
OKC • Guard • #2
8 months ago
Gilgeous-Alexander was the only Thunder player to show any signs of rust in Sunday’s playoff opener, as the team with the NBA’s best record rolled to a 51-point victory. SGA shot 1-of-7 from three and only scored 15 points, but it didn’t matter with five other Thunder players scoring in double figures. Among the others was Aaron Wiggins, who hit four three-pointers and tallied 21 points, four rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes off the bench. Oklahoma City’s depth was a difference-maker throughout the regular season, and that was also the case in Game 1. The Thunder host Game 2 on Tuesday.

OKC • Center-Forward • #7
8 months ago
Holmgren excelled as a rim protector and stretched the floor by only missing one of his attempts from deep. The Thunder big man’s return to health after an early injury has helped OKC ascend to another level. Holmgren’s pairing with Isaiah Hartenstein in the frontcourt and OKC’s assortment of capable wing defenders seem likely to give Memphis a tough time for the remainder of the series.

OKC • Center-Forward • #7
8 months ago
Holmgren excelled as a rim protector and stretched the floor by only missing one of his attempts from deep. The Thunder big man’s return to health after an early injury has helped OKC ascend to another level. Holmgren’s pairing with Isaiah Hartenstein in the frontcourt and OKC’s assortment of capable wing defenders seem likely to give Memphis a tough time for the remainder of the series.

OKC • Guard-Forward • #8
8 months ago
Williams did everything for the Thunder in Game 1. Only Aaron Wiggins scored more points (21) and Williams led OKC in assists and steals in the contest. He was a game-high plus-44 in plus-minus. The No. 1 seed in the West certainly played like it on Sunday and will look to keep rolling against the Grizzlies on Tuesday in Game 2.

NOP • • #
8 months ago
Two days after firing lead executive David Griffin, the Pelicans officially hired his replacement. Dumars served as Detroit’s president of basketball operations for 14 years and, most recently, was the NBA’s executive vice president and head of basketball operations. He’ll have some key questions to answer this offseason, most notably Willie Green’s future as head coach and whether or not Zion Williamson is equipped to remain a key figure in the Pelicans’ rebuild. While Zion has shown flashes of excellence, the inability to stay healthy has been an issue for New Orleans.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans

NOP • • #
8 months ago
Two days after firing lead executive David Griffin, the Pelicans officially hired his replacement, Dumars. Dumars served as Detroit’s president of basketball operations for 14 years and, most recently, was the NBA’s executive vice president and head of basketball operations. He’ll have some key questions to answer this offseason, most notably Willie Green’s future as head coach and whether or not Zion Williamson is equipped to remain a key figure in the Pelicans’ rebuild. While Zion has shown flashes of excellence, the inability to stay healthy has been an issue for New Orleans.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans

NOP • F • #50
8 months ago
Robinson-Earl struggled with his shot in Sunday’s season finale, but he did provide solid value in the rebound and assist categories. He didn’t offer much value throughout the season, as rotation minutes were not guaranteed. Unfortunately for Robinson-Earl, he’s likely to encounter a similar situation in New Orleans next season with a healthy Zion Williamson in the fold.

NOP • G • #15
8 months ago
Alvarado struggled in his season finale, especially from a ball security standpoint. The Pelicans’ point guard recorded six turnovers. Add in the poor shooting from the field, and this was a rough afternoon to stream Alvarado in active fantasy leagues. A backup when the Pelicans are whole, Alvarado’s fantasy value is limited. With Dejounte Murray recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, will New Orleans look to add another point guard over the summer? Or would they be fine handing the keys to Alvarado to begin the season? Those questions will significantly impact Alvarado’s 2025-26 draft position. Alvarado’s two-year, $9 million extension will kick in next season.

NOP • G • #12
8 months ago
Reeves finished his rookie season with an eighth consecutive game in double figures, tallying 20 points or more twice. He’s one of the young Pelicans whose playing time increased once more established players were sidelined by injuries, which should temper the fantasy expectations for Reeves in 2025-26.

