Gilgeous-Alexander scores 31, Thunder beat depleted Blazers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the depleted Portland Trail Blazers 118-112MARCH 27, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
NASSIR LITTLE
Good to go Friday Little (concussion) is available for Friday's game versus the Bulls, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.
Impact Little will return to the lineup Friday after being upgraded from probable to available. Little could receive extended minutes with Jerami Grant (quadriceps), Jusuf Nurkic (knee), Anfernee Simons (foot) and Damian Lillard (calf) all out.
MARCH 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Upgraded to probable Little (concussion) is probable for Friday's game versus the Bulls.
Impact Little has been upgraded from questionable to probable after missing the previous game with a concussion. The 22-year-old forward is averaging 3.4 points and 2.6 rebounds in 18.6 minutes while shooting just 25 percent from the field across his last five appearances.
MARCH 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable vs. Bulls Little (concussion) is questionable for Friday's game against the Bulls.
Impact A concussion kept Little out for Wednesday's win over the Jazz. Little's presence is especially important with the Trail Blazers dealing with a myriad of injuries, including the absence of Jerami Grant (quadriceps).
MARCH 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Out at Utah Little (concussion) is unavailable for Wednesday's game against the Jazz.
Impact This is unfortunate for Little and the Trail Blazers, as the team is shorthanded on the wing with both Jerami Grant (quad) and Anfernee Simons (foot) sidelined. More minutes could be available for Cam Reddish, Matisse Thybulle and Trendon Watford.
MARCH 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Cleared to play vs. Clips Little (illness) has been cleared to play in Sunday's game against the Clippers.
Impact Little was held out of Friday's loss to the Celtics, but he'll be back in action and should be set for his usual allotment of minutes -- 17.7 MPG over last 10 games -- off the bench. The 2019 first-round pick hasn't been fantasy relevant in most leagues this season.
MARCH 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable vs. Clips Little (illness) is questionable to play in Sunday's action against the Clippers.
Impact Little sat out Friday's loss to the Celtics -- his first absence since Jan. 14. If available Sunday, he could see extra minutes, as Jerami Grant (quadriceps) is sidelined.
MARCH 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Jerami Grant, Nassir Little out for Portland Trail Blazers vs. Boston Celtics: Live updates, time, TV channel, how to watch free live stream online Damian Lillard is available for Friday's game against the Celtics.
MARCH 18, 2023 • OREGONLIVE.COM
Ruled out against Boston Little is a late scratch against the Celtics on Friday due to an illness.
Impact Little should be considered day-to-day going forward, with his next chance to play coming against the Clippers on Sunday. Little's minutes were already trending down before this news, so he'll have an uphill battle for playing time upon his return.
MARCH 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Minimal impact against Knicks Little totaled zero points (0-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and one rebound in 10 minutes during Tuesday's 123-107 loss to the Knicks.
Impact Little's role has been inconsistent recently, and he was held scoreless for the second time in the last three games Tuesday. Since the start of March, the 23-year-old has averaged 4.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 17.8 minutes per game.
MARCH 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Limited impact Wednesday Little supplied zero points (0-4 FG, 0-3 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist across 17 minutes during Wednesday's 121-110 loss to the Pelicans.
Impact Little has been an inconsistent scorer recently, and he failed to convert any of his field-goal attempts during Wednesday's defeat. The 23-year-old recently stepped up when the Trail Blazers were shorthanded, but he generally has a limited fantasy impact when the team is at full strength. While Little has posted double-digit scoring totals in three of his last six appearances, he isn't a reliable fantasy option.
MARCH 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Flirts with double-double Little registered 11 points (3-3 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and one block over 20 minutes during Sunday's 131-114 win over Houston.
Impact With the Trail Blazers shorthanded Thursday, Little drew his second start of the campaign and scored a season-high 26 points (10-19 FG, 5-9 3Pt). Despite being relegated to a backup role Sunday, the North Carolina product still submitted a quality performance by sinking a trio of three-pointers, grabbing a team-high nine rebounds and recording at least one block for the fourth time over his last five appearances. During that stretch, Little is averaging 11.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.8 steals-plus-blocks in 24.8 minutes while shooting 50.0 percent from deep (5.2 attempts per game). Those numbers are well above Little's season averages, so a regression to the mean is likely coming soon, though he figures to continue garnering a solid role until Anfernee Simons (ankle) and Justise Winslow (ankle) are cleared to return.
FEBRUARY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Nassir Little records career night in loss to Kings The former Tar Heel turned in his best performance of the 2022-2023 season against Sacramento.
FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Erupts for 26 points Little accumulated 26 points (10-19 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, two assists, one block and four steals across 34 minutes during Thursday's 133-116 loss to the Kings.
