NBA Player News

Payne was pushed back to the bench with VJ Edgecombe (back) available, but he still played an important role off the bench. He had a monster first half, scoring 16 points with four three-pointers without missing a shot while also adding three stocks. Though he didn’t remain perfect from the floor, he did remain perfect from deep and the free throw line in what ended up being an incredible performance from Payne. This was the first time in franchise history that a player made at least eight triples without missing, and he became the first 76ers reserve to finish with at least 30 points and 10 assists while coming off the bench. The 31-year-old who signed a standard deal to return to the NBA during the All-Star break ended up setting new career highs for both points and three-pointers. With Tyrese Maxey (pinky) set to be re-evaluated in three weeks, Payne will be an important piece for the 76ers for the rest of this month and should be considered a must-roster player after this performance.

The Trail Blazers won’t have Jerami Grant (calf) for Sunday’s game, which opens a spot in the starting lineup. Henderson will fill the void, which raises his fantasy ceiling. Avdija may lose out on a few playmaking opportunities, but not to the point where it would negatively affect his fantasy value.

Gafford left Monday’s game against the Warriors with a right shoulder sprain and hasn’t played since. That seems likely to change Monday against the Timberwolves as the 27-year-old center is listed as probable. Expect Gafford back in the starting lineup, which will send Marvin Bagley III back to the bench.

Jackson-Davis is available after being listed as questionable on the initial injury report. However, with Collin Murray-Boyles and Sandro Mamukelashvili available, TJD is unlikely to get the rotation minutes needed to affect fantasy basketball.

Murray-Boyles, who was limited to 12 minutes in Friday’s win over the Pelicans with a back injury, is good to go. His minutes affect those of fellow reserve Sandro Mamukelashvili, who served as Jakob Poeltl’s primary backup when CMB was out with a thumb injury.

Ingram missed Monday’s win over the Jazz with a heel issue, but has appeared in the last two Raptors games. After he was initially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Magic, he’s been ruled in. Ingram hasn’t reached 20 points in either game since returning. It’s a tough break for fantasy managers as Ingram isn’t firing on all cylinders during the fantasy playoffs.

Toppin is good to go after initially being questionable. With Jarace Walker (back) unavailable, there may be a few more opportunities for Toppin, who scored 20 points in Friday’s loss to the Clippers.

Walker was initially listed as doubtful with a back injury for Sunday’s game against the Heat, so his absence isn’t a surprise. The 22-year-old forward left Friday’s loss to the Clippers after a nasty spill, though he cleared concussion protocol. With Walker out, Jalen Slawson could enter the rotation, but he’s not worth the risk in most fantasy leagues.

Nesmith will miss Sunday’s game with a cervical strain. His absence likely frees up additional minutes for Ben Sheppard, who is not a must-stream player with Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard available.

Nembhard and McConnell are good to go for Sunday’s game, preserving the Pacers’ usual point guard rotation. While the former is already rostered in 12-team leagues, the latter is only worth considering in deep leagues.

Siakam was initially listed as questionable as he continues to manage a knee injury, but was ruled in for Sunday’s game against the Heat. The 31-year-old power forward was ejected from Wednesday’s loss to the Lakers and had just 11 points in 33 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Clippers.