NBA News

Cedric Coward • SG • Grizzlies

Cedric Coward Aims to Improve Ball-Handling Ability

Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Cedric Coward is focused on improving his ball-handling ability. "The biggest thing is my handle and showing that I'm a primary ball handler," Coward told Mark Medina of R.org in an interview. "I have it. But we had a lot of point guards last year. So I wasn't able to show quite as much. But at the end of the day, that is something that I've been working on." The 22-year-old averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists during his first year in the Association, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. As Coward develops his playmaking abilities, his assist numbers should naturally rise, increasing his fantasy value.

4 hours ago

Jonas Valančiūnas • C • Nuggets

Jonas Valanciunas Attracting Interest From Europe

Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas appears to have his sights set on Europe if the Nuggets don't exercise a $10 million option on his contract for next season. "I received attention," Valanciunas said during a podcast appearance in his native Lithuania. "Yes, there were talks with one team, another team, and the Lithuanian club. There are discussions, and we are deciding. But the final word belongs to Denver. First of all, it depends on whether they trade me, keep me, or not. That's their decision. Right now, I think the bigger question for them is what they will do with the roster overall: who stays and who goes. As I understand it, only Nikola [Jokic] is untouchable, and everyone else can be moved." Valanciunas noted that his future will be clear in the first week of July, or maybe even earlier. As a backup in Denver this season, Valanciunas averaged 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game.

4 hours ago

Giannis Antetokounmpo • PF • Bucks

Celtics Reportedly Not Interested in Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is not expected to join the Boston Celtics for next season, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports. "I know some people are linking him to Boston, but I have not heard that Giannis, Boston, and Milwaukee are serious about it. That's out there, but I haven't heard it," Windhorst said Wednesday on ESPN Cleveland. While Antetokounmpo's move to Boston appears unlikely, it's widely believed he has played his final game for the Bucks and will move on this offseason. With the 2026 draft just weeks away, a deal may be close.

5 hours ago

LeBron James • SF • Lakers

LeBron James Reportedly Waiting for Lakers Approach

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is waiting for the team to approach him with its offseason plans, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports. "The LeBron side, from what I am told, would like the Lakers to come and say, 'LeBron, here's our plan for you,' or 'here's what we were offering,' and if they're offering less than the max, here's why. Because we're going to use this cap space to sign these players, and this is where you slide in," Windhorst said on Wednesday's episode of The Hoop Collective podcast. James will be an unrestricted free agent this summer after earning $52.7 million in 2025-26. If he agrees to take a pay cut, the Lakers would have a chance to build a better roster around him. Recently, James suggested he isn't in a rush to make a decision on his future.

5 hours ago

Mason Plumlee • C • Spurs |

Jared McCain • PG • Thunder

NBA Upgrades Mason Plumlee's Foul to a Flagrant 1

The NBA has upgraded San Antonio Spurs center Mason Plumlee's late-game foul on Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain to a Flagrant 1 after league review, the NBA Officials account announced Wednesday. With 1:39 left in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's 127-114 Thunder win, Plumlee stepped up to show on a screen and drove an elbow into McCain's back as the second-year guard trailed ball-handler Alex Caruso on an offensive set. The foul was called common on the floor. No suspension was issued. McCain, who was making his first playoff start with Jalen Williams (hamstring) and Ajay Mitchell (calf) sidelined, finished with 20 points, three rebounds, and a 7-for-19 mark from the field, with 18 of those points coming in the second half. Bismack Biyombo also delivered a hard foul on McCain with 46 seconds remaining, though that one was not upgraded. With the Thunder up 3-2 in the series, McCain is expected to keep the starting role in Game 6 on Thursday in San Antonio, and the chippiness of Game 5's closing minutes adds an extra layer to a road closeout attempt.

18 hours ago

Victor Wembanyama • PF • Spurs

Victor Wembanyama Receives Warning From NBA

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama received a warning from the NBA for violating media access rules after he did not speak with reporters following Tuesday's Game 5 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The league did not announce a fine or suspension, so there is no immediate fantasy fallout for Game 6. The 22-year-old struggled in the 127-114 defeat, finishing with 20 points on 4-for-15 shooting, six rebounds, one assist, two steals, and three blocks. Wembanyama still leads the Spurs this postseason in points, rebounds, and blocks, keeping him locked into a massive workload as San Antonio faces elimination Thursday.