Impact Little drew the start with the Blazers missing Damian Lillard (rest), Anfernee Simons (ankle) and Jerami Grant (rest). Needless to say, he did not disappoint and blew his previous season high of 12 points out of the water. Cam Reddish also had a fantastic game, and Shaedon Sharpe was hot coming into Thursday, so fantasy managers are still anxiously waiting to see which wings can gain the favor of coach Chauncey Billups in the coming games.
FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Fox, Sabonis help Kings rout short-handed Blazers 133-116
De’Aaron Fox scored 31 points, Domantas Sabonis had his seventh triple-double of the season and the Sacramento Kings beat the short-handed Portland Trail Blazers 133-116 on Thursda...FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Will start Thursday Little will start Thursday against the Kings.
Impact Little will see his second start of the season Thursday, with Damian Lillard (rest), Jerami Grant (rest) and Anfernee Simons (ankle) all unavailable. In his only start this season, Little recorded eight points, three rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes of action.
FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Continues to be non-factor Little registered eight points (3-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), one rebound, one assist and one steal across 12 minutes during Monday's 127-108 loss to the Bucks.
Impact Though Little's eight points were far from eye-opening, the total matched what he had registered over his previous four games combined. The forward averaged 13.5 minutes -- more than he played Monday -- over that four-game span, so the lack of production comes down to poor shooting, as he made just 23.1 percent of his field-goal attempts during the stretch. Little showed some promise last season with per-game marks of 11.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.4 triples and 1.1 blocks in the 23 games in which he started, but he's been almost strictly a reserve this season and has accordingly seen his production fall to a level that makes him a non-factor even in deep fantasy formats.
FEBRUARY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Coming off bench Little isn't starting Monday's game against the Hawks, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Impact Little stepped into the starting five Saturday against Toronto for an injured Josh Hart, and he finished with eight points, three rebounds, two assists and one block in 30 minutes. The North Carolina product will return to his usual bench role Monday with Hart returning to action.
JANUARY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Starting for injured Hart Little will start Saturday's matchup against the Raptors, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official site reports.
Impact With Josh Hart (hamstring) sidelined, Little will make his first start of the season. In his five appearances this year seeing at least 20 minutes, he's averaged 9.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists.
JANUARY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Impresses in return to action Little (hip) finished with 10 points (3-6 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two blocks, one rebound, one assist and one steal in 16 minutes off the bench in Sunday's 140-123 victory over the M...
Impact Suiting up for the first time since Nov. 29 after an extended absence due to a femoral head impaction fracture of his right hip, Little was on a minutes limit Sunday, but he managed to make the most of his time on the court. Even though he should be free of all restrictions within a few games, Little may not have a pathway to regularly clearing the 20-minute mark while Portland has all of its forwards at full health with the exception of fellow reserve Justise Winslow (ankle).
JANUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Available with minutes restriction Little (hip) is available for Sunday's game against the Mavericks, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.
Impact Little has been given the green light after initially being listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup, but he'll face an undisclosed minutes restriction against Dallas. He's averaging 5.5 points and 2.4 rebounds in 15.3 minutes per game this year but hasn't played since Nov. 29.
JANUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Upgraded to probable Little (hip) was upgraded from out to probable for Sunday's game against Dallas, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Impact Little hasn't played since Nov. 29 due to a right hip fracture and was initially listed as out, but it appears he's trending toward suiting up Sunday. Before his injury, he averaged 5.5 points and 2.4 rebounds in 15.3 minutes across 21 straight appearances to start the season.
JANUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Jason Quick: Blazers on Thursday announce that Justise... - The Athletic Blazers on Thursday announce that Justise Winslow, out since Dec. 21 with a left ankle sprain, will miss at least the next two weeks and Nas...
JANUARY 12, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Gearing up for return Little (hip) has commenced on-court contact activities but his return date has yet to be determined.
Impact Little hasn't played since Nov. 29 due to a right hip fracture. While there is no official date for his return, it seems likely that he'll rejoin the rotation in January. Little was averaging 5.5 points and 2.4 rebounds in 15.3 minutes across 21 games before going down with the injury.
JANUARY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Progressing from hip injury Little (hip) was spotted taking jumpers during Portland's shootaround session ahead of Sunday's game against the Raptors, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Impact Little has been sidelined since late November with a mild femoral head impaction fracture of his right hip, an injury that was projected to sideline him for six weeks. With Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com relaying that Little's recent follow-up MRI came back clean, the young forward is still likely to require some additional ramp-up time beyond the initial six-week timeframe. Barring any setbacks, however, Little should have a decent chance at making it back in action before the end of January.
JANUARY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
