NBA Player News

Ainge was asked if he would like to have a coach in place by the NBA Draft and free agency, but it doesn’t seem like that is the case. “It’s important we get it right,” Ainge said. “We have big shoes to fill. It will be interesting to see how long this drags out, and if Utah ends up with a replacement before they begin adding new players to the roster. The longer they wait, the harder it might be to lure guys to the franchise in free agency, so we will see how long this drags out.

Five of Wiggins’ seven rebounds were on the offensive end of the floor, the second time in three games that he’s accomplished that feat. However, what will stand out to fantasy managers is the 17 points, as Wiggins has met or exceeded that number in four straight appearances. Rostered in 56 percent of Yahoo! leagues, he has been a top-40 player in eight-cat formats over the past two weeks. Managers competing in 10-team leagues may want to consider adding Wiggins, especially with Tyler Herro (toe) still out.

While the Heat only grabbed six more rebounds than the Pistons, their starting frontcourt combined to corral 11 offensive rebounds. Adebayo and Kel’El Ware (5/13/0/2/2) were responsible for three offensive rebounds apiece, while Andrew Wiggins grabbed five. Bam’s double-double was his second in as many games after missing two games with a back injury. The Heat head home for their final two games of Week 11, a Saturday/Sunday back-to-back.

Powell put on a show in the Motor City, finishing two points and one three-pointer shy of his season-highs in those categories. He continues to exceed his Yahoo! ADP (88) by a significant margin, providing third-round per-game value in eight-cat formats. And as long as the Heat are without Tyler Herro (toe), Powell’s fantasy ceiling will remain high.

Zubac injured his ankle during a December 20 win over the Lakers and was given a three-week timeline to return. For him to progress to on-court work is a step in the right direction, but the timeline has not changed. Brook Lopez will remain the starter in Zubac’s absence, with Yanic Konan Niederhäuser filling in as the backup.

While left hip tightness forced an early exit from the Clippers’ December 26 win in Portland, Bogdanović has missed the first three games of the team’s five-game homestand due to left hamstring injury management. Not only will he miss the final two games, but there’s no guarantee that he’ll be available when the Clippers hit the road on January 7 against the Knicks. According to the team, Bogdanović is “undergoing a process to address the residual weakness in the left hamstring hip area.”

Friday’s game will be the seventh that Williams has missed due to left patellar tendinitis. That leaves the backup point guard duties to Cam Spencer, who has played well enough to merit being rostered in deep leagues, even with Ja Morant available.