NBA Player News

Sabonis sprained his right ankle during Monday’s win over the Grizzlies. Already ruled out for Wednesday’s game against the Cavaliers, the Kings center will reportedly sit for at least 10 days. With the Kings fighting for playoff positioning in the West, this is a significant blow to the team’s hopes of making a run at a top-six seed. As for fantasy basketball, Sabonis’ absence means Jonas Valanciunas will take over the starting center job and should be rostered wherever he’s still available.

Giannis has been a fixture on the Bucks’ injury reports as of late, but it’s been for a knee issue. This latest injury is a new one, and it could keep Antetokounmpo on the sideline for the first time since the All-Star break. Milwaukee is already shorthanded in the frontcourt. If Giannis can’t go, Kyle Kuzma could shift to PF, and Gary Trent Jr. could enter the starting lineup.

The Warriors remain without Stephen Curry (pelvis), but it will not be Quinten Post who replaces him in the starting lineup. Payton II receives the nod, with Green shifting into the starting center role. Payton will likely match up with Tyler Herro, giving the Warriors a defensive boost on the perimeter.

The Heat are without Duncan Robinson (back) for Tuesday’s game, opening up a spot in the starting lineup. Burks will fill the void, but he is a risky deep-league streaming option on most nights. Managers in dire need of three-pointers can roll the dice, but it may be best to seek options from other teams.

Wednesday’s game will be Lillard’s fourth missed game with a strained right calf. Ryan Rollins has been his replacement in the starting lineup, and that should remain the case in Denver. However, Gary Trent Jr. is the superior choice for fantasy managers seeking a streamer with Lillard unavailable. Trent has scored in double figures in seven straight games.

Gordon sat out Monday’s matchup with Chicago, but he’s got a chance to return after a one-game absence. If Gordon is sidelined, Peyton Watson could be in line for additional playing time. Watson scored a career-high 24 points on Monday with Gordon out.

While Braun continues to appear on the Nuggets’ injury report with a strained left foot, he has played in the team’s last four contests. Look for that to be the case on Wednesday, and the third-year wing is worth rostering in 12-team (and some 10-team) leagues, given how well he has performed this season.

Jokic is headed for a sixth straight absence, which should mean another start for DeAndre Jordan. Jordan has started two straight games, with healthy averages of 10.5 points, 16 rebounds and 5.5 assists across 34.5 minutes. The veteran big should be streamed in leagues of all sizes if Joker is ultimately ruled out again.

Hardaway is back after a one-game absence. His return means Malik Beasley will head back to the bench, where his fantasy value takes a slight hit. However, Beasley has been productive enough to merit being rostered in some 12-team leagues.

Cunningham will miss a second straight game with a left calf contusion. His absence means Dennis Schroder will take over the starting point guard job, with Marcus Sasser as his backup. While Sasser had one of his best games of the season in Sunday’s win over the Pelicans, Schroder remains the safer streaming option with Cunningham unavailable.

Regarding Young’s Achilles tendon issue, fantasy managers know the drill by now. He’s officially available to play after being listed as probable on the initial injury report. He will once again log starters’ minutes, looking to record his fifth points/assists double-double in seven games.