NBA Player News

After playing 11 first-half minutes, Caldwell-Pope is unlikely to return due to a sore right hamstring. His absence will likely mean more minutes for Cam Spencer and GG Jackson, with the former already offering value as Ja Morant’s backup.

Williams and Alvarado were ejected for fighting during the third quarter of Saturday’s game, with both players throwing punches. However, since Alvarado was judged to have escalated the altercation, he was suspended for two games while Williams was suspended for one. The Suns’ starting center will miss Monday’s game against the Wizards, and he’ll be eligible to return for Wednesday’s game against the Cavaliers.

Alvarado and Williams got into a fight during the third quarter of Saturday’s game, with both players throwing punches. The Pelicans’ point guard was judged to have escalated the altercation, and he has been suspended for two games without pay, while Williams was assessed a one-game ban. Alvarado will miss games against the Knicks and Bulls, and he’ll be eligible to return on January 2 against the Trail Blazers.

Already a solid fantasy option, Aldama’s ceiling has been raised recently due to injuries to Zach Edey and Jock Landale. Over the past week, he has provided seventh-round value in eight- and nine-cat formats, exceeding his season-long value by a few rounds. Aldama recorded his fourth double-double on Sunday, and the four steals were a season-high. Rostered in 46 percent of Yahoo! leagues, he’s worth a look in more 12-team formats, even with the Grizzlies playing three games in Week 11.

While the stat line did not include any rebounds, steals or blocked shots, what Morant did provide to fantasy managers was encouraging. The Grizzlies’ point guard was efficient as a scorer and playmaker, shooting 50 percent from the field and finishing with an assist-to-turnover ratio of over 2-to-1. Morant is still on a minutes restriction, and it’s unknown when that will change. However, he’s still capable of offering value despite not hitting 30 minutes.

Jackson has picked up the production since returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him for two games in late November. After scoring 20 points or more in three of his first 15 games, the Grizzlies forward has accomplished that feat in eight of his last 15, including two with 30 or more. In addition to his second 30-point game of the season, Jackson recorded a complete stat line. Over the past two weeks, he has provided top-10 per-game value in eight- and nine-cat formats. The Grizzlies open a three-game Week 11 on Tuesday against the 76ers.

Champagnie wasn’t the pick to fill in for the injured Kyshawn George on Sunday, as Tre Johnson received the starting nod, but that did not prevent him from providing value. Champagnie recorded his second double-double of the season and was an assist shy of a complete stat line. And a return to the starting lineup could be in the cards with the Wizards hosting the Suns on Monday. Khris Middleton (10/6/2/1/1) has not played both games of any back-to-backs this season, so he may be trending toward not playing. If he sits, Champagnie has a good chance of starting.

With Kyshawn George unavailable, Johnson made his first NBA start on Sunday. While the final stat line isn’t going to set the fantasy basketball world ablaze, this was a solid performance for the sixth overall pick in last June’s draft. Johnson’s fantasy value remains low, but his name is one to keep in mind ahead of the “silly season,” especially if the Wizards move CJ McCollum (16/4/5 with one three-pointer) or Khris Middleton ahead of the February trade deadline.

While his season-long fantasy value has not met expectations, Coulibaly has been a better asset to category-league managers recently. Over the past week, he has provided top-75 value in eight- and nine-cat formats, sitting just outside the top-50 in the latter. Coulibaly is rostered in 23 percent of Yahoo! leagues, and those who have held onto him for this long might as well remain patient. The third-year wing missed both games of Washington’s most recent back-to-back, so he should be considered questionable for Monday’s game against the Suns.

The individual matchup between Sarr and Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr. did not disappoint, with the second-year center holding his own throughout. The six blocks were a career-high for Sarr, who also recorded a complete stat line. For the season, he is providing top-50 per-game value in eight- and nine-cat formats, exceeding his Yahoo! ADP (83) by a comfortable margin. However, while the Wizards open a four-game Week 11 on Monday against the Suns, Sarr sat out the second game of the team’s most recent back-to-back. Consider him questionable.

Sharpe was able to attack the rim throughout this one and also went 5-of-8 shooting from three-point range, serving as Portland’s primary offensive threat on a night where they committed a whopping 21 turnovers but still found a way to win. The fourth-year guard has been a borderline top-150 fantasy option this season, averaging 22.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.2 blocks through 28 games. The Trail Blazers kick off a busy four-game week on Monday night against the Mavericks before hitting the road for matchups against the Thunder, Pelicans and Spurs.