NBA Player News

Smith will have no fantasy value but will offer depth at the end of the bench.

Murray did not play against the Jazz because he was injured during the third quarter of Friday’s loss to the Timberwolves. Russell Westbrook received the starting nod and struggled with his shot, finishing with five points (2-of-11 FGs), three rebounds, seven assists, five steals, and one 3-pointer in 33 minutes. The good news for Denver is that Nikola Jokic is a more than capable playmaker, which will help compensate for Westbrook’s efficiency issues.

Zubac continues to reach double figures in rebounds, but he’s failed to score at least 10 points in two of his last three. While the Clippers center has never been a prolific scorer, his production is more critical with Kawhi Leonard sidelined. Zubac had a dreadful night at the charity stripe, as he was 1-of-5. Ranked just outside the top 100 in 9-cat per-game value, Zubac is a 3rd-round player when punting free-throw percentage (54.8%). The Clippers play four games in Week 3, beginning with the Spurs on Monday.

The good news for Harden managers on Saturday is that he kept the turnovers under control, only committing two. Unfortunately, the improved efficiency in that aspect of his game did not carry over into the shot profile. Harden shot 2-of-9 from three and 4-of-13 overall, dropping his percentage to 36.1% for the season. For all the consternation over Harden’s turnovers, poor shooting has been more detrimental to his fantasy value, and he’s still a top-15 player.

The Clippers shot 40.6% from the field on Saturday, with four of five starters making 40% of their shots or worse. Powell was the exception, turning in an efficient scoring night that included a personal 8-0 run late in the second quarter. The Clippers could not build on their finish to the first half, with Oklahoma City limiting the home team to 35 second-half points. Powell’s providing top 50 fantasy value, and nights like Saturday will help keep it that way.

After foul trouble led to Holmgren recording a meager stat line (outside of the five blocked) in Friday’s win over Portland, he stayed on the floor on Saturday. The Thunder big man did not commit a foul in the win over the Clippers. While the scoring wasn’t there, Holmgren did a little of everything as Oklahoma City moved to 6-0 on the season.

Williams didn’t reach the 20-point mark on Saturday, struggling with his shot after going 8-of-12 in Friday’s win over Portland. Even with the percentages being what they are, JDub still hovers around the top 50 in per-game value. Once that gets cleaned up, look out. The Thunder begin a four-game Week 3 with a home game against the Magic on Monday.

One night after scoring 30 points in a win over Portland, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 more in Saturday’s win over the Clippers. His per-game value is right where fantasy managers expected it to be, with SGA ranked third according to Basketball Monster. As long as Gilgeous-Alexander remains healthy, this will be another elite fantasy season for him. Oklahoma City plays four games in Week 3, beginning with Orlando on Monday.

With Jamal Murray (concussion protocol) sidelined, the Nuggets needed others to step up on Saturday. Strawther was one of those who answered the call, scoring a season-high 19 points and knocking down three 3-pointers. Rostered in three percent of Yahoo leagues, he’s ranked just inside the top 200, so managers can take a “wait and see” approach with Strawther. Add him to your watchlists.

Unlike fellow starters Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon, Braun played into the fourth quarter of Saturday’s win. But he wasn’t on the court very long, as the outcome was not in doubt. Braun has reached double figures in all six of Denver’s games, scoring 16 or more in three. The improved production is why he’s providing 5th-round per-game value, yet Braun is still rostered in just 41% of Yahoo leagues. That number should be closer to 50%, especially with Jamal Murray (concussion protocol) sidelined.

Porter has turned things around after shooting 1-of-10 from three in games against the Clippers and Raptors. He’s hit 11-of-20 from deep over the last three games, scoring 16 points or more in each. His 20-point effort against the Jazz occurred one night after he scored 26 in a loss to the Timberwolves. This is the Porter the Nuggets (and fantasy managers) need to see consistently, especially with Jamal Murray in the league’s concussion protocol.