OKC • Center • #15
8 months ago
Already playing without Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder lost Jaylin Williams to a strained oblique during the first half of Sunday’s game. The result was even more playing time for Carlson, who had the best day of his NBA career. Not only did the rookie record season highs in points and rebounds, but this was also his first double-double. Unlike Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, Carlson will not be in the Thunder playoff rotation, even if Williams misses time. But he undoubtedly made a positive impression with his play in New Orleans.

OKC • Guard • #11
8 months ago
Joe did not have the best afternoon shooting-wise, making 33.3 percent of his attempts. The good news for managers in active category leagues is that he recorded solid numbers in the rebound and steals categories. Like Aaron Wiggins, Joe will be in the playoff rotation, but the role will be far different than in Oklahoma City’s final two regular-season games.

OKC • Guard • #21
8 months ago
Even if one accepts that New Orleans is one of the NBA’s worst teams, Sunday’s victory was another example of Oklahoma City’s depth. Down most of their critical rotation pieces, the Thunder still rolled, with Wiggins among the standouts. In wins over the Jazz and Pelicans to end the season, he scored 63 points on 22-of-42 shooting from the field. Wiggins will be in the playoff rotation, but the role won’t be as robust as it was with players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams unavailable.

OKC • Forward • #6
8 months ago
Williams injured his ankle just two minutes into the game, and there is no reason for him to play through it in a meaningless game. Branden Carlson will fill out the center minutes in this game.
Source: Brandon Rahbar

NOP • G • #12
8 months ago
Reeves will replace Kylor Kelley in the starting unit as the lone change to the Pelicans’ opening lineup in Game 82. Reeves had 19 points off the bench on Friday and will look to have another strong scoring night in the final game of his rookie season.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans

NOP • F-C • #13
8 months ago
Olynyk will miss New Orleans’ final three games, ending a disappointing fantasy season for the veteran center/power forward. Olynyk did not offer much fantasy value until he was traded from Toronto to New Orleans, and he needed Zion Williamson’s absence to do that. At this stage in his career, Olynyk is essentially a “silly season” hero in fantasy basketball, and even that isn’t guaranteed. Due to New Orleans’ depleted frontcourt, Kylor Kelley and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl will play significant minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • C • #21
8 months ago
Missi and Matkovic’s rookie seasons will end in disappointment as they’ve been ruled out for Sunday’s finale. Missi finished his debut season ranked just inside the top-200 in eight- and nine-cat formats, claiming the starting center job for good in early November. Matkovic’s climb into the Pelicans’ rotation took longer, but he would finish just inside the top-200 in nine-cat formats. Missi offers a higher ceiling as the first-round pick, but neither is a must-draft player, especially if the Pelicans add a veteran center via trade or free agency.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • G-F • #00
8 months ago
Brown and Hawkins will remain out for Sunday’s season finale, with the latter missing New Orleans’ final eight games. While Brown had his moments as a fantasy option after being traded to the Pelicans, he was not in a position where he could provide consistent value. Hawkins’s second season was frustrating due to injuries and inconsistent play when he was available. This summer will be critical for the former lottery pick, as he needs to show he can consistently contribute to the Pelicans.
Source: NBA Injury Report

OKC • Guard-Forward • #8
8 months ago
Williams will miss Oklahoma City’s final two games of the regular season as he gets healthy for the postseason. Dillon Jones should remain in the starting lineup, and he played 33 minutes in Friday’s win over the Jazz. Alex Ducas will likely be his backup, but Jones is the only one worthy of consideration in active fantasy leagues.
Source: NBA Injury Report

OKC • Center-Forward • #55
8 months ago
Hartenstein and Holmgren’s continued absences mean Kenrich Williams and Jaylin Williams should remain in the starting lineup for Sunday’s regular-season finale. The latter only needed 25 minutes to record a triple-double in Friday’s win over the Jazz; keep an eye on JayWill for Sunday as well, since that’s another good matchup for him. Kenrich will have value in active deep leagues.
Source: NBA Injury Report

OKC • Guard • #2
8 months ago
Gilgeous-Alexander and Dort will remain out for Sunday’s regular-season finale, which will not impact the Thunder’s playoff seeding. Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe started Friday’s win over the Jazz and should do the same on Sunday. Don’t be surprised if they put up big numbers after combining for 67 points against Utah.
Source: NBA Injury Report

