaming option. Anthony Davis should also get plenty of usage in his absence.
		Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook sustained a right thumb injury in Sunday's blowout win over the Spurs. He already went for X-rays, which came back negative and that's great news, but Westbrook left the arena with his hand wrapped up and there are further evaluations planned for Monday. The former MVP had another solid night in 22 minutes off the bench, posting his fourth consecutive double-double with 10 points and 10 assists. Patrick Beverley and Dennis Schroder are set to share the point guard minutes if Westbrook is forced to miss any time. The latter has only just recovered from a thumb problem himself, and Schroder's fantasy stock should begin to rise soon after he started to pick up pace with a 13-point outing Sunday.
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (thumb) suffered a right thumb injury during Sunday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. The veteran guard left the arena with a wrap on his right hand. Luckily, the X-rays came back negative, which is good news for him. It sounds like the plan is for Westbrook to be re-examined on Monday. In the meantime, Austin Reaves and Lonnie Walker IV would likely benefit the most, assuming Westbrook is forced to miss action. Fantasy managers will have to check back for another update on his status.

Monday, November 14

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (thumb) and center Thomas Bryant (thumb) are expected to be back for Friday's game, according to teammate Lonnie Walker IV. It sounds like the two players are going to be re-evaluated at some point during the week. After that, both of them should be ready to go on Friday, assuming they don't suffer any setbacks. They will likely be eased into action, but should be significant parts of the rotation once they're back to full speed. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor their situation.

Sunday, November 13

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (back) is expected to play on Sunday against Kevin Durant and the Nets. As usual, Davis is on the injury report due to low back tightness. However, this has been the norm for him over the last few weeks, so barring a significant setback, he'll be out there. With LeBron James (adductor) unlikely to suit up, Davis may continue to benefit. The 29-year-old has averaged 26.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.5 steals in his two games without James this season, so the potential for a massive fantasy performance is there.
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (adductor) isn't expected to play on Sunday against Kevin Durant and the Nets. The veteran sat out versus Sacramento on Friday night, so barring a miracle, he will miss another one. As a result, Anthony Davis is the obvious favorite to lead the way offensively. However, Russell Westbrook and Lonnie Walker IV may continue to see a significant increase in production.

Friday, November 11

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (groin) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Sacramento Kings. The veteran forward was listed as doubtful for this game, but has officially been ruled out now. The Lakers are going to play it safe with James here, so maybe he'll suit up on Sunday. Until then, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook will see a boost in usage without James available. Also, Austin Reaves, Lonnie Walker IV, and Troy Brown Jr. will see more playing time on Friday.
		Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (back) is considered probable for Friday's meeting with Sacramento. As usual, Davis is listed on the injury report for nagging low back tightness. However, it hasn't been much of an issue of late, so he'll be out there, barring a setback. The 29-year-old has played well this season, averaging 23.0 points, 10.2 boards, 1.9 blocks, and 1.4 steals in 34.6 minutes per game. With LeBron James (adductor) out for this one, Davis should lead the way offensively and could easily surpass his season averages.
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV (illness) is questionable for the team's meeting with the Kings. The 23-year-old has missed a few games with a non-COVID-related illness, although it appears he's moving in the right direction. The 23-year-old has had a fantastic season, averaging a career-high 15.3 points in nine appearances. With LeBron James (adductor) out on Friday night, Walker could be a top offensive contributor, assuming he plays.
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV (illness) has officially been upgraded on the injury report to probable for Friday night. He previously was questionable and the team was unsure if he was going to miss his third consecutive game. As he's set to take his starting role back, Austin Reaves will probably take a hit to his fantasy relevance. Troy Brown Jr. who also helped split those minutes, could still be a streaming option with LeBron James out for this game.
		Los Angeles Lakers power forward Anthony Davis (illness) was previously listed as probable with some back tightness earlier on Friday. Now he's listed as questionable while suffering from a non-COVID illness. He reportedly missed the shootaround to rest and will be evaluated in the afternoon. Since LeBron James is also out, Wenyen Gabriel will likely see a major increase in minutes if Davis can't give it a go. Another player with some added value would be Damian Jones.

