NBA Player News

This may be the furthest thing from a blockbuster deal, but it helps get OKC $10 million under the luxury tax while acquiring two trade exceptions, and Houston got a second-round pick for only taking on $1 million in cap space. This move was simply about moving money around for these teams. Nwaba was solid for Houston two years ago, but his role dwindled last season. Now, he’ll get a fresh start in OKC, but it probably won’t result in a huge role. Leave him off your draft board, though he could make an impact later in the season if OKC benches all of their starters again.

Durant sprained his left ankle during the third quarter of Sunday’s blowout loss to the Rockets and did not return. He will undergo an MRI on Monday and will not travel with the team for the start of its three-game road trip. The Suns visit the Bucks on Tuesday, followed by games against the Celtics on Friday and the Knicks two days later. Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen are potential replacements in the starting lineup if Durant does not rejoin the Suns during Week 22.

Sunday’s game was Bassey’s first since February 23, so he clearly wasn’t going to be asked to log many minutes. He played 10 minutes, but his return meant no room in the rotation for Bismack Biyombo, who picked up a DNP-CD. Following the game, Bassey said that he still wasn’t feeling right. “I just want to play with these guys, man,” Bassey said. “My family, my friends, people in my circle, know who I am as a person. They know I want to get back and play, even though I’m not feeling right.” Fantasy managers should not expect much from Bassey the rest of the way, especially with San Antonio’s four-game Week 22 starting with a Tuesday/Wednesday back-to-back.

O’Neale’s stat line wasn’t much to brag about, as the veteran wing only logged 15 minutes in the 148-109 defeat. However, with Kevin Durant exiting during the third quarter with a sprained left ankle, the Suns may need more from Royce during Week 22. Phoenix plays three games during Week 22, starting with the Bucks on Tuesday. And if Durant cannot play, O’Neale is his likely replacement in the starting lineup.

Booker had a good night offensively, shooting 12-of-17 from the field and scoring 28 points. However, it did not mean much, as he and the Suns were run off the court. The good news for fantasy managers is that he got his numbers before Mike Budenholzer mercifully pulled the plug at the end of the third quarter. Sunday’s game was Booker’s first with 20 points or more since March 19; hopefully, it serves as a catalyst heading into Phoenix’s three-game road trip that begins Tuesday in Milwaukee.

After over three weeks on the sidelines with an avulsion fracture in his right thumb, Sheppard was cleared to return on Sunday. Houston winning by 39 points ensured there would be minutes available to the rookie, who finished one blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Sheppard will not help fantasy managers this season, but the opportunities he does receive the rest of the season will be of interest to those preparing for the 2025-26 campaign.

After shooting 1-of-10 from the field in Friday’s win over the Jazz, VanVleet needed to get back on track. That happened on Sunday, as he and the Rockets steamrolled the Suns in the second game of their road trip. In addition to shooting over 50 percent from the field, VanVleet’s seven assists were the most he’s recorded in a game since March 15. Over the past two weeks, he has provided seventh-round value in eight-cat formats. VanVleet and the Rockets play four games during Week 22, starting with the Lakers on Monday.

Walter finished behind RJ Barrett (31) for team lead in the scoring department, and he led Toronto in rebounding. Best of all, Walter racked up some big defensive totals and shot efficiently from the floor. Expect him to continue playing big minutes down the final stretch of the season.

Thompson tweaked his left ankle during the first quarter of Sunday’s game, the third time he’s injured that ankle this season. The good news for fantasy managers is that he returned to the game after a brief stint on the bench and ultimately played 25 minutes in the 148-109 victory. However, with the Rockets visiting the Lakers on Monday, Thompson should be considered questionable for the team’s second game in as many nights.

Sengun checked out with 4:38 remaining in the third quarter and did not return, falling one rebound short of his 44th double-double of the season. Over the past two weeks, the Rockets center has been a seventh-round player in eight-cat formats. Foul shooting has been an issue for Sengun, who entered Sunday shooting 68.6 percent from the stripe during the last two weeks. That number will decrease in the aftermath of Sunday’s 4-of-7 effort. Houston plays four games during Week 22, starting with the Lakers on Monday.

After missing all four shot attempts during the first quarter, Green encountered far less resistance from the Suns defensively. Not only did he make nine of his final 13 attempts from the field, but Green was also 11-of-13 from the foul line. A steady diet of straight-line drives to the basket led to recording his third 30-point line in four games. Over the past two weeks, he has provided seventh-round value in eight-cat formats. Green not playing during the fourth quarter should ensure he’s well-rested for Monday’s game against the Lakers. The Rockets play four games during Week 22.