NBA Player News

New signing Simpson and Kalaitzakis will start in their Thunder debuts Tuesday night, with Theo Maledon and Aleksej Pokusevski moving to the bench. Nothing has been said regarding the status of Maledon or Pokusevski, but given the way in which the Thunder have handled their rotation down the stretch, fantasy managers would be wise to look elsewhere for production. That’s a bad deal for those who have come to rely on the improved play of those two as the regular season comes to a close.

Tatum sprained his ankle against the Bucks on Sunday, but is good to go against the Hawks Tuesday. With Al Horford (toe) also available, the Celtics will have their normal starting lineup available for the first game of the Emirates NBA Cup.

Springer will miss a second straight game, but his continued absence does not impact fantasy basketball. He’s averaged 4.0 minutes per game in four appearances this season.

Initially questionable for Tuesday’s Emirates NBA Cup opener, Horford is officially available to play. Fantasy managers should expect him to sit out Wednesday’s game against the Nets, as the Celtics big man did not play both ends of any back-to-backs last season. Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta will have added streaming value on Wednesday.

Ayton is averaging career-lows in points (13.3) and minutes (29.3) so far this season, though he’s been a double-double machine with eight double-doubles in the first nine Trail Blazers games. If he can’t suit up Tuesday, rookie Donovan Clingan would seem to be the main beneficiary and have streaming value.

Finney-Smith missed Monday’s game against the Pelicans due to the ankle injury. Otherwise, he’s been a starter for the Nets this year, though his play has been inconsistent. Finney-Smith has some value in deeper formats. Ben Simmons, Jalen Wilson and Zaire Williams figure to play additional minutes if Finney-Smith can’t go on Wednesday.

Watford has yet to make his season debut, but his status does not impact fantasy basketball. There’s no need to stash him in an IL+ slot.

Duren has missed the last two games after rolling his ankle last Wednesday against the Hornets, but it’s safe to assume he’ll be back in the starting lineup Tuesday now that he’s listed as available. Stewart is also available, but isn’t worth using in fantasy now that Duren is back.

The Lakers don’t play until Wednesday night against the Grizzlies, so there’s plenty of time for Russell to get back to total health. Fantasy managers should consider him questionable, with Gabe Vincent being an option to absorb most of the available minutes if Russell cannot play. Cam Reddish should remain in the start lineup regardless of what happens.

Sanogo is banged up after playing just four minutes in his second appearance of the season in the Bulls’ last game. The Bulls could end up being very shorthanded if he and Jalen Smith (illness) are ruled out.

Smith is in danger of missing a second consecutive game due to illness. The reserve center has done a solid job backing up Nikola Vucevic and is shooting the ball at a high level. His point and rebound averages are the lowest they’ve been since 2021-22, though.