128-133
FINALHouston
Rockets
44-26|L10: 6-4
New
Orleans Pelicans
22-48|L10: 6-4
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Eastern Conference
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NOP • Small Forward and Power Forward • #2
3 months ago
Jones did not play in Tuesday’s loss to the Cavaliers after spraining his right ankle the night prior. As a result, Bryce McGowens moved into the starting lineup and played 30 minutes. If Jordan Poole, who’s questionable for Friday, remains out, McGowens would be worth considering in deep leagues, but that’s it.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • Shooting Guard and Point Guard • #13
3 months ago
Poole did not play in Tuesday’s loss to the Cavaliers, with his absence leading to Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavy playing rotation minutes. That may remain the case on Friday, as the Pelicans will still be without Herb Jones (ankle). Neither Hawkins nor Peavy is worth the risk in most redraft leagues.
Source: NBA Injury Report
HOU • Center • #28
3 months ago
Şengün is good to go after initially being listed as questionable with tightness in his left calf. The lone change to the starting lineup is Eason, who replaces Josh Okogie. Whether this holds or not, now is the time to add Eason in standard leagues if he’s still sitting on your league’s waiver wire.
Source: Will Guillory
HOU • Forward • #17
3 months ago
Finney-Smith will make his season debut on Thursday after undergoing offseason ankle surgery. While he has the potential to provide the Rockets with another 3-and-D wing, Finney-Smith will be under a strict minutes restriction on Thursday. There is no need to consider rostering him right now.
Source: Shams Charania
HOU • Forward • #17
3 months ago
Finney-Smith hasn’t played yet this season after undergoing offseason ankle surgery. The 32-year-old small forward is getting closer to his season debut, though. He at least has a chance to play Thursday given his questionable listing. Even if Finney-Smith isn’t available on Christmas Day against the Lakers, his return isn’t far off.
HOU • Center • #28
3 months ago
Sengun popped up on the injury report as questionable with a calf injury Wednesday night ahead of the Rockets’ Christmas Day matchup with the Lakers. If the 23-year-old center can’t go, it’ll be bad news for Houston. Steven Adams and Clint Capela would handle the center minutes for the Rockets.
HOU • Guard-Forward • #1
3 months ago
Thompson finished Tuesday’s defeat with a solid stat line. He’s scored at least 18 points in four of his last six appearances and has been a third-round player in eight-cat formats over the last two weeks. Thompson and the Rockets play two more games in Week 10, starting with the Lakers on Christmas Night in the final game of Houston’s road trip.
HOU • Center • #28
3 months ago
Şengün finished three assists shy of his second triple-double of the season, but he’s up to 15 double-doubles. Like Kevin Durant, his production took a hit because Ime Udoka decided not to put his starters back into the game during the fourth quarter. The Clippers led by a comfortable margin, so the plug was pulled. Şengün and the Rockets will look to redeem themselves when they visit the Lakers on Christmas Night.
HOU • Forward • #35
3 months ago
Durant and Houston’s other starters didn’t see much time in the fourth quarter, as the game was well out of reach when they would usually re-enter the fray. He shot the ball reasonably well and blocked a few shots, so it wasn’t lost for those with Durant rostered. Still, some fantasy managers will wonder what could have been if Houston had been able to avoid getting blown out. Next up for the Rockets is the final game of their road trip on Christmas Night against the Lakers.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
3 months ago
New Orleans saw their five-game win streak snapped at the hands of a relentless Cavaliers three-point barrage as they knocked down a staggering 20-of-49 from beyond the arc. Williamson did his best to keep the Pelicans within shouting distance, contributing 14 first-half points off the bench before eclipsing 20 points for the third consecutive contest. The 25-year-old remains limited from a minutes standpoint coming off an extended absence due to an adductor issue but he’s been an elite scoring threat when he’s on the floor.
NOP • Center • #
3 months ago
There weren’t a ton of positive takeaways for the Pelicans in this one as they got absolutely steamrolled by the Cavaliers. However, Queen continues to look extremely impressive in his rookie debut, topping the 20-point threshold for the third time in 10 contests since the start of December. The remarkable part is that 19 of his 21 points came after halftime, as he went 7-of-10 from the field and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. It may have come in garbage time, but it counts the same for fantasy managers.
