• Solid in Game 2
    Jones notched 11 points (4-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 32 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Jones improved on his five-point performance from Game 1, but he struggled from distance. He also didn't offer much defensive resistance despite managing a block and a steal. The forward will look to improve again in Game 3 at home, where he's averaged 11.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks in the postseason. Rotowire.com Monday, 8:51 am
  • Scores 16 points Sunday
    Irving accumulated 16 points (7-18 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds and six assists over 41 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Irving improved his shooting percentages and his overall stat line compared to the series opener, but the result was the same, and the Mavericks are now down by two games in the NBA Finals. Irving has had a rough time dealing with the Celtics' suffocating defense, as Boston has alternated between Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White against Irving, and those mismatches have limited his efficiency. Irving has now failed to reach the 20-point mark in three of his last four playoff appearances, and he'll aim to bounce back in Game 3 on Wednesday. Rotowire.com Sunday, 8:31 pm
  • Kyrie Irving struggles again, finishes with 16 PTS
    Kyrie Irving finished Sunday’s 105-98 loss to the Celtics with 16 points (7-of-18 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), two rebounds, and six assists in 41 minutes.

    Advice: After shooting 6-of-19 from the field in Game 1, Irving was slightly more accurate in Game 2. However, Dallas needs more production from him, especially with Luka Doncic continuing to play through multiple injuries. Luka looked worn down during the second half after going off in the first, and this is a spot where one would expect Kyrie to step up. However, he shot 2-of-8 from the field in the second half, scoring six points. Irving has lost his last 12 games against the Celtics, and the Mavericks head home in a 2-0 hole. Game 3 is on Wednesday night. Rotoworld Sunday, 8:10 pm
  • Report: Sasha Vezenkov will not return to Kings
    Sasha Vezenkov has informed the Kings that he does not intend to return for the second year of his contract, per Mihalis Stefanou of Euro Hoops.

    Advice: Vezenkov is under contract for this upcoming season, so he can’t simply “not return”. However, there is plenty of time for them to trade him or buy out his contract. Stefanou’s report also indicates that Vezenkov hasn’t decided if he will continue to play in the NBA or return to Europe. Vezenkov averaged 5.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 triple in 11.9 minutes per game across 44 appearances. He may have some upside if he lands with a different team that will grant him a larger role, but this shouldn’t have a direct impact on fantasy hoops at this point. Rotoworld Saturday, 9:03 am
  • Wants out of Sacramento
    Vezenkov has informed the Kings he does not plan on returning for the second year of his contract, Mihalis Stefanou of eurohoops.net reports.

    Advice: Vezenkov has a guaranteed contract for the 2024-25 season without an option, so it is possible that the Kings could waive him in the offseason. It is unclear whether the 28-year-old will remain in the NBA or make a return to Europe. Vezenkov logged his first action in the NBA last season with Sacramento and averaged 5.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists across 12.2 minutes in 42 appearances. Rotowire.com Saturday, 7:48 am
  • Cleans up in garbage time
    Hardy closed with 13 points (4-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds and one assist over 11 minutes during Thursday's 107-89 loss to the Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Hardy scored 11 points in about five minutes of fourth-quarter garbage time. Considering the defensive presences of Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, it may be difficult for Hardy to make an impact, though he'll likely continue to see light minutes to spell Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Rotowire.com Friday, 9:47 am
  • Little impact in Game 1
    Jones ended Thursday's 107-89 loss to Boston in Game 1 of the NBA Finals with five points (2-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt), six rebounds and one steal in 29 minutes.

    Advice: Jones struggled inside the arc and wasn't able to catch any signature lob dunks, largely due to the interior presence of Kristaps Porzingis. Game 1 also marked the first time he's failed to record an assist since Game 4 against the Clippers. Rotowire.com Friday, 9:43 am
  • Plays well in Game 1
    Horford totaled 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-5 3Pt), seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 30 minutes during Thursday's 107-89 victory over the Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: With the benches emptying near the end of the fourth quarter and Kristaps Porzingis making his return, Boston needed just 30 minutes out of Horford. In the seven games leading up to Thursday, Horford had averaged 34.6 minutes with only one day of rest between in-series games. Now, the Celtics and Mavericks don't face off again until Sunday, and then Wednesday. That gives the 38-year-old more rest than he's been used to lately, which could help him stay more effective when he's needed the most. Rotowire.com Friday, 9:39 am
  • Struggles from field in Game 1
    Irving finished with 12 points (6-19 FG, 0-5 3Pt), three rebounds, two assists and two steals across 36 minutes during Thursday's 107-89 loss to the Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Irving was welcomed by loud boos from the crowd, and that continued every time he touched the ball. The veteran point guard didn't look like himself and had a rough outing, missing all five of his three-point attempts and struggling badly from the field. He'll aim to bounce back in Game 2 on Sunday. Rotowire.com Thursday, 8:49 pm