News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton struggled to get going in the first half of this season, but he finally found his stride after the All-Star break. He averaged 14.6 points per game in 28 second half games, while shooting a blistering 47.0 percent from the field. After one of the team's late season games, the Sacramento Bee reported that the team was finding success in a smaller lineup, which allowed him to focus more on scoring and shooting, with other ball handlers on the floor. It's easy to play like that when you have guys that are unselfish like Toney and Isaiah, Tyreke (Evans) and those guys," Thornton said. "It makes my job easier – just go out and run." With a crowded backcourt, it could be a look the Kings go to more often next season to get Thornton going.
Analysis: Thornton's scoring fell this season to 12.7 per game, the lowest total of his career. His second-half improvement is promising, but the Kings have a lot of tough decisions to make about their backcourt, and they apparently found giving minutes to Thornton was not a priority last season. The 25-year-old could be a prime bounceback candidate next season, but targeting him carries plenty of risk. Given the current makeup of the Kings' roster, Thornton is more of a low-end Fantasy option, worth targeting in the later rounds on Draft Day.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton had another big performance to help Sacramento win at home over the Clippers Tuesday night. The guard gave Sacramento 30 minutes off the bench and scored a team-high 25 points. He was 7 for 14 from the field with six 3-pointers and he also dished out four assists. Thornton added four boards and a steal.
Analysis: Thornton scored 15 points in his last game against the Lakers and dropped 23 on the Suns on March 8. He scored 16 points in two combined games in between. He's averaging just 13 per game on the year. Thornton is as erratic as it gets, but can still be active in deeper Fantasy formats.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton caught fire from beyond the arc again Tuesday night against the Nuggets as he drained five or more treys for the fourth time this season. He went 15 of 21 shooting from the field, including 5 of 11 from downtown, and 3 of 3 from the charity stripe. He finished with a team-high 32 points, four rebounds and two assists while logging 35 minutes of game action in a 120-113 defeat.
Analysis: Thornton continues to explode offensively as he has scored 25-plus in four of the last five games, averaging 26.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists over that span. He has also connected on 19 of his last 40 (47.5 percent) 3-pointers over that span, making him a viable source of 3-pointers. The 25-year-old has turned it on as of late and is starting to become more reliable in the final weeks of the Fantasy season. Fantasy owners should continue to roll with Thornton in deeper formats while he has the hot hand.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton put on a 3-point clinic during Tuesday's contest against the Heat. Thornton made eight of his 12 shots from behind the arc in the 141-129 double-overtime loss and finished with a season-best 36 points. He scored 12 of his points in the fourth quarter and overtime period and was also able to add three assists, two rebounds and one steal to his stat line, while logging 40 minutes of game action.
Analysis: After enduring a horrid shooting slump that lasted from the end of December all the way to February, Thornton appears to have finally found his range again. The 25-year-old has now connected on 19 of his last 36 (53 percent) attempts from behind the arc and is averaging 17.4 points over that span. While performances like he one he turned in against the Heat don't happen very often, Thornton can be considered a viable source for 3-pointers and scoring when he is on. Still, continue to roll with him as more of a low-end option at this point in the year.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton was able to return to action Tuesday night against the Spurs after slitting out his last game with a hand injury. Thornton went 6 of 16 shooting from the field, including 4 of 9 from beyond the arc as he finished with 16 points and four rebounds in a 108-102 defeat. He also chipped in with a steal while logging 24 minutes of game action.
Analysis: Thornton was able to get back on track as he scored in double figures for the second game in a row. It's nice to see him back in action and it appears that he is back to full strength after missing one game with a hand injury. The 25-year-old had been on a downward trend prior to Tuesday's game, so we hope that he finishes out the last of the season on a high note. He is averaging roughly 11 points per game, but has not been able to contribute much in other categories. He should be viewed as a low-end Fantasy option in deeper formats for now.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton (hand) was able to practice without restriction Monday and is being considered probable for Tuesday's contest against the Spurs, reports the Sacramento Bee. Thornton was forced to sit out Sacramento's loss to the Mavericks last Wednesday with his injury.
Analysis: Thornton has been trending down in recent weeks as he was never able to get himself back on track since returning from an ankle injury at the end of December. In fact, he has scored in double figures in just six of the 18 games he has been back in the lineup for and is averaging just 8.9 points on 37 percent shooting from the field over that span. While Thornton can be considered a viable source for scoring and even 3-pointers some nights, he should only be owned in deeper formats at this point in the year.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton was inactive for Wednesday's game against the Mavericks, after suffering a hand injury in Tuesday's game against the Grizzlies. X-rays on the hand came back negative, and he has been diagnosed with a bruised hand.
Analysis: Thornton has taken a step back this season, and an injury to his shooting hand would certainly not help things. Thornton is averaging just 11.5 points per game on the season, and should be considered just a low-end Fantasy option, when healthy.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton came off the bench for 21 minutes on Tuesday night during a loss at Memphis. Thornton did not shoot well as he went 4 for 12 from the field, but he did hit three 3-pointers to score 15 points and lead the bench scoring. He did little else, however, with just one rebound and one steal to complete his stat line.
Analysis: Thornton scored 24 points last Saturday against Utah but has otherwise averaged just 10.8 points per game over his last five contests. Incredibly inconsistent, especially shooting the basketball, Thornton only really has low-end Fantasy value outside the deeper formats.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton's shooting woes continued during Monday's contest against the Wizards. Thornton connected on just four of his 12 field-goal attempts in the 96-94 defeat. He finished with 11 points and three of his makes came from downtown. Thornton also added four rebounds, two assists and one steal to his stat line, while logging 24 minutes off the bench.
Analysis: Thornton has struggled to find his scoring touch since his return to the lineup from an ankle injury earlier this month as he has scored in double figures in just three of his last 11 games. His inconsistent production has also led to his playing time being cut as he is seeing around 17 minutes per game during his cold stretch. Fantasy owners should consider Thornton merely a low-end option in deeper formats at this point in the year.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton scoring struggles continued during Wednesday's contest against the Suns. Thornton finished with just eight points in the 106-96 defeat on 2 of 5 shooting from the field. He made just one of his four 3-point attempts from behind the arc and also added one assist and steal to his stat line, while logging 15 minutes off the bench.
Analysis: Thornton has struggled to regain his scoring touch his return to the lineup as he has only scored in double figures twice over that stretch. He is only seeing around 16 minutes off the bench during his cold streak as well, which is making it tough for him to get his numbers. While Thornton is capable of heating up at anytime, he should remain reserved until he starts producing again.
