NBA Player News

While Queen did not set the fantasy basketball world ablaze as he did in Monday’s loss to the Spurs, the rookie produced another excellent stat line. Shooting 66.7 percent from the field, the rookie center finished a blocked shot and a three-pointer shy of a complete stat line and did not commit a turnover. When Queen is aggressive on offense, the entire lineup benefits, as he has also proven to be adept at making plays for others. Given the skill set that Queen possesses, it would be unsurprising if his fantasy value took off while Zion Williamson is unavailable.

Livers remains sidelined for another game, having last seen action on November 26. His continued absence does not affect fantasy basketball.

Horford has now missed four straight and eight of Golden State’s last nine games. The clear priority is to ensure that the veteran center is healthy later in the season, so Horford’s minutes will likely be limited once he’s cleared to return. Quinten Post will continue to play consistent rotation minutes, but he offers a limited fantasy ceiling when Draymond Green is available.

Green will be available on Sunday after missing three games with a right midfoot sprain. Second-year center Quinten Post started all three games, and he may be headed to the bench on Sunday. While Post would remain in the rotation, he isn’t worth holding onto in most leagues when Green is playing.

This isn’t the first time that Brooks has appeared on the Suns’ injury report due to a sore left Achilles tendon. He did not miss any time for either of the other two instances, so the hope is that he’ll be able to play against the Lakers. With Devin Booker also questionable, the Suns could have every perimeter option of note outside of Jalen Green for Sunday’s game. If Brooks can’t play, the Suns would need to rely more on Ryan Dunn, especially defensively.

Kleber will be inactive for a third straight game as he deals with a lumbar muscle strain. His continued absence does not affect fantasy basketball, as he is usually on the back end of the Lakers’ rotation when available.

Jones has been sidelined since he suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee during a November 16 game against the Celtics. At the time, it was announced that he would miss at least six weeks. However, Jones has been able to play some 1-on-1 and 3-on-3 recently, and his head coach considers the forward to be “ahead of schedule” in his recovery. John Collins has been the starting power forward in Jones’ absence, but that has not done much to bolster his fantasy value.

Schröder has missed Sacramento’s last seven games with a strained right hip flexor and is likely to miss an eighth on Sunday. Russell Westbrook, who took over the starting point guard job when Schröder was healthy, will continue to play most of the minutes at that position, with Malik Monk assuming additional playmaking responsibilities off the bench.

Eubanks exited Thursday’s loss to the Nuggets after playing four first-quarter minutes. He has since been diagnosed with an avulsion fracture of his left thumb and will miss at least three weeks. Maxime Raynaud will continue to start in place of the injured Domantas Sabonis, and he’s worth streaming out of necessity. Precious Achiuwa’s playing time should increase as well, but Raynaud is the player to target.

LaVine was held out of Thursday’s loss to the Nuggets due to a sore right thumb, opening up a spot in the starting lineup for Nique Clifford. Look for Clifford to head back to the bench on Sunday, but his playing time would not take as significant a hit if Keon Ellis (wrist) cannot play. Ellis is considered questionable for Sunday’s game.

The right-handed Ellis is dealing with a sore right wrist, hence his inclusion on the Kings’ injury report. The good news for Sacramento is that Zach LaVine (thumb) is off the injury report, so he would absorb most of the minutes that would go to Ellis. However, Ellis’ absence would also preserve some of Nique Clifford’s minutes after he started for LaVine on Thursday.