NBA Player News

Anunoby was back in action after suffering a laceration to his right index finger, which was taped up. And that may have impacted his shot, as he made just two of his 11 attempts on the afternoon. Anunoby was able to contribute in other areas, and the Raptors really weren’t challenged by the struggling Pistons. Fantasy managers setting up their Week 5 lineups may want to account for potential field-goal percentage issues with Anunoby, but the Raptors’ four-game slate could help make up for that. Gary Trent Jr., who replaced Anunoby in the starting lineup on Friday, tallied 18 points, one rebound, three assists, one steal, one block, and two 3-pointers in 26 minutes off the bench.

Green has totaled 18 assists over his last two games, including eight in Sunday’s loss to the Nuggets. His season-long fantasy value has been underwhelming, but the veteran forward has been a top-100 player over the past week. The Warriors don’t play again until Wednesday, and they have three games in Week 23. That makes Green a slightly less appealing option for some fantasy managers, particularly those looking for more production in the points category.

Podziemski has scored 20 points or more in four consecutive games, the first time he’s done so this season. The Warriors’ guard finished with a complete stat line, and he has been a second-round player in eight-cat formats over the past week. With it unknown when Stephen Curry (knee) will return, Podziemski will remain one of the players relied on for increased offensive production.

Porziņǵis has played 29 minutes in three of his last four games, and the production has been good for those who have him in their lineups. During this four-game stretch, the 7-foot-3 center has averaged 22.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.5 steals and 3.0 three-pointers. That has not qualified as elite value due to limited defensive production, but most will be pleased to have Porziņģis available. The Warriors play three games in Week 23, but the slate opens with a back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday, so Porziņǵis may be limited to two appearances.

Nnaji, who picked up a few additional minutes due to Aaron Gordon (calf) being out, played just eight minutes in Sunday’s victory. A hip impingement led to Nnaji being shut down for the rest of the night. The Nuggets play two games in Week 23, with the first scheduled for Wednesday. Nnaji’s absence is unlikely to affect fantasy basketball, especially if Gordon is available.

After appearing to grab his side, Johnson departed for the Nuggets’ locker room during the third quarter of Sunday’s game. It was eventually announced that the forward was dealing with back spasms. While Johnson did return to the bench to rejoin his teammates, he did not check back into the game. The Nuggets are off until Wednesday; if Johnson is not available, Julian Strawther could sneak into the back end of the rotation.

Denver received 43 points from its bench on Sunday, with Hardaway and Bruce Brown (15 points, one rebound, two steals and three three-pointers) leading the way. THJ has made at least four three-pointers in three of his last four games, providing consistent production off the bench. He remains a player most valuable to managers needing points and three-pointers, but the two steals on Sunday were a nice bonus.

Denver’s tandem of Murray and Nikola Jokić was outstanding on Sunday, helping the Nuggets pull away from the Warriors in the second half. Murray, who finished with a complete stat line, has provided second-round value in eight- and nine-cat formats since the All-Star break. Unfortunately, the Nuggets are scheduled to play just two games in Week 23, which is unfortunate for those rostering Murray with their eyes on a league title.

Jokić finished Sunday’s 116-93 victory two assists shy of a triple-double, shooting 50 percent from the field. The three-time MVP has recorded a triple-double in five consecutive games, matching his longest run of the season. The negative for fantasy managers is that the Nuggets play two games in Week 23. While Jokić can certainly provide elite fantasy value in those games, it would be a lot better if Denver were scheduled to play three or four games.

Jones experienced tightness in his right hamstring during Sunday’s game and has now been ruled out for the rest of the night. With Peyton Watson limited to 20 minutes and Cameron Johnson questionable to return with back spasms, Julian Strawther has picked up rotation minutes during the third quarter.

Post, who missed three games with a sore right foot, appeared to aggravate the issue late in the second quarter of Sunday’s game. He has since been ruled out for the rest of the night, placing even more responsibility upon the shoulders of Draymond Green and Kristaps Porziņǵis in the Warriors’ frontcourt.