This is the final stretch of the season in most fantasy basketball leagues, and every move matters. Several stars are missing games to rest, while others are out because of injury, and it's more important than ever to make sure you're up to speed on everything.
Here's a list of the most fantasy relevant news and notes for all 30 teams:
Atlanta Hawks: The ankle injury that kept Dennis Schroder out of the lineup Sunday is keeping him off the court Wednesday, which is a big blow to fantasy managers who have benefited from Schroder's career-best season. Isaiah Taylor went for a career-high 26 points and connected on three 3-pointers when Schroder sat out Sunday's loss to Houston, and Taylor is the guy to add from the Hawks when Schroder is out, like Wednesday.
Boston Celtics: Marcus Morris (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game at Utah, and Al Horford (ankle) is considered questionable. If Horford also sits, look at Greg Monroe as a possible pickup. The veteran big man has been productive lately, even while playing only around 20 MPG. Just keep in mind that a matchup against Rudy Gobert is about as difficult as it gets and the Celtics play only more game this week (vs. Toronto on Saturday).
Brooklyn Nets: The Nets join the Hornets, Pistons, Warriors, Kings and Wizards as the only teams to play games on both Saturday and Sunday this week, so take note of this to "out-game" your opponent.
Charlotte Hornets: Stopping LeBron James could be even more challenging for the Hornets on Wednesday, as Michael Kidd-Gilchrist didn't participate in shootaround and is considered questionable because of food poisoning. Even if MKG is able to give it a go, imagine for a second trying to stop one of the greatest players in NBA history while dealing with food poisoning. Expect James to go off against Charlotte.
Chicago Bulls: Noah Vonleh recorded a double-double in his previous game and has approached the feat two other times during his past five games. He is playing about 25.0 MPG these days and is one of the Bulls to consider in the days ahead; the Bulls play Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Kevin Love was put in the NBA's concussion protocol and will miss Wednesday's game against the Hornets. As always is the case with concussions, it's unclear how soon Love will be able to return. Larry Nance Jr. becomes a solid plug-in option while Love is sidelined; the Cavs play next on Friday against the Pelicans and Sunday against the Mavericks, and there is a chance Love could be out for both of those games.
Dallas Mavericks: Nerlens Noel recorded six steals and three blocks during his past two games and is a streaming option who is available in 89.9 percent of ESPN leagues. With games on Wednesday (at Lakers), Friday (vs. Timberwolves) and Sunday (at Cavaliers), he is also a player who can help fill your roster spots in leagues with daily moves.
Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets don't appear as if they'll make the playoffs in the Western Conference, which is a major letdown for a team this talented, but one player to keep in mind heading into next season is Jamal Murray. Murray made a strong impression as a rookie last season and saw his numbers skyrocket in Year 2, with his field goal percentage jumping from 40.4 to 45.1, and his scoring average going from 9.9 to 16.6 PPG. He has a scorer's mentality and is going to be an offensive force for many years to come in this league.
Detroit Pistons: How overlooked is Anthony Tolliver? He is available in 99.3 percent of ESPN leagues despite making 2.8 3-pointers per game during his past five and adding 12.2 PPG and 5.0 RPG during that span. Consider him for a late-week play, as he has games Thursday (vs. Washington), Saturday (at New York) and Sunday (at Brooklyn).
Golden State Warriors: Kevin Durant is expected to return to the Warriors lineup for Thursday's home game against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Durant missed the past six games because of a rib injury, and the Warriors went 2-4 during that span.
Houston Rockets: Who is the league's top shot-blocker during the past two weeks? If you said Clint Capela, you're correct. Capela's 3.0 BPG during that seven-game span ranks ahead of the rest of the league, including Anthony Davis and Rudy Gobert, but he was rested in Tuesday's win over Chicago and is could sit again Friday against Phoenix and/or Sunday against San Antonio.
Indiana Pacers: Domantas Sabonis returned the lineup Tuesday against the Warriors despite tweaking his ankle during shootaround. His 7 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in 24 minutes is a positive sign that he'll be a worthy contributor in Indiana's next two games this week -- at the Kings on Friday and at the Clippers on Sunday.
LA Clippers: Lou Williams and Austin Rivers will need to take on bigger distributing roles during the Clippers' final three games this week after Milos Teodosic re-aggravated a foot injury Tuesday against Milwaukee and might be out for the rest of the regular season.
Los Angeles Lakers: Isaiah Thomas' season is over, as the point guard has elected to undergo surgery on his problematic hip. He'll be a free agent this summer, but in the meantime, this means additional minutes for Lonzo Ball and Tyler Ennis, as the Lakers host Dallas on Wednesday, Milwaukee on Friday and Sacramento on Sunday.
Memphis Grizzlies: Look to JaMychal Green (available in 56.9 percent of ESPN leagues) if you need rebounds. The Grizzlies' big man tends to be overlooked, but he has pulled down 10.0 RPG to go with 11.0 PPG during his past 10 games, and he has averaged 38.0 MPG during his past two games.
