SAS • Forward • #10
about 2 months ago
Despite coming off the bench, Sochan remains the best player to add in the aftermath of Victor Wembanyama’s season-ending injury. Saturday’s double-double was his first since February 7, and Sochan replaced Bismack Biyombo (6/3/1/1/1 in 18 minutes) in the starting lineup to begin the third quarter. While he’s ranked just outside the top 150 in nine-cat formats since the All-Star break, Sochan’s production has been superior to any of the centers used to fill the void since the Spurs lost Wembanyama.
SAS • Guard • #4
about 2 months ago
Finishes like Saturday are why the Spurs moved to acquire Fox before the trade deadline. His jumper with 1.8 seconds remaining was the difference in Memphis, as San Antonio pulled out the win despite Jaren Jackson Jr. scoring a season-high 42 points. Over the past three weeks, Fox has provided top-50 value in eight-cat formats. Sharing the court with another point guard, Chris Paul (8/3/8/1 with two three-pointers), has cut into Fox’s fantasy value, but he remains a productive guard to have rostered. The Spurs play three games during Week 18, starting with the Nets on Tuesday.
Source: NBA
SAC • Guard • #23
about 2 months ago
Ellis continues to be the primary reserve option for Sacramento, and he did the most with just 27 minutes on Saturday. The defensive maestro set a new career-high with five steals to help the Kings win their third straight game. Ellis has been incredibly efficient on offense recently and has shot 10-of-12 from the floor during this winning streak. Defensive production is where Ellis makes his money in fantasy basketball, and he has done that at a high level over their last two games, contributing seven steals and four blocks during that stretch.
HOU • Guard • #5
about 2 months ago
After missing a month of games with an ankle injury, VanVleet was back in the lineup against Sacramento. Despite not being on a minutes restriction, VanVleet wasn’t able to provide many points. The rebound, assist and steal numbers were solid, but VanVleet only made one shot in his first game since February 1. VanVleet had been struggling prior to his absence, but he should get back to providing fifth round value in nine-cat leagues, as he has all season. VanVleet noted after the game that he stepped on the foot of an official on the first play of the game, re-injuring his ankle. He played through it for the rest of the game, but it may have limited his production. It’s unclear if he’ll suit up for Houston’s back-to-back on Monday and Tuesday.
Source: Kelly Iko
SAC • Center • #17
about 2 months ago
Valanciunas ended up starting the second half and playing an extended role in Saturday’s win because of Domantas Sabonis’ early exit. Sabonis was ruled out with a hamstring injury that he suffered a little over a minute into the game. Valanciunas ended up playing 29 minutes and provided an excellent stat line. Sabonis could certainly miss multiple games, which makes Valanciunas an elite streaming option, especially with a four-game week coming up for the Kings. He’s currently available in 31 percent of Yahoo! leagues, so he may not be easy to find on the waiver wire.
DAL • F • #25
about 2 months ago
Washington’s right ankle has had him on the injury report regularly in recent weeks, and it will force him to exit early from Saturday’s game. Naji Marshall should close the game out in place of Washington and should start against the Kings on Monday if Washington remains out.
Source: Mavs PR
MEM • Guard • #10
about 2 months ago
A good night for Kennard came to a disappointing and abrupt end as he picked up his second technical foul with 7:43 remaining in the fourth quarter. He finished with 14 points (6-of-9 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), six rebounds, five assists and two steals in 24 minutes off the bench. Lamar Stevens should play additional minutes off the bench, as the Grizzlies were already without Desmond Bane and Vince Williams Jr. due to injury.
DET • Forward • #12
about 2 months ago
Harris has shot 50 percent or better from the field in four straight and nine of his last 10 games. Since February 7, the veteran forward has averaged 17.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 three-pointers per game, shooting 58.3 percent from the field and 92.9 percent from the foul line. That production has been good for fourth-round value in nine-cat formats. Harris may not be the flashiest fantasy option, but he has provided consistent middle-round value as a fixture in the Pistons’ starting lineup.
DET • Guard • #2
about 2 months ago
Cunningham didn’t score as much as he’s capable of Saturday night, but the Pistons’ offensive balance had much to do with that. Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley scored 18 points apiece for the Pistons, who notched their 34th win of the season. Not only are those the most wins Detroit’s amassed in a season since 2018-19 (41 wins), but this is also the first time since that year they’ve won at least 25 games. Cunningham has led the way for the much-improved Pistons, and fantasy managers have also reaped the rewards. Over the past two weeks, he has provided top-10 value in eight-cat formats.
