Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (elbow) is questionable for Wednesday's favorable matchup against Atlanta. A left elbow injury could keep Ayton out of the lineup for a fourth straight game. His health issues have benefited Duop Reath throughout the campaign, and the 27-year-old rookie has again put together a pair of strong performances lately as a member of the first unit. He's had 13.0 points and 5.8 rebounds in 27.2 minutes across the entire season in a starting role. The Hawks are currently missing Onyeka Okongwu (toe) from the lineup and have had a tough time against centers all season. Only three teams have given up more rebounds per 48 minutes to opposing fives, and the shooting percentage for centers has been at 59.4 percent against Atlanta.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's contest against the Houston Rockets. Simons is experiencing tendinitis in his left knee that will keep him off the court for a second straight game, with his next opportunity to play arriving on Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks. The last-place Blazers are certainly in no hurry to get their franchise two-guard back on the floor, however, at this stage of a lost season in Rip City. 2023 No. 2 overall pick Scoot Henderson has scuffled throughout his rookie campaign but has a chance to be a "silly-season" hero during the fantasy playoffs, starting six of Portland's past nine matchups. Across his last six appearances with Simons out of the lineup, Henderson is averaging 18.0 points, 5.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.6 treys in 28.1 minutes and belongs in all lineups in points leagues.

Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Matisse Thybulle (ankle) is questionable for Monday's game against Houston. He's played in only one of the last five games and is dealing with a right ankle issue. Thybulle's injury has left Portland without a defensive expert, who averages 1.8 steals per game. Rayan Rupert's role has grown during Thybulle's absence, but he's yet to make a mark in fantasy basketball. Dalano Banton also had a chance to eat up extra minutes if Thybulle remains out on Monday, although this is going to be a difficult matchup for Portland against a streaking team that boasts a strong defense.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (knee) has received a questionable tag against the Houston Rockets for their Monday night contest. Simons was forced to miss the team's last game against the Denver Nuggets due to tendinitis in his left knee. Now that he's questionable, this may leave the team to take the cautionary side and allow him to sit one more game to make sure he's healthy. The rotation has been a revolving door and the team is battling for a top pick in the next NBA Draft. Fantasy managers will want a backup plan and Scoot Henderson will likely be the one to receive the most playing time in Simons' absence.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (hamstring) has been listed as doubtful again for Monday night. He continues to deal with a strained hamstring which has caused him to miss seven games so far. There remains no reason to rush him back to the floor since the Blazers are looking to get another top pick in next year's NBA Draft, so they'll likely err on the side of caution for the rest of the season. The Blazers' rotation hasn't been set in stone for most of the year after a lot of injury issues, but it looks like Kris Murray and Toumani Camara will be the biggest benefactors while Grant misses more time.