Nae'Qwan

Tomlin

Garland was initially probable for Saturday’s game, so the upgrade in status is unsurprising. With Garland and Evan Mobley available, the Cavaliers have made Nae’Qwan Tomlin inactive.

Nae’Qwan Tomlin started this game with Darius Garland (toe) sidelined, and while he was able to contribute 13 points in 18 minutes, he wasn’t as effective as Wade. Though he typically hasn’t been a productive player in fantasy basketball, he was able to start the second half and turn in a strong stat line during his 29 minutes on the floor. Wade isn’t worth rostering, but he played well in this game.

With Darius Garland out, Tomlin enters the Cavs’ opening unit for his second start of the season. The remaining four starters each started Cleveland’s most recent game against the Trail Blazers, which ended in a loss. The Cavaliers have lost four of their last five games and will look to get back on track against the Spurs on Friday.

Wade will be back after a one-game absence, where he has played a large reserve role this year. Nae’Qwan Tomlin took on extra minutes with Wade unavailable, but he’ll play a smaller role with Wade and Jarrett Allen back.

Wade did not play in Monday’s loss to the Raptors, which freed up rotation minutes for Nae’Qwan Tomlin and Thomas Bryant. However, those two also benefitted from the absence of Jarrett Allen, and he’s probable to play on Friday. There isn’t much to gain from streaming Tomlin or Bryant.

Garland (toe) and Tyson (concussion) are back from injury, with the latter filling in for the injured Jarrett Allen (finger). Allen’s absence also impacts Mobley, who will be the lone big man in the Cavaliers’ starting lineup. That should give him more room to operate offensively, raising his fantasy ceiling. Nae’Qwan Tomlin will come off the bench and does not need to be rostered in redraft leagues.

There’s been no word as to what changed, but Allen is now out less than an hour after it was reported that he would play. His absence opens up a spot in the starting lineup, which Darius Garland could fill since he’s available. If that were to happen, Nae’Qwan Tomlin would remain with the starters, shifting Evan Mobley to the center position.

Having fractured his left ring finger earlier this season, Allen is now dealing with a sprained right middle finger. If he can’t play on Friday, there should be more room for Evan Mobley to operate offensively. As for the starting lineup spot, Dean Wade and Nae’Qwan Tomlin are possible replacements, which would shift Mobley to the five.

Merrill will miss a second straight game as he continues to recover from a sprained right hand. While Nae’Qwan Tomlin started Wednesday’s loss to the Rockets, Darius Garland and Jaylon Tyson are both questionable for Friday’s game. If they’re available, Tomlin will return to the bench.

The Cavaliers won’t have Sam Merrill for Wednesday’s game, as he is out with a hand injury. With Houston having a bigger lineup, Cleveland will do the same, with Tomlin moving into the starting five. The promotion makes him an intriguing deep-league streaming option, but he is not a must-stream player.