NBA Player News

The Rockets have rewarded Williams, who was on a two-way contract, with a standard deal that guarantees his salary for the rest of the 2024-25 season. He’s played most of his minutes with Houston’s G League affiliate, averaging 19 points per game. To free up a roster spot for Williams, the Rockets waived Zeller, acquired from the Hawks at the trade deadline. Zeller has yet to play in a game this season.

While Castle did not record any defensive stats in Saturday’s overtime defeat, his work on that end of the floor helped limit Jamal Murray to 15 points. And the second-year guard had a good day offensively, as he scored 20 points on 50 percent shooting and dished out nine assists. While Castle’s season-long fantasy value has been low, he has been an improved option for category league managers since the All-Star break.

Wembanyama posted a massive stat line on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough to lead the Spurs to a win in Denver. The overtime defeat does not officially end San Antonio’s chances of catching Oklahoma City, but they now trail the Thunder by four games in the loss column. Wembanyama shot the ball well from the field and the foul line on Saturday, and he has corralled 18 rebounds in consecutive games. Add in the assists and blocks, and the MVP candidate likely helped some fantasy managers win their championship week matchups.

For the second time in four games, Murray reached double figures in assists. He didn’t do as much scoring on Saturday, which is a credit to San Antonio’s Stephon Castle, but the Nuggets’ offensive balance carried the day in their overtime victory. All five starters scored at least 15 points on the day. Murray and the Nuggets play four games in Week 24, starting with the Trail Blazers on Monday.

Johnson has now made multiple three-pointers in seven consecutive games, providing the consistent production in that category that was absent for significant stretches earlier this season. Better late than never for those who stuck with the Nuggets wing throughout this season. For those whose leagues run through the end of the regular season, Denver plays four games in Week 24, starting with the Trail Blazers on Monday.

Braun’s points tally has increased in each of his last four games. Saturday’s effort was his first of 20 points or more since March 18, when the Nuggets’ guard dropped 26 in a loss to the Grizzlies. Braun did more than score against the Spurs, recording a complete stat line in 39 minutes of play. These are the kind of all-around performances that Denver will need from Braun moving forward, even if he doesn’t surpass 20 points consistently.

If Saturday’s overtime thriller was a harbinger of what’s to come in the playoffs, NBA fans are in for a great spring. Jokić outdueled Victor Wembanyama in a matchup of two of the candidates for league MVP, with the three-time winner of the award finishing two boards shy of a triple-double. The Joker shot 52 percent from the field and did not commit a turnover in the Nuggets’ final game of Week 23. Fantasy managers rostering Jokić may have received a league-winning performance on Saturday.

The 76ers have made two changes to their starting lineup, one caused by Joel Embiid (oblique) being out. He’s been replaced by Drummond instead of Adem Bona, while Oubre has replaced Dominick Barlow in the starting five.

George was initially probable, so the status upgrade was expected. With Joel Embiid sitting, the Pistons should run more of their offense through George and Tyrese Maxey.