Alex

Caruso

With nothing on the line in Sunday’s game, the Thunder are once again resting their rotation player of note, save Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Jared McCain. Dort only played 20 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Nuggets; look for him to take on a similar workload on Sunday. Wiggins, McCain and Nikola Topić should remain in the starting lineup.

Williams and Caruso are several key Thunder players who will miss Friday’s game, as the Thunder have officially clinched homecourt advantage throughout the postseason. The roster runs deep; guys like Aaron Wiggins and Jared McCain could see an increased workload against Denver.

Caruso and Dort participated in Saturday’s practice and have been removed from the injury report for Sunday. They’ll take on their usual roles against the Jazz; Dort will start, with Caruso providing depth off the bench.

Caruso did not play in Thursday’s win over the Lakers, while Dort injured his back during the third quarter and did not return. Their ability to practice is certainly encouraging, with the Thunder facing the Jazz on Sunday.

According to Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, Caruso wanted to give it a go, but he has since been ruled out. His absence does not significantly affect fantasy basketball, but it does free up a few more minutes for Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain.

Caruso’s status for Thursday’s game against the Lakers is uncertain at this point. The veteran guard has remained a key contributor for the Thunder, despite his counting stats not translating to much fantasy value. If he can’t play on Thursday, it won’t make much of a difference from a fantasy basketball standpoint.

It’s a tough break during fantasy championship week as both players will get the night off for injury maintenance. Jaylin Williams, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso should all take on additional minutes with J-Dub and Hartenstein sidelined.

On a day when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed 14 of his first 17 shot attempts, the Oklahoma City bench stepped up. Joe led three reserves in double figures with 20 points, and he was joined by Alex Caruso (17/2/1/3 with one three-pointer) and Jared McCain (15 points, one steal and five three-pointers) in lighting it up. Joe’s fantasy ceiling is limited, even with Jalen Williams out, but he’ll have his opportunities to contribute. And Sunday’s game was a reminder of what he’s capable of when the threes are falling.

Holmgren and Caruso are back after missing Monday’s win over the Nuggets. While the latter will slot into the Thunder’s bench rotation, the former’s return likely pushes Isaiah Joe out of the starting lineup.

Caruso will miss a second straight game while tending to a hip injury, and guys like Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins could be in line for extra minutes against Denver. Brooks Barnhizer is also in the mix for increased playing time, but he’s not on the fantasy radar.