NBA Player News
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Ousmane Dieng SF | MIL
Bucks' Ousmane Dieng: Strong line off bench
Dieng notched 19 points (7-12 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 0-2 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal across 30 minutes during Tuesday's 123-116 loss to the Cavaliers.
This was a terrific showing for Dieng, and he's absolutely trending up in fantasy hoops with the Bucks' playoff hopes fading. Plus, there's been reports that the team is considering shutting down Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) for the remainder of the season.
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Jalen Brunson PG | NY
Knicks' Jalen Brunson: Expected to return Friday
Knicks head coach Mike Brown said Tuesday that he believes Brunson (ankle/neck) will return to the lineup Friday against the Nets, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reports. "I imagine [he'll play in Brooklyn]. ... There's two days off before the next game," Brown said of Brunson. "There's plenty of time to get himself right."
Brunson was sidelined for just the sixth time all season and for the first time since Jan. 17 during Tuesday's 136-110 win over the Pacers. The veteran point guard's absence was attributed to right ankle injury management as well as a cervical strain on the right side, but neither issue is viewed as a major concern. The Knicks were likely just looking to give Brunson some rest during a lighter portion of their schedule; after defeating the 15-54 Pacers, New York will face three non-contending teams in Brooklyn, Washington and New Orleans for its next three matchups.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo PF | MIL
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Wants to keep playing
Although the Bucks have approached Antetokounmpo (knee) about shutting him down for the season, Milwaukee's franchise player wants to keep playing, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Antetokounmpo was diagnosed Tuesday with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. The team said he'll be re-evaluated in one week, and it sounds like he's not on the same page with the franchise about a potential return. "The Bucks, per league sources, have made it clear to their franchise centerpiece that it would be in their shared interest for him to sit out with the team currently 6.5 games behind the Charlotte Hornets for the final Play-In Tournament spot," Nehm reports. "While injuries have forced Antetokounmpo to miss 32 games already this season, league sources tell The Athletic the 10-time All-Star forward has informed the team he has no desire to cut his season short." Franchise players usually get their way, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out.
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AJ Johnson PG | DAL
Mavericks' AJ Johnson: Returns from G League
The Mavericks recalled Johnson from the G League's Texas Legends on Wednesday.
The 2024 first-round pick will be available off the bench for Wednesday's game against the Hawks and could enter the rotation with Brandon Williams (concussion) set to sit out. Since coming over from the Wizards in early February as part of the trade that sent Anthony Davis (finger) to Washington, Johnson has averaged 2.8 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 9.3 minutes per tilt through 14 games for Dallas.
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Dennis Schroder PG | CLE
Cavaliers' Dennis Schroder: Keeps trending down
Schroder closed with three points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), one rebound and five assists over 16 minutes during Tuesday's 123-116 win over the Bucks.
With James Harden and Donovan Mitchell both healthy for the Cavaliers, Schroder's fantasy value is on a downward trend. Schroder has averaged 4.2 points, 3.8 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per contest in his last six games, shooting a woeful 38.5 percent from the floor during this period.
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Rasheer Fleming PF | PHO
Suns' Rasheer Fleming: Holding onto bench role
Fleming posted nine points (3-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), one rebound and one steal in 15 minutes during Tuesday's 116-104 loss to the Timberwolves.
Fleming should be able to hang onto a stable reserve role for the time being, but that could change once Dillon Brooks (hand) is presumably cleared to return to the floor in the coming weeks. Over his past five outings, Fleming has averaged 5.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 three-pointers in 18.5 minutes per game while shooting 50.0 percent from downtown.
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Jared McCain SG | OKC
Thunder's Jared McCain: Sees 12 minutes in win
McCain registered six points (3-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and two rebounds across 12 minutes during Tuesday's 113-108 victory over the Magic.
McCain is a very small part of Oklahoma City's rotation, but he may see more action Wednesday against Brooklyn -- Luguentz Dort is one of several players who will get the night off Wednesday. Since joining the Thunder, McCain is shooting 43.2 percent from the field.
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Bruce Brown SG | DEN
Nuggets' Bruce Brown: Continues playing limited minutes
Brown recorded 12 points (4-7 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, two assists and one block over 19 minutes during Tuesday's 124-96 victory over the 76ers.
While Aaron Gordon (hamstring) will be rested in Wednesday's game against Memphis, Brown's role and fantasy value have become diminished overall since Gordon returned from a lengthy absence. Brown has averaged 8.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 19.0 minutes per contest in his last six games, shooting 51.6 percent from the floor.
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Josh Green SF | CHA
Hornets' Josh Green: Scoreless in 14 minutes
Green provided zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds and one steal in 14 minutes during Tuesday's 136-106 win over the Heat.
Green remains miles off the fantasy radar as a very small part of Charlotte's rotation. Over his last seven appearances, he's averaging just 17.0 minutes per contest.
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Simone Fontecchio SF | MIA
Heat's Simone Fontecchio: Notches 10 points in loss
Fontecchio had 10 points (3-9 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds and one assist across 24 minutes during Tuesday's 136-106 loss to the Hornets.
The Heat were a little shorthanded Tuesday, allowing Fontecchio to see an expanded role. It's worth noting, however, that Keshad Johnson made a really strong impression on the coaching staff, and he could be a threat to Fontecchio's minutes going forward.