OKC • Guard • #9
8 months ago
Sunday’s game will be the second straight missed by Caruso and the third for Wallace. Oklahoma City already secured home-court advantage throughout the NBA Playoffs, so most of their rotation players will be inactive on Sunday. The absence of Caruso and Wallace means players like Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins and Adam Flagler will play plenty on Sunday. Joe and Wiggins are the players to target in active leagues.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • G • #15
8 months ago
Alvarado is looking more and more like a traditional closer. The Phillies probably didn’t need to use him up three against the bottom of the Cardinals order today, but they did so anyway. He retired the side on only 11 pitches, so he should be available again Sunday.

OKC • Guard • #14
8 months ago
The Baylor product went undrafted in 2023 but has spent the last two seasons with Oklahoma City, mostly in the G League. He has played some garbage-time minutes this year, which have come often due to how frequently the Thunder blow teams out. Flagler had the best game of his young career on Friday, and he set career-highs for points, rebounds, assists and steals. He will likely play a significant role once again in the regular season finale in New Orleans on Sunday.

OKC • Guard • #25
8 months ago
Mitchell has been sidelined since January 3 after undergoing surgery to address a right great toe sprain. The 2024 second-round pick had some solid performances prior to his injury and was able to carve out a reserve role for a talented Thunder team. He wasn’t great in his 18 minutes on Friday, but it was good to see him back on the floor. He should play a significant role in the regular season finale in New Orleans on Sunday, but he won’t play much during the postseason.

OKC • Guard • #11
8 months ago
Joe fell one point shy of tying his career-high for points in a game, but he was still able to set a new career-high for three-pointers, which also tied the franchise record that was set by Paul George in 2019. Joe also set a new career-high for assists. Oklahoma City will wrap up the regular season in New Orleans on Sunday. Unless head coach Mark Daigneault opts to rest him for the postseason, Joe should once again play a significant role and likely provide more triples.

OKC • Guard • #21
8 months ago
With the typical starters getting the night off, Wiggins was the primary scorer for Oklahoma City in this game, which allowed him to have his highest-scoring performance since his 41-point night in February. He had 22 points in the first half and kept it going after the break. Wiggins will return to being a valuable reserve for the Thunder in the postseason, but unless they rest him for the finale in New Orleans on Sunday, he should be in for another big scoring night to wrap up the regular season.

OKC • Forward • #6
8 months ago
Williams has been a stud whenever the Thunder give Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein rest, and that continued in this game. He has started three times since the All-Star break and has recorded a triple-double in each of them. Williams only needed 25 minutes to reach those marks on Friday, and he was even able to add a self-lob off the glass to make things fancy. Williams should remain in the starting unit for the season finale in New Orleans on Sunday and should be in for another big night.

NOP • G • #12
8 months ago
With the Pelicans rotation running thin and the team losing big to the Heat Friday, Reeves managed to play 34 minutes off the bench. The 24-year-old shooting guard has now played at least 30 minutes in five of his last six games, though he’s reached 20 points in only one of those games. With Reeves seeing starter-level minutes, he made for an ideal pickup for fantasy managers in active leagues in the last week of the regular season.

NOP • Guard • #22
8 months ago
Payton recorded a statistical oddity Friday against the Heat as the 31-year-old point guard put up a double-double with 10 rebounds and 13 assists. Payton was also -41 in 29 minutes as the Pelicans lost to the Heat by 49 points. Payton has been a reliable assist man in the final weeks of the regular season, though he hasn’t provided much else outside of the 10 rebounds Friday.

