NBA Player News

With Daryl Morey being hired as the team’s new president of basketball operations, there were questions as to what that addition meant for Brand’s future in Philadelphia. Well he’s safe, with the team inking Brand to a multi-year contract extension. Morey will be the one with final say on personnel decisions, but Brand’s voice remains one of high value with the 76ers.

Williams did not play in Saturday’s loss to the Kings, with some of the minutes that would have gone to him being absorbed by D’Angelo Russell. However, D’Lo only played 14 minutes in Sacramento and should not be rostered in most fantasy leagues, even if Williams remains out.

Initially reported to be sidelined for multiple games, Davis is listed as questionable on the initial injury report for Monday’s game. He did not play in Saturday’s loss to the Kings, with Daniel Gafford moving into the starting lineup. Gafford, who played 23 minutes in Sacramento, should take on a similar role if Davis remains out.

Barnes authored a historic stat-stuffing performance, becoming the first player in Raptors history to record a triple-double with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. The 24-year-old franchise cornerstone hauled in a career-high 25 boards — including nine on the offensive glass — while dishing out 10 assists, and went 11-of-16 from inside the arc to notch just his fifth 20-point outing since the start of December. He’s steadily cemented himself as one of the top players in the fantasy landscape this season, returning second-round value through 33 games, averaging 19.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks. The Raptors finish the tail-end of a back-to-back against the Magic on Monday night before closing out a three-game week with showdowns against the Nuggets and Hawks.

Curry reached 39 points for the third time in seven contests since returning from a five-game absence back on December 12 and could’ve had an even bigger night in this one since he shot an uncharacteristic 36.4 percent (4-of-11) from three-point range. He made up for it by getting to the charity stripe for 11 free-throw attempts, his highest single-game total since November 12. The 37-year-old sharpshooter is averaging 28.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks through 23 games this season. The Warriors are back in action on Monday to complete a back-to-back with a showdown against the Nets before closing out a four-game week with matchups against the Hornets, Thunder and Jazz.

Green’s offensive abilities have never been his signature calling card. However, he managed to come through in this one with a surprising 20-point effort where he knocked down eight of his season-high 14 shot attempts, including 4-of-8 from three-point range. The mercurial 35-year-old defensive specialist isn’t much of a fantasy option at this stage of his career, averaging just 8.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks through 26 games this season.

Mitchell took a beating during the second half of Sunday’s blowout victory, appearing to suffer two separated lower-body injuries before heading back to the locker room during the fourth quarter. The second-year guard played 20 minutes off the bench, finishing with 13 points, one rebound, three assists, two steals and two three-pointers. If Mitchell cannot play in Monday’s game against the Hawks, his minutes will likely be absorbed by Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe.

Fox did not play in Saturday’s loss to the Jazz, opening up a spot in the starting lineup for Julian Champagnie. While Champagnie’s impact was muted due to a 0-of-6 night from beyond the arc, he’s capable of offering solid deep-league streaming value when allowed to start.

Sheppard has been out since December 3 with a strained left calf. While his return would give the Pacers additional depth on the perimeter, the third-year wing is unlikely to put up the numbers needed to affect fantasy basketball.

McConnell tweaked his right hamstring during Friday’s loss to the Celtics and did not play the following night against the Heat. Quenton Jackson served as Andrew Nembhard’s backup, but the playing time (14 minutes) wasn’t enough for him to affect fantasy basketball. There’s no need to roster Jackson or McConnell at this point in the season.