Brooklyn Nets DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (tailbone) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Russell has missed the last three games as he works his way back from a tailbone contusion. His absence has opened up a door for Max Christie to have a bigger role in the rotation. Christie has taken advantage of it and played well with the extended playing time. However, he won't have as strong of streaming appeal once Russell is back in the picture. Fantasy managers will have to check back on Sunday for another update on his status.

Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (tailbone) is listed as doubtful for Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. It appears the young guard is in danger of missing his third game in a row due to a tailbone contusion. The Lakers could be asking their bench to step up big time with LeBron James (ankle) also questionable on Friday. Max Christie figures to continue having an increased role in the offense if Russell or James sits out. Christie dropped 14 points and five rebounds in 28 minutes on Wednesday. He's worth a look as a streaming option with the Lakers banged up right now.

Philadelphia 76ers guard De'Anthony Melton (back) won't play in Friday's Atlantic Division showdown versus the New York Knicks. After logging no activity in practice on Thursday, Melton will miss his second night in a row due to lumbar spine soreness. Philadelphia takes on the visiting Utah Jazz on Saturday, marking the 23-year-old glue guy and lockdown defender's next possible return date. Kelly Oubre Jr. is the most likely candidate to draw the start for the Sixers on Friday, and he's averaging 13.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 three-pointers, and 1.3 steals in 12 games with the first unit during his first year in Philly.

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse says guard De'Anthony Melton (back) missed Thursday's practice. Teammates Furkan Korkmaz (illness) and Robert Covington (knee) were also unavailable, but Melton, who is nursing lumbar spine soreness, is certainly the most important name for fantasy purposes. It puts Melton on the wrong side of questionable for Friday versus the visiting New York Knicks, with a short turnaround looming on Saturday when the Sixers host the Utah Jazz. The 23-year-old three-and-D player is far more useful in category leagues, logging 12.1 points, 3.2 assists, 2.1 three-pointers, and 1.7 steals per game, and he is integral to Philly's perimeter defense. If Melton can't play on Friday, Kelly Oubre Jr. would figure to share the starting backcourt alongside Tyrese Maxey as he did on Tuesday.

Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (tailbone) has officially been downgraded from doubtful to out on Wednesday versus the Miami Heat. Russell did not participate in the morning shootaround with a tailbone contusion, which was a harbinger for things to come. Russell will aim to suit up when the Lakers continue a five-game homestand on Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies. Recently demoted to L.A.'s bench, the 27-year-old former All-Star is stumbling to his fewest points per game (14.8) since Year 1 in his first full season of his second stint in Tinseltown during 2023-24. Though Russell is becoming a popular fantasy drop, we would recommend holding DLo in most leagues unless his role really goes off the rails. After putting up 20 points and nine assists in 36 minutes off the bench on Sunday, Austin Reaves looks like the team's primary facilitator alongside LeBron James (illness) for now.