News: Sacramento guard Marcus Thornton looks to have another big game on Wednesday against the Wizards at home. Thornton returned from a sprained ankle last Thursday against Dallas and got off to a slow start. He played just seven minutes in that game against the Mavericks. However, just one mediocre game later, Thornton went off Monday against Cleveland. He scored 20 points over 30 minutes in that game with three 3-pointers and 8 of 14 shooting overall. Thornton added two steals in the game.
Analysis: Thornton seems to be over his sprained left ankle and back on track for the Kings with his latest 20-point performance. He's been a little erratic shooting the basketball this season but does average close to 1.8 3-pointers per game with 13 points and 2.7 rebounds. When he's on his game, Thornton can be useful in very deep Fantasy formats. Unfortunately, he can bring a lot of frustration to Fantasy owners.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton returned to action Thursday night against the Mavericks despite dealing with a sprained left ankle. Thornton, who came off the bench in the third quarter, only logged seven minutes and struggled to find his shot, missing all three of his attempts, including two from downtown. He dished out just one assist and was held scoreless in a 117-112 overtime defeat.
Analysis: It's clear to see that Thornton is not at 100 percent, especially after suffering a minor setback in practice Wednesday, so head coach Keith Smart decided to keep him on the bench throughout most of the night. Thornton was playing some of his best basketball this season prior to getting hurt, so hopefully he gets back to full strength. Consider him a solid low-end option in most formats, when healthy.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton, who was considered a game-time decision, was listed as active for Thursday's contest against the Mavericks despite dealing with a bothersome sprained left ankle. Thornton had missed his last five games before making his return Thursday.
Analysis: It seems as if Thornton will try to give it a go Thursday night, despite suffering a minor setback in practice the day before, so we'll continue to monitor his status moving forward. Thornton was playing some of his best basketball this season prior to getting hurt, averaging 13.5 points and is shooting 42.8 percent over his last six games. At this point, it is uncertain what kind of role he'll have in his first game back, so consider him a solid low-end option in most formats, when healthy.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton was bothered his sprained left ankle in practice Wednesday and his being considered questionable heading into Sacramento's contest against the Mavericks Thursday night, reports ESPN. Thornton, who has missed five straight games with an ankle injury, was optimistic about getting back on the court for Thursday's game after going through a full practice session Tuesday.
Analysis: It sounds like Thornton may have suffered a small setback at practice Wednesday and now may end up missing another game. The 25-year-old said earlier in the week he was targeted a return sometime during the Kings' current five-game homestand, but he has already missed the first contest. Thornton was playing some of his best basketball this season prior to getting hurt as is averaging 13.5 points and is shooting 42.8 percent over his last six games. Fantasy owners should consider Thornton a solid low-end option in most formats when he finally gets back on the court.
News: Kings coach Keith Smart expressed optimism guard Marcus Thornton will be able to return to the lineup Thursday vs. Dallas after missing five games with an ankle injury. “I think he’s going to be ready to go,” Smart said Tuesday, per Cowbell Kingdom. “Based on what he did today and the biggest thing now is in the morning. What happens and how it responds to real work to where you have to change directions and things like that. All the restrictions were off on him today, so it was good. He got on the floor. We did some really nice work today.”
Analysis: Prior to getting hurt, Thornton was playing some of his best basketball this season. After returning from a three-game absence in December because of personal reasons, Thornton is averaging 13.5 points and is shooting 42.8 percent in his last six games. He has also been efficient from 3-point range, shooting 40 percent from downtown in that six-game span. The Kings do have a lot of depth at guard, but Thornton is a key part of the rotation and gets plenty of playing time. It's just that he is mostly a source of scoring and 3-point shooting for Fantasy owners when healthy.
News: Despite being ruled out for Monday's game against Memphis, Kings guard Marcus Thornton (ankle) said he is still targeting a return to the lineup at some point during the team's homestand this week, the Sacramento Bee reports. Thornton missed his fifth consecutive game Monday with a sprained left ankle. The Kings also play Thursday (vs. Dallas) and Saturday (vs. Miami).
Analysis: Sacramento could benefit from the return of both Thornton and Tyreke Evans this week, but coach Keith Smart expressed some concern they might clash with both attempting at least 12 shots per game. "Sometimes, (players returning from injury) hurt the team because they don't do what they normally do," he said. "We've just got to make sure they are who they are and get them to fit back into the team." That means one of the players setting up shots for other players besides themselves. Fantasy owners should probably keep Thornton reserved for Week 11 (Jan. 7-13) as there's no guarantee he returns.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton missed his fourth game in a row Saturday against the Nets, as he continues to deal with a sprained left ankle. Thornton has been able to participate in light practices in recent days, but is not yet well enough to play.
Analysis: Thornton has now missed eight games this season, after missing 15 a year ago. He has yet to play a full season without missing time. Thornton’s scoring is down to 13.3 per game, his lowest average since 2010-11, and we are not sure when he will be able to return. At this point, he should be considered a risky Fantasy option for Week 11 (Jan. 7-13).
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton (ankle) participated in the team's shootaround Friday morning, but was unable to return to game action at Toronto, the Sacramento Bee reports. It's the third consecutive game Thornton missed because of a sprained left ankle and there is no immediate timetable for his return.
Analysis: Thornton has now been out for seven games over the past two months as he also missed time because of personal reasons in mid-December. His scoring last month experienced a dip as a result as he posted 11.4 points per game, while eclipsing 30 minutes on only three occasions. Keep track of his status as he could be sidelined for Saturday's game at Brooklyn.
News: Sacramento point guard Marcus Thornton is dealing with a sprained left ankle and may not play at all this week, reported the Kings' on-air broadcast team. Thornton missed Tuesday's game at Detroit, as was expected, but may miss even more time going forward.
Analysis: Thornton's injury looked a lot worse than it ended up being, but will still cost him some time during Fantasy Week 10 (Dec. 31-Jan. 6). Fantasy owners -- especially those in daily formats -- should keep an eye on his status moving forward to see when he will be able to return. Thornton is averaging 12.4 points while shooting close to 42 percent in his last five games and can be considered a viable low-end option in most formats when healthy.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton was ruled out for Tuesday's contest against the Pistons due to a sprained left ankle, reports the Sacramento Bee. Thornton sprained his ankle during Sacramento's win over the Celtics Sunday night and is in a walking boot. He is being listed as day to day.
Analysis: Thornton's injury looked a lot worse than it ended up being, but will still cost him some time during Fantasy Week 10 (Dec. 31-Jan. 6). Fantasy owners -- especially those in daily formats -- should keep an eye on his status moving forward to see when he will be able to return. Thornton is averaging 12.4 points while shooting close to 42 percent in his last five games and can be considered a viable low-end option in most formats when healthy.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton left Sunday's game against the Celtics due to a sprained left ankle. He scored five points while playing 19 minutes before the early exit. Thornton also posted three rebounds while going 2 for 7 from the floor, including 1 for 3 from downtown. "When it happened I thought it was worse because it felt so bad at that point in time," Thornton said. "I'm just happy it was a sprain."
