NBA

Ball hasn’t played since the end of February and will remain on the shelf through the first week of April. Josh Giddey and Coby White will continue carrying heavy workloads in Chicago’s backcourt.

Harden recorded his second points/assists double-double in three games on Saturday, with the 14 helpers being the most he’s recorded in a game since March 4. Over the past month, The Beard has provided top-10 value in eight- and nine-cat formats. While the turnovers have decreased slightly, Harden’s scoring output has increased. He’s averaged 23.9 points per game over the past month, just over one point higher than his season average of 22.5. The Clippers end the regular season with a four-game Week 23, starting with the Spurs on Tuesday.

Zubac may not be a popular name in most mainstream conversations regarding the Most Improved Player award, but he deserves to be mentioned. The Clippers’ center is having a career year, and he was elite on Saturday. Zubac did not miss a shot from the field or the foul line, and the double-double was his 55th of the season. By comparison, he had 50 double-doubles in the prior two seasons combined. From a fantasy standpoint, Zubac has offered fourth-round value in eight- and nine-cat formats over the past month.

Saturday’s game went as well as the Clippers could have hoped regarding Leonard. For the first time this season, he played both games of a back-to-back. Also, Leonard was effective while on the court and only needed to play for 25 minutes. Kawhi has been on fire over the past month, providing top-10 value in eight- and nine-cat formats. The Clippers’ four-game Week 23 begins with a Tuesday/Wednesday back-to-back, and one of those games is against a team headed to the lottery in San Antonio. Although Saturday’s experience was positive, it isn’t guaranteed Leonard will be available for both ends of the Clippers’ final back-to-back of the season.

Thompson shot 4-of-8 from three and did not provide much else of value to fantasy managers on Saturday. Over the past two weeks, the veteran sharpshooter is ranked outside the top 200 in eight- and nine-cat formats. Thompson has primarily been a points and three-pointers player this season, and his field goal percentage of 41.3 percent is the lowest of his career. Thompson managers whose leagues are active during Week 23 will have three games to work with, starting with Wednesday’s matchup against the Lakers.

Saturday’s game was Lively’s second since returning from a stress fracture in his ankle. As expected, there’s still some rust, and the Mavericks are taking a conservative approach to his workload. Lively only played 15 minutes, offering limited value during his time on the court. With Daniel Gafford (knee) sitting out, Kai Jones assumed the backup center responsibilities and had an excellent night. Shooting 9-of-9 from the field, he finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, one steal and three blocks. However, as good as this line was, fantasy managers whose leagues will be active next week don’t need to pick up Jones. Dallas plays on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, which should ensure that Lively and Gafford are available.

After sitting out Friday’s loss to the Clippers, Davis was back in the lineup for Saturday’s rematch. While the points and rebounds were solid, his efficiency left something to be desired. Not only did Davis shoot below 50 percent from the field, but he was also responsible for six turnovers. Over the past two weeks, he has been a ninth-round player in eight-cat formats, ranking just outside the top-100 according to Basketball Monster. For Davis managers whose leagues run through Week 23, the Mavericks play three games, all on the busiest days of the week (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday).

Wiggins has missed Miami’s last four games with a hamstring injury, and he said it has been a lingering issue. He did not have a specific date for a return, so Wiggins may not be of much service to fantasy managers whose leagues are active through Week 23. Miami plays four games, starting with the 76ers on Monday, and Pelle Larsson should remain in the starting lineup until Wiggins is cleared. Larsson finished Saturday’s loss with three points (1-of-8 FGs), four rebounds, three assists and one three-pointer in 39 minutes.

Anderson has reached double figures in scoring in three of his last four outings, and Saturday’s double-double was his first since February 13. Since the All-Star break, Slo Mo has been ranked outside the top 250 in eight- and nine-cat formats. While Saturday’s stat line was solid, it should not be considered a good enough reason to add him ahead of Week 23 if your league will be active.