NBA Player News

With the majority owner and team governor Robert Sarver suspended for one year and fined $10 million for a history of abusive comments, the Suns needed to appoint someone to serve as the interim governor. According to ESPN, Garvin will fill that void, with Silver having approved the plan Wednesday evening. Since Sarver’s punishment was announced, multiple people within the NBA community have said that Silver was too lenient, including Chris Paul, LeBron James, and NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio.

Castle is officially available for Monday’s game after his status was upgraded throughout the afternoon. He’ll remain one of the Spurs’ key contributors off the bench and should be rostered in standard leagues.

The Pacers are without Tyrese Haliburton for a third straight game, and Rick Carlisle will use his third different lineup on Monday. Mathurin will receive the starting nod, with Ben Sheppard headed to the bench. Being allowed to start raises Mathurin’s ceiling, making him a player worth rostering for Monday’s 12-game slate.

With Zach Edey (ankle) and Vince Williams Jr. (foot) both sidelined, Jackson and Huff will enter the starting unit. This will be Jackson’s first time in the starting lineup this season, while it will be Huff’s first start since November.

With Monday’s game being the Suns’ second in as many nights, Bradley Beal (calf) will not play. Jones returns to the starting lineup in a change that raises his fantasy ceiling considerably. The other four starters are unchanged.

With Aaron Gordon sidelined, Westbrook will make a return to the starting lineup. In his most recent start, Westbrook contributed 25 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, two blocks and four three-pointers in 35 minutes.

Kawamura has been out with shoulder and hamstring injuries recently, but he’ll be available for Monday’s game if needed. The rookie is not in the rotation on most nights when healthy.

Morris was initially doubtful to play, so his third-straight absence doesn’t come as a surprise. However, even when he’s been healthy, Morris hasn’t seen the floor in over a month, so his absence won’t alter the Suns’ rotation.

With Khris Middleton (ankle) sidelined for the first leg of Washington’s back-to-back, Carrington will make a return to the starting lineup. The Wizards will play in Detroit on Tuesday, so Carrington will likely be pushed back to the bench for that game, though he has been productive as a starter.

Rhoden, who is currently on a two-way contract after initially signing with Toronto on a 10-day deal, will make the first start of his career. He’ll replace AJ Lawson in the opening group after he started Toronto’s last two games. Robinson will also return to the starting lineup in place of Jakob Poeltl, who is getting a rest night.

McConnell left Saturday’s game against the Hawks in the first quarter with a right ankle sprain, but is available Monday against the Bulls after he was initially listed as questionable. The 32-year-old point guard will figure prominently in this game as starting point guard Tyrese Haliburton (hip) has already been ruled out.