NOP • Shooting Guard • #11
3 months ago
With Herb Jones (ankle) sidelined, McGowens will slide into the starting unit in his place. McGowens had a solid five-game stretch as a starter earlier this season, scoring in double figures in three of those. However, on a day with 14 games, there won’t be much need to stream him in.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans
NOP • Shooting Guard and Point Guard • #13
3 months ago
Poole is dealing with left ankle soreness, and the Pelicans may elect to play it safe with him on the second leg of a back-to-back set. Bryce McGowens, Jose Alvarado and Jeremiah Fears are all candidates for additional playing time if Poole is sidelined.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • Small Forward • #25
3 months ago
Murphy struggled with his shot on Monday, but the Pelicans’ balanced offense carried the day. Six players reached double digits in shot attempts, and each scored in double figures. The good news for Murphy managers is that he recorded four steals, one shy of his season-high. And even with his poor shooting on Monday, the Pelicans forward remains a top-20 player in eight-cat formats.
NOP • Small Forward • #14
3 months ago
Bey continues to start, and he continues to provide solid value in his role. He’s reached double figures in 14 straight games, and since moving into the starting lineup on November 22, he has provided sixth-round value in eight-cat formats. While there may be some concern about what happens if Bey is moved to the bench in favor of Zion Williamson, that hasn’t happened yet. He’s worth picking up in 12-team leagues, especially with the Pelicans playing again on Tuesday in Cleveland.
NOP • Center • #
3 months ago
The Pelicans have won five straight, and Queen has recorded a double-double in three consecutive games. Much to the delight of those who have him rostered, the rookie’s fantasy value has not been negatively affected by the returns of Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole. The Pelicans are still running a lot of offense through Queen, and he’s been up to the task. Over the last two weeks, he has been a fourth-round player in eight-cat formats.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
3 months ago
Don’t look now, but the Pelicans have won five straight games. Williamson came up big on Monday, scoring ten of his team-high 24 points in the fourth quarter. He’s still coming off the bench, with Saddiq Bey’s play making the decision easier for interim head coach James Borrego. Since returning to action, Williamson has been a ninth-round player in eight-cat formats, sitting just outside the top-100.
NOP • Small Forward and Power Forward • #2
3 months ago
Jones was forced to exit Monday’s game after suffering a sprained right ankle. He played 22 minutes, finishing with nine points, two rebounds, four assists, one steal and one three-pointer. While Micah Peavy picked up a few minutes, the rookie is not worth adding if Jones can’t play in Tuesday’s game against the Cavaliers.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans
HOU • Center • #12
3 months ago
Adams did not play in Sunday’s loss to the Kings, which was Houston’s second game in as many nights. His return means that Clint Capela will likely fall out of the rotation. He should not have been streamed on Sunday, so this doesn’t change anything in fantasy basketball.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • Small Forward and Power Forward • #2
3 months ago
Jones bowed out of Saturday’s win over Indiana in the first half and did not return after getting hit in the face. The injury won’t cost him any time, and he should be expected to handle his typical workload.
Source: NBA Injury Report
HOU • Guard-Forward • #1
3 months ago
Reunited with “Terror Twin” Tari Eason, Thompson finished a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line on Sunday. If there’s something to watch, especially as Eason’s minutes increase, it’s how his return will affect Thompson defensively. Combined, those two can wreak havoc defensively, which may boost the fantasy values of both if it leads to increased steals and blocks. Over the last two weeks, Thompson has been a third-round player in eight-cat formats, so it isn’t like he was struggling with Eason on the sidelines.
HOU • Center • #28
3 months ago
One day removed from scoring eight points in his least productive game of the season, Şengün got back on track in Sacramento. He’s now scored at least 28 points in eight games, one more than his tally during the entire 2024-25 campaign. Over the last two weeks, Şengün has been a top-25 player in eight-cat formats, which aligns with his season-long value. The Rockets open a three-game Week 10 on Tuesday against the Clippers.
