1 day agoThe NBA announced on Wednesday that forward
Jontay Porter, a two-way player recently under contract with the Toronto Raptors, has been banned from the league. A league investigation found that Porter violated league rules by disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting his own participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games. The 24-year-old big man appeared in 26 games (five starts) for the Raptors during the 2023-24 season, posting 4.4 points while shooting 38.5% from the field, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 13.8 minutes per contest as a depth piece in Toronto's injury-depleted frontcourt. Porter's case is one the Association hasn't witnessed in many years, but his lifetime ban will have no impact whatsoever on the fantasy basketball landscape entering the 2024-25 campaign.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com
1 day agoChicago Bulls guard
Ayo Dosunmu (quadriceps) got shots up during the morning shootaround ahead of Wednesday's play-in game versus the Atlanta Hawks. Dosunmu sat out Chicago's final four contests of the regular season due to a right quadriceps contusion, but he's trending in the right direction to return on Wednesday. The 24-year-old sharpshooter stepped up in the Bulls' backcourt when healthy down the stretch to help mitigate the never-ending void of
Lonzo Ball (knee), averaging 19.7 points, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.2 three-pointers on 47.1% shooting from downtown over his last 11 appearances of the 2023-24 season. Dosunmu would be a very popular DFS play in Wednesday's two-game contests if he's available against Atlanta, who allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards during the regular season.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: K.C. Johnson - NBC Sports Chicago
1 day agoNew Orleans Pelicans forward
Zion Williamson (hamstring), who has been ruled out for Friday's play-in game against the Sacramento Kings, will be re-evaluated in two weeks. It's a huge blow to New Orleans' chances of clinching a playoff berth, as Williamson exited Tuesday's loss to the visiting Los Angeles Lakers due to a strained left hamstring. Unless the Pelicans are able to go on an unlikely deep postseason run, Williamson's season may very well be over. The 23-year-old slashing superstar played in a career-high 70 games during the regular season, collecting 22.9 points on 57.0% shooting from the floor, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.1 steals in 31.5 minutes per contest. Marksman
Trey Murphy III is the most likely candidate to join the starting lineup on Friday against the Kings, averaging 17.9 points, 5.4 boards, 2.6 dimes, 1.0 swipes, and 3.5 three-pointers in seven games without Williamson this year.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Jennifer Hale
1 day agoGolden State Warriors point guard
Chris Paul is expected to remain with the team next season by head coach Steve Kerr. "I really hope we bring him back next year," Kerr said following Tuesday's 118-94 loss in the play-in tournament against Sacramento, which ended Golden State's season. It also ended Paul's run of 13 consecutive playoff appearances. The veteran, who will turn 39 next month, found himself as a bench piece for the first time in his career in 2023-24 and finished with career-low numbers in multiple areas. He had 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.2 steals across 26.4 minutes. Paul has a non-guaranteed $30 million contract for 2024-25.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Ben Golliver
1 day agoGolden State Warriors guard/forward
Klay Thompson had a shocking performance in Tuesday's play-in loss to Sacramento and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer, but the team wants to have him back in the lineup next season. Thompson went 0-for-10 from the field across 32 minutes in Tuesday's blowout loss. However, the Warriors, including head coach Steve Kerr, are desperate to see him return. "We need Klay back," Kerr said after the game. "He's still got good years left. And I know I speak for everybody in the organization: We want him back. ... What Klay has meant to this franchise and as good as he still is, we desperately want him back." Thompson had a very inconsistent campaign in 2023-24, even finding himself in a bench role at times for the first time since his rookie season in 2011-12. His scoring average of 17.9 points per game was his lowest since his sophomore year.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 day agoSacramento Kings guard/forward
Malik Monk (knee) is unsure if he can recover in time to play in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. He missed his 10th consecutive game on Tuesday against Golden State while nursing an MCL sprain. Monk was initially ruled out for 4-6 weeks, meaning a return to the court in the first round appears unrealistic if Sacramento makes it to the playoffs. With
Kevin Huerter (shoulder) also unavailable,
Keon Ellis has stepped up big time for the Kings. He produced an outstanding two-way performance against the Warriors on Tuesday and will be expected to keep up the form in Friday's decisive play-in matchup against New Orleans.