Thursday, November 10

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV (illness) will now sit out of Wednesday night's game. The 23-year-old was originally listed as questionable with a non-COVID illness that kept him out of Monday's game as well. The fact he was questionable before seems to show that this shouldn't keep him out of too many games. While he's out, it opens the door for both Troy Brown Jr. and Austin Reaves. Either one of them would only be streaming options in deeper fantasy leagues.
		Los Angeles Lakers center Thomas Bryant (thumb) was re-evaluated on Wednesday after undergoing surgery earlier in the year. It sounds like Bryant is progressing, but has no timetable for his return. Head coach Darvin Ham is still "a ways out" from returning to the court. It's going to take time for Bryant to ramp up his activities once he is clear to get back on the court. Fantasy managers shouldn't bother stashing Bryant at the moment. Anthony Davis is going to see a majority of the playing time at center with Damian Jones getting the backup minutes.
		Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (back) is available for Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The oft-injured big man will suit up for this game despite dealing with back tightness. There is no word of Davis being limited, so fantasy managers should expect him to have a full workload. Fantasy managers should double check their lineups and make sure Davis is in there for Wednesday night.
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is undergoing tests for a groin problem that prevented him from finishing Wednesday's game against the Clippers. He left a 114-101 loss in the middle of the fourth quarter after he felt something in his groin. LeBron missed 17 games with a left groin tear back in 2018-19, so fingers crossed that he managed to escape serious injury. He had a big night with 30 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and the former MVP didn't rule himself out of Friday's contest versus Sacramento. "I'll go around [the clock] treatment for 24 hours, and if it's OK on Friday, I'll be in the lineup," James said. Fantasy managers should keep their eyes peeled for any updates on LeBron's condition prior to Friday's matchup.
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (groin) is listed as doubtful for Friday's meeting with Sacramento. The King hurt himself Wednesday night against the Clippers and went for an MRI on Thursday, which revealed that he has a strained left adductor. He is officially considered day-to-day and it appears likely that James will sit out Friday's game. The veteran star has already played through a sore left foot, so he really needs to have some time off. With James out of the picture, we should see monster usage for Anthony Davis, if he doesn't end up sitting out himself, and the rest of the crew is expected to give a little bit of extra to make up for the loss of James.

Wednesday, November 09

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers guard LeBron James (foot) and center Anthony Davis (back) are both probable to play Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. Davis should come at no surprise as he's been playing through his back tightness, but James is coming off his first absence of the season. It sounds like the injury is nothing serious and James will likely have some rest days moving forward. With James returning, Troy Brown Jr. or Wenyen Gabriel will likely move back to the bench going forward.
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV (illness) has been dealing with a non-COVID illness for the past few days now. He was held out of the team's game on Monday and now is listed as questionable for Wednesday's contest as well. The 23-year-old has been enjoying a bit of a resurgence so far with his new team, so the illness is unfortunate timing. If he can't suit up, some combination of Kendrick Nunn, Austin Reaves, and Troy Brown Jr. will see an increase in opportunities.

Tuesday, November 08

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) won't play on Monday against Utah. James has been battling left foot soreness all year but has played through it. While there's a chance the ailment has finally caught up to him, he's likely getting a night off to rest after logging 34 minutes on Sunday versus Cleveland. The Lakers will be short-handed in addition to James being out, with Lonnie Walker (illness) and Patrick Beverley (illness) also sitting. As a result, guys like Juan Toscano-Anderson, Troy Brown Jr., Kendrick Nunn, and Austin Reaves will get some minutes, giving them all streaming appeal.
		Los Angeles Lakers forward Lonnie Walker IV (illness) won't play on Monday night versus Utah. He's not feeling well, although it's not COVID, so there's a chance he could be back on Wednesday against the Clippers. With LeBron James (foot) and Patrick Beverley (illness) also out, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Troy Brown Jr., and Kendrick Nunn could enter the starting lineup. However, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook will likely do most of the heavy lifting offensively.
		Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (back) is available against the Jazz. The big man wasn't a lock for Monday's contest due to nagging low back tightness. However, he's good to go and could explode for fantasy managers with LeBron James (foot) out with left foot soreness.
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Kendrick Nunn will start against the Jazz. With Patrick Beverley (illness) under the weather, Nunn will make his second straight appearance in the starting lineup. Nunn went scoreless while filling in for Beverley on Sunday versus Cleveland. However, with LeBron James (foot) and Lonnie Walker IV (illness) also out, he should play better. With that said, that doesn't mean fantasy managers should rush to get him into their lineups.

