Phoenix Suns DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (calf) has been sidelined for the last seven games but his return is finally on the horizon. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Durant is planning to return on Tuesday along with teammate Bradley Beal (calf). The Suns have been on a five-game losing streak lately while both Durant and Beal watched from the sidelines. Their timing lines up with one of their NBA Cup games against the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant should especially be in fantasy lineups regardless of format.

Charlotte Hornets centers Mark Williams (foot) and Nick Richards (ribs) have both been sent to the team's G League affiliate on a rehab assignment. They will be practicing with the Greensboro Swarm on Monday, but don't have a specific timetable for their return to the Hornets. Williams has been out since early December of last season while Richards hasn't played since November 1 of this season. Both big men would regularly get minutes when back in the lineup, with Williams having the higher ceiling based on his play early on.

Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (rib) is out for Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks due to rib soreness. Richards, who returned to practice Thursday, has not been cleared to play and will miss the matchup. The 26-year-old has been highly effective this season, averaging 11.0 points and 10.0 rebounds while shooting over 63% from the field. His last game was on November 1st against the Boston Celtics. Richards' next opportunity to play will come Monday against the Orlando Magic. In his absence, Tidjane Salaun and Moussa Diabate are expected to take on additional frontcourt responsibilities.

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) is available on Wednesday, according to Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer. Nurkic missed Monday's game against the Orlando Magic with a sprained ankle, though that absence may have also been influenced with the game being the second leg of a back-to-back. The 30-year-old has averaged just 8.5 points but has grabbed 9.8 rebounds per game. Fantasy managers and DFS gamers should find a way to get him in their lineups, especially if you are looking for rebounding production in your lineups.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Phoenix Suns forwardKevin Durant(calf) could return as early as Tuesday next week against the Lakers for the NBA Cup game. The 36-year-old has been out since suffering a left calf strainagainst the Mavs on November 9th. Getting Durant back will be a massive boost for fantasy managers, as he is averaging 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 42.9% from behind the arc. In the meantime, Devin Booker will need to continueto pick up some of the slack on the scoring end, while Tyus Jones,Grayson Allen, and Royce O'Nealecould also surpass fantasy expectations at times until Durant is back.