Abdel Nader played 19 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Thunder, tallying 12 points (5-of-9 FGs), three rebounds, one steal, one blocked shot and two 3-pointers.
With Devin Booker sidelined due to a hamstring injury, some rotation minutes have opened up for Nader. But he still isn't worth rostering right now, as over the last four Nader is averaging 8.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.3 blocks and 1.0 3-pointers in 19.8 minutes per game.
Miye Oni played 10 minutes in Wednesday's win over the Mavericks, grabbing five rebounds.
Oni, who did not attempt a shot during his time on the court, picked up rotation minutes due to the absence of Donovan Mitchell (concussion). There's no need to consider picking up Oni in any league format, even if Mitchell has to miss an extended period of time. The Jazz will host the Mavericks again Friday night.
Daniel Gafford said recently that he's working through the adjustment of moving from the bench to the starting lineup, according to Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic.
Wendell Carter Jr. (quad) is expected to miss four weeks due to the severe bruise that he suffered last week, which has opened up a spot in the starting lineup for Gafford. Unfortunately for the second-year center, he's struggled some with the adjustment process. "In general, coming off the bench before, I feel like I came in and did what I had to do," Gafford said. "I came in and I gave guys energy. I came in, I played great defense. I blocked shots. I got stops. I kept guys in front of me. Just with this starting stuff, I’ve got to really lock in more onto the task at hand and the task that’s in front of us." Bulls coach Billy Donovan also has the option of using Lauri Markkanen at the five in spurts, but due to his lack of physicality that isn't something that Chicago will want to do full-time. Gafford won't lack for chances to snap out of his current slump, which makes it worthwhile to hang onto him for the time being.
Jarred Vanderbilt contributed four points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block across 25 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Warriors.
Vanderbilt's streak of double-digit scoring games came to an end today but wasn't due to inefficiency, it's just that he only attempted three shots in this one. Still, he came through with the peripheral stats, and despite tonight's relative dud, he's still been flirting with top 50 value over the past six games behind averages of 9.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.2 swats and just 1.0 turnover per game on 58.5% shooting. With how well he's been playing it would be weird if he didn't continue to start when Karl-Anthony Towns (COVID-19) comes back, so we think he should be rostered in far more than 21% of Yahoo! Leagues.
Stephen Curry scored 16 points on 6-of-17 shooting Wednesday, to go with six rebounds, eight assists, four 3-pointers and three turnovers across 33 minutes in a win over the Timberwolves.
Curry was nearly scoreless through the first half of action, bricking his first seven shots and not getting his first bucket until the closing second of the second quarter, but he was much better after halftime. Despite his shooting struggles through the first half, he was still confident enough to jack up a no-look 3 (which he drained) during the second half, although some steals would have been nice. We'd expect a more productive outing on Thursday in Phoenix.
Draymond Green dished out eight dimes in Wednesday's 123-11 win over the Timberwolves.
Green added six points (3-of-6 FG), six rebounds, two steals and four turnovers in his 30 minutes of floor time, but he yet again failed to swat a single shot, and he's only averaging 0.2 blocks on the year, which accounted for a career-low. Steve Kerr recently said that Green still is working his way into playing shape, so maybe he'll take off in a handful of weeks, but he hasn't shown many flashes of his former self this year at all.
Jordan Bell played 31 minutes in a starting role for the Wizards on Wednesday, posting four points, 11 boards, five assists, one steal and one block.
Bell shot 2-of-9 from the field without any 3-pointers or free throws. A high per-minute block rate gives him some fantasy intrigue, and it helps that the Wizards' roster is in shambles. He's only on a 10-day contract, though, and most managers can take a wait-and-see approach here.
Bradley Beal went wild vs. the Pelicans on Wednesday, scoring 47 points on 17-of-37 shooting with six 3-pointers, six assists, four rebounds and four steals in 40 minutes.
Beal made all seven of his free throw attempts and this was his third game of the season with 40+ points -- all losses. He's leading the league in scoring at 34.4 points per game, a number that will rise after this performance, and it's propelled him to first-round value in any fantasy format. A video of Beal looking distraught during Tuesday's loss went viral, and the losing may get to him if D.C.'s 3-11 record gets any worse. In the past he's always been willing to play for pride, fortunately, and the Wizards will have a bustling late-season schedule with six postponed games added to the mix.
Robert Williams hit all three of his shots on his way to six points, seven rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and one turnover in 13 minutes off the bench on Wednesday.
Williams is back in the rotation, but as long as he's only seeing minutes in the teens, he can only be viewed as a low-end, shot-blocking specialist in deep leagues. Tristan Thompson notched eight points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench, while the starter, Daniel Theis, contributed just five points, one 3-pointer, one rebound and one turnover in 12 minutes. None of these guys are great targets in 12-team leagues with 13-roster spots.
Robin Lopez scored a season-high 14 points vs. the Pelicans on Wednesday, making 5-of-8 field goals and 3-of-3 free throws in 23 minutes.
RoLo added three rebounds and two assists without any defensive stats. He's starting at center in the absence of Thomas Bryant (knee), but the 32-year-old's play doesn't justify a roster spot in any fantasy league.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker logged 30 minutes off the bench Wednesday, posting eight points (3-of-11 FGs), two 3-pointers, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block.
