NBA Player News

Castleton, who also played well in the Lakers’ loss to the Spurs on Wednesday, was just as impactful on Friday. While the 6-foot-11 center did his job as a finisher, rebounder, and defender, he was also responsible for a team-high six assists. Castleton has proven to be a solid secondary playmaker, displaying the ability to make plays either as the roll man or out of the post. Like Max Christie, he faces a tough battle for rotation minutes due to the number of signings the Lakers made early in free agency. Castleton’s short-term fantasy prospects may not be great, but he’s someone who could develop into a contributor down the line.

After sitting out Thursday’s win over the Jazz, Adams played 12 minutes off the bench in Sunday’s win over the Suns. The veteran center has not played both ends of a back-to-back since February 3-4, but the importance of Monday’s matchup likely factors into Udoka saying that Adams will play. Houston and the Lakers are two of the teams fighting for the two-seed in the West, with the Rockets leading third-place Denver by two games in the loss column and the Lakers by three.

Since Eason has not reached the point where he can play both games of back-to-backs, he sat out Sunday’s blowout win over Phoenix. Monday’s game is of far greater importance to the Rockets, who are looking to lock down the two-seed in the West, so saving Eason for that matchup is understandable. Unless Amen Thompson’s ankle keeps him out of Monday’s game, Eason will come off the bench, but he remains valuable in standard leagues.

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.