DET • Center • #0
about 2 months ago
Duren was fantastic on Saturday, recording his fifth double-double in seven games and a career-high six blocked shots. How out of the ordinary were the six rejections? Duren amassed a total of six in his previous 10 appearances. Over the past two weeks, he has been a third-round player in eight- and nine-cat formats. Of course, Isaiah Stewart (three points, four rebounds, one assist and four blocks in 14 minutes) getting into foul trouble led to Duren playing 30 minutes (or more) for just the fifth time since the beginning of February. He’s been good recently, but Duren managers should keep their expectations in check for a four-game Week 18.
BKN • • #
about 2 months ago
On the final day of his 10-day contract, Hayes returned to the city where his NBA career began. The former lottery pick struggled against the team that drafted him, shooting 1-of-6 from the field while providing modest production in the rebound and assist categories. The Nets will have a decision to make regarding Killian. The health of D’Angelo Russell will likely influence the Nets’ decision regarding Hayes. Reece Beekman (3/1/1/3 in 26 minutes) may figure more prominently in the bench rotation if the Nets do not re-sign Hayes and Russell remains out.
BKN • Guard • #45
about 2 months ago
As has been the case since he cracked the Nets’ rotation, Johnson had another game in which he shot poorly but provided value in other areas. The 20 percent night from the field won’t help category league managers on the verge of losing that category, but Johnson did grab eight rebounds and hit two three-pointers. Rostered in 19 percent of Yahoo leagues, he has provided eighth-round value in eight-cat formats over the past two weeks. However, his value moving forward depends on how much Cam Thomas plays. While he did not play on Saturday, Thomas did replace Johnson in the starting lineup for Friday’s loss to the Thunder.
BKN • Forward • #2
about 2 months ago
Johnson had a brutal shooting night in Detroit, which included going 0-of-10 from beyond the arc. His streak of 60 consecutive games, the second-longest in franchise history, ended in brutal fashion. Due to poor performance, Johnson has become a 10th-round player in nine-cat formants over the past two weeks. He’ll look to bounce back on Tuesday when the Nets visit the Spurs.
BKN • Forward • #13
about 2 months ago
On a night when Cameron Johnson, Keon Johnson and Ziaire Williams combined to shoot 11-of-49 from the field, Martin was among the few bright spots for the Nets. The 23 points are the most he’s scored since November 27, when he tallied a career-high 30 against the Suns. While this one performance doesn’t make Martin a player who should be rostered in most fantasy leagues, it does put him on the radar for the “silly season.” The Nets played Saturday without Cam Thomas, which freed up additional scoring opportunities.
DET • Guard • #5
about 2 months ago
The good news for fantasy managers is that Beasley extended his streak of games with at least three three-pointers to 10 games before getting ejected from Saturday’s showdown. Shooting 6-of-10 from the field, Beasley finished with 18 points, one assist and five three-pointers in 24 minutes off the bench. The Pistons begin a four-game Week 18 on Monday against the Jazz, and Beasley is worth rostering while he remains hot.
DAL • Center-Forward • #23
about 2 months ago
Jones, the 19th overall pick in the 2021 draft, was recently waived by the Clippers to free up a standard contract slot for Jordan Miller. Per Haynes, the plan is for Jones to sign a two-way deal with the Mavericks after he clears waivers. This transaction won’t impact fantasy basketball, but there may be minutes available to Jones with Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II out with injuries.
Source: Chris Haynes
LAC • Forward • #55
about 2 months ago
Jones Jr. was available to play 29 minutes against the Lakers on Friday, but he will be sidelined on Sunday. However, Norman Powell (knee) is probable, so he should fill Jones Jr.'s spot in the starting unit, which means that Kris Dunn will also remain in the starting lineup.
Source: Tomer Azarly
LAC • Guard • #24
about 2 months ago
Having missed the Clippers’ last five games, Powell is probable for Sunday night. With Derrick Jones Jr. (groin) out, Kris Dunn may be able to stay in the starting lineup if Powell plays. Dunn isn’t an elite offensive option, but he has provided excellent steals production in recent games.
Source: Brad Turner
WAS • Forward • #18
about 2 months ago
George’s shooting struggles remain, but that isn’t something that dynasty managers should worry about. He will figure that out eventually. It’s everything else that he has done this season that makes him an exciting prospect, and this game was no exception. George set a new career-high for assists and was able to maintain his recent uptick in defensive production. George should be considered a high-upside option during “silly season”, and he has shown plenty of flashes in his first year in the league that should make him an enticing rookie to dynasty managers.