Lonzo Ball sprained his right ankle tonight and did not return, which bumped NAW to the starting lineup after halftime. He played all but 3:45 in the second half and is a very appealing stash right now -- Ball's injury appears minor, but he's been in trade rumors and Alexander-Walker could benefit if a deal is struck. The Pelicans are said to desire a "clearer pathway" for Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis Jr. to earn more minutes. If you have a soft spot on your roster, make a move for NAW and see what develops in the coming week.
Brandon Ingram sank 12-of-19 shots including a 7-of-12 mark from deep on Wednesday, scoring 32 points with eight assists and six rebounds in 36 minutes of action.
After committing seven turnovers in a loss to the Wolves on Saturday, Ingram admitted that his play in the second half was "pretty bad." With eight losses in the previous nine games, Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy wasn't shy about calling out Ingram and Zion Williamson. "[Y]our best players have to take responsibility to defend and play harder and to take care of the ball," Van Gundy said. "If those guys will not make the effort to turn it around, then I think you have to make moves and play other people." Ingram and Zion each scored 32 points tonight, delivering a victory, so at least for one night they've managed to right the ship.
Steven Adams reeled in a season-high 18 rebounds on Wednesday, grabbing six on the offensive end to score six points with three assists and one block in 33 minutes.
New Orleans needed a win after going 1-5 on their recent road trip, and they got one vs. the sputtering, thinned-out Wizards. Adams didn't have much trouble on the glass vs. Robin Lopez and Jordan Bell, but this isn't a one-game fluke. Adams is averaging a solid 9.1 boards (to go along with a career high 2.6 assists) and he's helped New Orleans earn the league's best defensive rebounding rate (80.9% of available boards). Adams isn't adding any new facets to his game, but remains a strong source of FG%, boards and defensive stats -- with a massive asterisk in the FT% category.
LaMarcus Aldridge netted 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting Wednesday, to go with three 3-pointers, three rebounds, two assists and two swats over 28 minutes.
Aldridge uncharacteristically went 1-of-4 from the stripe tonight, making it his worst shooting performance at the line this season and his first miss at the stripe since Jan. 9. However, he also finished the game without a single turnover, and this was his sixth 20-point-performance of the season. He's starting to find his footing offensively after a disastrous start to the season, although it looks like with him attempting so many triples, his rebounding numbers are going to seriously dip this year.
Zion Williamson tied his season high with 32 points during Wednesday's win vs. the Wizards, hitting 12-of-16 field goals and 8-of-11 free throws in 33 minutes.
He added two rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. It's the second time this season he's only grabbed two boards, though overall he's shown growth on the glass with 7.9 per game, up from 6.3 as a rookie. The defensive stats tonight were also a welcome sight, as more steals (1.0) and blocks (0.4) would go a long way toward boosting his fantasy value. Without more 3-pointers (0.1) and improved shooting at the line (66.7%), it'll still be hard for him to climb toward early-round territory in most roto leagues.
Tim Hardaway Jr. shot 4-of-6 from three in Wednesday’s loss to the Jazz, finishing with 19 points (6-of-10 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), three rebounds, two assists and one steal in 34 minutes.
Since going scoreless in a January 18 loss to the Raptors, Hardaway Jr. has scored 19 points or more in four of his last five games. He still isn’t a top-100 player in either 8- or 9-cat formats, but THJ isn’t too far off. As returnees Josh Richardson and Dorian Finney-Smith shake off the rust, there’s some short-term value to be had with Hardaway Jr. He’s currently rostered in 69% of Yahoo leagues.
Kristaps Porzingis finished Wednesday’s loss to the Jazz with 18 points (8-of-18 FGs), five rebounds, two blocks and two 3-pointers in 32 minutes.
Porzingis managed to block two shots on the night, but he struggled mightily on the defensive end of the floor. Utah targeted him quite often in ball-screen actions, and this was a big reason why Rudy Gobert tallied 29 points and 20 rebounds. Porzingis won’t have to wait long for a chance to redeem himself, as the Mavericks are scheduled to face the Jazz again Friday night.
James Johnson posted a line of eight points (4-of-9 FGs), seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and four blocked shots in 22 minutes Wednesday vs. the Jazz.
The four rejections are a season-high for Johnson, who posted a full stat line Wednesday night. With Maxi Kleber (health and safety protocols) still sidelined, Johnson's spot in the rotation appears secure for now. He's been surprisingly productive recently, providing ninth-round value in 9-cat over the last week. But with Dallas getting closer to full strength (Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Richardson and Dwight Powell all returned Wednesday, and Kleber could be back as soon as Saturday), there isn't much to be gained by grabbing Johnson (rostered in 3% of Yahoo leagues) off of the waiver wire.
Shai Gilgeous- Alexander hit 6-of-18 shots, two 3-pointers and 7-of-9 free throws for 21 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two blocks in Wednesday's 102-97 win over the Suns.
SGA got off to a slow start this season and his free throw shooting is nothing to write home about, but he's crushing right now and came into this one shooting almost 54 percent from the floor in January. He's averaging 22.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 2.0 blocks and 2.5 3-pointers over his last two games, and is having a fantastic January, which is why we were so high on him coming into the season.
Theo Maledon made another start on Wednesday and hit 4-of-7 shots and three 3-pointers for 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal in 30 minutes of a 102-97 win over the Suns.
George Hill was out again with a thumb injury and Maledon is making the most of the opportunity. Chances are Hill reclaims his starting gig when healthy, but Maledon is at least worth putting your radar going forward.