NBA Player News

Santos’ continued absence will not impact fantasy basketball, as he is not in the usual rotation when healthy.

With De’Anthony Melton sidelined due to an ACL sprain, Lindy Waters III got the starting nod in his place. However, Waters didn’t return for the second half because of his own knee injury, which allowed Podz to start the third quarter in his place. If both Waters and Melton remain sidelined moving forward, Podz should be part of the starting lineup, even if he had fallen out of the core rotation. If he was dropped in your league, it may be time to pick him back up, assuming he starts in their next game on Monday, with a four-game week coming up.

Hield has really quieted down after a monster start to the season, but he played well in this game. This was their first game since De’Anthony Melton was diagnosed with a sprained ACL, and Hield’s minutes jumped from 21 to 30. That’s more on par with his role early this season, when Melton was out of the lineup and Buddy was putting up big numbers. Lindy Waters III, who started in place of Melton, exited early from this game with a left knee injury. If they’re down two players at that position, Hield should continue to play extra minutes and should get back to his early season production.

Following a seven-game absence, Bane returned to the lineup in this game, though he only played a limited role off the bench. He logged 27 minutes and was able to contribute a well-rounded stat line. Taylor Jenkins likely brought him off the bench to ensure that he was available to close the game, and it isn’t something that managers will have to get used to. He’ll be back in the starting lineup putting up big numbers soon, and this was a nice step in that direction.

JJJ has been on an offensive tear, and that continued in this game. He extended his 20-point streak to five games and had his third 30-point game of the season. During this streak, he has shot at least 50% from the floor in every game. As the focal point of the offense last season, JJJ’s field goal percentage was an issue, but that hasn’t been the case this year, even when both Ja Morant and Desmond Bane have missed time. The blocks still haven’t been what they once were, but he has still been able to provide third round value this season.

After missing the first month of the season with a stress fracture in his tibia, Williams Jr. was finally able to suit up for the first time since March. However, he was able to make an immediate impact. In 24 minutes, he was able to contribute three stocks, and they outscored the Warriors by seven points when he was on the floor. Williams Jr. was part of the team’s closing lineup, and he should eventually make a return to the starting lineup. He’s rostered in just 5% of Yahoo leagues but should be picked up everywhere before he gets back to playing a full role.

Steve Kerr’s rotations have been incredibly frustrating for fantasy managers this season. Curry only played 26 minutes in this game, and Kerr still didn’t put him back in at the end when the game started getting close. Steph entered the night playing just 29.1 minutes per game, which would be the lowest mark of his career, excluding the two that were incredibly limited by injuries. This game may have not truly been in danger at the end, but Curry’s limited minutes overall have been frustrating. Still, he has once again been among the elite contributors in fantasy hoops, and that is something that Steve Kerr can’t take away from us.

While Conley tied his season-high in points on Friday, he continues to struggle with his shot. The veteran point guard is shooting just 30.8% from the field over the last week, and he’s making 31.5% of his attempts for the season. Interestingly, despite the poor shooting, Conley remains a 10th-round player in 9-cat formats. There’s top-100 fantasy potential even at his age, but not if the shooting doesn’t improve.

Gobert recorded his second double-double in as many games on Friday, playing a season-high 41 minutes. Based on his Yahoo ADP, Gobert was expected to be a top-50 player, especially after the Karl-Anthony Towns trade. He hasn’t produced at that level thus far, but top-75 value is nothing to turn one’s nose up at.

Randle attempted a season-high 20 shots on Friday, and the 26 points are the most he’s scored since Minnesota’s October 24 win in Sacramento (season-high 33). While he hasn’t always looked the sharpest, Randle still provides 6th-round per-game value in 8-cat formats. That’s about where he should settle in, mainly as Randle establishes better on-court chemistry with Anthony Edwards.

Edwards was sensational in overtime, as he either scored or assisted on six of Minnesota’s seven field goals. The NBA leader in made 3-pointers, he hit six more on Friday and finished one point shy of his season-high. Edwards is providing 2nd-round per-game value in 8-cat formats and 3rd-round value in 9-cat. The Timberwolves head home to end their Week 4 slate against the Suns on Sunday.