3 days agoDallas Mavericks guard
Luka Doncic (ankle, knee, chest) was downgraded to questionable ahead of Game 2 of the NBA Finals against Boston. He has been battling knee and ankle soreness throughout the postseason and was deemed probable to play as of Saturday night. However, the 25-year-old is now dealing with a thoracic contusion. With that in mind, Doncic will likely do everything he can to get on the floor on Sunday night. But considering he's the costliest DFS option available for fantasy managers, the ailments could make it challenging for him to exceed his value enough to justify his presence in any lineup. On a positive note, Doncic's condition could open the door for more involvement from
Kyrie Irving, who struggled in Game 1.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoDallas Mavericks guard
Luka Doncic (knee, ankle) is probable for Game 2 of the NBA Finals against Boston. Doncic will likely remain on the injury report until the end of the series. However, barring a setback, he should continue to play. The 25-year-old wasn't his best in the loss to the Celtics on Thursday, scoring 30 points while shooting 12-for-26 from the field and 4-for-12 from deep. He also had just one assist. Doncic was observed grimacing throughout Game 1, so he's likely not 100 percent. With that in mind, he's a risky option for DFS managers, especially since he easily has the highest rostering cost.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoAccording to Mihalis Stefanou of Eurohoops.net, citing sources, Sacramento Kings forward
Sasha Vezenkov informed the team he doesn't intend to return. While it's unknown if the 2023 EuroLeague MVP wants to remain in the NBA or head back overseas, it appears he won't be suiting up for Sacramento in 2024-25. Vezenkov, who signed a three-year, $20 million deal with the Kings last summer, averaged only 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 37.5% from deep in 42 games. With that said, there should be more updates on this situation heading into the offseason. But Vezenkov has plenty of talent, so he could turn things around if he stays in the NBA and gets playing time, whether it be in Sacramento or with a new team.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Mihalis Stefanou
4 days agoAccording to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, Detroit Pistons guard
Cade Cunningham could receive a contract extension this offseason. Edwards, who covers the Pistons, is "99.9 percent sure" it will happen, adding he'd "be stunned" if it didn't. The 2021 No. 1 overall pick has averaged 20.0 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.0 rebounds during his career. But some may argue against giving Cunningham a max rookie extension, considering he's been limited to 138 games since entering the league because of various injuries. Nonetheless, he still has upside for fantasy managers if he can stay healthy during most of the 2024-25 campaign. However, he has had issues taking care of the ball, averaging 3.5 turnovers. At the same time, Cunningham has shot a subpar 32.9% from behind the arc, which won't earn him praise from category participants.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: James Edwards III
5 days agoAccording to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic, Phoenix Suns guard
Bradley Beal underwent a nose procedure after the team was bounced from the postseason. The former Wizard suffered a broken nose in January. However, Beal had hinted after it happened that he would need to have his "septum realigned," so the latest update on his health didn't catch many by surprise. The 30-year-old averaged 18.2 points in his first season with the Suns, five fewer than his final season in Washington. He also logged just 53 games, missing time because of back and hamstring injuries. But Phoenix is strapped for cash this offseason, meaning everyone in the starting lineup should see plenty of minutes. If Beal can stay healthy, he has a chance to turn it around, even with
Kevin Durant and
Devin Booker also in the mix for scoring chances.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Duane Rankin
5 days agoBoston Celtics guard
Derrick White didn't need to break out the heroics in Game 1 for the team to notch a blowout win over the Dallas Mavericks. The veteran guard finished with 15 points, five assists, two rebounds, one steal, and two turnovers while shooting 5-for-11 from the floor and 3-for-8 from downtown. The fact that this seemed like a down game for White is a problem for the Mavericks. The offensive firepower ran through
Jaylen Brown and
Kristaps Porzingis in this one, but White has the ability to lead the team in scoring on any given night. His defense has also been a key piece in their success and he'll look to do more of the same in Game 2 on Sunday.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Basketball Reference
5 days agoDallas Mavericks guard
Jaden Hardy provided the biggest scoring punch off of the bench while the rest of the bench combined for just seven points. The second-year combo guard finished the game with 13 points, three rebounds, one assist, and one made three. He shot 4-for-8 from the floor and knocked down all four of his free throw attempts as well. Hardy saw fewer minutes per game this season than his rookie year, but he's played in more games and has put together some important performances through the playoffs so far. He's climbed higher in the postseason depth chart than
