Player Notes

  • Keon Ellis racks up career-high five blocks vs MEM
    Keon Ellis played 34 minutes off the bench in Monday’s win over the Grizzlies, scoring five points (2-of-4 FGs) with seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, five blocks, and one 3-pointer.

    Advice: Ellis has emerged as a trusted member of the Kings’ bench rotation, even if that hasn’t translated to fantasy basketball. However, he could be in for an expanded role after Kevin Huerter exited Monday’s game with a shoulder injury. Ellis, who had started in the past when the Kings were without Red Velvet, established a new career-high with the five blocked shots. He doesn’t offer much as a scorer, but moving into the starting lineup would give him more opportunities to accumulate defensive stats. Ellis is only rostered in two percent of Yahoo leagues, but that number should increase, especially with Sacramento playing three more games in Week 21. Rotoworld Yesterday, 11:47 pm
  • Malik Monk torches Grizzlies for game-high 28
    Malik Monk shot 10-of-19 from the field and 7-of-7 from the foul line in Monday’s win over Memphis, accumulating 28 points, six rebounds, six assists, and one 3-pointer in 39 minutes.

    Advice: With Kevin Huerter (shoulder) exiting after just two minutes, Monk became a player of even greater importance to the Kings. As he’s done on many occasions this season, the sixth man stepped up and showed why he should be considered the favorite to win Sixth Man of the Year. Monk got to his spots consistently, throwing down explosive dunks or knocking down shots in the mid-range. Monk has provided 6th-round value in 8- and 9-cat formats over the past two weeks, three rounds higher than his season-long value. Rotoworld Yesterday, 11:41 pm
  • De’Aaron Fox tallies 23 points, 10 assists vs. MEM
    De’Aaron Fox played 43 minutes in Monday’s win over Memphis, finishing with 23 points (8-of-16 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), seven rebounds, 10 assists, three steals, one block, and four 3-pointers.

    Advice: Fox has not failed to score at least 18 points in a game since February 11, when he dropped 15 in a loss to the Thunder. The scoring was there again on Monday, but the six turnovers removed a little luster from the overall stat line. Fox’s ten assists are the most he’s had in a game since March 4, when he hit that number in a loss to the Bulls. Over the past two weeks, he has provided top 20 per-game value in 8- and 9-cat formats. Sacramento hits the road for three more games in Week 21, beginning with the Raptors on Wednesday. Rotoworld Yesterday, 11:33 pm
  • Desmond Bane posts 24/5/4/3 stat line vs. Kings
    Desmond Bane finished Monday’s 121-111 loss to the Kings with 24 points (7-of-19 FGs, 8-of-8 FTs), five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two 3-pointers in 37 minutes.

    Advice: After playing 32 minutes in his first game back from a sprained ankle on Saturday, Bane logged 37 in Monday’s overtime loss. He’s had better nights shooting the basketball, but the rebound, assist, and steals production was encouraging. Given his talent level and the key contributors who aren’t available, Bane is well-positioned to provide high value in fantasy basketball. However, the possibility of him being shut down lingers. Hopefully, Bane can remain healthy and avoid that fate. The Grizzlies play two more road games in Week 21, beginning with the Warriors on Wednesday. Rotoworld Yesterday, 10:53 pm
  • Klay Thompson scores 18 with a full stat line
    Klay Thompson accounted for 18 points (6-of-15 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), two rebounds, eight assists, two steals, one block, and five 3-pointers in 31 minutes in Monday’s loss to the Knicks.

    Advice: Thompson has scored 18 or more in five of his last six games, with four of at least 21 points. The assist tally stands out from his performance against the Knicks, as he established a new season-high with eight assists. Between Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, and Draymond Green, there won’t be too many playmaking opportunities available to Thompson and the others. So a night like Monday should be viewed as a departure from the norm, as his last game with at least five assists was a February 22 win over the Lakers. Rotoworld Yesterday, 10:48 pm
  • Dishes six dimes in defeat
    Forrest notched two points (1-2 FG), four rebounds and six assists over 22 minutes during Monday's 136-105 loss to the Lakers.

    Advice: Forrest got a little more run than usual due to the lopsided nature of the score, as his 22 minutes were his most of the campaign. The fourth-year guard wasn't aggressive as a shooter but did manage to finish second on the team with six assists. Forrest's opportunities have increased a bit since Trae Young went down with a finger injury in late February, but the former's production hasn't come closer to warranting fantasy attention. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:42 pm
  • Posts quiet double-double Monday
    Murray accumulated 13 points (6-18 FG, 1-9 3Pt), five rebounds, 10 assists and three steals across 31 minutes during Monday's 136-105 loss to the Lakers.

    Advice: Murray managed his second straight double-double in defeat, but he struggled to put the ball in the hoop, especially from deep. The point guard's 13 points were his fewest since Feb. 14, and his performance Monday snapped a five-game streak of draining at least four triples. Murray was due for an off day after posting sizzling averages of 25.9 points, 8.3 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 3.2 three-pointers over 12 games following the All-Star break prior to Monday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:37 pm
  • Stephen Curry leads Warriors with 27 points vs NYK
    Stephen Curry shot 8-of-20 from the field and 7-of-7 from the foul line in Monday’s 119-112 loss to the Knicks, scoring 27 points with five rebounds, five assists, and four 3-pointers in 33 minutes.

    Advice: Curry got off to a slow start, missing all three shot attempts in the first quarter. While he managed to get going during the second and third quarters, he was just 1-of-5 from the field in the fourth quarter. Curry has scored at least 27 points in three of the four games he’s played since tallying just four in a March 3 loss to the Celtics. Shooting 43.8% from the field, he is ranked just outside the top 50 in 8- and 9-cat formats over the past two weeks. Curry and the Warriors, now below .500 at home, play three more games in Week 21, beginning with the Grizzlies on Wednesday. Rotoworld Yesterday, 10:25 pm
  • Carves up Detroit
    Brown amassed 31 points (11-20 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 6-8 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and one steal over 30 minutes during Monday's 119-94 win over the Pistons.

    Advice: Brown showcased effective multi-level scoring Monday, and his usage has been off the charts in his last five appearances, yielding 32.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals while connecting on 52.5 percent of a staggering 24.4 shots per game. On the season, Brown ranks in the 72nd percentile among all players by generating 1.058 points per possession. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:18 pm