NBA Player News

Markkanen led the way for the Jazz with 29 points in Monday’s loss to the Rockets. The 28-year-old power forward didn’t have the best shooting game, going 10-of-23 from the field. Markkanen has provided top-25 overall per game value over the last two weeks. The Jazz have two more games in Week 18, the next of which comes on Thursday against the Pelicans.

Smith led the Rockets in scoring with 31 points in the victory over the Jazz on Monday. The Rockets turned the ball over 26 times combined, but still cruised to a 20-point victory. The 22-year-old power forward has provided top-40 per game value over the last two weeks, according to Basketball Monster. The Rockets have three more games in Week 18, the next of which comes on Wednesday against the Kings.

Williams left the game in the first half with a left knee injury after taking some contact from the Rockets’ Tari Eason. The 25-year-old shooting guard was ruled out for the rest of the game. John Konchar could see more minutes in his absence.

Pippen didn’t make a shot from the field, going 0-of-8 with his only points coming from the free throw line. He also had eight assists, but turned the ball over seven times. Pippen was a force on the defensive end with five steals, which only added to the up and down nature of his performance.

Westbrook led the Kings in scoring with 25 points in 33 minutes of action in the win over the Grizzlies on Monday. The 37-year-old point guard certainly still has something left in the tank, but he obviously isn’t part of the organization’s long-term plans and could see his minutes scaled back as the season goes on.

Thompson wasn’t having the greatest game, but he was curiously benched in the second half of Monday’s loss to the Spurs. The 23-year-old small forward finished with eight points in just 18 minutes. After the game, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he simply preferred to play Ron Holland. It’s difficult to argue with the results as Holland had 15 points, 11 rebounds, one block and one steal in 26 minutes off the bench. This will certainly be a situation for Thompson’s fantasy managers to monitor, starting with the Pistons’ next game Wednesday against the Thunder.

While the Pistons struggled as a whole in Monday’s 11-point loss to the Spurs, Duren managed to have a great fantasy game. The 22-year-old center had 25 points on 13 field goal attempts and 14 rebounds. He’s provided second-round per game value over the last two weeks. Duren and the Pistons will take on the Thunder at home on Wednesday.

Cunningham couldn’t get much going against the Spurs defense, finishing with 16 points on 26 field goal attempts. He was still able to record 10 assists and only had three turnovers. Cunningham has been second overall in per game value over the last two weeks. The Pistons’ next game is Wednesday against the Thunder.

All five Spurs starters, including Castle, were in double figures in scoring in this one. The 21-year-old point guard wasn’t particularly efficient with 16 points on 16 field goal attempts. Castle also had 11 assists, earning the double-double. The Spurs road trip continues Wednesday against the Raptors.

Vassell made as many three-pointers (seven) on 11 attempts as the entire Pistons did on 36 attempts. Vassell and Julian Champagnie’s shooting was instrumental in the Spurs victory as the pair combined for 12 three-pointers. Vassell has provided 11th-round per game value on the season, according to Basketball Monster.