Micah

Potter

Potter has started three of the Pacers’ last four games, and in each of those starts, he recorded a double-double. Potter signed a two-year deal with Indiana in December to help fill out some of the minutes at center. He’ll continue to play a significant role for them in their final game of the season on Sunday against the Pistons. However, it is unlikely he plays a significant role next season when the team is fully healthy.

Potter performed well in his 23 minutes on Thursday. He was aggressive as a shot-taker, an approach that led him to finish as the team’s second-highest scorer on the evening. However, his domination on the glass was perhaps the most impressive part of the outing; Potter’s 14 boards led all players and marked a new season high. The fifth-year center has played the best basketball of his NBA career this season; he’ll have a chance to finish strong with two games remaining.

The Pacers have made two changes to their starting lineup, one prompted by injury. Slawson will fill the void left by Kobe Brown, while Potter’s insertion into the lineup means that Jay Huff will come off the bench. Also, Walker is available after being a game-time decision.

Potter, who used his sneakers for a gender reveal for himself and his wife (it’s a boy) in Sunday’s game, had one of his best performances of the season. Replacing Jay Huff (6/3/2/1/1) in the starting lineup, Potter recorded his fourth double-double of the season and first since February 11. He didn’t record any defensive stats, but the double-double was a good win to end Week 23.

The Pacers are without Ben Sheppard and Pascal Siakam, which opened up spots in the starting lineup for Thompson and Slawson. The other change is Potter, whose insertion into the lineup means that Jay Huff will come off the bench.

Potter is averaging 8.9 points per game this year and typically plays 20 minutes or less per game. The 27-year-old center isn’t afraid to shoot threes, though, when he has the opportunity. Sunday was one of those games and he had his second game with at least 20 points in the last four weeks. Potter will continue in a depth role, which takes him off the fantasy radar.

While Nesmith and Sheppard were available for Wednesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, Potter is back after a two-game absence. Nesmith will take on his usual role within the starting lineup, while Sheppard and Potter will provide depth off the bench.

While Toppin has only missed one of Indiana’s last four games, a March 18 loss to the Trail Blazers, Potter has missed the last two. With Ivica Zubac (ribs) done for the season, Toppin, Potter and Jay Huff take on added importance within the Pacers’ rotation.

This will be the second straight game on the sidelines for Potter, but this does not affect fantasy basketball. Jay Huff will continue to serve as Ivica Zubac’s primary backup.

Potter played just five minutes in Sunday’s loss to the Bucks. He didn’t have much fantasy relevance heading into Tuesday’s matchup against the Knicks, but that could change Wednesday against the Trail Blazers as the Pacers are in the midst of a back-to-back.