NBA Player News
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Jarace Walker PF | IND
Pacers' Jarace Walker: Scores 15 points in loss
Walker ended with 15 points (5-9 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds and four assists across 30 minutes during Wednesday's 137-130 loss to the Lakers.
Walker's play this season has been a bright spot in what's otherwise been a lost season for the Pacers. The third-year forward is ending the season on a strong run and has scored in double digits in each of his last eight games, averaging 15.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in that span. Furthermore, Walker is averaging 14.9 points, 7.2 boards and 3.8 assists per game since the All-Star break while starting in each of his 18 appearances and averaging 31.5 minutes per game. Look for Walker to remain in the starting lineup in the final weeks of the regular season amid what has been a career-best season for him.
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Pascal Siakam PF | IND
Pacers' Pascal Siakam: Comes close to double-double
Siakam accumulated 20 points (7-15 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-7 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one steal in 30 minutes before getting ejected from Wednesday's 137-130 loss to the Lakers.
Siakam was the Pacers' go-to scoring weapon until he was ejected, and despite the collective struggles, the star forward continues to find ways to produce. Siakam has been limited to just six games in March due to wrist and knee injuries, but he's been productive when needed. He's averaging 24.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in six March appearances, so while his availability is something that needs to be monitored closely in the final weeks of the season, he's a player you should start with confidence if he gets the green light to suit up.
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LeBron James SF | LAL
Lakers' LeBron James: Sniffs triple-double again
James racked up 23 points (9-17 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 5-5 FT), nine rebounds, nine assists and one steal across 34 minutes during Wednesday's 137-130 victory over the Pacers.
The Lakers got back to winning ways Wednesday, and while Luka Doncic led the team with a 40-point performance, James made his presence felt by ending just one rebound and one assist away from a triple-double. James has reached the 20-point plateau just twice over his last eight games, but he continues to deliver decent upside due to his contributions in other categories. Over that eight-game span, he's averaging 18.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.4 steals per contest.
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Jaxson Hayes C | LAL
Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Productive in spot start
Hayes produced 21 points (9-11 FG, 3-6 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals in 36 minutes during Wednesday's 137-130 victory over the Pacers.
Hayes moved into the starting lineup due to the absence of Deandre Ayton (back) and made the most of the opportunity with an efficient double-double and a loaded fantasy line. This was just the second time Hayes recorded multiple blocks and steals in the same game, and both have come in his last two appearances. Hayes is now on a run of four straight outings with multiple blocks and has scored in double digits in back-to-back games. Ayton remains the No. 1 option at center, but Hayes is proving he can deliver decent coverage when needed.
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Austin Reaves SG | LAL
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Scores 25 in win over Pacers
Reaves amassed 25 points (7-16 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 9-9 FT), one rebound, eight assists and two steals in 38 minutes during Wednesday's 137-130 win over Indiana.
Reaves scored at least 24 points for a third consecutive game, and while most of the attention goes to Luka Doncic and his impressive scoring streak, Reaves' contributions can't be overlooked. The star guard is averaging a loaded line of 21.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game in 14 appearances since the beginning of March. However, he's shooting just 32.6 percent from three in that span.
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Tim Hardaway Jr. SG | DEN
Nuggets' Tim Hardaway: Fails to fire in victory
Hardaway ended Wednesday's 142-135 victory over the Mavericks with four points (1-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), one rebound and two assists across 27 minutes.
Hardaway went cold from the floor, continuing a pattern of recent inconsistent performances. Although his role has remained relatively predictable, his shooting has been spotty, making him a tough player to hold in standard leagues. In eight appearances over the past two weeks, he has been outside the top-250 players, averaging 11.5 points and 2.6 three-pointers in 24.1 minutes per contest.
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Peyton Watson SF | DEN
Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Pops for 21 points in win
Watson produced 21 points (7-10 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 5-6 FT), four rebounds and three assists over 23 minutes during Wednesday's 142-135 victory over Dallas.
Watson found some rhythm on the offensive end, scoring 21 points in what was just his second game back since returning from a hamstring injury. While the scoring was impressive, he was limited to just 23 minutes and failed to record a defensive stat for the second straight game. Given the likely limitations, Watson is a borderline asset right now, depending on your league format and season-end date.
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Dwight Powell C | DAL
Mavericks' Dwight Powell: Offers little in spot start
Powell logged seven points (1-2 FG, 5-7 FT), four rebounds, one block and one steal across 16 minutes during Wednesday's 142-135 loss to the Nuggets.
Powell moved into the starting lineup, replacing Daniel Gafford, who was ruled out with a shoulder injury. Coming into Wednesday's game, Powell had accumulated two straight DNP-CDs, indicating that this game was likely an outlier.
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Ryan Nembhard PG | DAL
Mavericks' Ryan Nembhard: Reduced role continues
Nembhard had four points (2-3 FG) and four assists across 13 minutes during Wednesday's 142-135 loss to Denver.
Nembhard was limited to just 13 minutes, with the return of Brandon Williams (concussion) likely impacting Nembhard's opportunities. Other than his upside in assists, it's hard to hold Nembhard outside of very deep formats. For those in standard leagues, he can be streamed, though his role is likely to fluctuate from game to game.
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Brandon Williams PG | DAL
Mavericks' Brandon Williams: Modest production in return
Williams (concussion) supplied 11 points (3-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 5-7 FT), six assists and two rebounds across 19 minutes during Wednesday's 142-135 loss to the Nuggets.
Williams made his return to action after missing the previous three games due to a concussion. Though head coach Jason Kidd has been reluctant to use Williams as a full-time starter, the fifth-year guard still looks poised to remain a regular part of the rotation as the season winds down. While his production of late has been adequate, Williams doesn't necessarily need to be viewed as a must-roster player. Since moving back to a bench role March 6, Williams has averaged 10.9 points, 3.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, 0.6 three-pointers and 0.5 steals in 19.1 minutes per contest while shooting 47.1 percent from the field.