Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Luka Doncic (ankle, knee) probable for Game 6 Sat.
    Luka Doncic (left ankle soreness, right knee sprain) is probable for Saturday’s game against the Thunder.

    Advice: As has been the case throughout this series, Doncic is on the Mavericks’ preliminary injury report. He’s yet to miss a game this postseason, and the probable tag suggests that will continue to be the case on Saturday night. DFS players should plan for Doncic to be on the court and approach (if not exceed) 40 minutes as the Mavericks look to close out Oklahoma City. Rotoworld Friday, 3:09 pm
     
  • Listed as probable again
    Doncic is probable for Saturday's Game 6 against the Thunder due to a right knee sprain and left ankle soreness.

    Advice: Doncic hasn't missed a game this postseason despite being a regular on the injury report. That trend should continue Saturday as the Mavericks attempt to secure a spot in the Western Conference Finals. Across the previous five matchups versus Oklahoma City, Doncic averaged 23.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 1.8 steals in 41.0 minutes per game. Rotowire.com Friday, 2:34 pm
     
  • Moves to bench
    Alexander-Walker will move to the bench for Thursday's Game 6 versus Denver.

    Advice: This is an expected move with Mike Conley back from his injury. Alexander-Walker fared well in his spot start in Game 5, producing 14 points (5-12 FG, 4-8 3Pt), two rebounds, five assists and two blocks across 39 minutes. Rotowire.com Thursday, 5:04 pm
     
  • Posts triple-double in win
    Doncic provided 31 points (12-22 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 10 rebounds, 11 assists and one block over 41 minutes during Wednesday's 104-92 victory over Oklahoma City in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Doncic has been playing through several ailments of late, but that didn't seem to slow him down Wednesday, as he posted his second triple-double of the series while carrying the Mavericks to a huge road win. The Mavericks are now potentially 48 minutes away from reaching the Western Conference Finals, and Doncic is expected to play a prominent role on offense in Game 6 on Saturday. Rotowire.com Thursday, 9:00 am
     
  • Isaiah Joe offers minimal value in spot start
    Isaiah Joe played 21 minutes in Wednesday’s Game 5 loss to the Mavericks, accounting for six points (2-of-9 FGs), three rebounds, and two 3-pointers.

    Advice: Thunder coach Mark Daigneault changed the starting lineup for Game 5, with Joe replacing the ineffective Josh Giddey. Joe picked up two quick fouls and could not offer much value in his 21 minutes on the court. While Giddey (11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one 3-pointer) shot 5-of-8 from the field, the minutes total (12) is a clear sign that he isn’t trusted in this series. The question ahead of Saturday’s Game 6 is whether or not Daigneault will stick with Joe as the fifth starter. And even if Giddey receives the nod, he’s unlikely to get the minutes needed to be of value to DFS players. Rotoworld Wednesday, 9:32 pm
     
  • Luka Doncic rebounds, posts 31/10/11/0/1 stat line
    Luka Doncic shot 12-of-22 from the field and 2-of-3 from the foul line in Wednesday’s 104-92 win over the Thunder, accounting for 31 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, one blocked shot, and five 3-pointers in 41 minutes.

    Advice: Injuries have been an issue for Doncic throughout this series, but there was also the habit of focusing too much on the officials. Playing with an apparent laser focus, the Mavericks point guard came up huge in Dallas’ Game 5 victory. Doncic recorded an efficient triple-double, shooting better than 50% from the field and controlling the action. With Kyrie Irving (12/2/4/1 with two 3-pointers in 39 minutes) taking a back seat offensively, the Mavericks need Doncic to be at his best. That was the case on Wednesday, and Game 6 isn’t until Saturday in Dallas. Doncic will get a welcome respite before the Mavericks look to end the series at home. Rotoworld Wednesday, 8:58 pm
     
  • Max Strus hits three 3-pointers in Game 5 loss
    Max Strus scored 12 points (3-of-10 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs) with seven rebounds, nine assists, and three 3-pointers in 44 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Celtics.

    Advice: Strus didn’t have a good night shooting the basketball, but the overall line was solid for DFS players who may have slotted him into their lineups. The nine assists were a postseason high for the Cavaliers wing, who was asked to take on additional offensive responsibilities with Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert unavailable. Based on his Yahoo ADP, Strus was expected to provide late-round value this season, and that’s precisely what he did. Starting 70 games during the regular season, Strus established career-high averages in points (12.2), rebounds (4.8), assists (4.0), steals (0.9), and blocks (0.4). The best way for Strus to threaten top 100 status would be to improve the field-goal percentage, as he shot just 41.8% in 2023-24. Rotoworld Wednesday, 7:21 pm
     
  • All-around outing in Game 5 defeat
    Strus ended Wednesday's 113-98 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with 12 points (3-10 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), seven rebounds and nine assists in 45 minutes.

    Advice: Strus put up a well-rounded stat line, handing out a team-high-tying assist total to go along with a team-high-tying rebound mark in a near double-double outing. Strus reached double figures in scoring in three of the five games against Boston, adding at least seven rebounds and seven assists in the final two games of the series. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 6:54 pm
     
  • Good to go for Game 5
    Doncic (ankle/knee) is active and starting Wednesday's Game 5 against the Thunder.

    Advice: Doncic was initially labeled probable with lingering knee and ankle injuries, but, as expected, he will suit up for Wednesday's tilt. Considering he hasn't faced any restrictions since sustaining the injury, Doncic should see as many minutes as he can handle in the pivotal matchup. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 6:14 pm