NBA Player News

Ball will play in a regular season game for the first time in 33 months, and he’ll unsurprisingly see limited action in his return. Fantasy managers with available bench space can stash him as an end-of-the-bench dart throw, but he’s not a must-roster player as he works himself back into game shape.

Morant played 24 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Rockets, a game that got out of hand during the third quarter. If he cannot play in Memphis’ home opener, Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane will likely shift a spot in the starting lineup, with the former running the point.

Jackson has a credible chance of making his season debut in Memphis’ home opener. The Grizzlies haven’t said anything about a potential minutes limit, but JJJ’s presence in the lineup impacts Santi Aldama and Zach Edey the most. While the former would be the logical choice to move to the bench, Aldama has played well in Memphis’ first two games.

After averaging 18.5 minutes in Memphis’ first two games, Konchar appears likely to sit out the second game of the team’s back-to-back. The starters would likely absorb the 22 minutes Konchar played in Houston on Friday, as Memphis pulled the plug during the blowout defeat. Ja Morant (questionable Saturday) and Marcus Smart played 24 and 20 minutes, respectively, while Desmond Bane played 29.

Barrett did not play during the preseason and has missed Toronto’s first two regular season games. However, he did travel with the team to Minnesota following Friday’s win over Philadelphia, a sign that a return to action is on the horizon. If Barrett plays, fantasy managers should anticipate him being on a minutes restriction of some kind. Ochai Agbaji, who hasn’t been a fantasy asset when starting, will most likely take a hit once Barrett returns.

After playing just 11 minutes in Wednesday’s win over the Heat, Isaac was held out of Orlando’s win over the Nets on Friday. While the slender forward does offer fantasy upside when available, backing up Paolo Banchero isn’t the best place to be regarding playing time. If Isaac returns, Moritz Wagner could take a slight him in the minutes category, but he’ll remain in the rotation.

Williams still isn’t ready to make his season debut, meaning Nick Richards will remain in the starting lineup. He should be streamed until the Hornets clear Williams to play without restrictions.

Green played 18 minutes off the bench in his official Hornets debut on Friday night. With starter Cody Martin considered questionable for Saturday’s game, Tidjane Salaun or Nick Smith Jr. could be in line for rotation minutes. However, neither is worth the streaming risk on a 10-game night.

With Brandon Ingram (glute) sidelined, Curry started Friday’s loss to the Hawks and played 27 minutes. Should he not play against the Heat, Tre Mann can fill the void in the starting lineup. Given the role he’s asked to play off the bench, Mann has value regardless of what happens.

While Martin has started Charlotte’s first two games, the production hasn’t necessitated him being rostered in most fantasy leagues. With Josh Green already ruled out, the Hornets will be light on wing options if Martin cannot play.

Saturday’s game will be the Hornets’ second in as many nights as they lost to the Hawks on Friday. Ball’s landing on the injury report isn’t great, as an absence would leave a significant void in the starting lineup. Tre Mann and Vasa Micic would take on enhanced roles if LaMelo cannot play, with the former already having streaming value due to Brandon Ingram’s absence.