HOU • Forward • #17
3 months ago
Making his first appearance since November 14, Eason was under a minutes restriction on Sunday. However, the production in limited time on the floor was highly encouraging. Eason shot 75 percent from the field and made all three of his three-point attempts. For the season, he’s making nearly 51 percent of his 4.8 three-point attempts. That’s a far cry from Eason’s career percentage (36.4), so it’s fair to question if he can continue to shoot the ball that well. However, there’s no denying that Eason has improved in that area, and it raises his fantasy ceiling once his minutes increase. He’s rostered in 26 percent of Yahoo! leagues; it won’t be long until Eason is once again trustworthy in 12-team formats.
HOU • Forward • #35
3 months ago
While Sunday’s result was disappointing for Durant and the Rockets, as they appeared to hold a commanding fourth-quarter lead, he did make some history. Not only did he move into tenth place on the career made field goals list, passing Hakeem Olajuwon, but KD became the sixth player to record at least 30,000 points and 6,000 assists in a career. Durant finished Sunday’s loss two assists shy of a triple-double, and he has been a top-10 player in eight-cat formats over the last two weeks. Houston plays three games in Week 10, starting with the Clippers on Tuesday.
Source: NBA
HOU • Center • #12
3 months ago
Absent from the most recent Rockets’ injury report, Adams will take his customary night off with Sunday’s game being the second in as many nights. That means there should be more playing time available to Clint Capela, but there’s no need to stream him.
Source: ClutchFans
NOP • Small Forward and Power Forward • #2
3 months ago
Jones was forced to exit Saturday’s win over the Pacers before halftime after taking a shot to the face. Jordan Poole was inserted into the lineup to begin the third quarter, which could mean that he’ll start if Jones can’t play on Monday. The concern with Jones starting is how that could affect Jeremiah Fears, who has been running the point.
Source: NBA Injury Report
HOU • Forward • #17
3 months ago
Eason will be available to play in a game for the first time since November 14, giving the Rockets additional depth at the forward spots. While he may not be immediately valuable to fantasy managers, Eason’s presence in the lineup likely means fewer minutes for Josh Okogie and Jabari Smith Jr.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • Power Forward • #1
3 months ago
Williamson was a force of nature in this one, consistently exploiting Indiana’s lack of interior defense by consistently attacking the rim, which led to a plethora of easy shots around the rim in addition to a staggering 13 free throw attempts. He scored 18 of his points in the opening half and matched his previous season-high total in just 23 minutes. The 25-year-old big man continues to deal with lingering physical issues but he’s shown that he can still be an extremely impactful fantasy contributor when everything is going right. He’s averaged 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and three assists in three games since returning from a six-game absence due to an adductor injury. The Pelicans are back in action on Monday when they square off against the Mavericks to open a four-game week.
NOP • Center • #
3 months ago
Queen has been a double-double machine recently, accomplishing the feat three times over his last five games, averaging 17.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.4 blocks, delivering top-30 overall fantasy value during that two-weeks span. The 21-year-old rookie center is worthy of a roster spot in all fantasy formats as he continues his upward trajectory.
NOP • Small Forward • #14
3 months ago
On the heels of a season-high 29-point performance against the Rockets, Bey delivered another strong all-around effort in this one. The 26-year-old has emerged as a fairly consistent 20-point threat since late November and is averaging 17.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steals over his last five games, delivering top-60 range fantasy value during that span. He should be rostered in most fantasy formats at this juncture.
NOP • Small Forward and Power Forward • #2
3 months ago
Jones took a shot to the head during the first half of Saturday’s game. While he did return later in the second quarter, he was not on the floor to begin the third. And it has since been announced that Jones is done for the night. Jordan Poole replaced him in the lineup to begin the third quarter, and he could move into the starting five if Jones misses time.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans
HOU • • #
3 months ago
Enjoying one of the most consistently productive stretches of his NBA career, Smith has recorded a double-double in four straight games. He also recorded his fifth 20-point game on Saturday, and over the last two weeks, Smith has provided sixth-round value in eight-cat formats. If there’s a concern, it’s the turnovers. Smith committed four on Saturday and is averaging 3.5 per game over the last two weeks.
