NBA Player News

Duarte injured his knee in the same game that he took over as the starting shooting guard. During practice on Tuesday, he was running with the backups, which means that Kevin Huerter should start the season in the starting unit. With Lyles out, Sasha Vezenkov should see the majority of the backup power forward minutes, but it won’t be enough for him to be worth streaming.

Horford has not appeared in a game since December 4. Given his struggles to remain healthy this season, don’t expect the veteran center to get the minutes needed to affect fantasy basketball. Leave Horford on the waiver wire.

Finney-Smith will make his season debut on Thursday after undergoing offseason ankle surgery. While he has the potential to provide the Rockets with another 3-and-D wing, Finney-Smith will be under a strict minutes restriction on Thursday. There is no need to consider rostering him right now.

Washington was a game-time call after missing Tuesday’s win over the Nuggets. His return means that Jaden Hardy will head back to the bench after logging 28 minutes against Denver, eliminating most of his streaming value.

Bitadze did not play in Tuesday’s win over the Trail Blazers after injuring his knee the night prior. Jonathan Isaac essentially filled the resulting void, playing 17 minutes off the bench. He’ll have a similar role if Bitadze remains out, but that isn’t enough to affect fantasy basketball.

Powell is back after sitting out Tuesday’s win over the Nuggets. His absence did not result in another post player entering the rotation, as Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford split the minutes at the center position. Powell’s return may enable Davis to play a few more minutes at power forward, but he’ll get most of his run at the five.

While Williams played 15 minutes off the bench in Tuesday’s win over the Nuggets, Christie was held out due to an illness. The latter’s return will likely result in fewer minutes for Caleb Martin, who logged 25 on Tuesday. None are worth rostering in most fantasy leagues.

Thompson is good to go after initially being probable for Thursday’s game. While Naji Marshall’s usage may decrease after receiving a bump on Tuesday, he’ll remain in the starting lineup. His fantasy value should not take a significant hit with Thompson available.

Having missed Orlando’s last three games, Suggs appears likely to miss a fourth, based on the doubtful tag. Tyus Jones has replaced him in the starting lineup, but Suggs’ absence has done more for Anthony Black’s fantasy value than Jones’.

Since returning to the bench in favor of Sam Merrill, Tyson’s productivity has actually increased. Following an 18-point effort on Tuesday, he tallied another 16 on Thursday to go along with six rebounds and two three-pointers. Tyson’s fantasy ceiling has decreased somewhat with the move to the bench, but he’s still worth holding onto in deep leagues until Max Strus is healthy enough to play. As for Merrill, he finished Thursday’s defeat with 11 points, five rebounds, one assist, two steals and two three-pointers.

Mobley made his return to action far sooner than expected, and he was brought off the bench on Thursday. The forward/center was limited to 25 minutes, and while there wasn’t any defensive production, what Mobley did provide was solid. Dean Wade, whose defending of Jalen Brunson was critical, remained in the starting lineup and finished with six points, four rebounds, two assists and one three-pointer. Wade should remain a starter until Mobley’s restriction is lifted, but his fantasy value still takes a hit.