NBA Player News

After spending last season in a front office role with the Jazz, Fizdale will return to the bench as part of Frank Vogel’s staff. He worked under Vogel with the Lakers and had a lot of success as an assistant previously in his career. He’ll bolster a coaching staff that will look to turn a team centered around Devin Booker and Kevin Durant into a true contender.

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.

Barrett scored at least 30 points eight times before Sunday, and each of them came prior to the new year. The scoring total was his highest since December 16, though fantasy managers shouldn’t expect totals like this every night, especially while the Raptors rest Barrett nearly every other game.

Council IV filled in for the injured Guerschon Yabusele, and he made the most of his opportunity with a game-high rebound total. Philadelphia was missing 10 players, and the team is likely to be quite shorthanded for the final seven games of the season. Council IV could see additional starts for the season’s final contests.

Walker IV entered the starting five in place of Quentin Grimes, and the former led the team in scoring. Walker IV knocked down 10-of-18 shots, and he got teammates involved with a team-high assist total in the process. Philadelphia has just seven games left in the season, and Walker IV is a guy who could see a major bump in playing time for that final stretch due to numerous and mounting injuries.

Rissacher topped his previous career high of 33 points set against the Knicks on November 6. The No. 1 pick in the draft hit 12-of-21 shots, including 5-of-11 from beyond the arc as he led all scorers in Atlanta’s blowout victory. He’s got eight games left in his inaugural campaign, and he’ll look to build on this quality performance during the home stretch.

The Greek Freak led all scorers, though he struggled from the charity stripe (9-of-14) and committed five turnovers. Milwaukee put up a solid point total, though the team couldn’t do anything to stop the Hawks on defense. Milwaukee will look to get back on track with a four-game week against teams with sub-500 records.