Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Josh Okogie, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün will start Saturday’s Game 1 against the Lakers.

Three of the four best players in this series won’t be available for Game 1, as Kevin Durant has joined the Lakers’ Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves on the sidelines due to a knee contusion. Sheppard returns to the starting lineup, and he’ll shoulder a heavy workload along with Thompson and Şengün as playmakers within the Rockets’ offense.

Kevin Durant (knee) is out for Saturday’s Game 1 against the Lakers.

Initially questionable, Durant will miss Saturday’s series-opener due to a right knee contusion. During his pregame availability, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said that he hopes this is a one-game issue. With no Durant, Reed Sheppard will move into the starting lineup after coming off the bench the last time that Houston was close to full strength.

Julius Randle amassed 16 points (7-of-16 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), seven rebounds and two assists in Saturday’s Game 1 loss to the Nuggets.

While better during the fourth quarter, which allowed Minnesota to make a run before losing by 11, Randle did not offer much production early on. And with Anthony Edwards (knee) not appearing to be at full strength, the Timberwolves can’t afford inconsistent play from their starting power forward. A 31.5 percent shooter from three during the regular season, Randle missed all three of his attempts in Game 1. Simply put, he needs to be better.

Rudy Gobert tallied 17 points (8-of-9 FGs, 1-of-5 FTs), 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal in Saturday’s Game 1 loss to the Nuggets.

Foul shooting aside, Gobert played well in the series-opening defeat. While Denver’s Nikola Jokić managed to record a triple-double, the Timberwolves’ center’s defensive effort factored into the three-time MVP committing five turnovers. Gobert missed just one shot inside the arc and corralled a team-high 10 rebounds, playing 38 minutes. For the Timberwolves to win this series, they’re going to need consistent contributions from Gobert.

Anthony Edwards finished Saturday’s Game 1 loss to the Nuggets with 22 points (7-of-19 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), nine rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and two three-pointers.

Edwards may have led the Timberwolves in scoring in Saturday’s series opener, but he still did not look like his usual explosive self. A 55.4 percent shooter from inside the arc during the regular season, the Timberwolves’ star made half of his attempts in Game 1. That isn’t too big of a drop, but when combined with a 2-of-9 afternoon from three, there are some things for Edwards to clean up. The Timberwolves will look to even the series on Monday night.

Timberwolves will start Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert for Game 1 against the Nuggets on Saturday.

DiVincenzo was the only regular Minnesota starter that played in Sunday’s regular season finale. The Timberwolves will have their usual starting lineup back for Game 1 of the playoffs, led by superstar guard Anthony Edwards, who missed Sunday’s game with knee injury management.

Anthony Edwards (knee) is available for Game 1 against the Nuggets on Saturday.

Edwards was initially listed as questionable for Saturday’s Game 1 against the Nuggets as he continues to manage a knee injury. Edwards missed the regular season finale, but with playoff stakes on the line he wasn’t in danger of missing the start of the Timberwolves’ opening series.

Kevin Durant (knee) is questionable to play against the Lakers on Saturday.

Durant’s status comes after resting in the regular-season finale against the Grizzlies. Now with Game 1 approaching, his uncertain availability is undoubtedly worth monitoring. Durant, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, averaged 26.0 points and 4.8 assists per game this season. If unable to go, his superstar production will be missed in Game 1, which will be without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves on the Lakers’ side.

Ayo Dosunmu (calf) is no longer on the injury report ahead of Saturday’s game against the Nuggets.

The welcoming back of Dosunmu to the lineup, following the missed regular-season finale, could be a big one for Minnesota. The sixth-year guard came on strong at the end of the regular season, posting averages of 18.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game over his last 10 appearances. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Dosunmu could play an important role throughout the opening-round matchup.

Anthony Edwards (knee) is questionable to play against the Nuggets on Saturday.

Edwards has dealt with a knee issue since the latter part of the regular season, causing him to recently miss the finale against the Pelicans. However, the superstar guard is officially questionable for the postseason opener, giving him a real chance to take the floor. Edwards averaged 30.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in three games against Denver this season. His availability will likely have a massive impact on the series.

Joe Ingles accounted for 15 points (6-of-10 FGs), six rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, one block and three three-pointers in Sunday’s win over the Pelicans.

