Buddy

Hield

Kuminga did not play in Tuesday’s win over the Grizzlies, freeing up additional minutes for Gui Santos and Buddy Hield. However, neither player did enough to impact fantasy basketball in expanded roles. Neither Santos nor Hield is worth adding, especially with the Warriors’ starting lineup at full strength.

Kuminga has been downgraded from questionable to out, leaving the Warriors down a rotation player on the wing. Buddy Hield and Gui Santos should play additional minutes off the bench. Neither has been particularly impressive this season from a fantasy standpoint, so neither should be viewed as a must-stream player.

After taking a hard fall on Sunday, Kuminga was initially ruled out with an ankle injury. The Warriors are now calling it a pelvic contusion. There is a chance that he returns to the lineup to take on Memphis with a chance to move into fifth place in the West on the line. If not, Buddy Hield and Gui Santos will take on extra minutes.

Kuminga, who took a hard fall during the second quarter of Sunday’s game, will not return due to a sore right ankle. He logged six minutes, finishing with four points and one rebound. Kuminga’s absence frees additional minutes for fellow reserves Buddy Hield and Gui Santos. Neither player has been a consistently impactful fantasy option this season, but Hield offers a safer floor.

Curry did not travel with the team for Saturday’s game against the Warriors, which is the first of six games Golden State will play on the road. His absence opens up minutes and opportunities for many players, including Moses Moody, Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II. It also means more will be required of Jimmy Butler, whose addition has given the Warriors an invaluable boost. Golden State’s next home game isn’t until April 4, and the team will play three road games during Week 21.

Curry suffered a pelvic contusion on Thursday against Toronto, as confirmed by an MRI. He will miss Saturday’s matchup with Atlanta but, depending on the results of Monday’s re-evaluation, he could return Tuesday to face the Heat. While Curry is out, Buddy Hield, Gary Payton II and Brandin Podziemski should see increased playing time.

Curry took a hard fall in the second half and was finally ruled out for the remainder of Thursday’s game with a pelvic contusion early in the fourth quarter. Quinten Post should return to the starting lineup if Curry misses Saturday’s game in Atlanta, though Steve Kerr will likely also turn to Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to close out this game. Steph is set to undergo an MRI that should provide a clearer timeline.

Payton II has been a consistent producer off the bench for Golden State, but his absence will open up extra minutes for their other reserve guards. Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield should see a boost in value with Payton II sidelined.

Despite Brandin Podziemski returning from a back injury on Tuesday, Hield still had room to provide value since Stephen Curry was out. He hit four three-pointers, the third time in five games Hield has made that many or more. Ranked outside the top 175 in eight-cat formats since the All-Star break, Buddy is essentially a specialist in category leagues. He’s still rostered in 30 percent of Yahoo! leagues, which is a fair number given the limited production outside of points and three-pointers.

Curry has been dealing with a back injury recently. While the injury hadn’t forced him to miss any time yet, Curry has been laboring in recent games. He’ll sit out Tuesday’s game, Golden State’s second in as many nights. Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II will have added importance within the Warriors’ rotation, and Brandin Podziemski is expected to return from a strained back.