Analysis: Thornton is averaging 12.4 points while shooting close to 42 percent in his last five games and has gotten off to a slow start this season after a career year in 2011-12. This injury does not appear to be a serious one but keep an eye on his progress going forward just to be safe. Thornton should be considered a viable option in deeper Fantasy formats for his scoring ability, when healthy.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton returned to action on Wednesday night against the Warriors after missing the previous four games due to personal reasons. He played 31 minutes off the bench and scored 19 points in the 131-127 win. He went 7 for 15 from the floor, making 5 of 10 attempts from beyond the arc. Thornton also posted three rebounds and a steal with no turnovers in the victory.
Analysis: Thornton had a career campaign in his first full season in Sacramento but has gotten off to a slow start this season. Hopefully Wednesday's performance can get him going with his personal issues behind him. While he does not fill up the stat sheet much, the 25-year-old does a healthy amount of scoring when going well. Keep Thornton reserved in deeper Fantasy formats until he proves to be more consistent, however.
News: Kings point guard Marcus Thornton is expected to rejoin the team in time for Wednesday's game against Golden State, reports the Sacramento Bee Monday.
Analysis: Thornton was away from the team for personal reasons and was told to take as much time as he needed to return. On his way back for Wednesday, Thornton is averaging 13.3 points on the year. He has value in deeper formats when active.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton was ruled out of Sunday's contest against the Nuggets due to personal reasons. Thornton has now missed three consecutive games to be with his ill mother. There has been no timetable for his return.
Analysis: Thornton remains away from the team and no one is really sure when he will be back. Fantasy owners will have to keep an eye on the situation moving forward to see if he will be available heading into Week 8 (Dec. 17-23). Thornton is averaging 13.3 points on the year and has value in deeper formats when active.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton missed his second straight game Friday night at Oklahoma City due to personal reasons. Thornton, who also missed Wednesday's contest against the Bucks, left the team to be with his ill mother. There has been no timetable for his return.
Analysis: Thornton remains away from the team and no one is really sure when he will be back. Fantasy owners will have to keep an eye on the situation moving forward to see if he will be available heading into Week 8 (Dec. 17-23). Thornton is averaging 13.3 points on the year and has value in deeper formats when active.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton missed Wednesday's game at Milwaukee due to personal reasons, reports the Sacramento Bee. Thornton is unlikely back on Friday as coach Keith Smart expects to meet with him in Oklahoma City and the team "won't rush him back."
Analysis: Thornton has shown the ability to score throughout his career but also can be maddeningly inconsistent. He hasn't played over 20 minutes in each of his last two games and should only be active in the deeper Fantasy formats, when playing for the Kings. The fact he's missing time for personal reasons and isn't going to be asked to rush back should tell you something about his status with the team.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton’s shot was not falling Friday against the Magic, and he struggled to make an impact as a result. Thornton scored just five points on 1 of 7 shooting in 24 minutes, in a 92-82 win. He added just three rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 24 minutes. This was Thornton’s second consecutive game of fewer than 10 points.
Analysis: Thornton is a solid scorer, but if he is not finding ways to put the ball in the basket, there is very little that he has to offer to your Fantasy team. He had scored in double figures in three straight games prior to this run, so hopefully this will end up being just a minor slide. The Kings are toying with their rotations right now, so hopefully the situation will settle itself out soon. He should continue to be viewed as a solid option in deeper Fantasy formats, unless this becomes a pattern.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton was able to play Tuesday night against the Timberwolves despite leaving practice Monday due to a quad injury. He scored 12 points with two assists in the 97-89 loss. He went just 5 for 13 from the floor, including 2 for 7 from downtown, while playing 26 minutes off the bench. Thornton also had two rebounds and two steals in the defeat.
Analysis: Thornton's injury was not considered serious and he was able to remain on the court for Sacramento. However, he has experienced a decrease in playing time recently and is averaging just 14.8 points in the previous five contests. He is normally averaging close to 28 minutes per game, but the Kings continue to alter their rotation on a consistent basis and Thornton seems to be a victim. Keep an eye on his status, but he is better suited for deeper Fantasy formats at this point.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton (quad) is expected to play after being listed as probable for Tuesday's game against Minnesota, the team announced. Thornton left practice Monday with a strained right quad, but was re-evaluated Tuesday before being cleared to suit up against the Timberwolves. He is averaging 15.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game this season.
Analysis: Thornton's injury was not considered serious and he was able to remain on the court for Sacramento. However, he has experienced a decrease in playing time recently and has not surpassed 20 minutes over his past two games. He is normally averaging close to 28 minutes per game, but the Kings continue to alter their rotation on a consistent basis and Thornton seems to be a victim. Keep an eye on his status, but he is better suited for deeper Fantasy formats at this point.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton had to leave practice Monday due to a strained right quad, reports the team's official site. Thornton will be re-evaluated Tuesday before the Kings play Minnesota. He is day to day. Isaiah Thomas and/or Jimmer Fredette could see added run if Thornton misses time.
Analysis: Thornton had one of his worst games in a while on Saturday against Utah with nine points over 19 minutes. He's averaging almost 16 points per game over his last five contests and has really raised his 3-point shooting numbers. Putting up limited statistics outside scoring and 3-pointers, Thornton is more of a low-end Fantasy option for 10- and 12-team Fantasy formats. His value comes in deeper leagues, when healthy.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton turned in another solid performance off the bench and gave his team a spark against the Lakers Wednesday night. Thorton dropped 23 points and hauled in four rebounds in a 113-97 victory. He went 8 of 13 shooting from the floor, including 3 of 5 from downtown, and converted all four of his free throws. He also added an assist and a steal in 28 minutes of game action.
Analysis: Thornton is now the top guy off the bench for the Kings, a year after leading the team in scoring. He's shown that he can still put up quality numbers off the bench and is averaging slightly under 30 minutes through 11 games this season. Thornton has bounced back after shooting 1 for 10 his last time out against the Lakers and is shooting 47 percent and averaging 16.5 and 3.5 rebounds in his last four games since. Fantasy owners should continue to view him as a viable option in the majority of formats for now.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton poured in 16 points and grabbed four rebounds during Sacramento's 94-92 victory over Golden State on Monday night. Thornton played 30 minutes off the bench and sank 6 of his 15 attempts from the field, but just 2 of 8 from long range. He has now attempted four 3-pointers in each of his four games and is 7 for 28 (25.0 percent) overall on the season. Thornton added three assists Monday.
