NBA Player News

After scoring 15 points in Philadelphia’s Game 3 victory, Oubre was even more productive in Game 4. Only Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey scored more points among 76ers players, and the Tsunami Papi recorded his second full stat line of the series (Game 2). Given how quiet Tobias Harris has been this series, Oubre has emerged as Philadelphia’s third option on the offensive end of the floor. Unfortunately for the 76ers, they find themselves in a 3-1 hole heading into Game 5 on Tuesday night in New York.

Porzingis has been sidelined since straining the soleus muscle in his right calf on April 30 against the Heat. While he will not play in the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, there’s optimism that the 7-foot-3 big man will play at some point. According to Wojnarowski, that could be as soon as Game 4 in Indianapolis (May 27). Al Horford will start until Porzingis is cleared to play.

Questionable for Wednesday’s series opener, Conley played in Games 6 and 7 of Minnesota’s second-round series against Denver despite having that tag. Due to the soleus strain, the veteran point guard missed Game 5 of that series. Given the trend, DFS players and bettors should expect to see Conley on the court on Wednesday. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the most likely choice to fill the void if he cannot play.

Despite ankle and knee injuries, Doncic has not missed a game this postseason. That trend should continue for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday, which would be good for DFS players who want to slot him into their lineups. In two games against Minnesota during the regular season, Doncic averaged 36.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 10.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 3.5 3-pointers, and 5.5 turnovers.

Tillman didn’t play in the final three games of the second round and has played a total of 25 minutes this postseason. His absence will not have an impact on Boston’s rotation as they kick off the Eastern Conference Finals.

Tillman didn’t play in any of the Celtics previous three playoff games and isn’t likely to be a key rotation player against the Pacers on Tuesday.

After hitting four 3-pointers and scoring 16 points in Game 5, Caldwell-Pope ended his season with a whimper. In Denver’s losses to the Timberwolves in games 6 and 7, KCP scored 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting from the field (3-10 3-pointers). The veteran guard has been a mainstay in the Nuggets starting lineup, providing solid fantasy value. Caldwell-Pope finished this season ranked just outside the top 100 in 9-cat formats, but few fantasy managers are willing to roll the dice on him that early in drafts. KCP had a Yahoo ADP of 139.6, and that’s unlikely to change in 2024-25.

While Jamal Murray (35) and Nikola Jokic (34) combined to score 69 points, no other Nugget scored more than seven in Sunday’s Game 7 defeat. Porter went ice cold, shooting 1-of-6 from beyond the arc and 3-of-12 from the field overall. Sunday night was a disappointing end for a player who provided fantasy managers with a top-75 season in 9-cat formats. Porter exceeded his Yahoo ADP (83.1) while appearing in a career-high 81 regular season games. As long as he stays healthy, MPJ should have a top-75 floor in fantasy basketball next season.

A standout for most of this series, Gordon picked a terrible time to struggle. He didn’t offer much value in Game 7, with Denver’s “supporting cast” being outplayed by Minnesota after leading by 20 in the second half. Game 7 was the first Gordon failed to reach double figures since Game 1 when he tallied nine in another defeat. As for his season overall, AG finished the regular season ranked just inside the top 150 in 9-cat, per-game value. That wasn’t on par with his Yahoo ADP (118.4), but the late-round production is unsurprising. Fantasy managers should expect similar value from Gordon in 2024-25.

Jokic recorded another elite stat line, but his production tailed off in crunch time. Minnesota’s depth and Denver’s lack of consistent options factored into the Joker playing tired, and the NBA will have its sixth champion in as many seasons. Jokic was once again one of the best players in fantasy basketball, ranking third in 9-cat formats and second in 8-cat. His days as the unquestioned 1.1 pick in drafts may be finished, as Victor Wembanyama appears poised to take over, but Jokic should be no worse than 1.3, regardless of league. Jokic is expected to play for Serbia in the Paris Olympics this summer, and their first group stage game is against the United States (July 27).

Murray came out scalding hot on Sunday, scoring 24 points in the first half. However, he cooled off considerably after halftime, and the lack of consistent help from Denver’s supporting cast doomed the Nuggets. Murray, who had a Yahoo ADP of 41.2, finished the regular season as a 3rd-round player in 9-cat formats. The negative was his availability, as injuries limited Murray to 59 games. It would benefit fantasy managers if he can get to (or above) 65 games played. Murray is in for a busy offseason, as he said after Game 7 that he has committed to playing for Team Canada at the Paris Olympics in July.