NBA Player News

Pinkney shot 5-for-7 from the field and 5-for-5 from the line tonight, and surprisingly enough, could have some fantasy value going forward. Al Jefferson is day-to-day, but has hinted he’d consider shutting his season down if his knee injury doesn’t improve so Pinkney could have a role if his season does end.

Melton had another excellent shooting night off the bench Friday. The 27-year-old shooting guard has now been in double figures in nine of his last 11 games. Melton typically plays 25 minutes or less, which caps his overall fantasy value and makes ceiling games hard to come by. Still, his scoring was up in January as he averaged 14.4 points per game. Melton and the Warriors have a few days off before their next game Tuesday against the 76ers.

Robinson was 1-of-14 over his last two games from behind the three-point line entering play Friday, but bounced back in a big way as the Pistons beat the Warriors. The 31-year-old shooting guard had 15 points, all coming on five made three-pointers. With the Pistons desperate for shooting, Robinson has a clear role as the team is currently constructive. As long as he’s out of his shooting slump, he’ll have value in category leagues.

Curry left Friday’s game against the Pistons in the third quarter with right knee soreness and didn’t return, but his coach didn’t seem too concerned about it postgame. Kerr told reporters he doesn’t think the injury is anything major, though it’s been nagging the 37-year-old point guard for the past week. The Warriors will have a more official update on Curry’s status Saturday, but it seems more like an injury he’ll have to manage than something that could keep him sidelined for an extended period. The Warriors fortunately have a few days off before Tuesday’s game against the 76ers.

Duren had at least 21 points and 13 rebounds for the second game in a row. Cade Cunningham said in his postgame interview that he believes the 22-year-old center should be on the All-Star team this year. Duren is certainly having the best fantasy season of his career. He’s provided fourth-round per game value over the last two weeks. Duren and the Pistons close out the week Sunday against the Nets at home.

The Pistons bounced back after dropping Thursday’s game against the Suns, beating the Warriors to close out their west coast road trip. Cunningham once again led the way for Detroit with 29 points. After dealing with a wrist injury that impacted his scoring, he’s had at least 20 points in four consecutive games. Cunningham has provided fifth-round per game value over the last two weeks. The Pistons will return home to face the Nets on Sunday.

Curry checked out of the game in the third quarter Friday against the Pistons and headed straight to the locker room following a brief interaction with the team’s trainer. The Warriors quickly ruled him out for the rest of the game with right knee soreness. While the severity of the injury is unclear, the Warriors have a few days off before their next game Tuesday against the 76ers. With Jimmy Butler already done for the year, a significant injury to Curry isn’t one the Warriors can afford.

George led the Jazz with 26 points in the loss to the Nets Friday, but there’s more to this story. Late in the fourth quarter, the 22-year-old point guard twisted his ankle and went straight to the locker room. Jazz coach Will Hardy told reporters after the game that X-Rays were negative on George’s left ankle. The Jazz close out the week against the Raptors on Sunday, though it’s unclear if George will be available at this point.

Thomas returned after sitting out Thursday’s loss to the Nuggets with a hamstring injury. The 24-year-old shooting guard had 21 points in 24 minutes off the bench. Thomas struggled from behind the three-point line, going 1-of-6. The Nets are content to keep him under 25 minutes played, which limits his overall fantasy value and eliminates his ceiling.

Dëmin had arguable his best game as a professional Friday against the Jazz. The 19-year-old shooting guard made NBA history, setting the rookie record for most consecutive games with at least one made three-pointer at 34. The eighth overall pick in last year’s draft, Dëmin had six threes on the night on his way to 25 points and also 10 rebounds. The Nets close out the week against the best team in the East in Detroit on Sunday.

Jokić was back in the lineup for the first time since December 29, and while head coach David Adelman reported that he would have his minutes restricted, that didn’t stop him from having a monster night. He only played 25 minutes, but he was able to record a 30-point double-double while remaining incredibly efficient from the floor. He was subpar from the free throw line, but he was able to get there 17 times. In the two games before he injured his knee, he took 13 and 23 free throws, and he’s shooting a career-best 7.7 free throws per game this year. Even if his minutes continue to be managed, he’ll still produce like one of the best players in fantasy basketball.