Analysis: Thornton finished as the Kings' leading scorer last season, but is now serving as the sixth man among the team's crowded stable of guards. It's a role he has welcomed as he's averaging 18.0 points per game despite his lowly field-goal percentage (40.6). "(Coach Keith Smart) felt like it was the best thing for the team," Thornton told the Sacramento Bee. "We sat there and talked about it. I think it is. If he's with it, I'm with it." For now, Smart will continue to use Thornton off the bench but he remains a valuable option in most Fantasy formats.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton gave his team a spark off the bench during Saturday's double-overtime thriller against the Pacers. Thorton dropped 26 points and six rebounds in a 106-98 defeat. He shot 9 of 21 from the floor, including 4 of 10 from downtown, and converted all four of his free throw attempts. He also chipped in with four assists and two steals in 42 minutes of game action.
Analysis: After scoring 15 points in each of his first two games, Thorton turned in his best performance of the season, unforgettably, it wasn't enough for the Kings down the stretch. He averaged a career-high 18.7 points in his first season in Sacramento a year ago and saw his value in Fantasy increase as a result. Fantasy owners should continue to view him as a viable option in the majority of formats for now.
News: Kings guards Marcus Thornton came off the bench in Wednesday's season opener against the Bulls but still had a productive outing. He scored 15 points and hauled in four rebounds while playing 32 minutes in the 93-87 loss. He went 5 for 15 from the floor, including 1 for 6 from downtown, and made 4 of 5 free throws. Thornton also chipped in with two assists and a steal in the defeat.
Analysis: Thornton averaged a career-high 18.7 points in his first season in Sacramento a year ago and saw his value in Fantasy increase as a result. While he started all 51 games he played in last season, the Kings are counting on him for scoring off the bench in 2012-13, and he showed on Wednesday that he should be up to the task. Thornton contributes enough in other categories to be considered a viable option in the majority of Fantasy formats.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton was declared out in advance of Thursday’s season finale against the Lakers with a quad contusion that cost him the finale four games of the season. The injury is not considered serious, but with the Kings season long over, they have had no reason to test his injury.
Analysis: Thornton played in just 51 games this season, however when he was healthy he continued to put up extremely solid scoring numbers for the Kings. He averaged 18.7 points and 1.9 assists per game in 34.9 minutes per game, and increased his efficiency in the second half of the season, pointing to a possible breakout next season. The Kings played much better offensively after the All-Star break with Isaiah Thomas at the point, and the team seems content to move forward with that arrangement next season. If he had qualified for the leaders, Thornton would have finished 20th in the league in scoring, and with another year of development, could vault into a place among the league’s elite scorers next season, so target him in the early-middle rounds on Draft Day.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton was ruled out for Tuesday night's contest against the Thunder due to a quad injury. Thornton has now missed three straight games with a bruised quadriceps.
Analysis: Thornton was unable to loosen his thigh up prior to Tuesday's game and as a result was forced to sit out. The Kings only have one game left on the schedule there is a good chance he sits out the season finale as well. Fantasy owners in daily formats should keep an eye on his status heading into Thursday's contest. He remains a solid starting option in all Fantasy formats when healthy.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton was considered a game-time decision for Sunday’s matchup with the Bobcats, and when it come time for tip off he was out of the lineup yet again, for the second game in a row, as he tries to recover from a bruised thigh.
Analysis: The Kings have two games remaining this season, including one on Tuesday in Oklahoma. He remains day to day, however if he was not able to play on Sunday, it does not look good for him coming back on Tuesday. Still, Fantasy owners who are still playing in daily formats will want to keep an eye on Thornton’s status moving forward.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton suffered a bruised thigh on Wednesday against the Spurs, and despite a day off on Thursday to recover, was unable to play on Friday against the Thunder. The injury is not considered serious, however he was a game-time decision, and will be re-evaluated Saturday.
Analysis: Thornton has already missed time in the month of April with a calf injury that cost him four games, and now he has to deal with this injury. He has been averaging 16.2 points per game over the team’s last 10 game, and Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his status moving forward. He remains a solid starting option in all Fantasy formats when healthy.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton was able to get back on the court during Tuesday night's contest against the Mavericks. Thornton, who missed the four games due to a calf injury, finished with 16 points on 7 of 16 shooting from the field in the 110-100 loss. He also added one rebound and one steal to his stat line, while logging 38 minutes of game action.
Analysis: Thornton was able to get back on the floor Tuesday night and showed no ill-effects from his calf injury. Despite missing playing time throughout the season, Thornton continues to serve as the Kings' leading scorer at 18.7 points per game. However, his accuracy has dipped since last year when he drained 45 percent of his shots. Still, Fantasy owners can roll with the 24-year-old as a high-end option in all formats now that he is healthy.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton (calf) is expected to return to the lineup for Tuesday's game at Dallas, according to the Sacramento Bee. Thornton has missed the past four games because of a bruised calf and not played since suffering the injury against Minnesota on April 2.
Analysis: Despite missing playing time throughout the season, Thornton continues to serve as the Kings' leading scorer at 18.7 points per game. However, his accuracy has dipped since last year when he drained 45 percent of his shots. The 24-year-old was apparently close to a return over the weekend and is now expected to suit up for the second time this month. Consider him a solid start in all Fantasy formats when active.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton said on his twitter account on Sunday that he was trying to get back on the floor in time for the game against the Rockets, however he said the training staff has shut him down once again, as he continues to deal with a calf injury.
Analysis: It sounds like Thornton is itching to get back on the floor, but the team is being extremely cautious with this injury. He has missed three games in a row with this injury, however at the very least it appears as if he is getting close to returning. Continue to watch his status, as he has been phenomenal when he has been on the floor recently. Consider Thornton a risky Fantasy start for Week 16 (April 9-15), however he should be a high-end Fantasy option when he gets back on the floor.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton (calf) was ruled out for Saturday night's contest against the Clippers, reports the Sacramento Bee. Thornton has now missed three straight games with his ailment. He is being considered day to day.
Analysis: Thornton is still not ready to return as he has been unable to loosen up his calf. Fantasy owners in all formats should keep an eye on his status moving forward to see when he will be able to return. Thornton has been playing some of his best basketball recently, averaging 21.6 points per game over the previous 10 games. He can be considered a No. 1 Fantasy guard in all formats when healthy.
News: The Kings report Thursday that guard Marcus Thornton is out for Thursday night's game against the Clippers. Thornton is dealing with a bruised left calf, and he missed Tuesday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: Fantasy owners in all leagues should keep Thornton reserved Thursday, and hopefully he can return to action soon. When healthy and active, Thornton is a quality Fantasy option in the majority of leagues.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton was ruled out for Tuesday night's contest against the Suns due to a calf injury, reports the Sacramento Bee. Thornton sustained a bruised calf in the first quarter of Monday's tilt against the Timberwolves. He is being considered day to day.
