NBA Player News

Wiggins had his best game since being traded to the Heat, taking advantage of an overmatched opponent on Sunday. He only missed five shots from the field, and the season-high 42 points were part of a complete stat line. And the timing for Wiggins’ big night is excellent, as the Heat will host the Warriors on Tuesday. That is the first of three games Miami will play during Week 21, with no back-to-backs.

Wednesday’s start was the second of Tyson’s career, as the Nuggets were without their entire starting five. He got his money’s worth, putting up 20 shots, but the second-year forward only made 35 percent of his attempts. There’s no need to read too much into Tyson’s performance; most of the Nuggets’ starters should be back for Friday’s game against the Warriors. He’s unlikely to be in the rotation when Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. are available.

Pickett made his second career start on Wednesday, as the Nuggets’ entire starting five was out for the second game of the team’s back-to-back. The second-year guard recorded the best stat line of his NBA career, dropping a triple-double in 35 minutes on the court. There’s no need to add Pickett in the aftermath of this performance, as most of the players who sat out on Wednesday should be back for Friday’s game against the Warriors. But it was nice to see him take advantage of his opportunity.

With Denver’s entire starting five sidelined for Wednesday’s game, Westbrook was allowed to redeem himself as a starter after a brutal finish to Tuesday’s double-overtime loss to the Thunder. The final stat line was solid as the Nuggets guard notched his first 30-point game of the season. Finishing one blocked shot shy of a complete stat line, Westbrook’s lone issue on Wednesday was the four turnovers he committed. His fantasy value will decrease as soon as Denver’s starters return, which should be on Friday against the Warriors.

Barnes has now scored at least 20 points in back-to-back games after not having scored at least 20 points in a game since March 10. The 32-year-old small forward has had more opportunities recently as he’s moved into the starting lineup, but still isn’t consistent enough to be rostered in standard leagues.

Champagnie moved into the starting lineup Wednesday with Devin Vassell out. Despite playing 32 minutes for the second night in a row, his production fell off a bit as he only had 14 points. Champagnie struggled from three-point land as he went 2-of-9 on three-point attempts compared to 5-of-9 against Orlando on Tuesday. Champagnie is merely a streaming option when the Spurs are missing a starter.

Harris was ruled out in the second half with right Achilles tendinopathy. The 32-year-old power forward missed the last two games with an Achilles issue and now wasn’t able to finish the game against the Thunder Wednesday. It’s difficult not to be concerned about Harris’ availability going forward. With the Pistons looking ahead to the playoffs, he could take games off even if he’s close to 100 percent healthy. Malik Beasley figures to move into the starting lineup if Harris is unable to start the Pistons next game, which comes Friday against the Raptors.