NBA Player News

The NBA has been consistent in its message that play won’t resume until it’s safe to play, as the league and the nation deals with the novel coronavirus (which causes COVID-19). When that time will be is unknown, but it is quite clear that commissioner Adam Silver and all involved will look to evaluate all options before deciding to pull the plug on the 2019-20 campaign. Earlier this week the league banned players from working out at team facilities in an attempt to avoid running into any health issues with regard to the coronavirus.

With both Derrick White and Jaylen Brown sidelined, Hauser and Horford will enter the starting lineup. Payton Pritchard will remain in his sixth man role, but he should still see a bump in minutes. Horford and Porzingis will start together in the frontcourt to match up with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

After exiting Sunday’s game late in the third quarter, Toppin returned with just under seven minutes remaining in the fourth. However, he hasn’t looked comfortable on that left leg. After Sunday, the Pacers visit Toronto on Tuesday.

Monday’s game will be the seventh on the sideline for Williams, who does not have a timeline for return. Ayo Dosunmu has been the replacement in the starting lineup most nights and is worth streaming as long as Williams is unavailable.

White played through a wrist injury in their last game, but now he is dealing with an ankle issue. If he were to miss their matchup with Brooklyn, Lonzo Ball and Talen Horton-Tucker would likely both be in line for extra minutes.

Ingles isn’t part of Minnesota’s rotation when he is healthy, so his continued absence won’t have any impact on fantasy basketball.

Toppin injured his ankle landing awkwardly after converting a basket during the third quarter. While he did remain in the game at the time, the Pacers forward was eventually subbed out just before the end of the period. Jarace Walker will play additional minutes if Toppin misses time.

Added to the Heat injury report earlier in the afternoon, Ware has been officially ruled out for Sunday’s game. With Kevin Love available, the rookie’s absence will not significantly impact the Heat rotation or fantasy basketball.

Bogi sat out the second night of a back-to-back on Saturday, which opened the door for both Garrison Mathews and Vit Krejci to take on extra minutes. Bogi should be back on Monday, but neither Mathews or Krejci were worth rostering even with Bogdanovic sidelined.

Since being fined $100,000 by the NBA for its handling of Young’s status earlier this season, the Hawks have not missed an opportunity to include him on the injury report. Fantasy managers should expect Young to take on his usual workload on Monday.

Strus injured his ankle on October 17 and has yet to appear in a game this season. The lack of a timeline when he was due to be re-evaluated in early December is especially concerning. With Dean Wade also injured, Isaac Okoro will continue to fill the void in the starting lineup left by Strus.