Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Undergoes toe surgery
    Fontecchio underwent surgery on his left great toe Tuesday, and he is expected to return by the start of training camp, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Fontecchio missed the final 14 games of the regular season due to a contusion on his right great toe, but he was a solid performer for the Pistons. The 28-year-old averaged 15.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.9 steals in 30.2 minutes, starting in nine of 16 games. The sharpshooter is a restricted free agent, and he will likely garner interest from multiple teams including the Pistons. However, Fontecchio has made it clear that he is interested in returning to Detroit. Rotowire.com Today, 12:56 pm
     
  • Ends productive season in loss
    Nesmith logged 14 points (4-11 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 5-6 FT), six rebounds, an assist and a steal over 35 minutes during Monday's 105-102 loss to Boston in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: Nesmith posted career highs in every major category this season, putting up 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks in 27.7 minutes. After signing an extension at the beginning of the season, the 24-year-old will likely return to the Pacers next season and look to expand his role with the team. Rotowire.com Today, 11:19 am
     
  • Gets crucial minutes in Game 4
    McDermott closed with three points (1-1 FG, 1-1 3Pt), three assists, a rebound and a block over 13 minutes during Monday's 105-102 loss to the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: McDermott was traded to the Pacers early in February and in 28 games averaged 3.1 points, 0.7 assists and 0.5 rebounds in 9.5 minutes. The 32-year-old is set to become a free agent ahead of the 2024-25 season and has played for seven teams in his 10-year career. Rotowire.com Today, 11:09 am
     
  • 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
     
  • Aaron Nesmith scores 14 points in series decider
    Aaron Nesmith finished Monday’s Game 4 loss to the Celtics with 14 points (4-of-11 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), six rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one 3-pointer in 35 minutes.

    Advice: Nesmith struggled from beyond the arc in Game 4, making just one of his six attempts. He reached double figures in two of the four games, but Nesmith’s growth as a defender has been one of the important storylines for the Pacers this season. The season-ending injury suffered by Bennedict Mathurin pushed the former Celtic into the Indiana starting lineup, and he proved to be a good fit. Nesmith finished the regular season ranked just outside the top 100 in 9-cat formats, and his value for the 2024-25 campaign will depend on where Mathurin falls within the rotation. If Rick Carlisle decides to prioritize defense in that spot, Nesmith could enter the season as a starter, boosting his fantasy value. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:26 pm
     
  • 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
     
  • Ben Sheppard to start for injured Haliburton Sat.
    Andrew Nembhard, Ben Sheppard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner will start Saturday’s Game 3 against the Celtics.

    Advice: The Pacers are without All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who will not play on Saturday due to a left hamstring injury. As a result, Nembhard will be the lone point guard in the starting lineup, with Sheppard moving up from the bench. The latter will experience an increase in catch-and-shoot opportunities, while Haliburton’s absence enhances Nembhard and T.J. McConnell’s DFS values. Rotoworld Saturday, 5:09 pm
     
  • Starting Game 3
    Sheppard will start Saturday's Game 3 against the Celtics, Tony East of SI.com reports.

    Advice: Tyrese Haliburton (leg) has been ruled out for Game 3, and his availability for Game 4 and beyond is in jeopardy too. In 15 postseason appearances, Sheppard has averaged 5.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.2 three-pointers. Rotowire.com Saturday, 5:08 pm
     
  • Undergoes surgery on wrist
    Bogdanovic underwent surgery on his left wrist Wednesday and will be re-evaluated in 6-to-8 weeks.

    Advice: It was previously reported that Bogdanovic would undergo surgeries on both his left wrist and his left foot, but there's no clarity on when he will undergo the foot procedure. Bogdanovic made only 29 appearances for the Knicks after being traded to New York at the deadline, posting averages of 10.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.6 three-pointers. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 7:39 am