Back with the team after a one-game absence for personal reasons, Ingles recorded his first double-double since December 30, 2022, on Sunday. The 38-year-old shot 3-of-6 from beyond the arc and recorded a complete stat line in 32 minutes of play. Give Ingles credit for staying ready, but it’s highly unlikely that he’s asked to play major minutes in the playoffs. The No. 6 seed in the West, Minnesota will face Denver in the first round.

Terrence Shannon Jr. finished Sunday’s win over the Pelicans with 26 points (6-of-18 FGs, 14-of-18 FTs), five rebounds, five assists and one steal.

Shannon ended the regular season with three consecutive games of 23 points or more. He didn’t have a great night shooting the basketball, thanks largely to a 1-of-7 effort from beyond the arc. However, Shannon’s ability to apply pressure on the Pelicans’ defense contributed to his attempting 18 free throws. With the Timberwolves at full strength, rotation minutes could be challenging to come by in the team’s first-round series against the Nuggets. However, Shannon’s finish to the season may convince Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch to give the second-year wing a shot.

Joan Beringer accumulated 24 points (9-of-12 FGs, 6-of-9 FTs), 12 rebounds, one assist and seven blocks in Sunday’s win over the Pelicans.

Making a second consecutive start due to the absences of Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid, Beringer was dominant on Sunday. The rookie center became the 12th teenager in league history to record at least 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a game, and the youngest in Timberwolves franchise history. Beringer finished with season-highs in points, rebounds and blocks, putting forth an effort that likely thrilled dynasty league managers rostering him. Beringer is unlikely to be much of a factor in this year’s playoffs, but his time will come.

Tari Eason had 20 points (8-of-17 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), eight rebounds, three assists and one three-pointer in Sunday’s win over the Grizzlies.

Eason and Clint Capela moved into the starting lineup with Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun resting on the last day of the regular season. Both reserves had outstanding games. Eason is known for scoring points in bunches off the bench, which should be valuable for the Rockets in the playoffs.

Clint Capela had 23 points (9-of-11 FGs, 4-of-7 FTs), 13 rebounds, one assist, one steal, three blocks and one three-pointer in the Rockets’ 132-101 victory over the Grizzlies on Sunday.

Capela started, played 23 minutes and had a double-double in the win over the Grizzlies on Sunday. There’s not much more you could want out of the 31-year-old big man on the last day of the regular season. Capela will go back to his reserve role in the Rockets’ first round playoff series.

Anthony Edwards (knee), Jaden McDaniels (knee) and Kyle Anderson (knee) are out for Saturday’s game against the Pelicans.

Regardless of what happens on Sunday, the Timberwolves will be the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. So, Edwards, McDaniels and Anderson are among the many rotation players who won’t be available for the regular-season finale. Seldom-used options like Zyon Pullin and Julian Phillips are likely to play rotation minutes, and Donte DiVincenzo may play a few minutes in what will be his 82nd game of the season.

Ayo Dosunmu (calf), Mike Conley (rest) and Bones Hyland (hip) are out for Sunday’s game against the Pelicans.

While Dosunmu and Conley played rotation minutes in Friday’s win over the Rockets, Hyland was unavailable due to a hip injury. All three will sit out Sunday’s regular-season finale, which opens things up for Terrence Shannon Jr. Given how well he played against the Rockets, it would be unsurprising if Shannon had a big Sunday against New Orleans.

Julius Randle (hand), Rudy Gobert (rest) and Naz Reid (shoulder) are out for Sunday’s game against the Pelicans.

The Timberwolves have nothing to play for on Sunday regarding playoff seeding, so their key players will not be available. Joan Beringer and Jaylen Clark should play plenty, and it would be unsurprising if a Rocco Zikarsky or Enrique Freeman played a few minutes as well. Beringer is the most trustworthy option for those in active fantasy leagues.

Amen Thompson (rest) and Jabari Smith Jr. (rest) are out for Sunday’s game against the Grizzlies.

The Rockets don’t have playoff seeding to play for, as Friday’s loss to the Timberwolves locked them into the No. 5 seed in the West. Thompson and Smith will get Sunday night off, which should mean more playing time for Aaron Holiday and Jae’Sean Tate.

Kevin Durant (rest) and Alperen Şengün (rest) are out for Sunday’s game against the Grizzlies.

With Friday’s loss to the Timberwolves, the Rockets are locked into the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. Since there isn’t anything on the line on Sunday, Reed Sheppard is the lone starter who will play. Tari Eason and Clint Capela should benefit from Durant and Şengün sitting.

