NBA Player News

Milwaukee could certainly use more depth at the SG/SF positions, which makes it plausible that they’ll sign someone out of this group. None of these guys have fantasy appeal, regardless of where they land.

Goodwin played 12 minutes in Thursday’s defeat, with his night coming to an end late in the third quarter. The Suns guard had his right arm landed on by Hornets center Ryan Kalkbrenner, but that was not the issue that forced his exit. Following the game, Suns head coach Jordan Ott said Goodwin injured his left calf, the same one that sidelined him for seven games in late February/early March. A potential absence would not affect fantasy basketball, but it would leave the Suns shorthanded on the wings.

After sitting out Wednesday’s loss to the Spurs, Melton, Santos and Porziņǵis are back and will start. As a result, LJ Cryer, Nate Williams and Will Richard will come off the bench. All three should remain in the rotation, but their fantasy outlooks aren’t as promising when used in a reserve role.

Available for the first time in a month, Williams made his return to action in the city where he began his NBA career. The Suns’ center was used in a reserve role, and he scored efficiently in his 20 minutes. Add in the three blocks, and this was a good night for Williams despite the defeat. Oso Ighodaro remained in the starting lineup, tallying six points, nine rebounds and one assist in 25 minutes. The Suns are off until Sunday, and it would be unsurprising if Williams and Ighodaro swapped roles in that day’s game against the Bulls.

While Devin Booker cooled off considerably in the second half of Thursday’s 127-107 defeat, Green was solid throughout. The Suns’ guard shot over 50 percent from the field and finished with a complete stat line, including seven assists and three “stocks.” With Phoenix ending its Week 22 in Chicago on Sunday, that could be a big day for Green, with the Bulls headed for the draft lottery.

After scoring 17 first-half points, Booker appeared poised for a big night in Charlotte. Unfortunately for him and those rostering the Suns’ star, the Hornets did a much better job of defending him in the second half. Booker shot 2-of-6 from the field after halftime, scoring just five points. The good news for fantasy managers was that he put up solid rebound and assist numbers, salvaging something from what was a disappointing night.

After shooting a combined 4-of-19 from beyond the arc in his previous three games, Knueppel had a better night against the Suns. In addition to making four of his nine three-point attempts, the rookie wing is up to 35 games with at least 20 points. At a minimum, Knueppel is one of the favorites for Rookie of the Year, along with college teammate Cooper Flagg. And given his role in the Hornets’ success, it would be unsurprising if many voters viewed Knueppel as the clear leader going into the final week of the regular season.

Ball’s point total may not have been as high as many fantasy managers have grown accustomed to, but he had one of his best floor games of the season on Thursday. In addition to racking up 11 assists, the Hornets point guard did not commit a turnover. This was Ball’s first game of the season in which he reached double figures in assists without committing a turnover. His efficiency has improved since the All-Star break, a big reason the Hornets have locked up a spot in the Play-In tournament and can still finish in the top-6 of the East.

After scoring an efficient 19 points in Tuesday’s win over the Nets, Bridges was even better against the Suns. Recording his first 20-point game since March 14, the 25 were the most in a game for the Hornets’ forward since a March 11 win over the Kings (26 points). Add in the three-pointers, and Thursday was a good night for those rostering Bridges.

The Hornets received 46 points from their bench on Thursday, with White’s 19 leading the way. The reserve guard has averaged 18.7 points per game over his last ten appearances, shooting 49.2 percent from the field. Since he brings little to the table in the defensive categories, White holds superior value in points leagues and in category leagues where managers are targeting points and three-pointers.

Murphy is available after a three-game absence. His return will push Yves Missi to the bench, but the second-year center should play plenty due to the need to account for Portland’s Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III.