NBA Player News

Friday’s game was the second in as many nights for the Hornets, resulting in LaMelo Ball sitting and Micic moving into the starting lineup. He played well against the team that selected him in the second round of the 2014- NBA Draft, leading the Hornets with 20 points on 50% shooting and dishing out four assists. The Hornets don’t play again until Monday, so fantasy managers can drop Micic to free up a roster spot for the final two days of Week 8.

Council IV’s spot in the rotation has been inconsistent, but he has scored in double figures in three of their last four games. Guerschon Yabusele and KJ Martin should take on a few extra minutes if he misses this game.

DFS missed their last game, which allowed Noah Clowney to slide into the starting unit. If Finney-Smith remains sidelined, Clowney should get another start, though he wasn’t very productive in Saturday’s loss. Jalen Wilson would also see a few extra minutes off the bench.

Saric was initially listed as doubtful, but there is now a chance that he returns to the lineup for the first time in a month. However, outside of a few spot starts, he hasn’t impacted fantasy basketball much this sesason. DeAndre Jordan may lose out on a few minutes, but that’s it.

Embiid sat out the second leg of the back-to-back on Saturday, which allowed Andre Drummond to start in his place. Embiid will be back for this matchup, which means that Drummond will return to a reserve role, and Guerschon Yabusele will lose out on some minutes.

Richardson will miss another game, but his continued absence won’t have an impact on the team’s rotation or fantasy basketball.

Love missed their last game, which allowed Kel’el Ware to produce eight points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 14 minutes off the bench. Love’s expected return will likely cut into Ware’s minutes, but that shouldn’t impact many fantasy leagues.

Butler missed their last game, which allowed Dru Smith to move into the starting unit. However, Terry Rozier ended up receiving the biggest fantasy boost, as he scored 23 points in 33 minutes. If Butler is back, Smith will return to a reserve role.

The injuries continue to pile up for Orlando. Wagner exited early from Saturday night’s game because of the knee injury, and he will be sidelined for the rest of the season. Goga Bitadze and Wendell Carter Jr. will fill out extra minutes at center, giving both of them a strong boost in fantasy value.

Lyles played for the first time in almost a month on Saturday, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he is ultimately ruled out for this game on the second night of a back-to-back. His minutes will be divided among the starters, so his absence won’t impact fantasy basketball.

Murray played through the ankle injury during the first night of the back-to-back, but if he is forced to sit this one out, Doug McDermott will likely replace him in the starting unit. He isn’t an appealing streaming option, but on a day with only three games, he may end up being worth the risk if Murray doesn’t play.