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Mikal Bridges Fills Box Score in Game 3 Win
New York Knicks guard/forward Mikal Bridges tallied 22 points, six rebounds, two assists, three steals, and two blocks in Saturday's 121-108 Game 3 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 29-year-old shot 11-for-15 from the field, missing his lone three-point attempt and failing to attempt a free throw. Bridges has not needed heavy usage to remain productive during New York's playoff run, and this was a strong reminder that his fantasy value is not tied only to scoring. With the Knicks up 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals, Bridges' two-way workload should remain steady in Game 4.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Jalen Brunson Pushes Knicks Closer to NBA Finals
New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson scored a team-high 30 points in Saturday's 121-108 Game 3 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 29-year-old shot 10-for-19 from the field and 10-for-12 at the foul line, adding three rebounds, six assists, and one steal as New York moved within one win of the NBA Finals with a 3-0 series lead. After handing out 14 assists in Game 2, Brunson shifted back toward scoring without losing control of the offense. Through three games in the series, he is averaging 29.0 points and 8.7 assists, keeping him locked into elite playoff fantasy value heading into Game 4.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Magic Interview Jeff Van Gundy for Head-Coaching Position
The Orlando Magic interviewed Los Angeles Clippers lead assistant Jeff Van Gundy for their head-coaching vacancy, according to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. Former Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan is also a candidate, giving Orlando two veteran options after dismissing Jamahl Mosley following a 45-37 season and another first-round exit. The fantasy angle starts with the offense, as the Magic ranked 19th in offensive rating while finishing 11th on defense. Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane, and Jalen Suggs are all listed on Orlando's current roster, and the next coach will be tasked with creating cleaner half-court chances around that core. Van Gundy would likely protect the defensive identity, while Donovan may offer a more direct path to steadier fantasy production.
Source: Jason Beede
Source: Jason Beede
Magic Reportedly Have Giannis Antetokounmpo on Their Radar
The Orlando Magic are gearing up to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports. Earlier this month, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Milwaukee Bucks are open to trade offers for Antetokounmpo, and it looks like the Magic are among the teams pursuing him. Orlando also reportedly explored trading for Antetokounmpo ahead of the February trade deadline. The Magic's efforts to attract the Greek superstar could be boosted if they hire Sean Sweeney, a former Bucks assistant coach, to serve as the team's new head coach. Sweeney is currently an associate head coach with the San Antonio Spurs. Antetokounmpo's move to Orlando would be intriguing, but it would come at a high cost, probably involving Paolo Banchero in the deal.
Source: Jim Owczarski
Source: Jim Owczarski
Ajay Mitchell Won't Play Sunday
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (calf) won't be in the lineup on Sunday in Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs. He has been diagnosed with a right soleus strain after playing just 17 minutes as a starter in Game 3 on Friday. Mitchell was filling in for Jalen Williams (hamstring) in the starting unit. It's unclear whether Williams will be ready to return on Sunday, as the team has listed him as questionable on the injury report. If Williams remains sidelined, Jared McCain and Cason Wallace will compete for the starting role. Both players performed well off the bench on Friday night and should draw significant fantasy attention on Sunday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Dylan Harper Not on Injury Report for Game 4
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (adductor) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Sunday's Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 20-year-old injured his right adductor in Game 2 and was tagged as questionable for Game 3 on the initial injury report. He was cleared to play before the game, logging 17 minutes off the bench. It was one of Harper's worst postseason outings, as he managed only six points with a 2-for-7 effort from the field. Harper has the potential to be much better on Sunday night. He has averaged 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.4 steals in the playoffs.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
De'Aaron Fox Off the Injury Report Ahead of Game 4
San Antonio Spurs point guard De'Aaron Fox (ankle) has not been listed on the injury report ahead of Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is a pleasant surprise after Fox missed the first two games of the series due to a right ankle sprain. He looked sharp in his return to action on Friday night in Game 3, picking up 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal in 31 minutes. While it was a bit alarming to see Fox leave the game briefly after seemingly re-aggravating his injury, it apparently wasn't a major issue. Fox is poised for a busy night on Sunday as the Spurs try to even the series in front of their fans.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Williams Questionable for Sunday Night
