Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Kristaps Porzingis (leg) available for Game 5 Mon.
    Kristaps Porzingis (left posterior tibialis dislocation) is available for Monday’s game against the Mavericks.

    Advice: Porzingis is officially available for Game 5, but that does not mean he’s guaranteed to play. The Celtics cleared him for Friday’s Game 4, but Porzingis did not see action. Before that game, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said the 7-foot-3 big would only play in “very specific instances,” and the contest turned into a blowout by the end of the first quarter. Mazzulla did say before Game 5 that he “expects to see” Porzingis play, but DFS players should not expect too much from him production-wise. Rotoworld Monday, 3:33 pm
     
  • Available for Game 5
    Porzingis (lower leg) is available for Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Mavericks.

    Advice: Porzingis suffered a left posterior tibialis dislocation in the third quarter of Game 2 and was ruled out for Game 3. He was listed as available ahead of Game 4 but didn't see playing time in the blowout loss. The 28-year-old went through warmups before Game 5 and looked comfortable during light workouts with the Celtics' coaches and training staff. It is unclear whether coach Joe Mazzulla will put the big man to use, especially after saying he is not near 100 percent and would only be used sparingly before Game 4. Porzingis is available for Game 5, but with the Celtics holding a 3-1 series advantage, the team could limit his minutes severely, if he plays at all. Rotowire.com Monday, 3:29 pm
     
  • Questionable for Game 5
    Porzingis (lower leg) is questionable for Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Mavericks, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: Porzingis is in jeopardy of missing his third consecutive game with a left posterior tibialis dislocation. The big man played in the first two games of the NBA Finals, accumulating 32 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and an assist while shooting 12-for-20 from the field. Prior to Game 4, head coach Joe Mazzulla said that Porzingis is not 100 percent and he will only play if the Celtics desperately need him, which may not end up being the case with the team still holding a 3-1 series lead heading into Game 5 at home. If Porzingis remains sidelined, Al Horford and Xavier Tillman will continue seeing increased playing time. Rotowire.com Sunday, 2:09 pm
     
  • Another double-double
    Lively contributed 11 points (4-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-4 FT), 12 rebounds and one steal across 22 minutes during Friday's 122-84 victory over the Celtics in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Lively has been coming off the bench, but he's made a substantial impact on both ends of the court. The rookie out of Duke owned the paint and was a massive factor in the rebounding battle that saw the Mavericks dominate the contest. Lively is the first rookie to record multiple double-doubles in the NBA Finals since Magic Johnson in 1980. Rotowire.com Friday, 9:11 pm
     
  • Kristaps Porzingis (leg) a DNP-CD in Game 4 loss
    Kristaps Porzingis (left posterior tibialis dislocation) did not play in Friday’s 122-84 loss to the Mavericks.

    Advice: Porzingis was cleared to play after sitting out Game 3. However, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said during his pregame availability that he would only play in “very specific instances,” so the chances of KP seeing action were slim. With Game 4 getting out of hand by the end of the first quarter, there was no reason for Mazzulla to consider inserting Porzingis. Game 5 is on Monday night, with Porzingis’ availability impacting Al Horford and Xavier Tillman if he’s allowed to play. Rotoworld Friday, 8:30 pm
     
  • Dereck Lively II records another double-double
    Dereck Lively II shot 4-of-5 from the field and 2-of-4 from the foul line in Friday’s 122-84 win over Boston, amassing 11 points, 12 rebounds, one steal, and one 3-pointer in 22 minutes.

    Advice: After offering minimal offensive production in Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals, Lively’s output picked up in Dallas. The rookie center recorded double-doubles in both games, and he hit his first 3-pointer (regular season or playoffs) in Game 4. While Lively logged 22 minutes before both coaches cleared their respective benches, starting center Daniel Gafford (seven points, four rebounds, and one blocked shot) played ten. While the order of the rotation won’t change for Game 5 on Monday, Lively projects to be the better option for DFS players. Rotoworld Friday, 8:19 pm
     
  • Warming up Friday
    Porzingis (lower leg) was out on the court warming up ahead of Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Friday.

    Advice: Porzingis is still officially listed as questionable after missing Game 3 with a left posterior tibialis dislocation. While an official determination of Porzingis' status will likely be made closer to tipoff at 8:30 ET, he seems to be moving well, which bodes well for his availability moving forward in the series. Rotowire.com Friday, 3:06 pm
     
  • CLE unlikely to entertain ‘core four’ trade offers
    According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Cavaliers are not expected to entertain any trade offers for their “core four” players.

    Advice: While the team is still searching for a new head coach, there have also been questions regarding constructing the Cavaliers’ roster for next season. There has reportedly been interest in Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, but according to Fischer, the team has no plans to move anyone. That “core four” includes Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, with the latter flourishing while Allen was sidelined during the postseason with a rib injury. The fantasy ceilings of Garland, Allen, and Mobley were limited this season, and that likely remains the case in 2024-25 if Cleveland sticks with the same starting lineup. Rotoworld Thursday, 4:54 pm
     
  • Suffers ankle injury
    Jovic was diagnosed with a minor left ankle sprain Thursday and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

    Advice: Jovic is still expected to compete for Serbia in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, which begin on July 28. Jovic made 38 starts for Miami this year and could start alongside Nikola Jokic in the frontcourt for Serbia. Rotowire.com Thursday, 11:24 am