Fantasy Basketball News

Blake Griffin (knee) is continuing to make progress in his recovery from an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee. (Source: Vincent Ellis on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Griffin has been around the team facility and going through light drills nearly two months after undergoing the procedure. He had surgery to repair damage to his left knee which hampered him at the end of the regular season. Griffin should be back fully healthy before the start of the 2019-20 campaign.

Golden State Warriors all-star guard, Klay Thompson suffered a torn ACL on an awkward fall after he was fouled by Raptors Danny Green on a dunk attempt. Thompson headed into the locker room but returned to shoot his free throws or else he would have not been allowed to return to the game. Before his injury, Thompson had the Warriors on his back with 30 points scored. (Source: Yahoo)

Fantasy Impact: This was yet another brutal loss for the Warriors from a injury standpoint. With forward Kevin Durant already out with a torn Achilles, Thompson’s injury left the Warriors with one true shooter, Steph Curry.

Kevin Durant suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during Game 5 of the NBA finals. Durant has already had the surgery to repair the tendon. This news is what the Golden State Warriors and fans had feared most. With free agency looming, all possibilities will be shed light upon. (Source: Shams Charania on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This seemed like inevitable news to say the least. Durant will certainly be out for the rest of the NBA finals and beyond. The Warriors will look to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to lead the way.

VanVleet left the game early in the fourth quarter after taking a hard elbow to the face from Shaun Livingston. VanVleet managed to pass concussion protocol. He also received seven stitches and lost a tooth as a result of the blow. (Source: Marc J. Spears)

Fantasy Impact: VanVleet found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time as Livingston was battling for a rebound and came down with an elbow directly to his right cheek. It was clearly incidental contact but in any case, it forced VanVleet to leave the game. Fortunately for the Raptors, VanVleet later returned to the bench. It appears he'll be good to go for Game 5 on Monday.

Kevon Looney is able to play tonight in Game 4 of the NBA Finals according to Coach Steve Kerr. Looney suffered a non-displaced first costal cartilage fracture in Game 2 after landing on his back and missed Game 3 as a result. (Source: Nick Friedell on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Looney's initial diagnosis appeared grim, and the Warriors were preparing as if he would be unable to return this season. While Looney is only averaging 7.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game these playoffs, he provides valuable minutes as part of Coach Kerr's rotation of centers. The Warriors need all the warm bodies they can get too, with DeMarcus Cousins and Klay Thompson fighting through injuries and Kevin Durant still on the mend. The hope is that Looney can operate as his typical self - cleaning up the glass, switching on pick-and-rolls, and playing above average defense against the Raptors’ bigs. He is unlikely to post anything above his career norms, but his steady contributions can help the Warriors tie this series tonight.

All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins will make his return to the Golden State Warriors lineup. Cousins will be active for the first time since tearing his quad muscle in the opening round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers. Warriors coach, Steve Kerr said he has a plan for him, which he is tight-lipped about. (Source: NBA.com)

Fantasy Impact: With Cousins re-entering the Warriors lineup, he should be considered a double-double candidate if he can play solid minutes in a hurry. Steph Curry has averaged 35.8 points a game since Kevin Durant’s absence, Cousins return won’t alter Curry’s recent aggressive style of play.

According to Raptors reporter Blake Murphy on Wednesday, OG Anunoby has been upgraded to questionable for game one of the NBA Finals on Thursday night. Anunoby had an emergency appendectomy done right before the first round of the playoffs vs. the Orlando Magic and has not played since. (Source: Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This comes as a bit of a surprise, as Raptors coach Nick Nurse was quoted on Tuesday saying OG was still at least ten days away from game action. Anunoby put up seven points and 2.9 rebounds this year while serving as one of the Raptors best defenders. Don’t expect OG to play many minutes once he returns to action, and his only contribution to your fantasy team would be the odd three-pointer.

Joel Embiid will start and play despite an illness which is slowing him done including in Game 5. Embiid will look to force a Game 7 or his season is over. Expect Embiid to play as many minutes as he can. (Source: Kyle Neubeck on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Embiid carries plenty of risk in daily and cash games as the illness could cause him to leave the game. Harris, Butler, Redick, Simmons, and McConnell remain solid options.

Marcus Smart (oblique) will play Monday’s Game 4 against the Bucks. (Source: Chris Mannix on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Smart who suffered the oblique injury during the end of the regular season, is listed as active and will play Monday’s Game 4 against the Bucks. He averaged 8.9 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 80 game of the 2018-2019 regular season. Smart won’t be on a minute restriction, but will play a key role off the Celtics bench. He can be used as a punt play in Monday’s NBA DFS slate.

Stephen Curry will start and play in Game 3 versus the Houston Rockets despite a dislocated left finger. (Source: Mark Medina on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Curry carries plenty of risk daily lineups as the Warriors will be cautious depending on game-flow. The Warriors are also up 2-0 which leads daily owners to pass on Curry.

Chris Boucher will not play in Game 4 versus the Magic due to a back injury. (Source: NBA.com)

Fantasy Impact: Boucher is a minimal part of the rotation so no need to change up your daily lineups. Pascal Siakam is a stud in the making right now and should be in all lineups.

Patrick McCaw will play in Game 3 despite a thumb injury. (Source: Eric Smith on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: McCaw isn't more than a punt play in DFS lineups on Friday against the Magic. He could see 10-20 minutes in this game which makes him tough to trust in daily.

Jared Dudley will play in Game 3 against the 76ers despite a calf injury which caused him to miss Game 2. (Source: NBA.com)

Fantasy Impact: Dudley isn't worth a look in DFS but could take some value from RHJ.

Al Horford (illness) is available to play in Wednesday’s Game 2 against the Pacers. (Source: Boston Celtics on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Horford, who was questionable coming into Wednesday’s game, is available to play. He should start and see his normal workload.

Paul George will start and play in Game 2 on Tuesday versus the Blazers despite a sore shoulder. (Source: Royce Young on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: George wasn't himself in Game 1 and the Blazers took advantage of it stealing Game 1. George will look to bounce back but remains a risky DFS option at his price tag.

Michael Carter-Williams is good to go for Game 2 despite an elbow to the face in Game 1. (Source: John Denton on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: MCW should be in line for 15-20 minutes behind DJ Augustin. He's a punt play in DFS lineups on Tuesday.