NBA Player News

Monk continues to shine in the sixth-man role, providing 7th-round per-game value in 8-cat formats. A double-digit scorer in six straight games, he’s put up 21 or more in three of the last four. Monk may come off the bench, but he’s been three rounds better than starter Kevin Huerter in 8-cat, with Red Velvet being the better option in 9-cat. Huerter played 32 minutes on Monday, finishing with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two 3-pointers. Monk is rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues, a fair percentage given the production and the Kings’ lack of reliable bench options beyond him.

Murray had to exit Monday’s In-Season Tournament quarterfinal during the second quarter after tweaking something in his back. With this being Murray’s second game back after missing four with SI joint irritation, Kings fans and fantasy managers had a right to be concerned when he was taken to the locker room. The good news is that he was on the court to begin the third quarter, ultimately playing 30 minutes. Depending on when the Kings play their next game (against either the Suns or Lakers), fantasy managers could be in a difficult spot if Murray’s sidelined. Chris Duarte, who replaced him in the starting lineup, missed Monday’s game with a sore knee, so there’s no guarantee he will be available.

Sabonis notched his second triple-double of the season on Monday, and the 26 points are the most he’s scored in a game since November 19 (32 vs. Dallas). Another positive for fantasy managers was that Domas kept the turnovers down. Averaging 2.9 per game on the season, he only had one in Monday’s defeat. That category is responsible for the split in Sabonis’ fantasy value, as his production is one round better in 8-cat formats than in 9-cat. He’s ranked safely within the top 50 in both formats, providing fantasy managers reliable value.

While Fox reached the 30-point mark for the seventh time this season, the efficiency was a concern. He shot just 1-of-7 from beyond the arc, and one game after committing just one turnover (while dishing out a career-high 16 assists), Fox was responsible for six in the In-Season Tournament quarterfinal defeat. With the Kings point guard still hovering around the top 25 in 8- and 9-cat per-game value, Monday’s performance is nothing for fantasy managers to be concerned about. Fox and the Kings will finish their Week 2 slate with a game against the loser of Tuesday’s quarterfinal between the Suns and Lakers.

Facing his Lithuania national teammate Domantas Sabonis, Valanciunas recorded his 10th double-double of the season and third in as many games. The veteran center is closing in on top-50 per-game value in 8- and 9-cat formats, ranking slightly higher in the latter. While Valanciunas didn’t record any defensive stats on Monday, he’s averaging 1.2 blocks per game. That may not be elite, but it’s enough for fantasy basketball, given his value in points, rebounds, and percentages.

Jones came up big offensively for the Pelicans, as only Brandon Ingram (30 points) was more productive than him scoring-wise. Not only were the 23 points a season-high, but this was Jones’ first 20/5/5 game. He’s reached double figures in three straight and six of his last seven games, with Herb now ranked safely within the top 50 in 9-cat per-game value. The defensive production and percentages make him a quality fantasy option, but Jones can take things to another level if he continues to score at a consistent rate.

Appearing in his second game of the season, Murphy logged 30 minutes off the bench in Sacramento. Being able to take on that workload, especially after sitting out Saturday’s loss to the Bulls, is a positive development for Murphy. The question is whether or not he’ll eventually replace Herb Jones in the starting lineup. Regardless of what happens there, both will get the minutes needed to be of value to fantasy managers. Murphy is unlikely to finish the season ranked where he currently is (15th, per Basketball Monster), but he will be a solid player for category league managers to have rostered. Next up for Murphy and the Pelicans is a semifinal matchup with the Suns or Lakers on Thursday in Las Vegas.

Appearing in a road game for the first time since his return from a pneumothorax in his right lung, McCollum was effective in his 35 minutes on the court. The 17 points may not jump off the page, but the Pelicans didn’t need him to do too much with five other players in double figures. McCollum’s providing top 20 per-game value in 9-cat formats, well above his Yahoo ADP of 83, but that’s with nine games played. McCollum should be a middle-round player when the regular season ends and that wouldn’t represent poor fantasy value. His return has impacted young guards Dyson Daniels and Jordan Hawkins, who have fallen out of the rotation with the Pelicans returning to full strength. Daniels played five minutes on Monday while Hawkins picked up a DNP-CD.

Ingram notched his first 30-point game since a November 24 win over the Clippers, leading the Pelicans to Thursday’s In-Season Tournament semifinals in Las Vegas. He picked up the slack for Zion Williamson, who finished Monday’s win with 10 points, six rebounds, six assists, and three steals in 28 minutes. Ingram isn’t producing to the level of his Yahoo ADP (52), but he hasn’t been too far off. As long as he can stay healthy, fantasy managers who have Ingram rostered should be in a good place this season.

Rostered in 20% of Yahoo leagues, Hauser has been particularly impactful with Kristaps Porzingis (calf) sidelined. Having made at least two 3-pointers in each of Boston’s last six games, Hauser’s shot 14-of-30 in the four games the Unicorn has missed. However, with it being reported Monday that the Celtics are confident they’ll have Porzingis back later this week, there isn’t much to be gained from adding Hauser. However, he should remain on the radar for deep-league managers on nights when the Celtics are without their starting center.