Fantasy Basketball News, Stats and Analysis (2024)

Warriors' Gary Payton: Opts into player option

18h ago

Payton exercised his $9.1 million player option for the 2024-25 season Wednesday, ESPN's Kendra Andrews reports.

By opting into his option, Payton will now be able to negotiate a possible contract extension with the Warriors. Payton has had some tough luck with injuries in recent seasons, but he's invaluable to the Warriors for his perimeter defense. In 44 regular-season appearances last season, Payton averaged 5.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.9 steals.

Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Drains clutch 3 in Game 5 win

2d ago

Pritchard posted three points (1-1 FG, 1-1 3Pt) in under one minute of playing time during Monday's 106-88 win over Dallas in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

As he did periodically during the regular season and postseason, Pritchard once again drained a half-court end-of-quarter three just when the Celtics needed a boost. In Game 5, he heaved a half-court triple with under four seconds to help Boston take a 21-point lead into halftime. It was a lead the Celtics would never relinquish as Boston earned its 18th banner. Pritchard hit three triples over five 2024 NBA Finals games. He has three years remaining on his current contract, so expect more off-the-bench heroics moving forward.

Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Leads all scorers in Finals series

2d ago

Doncic ended Monday's 106-88 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals with 28 points (12-25 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 2-5 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists and three steals across 43 minutes.

Despite losing the series 4-1, Doncic was spectacular for the Mavericks in the NBA Finals. The five-time All-Star dealt with a litany of injuries throughout the playoffs, including a thoracic contusion, a right knee sprain and left ankle soreness, but still led all players in scoring in the Finals. Across five NBA Finals games, Doncic averaged 29.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.6 steals while shooting 47.2 percent from the field. The 25-year-old did struggle from deep, shooting only 24.4 percent, and he was also seen as a defensive liability at times. However, Doncic and the Mavericks will look to build off their strong season and run it back next year, as he now has NBA Finals experience under his belt.

Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Shoots poorly in Game 5 loss

2d ago

Irving posted 15 points (5-16 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine assists, three rebounds and one steal over 41 minutes during Monday's 106-88 loss to Boston in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

Irving struggled to get going in the Game 5 loss to the Celtics after a strong performance in Game 4, when he put up 21 points, six assists and four rebounds on 55.6 percent shooting from the field. The eight-time All-Star averaged 19.8 points, 5.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 0.6 steals in five NBA Finals games while shooting 41.4 percent from the field. Irving has now been to four NBA Finals with a 1-3 record, and he will attempt to help lead Dallas back to the championship round next year with Luka Doncic by his side.

Celtics' Jrue Holiday: Double-double in Game 5 win

2d ago

Holiday logged 15 points (7-14 FG, 1-3 3Pt), 11 rebounds, four assists and one block in 43 minutes during Monday's 106-88 victory over the Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

Holiday was incredible for the Celtics in five NBA Finals games, averaging 14.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 45.5 percent from the field. The 34-year-old proved to be a crucial addition to the Celtics winning title No. 18 -- it was also Holiday's second NBA Championship in just four years. The defensive mastermind averaged 13.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 50.3 percent from the field across 19 playoff games.

Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Gets green light for Game 5

2d ago

Doncic (thoracic contusion) is available for Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Celtics.

Doncic is dealing with a thoracic contusion, but he has been upgraded from probable to available ahead of Monday's Game 5. The All-Star will lead the Mavericks into Boston as Dallas looks to cut the series deficit to 3-2 and come back from down 3-0, a feat that has never been accomplished in NBA Finals history. Doncic has been solid throughout the series, averaging 29.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.5 steals across 37.8 minutes while shooting 47.0 percent from the field.