Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • PJ Washington scores 17 points in Game 2 defeat
    PJ Washington accumulated 17 points (6-of-13 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), seven rebounds, one assist, one block, and one 3-pointer in 40 minutes in Sunday’s 105-98 loss to Boston.

    Advice: After scoring 14 points in Game 1, Washington was three points better in Game 2. However, his struggles from beyond the arc continue, as he was 1-of-5 on Sunday. Since making 3.8 3-pointers at a 46.9% clip during Dallas’ second-round series against Oklahoma City, Washington has gone 9-of-40 from beyond the arc. He’s 1-of-8 in the NBA Finals, and the Mavericks will need a more accurate Washington moving forward. Game 3 is on Wednesday night in Dallas. Rotoworld Sunday, 8:17 pm
     
  • No concern regarding calf issue
    Coach Joe Mazzulla said after Sunday's win over the Mavericks that he isn't concerned about Porzingis' calf heading into Wednesday's Game 3, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: Porzingis logged 12 points (4-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, two blocks and an assist in 23 minutes during Sunday's victory, but he exited the matchup with 4:40 remaining and didn't return. He appeared to be getting his calf looked at on the team's bench area, but the issue isn't expected to be a concern as the NBA Finals roll on. Rotowire.com Sunday, 8:09 pm
     
  • BOS not concerned about Porzingis’ calf injury
    Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said after Sunday’s Game 2 win over the Mavericks that he has no concern regarding Kristaps Porzingis’ status for Wednesday’s Game 3.

    Advice: Porzingis, who returned from a right soleus strain in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, appeared to be laboring during the fourth quarter of Game 2. The 7-foot-3 big man played 23 minutes, finishing with 12 points (4-of-7 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, one assist, and two blocked shots. According to Mazzulla, Porzingis did not aggravate the calf strain and should be “good” moving forward. Al Horford remained in the starting lineup and played 28 minutes, finishing with five points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one 3-pointer. With Porzingis reportedly limited to 20-25 minutes, expect Mazzulla to stick with Horford as his starting center. Rotoworld Sunday, 7:58 pm
     
  • Jayson Tatum dishes out 12 assists in Game 2 win
    Jayson Tatum finished Sunday’s 105-98 win over Dallas with 18 points (6-of-22 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), nine rebounds, 12 assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer in 45 minutes.

    Advice: After shooting 6-of-16 from the field in Game 1, Tatum was even worse in Game 2. However, he contributed in other areas as the Celtics took a 2-0 series lead. Finishing one rebound shy of a triple-double, Tatum was responsible for 12 of Boston’s 29 assists on the night. And he made some history, becoming the third Celtics player to account for at least 18 points, nine rebounds, and 12 assists in an NBA Finals game (Larry Bird in 1986 and Bob Cousy in 1959). While the Celtics will need their star forward to snap out of this slump, especially if Kristaps Porzingis has to miss time after appearing to aggravate his calf strain, Tatum is capable of impacting the game in other ways. He and the Celtics will look to strengthen their grip on the series in Game 3 on Wednesday. Rotoworld Sunday, 7:46 pm
     
  • Coming off bench in Game 2
    Porzingis will come off the bench in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday versus the Mavericks, Malika Andrews of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: Porzingis returned for Game 1 of the NBA Finals after suffering a right soleus strain in Game 4 of the Celtics' opening-round series against the Heat. The 28-year-old left his mark off the bench in Game 1, putting up 20 points, six rebounds and three blocks across 21 minutes in a blowout victory. Al Horford will retain his role in the starting lineup, though his minutes will likely decrease, as Porzingis' role is expected to grow as the Celtics look to take Game 2 at home. Rotowire.com Sunday, 9:56 am
     
  • Report: Sasha Vezenkov will not return to Kings
    Sasha Vezenkov has informed the Kings that he does not intend to return for the second year of his contract, per Mihalis Stefanou of Euro Hoops.

    Advice: Vezenkov is under contract for this upcoming season, so he can’t simply “not return”. However, there is plenty of time for them to trade him or buy out his contract. Stefanou’s report also indicates that Vezenkov hasn’t decided if he will continue to play in the NBA or return to Europe. Vezenkov averaged 5.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 triple in 11.9 minutes per game across 44 appearances. He may have some upside if he lands with a different team that will grant him a larger role, but this shouldn’t have a direct impact on fantasy hoops at this point. Rotoworld Saturday, 9:03 am
     
  • Wants out of Sacramento
    Vezenkov has informed the Kings he does not plan on returning for the second year of his contract, Mihalis Stefanou of eurohoops.net reports.

    Advice: Vezenkov has a guaranteed contract for the 2024-25 season without an option, so it is possible that the Kings could waive him in the offseason. It is unclear whether the 28-year-old will remain in the NBA or make a return to Europe. Vezenkov logged his first action in the NBA last season with Sacramento and averaged 5.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists across 12.2 minutes in 42 appearances. Rotowire.com Saturday, 7:48 am
     
  • Little impact in Game 1
    Jones ended Thursday's 107-89 loss to Boston in Game 1 of the NBA Finals with five points (2-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt), six rebounds and one steal in 29 minutes.

    Advice: Jones struggled inside the arc and wasn't able to catch any signature lob dunks, largely due to the interior presence of Kristaps Porzingis. Game 1 also marked the first time he's failed to record an assist since Game 4 against the Clippers. Rotowire.com Friday, 9:43 am
     
  • Plays well in Game 1
    Horford totaled 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-5 3Pt), seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 30 minutes during Thursday's 107-89 victory over the Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: With the benches emptying near the end of the fourth quarter and Kristaps Porzingis making his return, Boston needed just 30 minutes out of Horford. In the seven games leading up to Thursday, Horford had averaged 34.6 minutes with only one day of rest between in-series games. Now, the Celtics and Mavericks don't face off again until Sunday, and then Wednesday. That gives the 38-year-old more rest than he's been used to lately, which could help him stay more effective when he's needed the most. Rotowire.com Friday, 9:39 am