Alperen Şengün amassed 22 points (10-of-13 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, eight assists and one blocked shot in Friday’s loss to the Timberwolves.

After totaling 20 points on 9-of-29 shooting from the field in his prior two games, Şengün had a good night scoring-wise against the Timberwolves. The Rockets’ center goes into Sunday’s regular-season finale having scored 20 points or more in three of his last six appearances. Şengün’s final stat line was solid, and it’s possible that he’ll be done until the playoffs. The Rockets will be the No. 5 seed regardless of the outcome of their game against the Grizzlies, so that could be a spot for Şengün to rest.

Kevin Durant recorded 33 points (13-of-18 FGs, 7-of-9 FTs), seven rebounds, seven assists, one steal and two blocks in Friday’s loss to the Timberwolves.

Durant has scored 30 points or more in 29 games this season, including Friday. However, the Rockets’ forward did his damage inside the three-point line, as he missed his lone three-point attempts. Minnesota struggled to come up with an answer for Durant in the mid-range and around the basket, as he shot 13-of-17 from two. The rebounds and assists were also good for fantasy managers in active leagues. Friday’s defeat and the Lakers’ win over the Suns locked Houston into the No. 5 seed in the West, making it possible that Durant won’t play on Sunday against the Grizzlies.

Amen Thompson finished Friday’s loss to the Timberwolves with 41 points (17-of-22 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), nine rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one blocked shot.

Thompson came out hot on Friday, as his 24 first-half points were the most in a half for him in his NBA career. The Rockets’ athletic wing finished with his first 40-point game while also recording nine rebounds and seven assists. Thompson’s offensive ceiling would be raised considerably if he could develop a consistent perimeter shot, but many teams struggle to keep Amen away from the basket as it is.

Terrence Shannon Jr. tallied 23 points (8-of-13 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), one assist and five three-pointers in Friday’s win over the Rockets.

Shannon’s overall stat line was lean, but he made much-needed contributions as a scorer for the Timberwolves. And over his last two games, the second-year wing has totaled 56 points on 19-of-27 shooting from the field. Shannon may not be a consistent member of the Timberwolves’ rotation once the playoffs begin, but he’s a player whose ability to score could make him someone for the team to call upon when an offensive boost is needed.

Kyle Anderson notched 17 points (7-of-12 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), six rebounds, nine assists and two steals in Friday’s win over the Rockets.

After recording a modest stat line in Wednesday’s loss to the Magic, Anderson was considerably better against the Rockets on Friday. SloMo finished one assist shy of a triple-double while shooting over 50 percent from the field. And in 32 minutes, Anderson did not commit a turnover. His value in active fantasy leagues for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Pelicans depends on the availability of Julius Randle.

Joan Beringer amassed 14 points (5-of-5 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, one assist, two steals and one blocked shot in Friday’s win over the Rockets.

With no Rudy Gobert or Naz Reid, Beringer was tabbed to make the second start of his rookie campaign on Friday. The 6-foot-11 center had a good night, not missing a shot from the field or the foul line while also recording three “stocks.” The Timberwolves are locked into their playoff seed, making it possible that Beringer plays significant minutes in Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Pelicans.

Anthony Edwards finished Friday’s win over the Rockets with 22 points (7-of-14 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), two rebounds, three assists and three three-pointers.

While Edwards has played in three games since his initial return from a right knee injury, Friday’s contest was the first in which he looked like his usual self. The Timberwolves’ star shot 50 percent from the field overall and 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. Edwards played 27 minutes against the Rockets; with Minnesota locked into the No. 6 seed, there’s no reason for the Timberwolves to push their key players too far in the final two games of the regular season.

Donte DiVincenzo, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson and Joan Beringer will start Friday’s game against the Rockets.

The Timberwolves won’t have Joe Ingles or Naz Reid for Friday’s game. Edwards’ return to action takes care of the void left by spot starter Ingles, while Beringer will be the starting center with Reid and Rudy Gobert unavailable.

Tari Eason (illness) is questionable for Friday’s tilt with the Timberwolves.

Eason played through the illness on Thursday against the 76ers, but he could be held out for the second leg of Houston’s back-to-back set. If Eason is ultimately sidelined, Josh Okogie and Jae’Sean Tate could earn some additional run.