Analysis: Thornton's injury is not being considered serious, although it has now cost him at least one game this week. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his status moving forward to see when he will be able to get back on the court. Thornton e has been playing some of his best basketball recently, averaging 21.6 points per game over the previous 10 games. He can be considered a No. 1 Fantasy guard in all formats when healthy.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton could not make it out of the first quarter on Monday against the Timberwolves, as he was force to leave the game after playing just eight minutes with a bruised right calf. He did not return. He ended the game with four points, two rebounds an assist and a steal. "I just know that it hurts," Thornton told reporters. "It feels like my leg is about to explode." He will be re-evaluated Tuesday.
Analysis: This injury comes at a terrible time for Thornton, as he has been playing some of his best basketball recently, averaging 21.6 points per game over the previous 10 games. At this point, we don’t have much information on the extent of his injury at this time, so Fantasy owners will simply need to keep a close eye on him moving forward. Thornton has emerged as a high-end Fantasy guard, so his health down the stretch is going to be key.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton was forced to leave Wednesday's game against the Spurs at the end of the third quarter after a collision. He went to the locker room for evaluation, however he was able to return to the bench soon after, with the training staff determining that he did not sustain a concussion. Thornton would return to the game, playing the final seven-plus minutes, finishing with 18 points on 8 of 16 shooting, however the Kings would end up losing, 117-112.
Analysis: Thornton has been playing great recently, averaging 20.2 points per game on 45.2 percent shooting in the month of March, both numbers that top his season averages. It is a good sign, then, that he did not need to stay out of Wednesday’s game. At this point, we will not put him on the injury report, however we will keep an eye on his status just to make sure he doesn’t wake up tomorrow feeling some after effects. Thornton is a high-end Fantasy guard in all formats right now.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton scored well on Monday during an overtime loss against Houston. Thornton dropped 27 points to finish second on the team in scoring on Monday, though he shot just 9 of 22 from the field over 47 minutes. Thornton went 3 for 7 from 3-point range and added three rebounds, two assists, two steals and two turnovers.
Analysis: Thornton gives Fantasy owners only moderate numbers in terms of rebounding and passing. That said, he's been making up for that with excellent scoring and 3-point shooting. Thornton is averaging 22.8 points and 2.0 3-pointers per game over his last five contests. Fantasy owners should have him active in a large contingent of formats.
News: Sacramento guard Marcus Thornton scored a season-high 36 points on Friday night against Boston. He shot 13 for 24 from the floor, going 5 for 10 from downtown, and converting 5 of his 6 foul shots. Thornton added four boards, five steals and four assists in his 45 minutes of action. The Kings would win the game, 120-95.
Analysis: Thornton picked up the slack with Tyreke Evans sidelined with an ankle injury. He hadn't been shooting too well lately, but is still scoring for the Kings. He's averaging 16.6 points, 3.4 boards and 3.0 assists over his last five outings. Fantasy owners should stick with Thornton moving forward as he's a viable guard option in all formats.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton did not have one of his better shooting night's during Tuesday night's contest against the Warriors. Thornton finished with nine points in the 115-89 defeat, on just four of 13 shooting from the field. He went 1 of 5 from downtown and also added three assists and two rebounds to his stat line, while logging 33 minutes of game action.
Analysis: Thornton has now made just eight of his last 24 shot attempts (33 percent) as he seems to be stuck in a mini rut. However, he is still averaging 18 points over his last five contests and has always been a bit streaky. Based on his track record, Thornton should be able to bounce back in no time, so leave the 24-year-old active in the majority of formats moving forward.
News: Sacramento guard Marcus Thornton continues to pile up points as the second half of the season begins. He scored 18 points on an 8-for-15 shooting display on Thursday against the Clippers. Thornton also grabbed three boards in his 33 minutes of action, but his efforts would come up short as the Kings lost the game, 108-100.
Analysis: Thornton is averaging 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals over his last five outings. He's struggling from downtown though as he's shooting just 26.7 percent over this stretch. He capped off a good month of February and is picking up that scoring to start March. While he doesn't do much else but score, Thornton is still worth starting in the majority of Fantasy formats.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton was able to notch his fourth straight 20-plus point performance during Tuesday night's contest against the Heat. Thornton finished with 23 points in the 120-108 victory, on 9 of 16 shooting from the field. He went 4 of 10 from downtown and also chipped in with three steals, three rebounds, three assists and one block, while logging 42 minutes of game action.
Analysis: Thonrton has scored 20 or more points in six of his last eight contests as he continues to play well since returning from his thigh injury. The 24-year-old is averaging 20.1 points during the month of February and is shooting 43 percent from the field over that stretch. Thornton continues to prove his production last season was no fluke, so owners should leave him active in the majority of formats in the second half of the season.
News: Kings G Marcus Thornton was able to score in the 20s for the third time in his last five games on Tuesday against the Bulls. He finished with 23 points and two assists in the 121-115 loss. He went 9 for 19 from the floor, including 3 for 6 from downtown, and converted both of his free throws. Thornton also chipped in with two rebounds and a steal while playing 39 minutes.
Analysis: Thornton has looked since returning from a hematoma in his left thigh and is picking up his scoring. He is averaging 18.6 points with 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals in his last five contests, and is shooting nearly 47 percent from beyond the arc over that span. He has thrived since coming over from the Hornets last season and will continue to see solid minutes as long as he is playing well. Owners in larger Fantasy formats should consider getting Thornton active again.
News: Sacramento guard Marcus Thornton continues to play well as he scored a team-high 22 points versus Minnesota on Tuesday night. He shot 7 for 16 from the field -- converting 3 of his 7 attempts from downtown -- and hitting 5 of his 7 foul shots. Thornton saw 31 minutes of action for the Kings, but his contributions would not be enough as they lost to the Timberwolves, 86-84. Thornton chipped in an assist and four rebounds.
Analysis: Thornton is averaging 20.5 points over his last four games as he had been out because of a hematoma in his left thigh. He's logging around 40 minutes of action per outing, so he seems like he's doing well. Fantasy owners are not only happy to have him back, but are glad he's playing at a high level. Continue to view Thornton as a viable guard option in all Fantasy formats moving forward.
News: Despite missing the team’s previous four games, Sacramento was not afraid to go to G Marcus Thornton early and often on Thursday, as he played 41 minutes in a 95-92 win over the Trail Blazers. Thornton looked like the injury bother him a little as he made just 4 of 13 shots, however it didn’t stop him scoring 20 points by getting to the free-throw line 12 times in the game. Thornton added three assists, two steals, a block and a rebound in the game while making two three-point shots.