18 hours ago

Jalen Williams • SF • Thunder

Jalen Williams Listed as Questionable for Game 6

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) is questionable for Thursday's Game 6 against the San Antonio Spurs. The All-NBA wing reaggravated his left hamstring in Game 2 after just seven minutes and has missed three straight contests. He was tagged questionable ahead of Games 4 and 5 before being ruled out at tip-off both times, so fantasy managers should expect a similar pre-game evaluation. With the Thunder up 3-2 and a chance to close out the series, Williams has motivation to push. If he sits again, Jared McCain holds the start after a 20-point Game 5, with Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso handling the bulk of the perimeter creation. Ajay Mitchell (calf) is also questionable, which would further thin the backcourt rotation.

19 hours ago

Ajay Mitchell • PG • Thunder

Ajay Mitchell Ruled Out for Game 6

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (calf) has been ruled out for Thursday's Game 6 against the San Antonio Spurs. Mitchell will miss another contest with a right soleus strain, leaving Oklahoma City without a guard who averaged 13.6 points, 3.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals during the regular season and 15.1 points with 4.3 assists through his first 11 playoff appearances. With Jalen Williams (hamstring) also sidelined, Jared McCain and Alex Caruso should continue handling extra rotation work after helping Oklahoma City take a 3-2 series lead in Game 5. McCain carries the cleaner short-term fantasy appeal after making his first playoff start and scoring 20 points Tuesday.

19 hours ago

De'Aaron Fox • PG • Spurs

De'Aaron Fox Limited to Nine Points in Game 5 Loss

San Antonio Spurs point guard De'Aaron Fox had a miserable time in Game 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, finishing a 127-114 loss with nine points on a 4-for-15 effort from the field. He missed all four attempts from three-point range. While he struggled to score, Fox did a good job in other areas, tallying four rebounds, nine assists, and three steals with only one turnover in 33 minutes. Fox is playing through an ankle injury in the playoffs, which could be why he has made only 32.1% of his field-goal attempts over the last two games. An improvement from Fox would significantly boost San Antonio's chances in Thursday's elimination game.

Yesterday

Julian Champagnie • SF • Spurs

Julian Champagnie Notches 22 Points With Four Triples Tuesday

San Antonio Spurs guard/forward Julian Champagnie had the best postseason outing of his career on Tuesday night, racking up 22 points in a 127-114 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. He came out red-hot, scoring 13 first-quarter points. Champagnie finished 4-for-8 from downtown and had an 8-for-15 overall record from the field. He was the team's second-leading scorer behind Stephon Castle and led the Spurs with eight rebounds. The 24-year-old also had active hands on the defensive end, snagging three steals. Following his two-point dud in Game 4, Champagnie will have renewed confidence after Tuesday night. But he has rarely strung together two strong performances in the playoffs, making him a risky fantasy option.

Yesterday

Stephon Castle • SG • Spurs

Stephon Castle Leads Spurs in Scoring Tuesday Night

San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle put up a team-high 24 points in Tuesday's 127-114 Game 5 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, finishing 7-for-11 from the floor and 7-for-8 at the charity stripe. Castle, who was 3-for-5 with the three-ball, also notched five rebounds, six assists, and three steals. At times, Castle has struggled with turnovers during his first career playoff run, but his overall play has been solid. Through five outings in the Western Conference Finals, Castle has averaged 18.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1.4 steals. He will likely face a heavy workload on Thursday night as the Spurs try to extend the series to seven games.

Yesterday

Victor Wembanyama • PF • Spurs

Victor Wembanyama Struggles in Game 5 Loss to Thunder

San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama had a disappointing outing in Game 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night, settling for 20 points, six rebounds, one assist, two steals, and three blocks in a 127-114 road loss. He was perfect on 12 attempts at the line but finished only 4-for-15 from the field. Wembanyama's bad night at the office included a 0-for-5 effort from downtown. The 2026 Defensive Player of the Year will be the first to admit he wasn't at his best on Tuesday night and should be determined to rebound in Thursday's Game 6.

Yesterday

Alex Caruso • SG • Thunder

Alex Caruso a Difference-Maker Again in Game 5

Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Alex Caruso left his fingerprints all over Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, recording 22 points, two rebounds, six assists, and three steals in a 127-114 win. This was a hugely impressive bounce-back performance from Caruso after he finished Game 4 with zero points. Caruso made all eight attempts at the line and went 5-for-10 from the field, including 4-for-8 from downtown. The 32-year-old has been superb in the Western Conference Finals. Leaving aside Game 4, Caruso has averaged 21.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per game against San Antonio.

