Fanscout News

Dereck Lively II is dealing with a foot injury that will sideline him for the next three games, according to an update from the Dallas Mavericks. The team plans to provide further details on the 21-year-old center’s condition in 7-10 days. In Lively’s absence, Daniel Gafford will fill the starting center position for the Mavericks.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s matchup against the Bucks due to a hip issue. Having logged 33 minutes in Monday’s victory over the Mavericks, his playing time might be reduced, especially with Norman Powell likely returning. The potential absence of Jaquez could provide Simone Fontecchio with more opportunities on the court.

In Monday’s game against the Jazz, Gary Payton II took on a more versatile role, posting nine points, six rebounds, and a career-high eight assists in just 20 minutes. Filling in for the injured Draymond Green, Payton demonstrated his ability to adapt and contribute beyond his usual defensive duties. Green’s sprained right foot appears to be a minor setback, with no structural damage detected, signaling a probable return in the near future.

Jimmy Butler delivered a well-rounded performance in Monday’s win over the Jazz, recording 18 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and one steal in 28 minutes. With Draymond Green out, Butler stepped up, continuing his strong season by contributing across the stat sheet. His consistent play has placed him among the top fantasy performers, averaging notable figures in key categories through 17 games.

Trey Murphy continued his impressive run with a 20-point performance in the Pelicans’ win over the Bulls, contributing across multiple categories, including rebounds, assists, and steals. Over his last 10 games, Murphy has consistently provided top-20 value in nine-cat formats, outperforming his top-50 preseason expectations. With his versatile offensive skills, Murphy is establishing himself as a key player in New Orleans, even amidst a healthy Zion Williamson’s presence.

Zion Williamson returns to the starting lineup for Monday’s game against the Bulls, having missed Saturday’s matchup against Atlanta. Micah Peavy will move to the bench, reducing his fantasy relevance for now. Meanwhile, with Herb Jones sidelined, Saddiq Bey maintains his starting role, potentially offering valuable minutes and production for fantasy managers.

Terrence Shannon Jr. returns to action after missing nine games due to a foot injury. He is set to come off the bench for Monday’s game against the Kings. While his return adds depth, his current fantasy impact remains limited to those in dynasty leagues.

Michael Porter Jr. continued his stellar play with a team-high 25 points in the Nets’ loss to the Raptors, marking his fourth consecutive game exceeding the 25-point mark. Over the past two weeks, Porter has been a standout in fantasy leagues, averaging 27.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. As the week unfolds, Porter will look to maintain his form in upcoming matchups against the Knicks on Monday and a challenging back-to-back against the 76ers and Bucks.

Jerami Grant provided an offensive spark for his team despite their loss to the Thunder, contributing a team-high 21 points with efficient shooting. In just 24 minutes on the court, Grant demonstrated his versatility by adding three rebounds, two assists, and one steal. His performance emphasizes his key role in the team’s lineup as they look to improve in upcoming matches.

Robert Williams will miss the Trail Blazers’ game against the Thunder due to left knee injury management. With Williams sidelined, Donovan Clingan will continue as the starting center, and Yang Hansen will see increased minutes off the bench. While Hansen’s immediate fantasy impact is limited in redraft leagues, he remains a valuable asset in dynasty formats.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is listed as questionable for Monday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets due to a sprained right ankle. He has already missed two games, with Santi Aldama stepping up in his absence. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on the team’s updates, as Aldama remains a viable short-term option if Jackson is unable to play.

Rasheer Fleming has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Spurs due to an ankle injury. This marks his second consecutive missed game, but his absence is unlikely to impact fantasy rosters significantly, as the rookie has not been a regular part of the Suns’ rotation this season.