Analysis: Thornton has been limited to 15 games this season because of injuries, so Fantasy owners have to love him coming back productive from the injury. He's averaging 16.4 points and 3.6 boards per contest for the Kings and they Kings are obviously a better team with him on the floor. Thornton is a viable Fantasy start when active, so barring any sort of setback, Thornton can be put back in your starting lineup..
News: Kings G Marcus Thornton took to Twitter on Thursday to say that he expects to return to the floor for that night's game against the Trail Blazers. He had been cleared to practice on Wednesday, but still needed medical clearance for the game on Thursday, and it appears he has received it. Thornton last played on Jan. 21 because of a hematoma in his left thigh.
Analysis: Thornton has been limited to 14 games this season because of injuries, so Fantasy owners would love for him to come back a bit ahead of schedule. He's averaging 16.4 points and 3.6 boards per contest for the Kings and they could desperately use his shooting touch back on the court. Thornton is a viable Fantasy start when active, so barring a last-minute announcement saying otherwise, Thornton should be back in the lineup Thursday.
News: According to the Sacramento Bee, Kings guard Marcus Thornton practiced on Wednesday and told reporters he wants to play on Thursday versus the Trail Blazers. The doctors will have the final decision if he plays, so his status is still up in the air. Thornton last played on Jan. 21 because of a hematoma in his left thigh.
Analysis: Thornton has been limited to 14 games this season because of injuries, so Fantasy owners would love for him to come back a bit ahead of schedule. He's averaging 16.4 points and 3.6 boards per contest for the Kings and they could desperately use his shooting touch back on the court. Thornton is a viable Fantasy start when active, so keep an eye on his status for Thursday.
News:The Sacramento Bee reports Kings guard Marcus Thornton is expected to miss 1-2 weeks because of a significant hematoma in his left thigh. Thornton will miss a second straight game Wednesday against the Nuggets because of this injury. John Salmons, Francisco Garcia and Jimmer Fredette could all benefit from Thornton's absence.
Analysis: Thornton missed some time earlier in January as well with the left thigh injury, but the team finally seems to have it diagnosed and can treat the injury. It's just unfortunate that it appears Thornton's injury will carry into Week 6 (Jan. 30-Feb. 5) and possibly longer. Thornton is a viable Fantasy start when active.
News: Kings G Marcus Thornton (thigh) did not practice on Tuesday and is being considered doubtful for Wednesday's contest against the Nuggets, according to the team's official website. Thornton has missed a total of four games with his injury.
Analysis: Thornton's thigh is still very tight, so it seems highly unlikely that he will play on Wednesday. However, things can change, so Fantasy owners in daily formats should keep an eye on his status moving forward. Thornton is averaging 16.4 points per game and can be considered a No. 2 Fantasy G, when healthy.
News: Kings G Marcus Thornton (thigh) was ruled out for Monday's game at Portland, according to the Sacramento Bee. Thornton's bruised left thigh stiffened up during Saturday's game against Memphis and he left the contest. He missed three games with the issue earlier this month. Kings G Jimmer Fredette will continue to receive additional playing time in his absence.
Analysis: Fantasy owners should brace themselves for another possible period of time without Thornton as the Kings won't risk further injury to one of their more reliable scoring options. Thornton is averaging 16.4 points per game, but is dishing out just 1.8 assists a night. When healthy, Thornton should be viewed as a No. 2 Fantasy G, but he carries significant injury risk into Week 5 (Jan. 23-29) as he will already miss one game.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton left Saturday's game against the Grizzlies with a stiff left thigh and did not return. He played 13 minutes in the contest, going 1 for 5 from the field. Thornton finished with two points, one assist and one rebound. The team is considering him day-to-day.
Analysis: Thornton missed three games with this same injury earlier this month, which is not good news. Fantasy owners should brace themselves in case he's out a few games again. Thornton is averaging 17.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game -- entering Saturday. When healthy, Thornton is a solid guard option in the majority of Fantasy formats. Continue to monitor him heading into Week 5 (Jan. 23-29).
News: After missing three games with a thigh contusion on his left leg, Kings G Marcus Thornton was back in the starting lineup, leading the Kings in scoring on Saturday against the Mavericks. Unfortunately, the Kings offense was so dreadful on Saturday that Thornton only led the team with 14 points on four-of-14 shooting. Only one other King scored in double-figures, as they lost 99-60.
Analysis: It’s hard to say whether Thornton struggled from the field because of rust from the injury or because he caught a little bit of whatever it was that caused the Kings to barely top 25 percent shooting on the night. Thornton is shooting 43 percent from the field on the season and scoring 18.7 points. He will undoubtedly bounce back from this game and continue to be a solid starting option in most Fantasy leagues.
News: Sacramento guard Marcus Thornton returned to the lineup on Saturday versus the Mavericks after missing three games with a left thigh contusion.
Analysis: Thornton is averaging more than 18 points per game for the Kings this season and is also contributing 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals a night. With his return rookie Jimmer Fredette went back to coming off the bench. When healthy, Fantasy owners should consider Thornton a solid start in the majority of formats.
News: Kings G Marcus Thornton missed his third straight game Friday at Houston with a left thigh contusion, according to the Sacramento Bee. Thornton said he has felt improvement, but his status for Saturday's game against Dallas remains questionable.
Analysis: Jimmer Fredette will continue to start for the Kings while Thornton is sidelined. The 24-year-old Thornton is averaging more than 18 points per game for the Kings this season and is also contributing 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals a night. Thornton should be viewed a solid start in most Fantasy formats, when healthy.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton missed Wednesday's game versus the Raptors. The guard is dealing with a thigh contusion and is not ready to take the court. He said the injury is improving prior to the game, but he still is having trouble flexing it.
Analysis: Thornton had trouble even flexing his thigh just a few days ago, though he's said the injury is getting better. The 24-year-old Thornton scored 13 points in his last game against Orlando on Sunday, but averaged 25 points per game in his two contests prior. Thornton is averaging well over 18 points per game on the year for the Kings and that comes with 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals with over two 3-pointers per night. Thornton is a solid start in most Fantasy leagues, when healthy.
News: The Sacramento Bee reports that Sacramento PG Marcus Thornton (bruised thigh) is highly questionable to play on Wednesday night against Toronto. Thornton tested the leg and wasn't even close to playing on Tuesday.
