NBA Player News

He suffered a back injury just two games into the season last year in Europe, and we may never see him in the NBA.

George sat out Thursday against Atlanta but logged 15 minutes in Saturday’s loss to the Raptors. He’ll likely be on a minutes restriction against Houston, and Will Riley should continue to see big minutes. Fantasy managers looking for help off the waiver wire can take a chance on Riley.

Youngblood has been signed by Portland from Oklahoma City’s G League affiliate, and he’ll get a chance to play for the shorthanded Blazers in the NBA. Youngblood isn’t worth rostering in fantasy leagues, but managers should keep an eye on him for the final weeks of “silly season.”

Bouyea has played well for the Suns this season, earning regular rotation minutes due to recurring backcourt injuries. In 10 games with 20+ minutes, he’s averaged 9.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.6 blocked shots and 0.5 three-pointers.

Raynaud recorded his fourth double-double since the All-Star break and 12th of the season, but this was not the best night overall for the rookie. The points, rebounds and field-goal percentage categories were good, but he was also responsible for six turnovers. Add in the lack of defensive stats, and Sunday wasn’t the best night to rely on Raynaud in nine-cat formats. That said, his current role with Domantas Sabonis (knee) done for the season makes Raynaud worth the risk in some 12-team leagues.

Back in the lineup after sitting out Thursday’s win over the Mavericks, Westbrook only played 22 minutes on Sunday. Given where the Kings are in the standings, that could be the veteran point guard’s workload for the rest of the season. If so, Devin Carter is a player to watch, even though he shot the ball poorly in his 21 minutes against the Lakers. Making two of his seven attempts from the field, the second-year guard finished with six points, two rebounds and three assists.

With Zach LaVine done for the season and Keegan Murray currently out with a sprained ankle, Clifford should take on a more prominent role moving forward. He’s reached double figures in four straight games, with the 26 points being the most for the rookie since dropping a season-high 30 in a February 7 loss to the Cavaliers. A top-100 player over the past month, Clifford has silly season standout potential, especially with the Kings headed for the draft lottery. The Kings play three games in Week 19, starting with the Suns on Tuesday.

In his first eight games as a Laker, Kennard averaged 0.9 three-pointers while making seven of his 17 attempts. He was far more active in the team’s blowout wins over the Warriors and Kings to end Week 18, shooting 7-of-12 from beyond the arc. And Kennard isn’t solely a shooter, as evidenced by the five assists he recorded against the Kings. While his recent production won’t change much regarding his fantasy value, a more active Kennard off the bench is essential if the Lakers are to be a factor in the postseason.

Given how much was made about his comments last week when asked about his role, Ayton appears to be skating on thin ice with Lakers fans and fantasy managers. Sunday’s stat line wasn’t elite, but the 7-footer did not miss a shot from the field against the Kings. What truly stood out, however, was the playing time. Ayton played 18 minutes, while backups Jaxson Hayes (four points, five rebounds, one assist and one block) and Maxi Kleber (six points, six rebounds and one block) played 13 and 14 minutes, respectively. For those counting on Ayton for production during the fantasy playoff weeks, hopefully, he’ll turn things around.

Initially questionable for Sunday’s game due to arthritis in his left foot, things worked out perfectly for James and the Lakers. He looked fine while on the floor, even hitting three straight three-pointers during a stretch that began late in the third quarter. The blowout meant that LeBron was able to watch most of the final frame from the bench, getting some valuable rest. The Lakers play four games in Week 19, starting with the Pelicans on Tuesday.

Dončić only needed to play 29 minutes on Sunday, as the Lakers outscored Sacramento by a 36-18 margin in the first quarter and never looked back. That matched his minutes tally from Saturday’s rout of the Warriors. For a player who’s averaging nearly 36 minutes per game, having a back-to-back in which his playing time decreases in both games is a positive development. Luka and the Lakers open a four-game Week 19 on Tuesday against the Pelicans.