Derrick Favors (lower back) is available to play in Sunday's game against the Nuggets.
Favors, who has missed each of Utah's last two games, will fill his usual backup center role in Denver. He'll play about 15 minutes, which isn't enough to make the veteran post a viable option regardless of fantasy format. Favors' return also drops Juwan Morgan out of the rotation.
Norvel Pelle is not listed on the Nets' injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Wizards.
Pelle was signed by the Nets just over a week ago, giving the team another body in the post following the trade of Jarrett Allen. In time Pelle can be helpful as a rim protector, but there's no need to pick him up right now.
Iman Shumpert (not with team) is not available for Sunday's game against the Wizards.
Shumpert just signed his deal on Saturday. And with there being health and safety protocols to be followed, it comes as no surprise that he isn't available to play Sunday night. He can be left on the waiver wire once cleared to play, as well.
Reggie Bullock (sore neck) is available to play in Sunday's game against the Clippers.
Bullock has missed the Knicks' last three games due to the neck issue, with Alec Burks replacing him in the starting lineup. Bullock's return likely means a return to the starting lineup for him, while Burks will be an offensive focal point for the second unit. Not sharing as much time on the court with both RJ Barrett and Julius Randle may may actually help Burks when it comes to his fantasy value.
Dennis Smith Jr. will play in the G-League bubble, according to Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.
Smith Jr. has been out of the rotation this season, hence his request to head down to Orlando in order to get some playing time. "It's great," Thibodeau said when asked about Smith's decision. "His attitude has been very positive. ... It's a great tool, an opportunity for him to play in games." This won't have an impact on the Knicks fantasy-wise unless their top two point guards (Elfrid Payton and Immanuel Quickley) are sidelined due to injury while Smith is in Orlando.
Denzel Valentine played just five minutes in Saturday's loss to the Blazers, going scoreless (0-of-2 FGs) with one assist.
Since accounting for 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists in a January 18 win over the Rockets, Valentine hasn't brought much to the table from a production standpoint. Saturday's effort was his worst, and it is understandable that he didn't see much playing time. There's no reason to roster Valentine right now, regardless of league format.
Ben McLemore played five minutes in Saturday's win over the Pelicans, accounting for three points (1-of-2 FGs), one rebound and one 3-pointer.
Since the Rockets replenished their rotation in the aftermath of the James Harden trade, McLemore has been out of the rotation on most nights. His five minutes on Saturday came after the outcome was no longer in doubt. He isn't worth rostering in any league format right now, but there could be an opening for playing time depending upon what happens with David Nwaba. Nwaba left Saturday's game with just over eight minutes remaining after spraining his left ankle.
Gorgui Dieng played 27 minutes in Saturday's win over the Spurs, finishing with 15 points (4-of-7 FGs, 5-of-7 FTs), seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, two blocks and two 3-pointers.
In Memphis' first game since January 18, Dieng put forth one of his best performances of the season. The 15 points matched Dieng's total from his prior three games combined, while the to rejections matched his season-high. Xavier Tillman is still the starter as Memphis deals with the absence of Jonas Valanciunas (health and safety protocols), but Dieng's ability to score away from the basket gives him some deep-league value in the short-term. He's currently rostered in 3% of Yahoo leagues despite providing 8th-round value in 9-cat formats.
Jordan Poole shot 4-of-8 from the field and 5-of-5 from the foul line in Saturday’s rout of the Pistons, tallying 16 points, two rebounds, one assist, one block and three 3-pointers in 21 minutes.
On the same day it was reported that Poole would play in the G-League bubble with the Warriors' affiliate, the second-year guard had one of the best games of his career. Poole hit each of his three triples during the fourth quarter, taking full advantage of the extended minutes. There’s no reason to grab him off of the waiver wire, but Saturday’s effort was certainly fun to watch.
Andrew Wiggins finished Saturday’s win over the Pistons with 20 points (8-of-17 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block and three 3-pointers in 25 minutes.
After getting off to a slow start to begin the season, Wiggins has rounded into form over the last two weeks. He’s shot no worse than 46% in any of Golden State’s last eight games, providing 7th-round value in 9-cat formats over the last two weeks. The one area where Wiggins can be even better is at the foul line. During this two week stretch he’s making just 56.5% of his free throws, splitting his only two attempts Saturday night. The poor foul shooting could prove to be the difference between top-50 and top-100 status for Wiggins if he doesn’t get it rectified.
