Fantasy News, Player Stats, Rumors and Rankings (2024)

Yuta Watanabe: Finds opportunity in Japan

6h ago

Watanabe agreed Wednesday to a contract with the Chiba Jets of the Japanese B.League, Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com reports.

The terms of Watanabe's deal aren't clear, but he should immediately become one of the B.League's top players after spending parts of the last six seasons in the NBA with the Grizzlies, Raptors, Nets and Suns. The 29-year-old forward appeared in 34 games for Phoenix in 2023-24 and averaged 3.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.7 three-pointers in 13.6 minutes but didn't make an appearance for Memphis after being sent to the Grizzlies in February on a deadline deal. Watanabe holds a $2.65 million player option for 2024-25, but he'll presumably decline that to facilitate his return to his home country of Japan. He's also expected to suit up for the Japanese national team during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Questionable for Game 3

22h ago

Porzingis (lower leg) is questionable for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Mavericks on Wednesday, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

Porzingis was seen walking around with a sleeve on his left ankle during media availability but seemed to be in good spirits, as he has stated he will do everything he can to play in Game 3, Malika Andrews of ESPN.com reports. While the 28-year-old has told reporters he wants to play, it is ultimately up to the Celtics' medical staff to determine whether or not Porzingis will be cleared in time for Wednesday after suffering a torn medial retinaculum in the third quarter of Game 2. Porzingis has missed 10 games this postseason due to an unrelated right calf strain, accumulating 32 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and an assist while shooting 12-for-20 from the field across two games since his return. For now, there is no indication Porzingis will be ruled out for Game 3, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Probable ahead of Game 3

22h ago

Doncic (chest) is probable for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Celtics on Wednesday but said Tuesday during media availability that he "feels good" ahead of Game 3, Jay King of The Athletic reports.

Doncic has been a mainstay on the injury report but has not missed a postseason game yet, averaging 29.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.8 steals across 19 playoff games. The All-Star has dealt with a right knee sprain, left ankle soreness, and most recently, a thoracic contusion that required a pain-killing injection before Game 2. Doncic was stellar in Sunday's 105-98 Game 2 loss to Boston, racking up 32 points (12-21 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 4-8 FT), 11 rebounds, 11 assists and four steals across 42 minutes. The 25-year-old will look to lead the Mavericks to their first win of the series in Dallas after dropping the first two games on the road.

Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Considered day-to-day

1d ago

The Celtics announced Tuesday that Porzingis suffered a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg during the third quarter of Boston's 105-98 win over Dallas in the NBA Finals on Sunday, Marc D'Amico of the team's official site reports. Porzingis is considered day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's Game 3.

The injury Porzingis suffered in Game 2 is unrelated to the calf strain that kept him out for 10 straight postseason games before he returned for the opening game of the NBA Finals. However, his availability for Game 3 is still in doubt. The Celtics will release their official injury report later Tuesday, when further clarity on Porzingis' status will be provided. Porzingis scored 20 points (8-13 FG) in 21 minutes during his return from the 10-game absence in Game 1, and he continued to excel in Game 2 before being taken out, posting 12 points (4-7 FG), four rebounds and two blocks in 23 minutes.

Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Needed injection before Game 2

1d ago

Doncic received a pain-killing injection Sunday before the Mavericks' 105-98 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Finals to numb the area surrounding his thoracic contusion, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports.

Doncic has been a mainstay on the injury report throughout the postseason, dealing with a right knee sprain, left ankle soreness and now a thoracic contusion. However, none of the injuries stopped him from playing in Game 2, and he put up a triple-double with 32 points (12-21 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 4-8 FT), 11 rebounds, 11 assists to go along with four steals across 42 minutes in the Mavericks' 105-98 loss. Doncic will likely receive the same injection ahead of Game 3, as the Mavericks look to win their first game of the series in Dallas on Wednesday.

Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Muted impact in Finals

2d ago

Lively registered two points (1-3 FG) and seven rebounds across 19 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

Through two Finals games, Lively has totaled just four points, 12 rebounds, one assist and one steal with no blocks and four turnovers. Dallas has tried more Maxi Kleber minutes to combat the Celtics' floor spacing, but the results have been less than stellar. Game 3 will be on the Mavericks' home floor, where Lively is averaging 9.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 blocks in the postseason.