Bones Hyland (hip) is out for Thursday’s matchup with the Rockets.

Hyland’s absence should mean more run for Ayo Dosunmu, especially if Anthony Edwards is ruled out again.

Julius Randle (hand) is out for Friday’s matchup with the Rockets, and Naz Reid (shoulder) is questionable.

Randle will miss a second straight game while Reid lands on the injury report for right shoulder injury maintenance. With Rudy Gobert (rest) already ruled out, the Timberwolves will have to turn to Kyle Anderson and Joan Beringer to pick up the slack in the frontcourt.

Amen Thompson finished Thursday’s win over the 76ers with 19 points (7-of-14 FGs, 5-of-8 FTs), five rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Thompson logged 42 minutes on Thursday and impacted the game in several areas. He left some meat on the bone as a scorer due to his poor free-throw shooting and inefficiency from beyond the arc, but still finished just under 20 for the game. Thompson didn’t dominate the glass or dial up a ton of assists, but he made contributions in each area, while his three steals helped the Rockets to an eight-game win streak. They’ll face the Timberwolves on Friday.

Jabari Smith Jr. totaled 19 points (7-of-15 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), five rebounds, one block and one three-pointer in the win over the 76ers on Thursday.

Smith couldn’t find his rhythm from beyond the arc but still managed to hover around the 20-point mark on Thursday. His scoring came from the charity stripe and mostly inside the paint. The fourth-year forward has played his role well this year and continues to put up some of his best numbers alongside Kevin Durant as a full-time starter. With two games left on the schedule, the Rockets have a chance to extend their eight-game winning streak while trying to land homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Kevin Durant added 29 points (10-of-18 FGs, 6-of-8 FTs), seven rebounds, five assists and three three-pointers in the win over the 76ers on Thursday.

Durant had another efficient outing on Thursday. He shot the ball well from both inside and outside the arc, and consistently made his way to the free-throw line to add to his total. The veteran wing also established himself as a passer in this game, which is reflected in the team-high assists that he generated against the Sixers. Durant and the Rockets are playing some of their best ball of the season down the stretch. They’ve won eight straight games with two remaining on their schedule.

Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Josh Okogie, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün will start Thursday’s game against the 76ers.

The need to account for Philadelphia’s perimeter trio of Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Paul George likely factored into Rockets’ head coach Ime Udoka’s decision to change Houston’s lineup, especially after the 76ers lost Joel Embiid (appendectomy). Okogie gives the first five another versatile defender, pushing Reed Sheppard to the bench.

Julius Randle (hand) is questionable for Friday’s game against the Rockets.

Randle did not play in Wednesday’s loss to the Magic, with Kyle Anderson replacing him in the starting lineup. Randle’s return would push SloMo back to the bench, eliminating most of his value in active fantasy leagues.

Mike Conley (rest) is not on the injury report for Friday’s game against the Rockets.

Conley is back after sitting out Wednesday’s loss to the Magic, which was Minnesota’s second game in as many nights. His return gives the Timberwolves added depth on the perimeter, which will be key if Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu can’t play. Both are listed as questionable on the injury report.

Joe Ingles (personal) is out for Friday’s game against the Rockets.

Ingles, who started Wednesday’s loss to the Magic due to the Timberwolves’ many absences, will not be available on Friday. His absence will not affect active fantasy leagues, even if Minnesota remains extremely shorthanded on the perimeter.

Bones Hyland (hip) is questionable for Friday’s game against the Rockets.

Hyland played 23 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Magic. He’s likely to take on a similar role on Friday if available. How high a ceiling he’ll have in active fantasy leagues depends on the statuses of Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu, who are also questionable.

Rudy Gobert (rest) is out for Friday’s game against the Rockets.

Gobert will miss a second consecutive game as he rests up for the playoffs. The Timberwolves are locked into the No. 6 seed in the West, so the regulars are likely to get time to rest in the team’s final two games. Naz Reid will get another start, which raises his ceiling for those in active fantasy leagues.

Anthony Edwards (knee) is questionable for Friday’s game against the Rockets.

Edwards has missed 10 of the Timberwolves’ last 12 games, with his right knee causing most of the absences. If he can’t play on Friday but Ayo Dosunmu (calf) can, Ayo is likely to start alongside Donte DiVincenzo and Jaden McDaniels on the perimeter.

