NBA Player News

Butler appeared in 60 games last season, 28 as a member of the 76ers after being acquired from the Wizards at the February trade deadline. The former second-round pick was one of the players whose minutes increased once Philadelphia shifted its focus toward strengthening the odds that they would keep their first-round pick, which was top-6 protected. Butler averaged 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.6 three-pointers in 24.4 minutes per game as a 76ers player. With Philadelphia declining his option, Butler will be an unrestricted free agent.

The Thunder lost Cason Wallace (shoulder) in the first quarter on Sunday. While Mitchell wasn’t the choice to start the third quarter, his role will expand if Wallace misses time. Jared McCain (three points, one rebound, one steal, and one three-pointer) replaced Wallace, and he can provide points and three-pointers in that role. However, Mitchell is the better option for fantasy managers left choosing between the two on the waiver wire.

While Towns has recorded a double-double in each of his first three games this season, that production has not kept the Knicks from going 0-3. Against the Magic, KAT recorded a stat line that only lacked a three-pointer, as he missed all four of his attempts. The Knicks play three games in Week 2, starting Tuesday against the Pistons.

Wagner had a rough first three quarters on Sunday, scoring two points on 1-of-10 shooting. Something changed in the fourth, as he shot 8-of-13 from the field and 5-of-5 from the foul line. Wagner scored 21 of Orlando’s 40 fourth-quarter points, with the Magic delivering Sean Sweeney his first win as an NBA head coach. Orlando plays three games in Week 2, starting with the Raptors on Wednesday. With Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs injured, Wagner will carry even more of the offensive workload.

With Kawhi Leonard (knee) unavailable, the Timberwolves could focus more of their defensive attention on Barnes. Unfortunately for the Raptors and fantasy managers who are rostering him, Barnes couldn’t buy a basket. He shot 0-of-12 from the field and did not attempt a free throw. Given Barnes’ track record, managers should expect to see him bounce back from Sunday’s performance. But it was a rough way to end Week 1.

On a night when he saw three teammates leave the game with injuries, Gilgeous-Alexander carried the Thunder in the third quarter. The reigning MVP scored 16 of his 34 points in the period, shooting 7-of-11 from the field. SGA went cold in the fourth, but his teammates provided enough help to keep Oklahoma City undefeated. The Thunder play three games in Week 2, starting with the Suns on Monday.

Suggs was driving to the basket for an uncontested layup when his right knee hyperextended. The Magic guard remained down on the court for a few minutes before being helped back to the locker room. Suggs could put some weight on his right leg, but the injury could keep him out for a while.

Williams suffered a serious left leg injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game, with team doctors applying an air cast before taking him off the court on a stretcher. He’ll miss an unknown amount of time, but the Thunder forward is likely looking at a lengthy absence. Jared McCain replaced Williams in the Thunder lineup.

The x-ray came back negative on his left ankle, but did leave the arena on crutches due to a swollen ankle. Although the center will most likely be sidelined on Monday vs. the Bucks, Zubac has seemed to avoid any long term injury for now. It’s something for fantasy managers to watch over the next few days.

Joe fell awkwardly after a fast-break dunk in the tilt vs. the 76ers, and will not return for the second half. Kevin Huerter will likely see more minutes for the remainder of the game.

Coming off of a 22-point effort in Saturday’s loss to the Cavaliers, Dëmin shot 1-of-6 from the field on Sunday. He’s been inconsistent thus far, with the stellar showing against Cleveland sandwiched between poor efforts against the Horners and Pacers. In those two contests, Dëmin shot a combined 3-of-16 from the field and recorded four assists and five turnovers. He’ll look to bounce back on Tuesday against the Celtics.