4 days agoChicago Bulls guard
Lonzo Ball (knee) exercised his $21.4 million option for the 2024-25 campaign. This was expected, especially since the 2017 No. 2 overall pick has been sidelined by a left knee injury for over two years. During his time away, he's undergone three surgeries to address the issue, including a cartilage transplant. Ball most recently played 35 games for the Bulls after being traded by the Pelicans and posted some of his best numbers, averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 steals while shooting a career-high 42.3% from behind the arc. With that said, the 26-year-old doesn't have a return date. But even if he gets back on the floor at some point, it could take him a while to work his way up to full speed. The risk of re-injury and potential decreased production will also be factors for fantasy managers to consider, even if there is a positive update regarding his health at some point in the next few months.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 days agoCleveland Cavaliers forward/center
Evan Mobley struggled in Friday's loss to Orlando. The 2021 No. 3 overall pick had a stellar night on Tuesday, so expectations were high entering this one. Unfortunately, he couldn't get anything going offensively, ending the contest with just three points off 1-for-5 shooting from the field. Mobley at least had seven rebounds and five blocks. But it was still a subpar effort from the 22-year-old, who had added responsibility due to the absence of
Jarrett Allen (rib). At any rate, Mobley has had a double-double in two of his three appearances on his home court during this series, meaning he has an excellent chance to turn things around on Sunday afternoon for Game 7.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 days agoCleveland Cavaliers guard
Darius Garland played well in Friday's loss to Orlando. The 24-year-old scored 21 points, finishing second on his team in scoring behind
Donovan Mitchell, who had 50. He added six rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Garland struggled during the first four games of the series. However, he's now combined for 44 points in the last two contests. While the 2019 No. 5 overall pick has lost the trust of some DFS managers, he deserves fantasy consideration for Game 7 on Sunday, primarily since Orlando will likely focus on keeping Mitchell from having another explosive performance.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 days agoCleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell had a game-high 50 points in Friday's postseason meeting with Orlando. However, his efforts weren't enough, as the Magic earned the win to extend the series. The 27-year-old continues to deal with an ailing knee. But after a few unimpressive showings during this round, Mitchell got his act together in Game 6. With the series knotted at three games each, both clubs will head back to Cleveland for Game 7 on Sunday. Mitchell has played well on his home turf throughout this series, averaging 27 points. Yet, the Magic will likely focus on slowing him down, meaning he may not be as productive as he was on Friday evening.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoLos Angeles Clippers guard
Terance Mann (leg) was seen at shootaround ahead of Friday's Game 6 against the Dallas Mavericks. Mann is listed as questionable heading into this game due to a right leg contusion. The fact Mann was seen at shootaround is a good sign heading into Friday's game. The team will likely wait to see how Mann feels during pregame warmups before making a final decision. His absence would likely mean increased playing time for
Russell Westbrook and
Norman Powell.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Law Murray
5 days agoThe Los Angeles Lakers have moved on from head coach Darvin Ham after two seasons as the team's head coach. This move doesn't come as a shock and was expected after the Lakers loss to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the postseason. The Lakers will look for a new head coach after two straight playoff losses to the Nuggets. Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, and JJ Redick are all reported candidates for the open position.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
5 days agoCleveland Cavaliers center
Jarrett Allen (ribs) remains listed as questionable for Friday night's Game 6 against the Orlando Magic. The big man was spotted at shootaround on Friday morning but his level of participation is unclear. He was unable to play in Game 5 on Tuesday due to the rib contusion, so it seems like he'll be a game-time decision in this potential series-clinching game. DFS managers will want to check back when it gets closer to tipoff since his presence usually means a bit of a value hit to
Evan Mobley when it comes to rebounds and defensive stats.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Chris Fedor
5 days agoOrlando Magic guard
