NBA Player News

Miller injured his ankle early in the fourth quarter while attempting a layup as he stepped on the foot of 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele. His absence means more playing time for Isaiah Wong and Tidjane Salaun, neither of whom should be streamed in this spot. Miller played 31 minutes before the injury, finishing with 12 points (4-of-9 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), four rebounds, four assists, one block, and two 3-pointers.

After scoring 11 points in his first two appearances of the season, Middleton scored six on 2-of-9 shooting in the two games that followed. Accuracy remains an issue, but the Bucks forward was more active as a scorer on Friday. Middleton established season-highs in points and shot attempts as Milwaukee was without Damian Lillard (calf). With the Bucks hosting the Wizards on Saturday, fantasy managers with Middleton rostered should plan for him to sit that out.

With Damian Lillard (calf) out, Bucks coach Doc Rivers started Green instead of another point guard (Delon Wright). That approach backfired spectacularly, with Green struggling in 17 minutes on the court. Wright (two points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 17 minutes) started the third quarter, but the damage was done by then. Saturday’s matchup with the Wizards should be better for Milwaukee, whether Lillard plays or not.

Friday’s blowout win was a routine night at the office for the Cavaliers’ big men, with Mobley playing 27 minutes and Jarrett Allen (10 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals) playing 25. First-year head coach Kenny Atkinson vowed to unlock Mobley’s full potential, and that approach has made the fourth-year big a top-25 player in 9-cat formats. Meanwhile, Allen continues to provide top-50 value starting alongside Mobley. On Saturday, they’ll face a Joel Embiid-less 76ers squad to end Week 8.

For the first time this season, “the Strus was loose” on Friday. A fixture in the starting lineup last season, he came off the bench against the Bucks and fired up eight shots (all 3-pointers) in 19 minutes. Once he’s no longer restricted, Strus will be most valuable to category league managers needing points and 3-pointers. Plan for him to sit out Saturday’s game against the 76ers, as it may be too soon for Strus to play both games of back-to-backs.