NBA Player News

After scoring 18 points on 7-of-19 shooting in the three games prior, Black had his best offensive game of the season on Monday. The 20 points and nine assists were season-highs for the second-year guard, as were his three 3-pointers. Black’s issue has been inconsistency, which has prevented him from taking advantage of the additional opportunities that have come his way with Paolo Banchero sidelined. As an 11th-round player over the last two weeks, Black has only been worth the risk in extremely deep leagues.

After playing 22 minutes off the bench in his return to action on Monday, Bitadze logged 18 on Thursday despite being in the starting lineup. While nothing health-related occurred during the game, this is a reminder to stay patient with Goga as he works his way back. Wendell Carter Jr. played 25 minutes off the bench, finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Bitadze offers a higher fantasy ceiling, but the minutes split on Thursday may convince a few fantasy managers to hold onto Carter for now.

Wagner has scored 20 points or more in all four games he’s played since returning from a torn oblique muscle. Unfortunately, the production has been limited in categories outside of points and 3-pointers. Wagner has provided 11th-round value in 8-cat formats, and averages of 0.3 steals and 0.3 blocks have done him no favors. That said, Wagner doesn’t have much work to do to get back to where he was before the oblique injury, as evidenced by his being a top-25 player in 8-cat formats for the season.

Over the past two weeks, Banchero has been ranked well outside the top 250 in 8-cat formats, and the percentages have much to do with that. During this stretch, he’s shot 37.8% from the field and 55.6% from the foul line. While Banchero shot the ball relatively well from the field on Thursday, the 1-of-3 night from the charity stripe won’t help. He’ll look to finish Week 14 on a positive note when the Magic visit Utah on Saturday.

Sharpe got back on track Thursday night after scoring 17 points or less in five straight games. Since the calendar flipped to 2025, he’s scored 20 or more on seven occasions, and Shaedon has been a 12th-round player in 8-cat formats. His issue remains the same: limited production outside of points and 3-pointers. The hope for fantasy managers is that Sharpe can become a more impactful defender between now and the end of the season. He shouldn’t lack opportunities to prove to Portland that he can be a factor on that end of the floor.

Portland played Thursday’s game without Jerami Grant, who was sidelined with a sore right ankle. Henderson played well in his place, recording a quality stat line and doing so efficiently. Rostered in 42% of Yahoo leagues, Scoot has provided 6th-round value in 8-cat formats over the past two weeks. Given how Portland has approached rebuilding seasons in the past, Henderson will remain a prominent figure within the rotation, primarily as more experienced players are held out for “injury management” reasons.

Ayton had an excellent night in Portland’s 29-point rout of Orlando, only missing two of his 12 shots from the field. Unfortunately, his double-double streak ended at three games, but the minutes remain high for Portland’s starting center. Donovan Clingan was limited to eight minutes due to foul trouble, but he remains the one to watch as the trade deadline approaches. If Portland moves Ayton or (more likely, based on recent rumors) Robert Williams, Clingan will have added importance for the rest of the season.

Kennard entered the starting lineup on Thursday due to Ja Morant’s sore right shoulder, and he gave the Grizzlies good minutes against the Rockets. Kennard was one blocked shot shy of a complete stat line, and he’s had added fantasy value regardless of Morant’s availability. Over the past two weeks, Luke has provided 5th-round value in 8-cat formats. Only rostered in 12% of Yahoo leagues, Kennard is worth rostering in deep leagues, especially for managers needing 3-pointers.

Jackson had to play through some foul trouble on Thursday, but he made the two biggest shots of the night. His free throws with just under nine seconds remaining capped Memphis’ rally, giving the Grizzlies their first win over Houston in four meetings. A top-50 player in 8-cat formats over the past two weeks, Jackson’s season-long value exceeds his Yahoo ADP (38). The Grizzlies end Week 14 with a game against the Bucks on Sunday.

The Grizzlies were without Ja Morant on Thursday. He’s day-to-day with a shoulder injury suffered during Wednesday’s practice. That shifted Bane to the point, and his final stat line included a double-double and six assists. Over the past two weeks, the Grizzlies guard has been a top-25 player in 8-cat formats. As a result of this run, Bane’s season-long production now aligns with his Yahoo ADP (44).

Adams started Thursday’s game for Alperen Sengun, who sat out with a left calf contusion. The veteran pivot did what was expected, recording a double-double and dishing out a few assists in 23 minutes against his former team. While Jock Landale did play 16 minutes off the bench, the Rockets were also willing to go small at times. Tari Eason (13 points, 12 rebounds, and one 3-pointer in 29 minutes) had much to do with that, thanks to his ability to attack the glass on both ends. If Sengun remains out, Adams and Eason will have increased fantasy value.