Tim Hardaway Jr. which wasn't something that many people predicted in the preseason.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Basketball Reference
6 days agoDallas Mavericks forward
P.J. Washington delivered the second-most points on the team behind the 30-point performance from
Luka Doncic. The bad thing is that resulted in a blowout loss in Game 1 by the tune of 107-89. Washington posted 14 points on 5-for-11 shooting and chipped in eight rebounds and one assist. He was unable to hit any threes in this contest and the team followed suit as they went 7-for-27 from deep. The former Hornet has been a key piece to the Mavericks' playoff run so far, and he's likely to deliver at least a couple of big offensive performances. His defensive abilities will be tested against the potent Celtics offense.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Basketball Reference
6 days agoBoston Celtics guard
Jrue Holiday contributed in the way he knows best, all-around on offense and a strong showing on defense. In the Game 1 blowout win over the Dallas Mavericks, the veteran combo guard registered 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and one steal while shooting 4-for-9 from the floor and 2-for-5 from deep. He didn't commit a single turnover and was a big part of the defensive masterclass against
Kyrie Irving and company. Holiday and
Derrick White have been a huge one-two punch in the backcourt and they'll continue to be showcased throughout this Finals matchup.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Basketball Reference
6 days agoDallas Mavericks guard
Kyrie Irving struggled in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against Boston on Thursday. He scored only 12 points, shooting a rough 6-for-19 from the field while failing to make any of his five attempts from deep. Although he added three boards, two assists, and two steals, it wasn't his best showing. At any rate, head coach Jason Kidd will likely make some adjustments for Game 2 on Sunday night, meaning Irving has a chance to get back on track in an attempt to knot the series ahead of Game 3 in Dallas.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoBoston Celtics forward
Jaylen Brown had a team-high 22 points in the win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday evening. He added six rebounds, two assists, three steals, and three blocks. While
Jayson Tatum is always the focal point for opposing defenses, Brown had another solid showing. There's no reason why that trend shouldn't continue for Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night, so DFS managers should keep him on the radar.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoBoston Celtics center
Kristaps Porzingis (calf) was available for the win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night. Despite missing over a month with a Soleus strain, the veteran looked great in his 21 minutes off the bench, amassing 20 points off 8-for-13 shooting from the field while adding six boards and three blocks. Head coach Joe Mazzulla indicated before the game that Porzingis wouldn't have a minutes restriction. While that should continue to be the case in Game 2 on Sunday, he may not see the floor much more than in Game 1. However, as long as Porzingis remains as productive, DFS managers won't mind.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoBoston Celtics forward
Jayson Tatum had a double-double in Thursday's win over the Dallas Mavericks. He amassed 16 points and 11 rebounds, adding five assists and a block. Unfortunately, the former Duke Blue Devil had issues taking care of the ball in Game 1, committing six turnovers. Tatum was arguably the C's most productive performer throughout the Eastern Conference Finals. But it's not uncommon for him to have an off night on the scoring end. With that in mind, Tatum could turn things around in Game 2, with Boston looking to earn another win before the series heads back to Dallas.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoDallas Mavericks guard
Luka Doncic had a game-high 30 points in Game 1 of the NBA Finals versus the Celtics. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, with Boston taking the win to claim the first contest of the series. Doncic added 10 rebounds and two steals. However, he struggled shooting, going 12-for-26 from the field and 4-for-12 from deep while contributing only one assist. The 25-year-old is still burdened by lingering knee and ankle soreness, and he was observed grimacing in pain throughout the contest. As such, Doncic will likely appear on the injury report heading into Game 2 on Sunday in Boston. But, as usual, he still has a good chance to be the most productive player on the floor.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoAccording to Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, center
Kristaps Porzingis (calf) won't have a minutes restriction on Thursday night against the Dallas Mavericks. The veteran has been sidelined for well over a month because of a Soleus strain. With that said, Porzingis could still see less work than usual, meaning
Al Horford remains a viable, albeit risky, DFS option for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Jay King
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