NBA Player News

SGA only shot 7-of-19 from the field and missed both of his 3-point attempts, but made up for it by going 14-of-14 from the free throw line. He was +7 in 39 minutes in the 10-point victory. OKC got one of its players back Wednesday in Isaiah Hartenstein, but will continue to rely heavily on SGA without Chet Holmgren in the lineup. The Thunder are off for the rest of the week, but have four games in Week 6, starting with the Kings on Monday.

After logging 47 minutes and recording one of his best stat lines of the season in Saturday’s double-overtime loss to the Suns, Banchero came back to earth against the Clippers. The rebounds and assists were good, but the Magic forward didn’t have a great night shooting the basketball, and his line didn’t include any defensive stats. Banchero has long been a player with greater value in points leagues than category leagues, so Sunday’s final line was unsurprising in that regard. The Magic play three games in Week 18, starting with the Lakers on Tuesday.

The good news for those who have Carter rostered is that he recorded his first double-double since January 4 and seventh of the season. The bad news is that he didn’t provide value beyond points, rebounds and assists, and the Magic center was also responsible for five of Orlando’s 12 turnovers. The lack of defensive production makes Carter difficult to trust in 12-team leagues, even with his status as the starting center in Orlando.

One day removed from scoring 34 points in a double-overtime loss to the Suns, Bane was even more productive against the Clippers. The 36 points were one shy of his season-high, and the Magic guard has scored 30 or more on three of his last four appearances. Over the past month, Bane has been a top-10 player in nine-cat formats, performing even better than fantasy managers hoped he would this season. The Magic conclude their road trip on Tuesday against the Lakers, the first of three games they’ll play during Week 18.

Williams hasn’t done enough to merit trust in fantasy leagues, even with the Bulls clearly rebuilding. However, he did provide solid value in the assist category on Sunday, with the eight assists being a new season-high. If Jalen Smith (calf) has to miss time, Williams should be one of the players who benefits from an opportunity standpoint. However, he still hasn’t consistently shown the ability to take advantage of those situations.

After playing 22 minutes or more in his first three appearances as a Bull, Dillingham totaled 18 minutes in the two games played before Sunday. Anfernee Simons (wrist) being out freed up minutes, and Dillingham benefited. The final stat line wasn’t great, but the ability to put up numbers in multiple categories was a step in the right direction. Given where the Bulls are, Dillingham should play plenty for the rest of the season. He isn’t a must-add yet, but he is worth watching during Chicago’s three-game Week 18.

Playing against the Knicks for the first time since being traded at the deadline, Yabusele was productive in his 30 minutes on the floor. Shooting 50 percent from the field, the 6-foot-8 forward recorded his second double-double since joining the Bulls. And with Jalen Smith (calf) exiting Sunday’s game halfway through the third quarter and not returning, Yabusele and Nick Richards (nine points, 13 rebounds and one blocked shot) stand to play more if Smith misses time. The Bulls play three games in Week 18, starting with the Hornets on Tuesday.