Friday, November 04

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (back) was able to play through his issue during Wednesday's game. The big man scored 20 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in the overtime victory. Now, Davis is being listed as questionable for Friday's game due to back tightness. Fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised that Davis is tagged as questionable. He seems to always carry an injury tag, but the expectation is that he'll play on Friday. Otherwise, Damian Jones would see increased playing time and be a possible streaming option.

Thursday, November 03

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (back) will suit up for Wednesday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The 29-year-old was listed as questionable coming into this game due to back soreness. The expectation is that Davis will have a full workload for this revenge game against his former team. Fantasy managers can go ahead and get Davis back in their lineups for Wednesday.

Tuesday, November 01

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis is again listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. At this point, he's already been on the injury report more often than he hasn't. Fantasy managers are going to have to constantly watch the report in hopes that they don't have to read "out." If he does miss time, Damian Jones should see some more minutes since Thomas Bryant is also out with an injury of his own.

Sunday, October 30

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (back) is questionable for Sunday's meeting with the Nuggets. The 2012 No. 1 overall pick missed Friday's game against the Timberwolves due to low back tightness. However, he's been dealing with the issue since the preseason, so the team may remain cautious and keep him out as long as necessary. Davis has played well this season despite the ailment, averaging 24.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.8 steals, and 2.3 blocks, so fantasy managers are hoping to get him back as soon as possible. Damian Jones and Wenyen Gabriel may continue to split minutes if Davis remains out. Yet, both are risky fantasy options outside their effectiveness on the glass.
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) is probable for Sunday's bout against Denver. James continues to appear on the injury report due to a sore left foot. However, he's averaging 25.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1.6 steals, so it's obvious the ailment isn't bothering him too much. While James has shot a disastrous 24.4% from deep this season, he remains a must-start, but that goes without saying.

Saturday, October 29

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook will come off the bench on Friday against the Timberwolves. With head coach Darvin Ham looking to light a fire under the team's second unit, Westbrook is expected to lead the group for the foreseeable future. The 33-year-old has gotten off to a rough start to the 2022-23 campaign, averaging 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting 28.9% from the field and 8.3% from deep. However, the move may help turn Westbrook's season around, considering he won't compete as much with LeBron James and Anthony Davis for offensive chances.

Thursday, October 27

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (hamstring) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Denver Nuggets. He was listed as doubtful heading into this game, so Westbrook sitting out shouldn't shock fantasy managers. The organization is hopeful that Westbrook will be able to play on Friday. In the meantime, Austin Reaves is expected to start against the Nuggets on Wednesday. He's not a great streaming option, but could be worth looking at in deep leagues.

Tuesday, October 25

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (hamstring) is doubtful to play Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets. Westbrook suffered a hamstring injury during their preseason games, but has not missed any time with the injury up until this point. Coming into Wednesday, the Lakers will have three days of rest which does not bode well for Westbrook's status. If Westbrook is ultimately ruled out, Patrick Beverley, Austin Reaves and Kendrick Nunn should handle the extra minutes while LeBron James and Anthony Davis should see an increase in usage. Hamstrings are a tricky injury so consider Westbrook at least questionable to play in Friday's contest.

