NBA Player News

While Nuggets coach Michael Malone said he expects the three-time MVP to return at some point during the team’s homestand, that will not happen on Monday when the Bulls roll into town. Aaron Gordon has served as a small-ball center and this may continue, raising his fantasy ceiling. Russell Westbrook, who has moved into the starting lineup, is also receiving a boost to his fantasy value.

Before Saturday’s game, it was reported that Andre Drummond (toe) would miss at least another five games. That put him out of play for Week 22, which boosts Bona’s fantasy value. The rookie was very productive against the Heat, recording his second double-double and blocking three shots for the second straight game. Rostered in 12 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Bona has provided top 50 value in eight- and nine-cat formats over the past two weeks. With the 76ers playing four games during Week 22, now is the time to add Bona.

With Jeff Dowtin Jr. inactive for two-way contract reasons, Butler returned to the starting lineup on Saturday. His 10 assists were a season-high, and Jared has reached double figures in points in consecutive games for the first time in nearly three weeks. Dowtin can only be active for two more games this season; unless Philadelphia gives him a standard contract, Butler will have more opportunities to start. An 11th-round player in nine-cat formats over the past two weeks, he’s rostered in 18 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Larsson filled in admirably for the injured Andrew Wiggins, who is out with a hamstring injury. And with the veteran not traveling with the team for its three-game road trip, Larsson may have a few more opportunities to start in his future. His performance against the 76ers didn’t hurt Pelle’s chances, as he recorded a complete stat line and was excellent defensively. He isn’t rostered anywhere in Yahoo! leagues, but with the Heat playing three games during the first four days of Week 22, Larsson is worth a look in deeper formats.

Ware was one of Miami’s difference-makers on Saturday, recording a complete stat line in his 31 minutes on the floor. Over the past two weeks, the Heat rookie has provided top-50 value in eight- and nine-cat formats. Ware’s partnership with Bam Adebayo has been profitable for the first-round pick, as it has turned him into a player who should be rostered in most standard leagues. Adebayo finished Saturday’s victory with 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two three-pointers in 28 minutes.

Burks has started Miami’s last three games, hitting double figures in each contest. His performance on Saturday was arguably his best of the season, with the veteran guard recording his first 20-point stat line. However, Burks has only been a 12th-round player in nine-cat formats over the past week. Starting gives him a shot at achieving fantasy relevance, but Burks is not a must-add player, even with the Heat playing four games during Week 22.

Herro has scored 30 points or more in consecutive games for the first time since mid-January. The Heat guard has averaged 24.6 points per game on 58 percent shooting over the past two weeks, providing third-round value in eight-cat formats. Herro has been a third-round player in eight- and nine-cat formats for the season, exceeding his Yahoo! ADP (81) by a significant distance. The good news for Herro managers is that Miami plays four games during Week 22, starting with the Wizards on Monday.

The Wizards continue to limit Poole’s minutes. In a game Washington lost by just three points, the 25-year-old shooting guard played only 21 minutes. It was his seventh game in a row with less than 30 minutes played. This has become a nightmare for fantasy managers and not one they’re likely to wake up from before this season is over.

Johnson made a spot start for the injured Khris Middleton. Fantasy managers that used the 20-year-old shooting guard as a streamer in deeper formats have to be pleased with his effort. Johnson had 20 points on 14 shots including three made three-pointers. He played a team-high 42 minutes. It’s unclear if Johnson will have staying power as it depends on how Middleton recovers from his injury.

A sore left hip hastened Hartenstein’s exit from Saturday’s game, with Kenrich Williams replacing him in the lineup to begin the third quarter. With Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams also out, Kenny Hustle and Branden Carlson will play additional minutes during the second half od Saturday’s contest.