DraftKings
De’Andre Hunter, SF ATL ($4,700) – I was on Hunter last night, and that doesn’t change tonight after he scored 18 points in 35 minutes against Cleveland. While that was the majority of his production, Hunter has an easy path to 5x value, at a minimum, once again tonight in the starting lineup against Orlando. If Hunter can combine last night’s offensive effort with the six rebounds and three assists from his previous game, then we are over 30 fantasy points.
Corey Kispert, SG WAS ($4,300) – Kispert continues to start for Washington and play 30-plus minutes, and that is an ideal place to begin. After three straight games of double digit shot attempts, Kispert dropped down to nine on Monday and finished with 10 points and four rebounds in 33 minutes of action. While that was underwhelming compared to the 20 points Kispert scored in two of his three previous games, the overall picture is favorable based on the price.
FanDuel
Payton Pritchard, PG/SG BOS ($3,500) – Boston enters tonight pretty banged up in the backcourt, so that could mean some additional minutes for Pritchard. The Celtics also played last night, and defeated Philadelphia with ease, so that could fare into some of their roster decisions tonight, and Pritchard finished with 19 minutes of playing time. Despite scoring just five points, Pritchard did have an impact as he handed out seven assists and grabbed two rebounds. Tonight’s matchup against Detroit is also pretty favorable, so that is another factor working in Pritchard’s favor as far as playing time goes.
Goga Bitadze, C IND ($4,200) – If you want to save money at the center position, Bitadze provides a nice opportunity to do so tonight. Of course, that does come with some risk as his playing time can fluctuate on a nightly basis, but he is in the starting lineup and the Pacers are thin in the frontcourt, so we should get 20 to 25 minutes out of Bitadze tonight. In 25 minutes last night, Bitadze, came close to a 6x return as he scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds to go along with four assists against Milwaukee. Expecting a repeat performance isn’t unreasonable.
Yahoo! Fantasy
Tre Mann, PG OKC ($12) – While we can’t chase the 30-points that Mann put up on Monday against the Knicks in a game that went into overtime, it is something the young guard is certainly capable of on a nightly basis. Mann is starting for Oklahoma City as they are shorthanded both offensively, and in the backcourt, and at the very least, we know he is going to see double-digit shot attempts. At this price, I’m willing to find out how efficient he can be.
Kemba Walker, PG NYK ($10) – Walker stands out to me here as a starting point guard who we can roster at minimum price tonight. Based on what we have seen from Walker as of late, he should play around 25 minutes tonight and he also benefits from RJ Barrett likely missing the Knicks’ last game before the All-Star break, the offensive opportunities should be there tonight against the Nets. In his last three games, Walker has averaged just over 10 shots per game and he is coming off a nine point, five assist, three rebound performance 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.