Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Making good progress
    Coach Joe Mazzulla said Wednesday on the Zo and Bertrand Show that Porzingis (calf) is "ramping up the intensity level" ahead of the NBA Finals, but the big man's status for Game 1 remains to be determined.

    Advice: The Celtics are waiting on the winner of the Western Conference Finals between the Mavericks and Timberwolves, but it sounds like Porzingis has a shot to return early on in the NBA Finals. There are likely to be daily updates on Porzingis' status, but Boston fans have reason to be optimistic based on Muzzulla's update. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:10 am
     
  • 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 Yesterday, 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 Yesterday, 8:08 am
     
  • Triple-double not enough in Game 4
    Doncic produced 28 points (7-21 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 10-12 FT), 15 rebounds, 10 assists and one steal over 41 minutes during Tuesday's 105-100 loss to Minnesota in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Doncic produced his second triple-double of the series Tuesday, but his impressive play was not enough to complete the sweep and secure a berth in the 2024 NBA Finals. Despite the outcome, Doncic remains an absolute stud in all fantasy formats and should remain a must-start player for the subsequent games of the series despite being regularly listed in the injury report. He's averaging 31.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game in these Conference Finals. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:06 am
     
  • Struggles from field Tuesday
    Irving accumulated 16 points (6-18 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds, four assists and one steal over 42 minutes during Tuesday's 105-100 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Irving was on the losing end of a closeout game in the playoffs for the first time in his career, and there's no doubt this was his worst performance of the series, particularly due to his shooting woes. Despite the struggles in this one, the star floor general remains an elite offensive weapon, and he should play a prominent role for Dallas in Game 5 of the series Thursday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:04 am
     
  • Comes close to double-double
    Conley amassed 14 points (5-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three rebounds, seven assists and four steals in 34 minutes during Tuesday's 105-100 win over Dallas in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Conley struggled a bit from three-point range, but he excelled in other areas, mainly as a playmaker and on the defensive end, as his four steals set the tone for Minnesota when it comes to disrupting the passing lanes. Conley has been hampered by an Achilles injury throughout the series, but he's still averaging 13.5 points, 4.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in this Western Conference Finals. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:01 am
     
  • Improves in Game 4
    Towns closed with 25 points (9-13 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), five rebounds and one assist in 30 minutes before fouling out of Tuesday's 105-100 victory over the Mavericks in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Towns had been heavily criticized due to his shooting struggles throughout the series, but he bounced back in a big way Tuesday, missing just one of his five attempts from beyond the arc and just four of his 17 shots overall when including free throws. One game won't erase all his struggles, but this was certainly a step in the right direction. Towns will need to produce at this rate again if Minnesota is going to win Game 5 on Thursday to extend the series. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:57 am
     
  • Carries Minnesota in Game 4 victory
    Edwards posted 29 points (11-25 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 5-8 FT), 10 rebounds and nine assists across 40 minutes during Tuesday's 105-100 victory over the Mavericks in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: No Timberwolves player had more points, rebounds or assists in Game 4 on Tuesday, and the star shooting guard came through when his team needed him the most. The efficiency levels shown in previous rounds aren't there yet, but Minnesota needed Edwards to get the job done Tuesday, and he did. Edwards needs to carry the momentum into Game 5, as the Timberwolves remain down 1-3 in the series but will have home-court advantage Thursday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:55 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 Yesterday, 7:36 am