Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Stands tall in victory
    Lively had 12 points (5-6 FG, 2-3 FT), 15 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 29 minutes during Saturday's 117-116 victory over the Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Lively continues to play well above his age, producing when it mattered most as the Mavericks eliminated the Thunder. Despite coming off the bench, Lively played the majority of the center minutes, recording his second straight double-double. Dallas will face either the Timberwolves or the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals, and either team will provide Lively with elite opposition at the center position. Rotowire.com Saturday, 9:07 pm
     
  • Back in rotation Saturday
    Williams provided two points (1-1 FG) and one rebound across three minutes during Saturday's 117-116 loss to the Mavericks in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Williams played for just the second time in the past five games, logging four minutes as Luguentz Dort was benched due to foul trouble. Despite a somewhat fantasy-friendly game, Williams is nothing more than a depth piece for a Thunder team with high aspirations heading into next season. There is no reason to think he will play a significant role moving forward. Rotowire.com Saturday, 9:04 pm
     
  • Cason Wallace logs 24 minutes in Game 6 loss
    Cason Wallace shot 2-of-8 from the field in Saturday’s 117-116 loss to the Thunder, scoring five points with one assist, one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer in 24 minutes.

    Advice: Wallace didn’t offer much production in Game 6, but Josh Giddey’s struggles led to the rookie figuring more prominently in the Thunder rotation this series. The first-round pick averaged 21.5 minutes per game against Dallas, four more than his average against the Pelicans in the first round. Wallace wasn’t worth selecting in most redraft leagues before this season, but that could change in 2024-25. That will depend on what happens with Giddey, who is eligible for a rookie extension this summer. Does Oklahoma City extend him, or do they attempt to use Giddey to strengthen the roster (especially the frontcourt)? If Sam Presti decides to make a move, Wallace is one player who could benefit. Rotoworld Saturday, 9:02 pm
     
  • Isaiah Joe hits three 3-pointers, scores 11 points
    Isaiah Joe played 29 minutes in Saturday’s Game 6 loss to the Mavericks, tallying 11 points (4-of-7 FGs), three rebounds, three assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers.

    Advice: Despite struggling in Game 5, Joe remained in the starting lineup for Game 6. He rebounded, shooting 3-of-4 from three and reaching double figures. Joe hasn’t been much more than a fantasy streamer during the regular season in Oklahoma City, but he, Cason Wallace, and Aaron Wiggins are worth watching this summer. Josh Giddey, who went from starter to playing limited minutes, is extension eligible, and this could be viewed as an opportunity to move him this summer. If so, Joe, Wallace, or Wiggins could be in play as a late-round option, depending on the potential return. Rotoworld Saturday, 8:43 pm
     
  • Dereck Lively II grabs 15 rebounds in Game 6 win
    Dereck Lively II accumulated 12 points (5-of-6 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), 15 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one blocked shot in 30 minutes in Saturday’s 117-116 win over Oklahoma City.

    Advice: He may not have been a starter like fellow rookie Chet Holmgren, but that did not prevent Lively from impacting the action in this series. He was outstanding in Game 6, establishing a new playoff high with 15 rebounds while dishing out three assists. Lively hit double figures in scoring in three of the series’ final four games, and the Game 6 double-double was his first. Lively’s play meant he took the lion’s share of the playing time on Saturday, with starter Daniel Gafford (10/7/1/0/1) playing 19 minutes. The partnership has worked well for the Mavericks, and that will also need to be the case in the Western Conference Finals. Rotoworld Saturday, 8:08 pm
     
  • Derrick Jones Jr. contributes 22 points, full line
    Derrick Jones Jr. shot 8-of-13 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Saturday’s 117-116 win over the Thunder, accumulating 22 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block, and four 3-pointers in 40 minutes.

    Advice: After scoring 19 points in the first three games of this series, Jones picked up the production significantly. He scored 17, 19, and 22 points in the final three games, shooting 4-of-6 from beyond the arc in Game 6 while also recording a full stat line. Having produced the best regular season of his NBA career, Jones fits nicely next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. He and the Mavericks are headed to the Western Conference Finals, which begin on Wednesday night. Rotoworld Saturday, 7:52 pm
     
  • Cracks rotation in victory
    McDermott supplied zero points (0-1 FG) in three minutes during Friday's 116-103 victory over the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: McDermott played three minutes to close the game Friday, at which point the Pacers had the game sealed up. Having played a total of just 19 minutes in the series, it's safe to say that McDermott is not going to play a role in determining the outcome of what has been a fantastic series between two bitter rivals. Rotowire.com Saturday, 3:55 am
     
  • Rare appearance in loss
    Sims racked up one rebound, one assist and one block across four minutes during Friday's 116-103 loss to the Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Sims played four minutes of garbage time as the Knicks were soundly beaten by the Pacers. Though he is known for playing his stars heavy minutes, even in losses, common sense prevailed with Tom Thibodeau closing with his second unit. Despite another ankle injury to Mitchell Robinson, Sims has been unable to carve out a consistent role, something that doesn't bode well for his future when looking beyond this season. Rotowire.com Saturday, 3:42 am
     
  • Remains out
    Prosper (ankle) won't play in Saturday's Game 6 against the Thunder.

    Advice: Prosper has yet to suit up this postseason while dealing with a left ankle sprain. While it is unclear when the rookie forward will return to action, it seems unlikely he will receive significant playing time even when available. Rotowire.com Friday, 2:34 pm