Fantasy managers must assess the repercussions of the Denver Nuggets losing star guard Jamal Murray to a serious knee injury for the remainder of the season. Does dazzling passer Facundo Campazzo vault into a vital distribution role for Denver? Will heady point guard Monte Morris rise to statistical relevance?
It's possibly one of those major injuries that doesn't promote a single player to a new role; rather, sees Murray's offensive responsibilities filter throughout the rotation. We do know that Campazzo has averaged 10 points and 5.6 assists per 36 minutes with Murray off the floor this season, while Morris has averaged 16.9 points and 5.4 dimes on this basis.
While several key playmakers in the Denver rotation will combine in an attempt to replicate Murray's lost production, it's Morris -- averaging a team-high 5.2 DraftKings points per 36 minutes with Murray off the floor this season -- who merits immediate attention from managers.
Tuesday recap
Highlights
Luguentz Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder: 42 points (16-31 FG), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals
Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors: 30 points (13-19 FG), 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks
Lowlights
Chris Boucher, Toronto Raptors: 4 points (1-3 FG), 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 points (2-6 FG), 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Tuesday takeaways
With a loss to the Jazz last night, the Thunder have now lost a season-high seven straight, the franchise's longest losing streak since 2009, the team's first season in Oklahoma City. Dort kept the Thunder in the mix for much of the game and became the youngest player in franchise history with 40 points and four steals in a single game. You can still find Dort in free agency in roughly 86% of ESPN leagues.
The Timberwolves were blown out in a unique afternoon game against the Nets on Tuesday. As has been the case for much of the season, Minnesota's Anthony Edwards was a rare bright spot for Minnesota with his 12th 25-point game before turning 20. All other teenage Timberwolves have combined for a dozen 25-point games in franchise history. Given his awesome numbers of late, it will be compelling to see just where Edwards is drafted next fall in fantasy drafts .
Even amid a lost season for the proud franchise, rookie guard Malachi Flynn has been somewhat brilliant for Toronto recently. With both Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet sidelined last night, Flynn posted 22 points and finished second in shot attempts for the Raptors. A gifted collegiate playmaker breaking through in the pros the past two weeks, Flynn has become an ideal streaming option whenever one of Toronto's starting guards sits.
The Lakers have been treading water lately without LeBron James and Anthony Davis, thanks in part to the scoring prowess of Kyle Kuzma. The scoring forward produced a game-high 24 points last night, and the team has now won each of the past three games in which he's scored at least 20 points. Kuzma is still a free agent in half of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Atlanta's Bogdan Bogdanovic is one of the most popular waiver additions of the past week in ESPN leagues. The Serbian shooting guard paced the Hawks in minutes, shots and points in a win over the Raptors last night and now has scored at least 20 points six times in April after posting just four such games for Atlanta prior to this month. With Nate McMillan empowering the guard, Bogdanovic could be a league-winning fantasy option over the final weeks.
Injuries of note
Cleveland's Jarrett Allen and Larry Nance Jr. are both listed as questionable to play against Charlotte tonight.
New Orleans lists Lonzo Ball as doubtful to play against the Knicks due to a hip injury. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Josh Hart have both been ruled out for the game. Eric Bledsoe should play a bigger distribution role, and Wes Iwundu could start due to the team's backcourt injuries. It would be nice to see Kira Lewis Jr. play a large role, but the team hasn't turned the offense over to the rookie just yet.
Houston will be without Eric Gordon, David Nwaba, and D.J. Augustin for tonight's matchup against the Pacers. Jae'Sean Tate remains a key waiver target.
The Kings have listed Richaun Holmes as doubtful to play against the Wizards tonight due to a hamstring injury. Hassan Whiteside and Damian Jones figure to split minutes at center if Holmes can't go.
Analytics advantage for Wednesday
The Kings list Buddy Hield as questionable to play against the Wizards due to an illness. Given Hield's shaky status, building DFS lineups around Tyrese Haliburton and De'Aaron Fox could prove rewarding.
The Wizards, after all, have allowed 47.8 DraftKings points per game to shooting guards during their past 15 games, the most in the NBA during this sample. Washington has also allowed 55.1 DraftKings points per game to point guards during their past 15 outings, the second-highest allowance during this sample.
Top players to watch on Wednesday
Zion Williamson has averaged an incredible 35 points over his past three games. Julius Randle has averaged 25 PPG and 6.7 dimes the past three. Randle is facing his former team tonight in New Orleans in this matchup of two dynamic All-Star forwards.
