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RotoBaller NBA Recap: The Warriors Are Ready To Boogie

Welcome to the RotoBaller NBA Recap. In this feature, we highlight three fantasy basketball takeaways from last night's slate of NBA games. Friday night featured a dominant performance from Kyrie Irving, the return of DeMarcus Cousins and a coaching milestone for Gregg Popovich. Since we are on the topic, let's start there. The San Antonio Spurs eclipsed the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road 116-113. LaMarcus Aldridge led the way for the Spurs, who were without DeMar DeRozan on the night. With the victory, the Spurs move up to the number five seed out West and have won seven of their last 10 games. Head coach Gregg Popovich earned his 520th road victory on the night, tying Pat Riley for most road wins by a head coach in NBA history.

Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 38 points against the Memphis Grizzlies to help secure a 122-116 home win. After a slow start to the season for Irving, he has produced top-10 nine-category value on the year and has been exceptional for a Celtics team that has experienced some ups-and-downs. Boston is currently ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference, which is a let down from their perceived odds that placed them as the betting favorites to make the NBA Finals before the season started. The Celtics still have a while to turn the ship around but will need more consistent play if they want to get through the Eastern Conference.

And in the biggest news of the night, DeMarcus Cousins made his long-awaited return, scoring 14 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block and three three-pointers in 15 minutes. Cousins was always going to be on a restriction with his minutes, but he quickly fouled out of the game in limited action. It is going to take some time for Cousins to get back into basketball shape, but the rest of the league cannot be happy about Golden State having another All-Star at their disposal. We still have three additional fantasy takeaways from Friday night to discuss, so without further ado, let's take a closer look into what happened around the league on January 18th.

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D'Angelo Russell Has Ice In His Veins

D'Angelo Russell matched a career-high on Friday, scoring 40 points during a 117-115 comeback victory over the Orlando Magic. Russell was able to add two rebounds, seven assists, one steal and eight three-pointers on just one turnover in 33 minutes. The 21-point comeback marked the team's largest rally during the Brooklyn era. Russell scored 19 consecutive points for the Nets in the second quarter and is the first player in franchise history to record 40 or more points, eight or more triples and seven or more assists in a game.

There is a lot to like about the 22-year-old from a fantasy perspective, but there are also negatives to owning him. While he has been a solid points league contributor, Russell is shooting just 43.7 percent on 17 attempts per contest. The hit in field goal percentage is something you can live with because of his three-point ability and production in multiple other categories, but Russell has been hit-and-miss when it comes to closing the end of the game on the court. He didn't get the call during Wednesday's game and could see a reduction in usage when Caris Levert can return from his foot injury. LeVert's timetable has yet to be determined, but it is a situation worth monitoring for owners of Russell and Spencer Dinwiddie. Russell is producing top-35 value in nine-category leagues in the past seven days but could be a potential sell-high candidate. I wouldn't be panicking to get rid of him, but it doesn't hurt to see what you can get in return.

JaMychal Green Could Be In Store For a Larger Role

JaMychal Green scored 12 points to go along with four rebounds, one assist, two blocks, one steal and two three-pointers on 4-for-6 shooting in the Memphis Grizzlies 122-116 road loss to the Boston Celtics. Green is now averaging 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1.0 steals and 1.5 three-pointers in his past four games and could be in store for a more significant role with the impending news of a potential Marc Gasol trade.

Grizzlies owner Robert Pera met with Gasol earlier this week to discuss his future with the team, and with how poorly Memphis has been playing as of late, a trade is surely possible. Green is currently owned in 41 percent of Yahoo leagues and just 17.9 percent of ESPN settings. His play has warranted a roster spot in all standard leagues, but the potential for more minutes makes him one of the better adds of players with under 50 percent ownership. If he is available on your waiver wire, add him and let the situation in Memphis play itself out.

Kenneth Faried Has Short-Term Value In Houston

Kenneth Faried agreed to a contract buyout with the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, clearing the way for him to sign a free agent deal with the Houston Rockets. It is a big signing for the Rockets, who will be without Clint Capela for over a month, and Faried could slide right into the starting rotation for the team.

The 29-year-old is available in 94 percent of Yahoo leagues and seems like an ideal short-term fit for the Rockets. If you have a spot that you can open up on your roster, he is worth an add in standard leagues and should be a reliable source of points, rebounds and field goal percentage. Faried will also give you a handful of defensive statistics to boot.

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Rafael Devers

Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

Browns Still Counting on Dustin Hopkins
Demarcus Robinson

Sentenced to Three Years of Probation
Jalen Nailor

In Line for WR3 Role in Minnesota
Andrew Thomas

Could Miss Start of 2025 Season
Alex Bregman

Expected to Return on Friday
Julio Rodríguez

Julio Rodriguez Won't Suit Up for Midsummer Classic
Trey Smith

Chiefs, Trey Smith Expected to Work Out Long-Term Extension
Bernhard Raimann

a Candidate for an Extension This Summer
C.J. Stroud

Could Sign Multi-Year Deal Before 2026 Season
Kyle Juszczyk

Says Christian McCaffrey Looks Healthy, Explosive
Kyren Williams

Showing Improved Explosiveness
Christian Barmore

"Dominant" this Spring
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Homers Twice, Drives in Three
Brice Matthews

Joining Astros
MLB

White Sox-Guardians Postponed on Thursday
Brandon Aiyuk

Likely to Begin Season on PUP List, but Not Ruled Out for Week 1
Jameson Williams

Not in the Team's Long-Term Plans?
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Micah Parsons

Plans to be Present for Start of Training Camp
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Ikem Ekwonu

Next Up for Extension in Carolina?
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
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