Analysis: Thornton had trouble even flexing his thigh just a few days ago, though he's said the injury is getting better. The 24-year-old Thornton scored 13 points in his last game against Orlando on Sunday, but averaged 25 points per game in his two contests prior. Thornton is averaging well over 18 points per game on the year for the Kings and that comes with 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals with over two 3-pointers per night. Thornton is a solid start in most Fantasy leagues, when healthy.
News: Sacramento G Marcus Thornton missed Tuesday's game at Philadelphia with a thigh contusion, according to CSN Philadelphia. Thornton, who had not missed any playing time this season until Tuesday, was a late scratch and was replaced in the starting lineup by Jimmer Fredette. Thornton told the Sacramento Bee that he's not sure if he'll be able to return to the lineup on Wednesday in Toronto, either.
Analysis: Thornton was reportedly hampered by the thigh injury during Sunday's game against Orlando, but still managed 39 minutes of playing time. However, he was limited to just 13 points -- his second-lowest total of the season -- as he missed 11 of his attempts from the field (5 of 16). Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his status in case this injury lingers and consider him a solid G option in most formats when active.
News: After scoring just five points his last time out, Kings G Marcus Thornton was able to get back on track on Wednesday against the Nuggets. He finished with 23 points and hauled in five rebounds in the 110-83 loss. He went 8 for 20 from the floor, including 1 for 5 from downtown, and made all six of his free throws. Thornton, who played 34 minutes, also chipped in with three assists, a steal and a blocked shot.
Analysis: Thornton has scored 20-plus points in four of seven games thus far and is shooting 44 percent from the field. He is also averaging over a steal per game and has picked up his rebounding as well. He is a high-volume shooter and can be streaky at times because of it but since he is a key member of the Kings' starting lineup, continue to roll with Thornton as a solid option in the majority of Fantasy formats.
News: Sacramento G Marcus Thornton netted a team-high 27 points and had five rebounds during the Kings' 100-91 win over the Lakers on Monday night. Thornton finished a sizzling 9 of 13 from the field, including 4 of 7 from 3-point range, during his first game since signing a four-year contract in the offseason to stay with Sacramento. The 24-year-old also contributed three assists and a steal
Analysis: Thornton scored seven of the Kings' first nine points of the fourth quarter to help Sacramento beat Los Angeles at home for the first time in more than three years. "We stayed the course," Thornton said. "We didn't get riled up. When they were making that run, we shot a couple of quick shots. We got back to doing what we do best." Thornton is expected to be a key member of the Kings' starting lineup this season, his third in the NBA. Consider him a strong Fantasy G option for Fantasy Week 1 (Dec. 25-Jan. 1)
News: The Sacramento Bee reports that Kings coach Paul Westphal would be "surprised" if G Marcus Thornton was not his starting shooting guard to start the season. Thornton, who was dealt from the Hornets to Sacramento last February, signed a four-year, $33 million deal Friday.
Analysis: Most owners have been waiting to see how Thornton would be used this season and the news could not have been any better on Saturday. While nothing is set in stone, Thornton will begin the season in the starting lineup, which bodes well for his value. The 24-year-old averaged 21.3 points after landing in Sacramento and became a borderline-elite guard over the final two months of the season. It will be very interesting to see if he is able to duplicate his success from last season, especially now that he will have to share the ball with a healthy Tyreke Evans and newly acquired John Salmons. While he will most likely be unable to put up the type of numbers he did last season with the Kings, Thornton should still be able to fill up the basket. Consider him a mid-to-late round pick on Draft Day in most formats.
News:Marcus Thornton has officially re-signed with the Kings on Friday, reports SI.com. According to the report, the deal is $33 million over four years. Thornton was dealt from New Orleans to Sacramento last February.
Analysis: Thornton excelled in Sacramento after the trade brought him there from New Orleans in 2010-11. After coming off the bench for 46 games with the Hornets, Thornton got a chance to start and take control of the offense. In 38 minutes per game, Thornton scored 21.3 points per game, with 4.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Thornton went from a Fantasy nobody to a borderline-elite guard over the final two months of the season, and was rewarded handsomely for it. He returns to a very crowded Kings backcourt, so it will be interesting to see if his usage goes down, but he is worth a mid-to-late round pick on Draft Day for his upside and scoring potential.
News: The Kings agreed to terms with restricted free-agent G Marcus Thornton on Friday on a five year, $40 million deal, according to ESPN.com. SI.com has reported, however, that the negotiations have 'hit a snag' towards the end, and the deal has not been finalized. The Kings acquired Thornton in a trade deadline deal last February for F Carl Landry, and he started 23 games to end the season.
Analysis: Thornton excelled in Sacramento after the trade brought him there from New Orleans in 2010-11. After coming off the bench for 46 games with the Hornets, Thornton got a chance to start and take control of the offense. In 38 minutes per game, Thornton scored 21.3 points per game, with 4.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Thornton went from a Fantasy nobody to a borderline-elite guard over the final two months of the season, and was rewarded handsomely for it. He returns to a very crowded Kings backcourt, so it will be interesting to see if his usage goes down, but he is worth a mid-to-late round pick on Draft Day for his upside and scoring potential.
News: The Kings found a shooter they hope they can eventually pair in the backcourt with Tyreke Evans and a high-profile player to help in marketing when they ended up with high-scoring guard Jimmer Fredette after making a draft-day trade Thursday with Charlotte and Milwaukee. "I think it's important to get not only a high-quality player but a high-quality person," said Geoff Petrie, Kings president of basketball operations. "That's what we're getting here. One thing we can count on is he will be the best player he can be. I think that can be very, very good." The Kings moved from seventh to 10th in the draft, while also acquiring swingman John Salmons from the Bucks and sending guard Beno Udrih to Charlotte. That created a need in Sacramento for a shooter in the backcourt who could also play some point guard, making Fredette an attractive option. "The style of play that I like, up-tempo system, ball screens, I like to score the basketball," he said. "So it plays right into my style of play. That's how I've played my whole entire life at college and in high school. So this is no different."
Analysis: The addition of Fredette and Salmons could hurt Marcus Thornton, but we still see him playing a prominent role. He might come off the bench behind Evans and Fredette, but Thornton should still be able to score at a high level. He remains worth drafting with a mid- to late-round pick in all leagues.
News: The Sacramento Bee reports that the Kings have extended a qualifying offer to guard Marcus Thornton. He is a restricted free agent. The qualifying offer gives the Kings the right to match an offer sheet from another team for Thornton. The Kings are expected to use some of the money available under their salary cap to sign Thornton to a multi-year deal. He earned $762,195 last season. Thornton was acquired with cash from New Orleans for forward Carl Landry on Feb. 23.
