NBA Player News

Bailey has missed seven of Utah’s last eight games, resulting in Cody Williams getting a few opportunities to start. While Williams may remain in that role even if Bailey plays on Monday, he is not worth the risk in redraft leagues.

An uncompetitive game left Antetokounmpo with just 22 minutes of game action on Thursday. Before subbing out for the final time, the former league MVP shot well from the field and did what he could on the defensive end. Yet, his effort wasn’t enough to prevent a lopsided loss. The Bucks have now lost three straight games and own a 17-24 record. Antetokounmpo will have a chance to help end the losing streak on Monday against the Hawks.

Fox was one of several Spurs players who found production in limited minutes on Thursday. The veteran guard logged just 23 minutes of action, thanks to a comfortable Spurs lead, but still nearly finished with 20 points. Fox’s trio of three-pointers was important as far as fantasy basketball is concerned, though he didn’t have much of an impact elsewhere. Regardless, he performed well in his minutes and should be a bit more rested for Saturday’s game against the Timberwolves.

Castle needed just 26 minutes of game action on Thursday to secure his first double-double in nearly one month. The second-year guard scored efficiently from the floor, and while he reached double figures in assists, the zero turnovers he committed were perhaps even more impressive. The balanced performance was the second consecutive for Castle, who had struggled to produce previously for a short period. Now that he appears to be out of a slump, fantasy managers should expect him to remain productive against the Timberwolves on Saturday.

The Spurs dominated the Bucks on the scoreboard on Thursday, limiting Wembanyama to just 22 minutes of game action. Yet, the versatile third-year center didn’t need much time to log a nice stat line. The former first-overall pick had a big night from beyond the arc, making all but one of his six attempts en route to concluding as the only Spurs player with 20 or more points. He also pulled down double-digit rebounds to secure yet another double-double on the season. Wembanyama continues to put up great numbers and remains one of the most productive fantasy basketball options.

Simons went full supernova in this one, spearheading Boston’s late-game rally as they erased a double-digit deficit to take the lead with just over five minutes left in regulation, scoring 18 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter alone. The 26-year-old scoring machine slashed to the rim with greater frequency than usual and knocked down 7-of-16 attempts from three-point range. He’s shown flashes of gargantuan scoring upside, but the simply volume hasn’t been there on a consistent enough basis in a limited role off the bench to make a significant fantasy impact. A performance like this shows exactly why he’s the perfect complementary option for Jaylen Brown as a secondary creator capable of carrying the offense for extended stretches.

Powell did his best to stave off Boston’s late rally with a couple clutch buckets, but the damage was already done as Miami wound up squandering a nearly 20-point lead. The 32-year-old scorer did most of his damage in the midrange, going just 1-of-3 from beyond the arc, while getting to the line a team-high five times. He’s been a reliable scoring threat this season for fantasy managers, averaging 23.9 points through 35 games.

Brown wasn’t exactly efficient in his return following a one-game absence due to lower back spasms but he came through with a couple key baskets late, pouring in 20 of his 27 points in the second half as the upstart Celtics pulled off an impressive comeback to erase a nearly 20-point deficit. He drained a clutch three-pointer with just over four minutes left in regulation and added a couple additional buckets down the home stretch. The 29-year-old franchise cornerstone has been phenomenal this season, averaging 29.4 points through 37 games, emerging as a legitimate MVP candidate.

Herro has had a ton of success, historically speaking, against the Celtics and that trend continued in the first half as he helped Miami race out to an early double-digit lead, supplying 15 first-half points on 6-of-9 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. He cooled off in the second half as the Heat were unable to hold off Boston’s late rally, which was fueled by a red-hot Anfernee Simons. The 26-year-old sharpshooter, who came into this one battling rib and toe issues, has scored at least 17 points in five straight games since making his season debut back on January 6.

Queta continues to be a revelation for the Celtics this season as he’s proven to be an effective rim protector and pick-and-roll threat for Boston’s revamped offense. The 26-year-old big man is averaging 10.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.2 blocks through 38 games, delivering eighth-round fantasy value during that span.

Şengün recorded his 18th double-double of the season on Thursday, with this being the first time since before Christmas that he’s recorded one in consecutive games. The Rockets’ center’s fantasy progress was somewhat derailed by injuries that sidelined him for five of seven games after Christmas, but he appeared to be getting back on track. The good news for Şengün managers is that the Rockets still have two games left in Week 13.