Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Progressing well after surgery
    Coach Rick Carlisle said Tuesday that Mathurin (shoulder) is way ahead of schedule on his post-surgery recovery, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.

    Advice: Mathurin's productive sophomore season was cut short due to a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The 21-year-old averaged 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 26.1 minutes across 59 games. This progress bodes well for the Pacers and Mathurin, as he's on track to make a full recovery before the start of the 2024-25 season. Rotowire.com Today, 10:20 am
     
  • Decent output in Game 4 loss
    McConnell provided 15 points (7-16 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, four assists and one steal across 25 minutes during Monday's 105-102 loss to the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: McConnell was tasked with handling a bigger role throughout the series, and that was even more noticeable with Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) sidelined for the final two contests. The veteran floor general looked good off the bench, but he wasn't able to complete the comeback on his own. McConnell scored in double digits in three of the four games of the series, including reaching the 15-point plateau in the last two. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:47 pm
     
  • Shines in bigger role
    Nembhard totaled 24 points (10-18 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, 10 assists, one block and one steal over 39 minutes during Monday's 105-102 loss to the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: Even though the Pacers were swept by the Celtics, one positive outcome of this series was Nembhard's excellent play, which proved he's more than ready to handle a more prominent role in the offensive scheme. Nembhard ended his postseason run by scoring in double digits in seven appearances in a row, reaching the 20-point mark in three of the last five. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:44 pm
     
  • T.J. McConnell records 15/5/4/1 line in Game 4
    T.J. McConnell finished Monday’s 105-102 loss to the Celtics with 15 points (7-of-16 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, four assists, and one steal in 25 minutes.

    Advice: As in Game 3, McConnell increased his production with Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) sidelined. The veteran backup point guard has been a critical contributor for the Pacers the past two seasons. While that may not mean much regarding consistent fantasy value, McConnell is a player the Pacers value immensely. He’s eligible for an extension this summer, but Indiana must also navigate Pascal Siakam’s unrestricted free agency. As for McConnell’s fantasy prospects, he’s a player who’s most valuable as a streamer if Haliburton or Andrew Nembhard is sidelined. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:38 pm
     
  • Andrew Nembhard produces 24 points, 10 assists
    Andrew Nembhard shot 10-of-18 from the field and 1-of-1 from the foul line in Monday’s 105-102 loss to the Celtics, finishing with 24 points, six rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, one block, and three 3-pointers in 39 minutes.

    Advice: The Pacers were again without Tyrese Haliburton, and Nembhard did his best to help make up for his absence. The second-year guard improved throughout the postseason and shined in Games 3 and 4. While there were some late-game turnovers that Nembhard will want back, his overall play should highly encourage the Pacers. He’s fit in well as a starter next to Haliburton, but that has not translated into reliable fantasy value. Nembhard finished the regular season ranked outside the top 200, but he’ll be worth selecting with a late-round pick in fantasy drafts next fall. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:12 pm
     
  • Scores career-high 32 points
    Nembhard racked up 32 points (12-21 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds and nine assists across 39 minutes during Saturday's 114-111 loss to Boston in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: Nembhard had to step up his game with Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) sidelined, and the second-year guard delivered the best performance of his career on the biggest stage. However, Nembhard lost the ball in a critical sequence against Jrue Holiday when the Pacers had to go for a comeback in the final seconds, but aside from that, he was excellent. Nemnhard is averaging 20.0 points, 7.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game in the Eastern Conference Finals so far. Rotowire.com Sunday, 9:42 am
     
  • Shines off bench despite loss
    McConnell notched 23 points (10-17 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, six assists and one steal in 29 minutes during Saturday's 114-111 loss to Boston in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: McConnell came off the bench Saturday despite the fact Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) was unavailable, and the former made a huge impact on both ends of the court once again. Given that McConnell outplayed Ben Sheppard, who started Game 3 in place of Haliburton, it wouldn't be surprising if McConnell moves to the starting lineup in Game 4 with Indiana facing a 3-0 deficit in the series. McConnell is averaging 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in the Eastern Conference Finals. Rotowire.com Sunday, 9:39 am
     
  • Ben Sheppard fails to score in spot start Saturday
    Ben Sheppard missed all four of his shot attempts in Saturday’s Game 3 loss to the Celtics, going scoreless with three rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 26 minutes.

    Advice: Sheppard was tabbed to fill the void left by Tyrese Haliburton, who sat with a left hamstring injury. The rookie guard didn’t provide much value in Game 3, as he was 0-of-3 from deep and failed to score. Sheppard might remain in the starting lineup for Monday’s Game 4, depending on what happens with Haliburton. If the Pacers are to extend a series they now trail 3-0, they will need more production from Sheppard. Rotoworld Saturday, 9:07 pm
     
  • T.J. McConnell posts 23/9/6/1 line in Game 3 loss
    T.J. McConnell finished Saturday’s loss to the Celtics with 23 points (10-of-17 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), nine rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one 3-pointer in 29 minutes.

    Advice: While he wasn’t Rick Carlisle’s choice to replace the injured Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) in the starting lineup, McConnell was still in a position where he needed to step up. The veteran point guard came through, recording his first 20-point game since Game 6 of the Pacers’ first-round series against Milwaukee. The workload was also notable from Game 3, as the 29 minutes are the most T.J. has played in a game this postseason. Expect McConnell to take on a similar workload if Haliburton cannot play in Game 4 on Monday. Rotoworld Saturday, 9:04 pm