Daniel Theis had a solid game vs the Lakers on Saturday, posting 14 points, seven boards, one assist, one steal and one block in 35 minutes.
Don't look now, but Theis has been hooping over the past week. He's scored at least 14 points in three of his last four games with five 3-pointers, six blocks and six steals. He easily outplayed Tristan Thompson (1/5/1/1 in 15 min) and for now, he should continue to start for the Celtics.
Kelly Oubre played 27 minutes in Saturday’s win over the Pistons, finishing with 18 points (8-of-14 FGs), six rebounds, one assist, one block and two 3-pointers.
Oubre hasn’t been very good for the Warriors this season, even with Steve Kerr making slight alterations to the rotation in an attempt to get him going. In recent games he’s been given more time to serve as the offensive focal point for the second unit, and the “Tsunami Papi” has scored 14 in three of his last four games. Oubre is worth rostering because of his place within the Warriors rotation, even with the inconsistency. That being said, the reward outweighs the risk, but not by much.
Jaylen Brown shot the ball extremely well vs the Lakers, finishing with 28 points, one rebound, three assists, a steal and a block.
Brown was knocking down shots all night but missed two free throws late in a game that the Celtics lost by one point. Aside from that, he had a really good showing and has made at least two 3-pointers in 10 straight games. He and Jayson Tatum are one of the best duos in the league and JB is making a very strong case to be a first-time All-Star this season.
Rick Carlisle said Maxi Kleber (COVID-protocols) will be available to play on Monday vs the Suns.
Kleber was on the Mavs' bench on Saturday night, indicating that he's healthy and recovered from COVID-19 and according to Carlisle, he will play on Monday. But with Kristaps Porzingis now back for Dallas, Kleber is best served as a streaming option when KP sits out games like he did tonight on the back end of a back-to-back.
Chris Paul led the Suns to a 111-105 win vs the Mavs on Saturday, posting 29 points, 12 assists, three rebounds and a season-high four steals.
The Suns didn't have Devin Booker again but it was no problem as CP3 continued to carry the load with his stellar play. He got everyone involved as four of his teammates scored in double-figures and also hit 12-of-13 free throws with the makes and attempts both being season-highs.
DeAndre Ayton dominated the glass on Saturday vs the Mavs, pulling down 17 rebounds with 18 points, four assists and a steal.
Ayton took full advantage of Kristaps Porzingis (knee) out of the game, recording yet another double-double and making 50% of his field goals. He's grabbed at least 13 rebounds in seven straight games and has scored at least 12 points in six of those seven games, too. It's been a great stretch for the former No. 2 overall pick who continues to thrive alongside veteran point Chris Paul.
Willie Cauley-Stein started on Saturday night, scoring 14 points with nine rebounds, two assists and four blocks in 30 minutes.
WCS had one of his best games of the season against the Suns in a spot start for Kristaps Porzingis (back). He made 7-of-8 shots and his four blocks were the most he's had this year. He did foul out, but if you started him out of sheer desperation, it was a smart and lucky night because WCS has been a hit or miss this season.
Gordon Hayward shot 10-of-22 from the floor and 5-of-11 from deep on Saturday, scoring 27 points with three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.
It was good to see Hayward return to his season form on Saturday. His 27 points tied a game-high with LaMelo Ball (career-high) and he also totaled his scoring output from the last two games combined. The five 3-pointers tied a season-best and Hayward has blocked at least one shot in five straight games for the Hornets.
Jerami Grant shot 5-of-8 from the field and 6-of-8 from the foul line in Saturday’s loss to the Warriors, finishing with 18 points, one rebound, one assist, one steal and two 3-pointers in 28 minutes.
It says a lot about how well Grant has played in his first season with the Pistons that an 18-point effort is viewed as a disappointment. Averaging 6.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game for the year, he had just one of each Saturday night. A 3rd-round player in both 8- and 9-cat formats, look for Grant to rebound Monday night when he visits his old friends in Denver Monday night.
Josh Jackson played 24 minutes in Saturday’s loss to the Warriors, finishing with 17 points (4-of-9 FGs, 7-of-8 FTs), six rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and two 3-pointers.
Jackson was taken back to the locker room during the second quarter due to an undisclosed injury. But he returned to the bench shortly thereafter, and filled his usual role for the remainder of the game. Playing the best basketball of his career earlier this season, Jackson has come back down to earth as he scored a total of seven points in the two games prior to Saturday. Leave him on the waiver wire.