Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Begley: ‘Unlikely’ Knicks re-sign Hartenstein
    According to SNY’s Ian Begley, it is becoming “increasingly unlikely” that the Knicks will be able to re-sign Isaiah Hartenstein.

    Advice: The joy Knicks fans felt in the immediate aftermath of the Mikal Bridges trade was somewhat tempered by the report on Hartenstein. Given how well he played this season, the 7-footer will command a significant payday once he hits free agency on June 30, and New York is limited in what they can offer iHart since the team does not hold his Bird rights. Losing Hartenstein would impact Mitchell Robinson, whose name has recently come up in trade rumors. Robinson can be an excellent fantasy center due to the rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage, but availability has been an issue for most of his career. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:45 pm
     
  • Will sit out Olympics
    The Celtics announced Tuesday that Porzingis (leg) will undergo surgery in the coming days, which will force him to miss the Olympics with Latvia.

    Advice: Surgery was inevitable, but Porzingis hoped to delay it until after the Olympics. More clarity on a timeline for the recovery process likely won't be known until after the procedure. He's coming off a terrific season with the Celtics, posting averages of 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.9 three-pointers in the regular season. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:23 am
     
  • Will be cleared in near future
    Morant (shoulder) said Saturday he will be medically cleared for basketball activities in about two weeks, CBSSports.com reports.

    Advice: Morant played only nine games last year due to a 25-game suspension and a major shoulder injury. He averaged 25.1 points, 8.1 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals across 35.3 minutes. The All-Star had successful surgery on his right shoulder in mid-January and will be able to practice soon, meaning he should be 100 percent for next season's training camp. Morant hopes to take the Grizzlies back to the playoffs after a year ruined by injuries saw them finish with a 27-55 record. Rotowire.com Sunday, 8:19 am
     
  • Will undergo offseason surgery
    Porzingis said Monday after the Celtics' title-clinching 106-88 win over the Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals that he'll undergo offseason surgery to address his left leg injury, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: In Game 2 of the Finals, Porzingis suffered a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon, a rare injury that carried an uncertain recovery timeline. After not playing in Games 3 and 4, Porzingis returned for Game 5 and handled a limited role, playing 16 minutes off the bench while contributing five points (2-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and one rebound. The Latvian big man said the offseason surgery will require a "few months" of recovery, so his status will be worth monitoring when training camp begins in late September or early October. Porzingis previously missed over five weeks of action earlier in the postseason due to a strained right calf. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 8:23 am
     
  • Kristaps Porzingis to undergo surgery on left leg
    Kristaps Porzingis told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps after Monday’s win over the Mavericks that he will undergo surgery to address the dislocation of his left posterior tibialis.

    Advice: Porzingis did play in Monday’s title clincher but was clearly at less than full strength. While he was not under any official restrictions, the Celtics big man only played 16 minutes off the bench. Following the victory, Porzingis revealed that the injury will require surgery, and the rehabilitation process will last for a “few months.” With KP facing a prolonged absence, Al Horford’s fantasy value will receive a slight boost in drafts ahead of the 2024-25 season. Rotoworld Monday, 10:14 pm
     
  • Kristaps Porzingis plays 16 minutes in Game 5 win
    Kristaps Porzingis tallied five points (2-of-4 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs) and one rebound in 16 minutes in Monday’s 106-88 win over Dallas.

    Advice: Having picked up a DNP-CD in Game 4 despite being cleared to play, Porzingis logged 16 minutes off the bench on Monday. He wasn’t under any specific restrictions, but it was clear that the Celtics wouldn’t push him too far. The result was Boston’s 18th title in franchise history and the first for the “Unicorn.” After a stellar 2022-23 season in Washington, Porzingis being traded to Boston may have led to his being undervalued in fantasy basketball. Boasting a Yahoo ADP of 43.1, he provided top-15 per-game value in 9-cat formats and top-25 in 8-cat. The lone negative was availability. Porzingis only appeared in 57 games due to injury, with his absence boosting backup Al Horford’s fantasy value. Injuries were also an issue for Porzingis during the Celtics’ run through the playoffs, and he’s only appeared in at least 60 regular season games once (2022-23) since the 2016-17 campaign. KP is immensely valuable to fantasy managers when healthy, but that’s why his ADP is likely to take a hit. Rotoworld Monday, 8:36 pm
     
  • Coming off bench in Game 5
    Porzingis (lower leg) will come off the bench for Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Mavericks.

    Advice: Porzingis will again come off the bench for the Celtics, as he did in the first two NBA Finals games. In those two contests, Porzingis accumulated 32 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and an assist while shooting 12-for-20 from the field. Prior to Game 5, head coach Joe Mazzulla said Porzingis will not have any restrictions after sitting out the last two games due to a left posterior tibialis dislocation, but Al Horford will remain in the starting lineup Monday. Rotowire.com Monday, 5:09 pm
     
  • Expected to play in Game 5
    Coach Joe Mazzulla said to expect Porzingis (lower leg) to play in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against Dallas on Monday, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.

    Advice: Porzingis was ruled out ahead of Game 3 after suffering a left posterior tibialis dislocation in the third quarter of Game 2. He got the green light for Game 4 but didn't see any playing time during the blowout loss. However, with the Celtics looking to close out the series at home, Porzingis won't have any restrictions, though it remains unclear if he'll be in the starting lineup. In Game 1, his first appearance after a 10-game absence due to a calf injury, Porzingis scored 20 points (8-13 FG) and blocked three shots in 21 minutes. Rotowire.com Monday, 3:50 pm
     
  • 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