NBA Player News

Towns racked up 33 points (12-24 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals across 30 minutes during Monday's 119-102 blowout win over the Wizards.

Towns went to work against Alex Sarr and regularly abused the second-year center in the post. He did take himself out of the game at one point with an apparent hand injury, but after getting checked out by New York's medical staff, he quickly checked back in. Towns will likely again pop up on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves, but he's yet to miss a game this season while also managing a quadriceps issue.

Sarr compiled 19 points (8-16 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), eight rebounds, seven assists, one steal, two blocks and two turnovers in 29 minutes during Monday's 119-102 loss to the Knicks.

Sarr set a new career high in dimes, and with 4.1 assists a night on the season, he flashed some solid facilitating skills. He's looked like a completely different player in Year 2, and Sarr's currently flirting with top-30 value on the strength of averages of 17.0 points (52.7 percent shooting) to go with 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 swats per contest.

Gafford has returned to Monday's game against Houston, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gafford spent only a few minutes in the locker room before emerging from the tunnel. He was able to check back in to start the fourth quarter.

Ware won't start in Monday's game against the Clippers.

With Norman Powell (groin) back in action, Ware will come off the bench against Los Angeles. Over six regular-season appearances (five starts), the second-year big man has averaged 8.7 points and 6.8 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per contest.

Gafford went to the locker room during the third quarter of Monday's game against the Rockets due to an apparent right leg injury, Christian Clark of The Athletic reports.

Gafford came up lame following a contested shot, and he checked out of the matchup immediately after. He was already on a minute restriction after recently coming back from an ankle injury, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Mavs shut him down the rest of the way.

Hayes will return to the second unit for Monday's game in Portland, Harrison Faigen of SBNation.com reports.

Hayes earned a spot start Sunday with Deandre Ayton (back) unavailable, but Ayton will be returning for Monday's game, which means Hayes could be confined to minutes in the teens. He's not a great target in most leagues when operating in a reserve role.

Ayton (back) is available for Monday's game against Portland, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

After missing Sunday's win over the Heat due to back spasms, Ayton will return to action in the second leg of the Lakers' back-to-back set. Over six regular-season appearances thus far, the big man has averaged 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 31.3 minutes per contest.

Kleber (oblique) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Trail Blazers, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

It was thought that Kleber had a shot to make his season debut Monday after missing time with an oblique strain, but he'll need to wait at least a few more days after being downgraded to out. His next opportunity to run the floor will arrive Wednesday against the Spurs.

Cardwell won't start in Monday's game against the Nuggets, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.

Cardwell got the starting nod in Saturday's win over Milwaukee, posting two points (1-1 FG) and one rebound in just five minutes. However, he'll come off the bench Monday in favor of Russell Westbrook. Cardwell has played in three of the Kings' six regular-season games, so he isn't guaranteed meaningful minutes against the Nuggets.

Holmgren (back) is not on the injury report ahead of Tuesday's game against the Clippers.

It looks like Holmgren will be returning from a three-game absence Tuesday night, which should shift Aaron Wiggins back to the second unit and cause Jaylin Williams' minutes to dip. Tuesday's game will be the first of a back-to-back, so it wouldn't be shocking to see Holmgren sit out Wednesday's game in Portland for load-management purposes. Still, with four games on the schedule this week, Holmgren is worth rolling with in all fantasy formats.