NBA Player News

Williams has been out since February 12 with a case of right quad tendinitis, receiving a PRP injection on February 20. The Bulls end their Week 18 schedule with games in Orlando (Thursday) and Miami (Saturday), and the hope is Williams will be available then. Matas Buzelis has been a starter since February 5, and Williams’ availability is not likely to change that.

Banchero kept up his hot scoring in this one, delivering a game-high point total while shooting an efficient 13-of-24 from the floor. Over his first 16 games post All-Star break, Banchero averaged 29.6 points. He’s now scored at least 30 points in four straight and six of seven games, making him one of the most productive offensive players in the NBA right now. He’ll look to stay hot in Thursday’s juicy home matchup with the shorthanded Mavericks.

Tuesday’s game will be the seventh that Williams has missed with a strained right hip, while Wiggins played 26 minutes off the bench in Sunday’s win over the Clippers. The absences free up additional minutes for Alex Caruso and Isaiah Joe, but Chet Holmgren can also absorb some of the minutes that would have gone to J-Dub and Wiggins.

Hauser was held out of Monday’s win over the Kings, which led to Baylor Scheierman remaining in the Celtics’ rotation. With Hauser available, Scheierman’s minutes will likely decrease. The rookie has not been worth rostering in fantasy leagues, so nothing changes in that regard.

Initially diagnosed with a strained right calf, a deep vein thrombosis has reportedly developed. While blood-thinning medications have neutralized the blood clot, the Bucks guard will be out indefinitely and will continue to be tested regularly. From a fantasy standpoint, Lillard may not return in time to help managers who have relied on him for high-level production during the playoff weeks. While Ryan Rollins has been the replacement in the starting lineup, Gary Trent Jr. is the player who should be targeted on waiver wires.