Brooklyn Nets DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Memphis Grizzlies small forward Ziaire Williams (hand) is considered doubtful to face the Pelicans on Monday. He's been out for eight games with a left hand injury, and the chances of Williams returning on Monday don't appear to be high. Williams had a spell as a starter early in the campaign, but he's struggled for consistency. The 22-year-old has tallied 7.7 points and 3.4 rebounds across 18.8 minutes.

Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (knee) will play on Friday night versus the New Orleans Pelicans. The 27-year-old didn't suit up on Thursday against the Denver Nuggets because of left knee soreness. However, he's good to go. Russell was quiet to begin the 2023-24 campaign. But he averaged 22.7 points and shot 45.9% from deep in January. While the veteran has always been a must-start, his fantasy ceiling is higher now than it's been all season.

Philadelphia 76ers guard De'Anthony Melton (back) won't be available for Friday's tilt versus the Atlanta Hawks. Melton just can't seem to get over the lumbar spine stress response in his back, which has plagued him since early January. The Sixers have a short turnaround in the form of a matchup with the Washington Wizards on Saturday, but Melton will hope to be ready by then. Tyrese Maxey (illness) is up in the air for Friday, and Philly traded away both Patrick Beverley and Jaden Springer on Thursday. It could be down to Tobias Harris to run the Sixers offense in a cushy situation against the Hawks, who rank 29th in the league in opponent field-goal percentage (50.4%). Harris has been a second-round fantasy player in nine-category leagues since Jan. 10, accumulating 20.8 points, 3.9 assists, 1.1 treys, and 1.0 steals while shooting 95.8% from the free-throw line through his past 12 games.

The Los Angeles Lakers aren't listing guardD'Angelo Russell (undisclosed) on their injury report for Thursday's meeting with the Denver Nuggets. Head coach Darvin Ham said on Wednesday that Russell was unable to practice after he received "tune-up" treatment, casting doubt on the guard's status, but Russell is good to go on Thursday. Though his name was swirling around trade rumors ahead of Thursday's deadline, Russell's recent hot streak may have driven up his stock to a point where the Lakers couldn't find any suitors for their asking price. Over his last 14 games, DLo is putting up 23.6 points, 6.5 assists, 4.1 threes on 46.3% shooting from deep, and 0.9 steals per contest. Although Russell is a must-start in season-long fantasy leagues right now, Thursday's matchup versus a Nuggets team yielding the fourth-fewest points per game (110.6) this season is a shy-away one for DFS purposes.

Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (groin) won't play on Thursday against the visiting Cavaliers. The former Sun is battling a groin strain, so he'll be sidelined for a second consecutive game. Fantasy managers are used to Johnson being out of the lineup occasionally at this point in his career, considering he's missed plenty of time over the years. That said, his next chance to play will be on Saturday versus the San Antonio Spurs. In the meantime, Ben Simmons could remain in the starting lineup. At the same time, Royce O'Neale, who is coming off an 18-point showing in 32 minutes against the Mavs on Tuesday, should continue to benefit statistically from Johnson's absence.