NBA Player News

Despite sitting in a 0-3 hole, the Pacers will continue to exercise caution regarding Haliburton’s hamstring. This is the same hamstring he injured in January, and it took the All-NBA guard some time to get back to full strength after making a hasty return to action. Ben Sheppard started Game 3 but went scoreless, shooting 0-of-4 from the field. While the rookie could remain in that role if Haliburton cannot play on Monday, T.J. McConnell and current starter Andrew Nembhard are the guards DFS players should target.

Following a seven-game absence, Markkanen was back in the lineup for this game. However, it wasn’t the triumphant return that managers were hoping for. He was held to fewer than 20 points for the first time since Dec. 5, but the positive part is that he’s back out on the floor. Markkanen shouldn’t struggle like this often, and he’ll look to get back on track in their next game. This was the first night of a back-to-back, so Markkanen could get the night off on Wednesday after an extended absence, even if it was because of an illness.

Keyonte George got a rest game on the first night of a back-to-back, which allowed Collier to start for the sixth time this season. He came close to recording a double-double, and he is typically a consistent source of assists when he gets the minutes. This was the second straight game he had exactly nine assists, and he has reached that mark in three of his last four. If George misses more time over the final few months of the year, Collier should play enough to provide more than just dimes.

Two days after Brooks scored 26 points against Miami, he added 26 more in this one, though this outing was more efficient and a victory for the Suns. Brooks also had success against the Nets in their other matchup earlier this month, where he scored 27 points with six triples. Brooks has taken massive strides as a scorer this season and will look to stay hot with Devin Booker (ankle) and Jalen Green (hamstring) sidelined.

Williams’ production this season has been inconsistent, but the Nets simply didn’t have an answer for him in this game. He set a new season high for scoring while only missing two shots. He didn’t do much on the glass, but he was able to make up for it with a dominant night down low. The Pistons are next up on the schedule for the Nets on Thursday, where Williams will look to stay hot.

Goodwin got the starting nod for the third time this season, but he wasn’t able to take advantage of the increased opportunity. He has been incredibly effective as a rebounder when he’s gotten the chance this year, which held up in this game. He has some streaming appeal if Collin Gillespie (hand) remains out, but most of his impact will come on the glass and defensively. He only added one steal in this game, but he is averaging 1.4 swipes per game this year.

Similarly to last season when Domantas Sabonis was injured which opened up playing time for Valančiūnas to thrive on the Kings, Nikola Jokic’s injury has done the same for Valančiūnas on the Nuggets. That could be coming to an end as soon as next week as Jokic will be re-evaluated for his return then. Valančiūnas continues to be a great waiver wire addition since Jokic went down and Tuesday’s 16-point, 16-rebound effort showed that once again.

Two days after MPJ was held to nine points in a loss, which was the first time this season that he scored less than 10 points, he was able to bounce back in a big way. He set a new season high for scoring and was hyper-efficient while doing it. Porter has been a fantasy stud and will certainly be on the trade block for the rebuilding Nets ahead of next week’s deadline. He’ll make his return to Denver on Thursday and look to stay scorching hot.

Murray struggled from behind the three-point line in this one, missing all six of his three-point attempts. The 28-year-old point guard had multiple chances to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. Twice the Pistons fouled Murray while he attempted a three-pointer with the Nuggets trailing by three with less than 10 seconds, but both times he missed one of the first two free throws. Denver’s homestand continues Thursday against the Nets.

Robinson had made at least four three-pointers in six consecutive games entering play Tuesday. In a matchup with the Nuggets with Caris LeVert (illness) out, Robinson missed all eight of the three-pointers he attempted. His only points of the game came on a broken in-bounds play that led to a dunk with less than a minute left, giving the Pistons a three-point lead. Robinson is a better shooter than he showed Tuesday and it’s possible his back strain impacted his shot. He’ll have the chance to bounce back Thursday against the Suns.

Harris now has two games with at least 20 points in his last five games. He was also on his way to a 20-point game Sunday against the Kings before he was pulled with 24 minutes played due to a blowout. The 33-year-old small forward’s scoring has picked up since returning from a hip injury. While Harris’ expiring contract would likely be in any big trade the Pistons could make before the deadline, there’s no guarantee that Detroit pulls the trigger. Harris missed both of his three-point attempts, but made 10-of-13 field goal attempts from inside the arc. On a Pistons team without much outside shooting as currently constructed, Harris seems like a safe source of points for the time being.