NBA Player News

Nurkic will miss the second half of Phoenix’s back-to-back set, which means Oso Ighodaro could claim the starting center job Monday against the Magic. Ighodaro has averaged 8.5 points and 5.0 rebounds across 26.5 minutes over the Suns’ last two games, and the rookie could be in line for the most playing time of his young career in this one.

Booker has now scored at least 28 points in three straight games. The 28-year-old point guard also dished out 10 assists on his way to a double-double. It’s just his second game with at least 10 assists in February and the other was also an overtime game. He’s had at least eight assists in five straight games and six of his last seven games as he’s taken on a bigger playmaking role with Bradley Beal replacing Tyus Jones in the starting lineup.

Durant was excellent in a game the Suns probably should’ve won if not for a Ja Morant bucket at the end of regulation that sent the game into overtime. The 36-year-old small forward was just two rebounds and three assists shy of a triple-double. Durant has provided top-10 fantasy value over the past month.

Jackson Jr. was incredibly efficient on the offensive end in this one. He had 28 points on 11-of-13 shooting from the field including a 3-of-3 performance from behind the 3-point line. The 25-year-old power forward also contributed on defense with a steal and two blocks. Jackson Jr. was perhaps due for a game like this as he hadn’t had more than 22 points in any of his last six games entering play Tuesday.

Bane played a team-high 43 minutes in the overtime win over the Suns Tuesday. The 26-year-old shooting guard bounced back in a big way after a 2-of-13 performance against the Cavaliers on Sunday. Bane had at least seven assists for the third time in his last four games. He’s provided top-20 fantasy vale over the last two months after a slow start to the season.

Morant came up huge as he drove the lane, hung in the air and drained a shot to tie the game with the clock winding down at the end of regulation. In total, it was a 7-of-25 performance from the field for the 25-year-old point guard, but Morant came through at the foul line sinking all 14 of his free throw attempts. He’s only had at least 10 assists twice in February and is yet to have a 30-point game this month as the Grizzlies seem to get even contributions from their key players, making it difficult for Morant to have massive games with regularity.

Biyombo recorded his second double-double in as many games on Tuesday, with the 12 rebounds being a season-high for the veteran center. While he’s been more productive than any of the Spurs’ other available options with Victor Wembanyama done for the season, Biyombo is on his second 10-day contract. Rostered in 15 percent of Yahoo! leagues, he offers superior streaming value to Sandro Mamukelashvili (two points, one rebound, one assist, one steal and one block in 12 minutes) or Charles Bassey, who did not play due to a knee injury. However, fantasy managers would be better served to look for Jeremy Sochan (12 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 19 minutes; 42 percent rostered) on their waiver wire before adding Biyombo.

Fantasy managers who have Fox rostered will be pleased with the assists and steals, with the six pilfers matching his career-high (living up to the “Swipa” nickname). Unfortunately, efficiency was a problem, as Fox shot 6-of-21 from the field and committed six turnovers. He has averaged 2.8 turnovers per game since making his Spurs debut, so this category has not been a significant issue for Fox. He has provided top-30 value in eight-cat formats as a Spur, not too far removed from his season-long production (top-25).

Vassell’s struggles have been well-documented, with the Spurs guard ranked just inside the top 200 in eight-cat formats over the past month. Not only has the scoring been down (13.8 ppg), but he’s only shot 39.1 percent from the field. Vassell didn’t have a great night shooting the ball, but he finished with 20 points after going five straight with 13 or less. With Victor Wembanyama done for the season, many fantasy managers hoped the injury would catalyze Vassell. Unfortunately, that has not been the case, but Tuesday’s stat line helps.

After sitting out Saturday’s loss to the Jazz, Eason returned to the starting lineup, pushing Jabari Smith Jr. to the bench. The third-year forward had another productive night, recording a complete stat line. However, availability is why Eason is only rostered in 40 percent of Yahoo leagues, not production. Smith, rostered in 74 percent of Yahoo leagues, finished Tuesday’s win with 13 points, eight rebounds and one three-pointer in 33 minutes. With the Rockets hosting the Spurs on Wednesday, Smith should return to the starting lineup as Eason is not playing both games of back-to-backs.

After failing to crack double figures in three straight games, Brooks’ four three-pointers are the most he’s made since February 12 (four vs. Phoenix). The Rockets wing has made at least four on 12 occasions, but the offensive production hasn’t been good enough to merit being rostered outside of deep leagues. Also, with Fred VanVleet getting close to a return from his ankle injury, they Rockets lineup will have a different look soon. We’ll see how Brooks is impacted by that, especially as Amen Thompson continues to shine (Tuesday’s ejection notwithstanding).