NBA Player News

With Bradley Beal (hip) back on the sideline, Collins made his first start since joining the Clippers this offseason. While he was in the role many fantasy managers expected him to fulfill, the former Hawks forward struggled against the team that selected him in the 2017 draft. The bench role has limited Collins’ fantasy value, as he’s ranked outside the top-150 in nine-cat formats. He’s still rostered in 84 percent of Yahoo! leagues, with Beal’s injury putting some fantasy managers in a holding pattern. Collins’ production would not justify him being rostered in 12-team leagues if the Clippers were healthy.

Bridges was initially listed as probable with a knee injury, so his availability for Monday’s game against the Clippers is hardly a surprise. He will take his usual spot in the starting lineup and won’t be on a minutes restriction.

Initially questionable, Sexton will miss Monday’s game with a sore left hamstring. Since Miles Bridges is available, the Hornets’ guard’s absence will not significantly affect fantasy basketball. Tre Mann may play additional minutes off the bench, but he should not be rostered in most redraft leagues.

While the doubtful tag suggests that Grant is closer to missing another game than returning to action, this represents progress. In the past, the Trail Blazers have ruled Grant out immediately, and he has missed the last 13 games. Sidy Cissoko has been the replacement in the starting lineup, but his minutes may decrease as Jrue Holiday shakes off the rust after returning from a calf injury on Sunday.

Newell exited Sunday’s win over the Warriors after playing four minutes during the second quarter. His potential absence would not affect fantasy basketball, even with Kristaps Porziņǵis (Achilles) unavailable. More minutes will be available to fellow reserve Mouhamed Gueye, even if Newell plays.

Bad news. Avdija is already ruled out for Tuesday’s game against the Warriors with what the Trail Blazers are calling lower back soreness. The 25-year-old small forward landed awkwardly and tweaked his lower back in the final minutes of Sunday’s loss against the Knicks. Jrue Holiday returned Sunday and will have a bigger role going forward, but Avdija’s injury is a tough blow for the Trail Blazers.

While Ryan Nembhard is available for Monday’s game, he will come off the bench. Hardy has moved into the starting lineup, giving him some upside as a streamer. The other change to the lineup is Powell, who steps into the starting five since Daniel Gafford is out. There isn’t much to gain from streaming the veteran center.

The Nets won’t have Egor Dëmin for Monday’s game, as he sits for injury management reasons. Fellow rookie Powell moves into the starting lineup, and he’ll spend a considerable amount of time initiating offense. Also in the lineup is Porter, who did not play in Sunday’s loss to the Grizzlies. His return means that Danny Wolf will come off the bench.

Kennard spent some time on the sidelines during Sunday’s win over the Warriors, being evaluated for a sprained neck, but he returned to the contest and hit six second-half three-pointers. If he’s unable to play against the Lakers, more minutes may be available to Corey Kispert, but he would not be worth the streaming risk.

Risacher has missed Atlanta’s last two games with a left knee bone contusion that was initially listed as inflammation. Vit Krejčí has been the replacement in the starting lineup, but the results have been mixed. With CJ McCollum now in the fold, he and Luke Kennard also have more opportunities to contribute to help compensate for Risacher’s absence.

Porziņģis will miss his third game in a row with an Achilles injury. Mouhamed Gueye and Asa Newell will see rotation minutes with the 30-year-old power forward sidelined, though neither is worth rostering in most redraft leagues.