NBA Player News

Ball has been dealing with a sore right wrist, and it’s fair to wonder if the shot volume has anything to do with it. He put up 35 more shots on Wednesday, surpassing the 30-point mark for the fourth straight game. Given Charlotte’s lack of scorers, Ball will put up many shots, and fantasy managers will take a hit in the field goal percentage category (and turnovers). He’ll make up for that with high numbers in points, rebounds, and assists.

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.

Bradley Beal wasn’t the only Suns player to suffer an ankle injury during Wednesday’s game. Durant twisted his right ankle when Ben Simmons inadvertently kicked him late in the fourth quarter. He remained in the game and could move freely, but don’t be surprised if Durant is on the injury report ahead of Saturday’s game against the Warriors.

A night that began with the good news of Beal playing both games of a back-to-back so soon after his calf injury ended on a sour note. He sprained his left ankle during the fourth quarter and did not return. Phoenix doesn’t play again until Saturday; maybe the extra day helps Beal recover from his most recent injury. But if he misses time, Ryan Dunn will be back on the streaming radar.

With Cam Thomas (hamstring) out at least three weeks, Williams may have room to establish himself within the Nets rotation. However, Wednesday’s stat line and 24 minutes weren’t great, so this is a spot where fantasy managers should consider him for watch lists and nothing more. Keon Johnson and Shake Milton played 20 and 21 minutes off the bench, respectively, and that playing time split may neutralize all three regarding streaming value.

Finney-Smith returned after missing two games and played 32 minutes. He didn’t offer much beyond the 3-pointers, but that was fine as others caught fire in Phoenix. At best, Finney-Smith is a deep-league option, but there’s a reason he’s only rostered in 10% of Yahoo leagues. Even with the Nets’ many injuries, there isn’t much to gain from adding Finney-Smith.

Given Brooklyn’s many injuries, Schroder is well-positioned to put up some gaudy point totals. One game removed from scoring 31 in a win over the Warriors, he put up 29 more on Wednesday. Rostered in 77% of Yahoo leagues, Schroder is ranked just outside the top 50 in 8- and 9-cat formats. Shallow-league managers should strongly consider adding Schroder.

What a night for Martin, whose previous career-high was six points. He came out firing and did not stop until he’d hit the 30-point mark, and the Nets were headed home with their third straight win on the road. Fantasy managers should not expect Martin to continue on this path, but Brooklyn’s many injuries have opened the door for others to step up. Trendon Watford (18 points, two rebounds, three assists, and two 3-pointers in 21 minutes) is a more reliable streaming option.

Kuminga got the start on Wednesday after missing two games with an illness. He wasn’t efficient on the offensive end as he had 19 points on 21 shots and dished out two assists. Kuminga is rostered in most fantasy leagues, but given his production, he’s just a deep-league option at best.

Hield only played 23 minutes off the bench even with Stephen Curry out Wednesday, but he got back on track shooting in this one. He knocked down 5-of-8 shots from behind the 3-point line and nailed both of his free throw attempts. If you’re looking for points and threes, Hield has some value, but he’s only going to play about 20 minutes per game and doesn’t add much in other categories.