Jusuf

Nurkic

No surprise here as Nurkic slapped Naji Marshall and was subsequently ejected in the third quarter of Friday’s game against the Mavericks. The 30-year-old center will take a seat for three games, during which time Mason Plumlee will be worth streaming.

Nurkic’s night ended prematurely when he got into an altercation with Mavericks wing Naji Marshall. The Suns center slapped Marshall, who responded by throwing a punch. Those two were ejected, as was PJ Washington, who shoved Nurkic to the court after Nurkic and Marshall exchanged blows. Nurkic finished with three points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer in 14 minutes. If he’s suspended, Mason Plumlee will be worth streaming.

After producing a solid stat line in Friday’s win over the Jazz, his first game back after missing five with a quad contusion, Nurkic was more impactful on Sunday. He grabbed 14 rebounds and finished with his seventh double-double of the season. Between injuries and his changing role, Nurkic’s impact in fantasy basketball has been muted this season. However, he remains a solid option for managers needing rebounds.

Durant and Nurkic will be back, but with Bradley Beal (knee) sidelined, O’Neale will remain in the starting unit. Mason Plumlee will return to the bench, and Grayson Allen should also take on extra minutes off the bench.

Nurkic practiced fully on Wednesday, which was a good sign that he was progressing. Now, he’s officially been cleared to return to the lineup. He should take back over as the team’s starting center, which will eliminate any streaming value that Mason Plumlee or Oso Ighodaro held.

Nurkic has been out for around two weeks. Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro have filled in at center for Phoenix with neither of them offering much in terms of fantasy value. Nurkic seems close to returning at this point.

Nurkic sat out Saturday with the injury, and it will cost him at least four more games. The Suns play Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and with Nurkic out, Oso Ighodaro should see a big bump in playing time. He’s worth streaming until Nurkic returns.

Beal and Nurkic have been downgraded from questionable to out, opening up two spots in the starting lineup. Ryan Dunn and Mason Plumlee are the likely replacements, with the latter being the one more deserving of streaming consideration. Beal’s absence will also boost Royce O’Neale’s value, and he’s a better streamer than Dunn.

If Nurk is forced to miss this game, Mason Plumlee will likely get the starting nod in his place. Rookie Oso Ighodaro may also see some extra minutes, but unless he starts, he likely won’t play enough to be worth streaming.

Nurkic was back on the court after sitting out Monday’s loss to the Magic, replacing Mason Plumlee in the starting lineup. Nurk recorded a complete stat line against the Knicks, good news for fantasy managers who have been waiting for him to break out. While his fantasy value remains disappointing, nights like Wednesday are why Nurkic remains rostered in nearly 90% of Yahoo leagues.