Ryan

Rollins

Rollins had a rough night shooting the basketball, and he’s gone 10-of-27 from the field in the two full games the Bucks have played since losing Giannis Antetokounmpo to a strained calf. While the former MVP’s absence means increased usage for players like Rollins, it also means increased attention from opposing defenses. The Bucks will play twice in Week 8 and have four games in Weeks 8 and 9 for those competing in leagues that will combine the two weeks due to the NBA Cup.

Rollins put together a nice two-way performance, despite the loss to Philadelphia on Friday. He was efficient from beyond the arc and was one of the Bucks’ more reliable playmakers as well. The fourth-year guard has remained productive with Kevin Porter Jr. back from injury — the two are co-existing nicely in the starting backcourt so far, which should be a relief for those fantasy managers who had their doubts.

While Kevin Porter Jr. was out of the lineup, Rollins showed he was a reliable player as he moved into the starting lineup. That’s why Doc Rivers appears to be sticking with Rollins in the starting lineup even now that Porter is back. Rollins had 22 points in the win over the Pistons on Wednesday and has provided third-round fantasy value so far this season.

KPJ dropped 30 points in Sunday’s loss to Washington, but he left midway through the fourth quarter with lower back spasms. The back issue may keep him sidelined, and if he is unavailable, Ryan Rollins would presumably soak up additional minutes.

Rollins led the Bucks with 31 minutes played, but he wasn’t as productive as he has been in recent weeks. The return of Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) may have impacted Rollins’ production. This game isn’t the best data point due to the lopsided score, but this is a situation worth monitoring over the next few weeks. Rollins is clearly enjoying a breakout season and is going to be a productive player for a long time. But KPJ could impact Rollins’ usage in the short term. Hopefully that trend won’t continue, and he’ll get back on track on Monday against the Wizards.

Porter is back, with Saturday’s game being his first since late October. He’ll start with Gary Trent Jr. being bumped to the bench. That’s good news for those who have Ryan Rollins, especially if this is the lineup that Doc Rivers decides to stick with moving forward. Giannis is also good to go after logging 28 minutes in his first game back from a strained groin on Friday. Look for him to be under a similar minutes limit against the Nets.

Sidelined since late October, Porter is ready to make his return to the court. While the Bucks have not divulged an official minutes limit, fantasy managers should not expect to see Porter take on a full workload in his first game back. Something to watch as KPJ shakes off the rust is how his return impacts Ryan Rollins’ playing time. Rollins has been excellent so far, but Porter’s return gives the Bucks another playmaker to call on.

Porter has been out since late October after undergoing a minor procedure on his right knee. The 25-year-old is listed as questionable, which at least gives him a chance of suiting up against the Nets on Saturday. Ryan Rollins has been excellent in Porter’s absence and should hold on to his starting job even when Porter returns.

Rollins bounced back from an inefficient 10-point, 4-of-14 shooting performance against the Trail Blazers. He made four triples alone against the Heat and tied a season-high in rebounds along the way. He led Milwaukee in scoring, but ultimately it wasn’t enough to stop the Bucks’ skid — they’ve now lost six games in a row, but will have a chance to end the streak on Friday against the Knicks.

Rollins had to deal with Portland’s Toumani Camara for most of Monday’s game, and the impact on his output was unsurprisingly negative. Monday’s game was just the fourth this season in which the fourth-year guard scored 10 points or less, so there isn’t too much to be worried about. A late-round option in drafts before the season began, Rollins has been a fourth-round player in nine-cat formats, representing one of the best values in fantasy basketball. He’ll look to bounce back when the Bucks face the Heat on Wednesday.