NBA Player News

Durant was outstanding on Monday, shooting 70% from the field and getting to his preferred spots at will. His biggest shot occurred with 24 seconds remaining, as KD’s layup gave Phoenix a two-point lead it would not relinquish. The 35 points were a season-high for Durant, who’s scored 30 or more in four of six games. The Suns play three more games in Week 3, beginning with the Heat on Wednesday.

While Hield shot the ball well on Friday, he only logged 19 minutes against the Suns. And the playing time is a concern for fantasy managers who hoped a return to the starting lineup would boost Hield’s value. He’s played 25 minutes or less in all six starts and hasn’t hit that number since Golden State’s January 22 loss to Sacramento. Moses Moody played 24 minutes off the bench and finished with 17 points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal, and four 3-pointers. Until Steve Kerr decides on a rotation around Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, it will be challenging to fully commit to most of the other Warriors.

Wiggins was one of two Warriors (Moses Moody) to lead the team with 17 points, but he was made to work hard for his opportunities. Wiggins shot 30% from the field, but the good news for fantasy managers is that he put up solid numbers in the rebound and assist categories. Wiggins has been an 8th-round player in 8-cat formats over the past two weeks, one round higher than his production for the season. He’s bounced back after a rough 2023-24 campaign, providing top-100 value in 8- and 9-cat formats.

While Curry’s fantasy value remains high, Friday night was not good for the Warriors star. He’s scored less than 15 points in three of his last five outings, and Curry is averaging 18.1 points per game over the past two weeks. Shooting 39.5% from the field, he’s only been a top-75 player in 8-cat formats during this stretch. With the Warriors now 24-24 heading into Week 15, which begins with a home game against Orlando on Monday, it’s fair to question if the front office will look to shake things up around Curry ahead of the February 6 trade deadline.

Beal’s performance on Friday is what the Suns are looking for as he takes on the sixth-man role. While he did commit five turnovers, the overall stat line was solid for the 13th-year pro. The 21 points are the most Beal has scored in a game since January 9 against the Hawks, when he scored 25 off the bench. Over the past three weeks, he has offered 11th-round value in 8-cat formats. While many expected Beal’s numbers to take a hit once he moved to the bench, there was hope he could continue to provide reliable value. He certainly can’t be dropped, but this may be a “buy low” opportunity for fantasy managers willing to take a risk.

Richards has hit double figures in rebounds four times since being traded to Phoenix, recording a double-double in three. While the 11th-round value in 8-cat formats since the move hasn’t been great, that has more to do with Richards’ limited defensive production than anything else. Managers looking for rebounding and a high field goal percentage should add the Suns center, who’s rostered in 42% of Yahoo leagues.

The Suns are now 24-13 with Durant in the lineup this season and 1-9 without. He didn’t have his best night shooting the basketball, but the future Hall of Fame forward did record a complete stat line in the Suns’ comfortable victory. Over the past two weeks, Durant has offered top-10 value in 8- and 9-cat formats, aligning with his season value. KD and the Suns, who have won nine of their last 12, will look to end Week 14 on a high note when they visit Portland on Saturday.

Booker and the Suns handled their business in San Francisco, winning all four quarters. Booker led the way offensively, recording his second 30-point double-double of the season (January 7 vs. Charlotte). If there’s been an issue recently for the Suns guard, it’s been turnovers. He only had two on Friday, but Booker’s averaged nearly four per game over the past two weeks. A top-50 player in 8-cat formats during that stretch, Booker is ranked just inside the top 75 in 9-cat. Phoenix ends its Week 14 slate in Portland on Saturday.

Green has missed Golden State’s last seven games with a strained left calf, but he’s progressing in his recovery. Recently, he’s been able to work out with coaches and some teammates, and he’s expected to practice on Saturday. If Green continues progressing, he could return to game action sometime next week. After Monday’s game against Orlando, the Warriors will embark on a seven-game road trip that wraps around the All-Star break.

Limited to 15 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks, Alvarado played 34 on Friday due to Dejounte Murray’s Achilles tendon injury. “Grand Theft Alvarado” started the second half, likely indicating that he’ll be in the starting lineup for the foreseeable future, with Murray reportedly done for the season. A 12th-round player in 8- and 9-cat formats, Alvarado is only rostered in 5% of Yahoo leagues. That percentage will increase substantially between now and New Orleans’ next game on Monday against the Nuggets.

McCollum had a tough night from beyond the arc, shooting 1-of-7 against the reigning champs. Over his last four games, the Pelicans guard has made seven of his 27 3-point attempts. McCollum remains a top 100 player in 8- and 9-cat formats, but there aren’t many spots between him and that threshold. New Orleans doesn’t play again during Week 14 and plays three games during Week 15, beginning with the Nuggets on Monday.