Ayo Dosunmu (calf) is questionable for Friday’s game against the Rockets.

Dosunmu did not play in Wednesday’s loss to the Magic, with his absence coinciding with Jaden McDaniels’ return from a knee injury. If available on Friday, Dosunmu may remain in the starting lineup, as Anthony Edwards (knee) is also questionable.

Tari Eason (illness) is available for Thursday’s game against the 76ers.

Added to the Rockets’ injury report early Thursday afternoon, Eason is officially available to play. He’ll take on his usual role off the bench, which means that Josh Okogie and Jae’Sean Tate’s minutes are unlikely to increase.

Tari Eason (illness) is questionable for Thursday’s game against the 76ers.

Eason was not on the initial injury report released by the Rockets. If he’s unable to play, fellow reserves Josh Okogie and Jae’Sean Tate could see their playing time increase. They logged a combined 19 minutes in Tuesday’s win over the Suns, with Okogie playing 12.

Terrence Shannon Jr. tallied 33 points (11-of-14 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), two rebounds, five assists and five three-pointers in Wednesday’s loss to the Magic.

The Timberwolves did not have Anthony Edwards or Julius Randle for Wednesday’s game, so the scoring had to come from somewhere. Enter Shannon, who only missed three shots from the field and recorded the first 30-point game of his NBA career. Add in the assists and three-pointers, and this was an excellent offensive performance for the second-year wing. Shannon is unlikely to have an expanded role during the playoffs, but he might for Minnesota’s final two regular-season games since the team is locked into the sixth seed in the West.

Naz Reid amassed 15 points (6-of-11 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), five rebounds, two assists, three steals, two blocks and one three-pointer in Wednesday’s loss to the Magic.

With Rudy Gobert ruled out, the Timberwolves turned to Reid to man the middle on Wednesday. Minnesota gave up 132 points, but that’s to be expected when you’re playing without one of the game’s best rim protectors. Reid did his part, tallying three steals and two blocks as part of a complete stat line. The Timberwolves are locked into the sixth seed in the West for the playoffs, so playing time could be limited for many of the team’s consistent rotation players in their final two regular-season games.

Jaden McDaniels (knee) finished Wednesday’s loss to the Magic with 18 points (8-of-16 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), two rebounds, two assists, one steal and one three-pointer.

In the lineup after a six-game absence, McDaniels logged 19 minutes in Wednesday’s defeat. With Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle sidelined, there was no excuse for McDaniels not to be aggressive on offense, even with the limited playing time. He shot 50 percent from the field, scoring 18 points. Minnesota is locked into the sixth seed in the West, so the focus for its final two games will be on getting as healthy as possible ahead of the playoffs.

Alperen Şengün finished Tuesday’s win over the Suns with 12 points (5-of-15 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), 14 rebounds and six assists.

Şengün locking in during the fourth quarter helped the Rockets pull away in Phoenix. The Suns could not find an answer for the Rockets’ center, who was especially impactful in making plays for his teammates. In the fourth quarter, Şengün recorded three assists and committed just one turnover. While Amen Thompson led the way with eight assists, Şengün recorded six and was able to get the turnovers in check after being a bit loose with the basketball early on.

Amen Thompson accounted for 22 points (10-of-16 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), 11 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and one blocked shot in Tuesday’s win over the Suns.

Thompson was outstanding on Tuesday, finishing two assists shy of a triple-double. The Suns struggled to come up with an answer for the athletic wing, even though he isn’t much of a threat on the perimeter. In addition to his work on the offensive end, Thompson put up four defensive contributions, including three steals. With the Rockets still able to finish as high as third in the Western Conference, Thompson should continue to play starters’ minutes for the team’s final three games of the regular season.

Jabari Smith Jr. tallied 20 points (6-of-18 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), six rebounds, one assist, one block and five three-pointers in Tuesday’s win over the Suns.

For the second consecutive game, Smith scored at least 20 points and made five three-pointers. His percentage wasn’t good on Tuesday, with a 1-of-5 night inside the arc being more problematic than Smith shooting 5-of-13 from three. Add in the rebounds, and this was a solid showing from Smith, even with the low field-goal percentage. The Rockets have three games left in their regular-season schedule, starting with the 76ers on Thursday.

Kevin Durant amassed 24 points (8-of-20 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), four rebounds, three assists and five three-pointers in Tuesday’s win over the Suns.

