NBA Player News

While ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on April 3 that Maxey was done for the season, the 76ers said he aggravated a previous finger injury during his ramp-up to play. As a result, he is officially done for the season, but Maxey is expected to fully recover this offseason. Injuries limited Maxey to 52 games during 2024-25, averaging a career-high 26.3 points and providing top-15 value in eight- and nine-cat formats. This was the first season Maxey failed to play at least 60 games, so he should not take too significant of a hit in drafts next fall.

Clingan has missed Portland’s last two games, which has allowed Robert Williams and Yang Hansen to each start a game, with Duop Reath filling out the backup minutes in both. Williams should be back to play on Thursday, so he will likely start if Clingan is sidelined again.

Williams missed Sunday’s game with an illness, but he was able to practice in full. That implies he’ll be able to return for Thursday’s game against New Orleans, though the official injury report will have to confirm that. His return will take away from Duop Reath and Yang Hansen’s minutes regardless of Donovan Clingan’s (leg) status.

“Back is feeling good. Felt good in practice today ... I’m gonna give it a shot tomorrow and see how it feels,” said Smart. The veteran guard should be considered probable for Wednesday’s tilt with the Spurs after missing the Lakers’ last six games.

Herro was listed as probable on Monday, so this update to his status is not surprising. Expect him to handle his usual workload in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup.

Allen has missed five straight and eight of Cleveland’s last nine games, but his participation in practice suggests he’s got a chance to take the court for Cleveland’s next game. The Cavs don’t play again until Friday, which gives Allen plenty of time to recover. If Allen is cleared to play, he could reclaim his starting spot from Jaylon Tyson. Sam Merrill (hand) hasn’t played since November 17, and he did not participate in practice.

Quickley is a late addition to Tuesday’s injury report, but he played through the illness on Sunday and logged 30 minutes. With Jamal Shead (quad) also questionable, more minutes could be available for Ja’Kobe Walter and Gradey Dick if Quickley is forced to sit out Tuesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup.

Shams notes that, “Hawks star Trae Young, who sustained a sprained MCL on Oct. 29, is optimistic about returning to action this month. The Hawks have gone 12-8 without Young in the lineup, and they believe his fit with a rising core in Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Zaccharie Risacher and Onyeka Okongwu will elevate the team.” It’s an encouraging update, but there is still no clear timeline for Young’s return. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status.

Monday’s game was the first for Jones since November 21, as a strained calf had sidelined him. While he was limited to 26 minutes in his first game back, the Pelicans wing was productive. Jones is rostered in 22 percent of Yahoo! leagues, and he’s worth adding in some 12-team leagues with Zion Williamson (adductor) out. Bryce McGowens, who was starting for Jones, played 24 minutes off the bench on Monday, finishing with eight points, one rebound, two assists and one three-pointer.

Murphy has scored at least 30 points in four games this season, more than halfway to his total in 2024-25 (seven). The Pelicans forward has been the team’s most valuable fantasy option this season, and by a wide margin. Murphy is providing top-25 per-game value in eight- and nine-cat formats; no other Pelicans currently ranks within the top-100 of either, according to Basketball Monster. The Pelicans play two more games in Week 8, starting with the Trail Blazers on Thursday.

While the fact that the Pelicans paid a high price for the right to draft Queen remains a talking point, on Monday night, fans saw why the front office took that plunge. The rookie center scored a career-high 33 points and recorded his first triple-double, becoming the fifth rookie in the last 30 years to record a 30-point triple-double. The other four were Stephen Curry, Blake Griffin (two times), Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Also, Queen is the eighth player to account for at least 33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and four blocked shots in a game since the league began recording blocked shots. New Orleans ran a lot of its offense through Queen, and that approach only raises his ceiling, especially with Zion Williamson (adductor) out.