NBA Player News

The SG spent last season with the Iowa Energy in the D-League. Christopher has a total of four NBA games under his belt, but the 28-year-old will likely finish his career overseas.

Knueppel wasn’t the star of the game, only because his teammate LaMelo Ball had 37 points and 10 three-pointers. The 20-year-old shooting guard had 28 points and five three-pointers, following up a 33-point performance on Friday. He also had seven rebounds and four assists. Knueppel has provided second-round per game value over the last two weeks, according to Basketball Monster.

Avdjia played about a minute of Sunday’s game before his lower back flared up, with the All-Star wing asking to be subbed out immediately. He was replaced in the lineup by Scoot Henderson, who will take on more playmaking responsibilities in Avdija’s absence.

LaMelo’s 10 three-pointers tied the Hornets franchise record. The 24-year-old point guard played only 27 minutes, but caught fire from beyond the arc. Ball also had seven assists and zero turnovers, only adding to his masterful performance. The Hornets have three games upcoming in Week 18, starting with a matchup against the Bulls on Tuesday.

Leonard is good to go after his left ankle tightened up on him late in Friday’s loss to the Lakers. He’ll take on his usual role as the focal point of the Clippers offense. Kris Dunn, Kobe Sanders, Derrick Jones Jr. and Brook Lopez complete the starting five in LA’s final game of Week 17.

Hayes sprained his right ankle during the first half, limiting his first stint to five minutes. With Deandre Ayton in foul trouble, the Lakers were forced to go small, with Rui Hachimura serving as the small-ball center. If Hayes misses time beyond Sunday, there may be a few minutes available to Drew Timme.

Pascal Siakam’s return to the Pacers’ lineup on Sunday did not mean a spot on the bench for Walker, with Ben Sheppard (13/3/2 with three three-pointers in 27 minutes) being the player replaced by Spicy P. And Walker had a good evening against the Mavericks, shooting just under 50 percent from the field and providing solid value in multiple categories. At this point, those who streamed Walker because Siakam was out should hold onto him, as he appears likely to continue logging heavy minutes.

After scoring 12 points in each of Indiana’s first two games out of the All-Star break, Brown put up 15 against the Mavericks. Add in the rebounds, three-pointers and percentages, and Sunday’s performance was a good one for the former Clipper. Brown hasn’t reached the point where he’s a must-roster player for the silly season, but the potential is there, especially on nights when the Pacers don’t have Pascal Siakam.

Returning to the Pacers’ lineup after missing Friday’s loss to the Wizards, Nembhard recorded his ninth double-double of the season on Sunday. And he was efficient, shooting 50 percent from the field and committing just one turnover. Nembhard played 30 minutes, a positive development for fantasy managers, but that may not be the norm for him the rest of the season. Kam Jones (10 points, three assists, one steal and two three-pointers) started alongside Nembhard, and his role may expand as the Pacers focus more on evaluating their younger talents.

Back in the Pacers’ lineup after a two-game absence for personal reasons, Siakam recorded his 11th 30-point game of the season on Sunday. If there was a negative for the Pacers’ forward beyond the game’s outcome, it was that he recorded five turnovers. Siakam didn’t record any defensive stats against the Mavericks, but that hasn’t been the norm for a player who’s averaging one steal per game. The Pacers begin a three-game Week 18 on Tuesday against the 76ers.