NBA Player News

Both guys missed Monday’s game, though Love has yet to play at all this season. Josh Richardson and Alec Burks should once again soak up the reserve minutes on the wing, while Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson will fill out some of the frontcourt minutes. Larsson is coming off playing 25 minutes in their last game, though he has largely been stuck on the bench this season.

According to the Hornets, Ball injured his calf during the final sequence of Wednesday’s loss to the Heat. With Tre Mann also out, Vasilije Micic and Seth Curry should play more on Friday. Micic is worth a look in deep leagues where there’s a need for assists, but Ball’s absence leaves a massive hole in the Hornets’ rotation.

Kolek will be available for Friday’s Emirates NBA Cup matinee, but this does not guarantee rotation minutes. With Miles McBride available, Kolek’s chances of being in the rotation are slim.

Love experienced back spasms during Tuesday’s loss to the Bucks and did not play in Wednesday’s win over Charlotte. Rookie Kel’El Ware played rotation minutes in Love’s absence, but he isn’t in a position where he can provide reliable fantasy value.

Robinson is considered probable for Friday’s game, so fantasy managers should expect to see him on the court. Ranked outside the top 150 in 9-cat formats over the last two weeks, Robinson’s season-long value is outside the top 200. Other than a dire need for 3-pointers, there isn’t much need to roster him.

Brown’s continued absence will not impact fantasy basketball, as he has not appeared in a game this season. It’s unknown when he’ll be available to play, but Brown reaching the conditioning part of the process is a positive sign after he underwent offseason knee surgery.

Dick is set to miss a third consecutive contest with his lingering calf injury. Ja’Kobe Walter could be in for another spot start on Friday after notching a double-double against the New Orleans Pelicans

Rozier was hardly effective against the Hornets on Wednesday but will give it another go against Toronto ahead of the weekend . The Heat guard’s meaningful counting stats have dipped since last season and he’ll look to bounce back against another struggling Eastern Conference squad ahead of the weekend.

It appears like Butler is good to go despite his back tightness. The Heat forward was underwhelming against the Hornets his last time out and will need to be a major contributor to keep Miami afloat. A day of rest could help him get back on track for a productive stat line ahead of the weekend.

After hitting double figures in assists once in his first 13 games, Jones has done so in three of his last five. The assists and lack of turnovers are why he’s ranked safely within the top 100, threatening top-75 value in the aftermath of Wednesday’s performance.

Booker has scored 31 points or more in three of his last five games and has been a 4th-round player in 9-cat formats over the previous two weeks. His season-long value is a bit better, and the most significant concern is the health of sidekicks Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant. As expected, the Suns have struggled when forced to play without one or two members of its “big three.” Booker and Co. will look to end Week 6 on a high when they face the Warriors on Saturday.