NBA Player News

Tate will be back after a one-game absence, but he isn’t a player that impacts fantasy basketball. He may see a few extra minutes with Amen Thompson suspended, but he should be left on the waiver wire.

Jeffries was held out of Friday’s loss to the Pistons, and when healthy, he’s offered minimal value in a reserve role. His status for Sunday’s game does not impact fantasy basketball.

Miller has missed six of Charlotte’s last seven games with a sprained left ankle. Seth Curry has filled the void in the starting lineup, but the veteran guard has been ranked outside the top 200 in 9-cat formats over the past two weeks. Unless it’s an act of desperation, there isn’t much to gain from streaming Curry if Miller remains out.

The probable tag suggests Green is on track to play against the Cavaliers. With Cleveland’s rotation including Donovan Mitchell, his defensive ability will be vital for the Hornets. Unfortunately, Green has not taken advantage of the absences of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, as he’s provided minimal offensive production.

Ball has missed the last three games with his various ailments and is listed as questionable for Sunday against the Cavaliers. Vasilije Micic would continue to start in his absence and be worth streaming in deeper formats, though the team and fantasy managers would be happy to have LaMelo back.

Initially doubtful for Saturday’s game, Oubre has officially been ruled out. Kyle Lowry should get another start, but there isn’t much to be gained from streaming the veteran point guard. Leave Lowry on the waiver wire.

Even with Jusuf Nurkic suspended, Ighodaro only played 17 minutes off the bench behind Mason Plumlee in Tuesday’s loss to the Grizzlies. Ighodaro doesn’t play enough to be fantasy relevant even if he’s available Saturday against the Pacers.

Banchero has been out since October 30 with a torn oblique muscle. The change to “return to competition conditioning” is a sign the All-Star forward is getting closer to a return to game action. Banchero won’t be ready on Sunday, but it appears fantasy managers won’t have to wait much longer for the Magic star to play.

Harris missed a month with a hamstring injury before returning for three games. Now he’s out again with the same injury. Harris isn’t being counted on for fantasy production this season. While his hamstring injury is concerning, it doesn’t significantly impact fantasy basketball.

Black has missed Orlando’s last three games, with his most recent action occurring on December 27. If he can play on Sunday, the second-year point guard will figure prominently in the rotation, as Jalen Suggs (back) is out. Cole Anthony and Cory Joseph should also be in the rotation, with the latter taking the more significant hit if Black plays.

Suggs was injured during Friday’s win over Toronto, requiring a wheelchair to return to the locker room. He’ll miss at least one game, leaving the Magic even more shorthanded than they already were. Cole Anthony and Cory Joseph will play more minutes, especially if Anthony Black remains sidelined. While Anthony struggles with inefficiency, Orlando’s lack of healthy perimeter bodies makes him worth the streaming risk.