NBA Player News

Hardaway registered 18 points (6-12 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 2-3 FT), three rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes during Tuesday's 125-123 victory over Phoenix.

Hardaway delivered another sharp bench performance thanks to continued success beyond the arc. After connecting on seven triples two games ago, Hardaway cooled down against Toronto but came soaring back with more shot volume Tuesday night. The veteran is on track for a career-high three-point conversion rate of 40.8 percent.

Ellis supplied two points (1-1 FG), three rebounds, one block and one steal in 20 minutes during Tuesday's 136-131 win over Orlando.

Ellis played fewer than 25 minutes for the third time in the past four games, resulting in limited production on both ends of the floor. Despite his defensive upside, Ellis has now recorded just eight combined steals and blocks in his past five games while failing to score more than eight points in any one appearance. At best, he should be viewed as a defensive streaming option.

Merrill finished with 19 points (6-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 5-6 FT), four rebounds, one assist and two steals in 33 minutes during Tuesday's 136-131 win over Orlando.

Merrill scored at least 13 points for the fifth straight game, during which time he has been a top-50 player in standard fantasy formats, averaging 15.4 points and 2.6 three-pointers, shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 83.3 percent from the line. However, his overall appeal remains relatively limited, making him more of a streaming option than a must-roster player.

Carter contributed 15 points (4-7 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 5-6 FT), five rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 29 minutes before fouling out of Tuesday's 136-131 loss to the Cavaliers.

Carter continues to play a pivotal role for the Magic, despite the fact that he has yet to really blow up. He has been one of the more underrated players this season, quietly going about his business with very little fanfare. Through 68 games, he has been a top-70 player in nine-category leagues, averaging 11.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.0 three-pointers.

Penda totaled zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and two assists across five minutes during Tuesday's 136-131 loss to the Cavaliers.

Penda failed to score for the third time in the past five games, continuing to play a modest role off the bench, despite all of the injuries in Orlando. In nine appearances over the past two weeks, he has averaged just 2.6 points and 1.9 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game, leaving him outside the top-350 players during that time.

Cain finished Tuesday's 136-131 loss to the Cavaliers with 17 points (5-11 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), six rebounds and three assists across 32 minutes.

Cain moved into the starting lineup, dropping a season-high 17 points, albeit in a losing effort. With both Jalen Suggs (illness) and Anthony Black (abdomen) sidelined yet again, Cain was given the starting nod for the first time this season, and certainly made the most of his opportunity. While we aren't running to add him, he is a name to watch, just in case this performance leads to an increased role moving forward.

Diabate closed Tuesday's 134-90 victory over the Kings with 17 points (6-7 FG, 5-7 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in 24 minutes.

Diabate took advantage of yet another favorable matchup, recording his second straight double-double. In what has been a breakout season thus far, Diabate's role appears to be secure, having started every game since late December. In 35 appearances since then, he has averaged 8.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks, good enough for top-100 value in standard leagues.

Williams recorded zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt), three rebounds, two assists and one block across 17 minutes during Tuesday's 134-90 win over Sacramento.

Williams failed to score for the second time in the past three games, despite playing upwards of 17 minutes per game. At this point, his impact is far greater in real life than it is in fantasy, barely putting up top-300 numbers in 19.4 minutes per game through 28 appearances this season.

Baldwin racked up five points (2-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 28 minutes during Tuesday's 134-90 loss to the Hornets.

Despite logging a season-high 28 minutes, Baldwin failed to make the most of his opportunity. He has been mostly a non-factor this season, having suited up on just nine occasions thus far, averaging 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 11.4 minutes per contest. At this point, there are likely more appealing targets on most waiver wires.

McDermott contributed nine points (4-8 FG, 1-4 3Pt), one rebound, two assists and one block in 30 minutes during Tuesday's 134-90 loss to Charlotte.

McDermott continues to play meaningful minutes on a team with little to no direction right now. In seven games over the past two weeks, he has averaged 8.4 points and 2.4 three-pointers in 24.6 minutes per game. For those needing a boost in perimeter production, he should at least be on the radar, despite his lack of overall appeal.