Playing in Phoenix for the first time since being traded during the offseason, Durant started slowly on Tuesday. He missed five of his first six shot attempts, and the Rockets were on the wrong end of a 21-0 run during the first quarter. Durant and the Rockets would eventually find their footing, with the veteran forward leading seven double-digit scorers with 24 points. The victory pulled Houston into a tie for fourth in the West, but the Lakers do hold the tiebreaker. And third remains within reach, as the Rockets trail the Nuggets by one game with three to go.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, JD Davison has signed a two-year deal with the Rockets.

Davison’s deal will be converted from a two-way to a standard contract, and he’ll fill out Houston’s final roster spot ahead of the 2025-26 playoffs.

Amen Thompson accounted for 18 points (8-of-11 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), three rebounds, seven assists and one steal in Sunday’s win over the Warriors.

Spending a good portion of his night chasing around Stephen Curry did not prohibit Thompson from recording a solid stat line. While he was only responsible for one steal, the Rockets’ wing shot the ball well from the field and finished second on the team in assists behind Kevin Durant. While Thompson did not reach his ADP (22), he provided fourth-round value in eight- and nine-cat formats, so he was far from a disappointment in fantasy basketball.

Alperen Şengün tallied 24 points (10-of-19 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), six rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and one three-pointer in Sunday’s win over the Warriors.

Şengün’s layup with just under 12 seconds remaining gave Houston the 117-116 victory, extending their win streak to six games. The Rockets’ center finished with a final stat line that lacked only a steal, a positive end to championship week in Yahoo! default leagues. For those competing in leagues that will be active in Week 24, the Rockets still have plenty to play for in a four-game week. As a result, Şengün’s availability should not be a concern.

Jabari Smith Jr. amassed 23 points (9-of-12 FGs), nine rebounds, one assist and five three-pointers in Sunday’s win over the Warriors.

Smith shot 5-of-7 from beyond the arc on Sunday, making it seven straight games in which he’s made at least two three-pointers. The five triples were the most in a game for him since February 23 against the Jazz. Also, the 23 points were the most that Smith has scored in a game since March 20, when he hit that number in a win over the Hawks. Smith did not record any defensive stats, but the nine rebounds helped fantasy managers.

Kevin Durant finished Sunday’s win over the Warriors with 31 points (10-of-17 FGs, 8-of-9 FTs), eight rebounds, eight assists, three blocks and three three-pointers.

While he finished with 31 points, Durant’s biggest play on Sunday was an assist. His pass to Alperen Şengün led to the game-winning layup with 11.6 seconds remaining. The Rockets have won their last six games, and KD has averaged eight helpers per game during the run. In Sunday’s victory, Durant also provided solid value in rebounds and blocked shots, which fantasy managers were undoubtedly pleased with. For managers whose leagues run through Week 24, the Rockets play four games, starting with the Suns on Tuesday.

Tari Eason finished Friday’s win over the Jazz with 16 points (7-of-10 FGs), seven rebounds and two three-pointers.

Eason continues to find a bit of a rhythm ahead of the NBA playoffs and at the tail end of the fantasy playoffs. He made multiple three-pointers for the third time in the last four games and has now scored at least 15 points in four of his last five appearances. Eason’s new reserve role could be of high importance for the Rockets as the postseason nears. At his best, he can impact the game as a defender and multi-level scorer.

Thompson was one of the Rockets’ most productive players on the night. Despite a 34-point victory, he still logged 32 minutes and displayed his usual versatility on both ends of the floor. Efficient shooting inside the arc allowed him to conclude as one of two Houston players with at least 20 points. Meanwhile, his work on the defensive glass was a major factor in his team-high rebounds. As the fantasy season is nearing its conclusion, Thompson will have taken another step forward in Year 3. His potential remains high.

Kevin Durant amassed 25 points (8-of-12 FGs, 7-of-8 FTs), five rebounds, six assists, two blocks and two three-pointers in the win over the Jazz on Friday.

Durant had another efficient outing on Friday, needing only 12 shot attempts to score over 25 points and lead the Rockets in points. In addition to scoring, the decorated forward excelled on the glass and was also one of Houston’s leaders in assists on the evening. A 34-point win ultimately limited Durant to 30 minutes of action, but he still produced fairly well in his opportunities. The Rockets will close Week 23 on the road against the Warriors.