WAS • Forward • #32
about 2 months ago
Middleton’s production has been limited since being traded to Washington, but he played well on Saturday. He had his highest scoring game as a Wizards and still provided value in other categories while playing just 24 minutes. Middleton’s role has been limited with Washington, and that isn’t likely to change at any point. However, he proved in this game that he can still contribute standard league value in a limited role. Washington only has three games next week, but Middleton should be productive when he’s on the floor.
WAS • • #
about 2 months ago
After missing three games with an ankle sprain, Sarr was back in the lineup against Charlotte. He didn’t have a great night, but it was good to see the rookie back on the floor, and he was able to play 26 minutes. Richaun Holmes, who had been starting in place of Sarr, played the other 22 minutes at center off the bench and contributed 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and one steal. Holmes may be able to continue providing value even with Sarr back, though his upside will be limited as a reserve.
CHA • Center • #5
about 2 months ago
With the drama of the failed trade behind him, Williams has put together two consecutive fantastic stat lines. This was Williams’ second straight 20-point double-double and his seventh of the season. The defensive production and sky high field goal percentage were an added bonus, though not uncommon from Williams this season. Availability will continue to limit Williams, but he has provided top-50 value in nine-cat leagues over the past two weeks, and he should continue to dominate when he’s on the floor.
CHA • Guard • #10
about 2 months ago
Green did a little bit of everything in this game, though it seemed like it was going to be a much bigger performance than it ended up being. Green entered halftime with 13 points, but Charlotte didn’t turn to him much after the break. Green is a solid starter for the Hornets, but he hasn’t been much of a contributor in fantasy basketball. Managers shouldn’t rush to the waiver wire after a performance like this since he hasn’t been able to produce in the box score consistently this season.
SAC • Forward-Center • #11
about 2 months ago
Sabonis only played one minute of action before pulling up lame with a left hamstring injury. Jonas Valanciunas replaced the Kings’ starting center in the lineup and would be the replacement if Domas misses time. Valanciunas remains rostered in a decent percentage of 12-team leagues, but he’s still on the waiver wire of many 10-team formats.
Source: Sean Cunningham
CHA • Guard • #1
about 2 months ago
After missing Charlotte’s last two games, Ball was able to log 32 minutes in Saturday’s loss. He has been available for four of their seven games since the All-Star break, and managers should expect him to continue to rotate in and out of the lineup. Ball was better as a scorer than he was in his last two appearances after he scored a totaled 18 points while making just four of his 23 shot attempts in those two games. However, he struggled as a playmaker on Saturday and had twice as many turnovers as assists.
DAL • F • #25
about 2 months ago
Washington is back after missing Thursday’s win over the Hornets, which means Naji Marshall will head to the bench. However, PJ is restricted to 25-30 minutes, so the hit Marshall takes may not be as severe as some fantasy managers may have anticipated. Brown will get another start at the center position as the Mavericks continue to play without Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II.
Source: NBA Lineups
LAL • Guard • #15
about 2 months ago
Reaves is officially listed as doubtful after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that he is being considered “day-to-day”. This isn’t a severe injury for Reaves, but it will likely keep him out against the Lakers. Goodwin will also likely be sidelined, and he has taken on a large role off the bench recently. Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht will likely take on extra minutes, with Vincent likely to start.
Source: Dan Woike
LAL • Forward • #23
about 2 months ago
James and Doncic are both questionable for injury management reasons, which may increase their chances of playing on Sunday. The former has not missed a game since February 8, so fantasy managers should expect to see LeBron on the court. As for Doncic, he’s still working his way back from a calf injury that sidelined him for six weeks. With Austin Reaves unlikely to play, the Lakers need LeBron and Luka on the court.
Source: Edwin Garcia
HOU • Guard • #5
about 2 months ago
VanVleet will start immediately in his return to the lineup after missing a month with an ankle injury. That will push Jabari Smith Jr. to the bench, and it appears that fantasy managers finally have their answer to Houston’s starting lineup. Smith Jr. won’t push Amen Thompson back to the bench, though there should still be plenty of minutes for him.
Source: Houston Rockets
GSW • Center • #21
about 2 months ago
The lone change is Post, who will make his first start since February 12. He steps in for Jimmy Butler, who will not play in Saturday’s game due to back spasms. Post’s perimeter shooting ability gives him the ability to provide some value, but he’ll face a difficult matchup on the other end with Andre Drummond.
Source: San DiGiovanni
