NBA Player News

Genetic testing that is done for the NBA draft revealed that Austin has Marfan syndrome, and sadly this young man’s career will be over before it started. Marfan syndrome is caused by a genetic mutation that leads to problems in connective tissues throughout the body. One feature of Marfan syndrome is aortic enlargement, which can be life threatening. The 7'0" big man will finish his Baylor career tied for second on the school’s all-time shot blocking list at 177.

Dunn’s fantasy impact this season, and for the last few seasons, has been strictly wrapped up in steals. That held true in this game as he matched his season high for swipes, but he was also able to have a strong night as a scorer. He isn’t a reliable option in standard leagues, but in deeper leagues that are utilizing Dunn as a category specialist, this was a pleasant surprise. Managers shouldn’t expect him to keep this up moving forward, even if it was a solid night.

For the fifth time this month, Harden was able to record a double-double, though he struggled as a shooter. This was the fourth straight game and the eighth time in his last nine that he shot below 40 percent from the floor. He also matched his season high for steals, which helped make up for the rough shooting. They’ve now won nine of their last 10 games, and they’ll look to stay hot in Denver on Friday.

Following a seven-game absence, Markkanen was back in the lineup for this game. However, it wasn’t the triumphant return that managers were hoping for. He was held to fewer than 20 points for the first time since Dec. 5, but the positive part is that he’s back out on the floor. Markkanen shouldn’t struggle like this often, and he’ll look to get back on track in their next game. This was the first night of a back-to-back, so Markkanen could get the night off on Wednesday after an extended absence, even if it was because of an illness.

Keyonte George got a rest game on the first night of a back-to-back, which allowed Collier to start for the sixth time this season. He came close to recording a double-double, and he is typically a consistent source of assists when he gets the minutes. This was the second straight game he had exactly nine assists, and he has reached that mark in three of his last four. If George misses more time over the final few months of the year, Collier should play enough to provide more than just dimes.

Two days after Brooks scored 26 points against Miami, he added 26 more in this one, though this outing was more efficient and a victory for the Suns. Brooks also had success against the Nets in their other matchup earlier this month, where he scored 27 points with six triples. Brooks has taken massive strides as a scorer this season and will look to stay hot with Devin Booker (ankle) and Jalen Green (hamstring) sidelined.

Williams’ production this season has been inconsistent, but the Nets simply didn’t have an answer for him in this game. He set a new season high for scoring while only missing two shots. He didn’t do much on the glass, but he was able to make up for it with a dominant night down low. The Pistons are next up on the schedule for the Nets on Thursday, where Williams will look to stay hot.

Goodwin got the starting nod for the third time this season, but he wasn’t able to take advantage of the increased opportunity. He has been incredibly effective as a rebounder when he’s gotten the chance this year, which held up in this game. He has some streaming appeal if Collin Gillespie (hand) remains out, but most of his impact will come on the glass and defensively. He only added one steal in this game, but he is averaging 1.4 swipes per game this year.

Similarly to last season when Domantas Sabonis was injured which opened up playing time for Valančiūnas to thrive on the Kings, Nikola Jokic’s injury has done the same for Valančiūnas on the Nuggets. That could be coming to an end as soon as next week as Jokic will be re-evaluated for his return then. Valančiūnas continues to be a great waiver wire addition since Jokic went down and Tuesday’s 16-point, 16-rebound effort showed that once again.

Two days after MPJ was held to nine points in a loss, which was the first time this season that he scored less than 10 points, he was able to bounce back in a big way. He set a new season high for scoring and was hyper-efficient while doing it. Porter has been a fantasy stud and will certainly be on the trade block for the rebuilding Nets ahead of next week’s deadline. He’ll make his return to Denver on Thursday and look to stay scorching hot.

Murray struggled from behind the three-point line in this one, missing all six of his three-point attempts. The 28-year-old point guard had multiple chances to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. Twice the Pistons fouled Murray while he attempted a three-pointer with the Nuggets trailing by three with less than 10 seconds, but both times he missed one of the first two free throws. Denver’s homestand continues Thursday against the Nets.