Vasilije

Micic

Mann missed Tuesday’s game, but after getting a few days off, he should be back to start their back-to-back this weekend. Vasilije Micic played 14 minutes off the bench in his place in that game, but he’ll return to not being part of the rotation with Mann back.

Mann’s absence could lead to Vasilije Micic moving into the rotation, but he’s unlikely to get the minutes needed to merit being streamed in most leagues.

The probable tag suggests Mann will ultimately play in Sunday’s game. If not, the Hornets lose a valuable member of their bench unit, with Vasa Micic likely entering the rotation. Micic would not be worth streaming if Mann does not play.

Micic was a late addition to the injury report on Wednesday, but this illness won’t hold him out of the lineup for their matchup with the Raptors. With LaMelo Ball healthy, Micic has only played about 15 minutes per game this season, which hasn’t been enough time for him to impact fantasy basketball.

Micic has provided limited support off the bench this season with LaMelo Ball at full strength. The Hornets point guard was held scoreless with no rebounds and one assists his last time out. It doesn’t appear like he’ll be asked to do more anytime soon.

Saturday’s game will be the Hornets’ second in as many nights as they lost to the Hawks on Friday. Ball’s landing on the injury report isn’t great, as an absence would leave a significant void in the starting lineup. Tre Mann and Vasa Micic would take on enhanced roles if LaMelo cannot play, with the former already having streaming value due to Brandon Ingram’s absence.

LaMelo Ball did not play on Thursday; the Hornets aren’t going to rush him back to full usage after ankle injuries limited him to 58 games over the last two seasons. As a result, Micic started against Memphis. If this was a game to help determine who would back up Ball once the regular season begins, Vasa was outplayed by Tre Mann. Mann played 22 minutes, finishing with 19 points, three rebounds, two assists, one block, and two 3-pointers. There was room for both guards in the rotation after the trade deadline last season, but that was with Ball sidelined. That may not be the case this time around.

Jokic and Serbia got revenge in the rematch of last year’s FIBA World Cup championship game, as he delivered the fifth triple-double in Olympic basketball history. Four other players chipped in at least 10 points in Serbia’s well-rounded effort, including Bogdan Bogdanovic (16 points, three triples) and Vasilije Micic (19 points, two triples).

This was also the case for Micic on Friday, as he played 16 minutes in a loss to the Celtics. Tre Mann, Nick Smith Jr., and Bryce McGowens should play the lion’s share of the minutes at the guard positions on Sunday afternoon. The 2023-24 campaign was a tale of two seasons for Micic, as he struggled to crack the rotation in Oklahoma City before being traded to Charlotte at the February deadline. Starting 20 of the 29 games he’s played for the Hornets, the 2014 second-round pick averaged 11.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.1 3-pointers in 27.8 minutes in Charlotte.

Micic extended his streak of double-digit scoring games to six, and he provided his third double-double in that span. Over those six contests, Micic has averaged 12.5 points, 10.1 assists and 1.7 triples, and he’s been a wonderful option for fantasy managers in need of help in the assists department. The 29-year-old rookie should see plenty of playing time down the stretch, and he should continue to operate as Charlotte’s primary playmaker.