HOU • G • #15
3 months ago
Of the 29 points scored by the Rockets’ reserves on Saturday, Sheppard was responsible for 28 of them. The second-year guard had one of his best games of the season in Denver, with his complete stat line on Saturday including six three-pointers and five “stocks.” While there was optimism in some fantasy circles before the season began, few expected Sheppard to be a top-75 player in eight-cat formats. He’s rostered in 39 percent of Yahoo! leagues, which may be low despite Sheppard still coming off the bench.
HOU • Forward • #35
3 months ago
At risk of losing the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Nuggets, Durant and the Rockets took care of business on Saturday. KD was efficient offensively, shooting over 50 percent from the field, and his final stat line was only missing a steal. For the season, Durant is providing top-25 per-game value in eight- and nine-cat formats, as expected. And the Rockets aren’t done with Week 9, as they visit the Kings on Sunday in the fourth game of a six-game road trip.
HOU • Forward • #17
3 months ago
Eason was questionable ahead of Houston’s last game, but he has been ruled out immediately for this one. It’s the first of a back-to-back, so there is a chance he suits up for the first time since Nov. 14 against the Kings on Sunday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
HOU • Guard-Forward • #1
3 months ago
While Thompson was responsible for four turnovers, his high field-goal percentage made up for it in terms of overall efficiency. He’s scored at least 20 points in five of his last seven games, one reason why he’s providing top-50 value in eight-cat formats over the past two weeks. The good news for those who have Thompson rostered is that Houston still has games on Saturday and Sunday to end Week 9.
HOU • Forward • #35
3 months ago
A question that many will have in the aftermath of Thursday’s game is why Durant only attempted 15 shots, given how hot he was. The future Hall of Fame forward made 80 percent of his field-goal attempts and recorded a complete stat line, but the Rockets still lost a game they led by as much as 25. That may be bad news for Denver and Sacramento, who will host the Rockets on Saturday and Sunday, as KD may not be in a good mood.
HOU • Center • #28
3 months ago
Şengün finished Thursday’s game with his 14th double-double of the season, but it wasn’t enough to help the Rockets avoid blowing a 25-point lead. The lone issue for him was the three-point line, as Şengün missed all four of his attempts. Over the past two weeks, he has provided top-20 value in eight-cat formats, which aligns with his season-long value. The Rockets end Week 9 with a Saturday/Sunday back-to-back, which is good news for Şengün managers.
NOP • Small Forward • #14
3 months ago
Bey remained in the starting lineup on Thursday, and he could stay there as long as he’s playing well. Interim head coach James Borrego hasn’t said anything regarding what the lineup will look like once Zion Williamson (9/3/5/0/1 in 21 minutes) is no longer restricted. But Bey has made a good argument for himself staying in the starting lineup with Thursday’s performance. Over the last two weeks, he’s been close to a top-75 player in eight-cat formats, excellent value for a player who wasn’t on many radars before the season began.
NOP • Small Forward and Power Forward • #2
3 months ago
While Jones has been among the best defenders in the NBA, it’s easy to ignore a player when he’s languishing on a bad team. He had a highly productive night on Thursday, recording a career-high eight steals. However, while Jones’ defensive abilities have shown up in the steals category, limited offensive production keeps his fantasy ceiling low. Jones shot 50 percent from the field against the Rockets, with the 18 points being a season-high. Hopefully, that’s a sign of what’s to come from him offensively.
NOP • Small Forward • #25
3 months ago
Murphy’s consistent production has been one of the bright spots for the Pelicans this season. He’s scored at least 20 points in seven straight games, and he’s providing top-20 value in eight- and nine-cat formats. New Orleans erased a 25-point deficit on Thursday, tying the record for the biggest comeback in franchise history. The Pelicans end Week 9 with a game against the Pacers on Saturday.
