Golden State Warriors small forward Otto Porter Jr. scored the team's final seven points as Steve Kerr's men pulled off a 116-107 Christmas Day victory over the Suns. He ended up with a season-high 19 points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal, shooting 8-for-13 from the field and 3-for-7 from behind the arc. With a number of his teammates out because of health and safety protocols, Porter Jr. has moved to the starting unit, and he's provided a bit of everything for the team. Porter Jr. has also been productive off the bench, but he definitely carries more fantasy value as a starter, so managers should keep a close eye on Golden State's lineup news.

Golden State Warriors small/power forward Otto Porter Jr. and point/shooting guard Gary Payton II are both in the starting lineup for Thursday's contest against the Grizzlies. Porter's start will be his first of the year, filling in with Andrew Wiggins (health and safety protocols) and Andre Iguodala (knee) unavailable. Porter's offensive rating has dipped considerably during seven December outings, but he still offers DFS upside with Golden State needing to find added scoring. Payton's start will be his second this year, taking over for Jordan Poole (health and safety protocols). Much like Porter, he boasts DFS appeal due to a perceived usage increase, while having combined for 25 points and five steals in his last two outings.

Golden State Warriors forward Otto Porter Jr. (rest) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. The organization is listing Porter with a foot issue, but that is likely to avoid a fine from the NBA. This should be a one game absence for Porter. In the meantime, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damion Lee and Gary Payton II could all see an uptick in playing time. Payton might be the best fantasy option out of the trio right now.

Golden State Warriors small forward Otto Porter Jr. was one of the key guys in Sunday's 105-90 victory over the Clippers, providing 18 points on 5-for-10 shooting in 26 minutes off the bench and grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds. He hit 3-for-7 from downtown and 5-for-8 at the foul line, while dishing out two assists with one turnover and grabbing two steals. Porter Jr. has seen a bit more playing time in recent games and it's helped him to score 10-plus points in three of his past four outings. He's been benefitting from the absence of Andre Iguodala (knee). so fantasy managers who are planning to use Porter Jr. should keep an eye on Iguodala's status.

Golden State Warriors forward Otto Porter Jr. (foot) is available for Sunday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Both Porter and Nemanja Bjelica (rib) are expected to have bigger roles with Andre Iguodala (knee) and Gary Payton II (hernia) sidelined. Although, it's tough to imagine either player having a ton of fantasy value with Draymond Green healthy. There should be more minutes available for Porter and Bjelica, but they aren't worth the risk for Sunday's slate.

Golden State Warriors forward Otto Porter Jr. (knee) isn't available for the meeting against Detroit. The veteran will get the night off and join teammates Stephen Curry (hip), Draymond Green (thigh), and Andre Iguodala (knee) on the inactive list in what should still be a relatively easy matchup against the Pistons. Although Porter hasn't done much from a statistical standpoint, the collective absences for the Warriors will open up minutes for others, with Juan Toscano-Anderson, Nemanja Bjelica, and Damion Lee being the favorites to see a potential uptick in production. Yet, Andrew Wiggins, ... [More]

Golden State Warriors forward Otto Porter Jr. (rest) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. The team is calling it foot management, but this is basically a rest day for the veteran forward. Andre Iguodala is back in the rotation and will likely absorb most of Porter's minutes. There's not huge upside for anyone from the absence of Porter. Iguodala might have some deep league streaming appeal, but the Warriors are likely going to use a committee approach to fill the void.

On Sunday, Golden State Warriors forward Otto Porter Jr. came off the bench and produced his best game of the season. In Sunday's 120-107 win over the Houston Rockets, Porter Jr. played 18 minutes and posted a season-high 15 points, nine rebounds, an assist, a block, two steals, and five three-pointers. His nine shot attempts and seven three-point attempts were also new season-highs as he acclimates to life on his fourth NBA team. However, the Warriors used all 15 players on a night where Houston did not test them, so fantasy managers should not rely on this type of production moving forward. Therefore, Porter Jr. should remain on the waiver wire in 12-team leagues unless an injury opens up more playing time in the Bay Area.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls acquired an All-Star center and sent a loud message to the rest of the NBA with one blockbuster trade. They're serious about becoming a contender. And they're ready to welcome top free agents. The Bulls pulled off their first major trade since Arturas Karnisovas was hired to lead their basketball operation last spring by acquiring two-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic from Orlando prior to Thursday's deadline. They also added Al-Farouq Aminu in the deal and sent Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr. and two future first-round selections with certain lottery protections to the Magic. “We're trying to improve our team,” Karnisovas said. “That was an opportunity. You don't get so many opportunities to improve with players like that. I think we've done pretty well today." Vucevic is averaging a career-best 24.5 points and 11.8 rebounds in his 10th NBA season and ninth in Orlando. He has two full seasons remaining after this one on the four-year, $100 million... [More]

