Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel says that forward Kevin Durant (hamstring) went through a partial practice with no contact on Thursday as he manages the soreness in his right hamstring. Durant did sprint tests and is going through things with the medical staff ahead of Friday's home battle with the Miami Heat. The Suns and fantasy managers miss Durant's phenomenal productivity whenever he's off the hardwood, as KD is posting 29.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.2 three-pointers, and 2.0 combined steals and blocks per game in 2023-24. If Durant is not ready to return from a two-game absence on Friday, look for co-stars Devin Booker and Bradley Beal to dominate Phoenix's usage. Grayson Allen would also handle big minutes while Eric Gordon plays a featured role off the bench.

Free-agent guard Ricky Rubio, who was waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers via buyout on Thursday, has announced his retirement from the NBA. Rubio had not yet suited up for the Cavaliers in the 2023-24 campaign after stepping away from the game before training camp to focus on his mental health. In the second season of a three-year, $18.44 million deal, Rubio has decided to call it a career after 12 years of service in the Association. Drafted fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2009 NBA Draft, the 33-year-old floor general hangs up his sneakers with career averages of 10.8 points, 7.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 29.6 minutes per game over time also with the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns. Rubio might not have been a prolific scorer, but his two-way skills have him ranked 11th among active players in assists (5,160) and 13th in steals (1,226).

San Antonio Spurs guard Tre Jones is set to make his first start of the season for Thursday's tilt against the Milwaukee Bucks. Malaki Branham (ankle) is doubtful to play, slating Jones to rejoin San Antonio's starting backcourt alongside Devin Vassell after spending 65 games in head coach Gregg Popovich's first unit last year. The 23-year-old offense initiator lost his grip on the starting job at the point to Jeremy Sochan in the preseason, providing 8.0 points, 4.9 assists, and 0.8 steals per game as a strict reserve this season. Jones should experience an uptick in playing time against the Bucks, however, with Thursday's contest being the more attractive of the two games on the slate in terms of implied point total (248.5).

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse says guard De'Anthony Melton (back) missed Thursday's practice. Teammates Furkan Korkmaz (illness) and Robert Covington (knee) were also unavailable, but Melton, who is nursing lumbar spine soreness, is certainly the most important name for fantasy purposes. It puts Melton on the wrong side of questionable for Friday versus the visiting New York Knicks, with a short turnaround looming on Saturday when the Sixers host the Utah Jazz. The 23-year-old three-and-D player is far more useful in category leagues, logging 12.1 points, 3.2 assists, 2.1 three-pointers, and 1.7 steals per game, and he is integral to Philly's perimeter defense. If Melton can't play on Friday, Kelly Oubre Jr. would figure to share the starting backcourt alongside Tyrese Maxey as he did on Tuesday.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (ankle), who suffered a sprained right ankle in the third quarter of Wednesday's 138-135 double-overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings, achieved a career-high 43 points with six three-pointers, five assists, four rebounds, and eight turnovers. It was the second night of Orlando's back-to-back after Tuesday's hard-fought matchup with the Golden State Warriors, and Banchero nearly played the role of hero. The 21-year-old reigning Rookie of the Year remains a far superior points-league fantasy asset for his 70.4% free-throw shooting on heavy volume and 3.3 turnovers per game, but he is still pouring in 22.4 points, 7.1 boards, 4.7 dimes, 1.5 triples, and 1.0 steals. Banchero may pop up on Friday's injury report when the Magic finish a four-game West Coast trip with a duel against the defending-champion Denver Nuggets.