NBA Player News

He didn’t play much for the Sonics last year, but should land at the end of another team’s bench next season.

Dieng is healthy after suffering a broken finger while playing with Oklahoma City’s G League affiliate in November. While his return gives Mark Daigneault another option in the frontcourt, Dieng is unlikely to get the minutes needed to impact fantasy basketball.

Bona began on-court workouts last week and is now set to return from a knee injury. With Joel Embiid (sinus) questionable, Bona would have a chance to crack Philadelphia’s big man rotation if Embiid were to miss Friday’s game.

Martin appeared close to return after he began on-court workouts last week. He’s missing another yet another game as he’s been ruled out ahead of Friday’s game with the Hornets. Kelly Oubre Jr. should continue to see more opportunity with Martin sidelined.

This is a pleasant surprise. Embiid appeared set to miss another week of action, but the questionable listing at least gives him a chance of suiting up against the Hornets. If he can’t go, Andre Drummond will continue to start in his absence.

Richardson has played through this heel injury multiple times already, but is now listed as doubtful for Friday’s game with Oklahoma City. While he’d give Miami another body in the rotation, whether he plays or not is immaterial to fantasy basketball.

Jovic has missed quite a few games now as he tweaked his ankle in practice last week after returning to the lineup for just one game. If he’s unable to go again Friday, Jaime Jaquez Jr. figures to benefit the most from Jovic’s absence.

Larsson has missed three games with a sprained ankle. Terry Rozier, Dru Smith and Jaime Jaquez Jr. have handled the perimeter bench minutes themselves. If Larsson were to miss Friday’s game, Smith would make sense as a streaming option on a short slate.

Beal is set to return after missing two games with a knee injury. With Kevin Durant also back, Royce O’Neale will move back to the bench with the Suns full complement of starters active.

Hart popped up as questionable for personal reasons Thursday afternoon. While it’s unclear what those reasons might be, his status for Thursday’s game is also up in the air as it’s hard to gauge what his chances of suiting up are. Hart averages 36 minutes per game, but it’s unclear who would benefit most from his absence. Miles McBride or even Tyler Kolek might see more minutes, but Hart only takes nine shots per game and nobody the Knicks have on the bench will contribute in the other categories the way he does.

Hawkins has missed plenty of games over the last six weeks with a back injury. While his return doesn’t impact fantasy basketball much at all, it gives the Pelicans some extra bench depth.