DRAFTKINGS
Alperen Sengun, PF/C HOU ($4,500)
Sengun has seen his minutes increase recently and should play a bigger role with Christian Wood out. Sengun played 23 minutes Saturday against the Grizzlies and had 15 points, six rebounds, six assists, three blocks and one steal for 38 DK points and had 11 points, six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal for 30 DK points in 25 minutes against Atlanta on Monday.
Grayson Allen, SG/SF MIL ($4,000)
Allen has returned value when he gets the chance to shoot. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donte DiVincenzo and Wesley Matthews are in health and safety protocols and Khris Middleton is questionable with a knee injury. Allen should be an easy 5X and the possibility for more at this price.
FANDUEL
Jusuf Nurkic, POR C ($5,900)
The minutes have been low for Nurkic recently, but he played 38 minutes last night against the Suns in overtime and had 17 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists for 42.1 FD points. He has at least 30.4 FD points in four of the last five games
Jalen Brunson, PG/SG DAL ($6,200)
The price hasn't increased enough for Brunson, who will benefit with Luka Doncic out. Brunson only played 25 minutes on Monday due to a blowout and had 29.4 FD points. In six games without Doncic this season, Brunson is averaging 17 points, 5.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists and the Lakers allow the fifth-most fantasy points to point guards and rank second in pace.
Yahoo! Fantasy
Larry Nance Jr, PF POR ($10)
Nance has been starting and even though he hasn't seen a big increase in minutes, the fantasy stats have been better. Nance had 28.9 Yahoo! Points on Sunday against Minnesota and had 31.6 last night against the Suns.
Alperen Sengun, C HOU ($12)
Sengun has played more minutes the last two games and will see more time with Christian Wood is out and the Rockets will need size against the big front court of the Cavaliers. Sengun played 23 minutes Saturday against the Grizzlies and had 15 points, six rebounds, six assists, three blocks and one steal for 40.2 points and had 11 points, six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal for 32.2 points in 25 minutes against Atlanta on Monday.
Player News
Tony Bradley (hip) is questionable for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
Bradley suffered a strained left hip flexor during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. While he was made available for Game 6 on Saturday, the Pacers’ backup center did not see any time, with Rick Carlisle deciding to go with Thomas Bryant as Myles Turner’s backup instead. Even if Bradley is available for Thursday’s series opener in Oklahoma City, that does not guarantee he’ll get on the court.
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.