NBA Player News

George put on a show during the fourth quarter, scoring ten straight and 15 of Utah’s final 18 points. It wasn’t enough to get the win, but Monday’s performance was more evidence of how much the point guard has improved in his third season. Due to Utah’s poor record, George may not get many votes for Most Improved Player. However, after two subpar seasons, the conversation about him has shifted dramatically.

Leonard has scored at least 30 points in three of the seven games that he’s played since the All-Star break. Unfortunately for him and the Clippers, Friday’s performance wasn’t enough to keep the team from letting a 25-point lead slip away. That is of little concern to fantasy managers, who had to be pleased with Leonard’s final stat line. The Clippers play one more game in Week 19, visiting the Grizzlies on Saturday.

Wembanyama has now scored at least 25 points in three of his last four games. The 22-year-old center has three double-doubles and 19 blocks in that span. Wembanyama has been the top player in per game value over the last two weeks. The Spurs close out Week 19 against the Rockets on Sunday.

While it occurred in a losing effort, Lopez had one of his best games of the season on Friday. Shooting 7-of-11 from two and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, the veteran center’s 26 points were the most in a game for him since December 26. On that night, Lopez scored a season-high 31 points against the Trail Blazers. With backup center Yanic Konan-Niederhäuser (foot) having suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury during Wednesday’s win over the Pacers, the Clippers will need more from Lopez. On Friday, he played 34 minutes, the fourth time since the All-Star break that the 7-foot-1 center has played at least 30 in a game.

Murphy has 64 points and 11 three-pointers in three games so far this week. The 25-year-old small forward led the Pelicans with 22 points and four three-pointers in Friday’s loss to the Suns. Murphy also had an impact on the defensive end with two steals and a block. He’s provided third-round per game value over the last two weeks. The Pelicans close out the week against the Wizards on Sunday.

Green now has at least 20 points in two of his last three games. The 24-year-old shooting guard has also played at least 30 minutes in three consecutive games, which bodes well for his scoring floor and ceiling going forward. The Suns close out the week against the Hornets on Sunday.

Murray sprained his left ankle during the second quarter of Friday’s game and walked back to the locker room with assistance. While the Nuggets announced at the start of the third quarter that the point guard was questionable to return, he never did. And with Denver on the wrong end of a blowout, there was no need for him to play. Tyus Jones made his Nuggets debut, finishing with three points, one rebound and one assist in 12 minutes. He and Jalen Pickett (one assist in nine minutes) could be asked to do more if Murray isn’t available for Monday’s game against the Thunder.

Jokić put up a gaudy points tally against the Knicks, who were able to limit his influence as a rebounder and playmaker. A major issue for The Joker and his teammates was three-point shooting, as the Nuggets shot 8-of-40 on the night. Fantasy managers who have Jokić on their rosters are likely pleased by the output, even if he missed out on a triple-double.

Friday’s game was the first for Gordon since January 23, and to no one’s surprise, his playing time was limited. The veteran forward logged 21 minutes, checking out for good early in the fourth quarter with the Nuggets on the wrong end of a blowout. Gordon missed his final six shot attempts after an early dunk, but he’ll have better nights. Finished in Week 19, the Nuggets play four games in Week 20, starting with the Thunder on Monday.

Booker has now scored 17, 27 and 32 points in three games since returning from a hip injury. The 29-year-old shooting guard’s 32 points were a game-high and he was +3 in 35 minutes in the close win. The Suns close out Week 19 against the Hornets on Sunday.

Back in the Nuggets’ lineup after missing two games with a sprained ankle, Johnson played 22 minutes on Friday. He was under a minutes restriction, but the fact that the Nuggets were blown out may have put Johnson on the bench earlier than anticipated. Denver doesn’t play again until Monday in Oklahoma City, the first of four games they’ll play in Week 20.