NBA Player News

Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo missing two games of the Bucks’ five-game series with the Heat, getting bounced in the first round isn’t going to sit well in Milwaukee. In his report, Charania cited a “lack of coaching adjustments, especially defensively” as the reason for uncertainty. Budenholzer has two seasons remaining on his contract, and this could be a summer of transition for the franchise. Brook Lopez will be an unrestricted free agent, and Khris Middleton has a player option for next season. This is definitely a situation worth keeping an eye on.

THJ is certainly in the mix to be counted on for offense in the absence of teammate Jaden Ivey, who went down with a broken leg last week. Hardaway Jr. didn’t see a ton of volume Monday, but he was efficient with 26 points on 15 shots as he knocked down 6-of-9 attempts from behind the 3-point line. There should be more games like this in the 32-year-old shooting guard’s future.

Cunningham has now scored at least 32 points in two of three games since teammate Jaden Ivey went down with a broken leg. The 23-year-old point guard had nine assists and mostly kept his turnovers in check with four in 39 minutes. It’s clear that in Ivey’s absence the Pistons need scoring and Cunningham is capable of keeping them afloat. Detroit has won all three of its games since Ivey went down and Cade has shown no signs of slowing down.

Gafford injured his ankle during the second quarter of Monday’s game, exiting with 8:26 remaining in the period. His absence means more playing time for starter Dereck Lively II, and Dwight Powell may enter the rotation. An extended absence for Gafford would boost Lively’s fantasy value. In eight minutes, Gafford tallied five points, one rebound, and one blocked shot.

Richardson has not appeared in a game since November 18. His continued absence does not impact fantasy basketball or the Heat rotation.

Already down multiple rotation players, the Grizzlies will also be without Desmond Bane for Monday’s game. He’ll be replaced in the lineup by Konchar, who grabbed 27 rebounds in two spot starts last week. Konchar doesn’t offer much scoring production, but the rebounding potential makes him a worthwhile streamer in deep leagues.

The Mavericks remain without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, which forces other players to step up and produce. For Monday’s game against Memphis, Marshall will start after serving a four-game suspension for fighting, and Kleber will also be in the lineup. Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes head to the bench, but both are worth holding onto in deep leagues.

Garza is available for the first time since December 19. However, he does not play rotation minutes when healthy, so his return will not impact fantasy basketball.

The Timberwolves have made a change to their starting lineup. DiVincenzo is in, with Mike Conley headed to the bench. In addition to boosting DiVincenzo’s fantasy value, Anthony Edwards will be the primary playmaker, possibly increasing his assist production.

Minott is available after being listed as questionable with illness, but he doesn’t play enough minutes to matter for fantasy basketball.

Clarkson has struggled with left foot issues throughout the season, and things have come to a head. He’ll miss at least two weeks due to Monday’s diagnosis, so Brice Sensabaugh will figure prominently in the Jazz rotation off the bench. The second-year wing is playing the best basketball of his brief NBA career and is worth adding now, well ahead of the “silly season.”