NBA Player News

Williams hasn’t been much of a fantasy asset in recent years, so solid nights like Saturday can be frustrating. He only played 22 minutes against the Celtics, as the Bulls continue to manage Williams’ workload for health reasons. The issue for the few fantasy managers who have him rostered: will there be a point when he plays starters’ minutes? Chicago also has Matas Buzelis (nine points, one rebound, two assists, one block, and one 3-pointer in 20 minutes), and the rookie will need his minutes as well. Fantasy managers should hold off on adding Williams after Saturday’s performance.

Harris has been out for nearly a month, and his availability doesn’t impact fantasy hoops. Fantasy managers should, however, keep a close eye on the status of Jalen Suggs.

Bane’s late addition to the injury report suggests he’s on the wrong side of questionable to face Los Angeles. If he’s ultimately ruled out, expect Scotty Pippen Jr., Jake LaRavia and Luke Kennard to see increased run.

Collins is unlikely to take the court against a big Cleveland frontcourt, which means Walker Kessler could slide into the starting lineup in his place. Kyle Filipowski is likely to see increased run as a result.

Missi couldn’t prevent Nikola Jokic from recording another triple-double, but the Pelicans’ rookie center acquitted himself well on Sunday. The 21 points were two shy of his season-high, and the 7-footer has grabbed at least nine rebounds in five of his last six outings. New Orleans’ two-game Week 9 isn’t good from a value standpoint, but Missi may be a rare player worth adding despite the poor schedule. He’s rostered in just 40% of Yahoo leagues, and it isn’t like the Pelicans are loaded with alternatives at the center position.

After shooting 5-of-15 from the field in his first two games after missing eight games with a back injury, Hawkins got untracked on Sunday. The 25 points and five 3-pointers are season-highs for the second-year guard, who may have added importance depending on Trey Murphy’s (ankle) status. New Orleans doesn’t play again until Thursday, which may be enough time for Murphy after going down during the third quarter on Sunday’s loss. Fantasy managers don’t have to add Hawkins immediately due to the Pelicans’ upcoming schedule, but put him on your watchlists.

Murray finished Sunday’s overtime defeat one rebound shy of a triple-double, which would have been his first since the penultimate game of the 2023-24 campaign. The Pelicans point guard has improved his production recently, providing top 30 per-game value in 8-cat formats over the past three weeks. It would benefit Murray if the Pelicans could get healthy, but they lost Trey Murphy to an ankle injury during Sunday’s game. New Orleans’ two-game Week 9 isn’t good for fantasy managers, but this banged-up squad can use the time off.

From a playmaking standpoint, Sunday’s performance was McCollum’s best of the season. He dished out a season-high nine assists while committing two turnovers, with the former number more than double his season average (4.2 apg). McCollum’s fantasy ceiling has been limited due partially to the inconsistent assist production, but the floor is relatively safe. More nights like Sunday can help change that. The Pelicans are off until Thursday and only play two games in Week 9.

After enduring a stretch of seven consecutive games of ten points or less, Westbrook has picked up the offensive production. He’s scored 18, 19, and 21 points in Denver’s last three games, providing 5th-round value in 9-cat formats over the past week. While fantasy managers are well within their right to be a little skeptical of Westbrook’s recent play, the state of Denver’s rotation puts him in a position to provide value off the bench. He is ranked just outside the top 100 in 8-cat formats and rostered in 55% of Yahoo leagues.

Since returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for two games, Murray has scored 20 points or more in four straight. His workload was just as impressive as the final stat line on Sunday, with Murray surpassing 40 minutes for the third time this season. However, the second such game preceded that two-game absence earlier this month. Murray and the Nuggets host the Suns on Monday, the first of four games they’ll play in Week 9 (which includes another back-to-back).

The Joker finished Sunday’s overtime victory with his 11th triple-double of the season and second in three games. Jokic “only” being a top-5 player in 8- and 9-cat formats over the past three weeks represents minor slippage, indicating how elite he has been this season. The Joker heads into Week 9 atop the rankings in 8- and 9-cat formats, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon. Denver plays four games in Week 9, beginning with the Suns on Monday.