Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

Player Notes

  • 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 Yesterday, 9:40 pm
  • 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 Yesterday, 9:29 pm
  • Alex Caruso (foot) plays 33 minutes in defeat
    Alex Caruso (right foot sprain) finished Friday’s loss to the Heat with six points (2-of-8 FGs), three rebounds, four assists, one block, and two 3-pointers in 33 minutes.

    Advice: Caruso was a game-time decision for Friday after injuring his foot during the first half of Wednesday’s win over the Hawks. While he played starters’ minutes, he did not have much impact on either end of the floor. The limited scoring output was unsurprising, but the Bulls struggled to defend Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. with a limited Caruso on the court. The rugged guard finished the season as a 5th-round player in 8- and 9-cat formats, exceeding his Yahoo ADP (140.7) by a significant margin. The only way Caruso is off the board in standard leagues ahead of the 100th pick will be if Zach LaVine (foot), Lonzo Ball (knee), and Patrick Williams (foot) aren’t available for the start of next season and pending free agent DeMar DeRozan is not re-signed. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:27 pm
  • Wills team to victory
    Herro accumulated 24 points (8-17 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds and nine assists in 33 minutes during Friday's 112-91 Play-In Game victory over the Bulls.

    Advice: Herro was the star of the show in this one, and while he didn't have a great shooting night by any means, he had a more controlled approach after knocking down nine of 27 attempts from the field Tuesday against the 76ers. The Kentucky product did much more than score in the win, falling just one assist shy of a triple-double. The Heat will need more performances like this from Herro heading into the team's opening-round series against the Celtics. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:00 pm
  • Coby White goes cold, scores 13 points vs. Miami
    Coby White shot 5-of-16 from the field and 1-of-2 from the foul line in Friday’s 112-91 loss to the Heat, tallying 13 points, two rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers in 36 minutes.

    Advice: What a difference a game makes. Two nights removed from torching the Hawks for 42 points, White ran into more significant resistance in Miami. The Heat made life difficult for the Bulls guard, who had as many turnovers as assists (four). Friday’s performance was a disappointing end to the best season of White’s NBA career, and he will receive some votes for the Most Improved Player award. Entering the season with a Yahoo ADP of 138.9, he provided 8th-round per-game value in 8- and 9-cat formats. With Lonzo Ball’s (knee) status for next season undetermined, Coby will be worth considering as a top-100 pick in standard league drafts. Rotoworld Yesterday, 6:48 pm
  • Back at practice Friday
    Lillard (adductor) practiced Friday, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Lillard didn't practice Tuesday or Wednesday to rest lingering injuries but is trending in the right direction after putting in a full session Friday. However, his status for Game 1 of the opening-round series against Indiana on Sunday likely won't be known until Saturday afternoon. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 3:14 pm
  • Donovan Mitchell (knee) active Saturday vs. Magic
    Alex Caruso (left knee injury management) is listed as active for the Cavaliers’ Saturday matchup with the magic.

    Advice: Mitchell sat with his backcourt partner Darius Garland in Cleveland’s regular-season finally, but the duo will be back in business against Orlando on Saturday. The Cavaliers guards should handle a full workload in Game 1. Rotoworld Yesterday, 1:31 pm
  • Darius Garland active Saturday vs. Magic
    Darius Garland has been upgraded from out to active for the Cavaliers’ first-round meeting with the Magic on Saturday.

    Advice: Garland missed Cleveland’s regular-season finale against Charlotte but will re-enter the fray over the weekend. The Cavaliers’ point guard should be good to return to the starting lineup and push Craig Porter Jr. back to the bench. Rotoworld Yesterday, 1:19 pm
  • Ruled out for Saturday
    Porter (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's Game 1 against the Magic.

    Advice: Porter sprained his left ankle during Sunday's regular-season finale against the Hornets and will be sidelined to begin the playoffs. It's unclear when Porter will return, but once he's healthy, he could struggle to find playing time as part of a strong bench unit consisting of Caris LeVert, Sam Merrill and Isaac Okoro. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 1:05 pm