DRAFTKINGS
Franz Wagner, SF/PF ORL ($4,500)
After two of his worst games of the season against the Bucks, Wagner has bounced back. He had 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists on Wednesday for 31.75 DK points and had 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and one block for 28.25 DK points last night.
Jalen Suggs, PG/SG ORL ($5,400)
Suggs is an even better option if Cole Anthony remains out. He is listed as questionable after missing four games. Suggs has at least 27 DK points in four of the last five games. He was limited to 26 minutes last night in a 35-point loss to the Bulls. Suggs gets the Cavaliers, who rank 24th in defensive efficiency against point guards.
FANDUEL
Immanuel Quickley, NYK PG/SG ($4,100)
The Knicks will be without Derrick Rose and Kemba Walker will sit on a back-to-back. Quickley will see an increase in minutes and has been playing well recently. He has scored at least 12 points in the last four games and played between 19 and 25 minutes. He has at least 20.1 FD points in four of the last six games. When he played a season-high 27 minutes against the Bucks on Nov. 10, he had 32 FD points.
Kevin Porter Jr., PG/SF HOU ($5,600)
Porter missed three games with an injury and returned on Wednesday and had 14 points, nine assists, six rebounds and one steal for 31.7 FD points. Porter has a 30.7 percent usage rate without Jalen Green on the floor and Green is out.
Yahoo! Fantasy
Alperen Sengun, C HOU ($10)
Sengun has been getting more playing time and has shown he can produce in limited minutes. He has at least 21 Yahoo points in five of his last six games and hit 29 twice. He has played at least 20 minutes in two of the last three games.
Eric Gordon, SG HOU ($11)
Gordon has played at least 32 minutes in three of the last four games. He has at least 25.1 Yahoo points in four of the last six games. Gordon has taken at least 10 shots from the field in four of the last six games and faces a Hornets team ranked 22nd in defensive efficiency.
Player News
Pelicans lead executive Joe Dumars told NOLA.com that Zion Williamson remains a “focal point” for the franchise moving forward.
While Williamson has shown flashes of the talent many expected him to be when selected first overall in the 2019 draft, there have been availability concerns. He’s surpassed 60 games twice in six seasons in New Orleans, most recently making 30 appearances in 2024-25. Add in the off-court concerns, including Williamson being named in a recent lawsuit , and it’s fair to question his place within the Pelicans’ hierarchy. Based on his recent comments, Dumars does not appear to share those concerns. “I’ve had really good conversations with Zion,” Dumars said. “We’ve had lunch. Dinner. Watched playoff games together. We’ve done it all. I’ve had some real honest conversations with him. Some real direct and honest conversations. We’re going to go forward with Zion. He’s going to continue to be a focal point here as we go forward.”
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Phoenix Suns have hired Jordan Ott as their next head coach.
Ott will replace Mike Budenholzer, who was fired after just one season in Phoenix. Five of the Suns’ last six head coaches have been one-and-dones, and Ott will look to buck that trend with a successful inaugural campaign. He has experience with the Hawks, Nets, Lakers and most recently, the Cavs. According to Shams, Ott got the stamp of approval from Devin Booker, who was actively engaged in the coaching search.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports the Knicks have relieved Tom Thibodeau of his duties as head coach.
One year after signing a three-year extension, Thibodeau is out as head coach of the Knicks. New York had back-to-back 50-win seasons and made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years under Thibodeau, but the team is looking for a new voice to help the organization get over the hump after five years with coach Thibs. The Knicks’ pursuit of a championship for the first time since 1973 will begin this offseason with the search for a new coach.
The Suns have been aggressive in pursuit of trading Kevin Durant and regaining control of draft capital, according to Kelly Iko of the Athletic.
Since the end of the season, according to Iko, the Houston Rockets have fielded several calls from the Suns, who have gradually lowered their asking price for Durant. The Suns are interested in getting some of their first round picks back as Houston controls their first round selections in 2025, 2027 and 2029. The asking price is still not low enough for the Rockets, who aren’t keen on breaking up their young core of players for the 36-year-old small forward, casting doubt over a deal ever materializing.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Jarace Walker will miss at least Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder.
At the earliest, Walker could return for Game 3 on June 11. Though Walker has had some solid minutes, he hasn’t played a significant role for the Pacers in the playoffs to this point. Obi Toppin will continue to fill out the majority of the backup power forward minutes.
Jarace Walker (ankle) left the arena on crutches following Saturday’s Game 6 victory over the Knicks.
The Pacers sealed their first trip to the NBA Finals since 2000 on Saturday, defeating the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals to win the series. The lone negative was the right ankle injury suffered by Walker, who landed awkwardly during the fourth quarter. The second-year forward required assistance back to the locker room and did not return. During his postgame availability, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said he was unsure what Walker’s status for the NBA Finals would be. Indiana has the depth to withstand Walker’s absence if he cannot play, but this would leave Carlisle with one less potential option to call on.