LA Clippers DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Thursday's game against the Utah Jazz. The veteran forward was held out of Tuesday's contest due to a left hamstring tightness. The absence of Batum resulted in Danuel House Jr. moving into the starting five. He played nearly 30 minutes, but only scored seven points on 1-of-4 shooting on Tuesday. Fantasy managers shouldn't take the gamble with House, assuming he gets another start if Batum sits out.

Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons (knee) is out for Wednesday's matchup versus the Phoenix Suns due to a left knee contusion. Simmons returned for the Nets on Monday after nearly a three-month absence, amassing 10 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in the rout of the Utah Jazz, so it's rough timing for the 27-year-old point forward to head back to the sidelines. The slow-healing Simmons developed swelling in his knee after the game, but since tests have shown no further issues, he should be deemed day-to-day ahead of Saturday's showdown against the Philadelphia 76ers. With Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) also out on Wednesday, Lonnie Walker IV, Dennis Smith Jr., and Royce O'Neale should have longer leashes from Brooklyn's bench.

Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons (knee) has been downgraded to questionable for Wednesday's game against the Phoenix Suns with a left knee contusion. Simmons appeared to tweak his knee on an awkward landing following a blocked shot with the Nets up big late in Monday's blowout win over the Utah Jazz, threatening his status on Wednesday. The talented 27-year-old returned to Brooklyn's lineup with a bang following 38 games on the sidelines, teasing a triple-double with 10 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, one steal, and one block in just 18 minutes on Monday. If Simmons heads back to the seats against the Suns, more reserve minutes will be freed up for Royce O'Neale, Dennis Smith Jr., and Lonnie Walker IV.

Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons (back) has officially been upgraded to active on Monday, which will mark his first game played since Nov. 6. So far this season, he's only appeared in six games, as he's been dealing with an impingement in his back. Back injuries have caused him to miss a full season and some change, so the team will likely take every precaution to try and get him on the floor longer. In his first game back against the Utah Jazz, he'll come off of the bench, and there hasn't been a report on his exact minutes restriction just yet. It's likely that it won't be too many after missing 40 games. If he was already a stash, then he could be started in fantasy leagues, but it's not recommended to pick him up off of waivers just yet in most leagues.

Brooklyn Nets forward Ben Simmons (back) is available for Monday's game versus the Utah Jazz. Simmons will make his long-awaited return after spending nearly three months on the shelf due to a nerve impingement in his left lower back. The oft-injured former All-Star is averaging 6.5 points on 52.8% field-goal shooting, 10.8 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 0.8 blocks over six games and should be picked up in shallow fantasy leagues where he may be available. Simmons is likely facing a minutes restriction, but he is eventually going to eat into Spencer Dinwiddie's playmaking opportunities and the playing time of Dorian Finney-Smith as well as Royce O'Neale.