NBA Player News

Castle did not play in Thursday’s win over the Suns, resulting in Harrison Barnes making a second consecutive start. The Spurs would likely stick with the same starting five if Castle can’t play against the Pacers.

The 22nd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Whitehead struggled to stay healthy throughout his time with the Nets. Waived just before the end of training camp in October, he has spent this season with Oklahoma City’s G League affiliate before Thursday’s move to Memphis. Whitehead will look to use this opportunity as a springboard into something more secure for the 2026-27 campaign.

Dosunmu continues to provide solid value as a starter, having scored 17 points or more in each of his last seven appearances. Thursday’s stat line was complete, and the Timberwolves’ guard has been responsible for at least three combined steals and blocks in three straight and four of his last five appearances. As long as he’s healthy and Jaden McDaniels (knee) remains out, Dosunmu is close to a must-roster player in 12-team leagues for the remainder of Week 23.

Having scored 20 points on 8-of-29 shooting in his prior two appearances, Reid needed to clean up some things on Thursday. He once again shot below 50 percent from the field, but the Timberwolves’ reserve was a respectable 4-of-9 from three. Add in the rebounds, assists and blocks, and this was a solid effort overall from Reid. Minnesota plays two more games in Week 23, starting with the 76ers on Friday.

Give Randle credit for stepping up with Anthony Edwards (knee, illness) ruled out. The 27 points were the most he’s had in a game since dropping 32 in a March 17 win over the Suns, and the veteran forward scored efficiently in Detroit. That’s a far cry from Randle’s performance in Minnesota’s March 28 loss to the Pistons, when he scored 11 points on 2-of-13 shooting from the field. He’ll look to build on Thursday’s effort in the Timberwolves’ final two games of Week 23.

Conley appeared to have stumbled upon the Fountain of Youth in the first half of Thursday’s game, putting up 14 points. The Pistons were more attentive defensively after halftime, and the veteran point guard did not score again. Minnesota has games on Friday and Sunday, but Conley has not played both games of a back-to-back since late January. If Anthony Edwards (knee, illness) can play on Friday in Philadelphia, Conley will head to the bench.

Robinson has made multiple three-pointers in each of his last seven games. The Pistons wing shot 3-of-7 from deep on Thursday, and he also offered solid value in rebounds and assists. Over the past two weeks, Robinson has averaged 14.0 points and 3.5 three-pointers per game, remaining a reliable option for fantasy managers seeking production in those two categories.

For the first time this season, Jenkins has accounted for at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in consecutive games. After going on a run of four games with at least eight assists, the second-year guard entered Thursday having totaled 15 in his last three. Jenkins’ assist tally against the Timberwolves was improved, and he committed just one turnover. With Cade Cunningham (lung) not being re-evaluated until late next week, Jenkins has a few more opportunities to start in front of him.

Thompson may not offer much as a scorer, but his ability to fill a stat line is why he remains valuable in category leagues. The third-year wing dished out a career-high nine assists on Thursday while also providing excellent value in rebounds, steals and blocks. Over his last three games, Thompson is responsible for 19 assists and six turnovers. He’ll have one more opportunity to fill the stat sheet on Saturday against the 76ers.

After finishing one rebound shy of a fifth consecutive double-double in Tuesday’s win over the Raptors, Duren kicked off a new streak on Thursday. Since March 1, the Pistons’ center has recorded 14 rebounds in four games. And with Cade Cunningham (lung) out, Duren has been able to do more facilitating within the Pistons’ half-court offense. He’s recorded at least three assists in each of his last six appearances. The last time Duren did that was in mid-November. Detroit plays once more in Week 23, as they visit the 76ers on Saturday.

Goodwin played 12 minutes in Thursday’s defeat, with his night coming to an end late in the third quarter. The Suns guard had his right arm landed on by Hornets center Ryan Kalkbrenner, but that was not the issue that forced his exit. Following the game, Suns head coach Jordan Ott said Goodwin injured his left calf, the same one that sidelined him for seven games in late February/early March. A potential absence would not affect fantasy basketball, but it would leave the Suns shorthanded on the wings.