NOP • Guard • #22
8 months ago
Alvarado returns from a calf injury that sidelined him for Thursday’s loss to the Bucks. However, he replaces Antonio Reeves in the starting lineup, not Payton. The other change of note is Kelley, who will start due to the absences of Yves Missi and Karl Matkovic.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans

NOP • G • #15
8 months ago
Alvarado and Olynyk were held out of Sunday’s loss to the Bucks, with Elfrid Payton and Antonio Reeves moving into the starting lineup. Reeves’s inclusion shifted Keion Brooks Jr. and Bruce Brown down a position in the lineup. Brown is the best streaming option for managers in active leagues, while Payton can provide assists.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • G-F • #00
8 months ago
Brown’s nine assists were a season-high, and he’s reached double figures in scoring in six of his last eight outings. The Pelicans wing was an 11th-round player in eight- and nine-cat formats over the past two weeks. For managers whose leagues run through Week 23, the Pelicans play four games, making Brown worth a roll of the dice. He’s only rostered in 11 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

NOP • C • #21
8 months ago
Missi extended his streak of games with at least 10 rebounds to five on Sunday, and he has recorded three double-doubles during this stretch. For fantasy managers whose leagues ended with Week 22, the seven-foot rookie finished strong, providing top-100 value in nine-cat formats over the past two weeks. The Pelicans begin a four-game Week 23 in Brooklyn on Tuesday, and Missi is worth rostering since his place in the starting lineup is secure.

NOP • G • #12
8 months ago
Reeves is one of the Pelicans who has benefitted from the absences of CJ McCollum and Jordan Hawkins, with the former being out for the rest of the season. The rookie guard has reached double figures in four straight and five of his last six appearances, with Sunday’s performance being his best. Reeves’ 23 points are the most he’s scored in a game since November 20, when he went off for 34 against the Cavaliers. For deep-league managers whose leagues will be active during Week 23, Reeves will be worth a look if Hawkins remains out.

NOP • G • #12
8 months ago
The Pelicans are without Jose Alvarado and Kelly Olynyk, opening up two spots in the starting lineup. Payton and Reeves will fill the resulting voids, and they are worth streaming due to New Orleans’ lack of healthy options.
Source: NBA Lineups

NOP • G • #15
8 months ago
Alvarado will not play in Sunday’s game, opening up a spot in the Pelicans’ starting lineup. Elfrid Payton should be the replacement, and while his scoring output can be limited, he’s worth streaming for deep-league managers needing assists.
Source: Will Guillory

OKC • Guard-Forward • #8
8 months ago
Williams had a rough afternoon, shooting 3-of-10 from inside the arc. The positive for those who have J-Dub rostered is that he did not add to that issue by turning the ball over, as he did not commit any turnovers. Given where the Thunder are in the standings, ensuring their key players are healthy for the postseason is more important than putting up gaudy stat lines. Oklahoma City’s four-game Week 23 includes a back-to-back, so Williams managers in active leagues may only have him for three games.

OKC • Guard • #2
8 months ago
The Lakers had an excellent defensive game plan for Sunday’s game, using a variety of looks to limit the Thunder to 99 points. They also successfully defended Gilgeous-Alexander without fouling, as he failed to attempt a free throw in a game for the first time this season. SGA still shot over 50 percent from the field and recorded solid point and assist numbers, so all wasn’t lost for those with the MVP favorite on their rosters. Oklahoma City plays four games during the final week of the regular season, starting with the Lakers on Tuesday.

NOP • G • #24
8 months ago
Sunday’s game will be Hawkins’s fourth missed due to a back injury. Keion Brooks Jr. replaced him in the starting lineup for Friday’s loss to the Lakers, but the Pelicans have also called for Antonio Reeves to fill the void in the past. While Reeves can offer more to managers needing three-pointers, Brooks is better for those needing defensive production.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • F-C • #13
8 months ago
Olynyk will receive a rest day on Sunday, opening up a spot in the starting lineup. Pelicans coach Willie Green has been willing to start Karlo Matkovic alongside Yves Missi in the past, and he may take a similar approach on Sunday. Another potential replacement is Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, who does not offer much streaming value as a starter.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • G • #15
8 months ago
Alvarado appeared hobbled during Friday’s loss to the Lakers but still logged 28 minutes as the starting point guard. With CJ McCollum done for the season, the Pelicans would have to rely on Elfrid Payton if Alvarado is unavailable on Sunday. Payton does not provide much value as a scorer, but he would be worth streaming in deep leagues for managers needing assists.
Source: NBA Injury Report