NBA Player News

Since returning from a two-game absence with a hamstring issue, Murray has been on a tear. He has been playing some of his best basketball of the season and has averaged 24.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.3 steals and 3.0 triples per game while shooting 45.9% from the line during the last three games. That is a 3% improvement on his season-long field goal percentage while taking four extra shots per game, which has resulted in some excellent nights. He’ll look to carry this production into New Orleans to wrap up the week on Sunday.

Friday’s game was disappointing for the Wizards, who were competitive during the first half before getting run out of the United Center. But Coulibaly did make some history, becoming the fourth player in Wizards history to record at least 100 steals in his first 100 games with the franchise. Rostered in 43% of Yahoo leagues, he’s providing 11th-round value in 9-cat formats for the season. That isn’t great value, but Coulibaly’s place within the rotation makes him worth rostering in some standard leagues.

After sitting out Wednesday’s loss to Philadelphia, Sarr was back in the Wizards’ lineup on Friday. While the rookie struggled offensively, he did record his second double-double in three games (and fifth of the season). At times, the field goal percentage has been an issue for Sarr, but the rookie has progressed on both ends of the floor. He’ll continue to play starters’ minutes as the Wizards look to get their rebuild headed in the right direction.

Friday’s game was competitive until halftime, as the Bulls pulled away during the third and fourth quarters to win by 33. Poole was excellent in the first half, hitting five 3-pointers and scoring 17 points after missing three games with a left hip contusion. Kyshawn George, who dropped to the bench with Poole back in the lineup, finished with 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, one block, and four 3-pointers in 26 minutes. George will have added value later in the season, especially after the trade deadline, so keep him on your radar.

Due to the ongoing wildfires, both games the Hornets were supposed to play in Los Angeles County have been postponed. Charlotte was supposed to visit the Lakers on Thursday. The Hornets’ next game will be played on Sunday in Phoenix. As for the Clippers, Saturday’s game was supposed to be their first at home after beginning the week with road games against Minnesota and Dallas. The Clippers are scheduled to host Miami on Monday, but that contest may be doubtful due to the natural disaster.

Saturday’s game is the second straight involving the Lakers that has been postponed, as Thursday’s matchup with Charlotte met a similar fate. The league has not decided when those games will be rescheduled. The Lakers and Spurs are scheduled to play each other again on Monday at Crypto.com Arena.

Simmons was back in the Nets’ lineup after missing four games due to lower back injury management. The inconsistent availability and playing time are undoubtedly concerns for fantasy managers and why he remains rostered in just 19% of Yahoo leagues. Simmons can still provide value, especially in the assists category, as long as D’Angelo Russell (shin) remains out. But he isn’t worth the risk in most leagues.

Martin isn’t on the radar of many fantasy leagues, but injuries have given the former second-round pick opportunities to show what he can do. He’s reached double figures in four straight games, and Friday’s point total (19) was the highest for Martin since he dropped a career-high 30 on the Warriors on November 27. Brooklyn continues its road trip on Sunday in Utah. That may be a matchup in which deep-league managers consider targeting Martin even if nights like Friday have not been the norm for him.

Claxton once again offered limited offensive value, but fantasy managers will be pleased with the defensive stats. The five defensive contributions were the most in a game for the Nets center since December 8, when he tallied three steals and two blocks against the Bucks. In FT%-punt models, Claxton has finally cracked the top 100. We’ll see if he can be any better moving forward, but Claxton’s production this season hasn’t been what many fantasy managers expected during draft season.

While Johnson has been a fixture in the starting lineup since the beginning of December, this has not resulted in a significant increase in production. Over the past month, he has been ranked just outside the top 200 in 9-cat formats. However, due to Brooklyn’s many injuries, the reward of rostering Johnson in deep leagues outweighs the risk. And occasionally, deep-league managers will be rewarded with a stat line like the one he recorded on Friday. The 22 points were three shy of his season-high. Shooting efficiency aside, Johnson is worth rostering when Cameron Johnson, Cam Thomas, and D’Angelo Russell remain out.

Between Nikola Jokic’s consistent excellence and Russell Westbrook’s revival, Porter’s progress may be overlooked in some circles. He recorded a complete stat line on Friday and has been a valuable player to have rostered in fantasy leagues. Over the past two weeks, Porter has been a top-40 player in 9-cat formats, providing 6th-round value for the season. He’ll look to end Week 11 on a high when the Nuggets visit Dallas on Sunday.