Davion Mitchell has also started to play a much more important role in the rotation due to the injuries.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Anthony Slater
1 day agoChicago Bulls shooting guard
Onuralp Bitim (eye) has been ruled out for the postseason. The 25-year-old rookie has been diagnosed with a detached retina in his right eye and will need season-ending surgery. Bitim saw action in 23 games during his first NBA season, averaging 3.5 points and 1.4 rebounds in 11.7 minutes. He joins four other players who have been ruled out for the season, meaning Chicago's bench will be very shallow in the playoffs if the team finds a way to sneak through the play-in tournament, which starts for the team on Wednesday with a matchup against Atlanta.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com
1 day agoPhiladelphia 76ers forward
Kenyon Martin Jr. (toe) is considered questionable for Wednesday's play-in matchup against Miami. A toe injury kept him out for the final three regular-season games, and Martin might remain unavailable as the 76ers try to lock up their playoff berth on Wednesday. Even if he's able to return, Martin likely won't have a large part to play in the contest with Philadelphia's frontcourt fully healthy.
Joel Embiid (knee) is carrying a questionable tag but is expected to be in the lineup on Wednesday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 day agoMiami Heat forward/center
Kevin Love (arm, ankle) has been cleared to play in Wednesday's play-in battle against Philadelphia. He suffered an arm contusion in the regular-season finale against Toronto on Sunday, logging just three minutes. However, the veteran has shaken off the injury ahead of a crucial part of the campaign. Love is set to provide cover for starting center
Bam Adebayo in a tough matchup against
Joel Embiid. The veteran has shown in 2023-24 that there's still some juice left in him, averaging 8.8 points and 6.1 rebounds in 16.8 minutes.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 day agoMiami Heat guard/forward
Duncan Robinson (back) has been listed as probable for Wednesday's play-in game against Philadelphia. He missed the final four games of the regular season but appears to be on track for a comeback against the 76ers. Robinson also missed time at the end of March with a back problem and didn't look quite like himself after returning. The 29-year-old averaged just 4.5 points across four games. Miami will need a lot more from him on Wednesday if the Heat are to compete with
Joel Embiid's crew.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 days agoMiami Heat guard
Terry Rozier (neck) won't suit up for Wednesday's Play-In contest versus the Philadelphia 76ers. The former Hornet has played well since arriving in Miami, so his absence is undoubtedly a tough blow. He's already missed four games because of the ailment. However, his status moving ahead remains a mystery. With that said, until Rozier is back on the floor,
Tyler Herro will likely continue to hold things down at the one spot, meaning he should see a bump in usage. In addition,
Delon Wright, averaging 8.3 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.0 steals in the last three games, should be on every DFS manager's radar.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers guard
De'Anthony Melton (back) is ruled out for Wednesday's Play-In game versus the Miami Heat. The 25-year-old has been bothered by a back issue for most of the season. He recently appeared in two games before missing Sunday's regular-season finale against the Nets. However, Melton played just 21 minutes combined in those two contests. Unfortunately, things don't look promising regarding his prognosis moving ahead, so he may miss more games. With that said,
Cameron Payne, amassing 10 points, three assists, and one steal in 23 minutes on Sunday, has value potential for DFS managers.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) is questionable for Wednesday's Play-In meeting with the Miami Heat. The reigning MVP reaggravated his left knee injury during Friday's win over Orlando and didn't suit up for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Brooklyn Nets.
Mo Bamba got the start in that one, although
Paul Reed was more productive, amassing a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double with two steals and two blocks. Embiid has practiced in the last few days, which is a good sign. However, DFS managers will anxiously await another update on his availability for the pivotal contest.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 days agoNew Orleans Pelicans forward
Zion Williamson (leg) scored a game-high 40 points off 17-for-27 shooting in Tuesday's Play-In loss to the Lakers. He added 11 rebounds, five assists, one block, and one steal. Williamson had a fantastic showing. Unfortunately, he suffered a leg injury late in the contest and didn't return. Although details were scarce initially, head coach Willie Green labeled Williamson's injury as "left leg soreness" while revealing he will undergo imaging on Wednesday. At any rate, Williamson has battled countless injuries throughout his career, so this situation is concerning. But if the 2019 No. 1 overall pick can't suit up for the Pelicans' next Play-In contest versus Golden State or Sacramento,
Larry Nance Jr. would presumably fill the void in the lineup.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Andrew Lopez
2 days agoNew Orleans Pelicans forward
Zion Williamson (undisclosed) exited Tuesday's Play-In matchup with the Lakers. The Pelicans were down big. However, the team managed to get back in it, with Williamson knotting things at up 95 by making a basket in the paint. Unfortunately, he came down and immediately grimaced with pain before heading to the locker room. Williamson likely injured his leg, although there aren't any details at the moment. But if he doesn't return to this one, he'll finish with 40 points, 11 boards, and five assists.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: TV Broadcast
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