HOU • Forward • #17
3 months ago
Eason was ruled out with an oblique injury, though his return to the court for the first time since November 14 isn’t far off. He could be available for either or potentially both of the Rockets’ games this weekend. Once Eason is back, he’ll likely take some minutes from Jabari Smith Jr. and Josh Okogie.
HOU • Forward • #17
3 months ago
This is the second straight game that Eason has been listed as questionable, but he was ruled out for Monday’s game. He could suit up for the first time since Nov. 14 and would likely have his minutes limited. Still, as he gets back up to speed, he’ll likely take away some minutes from Jabari Smith Jr. and Josh Okogie.
Source: NBA Injury Report
HOU • Guard • #12
3 months ago
For the first time since November 14, Okogie hit double figures in a game. Also, his 16 points on Monday were a season-high for the veteran wing. The Rockets don’t rely on Okogie for offensive production, which explains why his nine shot attempts were the second-most in a game for him this season. Starting gives Okogie the opportunity to provide some value, but he still isn’t worth the risk in fantasy leagues. Leave him on the waiver wire.
HOU • Guard-Forward • #1
3 months ago
Thompson dropped his fifth double-double of the season in Monday’s overtime defeat, and the six assists were a nice bonus for fantasy managers. The negative was that he did not record any steals or blocked shots, the second time in four games that Thompson has failed to post any defensive stats. However, he’s still averaging 1.6 “stocks” per game over the last two weeks, which is one reason he has been a third-round player in eight-cat formats during this stretch.
HOU • Center • #28
3 months ago
Şengün’s first triple-double of the season wasn’t enough to get the Rockets the win, but fantasy managers won’t care about the game’s outcome. Over the past two weeks, he has provided top-10 value in eight-cat formats. As a result, Şengün’s season-long value aligns with his Yahoo! ADP (19). Houston closes Week 9 with three games, starting with the Pelicans on Thursday, which is excellent for those who have Şengün on their rosters.
HOU • Forward • #35
3 months ago
While Durant produced solid numbers in multiple categories, the blocks category is where he truly stood out. The five rejections were a season-high and the most in a game for him since February, and two shy of his career-high. Over the past two weeks, Durant has been close to a first-round player in eight-cat formats. As a result, his season-long value is edging closer to that threshold. The Rockets have one of the busier Week 9 schedules, as they’ll play three games over the final four days of the week.
HOU • Forward • #17
3 months ago
It’s been over one month now since Eason last took the floor, having appeared in just 11 games this season. He’s logged consistent minutes in the rotation when available and has shot a career-best 50.9 percent from deep on 4.8 attempts per game, while his scoring, rebounding, and assists numbers aren’t far off from last season. He’ll be a valuable part of the rotation once he returns.
Source: Vanessa Richardson
NOP • Shooting Guard and Point Guard • #13
3 months ago
One thing that basketball fans know and understand about Poole is that he’s going to get shots up. After attempting 19 in his first game back from a quad injury on Friday, he tied with Zion Williamson for the most shot attempts on the team in Sunday’s victory. The Pelicans have stuck with Jeremiah Fears as the starting point guard, and that should not change anytime soon. However, based on his shot volume, Poole doesn’t need to start to put up numbers.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
3 months ago
Available after a six-game absence, Williamson was under a minutes restriction on Sunday. For that reason, he came off the bench, with Saddiq Bey (10/6/1/2) remaining in the starting lineup. The reserve role did not negatively impact Williamson, who provided solid value in multiple categories in 27 minutes. Of course, fantasy managers were also watching to see how Zion’s return would affect Derik Queen. The rookie didn’t have his best night, finishing with four points, eight rebounds, six assists, one block and five turnovers in 25 minutes. However, to blame Queen’s showing on Williamson’s return would be a severe overreaction. With the Pelicans off until Thursday, they’ll have some welcome practice time to figure out the rotation.
NOP • Point Guard • #
3 months ago
Fears recorded his seventh 20-point game of the season on Sunday, and his efficiency has improved recently. Over the past two weeks, the rookie has averaged 16.5 points on 45.7 percent shooting from the field. Turnovers have been an issue for Fears, who committed three against the Bulls, which is why he’s been more valuable in eight-cat formats and turnover-punt roster builds. The Pelicans are scheduled to play two games in Week 9, beginning with the Rockets on Thursday.
