News: Wizards forward Andray Blatche left Saturday's game against the Bobcats with tightness in his left calf, according to the Washington Post. He played just eight minutes in his team's 102-99 win. Blatche shot 2 for 5 from the field and grabbed one board during his time on the court.
Analysis: Blatche has had a rough season, battling injuries and he recently lost his starting job. Look for Jan Vesely and Trevor Booker to see extended minutes if Blatche is sidelined for an extended period of time. Fantasy owners should keep tabs on this situation in Washington and Blatche's status for Week 6 (Jan. 30-Feb. 5).
News: Suns G Steve Nash suffered a left thigh bruise in the waning moments of Saturday night's contest against the Grizzlies. Nash appeared to sustain the injury on the final play of the game. He finished with 21 points and six assists in the 86-84 victory, on 8 of 14 shooting from the field. Nash also chipped in with five rebounds and two steals and is being considered day to day at this point. "It's just frustrating," Nash said. "Hopefully it will settle down by Monday. I'm optimistic I can play on Monday, but you never know."
Analysis: Nash's injury doesn't seem to be anything serious, although it still could cost him a few games heading into Fantasy Week 6 (Jan. 30-Feb. 5). Keep in mind he missed a game earlier in the year with a right thigh contusion, so Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his status moving forward. Phoenix is scheduled to play four times during the upcoming scoring period against the Mavericks, Hornets, rockets and Bobcats. Nash can be considered a No. 1 Fantasy G in all formats when healthy.
News: Kings F Jason Thompson sustained an ankle injury during Saturday night's contest against the Jazz. Thompson suffered the injury in the first half, but was able to return to the 96-93 loss. He finished with 14 points and four rebounds in the defeat, while also adding a pair of blocks to his stat line.
Analysis: Thompson was able to return to action on Saturday night, but that doesn't mean that he won't miss any time moving forward. Fantasy owners will have to keep an eye on his status heading into Fantasy Week 6 (Jasn. 30-Feb. 5). However, with the Kings only playing three times during the upcoming scoring period and Thompson's latest injury, sitting the 25-year-old this week probably wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
News: Kings C Chuck Hayes re-aggravated his dislocated right shoulder during Saturday night's contest against the Jazz. Hayes, who had missed the previous 11 games with his ailment, sustained the injury in the waning moments of the 96-96 defeat. He finished with eight rebounds, while logging 20 minutes off the bench in the loss.
Analysis: Hayes had to helped off the court with his injury, which is never a good thing. However, the Kings offered no update on his status following the game, saying only that he would be re-evaluated on Sunday. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his status heading into Fantasy Week 6 (Jan. 30-Feb. 5). Hayes can be considered a low-end Fantasy option, when healthy.
News: Kings guard Tyreke Evans went off for a season-high 31 points on Saturday night against the Jazz. He shot 12 for 20 from the field and nailed all seven of his freebies at the charity stripe. Evans added two steals, a block, nine assists and six boards in his 40 minutes on the court. Despite his efforts, Utah would go on to win the game, 96-93.
Analysis: Evans has been playing well over his last five games for the Kings. He's averaging 17.6 points, 6.4 assists and 5.0 boards an outing. He's upped his shooting percentage to 45 percent over that span, which is definitely good to see. Fantasy owners have been upset with his inconsistency at times this year, but right now he's playing at a high level. Keep him active heading in to Week 6 (Jan. 30-Feb. 5), as Evans remains a solid guard option.
News: While he's still looking for consistency, Utah F Gordon Hayward is starting to show glimpses of the skill that made him a Lottery selection in the 2010 NBA Draft, as he scored a team-high 21 points on Saturday as the Jazz defeated the Kings 96-93. The game was his highest-scoring of the season and third-best of his career, as he shot 7 of 15 from the field while adding two three-pointers and five free throws. He also grabbed five rebounds, dished out four assists and had two steals in 30 minutes.
Analysis: Hayward turned in his best performance to date on Sunday night, but his overall production has been very inconsistent thus far. He is averaging just 8.7 points, 3.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game, however he continues to flash immense potential. Despite his uneven play, Hayward's upside and ability to score make him a viable low-end option in most formats. Continue to view him as such heading into Week 6 (Jan. 30-Feb. 5). The Jazz are slated to play the Trail Blazers, Clippers, Warriors, and Lakers in the scoring period.
News: For the 12th time this season Memphis center Marc Gasol recorded a double-double. He scored 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in his 43 minutes of action on Saturday night in Phoenix. Gasol shot 50 percent from the floor and converted 4 of his 5 foul shots. He added four blocks, a steal and two assists in the contest, but his team would lose to the Suns, 86-84.
Analysis: Gasol has four double-doubles over his last five games and is averaging 15.6 points and 10.0 boards over that span. He's also tallying 2.2 blocks and 3.4 assists per contest for the Grizzlies. The big man has stepped up his game with Zach Randolph sidelined. Continue to roll with him as a must-start in all Fantasy leagues.
News: Grizzlies G Mike Conley was able to get himself back on track during Saturday night's contest against the Suns. Conley, who scored a combined 10 points over his previous two games, finished with 15 points and 10 assists in the 86-84 defeat. He did miss the potential game-tying 3-pointer at the end of the fourth quarter, but still shot 6 of 13 from the field and also added three rebound to his stat line, while logging 38 minutes of game action.
Analysis: Conley was in a bit of a slump earlier in the week, but bounced-back with a strong effort in Phoenix. The 24-year-old has been one of the more pleasant surprises in the early going as he is on pace to have a career season for the Grizzlies. As long as he can maintain his current pace and stat healthy, owners should have no qualms about leaving him active in the majority of formats heading into Week 6 (Jan. 30-Feb. 5). Memphis is slated to play five times in the upcoming scoring period against the Spurs, Nuggets, Hawks, Thunder and Celtics.
News: Suns guard Michael Redd hasn't been doing much lately for Phoenix. He scored two points in his five minute of action on Saturday night against the Grizzlies. Redd missed both his shots from downtown and connected on both his foul shots. Phoenix would win the game, 86-84.
Analysis: Redd is a career 38.2 percent shooter from downtown, but hasn't done much so far this season with the Suns. He's not getting a lot of run, but is still adjusting to his new team. Two injuries to his left knee cost him large chunks of the last three seasons, so it may take some time for him to get into a rhythm. Fantasy owners in the deepest of leagues should keep him reserved until further notice.
News: Suns F Hakim Warrick saw meaningful minutes during Saturday night's contest against the Grizzlies. Warrick, who has appeared in each of Phoenix's last three games, finished with eight points in the 86-84 defeat. He shot 2 of 7 from the field and also chipped in six rebounds, while logging 18 minutes off the bench.
Analysis: Warrick was in coach Alvin Gentry's doghouse for a few games, but it appears he was able to work his way back into the rotation. The 29-year-old has now appeared in each of Phoenix's last three games and is averaging 22 minutes over that stretch. However, until he proves he can be produce on a somewhat consistent6 basis, owners should leave him reserved or on the waiver wire in most formats.