Miami Heat: Hassan Whiteside (hip) participated in a full practice Wednesday and appears to be nearing a return to the court. He could be back in the lineup when the Heat host the Bulls on Thursday night, which would hurt the value of Kelly Olynyk and Bam Adebayo. Miami plays only one other game this week, hosting Brooklyn on Saturday.
Milwaukee Bucks: In the two games since Antetokounmpo returned to the lineup, Jabari Parker has averaged 18.5 MPG, 5.0 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.5 SPG and 1.5 BPG. He's a very risky play with low upside for Milwaukee's remaining games this week against the Warriors on Thursday, the Lakers on Friday and the Nuggets on Sunday.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Andrew Wiggins has been more than a scorer during 11 games this month, averaging 5.2 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.0 SPG and 1.6 3PG. This is the type of production fantasy managers have been waiting to see, and it's happening at the right time. The Timberwolves host Atlanta on Wednesday, are at Dallas on Friday and return home for a huge game with playoff implications against Utah on Sunday.
New Orleans Pelicans: It's time to cut bait with Nikola Mirotic, who is playing through a hip injury and simply not himself right now. During his past two games, Mirotic has shot 2 for 13 from the field with 7 points, 10 rebounds and zero 3-pointers.
New York Knicks: Kyle O'Quinn (hip) will miss a third straight game, as he has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the 76ers. Enes Kanter enters the night with five straight double-doubles and should see around 30 minutes against Philadelphia. The Knicks play only one more game this week (Saturday vs. Detroit), so it's time to part ways with O'Quinn if you haven't already.
Oklahoma City Thunder: This is the time of the fantasy season when random players can make the difference between a championship and a disappointing second-place finish, and Corey Brewer is one of those players this season. The veteran swingman has averaged 2.6 SPG and 1.6 3-pointers during his past five games.
Orlando Magic: The Magic might have the most favorable matchups of any team in the league from Wednesday-Sunday this week, drawing home games against the Nets on Wednesday and Bulls on Friday before finishing the week with a road game at Atlanta on Sunday. That's worth taking advantage of if you can find a way, and one way could be by adding Shelvin Mack (11.0 PPG, 3.6 APG, 2.2 SPG, 1.6 3PG during his past five games).
Philadelphia 76ers: Markelle Fultz dished out eight assists in his first game since Oct. 23, drawing a big ovation from the home crowd in Monday's win over the Nuggets, but Ben Simmons actually leads the NBA in assists per game during the past two weeks. He has averaged 11.7 APG during the past seven games, and LeBron is next highest during that span with 9.9 APG.
Phoenix Suns: It could very well be the Josh Jackson show for the Suns on Wednesday against the Clippers, as the team will be without Devin Booker (hand), TJ Warren (knee) and Alex Len (ankle). Troy Daniels also has an opportunity to play 35-plus minutes and be one of the main sources of offense for Phoenix.
Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard will miss Portland's game against Memphis on Wednesday to be there for the birth of his child. The Blazers play home games against the Clippers on Friday and the Grizzlies on Sunday, and as long as Lillard returns for those games, as expected, he still retains plenty of value for this important week in fantasy hoops.
Sacramento Kings: The Kings play three games during the final four days of the week, facing the Pacers on Thursday, the Warriors on Saturday and the Clippers on Sunday. This makes players such as Bogdan Bogdanovic and De'Aaron Fox appealing, but neither of the rookies is playing very well right now, making them both risky options. Skal Labissiere is available in 94 percent of ESPN leagues and is the hottest player going for the Kings.
San Antonio Spurs: LaMarcus Aldridge's status is uncertain after he left Tuesday's game early against the Wizards because of a knee contusion. If he can't play Thursday against Oklahoma City, veterans Pau Gasol and Rudy Gay are going to have to carry a heavier workload and will be counted on to do more on the offensive end.
Toronto Raptors: Fred VanVleet is available in 91.4 percent of ESPN leagues despite scoring 15 points or more in four consecutive games and making 15 3-pointers during that span. He's a player to consider on Saturday when the Raptors play their only remaining game this week (at Boston).
Utah Jazz: Donovan Mitchell's 26.2 PPG during the past two weeks ranks eighth in the NBA during that span, and the rookie's fantasy value is boosted by his lengthy time on the court in each game. In fact, he has averaged 37.2 MPG during his past 10 games. He is an elite play at shooting guard with games against Boston on Wednesday, Memphis on Friday and Minnesota on Sunday.
Washington Wizards: John Wall (knee) is nearing a return to the court after an eight-week absence, and could play in the Wizards' game at Detroit on Thursday. Wall has gone through two full-contact practices and will travel with the team and go through shootaround before the game. The Wizards then play back-to-back games against the Hornets and Bulls over the weekend, but if Wall gets back on the court, there is a strong likelihood that he'll be available for only one of those games. Tomas Satoransky loses most of his fantasy value when Wall returns.
