NBA Player News

With Ja Morant back in the fold, how the point guard rotation would shake out behind him was a point of interest for deep-league fantasy managers. Spencer played 25 minutes off the bench and enjoyed the best shooting night of his NBA career, as he made a career-high six three-pointers without a miss. Vince Williams Jr., who was the starter when Morant was out, played 15 minutes and went scoreless (0-of-4 FGs) with three rebounds and one blocked shot. The chances of Spencer consistently shooting as well as he did on Friday are slim, but he still offers a higher ceiling than Williams when Morant is available.

Conley will miss a second straight game as he deals with right Achilles tendinopathy. There were a few more minutes available to Rob Dillingham on Friday, but he remains behind Bones Hyland in the pecking order. There’s no need to consider streaming Dillingham in redraft leagues.

Hyland started Friday’s win over the Warriors for the injured Anthony Edwards, but a right knee contusion limited him to four minutes. Bones’ fantasy prospects hinge on Edwards’ availability, as he’ll fall in the rotation if Ant-Man can play.

Edwards did not play in Friday’s win over the Warriors, with Bones Hyland replacing him in the starting lineup. However, Hyland exited after just four minutes with a right knee contusion. If both players can’t go on Sunday, Terrence Shannon Jr. would be the next man up.

Porziņģis will miss a third straight game, the last two due to illness. Onyeka Okongwu, who’s already rostered in most fantasy leagues, will continue to serve as the starting center.

Alexander-Walker, who has been starting since late October due to Trae Young’s knee injury, is dealing with a right lateral ankle sprain. If he’s unable to play on Sunday, the Hawks will likely turn to Keaton Wallace to fill the void. However, Wallace would not be the only player whose usage would increase, as Jalen Johnson would have the ball in his hands even more than he already does.

Salaün is dealing with a sore left hip. While he is not positioned to affect fantasy basketball, the second-year forward would be missing out on rotation minutes off the bench if he cannot play on Sunday.

Mann’s absence will hit six games on Sunday. While his injury alone would not affect fantasy basketball, the Hornets are also without LaMelo Ball and Collin Sexton. KJ Simpson will continue to start at point guard, while multiple players take on additional playmaking responsibilities, including Kon Knueppel and Miles Bridges.

Sexton will miss a fourth straight game as he continues to deal with a strained left quad. With LaMelo Ball and Tre Mann also out, the Hornets have given rookies Sion James and Kon Knueppel more time on the ball as playmakers, with the latter already in the starting lineup. Knueppel can still be found on some 12-team league waiver wires; do not hesitate to add him if he’s available.

Sunday’s game will be the third that Ball has missed since suffering a bone bruise in his left ankle. KJ Simpson has been the replacement in the starting lineup, but Sion James has also seen more time on the ball despite coming off the bench. Both players offer limited fantasy ceilings, with Simpson being the slightly better option in the short term.

Nembhard’s sore left calf could keep him out of the Pacers’ final game of Week 8. If so, T.J. McConnell would be the next man up, although his playing time has been limited recently. He would be worth streaming if Nembhard can’t go, but the fantasy ceiling would be limited.