1 day agoNew Orleans Pelicans guard
CJ McCollum netted a team-high 25 points on 9-for-19 shooting in Sunday's 124-108 loss to the Lakers. He hit 4-for-9 from downtown and was also among the team leaders with seven assists, completing his line with four rebounds. McCollum had a fairly inconsistent regular-season campaign, but he's heated up at a good time for the team, with the Pelicans set to begin the play-in tournament against the Lakers on Tuesday. The 32-year-old has averaged 30.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists over his last seven appearances.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 day agoNew Orleans Pelicans guard/forward
Brandon Ingram logged 23 minutes in his first game back from a knee injury in Sunday's losing effort against the Lakers. The Pelicans produced a sub-par performance in a must-win game, but Ingram played well in his first action since March 21, shooting 6-for-9 from the field en route to 13 points and five rebounds. Ingram missed the previous 12 games, but the team should ramp up his minutes quickly, as the Pelicans now enter the play-in tournament, with a rematch against the Lakers scheduled for Tuesday. Ingram has always saved some of his best performances for his former team, averaging 23.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists for his career against the Lakers.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 day agoLos Angeles Lakers forward
LeBron James completed his 21st regular-season campaign with his 112th career triple-double in Sunday's 124-108 win over New Orleans. James put on a playmaking clinic in the first quarter and finished with 17 times, as well as having 28 points and 11 rebounds. He shot 11-for-20 from the field and also produced a monster game defensively, racking up five steals with one block. James averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists for the year across 35.3 minutes. It wasn't enough to help the Lakers get a top-six seed in the West, but the team is well-placed to make the playoffs via the play-in tournament. The Lakers start the action on Tuesday against the Pelicans, whom they have dominated all season. James has averaged a 28-6-12 line in the matchup.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) didn't suit up for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Brooklyn Nets. He tweaked his knee during Friday's win over the Orlando Magic, causing him to exit the contest briefly. Naturally, there remains apprehension regarding his availability for Wednesday's Play-In meeting with the Miami Heat. However, head coach Nick Nurse seemingly put any concern to rest by stating Embiid would "be ready to go." Of course, DFS managers won't be satisfied until he is listed as available on the injury report. But for now, everyone can plan on Embiid being on the floor versus Miami.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Noah Levick
2 days agoLos Angeles Lakers forward/center
Anthony Davis (back, hip) finished with a 30-point, 11-rebound double-double in Sunday's win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Unfortunately, he exited the contest, with ESPN's Dave McMenamin reporting he suffered hip and back spasms after an awkward fall. With the victory, the Lakers secured the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference and will remain in New Orleans to meet the Pelicans on Tuesday. Davis vows he will play. But things happen, so
Jaxson Hayes could be in line to start if AD doesn't suit up.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Dave McMenamin
2 days agoNew York Knicks guard
Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 40 points in Sunday's overtime win over the Chicago Bulls. He added eight boards and seven assists. The 27-year-old had a solid end to the 2023-24 campaign, amassing at least 40 points in three of the Knicks' last five regular-season contests. While it still isn't enough to get Brunson an MVP award, his efforts at least landed the Knicks the No. 2 seed entering the postseason. His recent uptick in production since the All-Star break will presumably make him a top-10 fantasy option for next season. It could go even higher if New York at least makes it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoIndiana Pacers guard
Tyrese Haliburton had a 12-point, 13-assist double-double in Sunday's blowout over the Atlanta Hawks. He added three steals and a block, energizing his squad in the regular-season finale. The 24-year-old was hot on the scoring end in the first two months of the 2023-24 campaign. However, Haliburton's offensive production has dwindled, especially after he missed time because of a hamstring issue. With that in mind, Haliburton may not be fully healthy, which would explain his scoring woes. Yet, he should pick up the pace, even if his spark doesn't come until next season.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoBoston Celtics guard
Payton Pritchard scored a game-high 38 points in Sunday's 10-point win over the Wizards. The reserve nearly had a triple-double, adding 12 assists and nine rebounds. The C's were locked into the No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference heading into this one, so the starters got the night off. Although Pritchard likely won't be as productive in the first round of the postseason, his efficient showings over the last two games will automatically give him more attention from fantasy managers ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 days agoIndiana Pacers forward
Obi Toppin (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. Toppin injured his left ankle against the Cavs and could not return to the contest. Before suffering the ankle injury, Toppin had logged 10 points, two rebounds, six assists, one block, and two steals in 16 minutes on the court. The Pacers are pretty roughed up right now, and we could see
Jarace Walker get a shot at some rotation minutes if Toppin is unable to suit up.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 days agoMilwaukee Bucks guard
Damian Lillard (adductor) is considered probable for Sunday's match-up with the Orlando Magic. The 33-year-old is expected to return to action on Sunday following his absence from Milwaukee's last game due to left adductor soreness. The Bucks will happily welcome their star point guard back into the lineup, as a win on Sunday would clinch the second seed in the Eastern Conference. With superstar
Giannis Antetokounmpo remaining on the sidelines, Lillard will need to carry a heavier load.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 days agoIndiana Pacers forward/center
Jalen Smith (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's season finale against the Atlanta Hawks due to a left ankle sprain. The Pacers frontcourt could be light as
Isaiah Jackson (hamstring) and
Obi Toppin (ankle) are also questionable. Smith, on Friday, coming off the bench, posted 11 points, six rebounds, and two steals in 20 minutes on the court versus the Cavs.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 days agoWashington Wizards guard
Jordan Poole (illness) is questionable to play in Sunday's match-up versus the Boston Celtics. The 24-year-old guard missed Friday's contest against the Chicago Bulls because of a non-COVID illness and appears to be in danger of missing the season finale. Poole has been performing at a high level in recent games, including a performance against the Toronto Raptors on April 7, in which he dropped 29 points and dished out 12 assists. If he cannot play, more playing time will likely be given to
Jared Butler and
Johnny Davis. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Sunday to see if Poole will suit up for the last game of the season.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 days agoWashington Wizards forward
Kyle Kuzma (ankle) will not suit up for Sunday's contest versus the Boston Celtics. The 28-year-old's absence from the season finale will be his fifth consecutive game on the sidelines because of a right ankle sprain. This will be the end of his season, as the Wizards are far away from the playoff race, with 15 wins. Kuzma had a very good year for fantasy managers, finishing with averages of 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 days agoBoston Celtics forward/center
Al Horford (rest) will not play in Sunday's season finale against the Washington Wizards. Along with Horford, the Celtics will be resting their five usual starters. Center
Luke Kornet and forward
Xavier Tillman Sr. could be very busy in the frontcourt, and they are worth considering for DFS contests on Sunday, especially going up against the Wizards, one the worst teams in the National Basketball Association.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 days agoBoston Celtics guard
Jrue Holiday (knee) won't play on Sunday against the Wizards. Holiday has been banged up all year. With that in mind, the C's need him as healthy as possible for the playoffs, so he'll sit out on Sunday. The C's also won't have
Jayson Tatum,
Kristaps Porzingis,
Al Horford,
Jaylen Brown, and
Derrick White (ankle). As a result,
Payton Pritchard, coming off a double-double in Friday's win over the Charlotte Hornets, is a lock for all DFS contests.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
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