Kyle Lowry wound up staying with Toronto after all. Victor Oladipo is finally in Miami, a destination he's eyed in the past. And Rajon Rondo is headed back to Los Angeles, though not with the team he helped win the NBA title last season. The trade deadline has come and gone. And now, playoff pushes can really begin. Miami, Denver, the Clippers, Portland, Dallas, Boston and Atlanta were likely among the teams feeling convinced that they improved on deadline day after a flurry of moves Thursday, though the best player — at least this season — might have been landed by the Chicago Bulls. They got All-Star forward Nikola Vucevic from Orlando, a move that ushered in the start of a big-time rebuild by the Magic. “Anytime you trade a player like Nikola, it is a tough decision to make," Magic President Jeff Weltman said. Vucevic is the only player from this season's All-Star Game to be traded at the deadline. It was a steep price; Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu went to the Bulls for Otto Porter, Wendell... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls expect forward Lauri Markkanen to miss two to four weeks because of a sprained right shoulder, another setback for a 7-footer off to his best start as a pro. The Bulls said Monday an MRI confirmed he has a sprained acromioclavicular joint. Markkanen was hurt Friday at Orlando when he was fouled by Magic forward Gary Clark early in the third quarter. The Bulls were scheduled to host Washington on Monday. Coach Billy Donovan described the injury as a “bit freakish” with Markkanen “driving to the basket, being physical.” Markkanen is averaging a career-high 19.1 points and 6.1 rebounds coming off a disappointing season. He is shooting 51% overall and about 40% on 3-pointers — both personal bests. Markkanen had back-to-back outings with 30 or more points against Portland and New York on Jan. 30 and Feb. 1. He missed seven consecutive games early in the season because of COVID-19 protocols. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 draft, Markkanen has not played in... [More]

Months after the world was reminded of the best run in Chicago Bulls history, the franchise closed a chapter on one of its worst.The Chicago Bulls fired coach Jim Boylen on Friday as the new front office begins its remake of a team that missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five years — — a tough stretch for a franchise whose dominance in the 1990s was chronicled in the ESPN documentary “The Last Dance.”The Bulls finished 22-43 this season and were one of the eight teams that didn't qualify for the NBA's restart at Walt Disney World, where the playoffs begin next week. The move was hardly a surprise. Only Tim Floyd (.205) had a lower winning percentage than Boylen (.317) in franchise history.“This was a very difficult decision, but it is time for our franchise to take that next step as we move in a new direction and era of Chicago Bulls basketball,” said rturas Karnisovas, the team's new executive vice president of basketball operations. “Jim is a great human being that cares deeply... [More]