Yesterday

Jared McCain • PG • Thunder

Jared McCain Produces 20 Points in First Playoff Start

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain made a big impact in his first career playoff start on Tuesday night, scoring 20 points in a 127-114 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Initially, McCain struggled in his new role, netting only two points in the first half, but he looked like a different player after the break. The 22-year-old also bagged three rebounds in the contest, though his efficiency was poor at 7-for-19 from the field and 3-for-9 from downtown. McCain has recorded two 20-point games since the Thunder lost Jalen Williams (hamstring). His role has also increased due to Ajay Mitchell's (calf) absence.

Yesterday

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander • PG • Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Scores Game-High 32 Points in Game 5 Win

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 32 points as the team went up 3-2 in the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs with a 127-114 victory on Tuesday night. For the second time in the series, the Spurs limited Gilgeous-Alexander to under 40% from the field, but he was 16-for-17 at the free-throw line. Overall, Gilgeous-Alexander finished 7-for-19 from the floor, including two of three three-pointers. The back-to-back MVP missed a double-double by one assist and recorded two rebounds, two steals, and one block. In addition to struggling with efficiency, Gilgeous-Alexander turned the ball over six times and will need to limit these mistakes as the Thunder look to finish the series in Game 6 on Thursday.

Yesterday

Jared McCain • PG • Thunder

Jared McCain Moves into Starting Five

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain will move into the starting five ahead of Tuesday's Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs. McCain will make his first start of the series with Ajay Mitchell (calf) and Jalen Williams (hamstring) both ruled out. The Thunder are looking to bounce back after losing Game 4. They'll shake up their lineup and insert McCain over Cason Wallace. Between the two, McCain has more scoring potential, but Wallace is better defensively. McCain could be an interesting DFS option with him moving into the starting unit on Tuesday.

Yesterday

Jalen Williams • SF • Thunder

Jalen Williams is Ruled Out for Game 5 on Tuesday

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) has been officially ruled out ahead of Tuesday's Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs. Williams hasn't played since he re-aggravated his hamstring during Game 2 of this series. The hope is that Williams can get back on the court before this series is over. The Thunder will also be without Ajay Mitchell (calf) for Tuesday's contest. That should mean Cason Wallace and Jared McCain take on bigger roles in the rotation. Neither has been a great fantasy option, but Wallace might have the edge, assuming he moves into the starting five once again.

Yesterday

Zion Williamson • PF • Pelicans

Zion Williamson to See More Versatile Role

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is expected to be used in a variety of different ways next season. New head coach Jamahl Mosley recently said he wants to help tap into Williamson's full potential. He continued by saying Williamson is a high-IQ player who can handle more playmaking responsibilities. Last season, Williamson averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across 29.7 minutes per game in 62 contests. It sounds like Mosley is willing to give Williamson more responsibility on the court, which should mean higher fantasy value. The biggest problem has been keeping Williamson on the court. He has only played more than 60 games in a single season three times during his NBA career.

Yesterday

Evan Mobley • PF • Cavaliers

Evan Mobley Finishes Season-Ending Loss With 15 Points

Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center Evan Mobley tallied 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and one steal in Monday's 130-93 blowout loss to the New York Knicks. Mobley, who finished 7-for-15 from the field in Game 4, played well throughout the series, but the Cavaliers fell well short in other areas. The 24-year-old finished the second season of a five-year, $269 million contract. In 2025-26, Mobley averaged career highs with 1.7 blocks and 3.6 assists. While his three-point efficiency declined, Mobley still notched 18.2 points and grabbed 9.0 rebounds per game. His high-level two-way ability makes Mobley an outstanding fantasy asset, and he hasn't even reached his prime yet.

2 days ago

James Harden • SG • Cavaliers

James Harden Wants to Stay in Cleveland

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden holds a $42.3 million player option on his contract for the 2026-27 season and wants to stay with the team, ESPN's Jamal Collier reports. "Definitely want to be here," Harden said after Monday's season-ending 130-93 loss to the New York Knicks. "I think we found something. It's tough. It's not ending how we wanted to, but I think we found something." Harden had a disappointing outing on Monday night, finishing with 12 points on a 2-for-8 effort from the field. But he showed strong play overall after arriving midseason from the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. The former MVP formed an excellent backcourt partnership with Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland went 16-6 with Harden and Mitchell in the lineup, and the team's 122.1 offensive efficiency with the two on the floor would have ranked first in the NBA over a full season.

2 days ago

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