Making his first start of the season, Bruce Brown finished Tuesday’s win over the Jazz with six points (3-of-5 FGs), six rebounds and five assists in 23 minutes.
Brown was one of three new starters for the Nets, with his promotion likely influenced by the need to slow down Donovan Mitchell. While the athletic defender won’t give fantasy managers much offensively, he can be productive as a rebounder and defender. Brown isn’t worth picking up just yet, but it’s worth noting that his move up essentially squeezed Landry Shamet out of the rotation.
Jeff Green started Tuesday’s win over the Jazz, accounting for two points (1-of-3 FGs) and five rebounds in 19 minutes.
Green filled in for Kevin Durant, who will miss at least the next seven days due to the league’s health and safety protocols. The veteran forward didn’t have a good night individually, but it is worth noting that Green has worked well with Kyrie Irving. Not counting Tuesday’s win, the Green/Irving tandem boasted a net rating of plus-24.3. So even with Uncle Jeff’s quiet night, expect to see him on the court with Irving consistently while the Nets await Durant’s return.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot played 24 minutes off the bench in Tuesday’s win over the Jazz, accounting for 11 points (5-of-9 FGs), three rebounds, one assist and one 3-pointer.
Luwawu-Cabarrot replaced Spencer Dinwiddie in the starting lineup when he went down with a season-ending knee injury, but he was back on the bench Tuesday night. Credit TLC for not allowing the “demotion” to impact his performance, as he had himself another good night. While it isn’t enough to make him a must-have fantasy option, it is enough to ensure that Steve Nash continues to make sure Luwawu-Cabarrot plays quality minutes.
Taurean Prince started Tuesday’s win over the Jazz, finishing with eight points (3-of-9 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), two assists, one blocked shot and one 3-pointer in 20 minutes.
Prince’s second start of the season wasn’t great, but it was better than his first. He did a better job of letting the game come to him as opposed to automatically going into “feels like leather” mode, and that will be the key for him moving forward. Kevin Durant (health and safety protocols) is out for at least seven days, so this won’t be Prince’s last chance to start. Unfortunately he doesn’t offer much in the way of fantasy value, as he still has to split minutes with Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Joe Harris.
Joe Harris shot 4-of-7 from the field in Tuesday’s win over the Jazz, accounting for 10 points, one assist, one steal and two 3-pointers in 23 minutes.
With Steve Nash shuffling his starting lineup, Harris saw his streak of 155 consecutive starts come to an end. Given the Nets’ need for offense with Kevin Durant (health and safety protocols) sidelined for at least the next seven days, Harris remains a player to hang onto in all fantasy formats. Be it as a starter or as a reserve, he will provide top-100 value on most nights.
Donovan Mitchell shot 10-of-22 from the field and 8-of-10 from the foul line in Tuesday’s loss to the Nets, accounting for 31 points, four rebounds, four assists and three 3-pointers in 30 minutes.
This game got away from Mitchell and the Jazz early, and as a result he didn’t play at all during the fourth quarter. “Spida” hasn’t been great to begin the season, ranking well outside of the top-100 in 9-cat formats. One of the reasons why he hasn’t matched his Yahoo ADP (25): poor shooting. Mitchell entered Tuesday’s game shooting just 37.5% from the field, so Tuesday’s effort should give that number a slight boost. We’ll see if he and the Jazz can bounce back Wednesday night against the Knicks.
Rudy Gobert played 27 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Nets, finishing with 10 points (3-of-10 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots.
Gobert had a rough time on both ends of the court Tuesday night. Offensively he missed multiple shots around the basket, and on the other end he was outclassed by Jarrett Allen. Thus far Gobert has been Utah’s most consistent player with regard to fantasy production, so he’s allowed the occasional subpar performance. Wednesday night he’ll be up against another young, energetic center, as the Jazz visit Mitchell Robinson and the Knicks.
Kevin Knox (left knee soreness) is listed as probable for Wednesday's game against Utah.
While Knox's bruised right hand isn't on the injury report, his sore left knee is. With the Knicks being shorthanded he's had more leeway coming off the bench, but the production still isn't there on a consistent basis. Knox isn't worth rostering, especially if Alec Burks (ankle) is cleared to play.
Pat Connaughton (left groin soreness) is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Pistons.
Connaughton did not play on Monday, and that freed up additional minutes for starting guard Donte DiVincenzo. Expect more of the same Wednesday night.
Jalen Smith (left ankle sprain) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Raptors.
Smith has been sidelined for a little over a week due to the ankle sprain, and his absence has freed up a few rotation minutes for Frank Kaminsky. Neither one is impactful enough to merit being rostered however, especially in standard leagues.
Sam Merrill (left ankle sprain) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Detroit.
He didn't play Monday night, either. While a prolific perimeter shooter, Merrill doesn't play enough to merit rostering him in any league format.
Jaylen Nowell (soleus strain) will be available to play on Tuesday vs. Denver.
He'll be available, but that doesn't mean he'll touch the court, as he's yet to make his regular-season debut. Leave him on the wire.
Alex Caruso (COVID-protocol) will not be available for Tuesday's game vs. the Grizzlies.
Frank Vogel said he's hopeful to have Caruso back for the Lakers' next game on Thursday vs. the Spurs, but his playing status is irrelevant in fantasy hoops.
Jalen Lecque has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain and he will be out indefinitely.
Lecque has been a non-factor in the rotation this season, so this news has no impact in fantasy hoops.
Derrick Favors (right knee) will be available to play on Tuesday vs. Brooklyn.
He'll be out there for his usual minutes in the teens tonight, which isn't enough floor time for him to make an impact in the vast majority of fantasy leagues.
Juwan Morgan (COVID-protocol) will not play on Tuesday vs. the Nets.
He's going to miss multiple games, but he wasn't a part of the rotation, anyway.
Aleksej Pokusevski (concussion) will not play on Wednesday vs. the Pelicans.
He's going through the concussion protocol testing and will not be cleared to return until he passes a series of tests. We're going to stop updating him every game, so unless you here otherwise, assume he's out.
Rodions Kurucs (left ankle) is questionable for Tuesday's matchup with the Jazz.
The Nets could use him with Kevin Durant (COVID-protocol) set to miss the next four games, but if he's forced to watch from the sidelines tonight, Taurean Prince could see big minutes. Stay tuned.
Dante Exum (right calf) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game vs. the Magic.
Exum exited Monday's game with the calf injury, and given his track record with staying healthy, we'd expect an extended absence here. Darius Garland (shoulder) is also going to miss Wednesday's game, so Damyean Dotson could be headed for another start, and he's on the radar in deep leagues after putting up 16 points with three triples on Monday.
Mike Scott (knee) will remain on the sidelines for Wednesday's game vs. Washington.
It'll be his third game out of the lineup, but he's not a large enough part of the rotation for his absence from the active roster to make an impact in fantasy hoops.