NBA Player News

Monk continues to shine in the sixth-man role, providing 7th-round per-game value in 8-cat formats. A double-digit scorer in six straight games, he’s put up 21 or more in three of the last four. Monk may come off the bench, but he’s been three rounds better than starter Kevin Huerter in 8-cat, with Red Velvet being the better option in 9-cat. Huerter played 32 minutes on Monday, finishing with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two 3-pointers. Monk is rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues, a fair percentage given the production and the Kings’ lack of reliable bench options beyond him.

If the Celtics were going to give up anything defensively on Thursday, it was going to be Josh Hart’s three-point attempts. Unfortunately for Boston, the strategy backfired, as he shot 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, including two fourth-quarter daggers. The 26 points were the most in a game for Hart since he scored 33 in a March 17 win over the Pacers. Boston wasn’t the first time to take that defensive approach with Hart, and they won’t be the last. And if he can make teams pay consistently, his and the Knicks’ ceilings will be raised.

Walker was impactful across the board on Thursday — he produced as a scorer, attacked the glass, facilitated, and was disruptive on the defensive end throughout the game. As a result, the third-year forward came close to securing a double-double. Walker has now scored in double figures while securing at least six rebounds and four assists in three of the last four games. He’s contributing in all areas down the stretch of the season and will look to have another productive game on Friday against the Sixers.

Potter performed well in his 23 minutes on Thursday. He was aggressive as a shot-taker, an approach that led him to finish as the team’s second-highest scorer on the evening. However, his domination on the glass was perhaps the most impressive part of the outing; Potter’s 14 boards led all players and marked a new season high. The fifth-year center has played the best basketball of his NBA career this season; he’ll have a chance to finish strong with two games remaining.

Toppin used his 19 minutes of game action well on Thursday, missing just three shots en route to finishing as the only Pacers player with 20 or more points. The sixth-year forward also excelled on the glass and came up just one rebound shy of earning a double-double. He was one of several Indiana players to leave their mark on a game that the Pacers were comfortably in control of from start to finish.

Nate Williams will get the start on Thursday for an injury-hit Warriors team that is locked into the 10th seed in the Western Conference. They’ve won just one of their last five games, but will have a chance to finish the regular season strong before heading into the Play-In Tournament.