Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • De’Aaron Fox scores game-high 35 points in finale
    De’Aaron Fox shot 12-of-29 from the field and 7-of-11 from the foul line in Friday’s 105-98 loss to the Pelicans, scoring 35 points with seven rebounds, five assists, three steals, and four 3-pointers in 42 minutes.

    Advice: Fox produced a gaudy point total in his final action of the 2023-24 season, but the Pelicans made him work for his numbers. The Kings point guard was inefficient, shooting 4-of-16 from three while committing five turnovers. While Fox’s scoring (26.6), rebound (4.6), and steal (2.0) averages increased in comparison to last season, his field-goal and free-throw percentages decreased. However, that did not prevent him from providing 2nd-round per-game value in 8- and 9-cat formats, and the same can be said for Fox’s totals value. If he’s to threaten 1st-round value in 2024-25, the percentages need to improve. Rotoworld 9 minutes ago
     
  • Trey Murphy tallies 16 points, eight rebounds
    Trey Murphy played 43 minutes in Friday’s win over Sacramento, amassing 16 points (6-of-12 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), eight rebounds, six assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers.

    Advice: Due to Zion Williamson (hamstring) sitting, Murphy was back in the starting lineup for Friday’s “winner-take-all” matchup with the Kings. He was productive, with the turnover count (four) being the most significant issue. During the regular season, Murphy averaged 16.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 3.3 3-pointers per game in 23 starts. At a minimum, the Pelicans will need similar production in their first-round series against the Thunder, which will begin on Sunday. Rotoworld 16 minutes ago
     
  • CJ McCollum offers limited value in win over Kings
    CJ McCollum shot 3-of-8 from the field in Friday’s 105-98 win over Sacramento, accounting for seven points, two rebounds, three assists, one steal, two blocks, and one 3-pointer in 36 minutes.

    Advice: To begin with a positive, McCollum recorded a full stat line as the Pelicans earned the 8-seed in the West. However, he had another quiet night on offense, with Friday’s effort occurring with Zion Williamson (hamstring) sidelined. The good news for the Pelicans is that their bench stepped up, with Jose Alvarado (10/5/2/2/1 with one 3-pointer) and Naji Marshall (13/4/3/2) reaching double figures. The bench contributions will be critical against the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs, but the Pelicans will need more from McCollum regardless of how well the reserves play. Rotoworld 20 minutes ago
     
  • Jonas Valanciunas posts 19/12/3 line, two blocks
    Jonas Valanciunas finished Friday’s 105-98 win over the Kings with 19 points (8-of-16 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), 12 rebounds, three assists, and two blocked shots in 27 minutes.

    Advice: There have been times this season when the Pelicans used Zion Williamson at the five, relegating Valanciunas to the bench. With the Pelicans’ best player out with a hamstring injury, JV’s minutes appear to be more secure. However, Friday’s matchup had much to do with that, as he logged 27 minutes against fellow Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis. Valanciunas recorded a solid double-double with a few assists and blocks, and this is the level of production the Pelicans will need from him with Williamson out. However, Larry Nance Jr. could figure more prominently in the first-round series against Oklahoma City due to the Thunder’s lack of a bruiser in the middle. Nance played 21 minutes on Friday, finishing with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Rotoworld 29 minutes ago
     
  • Brandon Ingram scores team-high 24 points Friday
    Brandon Ingram shot 10-of-20 from the field and 3-of-3 from the foul line in Friday’s 105-98 win over the Kings, scoring 24 points with six rebounds, six assists, one block, and one 3-pointer in 37 minutes.

    Advice: With Zion Williamson (hamstring) out, Ingram had to do more as a scorer. He answered the call, shooting 50% from the field while dishing out six assists. Ingram was responsible for four turnovers, but the overall production (and contributions from the bench) were more than enough to make up for that. Also of greater significance was Ingram playing 37 minutes without issues; he logged 23 and 25 minutes in his first two games after returning from a knee injury. The Pelicans advance into the playoffs, where they’ll face No. 1-seed Oklahoma City in the first round. Game 1 is on Sunday night in OKC. Rotoworld 35 minutes ago
     
  • Cleared to return
    Murray (hip) has returned to Friday's Play-In Game against New Orleans, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Murray went to the locker room at the end of the first half with left hip soreness, but he's been cleared to return. He'll be asked to play a big role down the stretch with the Kings facing a nine-point deficit to begin the third quarter. Rotowire.com Today, 8:02 pm
     
  • Heads to locker room
    Murray went to the locker room after suffering a left hip injury during the second quarter of Friday's Play-In Game against the Pelicans, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Murray appeared to slip on a wet spot on the court, and he was reportedly favoring his hip on the way to the locker room, per Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento. Trey Lyles and Colby Jones would likely be asked to step up if Murray can't return. Rotowire.com Today, 7:43 pm
     
  • Ayo Dosunmu shoots poorly in season finale Friday
    Ayo Dosunmu (right quad contusion) shot 3-of-15 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Friday’s loss to the Heat, scoring 10 points with four rebounds, four assists, three steals, two blocks, and two 3-pointers in 41 minutes.

    Advice: Give Donsunmu credit for not allowing the shooting struggles to limit what he did in other areas, as he accumulated four assists, three steals, and two blocked shots. However, a cold night from three (2-of-11) sank Dosunmu’s field-goal percentage like a stone. Friday was a disappointing ending for a player who made significant strides after the Bulls lost Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams to season-ending foot injuries. Dosunmu provided 11th-round per-game value in 9-cat formats and 12th-round value in 8-cat. Where he’s selected in drafts ahead of next season depends on the availability of LaVine and Williams, with the latter being a restricted free agent. Rotoworld Today, 7:32 pm
     
  • Leads team with 14 boards
    Vucevic notched 16 points (7-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt), 14 rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals over 35 minutes during Friday's 112-91 Play-In Game loss to the Heat.

    Advice: Vucevic turned in a valiant effort in Friday's elimination game, but the Heat cruised to a big victory with the help of Tyler Herro and Jamie Jaquez. Vucevic was held in check offensively along with the rest of the Chicago squad, as the Bulls were held to 91 points on 38.0 percent shooting from the field. The 33-year-old closed the season with four consecutive double-doubles. Rotowire.com Today, 7:30 pm