NBA Player News

According to coach Willie Green, “he’s hopeful that both can make their return against Phoenix.” Ingram has missed five straight games, and Jones has been sidelined since October 29. Their availability would be a huge boon to the injury-ravaged Pelicans lineup.

Hartenstein’s streak of games with at least 12 rebounds was snapped on Saturday, but he established a new season-high with 21 points. The Thunder center has been elite on the glass since returning from a broken hand, reaching double digits in eight of his ten games. Hartenstein currently provides top-75 per-game value in 8- and 9-cat formats, exceeding his Yahoo ADP (82). Oklahoma City plays three games in Week 8, beginning with Tuesday’s NBA Cup final against Milwaukee.

Of the six games he’s played in December, Williams has scored 20 or more in five. While he has gone 16-of-41 from the field in his last two games, the Thunder wing remains one of the best performers in fantasy basketball. While a 5th-round player in 8- and 9-cat formats over the past two weeks, JDub heads into Week 8 as a top-15 player in season-long value. Williams is one of the early fantasy basketball MVPs because his production in 9-cat formats has exceeded his Yahoo ADP (36) by two rounds.

SGA and the Thunder are headed to Tuesday’s NBA Cup championship game, as they pulled away in a rugged semifinal battle. Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t as efficient shooting the basketball as usual, but the overall stat line was excellent. Despite being harrassed by multiple Rockets defenders, the early MVP candidate recorded a complete stat line and only committed one turnover. Gilgeous-Alexander will look to do more of the same against Milwaukee on Tuesday, the first of three Week 8 games for Oklahoma City.

Adams sprained his ankle during the third quarter of Saturday’s game, with team trainers taking him back to the locker room for further evaluation. With the veteran center sidelined, the Rockets went small in the minutes played before Alperen Sengun returned to the floor. Jock Landale may enter the rotation if Adams misses time, but the Rockets’ ability to play small makes him a non-factor in fantasy basketball.

Smart’s potential absence may impact Scotty Pippen Jr. more than anyone else, as the Grizzlies’ backup point guard may play a few more minutes. However, neither Smart nor Pippen has much value outside of deep leagues, with Ja Morant and Desmond Bane available.

While Huff has remained in the rotation, especially in the aftermath of Zach Edey’s ankle injury, his influence on fantasy basketball has waned. Edey is also questionable for Sunday’s game, so Huff’s minutes will likely decrease if both are available.