NBA Player News

Jones has scored 20 points or more four times this season, with two of those efforts occurring in his last four games. Over the past two weeks, he has averaged 11.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.3 3-pointers while shooting 56.0% from the field and 88.2% from the foul line. That production has been good for top 50 value in 9-cat formats, well above what Jones has done for the season as a whole. He and Victor Wembanyama have worked well together since Gregg Popovich returned Jones to the starting lineup, which could bode well for the point guard’s future in San Antonio.

While Smart being sidelined does hurt the Grizzlies from a depth standpoint, Desmond Bane’s availability will help mitigate the impact. He, John Konchar, and Luke Kennard will all be part of the rotation, as will recent starters Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jaylen Wells. If Pippen is sitting on your league’s waiver wire, pick him up. He’ll have value until Ja Morant (hip) returns.

Mann has been dealing with lower back soreness causing him to miss some games lately. He played on Saturday against the Bucks, but will get the second game of the back-to-back off. Vasilije Micic will take his place in the rotation.

Hardaway will remain sidelined for a third consecutive game. As a result, Malik Beasley will stay in the starting lineup and will add value in category leagues. Simone Fontecchio (toe) has been cleared to play and may sneak into the back end of the rotation, but Beasley is the player fantasy managers should target.

Looney is on the injury report due to an illness, but his status will not significantly impact fantasy basketball. Trayce Jackson-Davis should already be rostered in most standard leagues, and a Looney absence would mean TJD and Draymond Green split the available minutes at the five.

Fontecchio missed Friday’s game against the Raptors with the toe injury. He’ll be back with the Pistons Sunday, but his role hasn’t changed. Fontecchio will play 15-25 minutes off the bench and isn’t relevant for fantasy basketball.

Having missed three games earlier this season with an ankle injury, Curry is questionable for Monday with a case of knee bursitis. If he cannot play, Buddy Hield would figure even more prominently in the rotation, as the Warriors are already without De’Anthony Melton (knee). Hield is already rostered in most fantasy leagues, while Brandin Podziemski remains available in some deep leagues.

Krejci is available to make his first appearance in a game since October 28. He played no more than 20 minutes in any of his four games before the injury, so fantasy managers should not expect too much. With De’Andre Hunter sidelined, there should be rotation minutes available to Krejci, but not enough to make him a factor in fantasy basketball.

Bufkin is still yet to appear in a game for the Hawks this year. Once he’s healthy enough, he’ll have a role as Trae Young’s primary backup, but won’t be relevant in fantasy.

Mobley is back after a one-game absence, meaning the Cavaliers will only be down one starter (Donovan Mitchell) as they look to move to 15-0. Georges Niang will return to the bench, with his streaming value taking a significant hit.

Ayton has missed the last two games with the same injury. Donovan Clinghan figures to step up in Ayton’s absence. He had 17 points, 12 rebounds and eight blocks while filling in for Ayton on Wednesday.