Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Shoots poorly in Game 5 loss
    Irving posted 15 points (5-16 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine assists, three rebounds and one steal over 41 minutes during Monday's 106-88 loss to Boston in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Irving struggled to get going in the Game 5 loss to the Celtics after a strong performance in Game 4, when he put up 21 points, six assists and four rebounds on 55.6 percent shooting from the field. The eight-time All-Star averaged 19.8 points, 5.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 0.6 steals in five NBA Finals games while shooting 41.4 percent from the field. Irving has now been to four NBA Finals with a 1-3 record, and he will attempt to help lead Dallas back to the championship round next year with Luka Doncic by his side. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:56 pm
     
  • Efficient from deep in Game 5 loss
    Green notched 14 points (5-8 FG, 4-6 3Pt) and two rebounds across 22 minutes during Monday's 106-88 loss to Boston in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Green produced his best game of the playoffs Monday despite the Mavericks losing Game 5 and the series by a 4-1 deficit. The 23-year-old averaged 5.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 0.4 steals across 19.2 minutes in five NBA Finals games. Green's four three-pointers were his most since Feb. 5, and with the 23-year-old under contract with the Mavericks until 2026, he will look to possibly take on a larger role with the team next season as the Mavericks attempt to make it back to the Finals. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:55 pm
     
  • Efficient from deep in Game 5 win
    White amassed 14 points (4-10 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, two steals, one assist and one block over 38 minutes during Monday's 106-88 win over Dallas in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: In his second NBA Finals appearance, White averaged 13.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks in five games. He also suffered a chipped tooth when White's head was stuck between the floor and a fallen Derek Lively. Shortly after cleaning his bloodied mouth, White drained a three. The elite defender was a crucial part of the Celtics' championship run, as he provided extreme value on both sides of the ball. In 19 playoff games this season, White averaged 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 blocks and 0.9 steals while shooting 45.2 percent from the field. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:17 pm
     
  • Kyrie Irving dishes out nine assists in Game 5
    Kyrie Irving finished Monday’s 106-88 loss to the Celtics with 15 points (5-of-16 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), three rebounds, nine assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers in 41 minutes.

    Advice: As in Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals, Irving struggled in Game 5. The nine assists weren’t enough to counter another poor shooting night, which is bound to leave a bitter taste in the Mavericks guard’s mouth heading into the offseason. Boasting a Yahoo ADP of 14.1, Irving exceeded that number in 8- and 9-cat formats. The veteran guard was slightly better in 9-cat, ranking within the top 10 according to Basketball Monster. The lone negative for Irving managers was the availability, as he was limited to 58 regular season games. While he certainly has top-10 fantasy potential, availability keeps him outside that threshold in drafts. Irving has met or exceeded 65 games once in his last seven seasons, except his final season in Boston (2018-19). Rotoworld Monday, 8:48 pm
     
  • Luka Doncic posts 28/12/5/3 line in Game 5 loss
    Luka Doncic accounted for 28 points (12-of-25 FGs, 2-of-5 FTs), 12 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two 3-pointers in 43 minutes in Monday’s 106-88 loss to the Celtics.

    Advice: While Doncic recorded his second double-double of the NBA Finals on Monday, efficiency was a concern for the Mavericks star. He struggled at the foul line and also committed a game-high seven turnovers. Luka’s play wasn’t the only reason Dallas fell in Game 5, but Dallas’ margin for error is slim when one of its stars struggles. However, he made history, becoming the first player in the NBA to lead all players in postseason points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Expected by fantasy managers to be a top 5 player based upon his Yahoo ADP (2.7), Doncic lived up to that in 2023-24. Appearing in 70 regular season games, he was a top 5 player in 8- and 9-cat per-game value and totals. While Doncic wasn’t fully healthy when the season began due to a lingering leg injury, playing at the FIBA World Cup last summer ensured he joined the Mavericks in better shape than in previous seasons. A final decision has not been made regarding Luka’s availability for the upcoming Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece that Slovenia will participate in; his health will dictate the decision. Regardless of his status, fantasy managers should expect another elite season from Doncic in 2024-25. Rotoworld Monday, 8:45 pm
     
  • Derrick White posts 14/8/1/2/1 line in Game 5 win
    Derrick White logged 38 minutes in Monday’s win over Dallas, amassing 14 points (4-of-10 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), eight rebounds, one assist, two steals, one block, and four 3-pointers.

    Advice: Boston did not truly break out from beyond the arc in the NBA Finals, but Game 5 was the night they came closest. And White was a key factor, hitting four of the team’s 13 3-pointers as Boston locked up its 18th championship. Pegged by many as the player whose fantasy value would suffer the most after Boston added Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, White was an excellent guard to have rostered. Appearing in 73 games, he finished the regular season ranked just outside the top 25 in 8- and 9-cat per-game value. White was a better option in 9-cat formats due to his averaging just 1.5 turnovers per game, and his numbers improved across the board compared to the 2022-23 campaign. Selecting White in the third round of drafts may be a bit much, but this season proved he’s capable of offering that kind of value in Boston. Rotoworld Monday, 8:22 pm
     
  • Luka Doncic (chest) available for Game 5 Monday
    Luka Doncic (thoracic contusion) is available for Monday’s game against the Celtics.

    Advice: This status upgrade was expected, with Doncic considered probable on the initial injury report. With Dallas looking to extend the NBA Finals to a Game 6, he’ll play at least 40 minutes unless the game turns into a blowout. Rotoworld Monday, 4:25 pm
     
  • Gets green light for Game 5
    Doncic (thoracic contusion) is available for Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Celtics.

    Advice: Doncic is dealing with a thoracic contusion, but he has been upgraded from probable to available ahead of Monday's Game 5. The All-Star will lead the Mavericks into Boston as Dallas looks to cut the series deficit to 3-2 and come back from down 3-0, a feat that has never been accomplished in NBA Finals history. Doncic has been solid throughout the series, averaging 29.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.5 steals across 37.8 minutes while shooting 47.0 percent from the field. Rotowire.com Monday, 4:20 pm
     
  • Poole: Klay Thompson looking for a 3-year deal
    According to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole, league sources believe Klay Thompson is seeking at least a three-year deal.

    Advice: The Warriors’ “big three” era of Thompson, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green may end this summer, as the former is set to hit unrestricted free agency. While a max contract is undoubtedly off the table, the veteran shooting guard is reportedly looking for at least a three-year deal. Thompson is another year removed from a stretch in which he missed two consecutive seasons due to knee and Achilles tendon injuries, but his production dropped considerably in 2023-24. Landing with a team that needs to add 3-point shooting to its starting lineup would boost Thompson’s fantasy value, but the trick is finding that spot. Remaining with the Warriors may include Klay being asked to come off the bench, which would lower his fantasy ceiling. Rotoworld Monday, 3:56 pm