NBA Player News

While it certainly won’t mean much, LeBron played well in this series and closed it out with another excellent performance. He averaged 27.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 2.4 steals, 1.0 block and 2.0 triples while shooting 56.6% from the floor through the five-game series, which was much closer than the gentlemen’s sweep makes it look. The Lakers were outscored by a total of 11 points in five games and were at the mercy of two game-winning shots by Jamal Murray. Year 21 is over for LeBron, and there will be plenty of rumors about his future that start flying as early as Tuesday morning.

After a two-game absence, Clarkson looked sharp in his 21 minutes on the floor. The lingering question is whether or not the playing time represents JC’s ceiling, especially with starter Collin Sexton (14 points, two rebounds, seven assists, and two 3-pointers) playing 27 minutes. Off to a slow start to the season before the heel injury, Clarkson needs more minutes if he’s to be a factor in standard leagues.

Active after missing three games due to back spasms, Markkanen struggled in Milwaukee. However, fantasy managers should take solace in him playing 29 minutes without issue. He’ll have better nights offensively. As for Kyle Filipowski, who filled in for Markkanen, the rookie only played three minutes on Thursday. There’s no need to keep Filipowski on your fantasy roster.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers changed the starting lineup for Thursday’s game, replacing Gary Trent Jr. with Jackson. The second-year wing may not have offered much as a scorer, but the defensive activity (and four steals) made a difference. However, the Jazz aren’t the best opposition to use as a measuring stick, so fantasy managers will learn more when the Bucks visit the Knicks on Friday. As for Trent, he only played eight minutes, so he’s safe to drop in most leagues.

Lillard has been on a roll recently, scoring 33 points or more in three straight and four of his last five. The exception was his brutal four-point performance in Memphis on Halloween, which was a clear departure from the norm. Getting Giannis Antetokounmpo back helps, but Lillard’s been clicking on all cylinders offensively, regardless of who’s playing alongside him.

After a strained adductor sidelined him for Monday’s loss in Cleveland, Giannis was back in the lineup on Thursday. He did his usual business, recording another 30-point double-double with a solid field-goal percentage. The exception was that Giannis shot the ball well from the foul line, with Thursday being the second time he’s hit 70% or better in a game this season. Fantasy managers should consider Antetokounmpo questionable for Friday’s game against the Knicks.

Hours after Charania reported that Vassell could make his debut on Saturday, he’s reported that it will happen. In the past, San Antonio has taken a cautious approach with returning starters, bringing them off the bench in their first game back. Stephon Castle would remain a starter for one more game if they do this with Vassell. He’ll still lose minutes, but the hit may not be as severe between the starting role and Malaki Branham (ankle) potentially sitting out.

Absent from the initial injury report, the team officially ruled out Craig during the third quarter of Thursday’s game. His absence would not impact fantasy basketball, even with the Bulls again playing without the injured Zach LaVine.

Sharpe made his season debut on Thursday and looked sharp in his 20 minutes on the floor. While the full impact of his return on the rest of the rotation isn’t fully known yet, Sharpe’s presence meant fewer minutes for starter Deni Avdija. Playing 25 minutes, Avdija finished with nine points, seven rebounds, five assists, and one 3-pointer. Meanwhile, fellow starter Toumani Camara played 35. Due to Portland’s lack of shooting guards and Camara’s defensive ability, it may be Avdija whose value takes the most significant hit with Sharpe back in action. Fantasy managers should consider Sharpe questionable for Friday’s game against Minnesota.

Simons is ranked just outside the top 100 in per-game value, with field-goal percentage being the concern. He’s shooting 39.1% through nine games, nearly four points lower than his mark from last season (43.0%). And if that percentage were to hold, it would be a career-low for Simons. Portland has two more games in Week 3, beginning with Minnesota on Friday.

Ayton has now recorded eight double-doubles in Portland’s first nine games, and his fantasy value is about where it was expected to be before the season began (Yahoo ADP: 62). The foul line has been the issue thus far, with Ayton making 62.5% of his attempts. Getting that number into the mid-60s would give DA a shot at top-50 value.