Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (finger) had eight points, three rebounds, and two blocks in Thursday's win over the shorthanded Bucks. However, he suffered a left index finger sprain during the contest, ending his night after only 19 minutes of work. The 23-year-old isn't always the most reliable contributor in any statistical category. Still, he's been instrumental to Minnesota's success this season, primarily due to his contributions on the defensive end. Fortunately, the Timberwolves aren't back in action until Monday evening versus the Los Angeles Clippers, so there's a chance he'll be better by then. But if McDaniels can't go, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, averaging 9.3 points and 1.1 steals in 16 starts this season, would presumably fill the void in the rotation.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (ankle) is available ahead of Sunday's game against the Houston Rockets. The big man has been cleared to play after being listed as questionable heading into the contest. Gobert was dealing with a left ankle sprain but is expected to play his normal role on Sunday. He'll play alongside Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Karl-Anthony Towns. Fantasy managers can feel safe plugging Gobert back into their lineups on Sunday.

The New York Knicks announced on Thursday that forward Julius Randle (shoulder) will be re-evaluated some time between the next two and three weeks. This falls in line with the initial expectation that Randle's absence will be measured in weeks and not months after he dislocated his right shoulder on an awkward landing late in Saturday's victory over the Miami Heat. Fantasy managers can now expect to be without the points-league superstar until after the All-Star break, and it's a buzzkill to the scorching-hot Knicks. After achieving his first career triple-double during Tuesday's win over the Utah Jazz, Josh Hart needs to be rostered across the board for his ability to stuff the stat sheet. Precious Achiuwa has started consecutive outings for New York and is worth a look in deeper formats, but he is more than likely just filling in for OG Anunoby (elbow).

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (hamstring) was getting some shots up at Wednesday morning's shootaround. Conley has missed four of the team's past five games and is still officially listed as questionable with soreness in his left hamstring for Wednesday's contest versus the Dallas Mavericks, but his presence at shootaround is a positive sign. If the 36-year-old veteran floor general continues to sit out on Wednesday, look for the versatile Nickeil Alexander-Walker to once again shift over to point guard in Minnesota's starting lineup. In five games without Conley this season, Alexander-Walker is averaging a decent 12.4 points, 4.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 2.6 threes, and 1.2 steals for the T-Wolves.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (hamstring) will miss his second consecutive game with left hamstring soreness after he was downgraded from questionable to out on Monday. The veteran point guard has been quite healthy this year, which comes as a pleasant surprise given his injury history throughout his career. With hamstring soreness, the team seems to always take a cautious stance because that can turn into a lengthy absence very quickly. While he's out, Nickeil Alexander-Walker should move into the starting lineup again and could be a solid streaming option in deeper leagues. It could be an uphill battle against a very good Oklahoma City Thunder team, so he's not recommended in smaller leagues.