Gary Harris (hamstring) was officially listed as questionable when the injury report first came out, and head coach Jamahl Mosley confirmed that to still be the case. During shootaround on Friday morning, Mosley was asked if Harris was likely to play and he said, "He went through walk-through. He's going to go through his shooting slot, so he'll still be more of a game-time decision." While it's encouraging that he went through the walk-through and is still scheduled to get his shooting in, there could be some discomfort leading up to game time. DFS managers will want to monitor his situation if thinking about using him in any lineups.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Josh Robbins
5 days agoNew York Knicks guard/forward
Josh Hart delivered yet again with huge hustle plays and a dagger three that officially moved the team into the second round of the playoffs. The former Villanova Wildcat finished the game with 16 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, and two turnovers while shooting 5-for-11 overall and 3-for-5 from three. He was the Knicks' second-leading scorer in this series and had double the amount of rebounds per game compared to their second-best rebounder. On top of that, he shot some of his best percentages from three in his career as he registered 43.2% from deep on 6.2 attempts per game.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Basketball Reference
5 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid fouled out late in Game 6 after intentionally fouling with the clock ticking down, but he was able to keep the team in the game while battling on the offensive end and on the boards. The former MVP posted 39 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block, and five turnovers. He also shot 12-for-25 from the floor, 2-for-5 from beyond the arc, and 13-for-13 from the free throw line. Despite the injured knee and Bells Palsy, the superstar big man ended this series with averages of 33.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game with shooting splits of .444/.333/.859.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Basketball Reference
5 days agoNew York Knicks guard
Jalen Brunson turned in a historic performance after posting a third-straight 40-point performance and his fourth game of at least 39 points and six assists. In Game 6, Brunson finished with 41 points, 12 assists, three rebounds, and two turnovers while shooting 13-for-27 from the floor and 3-for-8 from deep. The Villanova product hit multiple big shots down the stretch of the game to put it just out of reach for the 76ers and lead the Knicks to their second playoff series win since the 2012-13 season. Despite a rough start in the first two games of the series, he found his rhythm and carried the offense to the tune of 35.5 points per game and he's currently the leading scorer throughout the entire playoffs so far.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Basketball Reference
5 days agoMilwaukee Bucks forward
Khris Middleton had 14 points in Thursday's loss to the Pacers. He added four boards, three assists, and two steals. While the veteran did all he could, his efforts weren't enough to lead Milwaukee to a win, eliminating the team from the playoffs. Middleton finished the regular season by averaging 15.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds. However, as usual, the 32-year-old was limited to 55 games due to injury. Middleton's play is never a concern. But his inability to stay healthy will negatively impact his fantasy stock heading into the 2024-25 campaign, no matter where he's playing.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoMilwaukee Bucks guard
Damian Lillard (Achilles) was back in the lineup for Thursday's playoff meeting with Indiana after missing a few contests with an Achilles injury. He played well, scoring a game-high 28 points while shooting 7-for-16 from the field and 4-for-12 from deep. Unfortunately, Lillard's return didn't help, as the Pacers got the win to eliminate the Bucks from the postseason. Lillard has been one of the league's most potent scorers for years. However, the 33-year-old took a step backward in his first season with the Bucks, averaging 24.3 points, nearly eight fewer than he had in his final season in Portland. On a positive note, he logged 73 games during the regular season, his most since 2017-18. But it appears Lillard is starting to regress statistically, so his fantasy ranking for next season won't be as favorable.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoCleveland Cavaliers center
Jarrett Allen (rib) is questionable for Friday's matchup with Orlando. The veteran is bothered by a right rib contusion, keeping him off the floor for Tuesday's win. He didn't practice on Thursday, although it appears he still has a chance to suit up for Game 6. However, if Allen misses another contest,
Isaac Okoro will likely remain in the starting lineup. On the other hand,
Marcus Morris Sr., coming off a 12-point effort in Game 5, would be the preferred DFS value option if Allen can't go.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
5 days agoDallas Mavericks guard/forward
Tim Hardaway Jr. (ankle) remains out for Friday's matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers. The sharpshooting veteran tweaked his right ankle in Game 2 of this series and hasn't been available since. Without him,
Maxi Kleber and
Josh Green have gotten more minutes, even though neither player has been able to take advantage of their extra time on the floor.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
RADIO