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) is questionable for Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. He is considered day-to-day due to a left hamstring injury and didn't play in Game 3. With the Thunder's bench erupting for 76 points on Friday, the team did just fine without Williams in Game 3, securing a 2-1 series lead. As a result, the reigning champions have no reason to hurry Williams' return. Ajay Mitchell (calf) started in Williams' place but has been ruled out for Game 4, potentially giving Jared McCain a new opportunity to shine after his 24-point performance on Friday night. Cason Wallace also benefits from the injury situation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Devin Vassell Posts 20 Points in Game 3 Loss
San Antonio Spurs guard/forward Devin Vassell posted 20 points, seven rebounds, two assists, four steals, and three three-pointers in Friday's 123-108 Game 3 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 25-year-old shot 6-for-12 from the field and 3-for-6 from deep while logging 36 minutes, giving San Antonio another useful two-way line despite falling behind 2-1 in the Western Conference Finals. Vassell has now scored 20-plus points in back-to-back games, and his perimeter shooting remains a key fantasy-friendly piece of San Antonio's offense as the Spurs try to even the series in Game 4.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
De'Aaron Fox Struggles From Deep in Friday's Loss
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox recorded 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one three-pointer in Friday's 123-108 Game 3 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 28-year-old returned to the starting lineup after missing the first two games of the Western Conference Finals with an ankle sprain, logging 31 minutes in the loss. He shot 7-for-14 from the field but went just 1-for-6 from deep, so the balanced line was more encouraging than the scoring total. Fox's workload is the key takeaway for fantasy managers, although his perimeter lift remains worth watching in Game 4.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Victor Wembanyama Held to Four Rebounds in Game 3 Loss
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama scored a team-high 26 points in Friday's 123-108 Game 3 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, going 8-for-15 from the field, 2-for-5 on threes, and 8-for-10 at the line. The Defensive Player of the Year added four rebounds, three assists, one steal, and two blocks, but the rebounding total stands out. Oklahoma City made a concerted effort to keep him off the glass and largely succeeded, holding him to four boards after he piled up 24 in the Game 1 win. He still led all five San Antonio starters in scoring, with Devin Vassell chipping in 20. Wembanyama remains a do-everything fantasy anchor, but the Thunder's game plan has dragged his counting stats below the ceiling he flashed to open the series.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Jaylin Williams Catches Fire From Deep Friday
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Jaylin Williams provided 18 points, five rebounds, one assist, two steals, and five three-pointers in Friday's 123-108 Game 3 win over the San Antonio Spurs. The 23-year-old shot 5-for-7 from the field and 3-for-3 at the line, giving Oklahoma City a major lift during a night when its bench produced a franchise playoff record 76 points. Williams averaged only 7.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists during the regular season, so this was a major scoring spike. His stretch-frontcourt shooting gives Oklahoma City another rotation wrinkle entering Game 4.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Jared McCain Drops Playoff-High 24 Points in Game 3
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain scored a playoff career-high 24 points in Friday's 123-108 Game 3 win over the San Antonio Spurs, going 10-for-21 from the field and 2-for-2 at the line in 27 minutes. The 22-year-old also chipped in four rebounds and one assist while posting a game-best plus-28. He struggled from deep at 2-for-10 but did his damage in the midrange and paint, helping anchor a 76-point bench outburst alongside Jaylin Williams, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace. With Jalen Williams (hamstring) sidelined and Ajay Mitchell (undisclosed) exiting early, McCain's role keeps expanding. He has logged at least 26 minutes in back-to-back games and is averaging 14.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 three-pointers over his last three outings.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Guides Thunder to 2-1 Series Lead
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 26 points, two rebounds, 12 assists, one block, and two three-pointers in Friday's 123-108 Game 3 win over the San Antonio Spurs. The 27-year-old shot only 6-for-17 from the field, but he went 12-for-12 at the line and helped Oklahoma City take a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals. With Jalen Williams (hamstring) sidelined, Gilgeous-Alexander's playmaking carried extra weight, and the low-turnover passing line softened the inefficient shooting night for fantasy managers.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Ajay Mitchell Does Not Return in Game 3 Win
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (undisclosed) exited Friday's 123-108 Game 3 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals and did not return, finishing with two points (1-for-5 on field goals, 0-for-1 from three-point land), five rebounds, and one assist in 17 minutes. The 23-year-old got tangled up with Devin Vassell, picked up a technical with 8:19 left in the third quarter, then headed to the locker room and was absent from the bench in the fourth. He had appeared to reaggravate a quad issue from Game 2. Mitchell drew the start in place of Jalen Williams (hamstring), so his health matters for the rotation. If he can't go Sunday, Jared McCain, Cason Wallace, and Isaiah Joe all stand to absorb additional minutes, with McCain the most intriguing after shooting 40 percent from three through the postseason.
Source: Brandon Rahbar
Source: Brandon Rahbar