NOP • Small Forward • #25
3 months ago
Since returning from an elbow injury that sidelined him for two games, Murphy has scored at least 20 points in six straight appearances. With Zion Williamson back in the rotation, the Pelicans’ scoring was more balanced on Sunday, with six players scoring in double figures. Murphy has led the way throughout the season, and there’s no reason to believe that won’t remain the case moving forward. New Orleans doesn’t play its next game until Thursday as part of a two-game Week 9.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
3 months ago
Williamson is back after a six-game absence. His return affects multiple players, starting with Saddiq Bey. Bey has excelled as a starter and will remain in that role on Sunday, but his minutes may decrease. Also affected by Williamson’s presence in the lineup is Derik Queen, who may not be asked to facilitate as much as he was during the Pelicans’ last six games. If so, the rookie center would have a lower fantasy ceiling, which would be unfortunate.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans
HOU • Forward • #17
3 months ago
Eason has been inactive since he suffered a strained oblique during a November 14 game against the Trail Blazers. Getting him back would help the Rockets defensively and on the glass, and he’s capable of offering reliable category league value once the minutes are there.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • Power Forward • #1
3 months ago
Williamson participated in practice Saturday and at least has a chance of returning from his adductor injury against the Bulls on Sunday. The 25-year-old power forward was to be re-evaluated three weeks from December 3, but beat that timeline by about a week. Saddiq Bey will likely move back to the bench if Zion is available Sunday.
HOU • • #
3 months ago
Smith had some good games with Alperen Sengun sidelined and had another good game with Sengun back in the lineup against the Clippers Thursday. The 22-year-old power forward has provided top-100 value this season, but has a limited ceiling playing alongside Sengun and Kevin Durant.
NOP • Shooting Guard and Point Guard • #13
3 months ago
Poole returned to the Pelicans’ rotation after a nine-game absence, and he wasted no time getting up shots. The scoring guard led the team in shot attempts and notched his third 20-point game of the season. For those who may have been concerned about how Poole’s return would affect Jeremiah Fears, the rookie’s minutes decreased somewhat, but the efficiency and production were good. Fears finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal in 25 minutes. Even with Poole back, there should be more than enough room for Fears to have an impact offensively, especially if he remains the starter.
NOP • Shooting Guard • #11
3 months ago
With Jordan Poole returning from a hip injury and Herb Jones making his second start since returning from a calf injury, there did not appear to be much room for McGowens in the Pelicans’ rotation on Thursday. Well, interim head coach James Borrego kept him in the rotation during the first half, and McGowens started for the ejected Jones to begin the third quarter. He had one of his best games as a pro, matching his career-high in scoring while not missing any of his five three-point attempts. While this performance isn’t enough to put McGowens on the radar of many fantasy managers, it’s clear that Borrego will give him opportunities if he continues to earn them.
NOP • Center • #
3 months ago
While Queen did not set the fantasy basketball world ablaze as he did in Monday’s loss to the Spurs, the rookie produced another excellent stat line. Shooting 66.7 percent from the field, the rookie center finished a blocked shot and a three-pointer shy of a complete stat line and did not commit a turnover. When Queen is aggressive on offense, the entire lineup benefits, as he has also proven to be adept at making plays for others. Given the skill set that Queen possesses, it would be unsurprising if his fantasy value took off while Zion Williamson is unavailable.
NOP • Small Forward • #25
3 months ago
The third quarter has been an issue for the Pelicans throughout this season, but that was not the case on Thursday. New Orleans outscored Portland by a 35-29 margin, and Murphy shot 4-of-5 from the field in the period. Interestingly, all five of his shots were attempted in the paint. It seemed as if the Pelicans as a team made a concerted effort to attack the paint in the period, and with significant effect. Murphy remains the Pelicans’ best fantasy option, and only an injury would change that. New Orleans ends Week 8 on Sunday against the Bulls.