NBA Player News

Minnesota’s top two offensive weapons struggled on Wednesday, with Towns shooting 6-of-20 from the field and Anthony Edwards slightly better at 6-of-16. KAT shot 51% from the field in the second-round series against Denver, and he was a 52.6% shooter in four regular-season meetings with the Mavericks. However, each meeting with Dallas was played before the trade deadline, so Wednesday was KAT’s first look at a Mavericks lineup that included PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford. If the Timberwolves are to win this series, Towns has to be more efficient than he was in Game 1. Game 2 is on Friday night.

Henderson has missed the first 48 games of the season with a torn left hamstring, but he is now in the final stages of his recovery. The 3rd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft will need a couple more weeks to adjust to the pace and physicality of a full-contact practice before we takes the court, but a mid-February return seems likely.

Green has now missed three straight games with a hamstring injury after missing 33 games earlier in the season. With Devin Booker (ankle) also out, Grayson Allen should step into a bigger role. Collin Gillespie (hand) would too if he’s cleared to play.

Mathurin has dealt with a right thumb sprain and turf toe, which has limited him to 25 games this season. However, he returned on Monday and is averaging 17.7 points per game in 31.8 minutes this season. Considering the Pacers “are not eager to hand Mathurin a big restricted free agent extension” this offseason, they could look to trade the former lottery pick now or wait to complete a sign-and-trade in the offseason.

The Hornets have been cautious with Williams as he returns from offseason knee surgery. He’s averaging just under 19 minutes per game over the last two weeks, so his role isn’t a huge one to fill. Charlotte will likely give more minutes to Tidjane Salaun.

LeVert has now missed Detroit’s last five games. That should continue to result in more playing time for Ron Holland II and Daniss Jenkins, but none of them are on the fantasy radar in most league types.

This will now be five straight missed games for Mitchell. Kasparas Jakučionis will continue to fill in as the starting point guard with Mitchell and Tyler Herro (ribs) both sidelined. Jakučionis remains off the fantasy radar.

Conley is averaging just under 20 minutes a game for the Wolves over the last two weeks, but is not a huge part of their offensive production. Bones Hyland will likely pick up extra minutes off the bench tonight, but his tough matchup against the Thunder makes it difficult to stream him in fantasy.

Gobert played 21 minutes against the Mavericks on Wednesday, and the team may have been monitoring his soreness with that smaller amount of court time. If the team opts to hold him out for the second game of a back-to-back, Naz Reid would likely step into a much larger role, albeit in a tough matchup against the Thunder.

Williams played 24 minutes on Wednesday, scoring 17 points with five rebounds and three assists, but he may sit out the second leg of a back-to-back to rest his ankle. If that’s the case, we should expect more minutes for Ryan Nembhard, who could emerge as a streaming option.

Giddey has been back for four games and just moved back into the starting lineup on Wednesday; however, it seems like the Bulls may decide to hold him out for the second leg of a back-to-back in order to make sure they don’t push his hamstring too quickly. With Tre Jones also sidelined, Ayo Dosunmu will likely see more minutes, and Jalen Smith could move back into the starting lineup.