NBA Player News

Elleby has been starting since Portland decided to pull the proverbial plug on this season, which has given him the opportunity to provide deep-league value. However, he hasn’t been consistent enough to merit that kind of faith from fantasy managers. Just leave Elleby on the waiver wire, and there will be better low-cost options than him in DFS as well.

The Bucks are without Damian Lillard (calf) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) for Saturday’s game, but Middleton will make his first start of the season. Joining him in the lineup are Rollins and Portis, who step in for Lillard and Antetokounmpo. While Portis offers reliable fantasy value, Rollins isn’t worth the risk in most fantasy leagues.

The Warriors are without Draymond Green, who is out with an ankle injury, so SloMo will start against his former team. The other change is Jackson-Davis, who replaces Kevon Looney in the starting lineup. Anderson and Jackson-Davis offer limited streaming value as starters, but their ceilings rise slightly.

Merrill is good to go after being considered probable on the initial injury report. His role won’t change, with the Cavaliers sharpshooter providing 3-pointers as part of the second unit. Merrill can get hot, but that isn’t enough to merit being rostered in most fantasy leagues.

Ivey returns after a two-game absence, which pushes Ausar Thompson back to the bench. Thompson and Malik Beasley will take hits to their respective fantasy values, but they’re worth holding onto in deeper leagues.

Banton’s continued absence will not impact fantasy basketball, as the Trail Blazers stuck to a nine-man rotation in Thursday’s win over Denver. Expect the same on Saturday night.

Initially questionable for Saturday’s game, Green has been ruled out. The injury pushes Kyle Anderson into the starting lineup, increasing his fantasy value. However, Jonathan Kuminga is a better target for managers needed production with Green sidelined.

George had just five points as he struggled mightily from the field against the Hornets Friday. Without Joel Embiid Saturday, though, George remains one of the 76ers key pieces and having him available avoids the domino effect his absence would have on their depth chart.

The Jazz are without Keyonte George, who injured his ankle during Thursday’s win over the Pistons. Mykhailiuk will fill the resulting void in the starting lineup, but he offers limited streaming value. Sexton’s fantasy value should increase because he is the starting point guard.

As has been the case on multiple occasions this season, O’Neale is Mike Budenholzer’s choice to step in for an injured wing player. The promotion gives him added fantasy value, especially among managers needing 3-pointers and steals. Tyus Jones, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, and Jusuf Nurkic complete the starting five.

Krejci will make his first start of the season on Saturday, stepping in for the injured Trae Young. Keaton Wallace, who was called up from the G League, should play rotation minutes in a reserve role, but Krejci is the player managers in deep leagues should focus on.