Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Could return for Game 5
    Lively (neck) could return as soon as Thursday's Game 5 against Minnesota, Shams Charania said on FanDuel's Run It Back.

    Advice: Lively avoided the concussion protocol and is trending in a positive direction. If Lively can give it a go, Dwight Powell would be unlikely to crack the rotation and Maxi Kleber's floor would be a bit lower in fantasy formats. More clarity is expected on Wednesday afternoon after the Mavericks practice. Rotowire.com Today, 8:52 am
     
  • Heats up off bench in Game 4
    Hardy posted 13 points (5-8 FG, 3-4 3Pt) and one rebound across 12 minutes during Tuesday's 105-100 loss to Minnesota in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Hardy has yet to play more than 12 minutes in any game in the series, and he's yet to log more than 15 minutes in any playoff appearance this season, but he made the most of his time in this Game 4 loss. The lack of minutes he's seen suggests this was a one-off outburst, however, so fantasy managers shouldn't trust him in Game 5 of the series Thursday. Rotowire.com Today, 8:08 am
     
  • Takes on limited role in return
    Kleber (shoulder) played 13 minutes and finished with two points (1-3 FG, 0-2 3Pt), one rebound and one assist in Tuesday's 105-100 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: The Mavericks were without backup center Dereck Lively (neck) for Game 4, but the return of Kleber from an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder -- which he suffered in Game 6 of the opening-round series against the Clippers -- helped restore some depth in the frontcourt. Kleber and Dwight Powell (three minutes) saw only light run behind Daniel Gafford (31 minutes) and P.J. Washington (42 minutes), and if Lively is back for Game 5 on Thursday, Kleber could see his playing time decline further. Rotowire.com Today, 7:36 am
     
  • Jaden Hardy hits three triples, scores 13 points
    Jaden Hardy shot 5-of-8 from the field in Tuesday’s 105-100 loss to Minnesota, accumulating 13 points, one rebound, and three 3-pointers in 12 minutes.

    Advice: While he hasn’t figured prominently in the Mavericks’ rotation, Hardy’s minutes have increased in the Western Conference Finals. He’s played at least nine minutes in all four games, with Tuesday’s being his best. Hardy shot 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and reached double figures for the second time this postseason (Game 5 vs. LAC in the first round). Even with PJ Washington (10/5/2/0/1 with two 3-pointers in 42 minutes) struggling to knock down perimeter shots consistently, Hardy’s minutes are unlikely to increase in Game 5 on Thursday. He isn’t worth the risk in DFS tournaments. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:13 pm
     
  • 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 Yesterday, 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 Yesterday, 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 Yesterday, 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 Yesterday, 10:20 am
     
  • Maxi Kleber (shoulder) good to go for Game 4
    Maxi Kleber (right shoulder AC joint separation) is available for Tuesday’s Game 4 against the Timberwolves.

    Advice: Kleber has been out since May 3, when he logged five minutes in the closeout Game 6 victory over the Clippers. His return is timely, as Dereck Lively II is out on Tuesday due to a neck injury sustained in Game 3. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:55 am