The Chicago Bulls fired coach Jim Boylen on Friday, the new front office beginning its remake of a team that missed the playoffs again. The Bulls, who finished 22-43 this season, were one of the eight teams that didn't qualify for the NBA's restart at Walt Disney World. That meant they wouldn't make the postseason for the fourth time in five years — a tough stretch for a franchise whose dominance in the 1990s was chronicled in the ESPN documentary “The Last Dance.”The move was hardly a surprise. Only Tim Floyd (.205) had a lower winning percentage than Boylen (.317) in franchise history.“This was a very difficult decision, but it is time for our franchise to take that next step as we move in a new direction and era of Chicago Bulls basketball,” Karnisovas said in a statement. “Jim is a great human being that cares deeply about this organization and the game of basketball.”A longtime NBA assistant, Boylen got his first head coaching job in the league in December 2018 when the Bulls fired... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — All-Star guard Luka Doncic was back in the Dallas Mavericks' lineup against the Chicago Bulls on Monday after missing a game because of a sprained left thumb. Averaging team highs of 28.6 points and 8.8 assists per game, the 6-foot-7 guard sat out Sunday's win at Minnesota. His thumb bothered him during Friday's loss to Miami.The Mavericks held out Kristaps Porzingis a day after tied a season high with 38 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. They were also without Seth Curry (lower back tightness), Jalen Brunson (right shoulder sprain) and Dwight Powell (right Achilles surgery). Willie Cauley-Stein was available after missing six games for personal reasons.Bulls leading scorer Zach LaVine was inactive because of a strained left quadriceps and is day to day. But Otto Porter Jr. was available after missing 51 games with a broken left foot.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls expect center Wendell Carter Jr. to miss four to six weeks because of a sprained right ankle.Carter rolled his ankle going for a layup when he landed on Mavericks center Dwight Powell's foot in the third quarter of Monday's loss at Dallas. The Bulls said Thursday an MRI confirmed the sprain.Carter is averaging 11.7 points and 9.9 rebounds in his second season. A thumb injury that required surgery limited the Duke product to 44 games as a rookie after he was drafted with the No. 7 overall pick.The Bulls also said a follow-up MRI showed forward Otto Porter Jr.'s broken left foot is healing. Averaging 11.2 points in nine games, he has been sidelined since he was hurt against Atlanta on Nov. 6. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons are without Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose for Saturday night's game against Chicago.Griffin has been dealing with an illness, and Rose has a sore left knee. Griffin also missed Friday night's loss at Boston.Griffin has also been dealing with a sore left knee. He has played in only 15 games this season for the Pistons, who were 11-18 entering Saturday's game. Rose has played in 24 games.Detroit is also without reserve Christian Wood, who is out with an injured left knee. The Pistons did get Luke Kennard back after he missed Friday's game with knee soreness.The Bulls are without Otto Porter Jr. because of a fractured left foot.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Bulls forward Otto Porter Jr. will miss at least another month because of a broken left foot that was initially diagnosed as a bruise.The Bulls said the injury was confirmed by Dr. Bob Anderson, a foot and ankle specialist who examined him Monday. The team said the small fracture became clear after repeated imaging over the past five weeks, and Porter will be re-evaluated in four weeks.Averaging 11.2 points in nine games, he has been sidelined since he was hurt against Atlanta on Nov. 6.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls say forward Otto Porter Jr. has a bone bruise in his left foot and will be reassessed in two weeks.The Bulls say a second MRI on Tuesday revealed the bruise. Porter, averaging 11.2 points in nine games, has been sidelined since he sprained his left foot at Atlanta on Nov. 6.The Bulls were 4-10 with three straight losses heading into Wednesday’s game against Detroit.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Protesters handed out T-shirts and held up signs in support of Hong Kong on Wednesday night when the Washington Wizards hosted a team from the Chinese Basketball Association.The Wizards beat the Guangzhou Long-Lions 137-98 in a game that included more than a half-dozen protests inside Capital One Arena over the NBA's ongoing rift with the Chinese government.Protesters handed out "Free Hong Kong" T-shirts on the street outside the arena before the exhibition game. The protesters, who said they were from Freedom House, held up signs reading, "Shame the NBA," ''South Park was right" and "Memo to the NBA: Principles over profit! No censorship! USA loves Hong Kong."The problems between the NBA and China began after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey posted a tweet last week that showed support for anti-government protesters in Hong Kong.The NBA has not apologized for Morey's remarks.A Freedom House spokeswoman said some members were planning to protest inside during the game. A spokeswoman... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The way John Paxson sees it, the Chicago Bulls are ready to contend for a playoff spot.The team's top basketball executive made that clear Monday as the Bulls reported for their first training camp under coach Jim Boylen."We think we can compete," Paxson said. "And when you compete at a high level, you have the ability to be a playoff-caliber team. We set that as a goal."Playoffs? Bulls?They insist it's a possibility coming off an injury-riddled season in which they posted one of the worst records in franchise history at 22-60.That will hinge largely on promising core players Lauri Markkanen, Zach LaVine, Otto Porter Jr. and Wendell Carter Jr. staying healthy and taking their games to a higher level. The Bulls also believe they set themselves up for bigger things with the moves they made in the offseason.They signed veteran forward Thaddeus Young to a $41 million, three-year contract. They also gave point guard Kris Dunn some competition after he took a step back last season,... [More]