NBA Player News

Gordon did almost all of his damage in the first half and didn’t score after the break. He played solid defense on Steph Curry for much of the night but the Nuggets ran out of gas down the stretch on the road. Boogie Cousins scored 19 points in 15 minutes, Will Barton had 14 points and two 3-pointers and Monte Morris played well, also scoring 14 points with six dimes and two 3-pointers in 36 minutes. This series would likely have looked different if Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. were available, but they both had lost seasons due to injury. Bones Hyland disappeared in this one, missing all six of his shots and scoring four points in 19 minutes. Cancun, here they come.

Powell had to exit Sunday’s game against the Wizards with lower back tightness, and that injury will keep him sidelined on Monday. Simone Fontecchio is a potential replacement in the starting lineup, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. will have a higher fantasy ceiling whether he starts or continues to come off the bench.

If there’s some good news to come from McConnell landing on the injury report, it’s that this listing is due to a sore right hamstring. An injury to his left hamstring during the preseason pushed the veteran’s season debut back to mid-November. If McConnell can’t play on Tuesday, more opportunities will be available for the rookie Kam Jones.

Potter has been dealing with this hip issue over the past week, though he has been able to play in Indiana’s last two games. He played 26 minutes on Sunday, though he hasn’t been able to produce much value during his time on the floor.

Zubac was dealt to Indiana at the trade deadline and could suit up for his new team for the first time. Though managers shouldn’t expect him to suit up often this year, his presence will push Jay Huff to a bench role.

Nesmith, who is dealing with a strained left hand, started and played 23 minutes in Sunday’s loss to the Raptors. If he’s unable to play on Tuesday, Ben Sheppard’s playing time would likely increase. Sheppard’s production has been modest for most of this season, so he is not a must-stream player, even on a four-game night.

This is the first leg of a back-to-back for New York, with the second game coming in Philadelphia on Wednesday. The 76ers have been a far more competitive team than Indiana this year, so they want to ensure Robinson is available for that game. Ariel Hukporti should fill out the reserve minutes behind Karl-Anthony Towns against the Pacers.

Anunoby has missed the Knicks’ last two games, with Landry Shamet replacing him in the starting lineup for Sunday’s win over the Pacers. If Anunoby can’t play on Tuesday, either Shamet or Mohamed Diawara would receive the starting nod. Tuesday’s game is the first of two in as many nights for the Knicks, who visit the 76ers on Wednesday.

One day after it was reported that Tatum had begun controlled 5-on-5 scrimmaging with members of the Celtics’ coaching staff, he will participate in portions of the Maine Celtics’ practice on Monday afternoon. Rookies Hugo González and Amari Williams were also sent to the G League affiliate, conceivably to provide some competition during the session. Tatum still does not have a return timeline, but being assigned to the G League for practice is a significant development. He’ll be re-assigned to the Celtics after Monday’s practice to continue his rehab. If Tatum is sitting on your league’s waiver wire, pick him up and stash him in an IL slot.

Furphy was injured during the third quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Raptors, as he landed awkwardly after finishing a dunk. The second-year wing was taken back to the locker room via wheelchair, and an MRI on Monday confirmed fears that he’d suffered a torn ACL. Furphy started 21 of the 35 games he appeared in this season, averaging 5.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.7 three-pointers in 18.4 minutes. His absence opens up minutes for multiple players, most notably Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard.

Due to a sore left ankle, Carter was added to the Magic injury report following pregame shootaround. If he’s unable to play against the Bucks, Orlando could go one of two ways. Starting Goga Bitadze would ensure that a true center is in the lineup. However, with Franz Wagner (ankle) available and Milwaukee’s Myles Turner spending more time on the perimeter than in the post, Orlando could also go small with its starting lineup.