NBA Player News

While Sheppard returned to action on Thursday, he only played 16 minutes off the bench in Indiana’s win over the Suns. Fantasy managers should expect Sheppard to shoulder a similar workload if he’s available for Sunday night. That isn’t enough to justify rostering him in most fantasy leagues.

Booker has missed two straight, and a missed practice means his status for Wednesday’s tilt with Denver is up in the air. Allen sat out Monday, and he’s in danger of missing a second straight contest. Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal will handle the scoring load if Booker is sidelined, and players like Royce O’Neale and Ryan Dunn could pick up the slack for Allen.

Alvarado last played on November 11, but he’s nearing a return to action. We should get a better update on his status once he starts practicing again.

The hits don’t stop coming for Philly as the team loses another key rotation player to injury. In KJ’s absence, Caleb Martin should see increased run.

If Drummond is ruled out, expect Guerschon Yabusele to absorb his backup minutes behind Joel Embiid.

Williamson hasn’t played since November 6, and he’s appeared in only six games this season. With a 5-25 record and their playoff hopes dwindling, the Pels are unlikely to rush the injury-prone Williamson back.

Ingram was dubbed ‘out indefinitely’ as of December 8, so this update on his status at least gives us some sort of timeline for an eventual return. Expect Brandon Boston Jr. and Trey Murphy III (day-to-day with a left ankle injury) to continue seeing extended run in Ingram’s absence.

The third-year man appeared in 14 games for the Heat this season and posted career highs across the board. It’s a gut-wrenching injury for a player so close to earning a standard contract. Smith averaged just over 19 minutes per game for Miami, and that playing time could be absorbed in part by Pelle Larsson.

Just when it seemed like Father Time had won, LeBron answered back. He has been fantastic over their last two games and recorded his eighth triple-double of the season in this game. It wasn’t enough for them to get a win, and it was LeBron’s triple that came up just short at the end of the game. Still, fantasy managers have to be thrilled that James has gotten back to putting up dominant numbers. Any sort of buy-low period for him has been slammed shut with his recent performances. He’ll look to keep it going against the Warriors on Christmas Day.

AD’s scoring has been down over their last few games, but that hasn’t prevented him from making his mark in 9-cat leagues. He didn’t have a great night from the free throw line in this one, which resulted in him scoring less than 20 points for the second straight game and for the seventh time this season. Still, AD has been one of the best players in fantasy basketball this season, and a few subpar scoring nights won’t change that. He’ll look to get back on track in the scoring department against the Warriors on Christmas Day.

Lather, rinse, repeat. Once again, Beasley came off the bench, played 26 minutes, made five 3-pointers and had 21 points. The five rebounds and two steals only add to the fantasy value he’s providing. Beasley has to be rostered in more leagues where fantasy managers need points and threes because he continues to get them in bunches.