Julian

Champagnie

Champagnie started Friday’s game as Devin Vassell was out with a sore left ankle. Add in Harrison Barnes (two points, five rebounds and one assist) only playing 15 minutes, and there was ample room for Champagnie to put up numbers. He’s scored 20 points or more in four games this season, one more than his first two NBA seasons combined. While Barnes will likely start Sunday’s season finale against the Raptors, his minutes will likely be limited since the goal is to play all 82 games. That raises Champagnie’s ceiling, especially if Vassell remains out.

No surprise here as Johnson was listed as probable Friday against the Cavaliers. The 25-year-old small forward missed Wednesday’s game with a back injury and his return will significantly alter Julian Champagnie’s minutes.

This will be a third-straight absence for Sochan, which means that Bismack Biyombo should continue to start at center, with Julian Champagnie taking on extra minutes off the bench. Neither player has been great in place of Sochan, though Champagnie has been a slightly better option.

Vassell missed Wednesday’s game against Denver, which allowed Julian Champagnie to slide into the starting lineup. With Vassell back and Keldon Johnson probable, Champagnie will return to playing a reserve role, which will eliminate the streaming value that he held.

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 from distance, compared to 5-of-9 against Orlando on Tuesday. Champagnie is merely a streaming option when the Spurs are missing a starter.

The Spurs will not have Devin Vassell for Wednesday’s game, opening up a spot within the starting lineup. Champagnie will fill the resulting void, and his fantasy ceiling is raised even higher with Keldon Johnson also out.

Johnson was initially listed as questionable, but has since been ruled out with a back injury. With Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan also out, Julian Champagnie figures to play a significant role against the Nuggets Wednesday.

Johnson’s status for Wednesday is up in the air. Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan have already been ruled out, so Julian Champagnie has a great chance to step up into a larger role against Denver.

Vassell will get the night off on Wednesday, which will be his first absence since December. Julian Champagnie should take advantage of his absence, especially with Keldon Johnson listed as questionable and Jeremy Sochan also sidelined.

Due to back spasms, Sochan did not play in Tuesday’s loss to the Magic. And with his coach saying he does not believe the third-year forward will travel to Denver, fantasy managers can assume Sochan will not play on Wednesday. Bismack Biyombo (11/5/1/1/2 in 26 minutes) replaced him in the starting lineup, but Julian Champagnie is the superior streaming option, despite coming off the bench.