NBA Player News

Stephenson had surgery shortly after the season ended, but he’s already back on the floor shooting. This won’t have any impact on Stephenson’s status for the season, though he won’t be much of a fantasy asset in Indiana, barring injuries that move him up the depth chart.

The contract includes a team option for the 2026-27 season, according to Stein. The Mavericks created a roster spot when they waived Tyus Jones, who prefers to join a team with playoff ambitions. Nembhard will now occupy a roster spot since he’s on a standard contract. He’s averaged 9.9 points, 6.1 assists and 44.4 percent three-point shooting in 17 starts this year.

Having begun this season in Orlando, Jones was traded twice ahead of February’s trade deadline, ultimately landing in Dallas. He appeared in seven games for the Mavericks, averaging 3.6 points, 1.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 15.9 minutes. According to Stein, Jones desires to join a team with postseason ambitions. Being waived by March 1 ensures that he’ll be eligible for the playoffs. Now that Dallas has an open roster spot, it may convert Ryan Nembhard to a standard contract.

Between injuries and lackluster production when available, this season has been a letdown for those who selected Braun in drafts. However, he had a good night against the Thunder, shooting 5-of-8 from inside the arc. The 23 points represent a new season-high for Braun, who recorded his fourth 20-point game. He’s still rostered in 72 percent of Yahoo! leagues, which is more about Braun’s status as a starter than his production. Hopefully, Friday’s performance serves as a catalyst for the Nuggets’ guard.

Jokić finished Friday’s overtime defeat with his third double-double in six games and 22nd of the season. He didn’t have the best night shooting the basketball, making two of his ten three-point attempts, but fantasy managers will live with that thanks to The Joker’s points, rebounds and assists. Jokić and the Nuggets have one more game in Week 18, as they host the Timberwolves on Sunday.

Back in the lineup after an illness forced his early exit from Wednesday’s win over the Celtics, Murray still didn’t look his best physically on Friday. However, he still put up 39 points, the most in a game for the Nuggets’ guard since he hit that number in a February 4 loss to the Knicks. And the schedule won’t get any easier, as Sunday’s game against the Timberwolves is the first of two in as many games for Murray and the Nuggets.

Hartenstein remains under a restriction, so he joined Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the bench in overtime after logging 25 minutes. The 7-footer was productive while on the floor, filling the stat sheet while shooting 66.7 percent from the field. As long as Hartenstein’s workload is restricted, Jaylin Williams (21 points, five rebounds, three assists, one block and two three-pointers in 26 minutes) will be worth a look in deeper leagues.

With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back in the Thunder lineup, Holmgren’s scoring opportunities took a hit on Friday. However, there’s more than one way to affect a game. Holmgren was outstanding on the glass, as he recorded his first 20-rebound game, while also blocking three shots. The lone concern for Sunday’s game against the Mavericks is that Oklahoma City gets up big early, as that would likely mean fewer minutes for Holmgren and the other starters.

In the aftermath of his decision to trade Jared McCain to the Thunder, 76ers lead executive Daryl Morey said that he believed that he “sold high” on the second-year guard. Well, that move fortified Oklahoma City’s bench, and McCain has reached double figures in six of his last seven appearances. While his fantasy ceiling is somewhat limited as a reserve, McCain will continue to have opportunities to contribute while the Thunder await the returns of Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Williams.

While Gilgeous-Alexander was not under a specific minutes limit, he logged 34 minutes on Friday and was not on the court for overtime. While the field-goal percentage wasn’t on par with what many fantasy managers expect from the reigning MVP, he still produced a robust stat line. And there may be an opportunity to shave off a few minutes from Gilgeous-Alexander’s workload, as the Thunder end Week 18 on Sunday against the lottery-bound Mavericks.

Dort was tossed after a hip check of Denver’s Nikola Jokić in the backcourt knocked the center to the floor and sparked an altercation. Dort played 28 minutes, finishing with eight points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal and two three-pointers, shooting 3-of-7 from the field.