

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (quad) was able to play through his right quad contusion during their 36-point win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday and it looks like he'll be able to play again on Friday against the Denver Nuggets. Williamson hasn't exactly given the type of production that everyone expected so far this year, but he's at least staying healthier than he has in recent years. Right now, Williamson is ranked 159 in nine-category leagues according to Basketball Monster. His field goal percentage and point totals have been high, but everything else has been either average or worse.


Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (ankle) has been ruled out for a second consecutive game while he deals with a right ankle sprain. Despite not playing in their last game against the New York Knicks, the Mavericks were able to squeak by with a win behind Kyrie Irving's 44 points. Doncic's ankle sprain must be a bad one to keep him out of this contest against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday because it could mean a lot when it comes to playoff seeding. They're a half-game behind the Pelicans and a win would put them in the sixth seed instead of potentially the play-in. While Doncic is out, Irving's usage should skyrocket again while Tim Hardaway Jr. will also see a boost in minutes.


Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell put on a show for the fans in Paris as he put up a season-high in the 111-102 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in the Thursday afternoon matinee. He was able to score 45 points on 15-for-30 shooting and 11-for-13 from the charity stripe. He even added 12 rebounds, six assists, and four steals despite the seven turnovers. For an undersized guard who averages 4.3 rebounds per game for his career, a 12-rebound game was a pleasant surprise for anyone who had him in their fantasy lineup. Mitchell's value is at its peak right now as he operates the offense without Darius Garland (jaw) and Evan Mobley (knee).


Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis may not be posting the same type of numbers that he did last season, but he's always a threat to go off in any given game. The 28-year-old posted one of his best games of the season en route to a blowout win over the Boston Celtics on Thursday. The veteran forward finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and one steal while shooting 11-for-18 overall and 5-for-6 from deep. For the fantasy managers that have hung on to him in deeper leagues, this was an amazing sight, but his value in 12-team leagues and fewer hasn't been as great. Portis has even seen fewer minutes this year, so he's still a bit harder to trust in smaller leagues.


Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now has 22 30-point games to his name this season and has collected 27 games of 30 or more. He's firmly in the race for the MVP award and every game bolsters his resume. In the 139-77 drubbing of the Portland Trail Blazers, Gilgeous-Alexander posted 31 points, five rebounds, four assists, one block, and two turnovers while shooting a red-hot 11-for-15 from the floor and 8-for-8 from the free throw line. While he hasn't been hitting as many threes as the normal guard in today's NBA, he's been producing elite-level stats everywhere else and boasts one of the best field goal percentages in the league, which is unheard of for a high-volume point guard.