Sunday, October 23

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (back) is expected to play on Sunday versus the Portland Trail Blazers. The veteran has been dealing with lower back tightness since the preseason. However, he took a hard fall during Thursday's meeting with the Clippers and was visibility limited in terms of mobility. Davis has played well so far, averaging 20.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 steals. He's only shooting 28.6% from beyond the arc, which isn't surprising. Yet, the 29-year-old should continue to produce for fantasy managers as long as he remains healthy.
		Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) is likely to suit up on Sunday night against Portland. The 37-year-old is listed on the latest edition of the league's official injury report with left foot soreness. However, this ailment isn't anything new, so he should be ready to go for the meeting with the undefeated Trail Blazers. James is averaging 25.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks in his two appearances this season. His three-point percentage could use some work. However, as long as James continues to produce in other areas, that shouldn't impact category managers too much moving ahead.
		Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Troy Brown Jr. (back) is expected to play on Sunday versus the Trail Blazers. The 23-year-old signed with the team in the offseason. However, he's been battling a back issue and has yet to make his Lakers debut as a result. Brown averaged 4.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 66 games with the Bulls last season. But he may see an expanded role in L.A. in 2022-23, potentially making a few starts here and there. With that said, fantasy managers should stay away from Brown for now until he demonstrates he can be a reliable producer.
		Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (back) will play and start as usual Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers. Davis has been dealing with back soreness to start the season and had a hard fall on Thursday night, but was able to finish the game against the Los Angeles Clippers and practiced on Saturday. If Davis is limited in any capacity or suffers a reinjury, Damian Jones and Wenyen Gabriel would likely see more minutes at center. LeBron James would also see an increase in his already massive usage rate.

Wednesday, October 19

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (back) is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's season opener against the Golden State Warriors. The superstar center is dealing with lower back soreness, but it won't be enough to keep him out of the lineup. The Lakers will be without Thomas Bryant (thumb) for the foreseeable future. That means, Damian Jones will see backup minutes behind Davis at center. The expectation is that Davis will soak up a majority of the minutes at the five. Jones probably won't see enough playing time to warrant using as a streaming option. Fantasy managers shouldn't be worried about Davis being limited on Tuesday.

Tuesday, October 18

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (hamstring) has been upgraded to probable for Tuesday's season opener against the Golden State Warriors. The veteran guard has been dealing with a lingering hamstring issue. Luckily, it sounds like Westbrook is feeling good enough to suit up for this contest. The expectation is that he'll split up the guard minutes off the bench with Kendrick Nunn. Everyone is aware of Westbrook's struggles from last season. Despite that, he can still be a productive fantasy player in the right role and system.
		Los Angeles Lakers center Thomas Bryant (thumb) won't suit up for the season opener on Tuesday. The injuries continue to pile up for Bryant, which is a real shame. The 25-year-old does have potential, but his career has been derailed by injuries. Hopefully, Bryant won't miss much time from this thumb sprain. In the meantime, Damian Jones is expected to back up Anthony Davis during Tuesday's game against the Golden State Warriors. Jones won't have much streaming value with Davis soaking up a majority of the playing time.

Sunday, October 16

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (hamstring) is listed as day-to-day. As a result, there's a chance he won't play in the season-opener against the Golden State Warriors. The 33-year-old tweaked his hamstring during Friday's preseason finale versus the Sacramento Kings. Fortunately, there is no structural damage, so even if Westbrook doesn't suit up on Tuesday, he may not be out long. It's unknown if head coach Darvin Ham plans on using him off the bench. However, Westbrook will still get his minutes regardless of his role and could even benefit from not sharing the floor with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Saturday, October 15

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (back) won't suit up in the team's preseason finale versus the Kings on Friday. The veteran has been dealing with lower back tightness, so he'll be held out for precautionary reasons. On a positive note, head coach Darvin Ham reported Davis would "definitely play" in the season-opener against the reigning NBA Champion Warriors on Tuesday night. The 29-year-old is unquestionably an elite talent, averaging 23.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and 1.4 steals during his career. However, he has logged fewer than 40 games in each of his previous two seasons. That said, as long as Davis is healthy, fantasy managers will get plenty of production. Yet, his inability to stay off the injury report has been a significant problem.
		Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (hamstring) did not return to Friday's preseason game versus the Sacramento Kings. Head coach Darvin Ham had the 33-year-old come off the bench to see things would play out. However, Ham couldn't assess things properly, especially since Westbrook logged only five minutes before exiting. As a result, it's unknown what his role will be if he's active for the season-opener against the Golden State Warriors. Either way, Westbrook should play a sizeable number of minutes.

Sunday, October 09

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (back) returned to practice on Saturday. Davis has been dealing with lower back tightness and has already missed time this preseason. The 29-year-old has unquestionably been an MVP-caliber performer over the years, averaging 23.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and 1.4 steals since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2012. However, while Davis could easily be a top-five fantasy option from year to year, his inability to stay healthy has been an issue for managers. Nevertheless, he doesn't appear to be in danger of missing the start of the year, although his current ailment is something to watch.