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Josh Okogie Josh Okogie plays 18 minutes in Hornets debut
Mon, Jan 20, 2025, 8:42 AM
Josh Okogie finished Monday's win over Dallas with five points (2-of-8 FGs), four rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one 3-pointer in 18 minutes.
Analysis: Okogie made his Hornets debut on Monday and was immediately thrust into the rotation. The veteran wing didn't offer much production outside of rebounds and steals, but he has a better chance of achieving fantasy relevance in Charlotte than in Phoenix. Okogie doesn't need to be added to fantasy league rosters yet, but he's worth watching in his new home. |
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Nick Smith Nick Smith Jr. hits five 3-pointers, scores 19
Mon, Jan 20, 2025, 8:41 AM
Nick Smith Jr. logged 30 minutes in Monday's win over Dallas, finishing with 19 points (7-of-13 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal, and five 3-pointers.
Analysis: After scoring 15 points in Charlotte's January 17 win over the Bulls, Smith was even more productive in his second start for the injured Brandon Miller. The second-year guard shot 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, establishing new season-highs in points (19) and 3-pointers. Smith's production and playing time were encouraging, and he should be added to deep league lineups with the Hornets playing three more games during Week 13. |
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Miles Bridges Miles Bridges tallies 23 points, four 3-pointers
Mon, Jan 20, 2025, 8:41 AM
Miles Bridges recorded a stat line of 23 points (8-of-15 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), five rebounds, two assists, one block, and four 3-pointers in 32 minutes in Monday's win over the Mavericks.
Analysis: The Hornets have won three straight games for the first time this season, and Bridges has scored 21 points or more in each of his last five. A top-75 player in 8-cat formats for the season, he has provided top-40 value over the past two weeks. Even with this recent win streak, the lingering concern for the Hornets is the potential for a shutdown. However, Bridges wasn't shut down during the 2023-24 campaign, which is what fantasy managers hope will also be the case this season. |
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LaMelo Ball LaMelo Ball records 23/7/9/2/1 line vs. Mavericks
Mon, Jan 20, 2025, 8:40 AM
LaMelo Ball amassed 23 points (8-of-21 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), seven rebounds, nine assists, two steals, one block, and five 3-pointers in 38 minutes in Monday's win over Dallas.
Analysis: Ball's percentages weren't great, but the overall stat line was one that many fantasy managers will take. He's dished out nine assists or more in four straight games, with Charlotte winning the last three. Even with the turnover issues, the most significant concern regarding Ball's fantasy value has been availability, not production. He begins Week 13 as a top-10 player in 8-cat formats, and the Hornets have three more games on their schedule. |
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Mark Williams Mark Williams explodes with 19 points, 19 boards
Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 4:40 PM
Mark Williams had 19 points (9-of-17 FGs), 19 rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks against the Bulls on Friday.
Analysis: Williams has been a stud when the Hornets give him at least 20 minutes this season. In those situations, he's averaging 17.8 points per game, 11.8 rebounds per game and shooting 65 percent from the field. Williams has now had at least 19 points, at least a 50 percent field goal percentage and a double-double in three straight games. With Nick Richards having been traded to Phoenix earlier this week, Williams has the runway to reach his fantasy ceiling for the rest of the year. |
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LaMelo Ball LaMelo Ball has 26 points, 9 assists in win
Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 4:39 PM
LaMelo Ball had 26 points (7-of-19 FGs), one rebound, nine assists, two steals and one 3-pointer in the Hornets' 127-125 victory over the Bulls on Friday.
Analysis: Ball was one assist away from a double-double, but once again he wasn't efficient shooting the basketball. The 23-year-old point guard continues to get his points purely on the volume of shots he takes and not his accuracy. With Brandon Miller (wrist) out for the foreseeable future, Ball's scoring will be of greater importance going forward. |
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Brandon Miller Brandon Miller out indefinitely with wrist injury
Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 4:32 PM
Brandon Miller is out indefinitely after he suffered a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist.
Analysis: Miller's injury-plagued season is potentially over as the 22-year-old small forward is out indefinitely with a torn ligament in his right wrist. He had dealt with an ankle injury earlier this season before popping up on the injury report with a wrist injury this week. Miller's injury is a tough blow to the Hornets and fantasy teams alike. |
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Nick Smith CHA starting Ball, Smith, Green, Bridges, Williams
Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 1:35 PM
Charlotte Hornets
LaMelo Ball, Nick Smith Jr., Josh Green, Miles Bridges, and Mark Williams will start Friday's game against Chicago.
Analysis: The Hornets are without Brandon Miller, who is not playing due to a sprained right wrist. Smith will make his first start as a pro. While the second-year guard hasn't done enough to merit being rostered in fantasy leagues, Friday's start is an excellent opportunity to prove he deserves more minutes moving forward. Charlotte's other four starters are unchanged. |
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Mark Williams Mark Williams, Moussa Diabate available Friday
Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 12:27 PM
Charlotte Hornets
Mark Williams (left knee soreness) and Moussa Diabate (illness) are available for Friday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: Williams is the more important option of the two, as he's the starting center. Look for him to take on his usual workload, with Diabate as the backup. There isn't much to gain from having Diabate rostered in most leagues. |
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Brandon Miller Brandon Miller (wrist) ruled out Friday vs. Bulls
Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 12:25 PM
Brandon Miller (right wrist sprain) is out for Friday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: Miller popped up on the injury report Thursday as questionable with a wrist injury and will subsequently miss Friday's game against the Bulls. Cody Martin and Josh Okogie could see extra minutes in the 22-year-old small forward's absence. |
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Moussa Diabate Moussa Diabate (illness) questionable vs. Bulls
Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 12:44 PM
NBA Injury Report
Moussa Diabate (illness) is questionable to play against Chicago on Friday.
