NBA Player News

Richards accumulated zero points (0-1 FG), two rebounds and one steal in 12 minutes during Wednesday's 114-113 loss to the Grizzlies.

Richards has appeared in all five games for the Suns, but he continues to see scraps off the bench with an average of 10.0 minutes per contest. Mark Williams seems to have found his stride, and the Suns are going to try and find minutes for rookie Khaman Maluach whenever possible. Richards' fantasy appeal is quite limited for the time being.

Kessler supplied 18 points (7-12 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 1-3 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 32 minutes during Wednesday's 136-134 loss to the Trail Blazers.

After getting stuck at exactly nine rebounds in each of the first two games of the season, Kessler has two straight double-doubles while doing his usual job of protecting the rim. The fourth-year center is averaging 17.0 points, 10.3 boards, 3.5 assists, 2.3 blocks, 1.5 steals and a surprising 1.5 threes on 75.0 percent shooting (6-for-8) from beyond the arc.

Williams registered 20 points (9-12 FG, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist, one block and four steals in 28 minutes during Wednesday's 114-113 loss to the Grizzlies.

Williams supplanted Oso Ighodaro in the starting lineup and transformed Phoenix's interior game in the process. Williams excelled in the role he seemed destined to acquire, and the move should be a permanent one. Nick Richards was already behind Ighodaro, and the former is now at the bottom of the depth chart at the position.

Ayton had 17 points (8-11 FG, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists and one block in 35 minutes during Wednesday's 116-115 win over the Timberwolves.

Ayton crafted his second double-double of the season during the thrilling last-second win. The Lakers are currently riddled with injuries, and Ayton is one of the last vestiges of what was the team's projected starting lineup to begin the season. He's enjoyed a solid start to the season, averaging 16.0 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocked shots over five games.

Jordan ended with two points (1-1 FG) and five rebounds over 12 minutes during Wednesday's 122-88 loss to Denver.

Jordan was given the starting nod, an indication of how desperate things are in New Orleans at the moment. The Pelicans have lost all four games to begin the season, the last two by significant margins. Despite starting, Jordan was a non-factor during his limited time on the floor. To be clear, he should not be starting for an NBA team, nor should he be on any fantasy rosters.

Claxton amassed 18 points (8-14 FG, 2-4 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and one block across 29 minutes during Wednesday's 117-112 loss to the Hawks.

Claxton recorded his first double-double of the season, a welcome sight after a somewhat modest start to the campaign. He also recorded his first block of the season, something managers will be hoping is the first of many. Through five games, Claxton is averaging 12.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.0 combined steals and blocks. Brooklyn has already shown its hand when it comes to what this season might look like, and that'll mean sporadic production for Claxton.

Jokic generated 21 points (10-15 FG, 1-2 3Pt), 12 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals in 28 minutes of Wednesday's 122-88 win over the Pelicans.

Jokic has now amassed a triple-double in four straight games to open the season, and while his rebound and assist totals didn't go far into double figures, snaring a triple-double in just 28 minutes is quite a feat. The center had played 32 or more minutes in his first three games of the season. Jokic had two triple-double streaks of at least four games last year, with one ending at four and one stopping after five.

Powell contributed 18 points (4-6 FG, 10-12 FT), six rebounds, one steal, two blocks and one turnover in 29 minutes during Wednesday's 107-105 victory over Indiana.

Powell collected a DNP-CD on Monday, but with Anthony Davis (leg) exiting Wednesday's game early, Powell was able to re-enter the rotation and started the second half. If Davis, Dereck Lively (knee) and Daniel Gafford (ankle) all need to miss Saturday's game in Detroit, Powell would likely get the starting nod as the last center standing in Dallas.

Huff notched five points (2-6 FG), two rebounds, two assists, one three-pointer and four blocks in 21 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 107-105 loss to the Mavericks.

Huff had failed to send away any shots in his previous two outings, but he racked up the swats in this game and saw a season high in minutes. If he could consistently flirt with 20 minutes a night, Huff would be worth rostering in deep fantasy leagues as a shot-blocking specialist.

Davis (leg) will not return to Wednesday's game against the Pacers.

It isn't clear exactly what happened to Davis when he suffered the injury. He came down normally after a jump shot but was unable to run back on defense, as he clutched at the ankle area of his left leg. Dwight Powell started the second half of Wednesday's game, so if Davis needs to skip Saturday's game in Detroit, Powell may have the opportunity to start.