NBA Player News

Entering this game, Giddey had been going through a rough patch. He went scoreless in Portland on Sunday, and he had gone four straight games with less than 10 points. However, with both Ayo Dosunmu (calf) and Coby White (ankle) sidelined, Giddey was able to get back on track. He had his highest-scoring game since December and fell one assist shy of a triple-double. This was one of his best games of the season and was encouraging after his last few games. He’ll look to keep it going in Golden State on Thursday.

Powell only played six minutes on Sunday, as a third-quarter collision with teammate Kessler Edwards ended his day. Powell received seven stitches to close a gash on his forehead and did not return. While Edwards suffered a cut over his left eye, he was able to return to Sunday’s game during the fourth quarter. Dallas finished Sunday’s loss with seven available players and may have similar issues for Monday’s game against the Spurs, as Dante Exum and Caleb Martin are under minutes restrictions due to their recent injuries.

Maxey has missed Philadelphia’s last three games with a lower back sprain and has also been dealing with a lingering finger injury. However, a return to the court may not be far away, as the 76ers guard went through an on-court workout before Sunday’s win over the Jazz. Justin Edwards will likely head to the bench if Maxey can play in Atlanta.

Injured during Saturday’s win over the Pelicans, Thompson will miss multiple games with a sprained ankle. The severity of the injury remains unknown, but the Rockets will be without their second-year guard for Week 19 (Yahoo! leagues) at a minimum. Fred VanVleet (ankle) is questionable for Monday’s game against the Magic and would help fill the void if cleared to play. However, if he’s unable to return, the Rockets will need to rely more on Aaron Holiday.

For the second time in his career, Leonard made a legitimate buzzer-beater to give his team the win. However, three-point shooting remains an issue for the Clippers forward. Leonard shot 1-of-7 from beyond the arc on Sunday, dropping to 3-of-19 over his last three games. Due to the perimeter shooting struggles, he has made just 38.6 percent of his field goal attempts over the past week. Fantasy managers hope Sunday’s finish will serve as a catalyst for Leonard as the Clippers open a four-game Week 19 in New Orleans on Tuesday.

Harden has scored 20 points or more in four straight games, his longest streak since late November. The Beard has provided excellent fantasy value since the All-Star break in eight-cat formats, ranking 13th according to Basketball Monster. While the turnover count can be problematic for fantasy managers competing in nine-cat leagues, Harden’s overall production compensates for that on most nights.

Zubac last failed to record a double-double on February 23, extending his streak to eight straight games. Since the All-Star break, the Clippers center has provided top-25 value in nine-cat formats. Zubac has exceeded all expectations regarding fantasy basketball, and there’s no reason to believe that won’t continue. The Clippers play four games during Week 19, but the fantasy playoff schedule leaves a bit to be desired.

Valanciunas had a difficult night shooting the basketball, but there was still some value in his stat line. The 17 rebounds are the most he’s had in a game since his final appearance for the Wizards on February 3, and the veteran center has hit double figures in that category in four of his last five. Add the seven assists, and all wasn’t lost for those who have Valanciunas. Rostered in 84 percent of Yahoo! leagues, he should be rostered in most leagues until Domantas Sabonis returns from his hamstring injury.

While Murray’s offensive output has been modest on most nights, he has hit double figures in seven of the eight games he’s appeared in since the All-Star break. The combination of consistent scoring and solid percentages is why Murray has been ranked just outside the top 50 in nine-cat formats since the break. Even with Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk out due to injury, Murray’s fantasy ceiling is limited, with DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine dominating the shots. However, he can still provide solid value, as evidenced by his production since the All-Star break.

DeRozan hit multiple key shots down the stretch on Sunday. The bad news for the Kings is that he didn’t have the ball in his hands last. Kawhi Leonard did, and his left-handed shot as time expired gave the Clippers the win. DeRozan has scored 30 points or more on 11 occasions this season, three shy of his 2023-24 total, continuing to provide reliable fantasy value in eight- and nine-cat formats. The good news for managers whose playoffs begin during Week 20 is that the Kings play 12 games during weeks 20-22. As for Week 19, Sacramento plays three, starting with the Knicks on Monday.

LaVine has scored 20 points or more in six straight games and at least 30 in two straight. On Sunday, he scored an efficient 30 points, shooting over 50 percent from the field. And Sunday’s performance could have been even better for LaVine, who was just 1-of-7 from beyond the arc. Since the All-Star break, LaVine has been close to a top-25 player in eight-cat formats, shooting nearly 58 percent from the field. LaVine has fit in well with his new teammates, to the delight of those who have him rostered.