Analysis: Diabate is now the team's backup center with Nick Richards having been traded to Phoenix. If he isn't able to suit up in this game, Taj Gibson will likely fill out the backup role, though he shouldn't be considered for a roster spot. |
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Brandon Miller Brandon Miller (wrist) questionable vs. Chicago
Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 12:40 PM
NBA Injury Report
Brandon Miller (right wrist sprain) is questionable for Friday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: Miller has popped up on the injury report with a new injury, which also happens to be his shooting wrist. If he plays, it may bother him, but if he isn't able to suit up, Cody Martin and recently-acquired Josh Okogie may get the chance to take on extra minutes. |
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Mark Williams Mark Williams (knee) probable vs. Chicago Friday
Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 12:38 PM
NBA Injury Report
Mark Williams (left knee soreness) is probable for Friday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: Williams is coming off back-to-back monster performances and will look to keep it going against Chicago. The knee issue popping up is mildly concerning given Williams' injury history, but it isn't expected to keep him out of the lineup in this game. |
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LaMelo Ball LaMelo Ball produces 27 points, nine assists
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 5:40 PM
LaMelo Ball shot 11-of-21 from the field and 3-of-3 from the foul line in Wednesday's win over Utah, scoring 27 points with six rebounds, nine assists, three blocks, and two 3-pointers in 39 minutes.
Analysis: Ball finished one assist shy of a double-double, but the shooting efficiency stands out. Counting Wednesday, he's shot 50% from the field in five games in which he's attempted at least 20 shots. While the shot volume is always there, that hasn't been the case for Ball's accuracy. There were no such issues against the Jazz, and the play of Mark Williams and Miles Bridges helped lighten Ball's workload. That's something for fantasy managers to watch, especially if the Hornets can stay healthy. |
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Miles Bridges Miles Bridges records 25/10/4/1/1 line vs. Utah
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 5:39 PM
Miles Bridges amassed 25 points (9-of-16 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal, one blocked shot, and three 3-pointers in 39 minutes in Wednesday's 117-112 win over the Jazz.
Analysis: Scoring-wise, Bridges has recently been a model of consistency, scoring 19 points or more in eight of his last nine outings. With 21.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 2.4 3-pointers per game, the Hornets forward has been a 3rd-round player in 9-cat formats over the past three weeks. Bridges being a 6th-round player for the season has more to do with his slow start than what he's done recently; he's been a fine asset for fantasy managers. |
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Brandon Miller Brandon Miller tallies 20 points, complete line
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 5:38 PM
Brandon Miller finished Wednesday's win over Utah with 20 points (8-of-18 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), six rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block, and three 3-pointers in 33 minutes.
Analysis: After playing well for most of November, an ankle injury upset Miller's offensive rhythm. That's something he's working to get back, with the second-year wing scoring 19 points or more in three of his last four outings. Miller's ranked just outside the top 50 in 9-cat formats, with the biggest issue in the short-term being Charlotte's schedule. Week 12 is a two-game week for the Hornets, who visit Chicago on Friday. |
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Mark Williams Mark Williams drops 31/13/2/2/1 stat line vs. Jazz
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 5:37 PM
Mark Williams had a career night in Wednesday's 117-112 win over Utah, accounting for 31 points (12-of-14 FGs, 7-of-10 FTs), 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one blocked shot in 36 minutes.
Analysis: Hours after the Hornets finalized the trade that sent Nick Richards to Phoenix, Williams produced the best performance of his NBA career. Not only were the 31 points a career-high, but this was his first 30-point game as a pro. Add in the 13 rebounds and four defensive contributions, and this is the kind of performance that will excite fantasy managers. Provided he stays healthy, Williams has a high fantasy ceiling for the rest of the season. |
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Cody Martin Cody Martin (illness) available vs. Utah Wednesday
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 3:03 PM
NBA Injury Report
Cody Martin (illness) will play against the Jazz on Wednesday.
Analysis: Martin was a late addition to the injury report, but he was still probable, so his availability in this game doesn't come as a surprise. He has played a significant role off the bench lately, but he hasn't provided much value in fantasy basketball. |
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Cody Martin Cody Martin (illness) downgraded to probable Weds.
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 12:36 PM
NBA Injury Report
Cody Martin (illness) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Jazz.
Analysis: Absent from the initial injury report, Martin is now probable to play in Wednesday's game. While his appearance on the report is negative, the Hornets wing appears likely to play anyway. His availability does not significantly impact fantasy basketball, especially with Brandon Miller in the lineup. |
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Josh Okogie Shams: Suns trade Josh Okogie, picks to Charlotte
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 10:50 AM
Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Suns have traded Josh Okogie and three second-round picks to Charlotte for Nick Richards.
Analysis: It had become abundantly clear that the Suns needed to improve their center rotation, and this transaction accomplished that. To acquire Richards, Phoenix has parted with Okogie and three second-round picks. Okogie wasn't much of a factor in fantasy basketball with the Suns, and that's unlikely to change with the Hornets. Also, with Charlotte well out of the postseason picture in the East, it would be unsurprising if they looked to move Okogie to a contender in exchange for future draft capital. |
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