Analysis: We don't expect Thornton to leave Sacramento, especially after he played so well following the trade from New Orleans. In 27 games after the All-Star break, Thornton averaged 21.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per outing. Those numbers were well above his 7.8 points, 0.9 assists and 2.8 boards while he was in New Orleans. His minutes more than doubled with the Kings as he logged around 38 minutes per outing in Sacramento. Thornton proved he is a legit scoring option in the NBA, which gives him plenty of Fantasy value. If he remains on the Kings in 2011-12, consider him a mid-round option in most formats on Draft Day.
News: Ever since he joined Sacramento at the trade deadline in February, guard Marcus Thornton excelled. Thornton was traded from New Orleans for Carl Landry and said at the time of the trade he felt like a "new person" with a fresh start in Sacramento. In 27 games after the All-Star break, Thornton averaged 21.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per outing. Those numbers were well above his 7.8 points, 0.9 assists and 2.8 boards while he was in New Orleans. His minutes more than doubled with the Kings as he logged around 38 minutes per outing in Sacramento. Coach Paul Westphal praised Thornton towards the end of the season as he changed the look of the Kings.
Analysis: Thornton saw some extra court time as Tyreke Evans was dealing with his foot injury. Once Evans returned, many people thought Thornton would see less minutes, but that was not the case. Westphal played Thornton, Evans and Beno Udrih on the court at the same time, which seemed to work out for them. Thornton is a restricted free agent under the current collective bargaining agreement, so Fantasy owners will want to watch how things play out this offseason. Thornton proved he is a legit scoring option in the NBA, which gives him plenty of Fantasy value. If he remains on the Kings in 2011-12, consider him a mid-round option in most formats on Draft Day this fall.
News: Though the Kings weren't able to extend their winning streak to five games against the Nuggets on Wednesday, guard Marcus Thornton continues to thrive with his new teammates. "Thornton is legit. He's changed the way our team is," Sacramento coach Paul Westphal said. He paced the team with 27 points on 9 of 19 shooting from the floor, sinking five shots from beyond the arc in the process. He added three rebounds and a pair of assists in 43 minutes while playing alongside Beno Udrih and Tyreke Evans for most of the night. "They started making plays and we kind of ran out of gas," Thornton said. "We did play Phoenix last night. They are an up and down team and this team is the same way."
Analysis: Coach Paul Westphal has hinted at utilizing his three offensive-minded guards all at the same time, and he did so more times than not on Wednesday. They all saw between 28 and 43 minutes of playing time, and they all had solid games. Thornton appears to be the score-first option with the three all on the floor, with Udrih as a pass-first player and Evans somewhere in between. The LSU product has flourished with the Kings since being traded there from New Orleans for Carl Landry. Thornton is averaging 24.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and more than three assists per game over his last 10 outings. Fantasy owners should continue to roll with him in all formats as long as he's healthy.
News: Sacramento guard Marcus Thornton recorded 32 points and seven rebounds in the Kings' 114-111 overtime victory over Philadelphia on Sunday. Thornton drained 11 of 21 from the field, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range, to post his second 30-point game in his last eight outings. It was also the fourth time in his last eight games the second-year guard has made four treys in a game. Thornton also sank 6 of 7 attempts from the free-throw line while adding four points and a steal in a game-high 49 minutes played.
Analysis: Thornton was in the starting lineup again Sunday as guard Tyreke Evans continues to recover from an injury. He has been a big boost since being acquired from New Orleans, posting double figures in points in 16 of his 17 games with Sacramento and is averaging a whopping 21.4 ppg overall with the team. Evans will still need time to round into game shape which could continue to provide Thornton more minutes. Continue to track his status and view him as a solid Fantasy option in most Fantasy formats.
News: Sacramento guard Marcus Thornton scored 15 points on Friday night in Indiana, but had a rough time finding the range. He shot 7 for 22 from the field -- going 1 for 6 from downtown -- and adding nine boards. Tyreke Evans returned to action after missing 19 games, but came off the bench and was limited to 15 minutes. Thornton would also dish out three assists and make three steals in his 40 minutes on the court. The Kings would go on to beat the Pacers, 110-93, as Sacramento had six players reach double figures.
Analysis: The Kings have said they would like to play Thornton and Evans on the court at the same time, but for now Evans will come off the bench. With Thornton playing so well recently -- averaging 19.4 points, 5.8 boards and 4.4 assists over his last five contests -- it will be hard not to feed him the ball. Fantasy owners should still view Thornton as a solid guard option in all formats heading into the next scoring period.
News: The Sacramento Bee reports that Kings guard Tyreke Evans, who is listed as probable for Friday's game at Indiana, will scrimmage Thursday for the first time since being cleared to practice last week. Kings coach Paul Westphal said how Evans feels will dictate how much he plays. Evans, who had been averaging a team-best 18.3 points, has missed the last 19 games because of plantar fasciitis. Westphal said it would be nice to add Evans to the rotation because Marcus Thornton and Beno Udrih "are having to play a lot of minutes. And certainly to be able to mix Tyreke in there gives us a very strong backcourt rotation. And they can play together sometimes, too. It'll take Tyreke a while to get his legs, but I think the way Beno and Marcus Thornton are playing shows we have a chance to have a really good backcourt."
Analysis: Thornton is playing well heading into Friday's game, averaging 21.0 points, 4.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds in his past five games. Hopefully the return of Evans won't cut into Thornton's production, but owners should expect him to take a hit. Keep an eye on what develops Friday against the Pacers and Sunday against the Sixers, and if Thornton still posts solid stat lines then keep him active in all formats for Fantasy Week 23 when the Kings have four games.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton turned in another solid performance in Monday's 132-92 loss to the Bulls. Thornton finished with a team-high 25 points in the contest on 9 of 14 shooting from the field. He went 2 of 3 from downtown also added four assists and three rebounds while logging 33 minutes. Thornton is averaging 24.0 points and 4.4 rebounds over his last five contests.
Analysis: Thornton continues to thrive playing in Sacramento and has now scored at least 20 points in four of his last five contests. He could see a slight dip in production when Tyreke Evans returns, although the Kings have said they want to see how the two will pair up together in the backcourt. For now, continue to roll with Thornton in all formats while he is playing at such a high level.
News: The Kings listed Tyreke Evans as 'out' for Monday's game in Chicago on their official media notes for the game. Evans has missed the team's last 17 games due to the injury. Evans has been cleared to practice, and the Kings’ point guard could return to the lineup during Sacramento’s five-game road trip. In his absence, Marcus Thornton has been playing increasingly well.
Analysis: Thornton has averaged 24-4-5 over his last five games and would be just about a no brainer in most Fantasy scenarios were it not for the possible return of Evans at any point. The Kings have said that they would like to see what a Thornton-Evans backcourt could do once Evans is ready to return, so we'd expect Beno Udrih to lose the most playing time once Evans is back. Plus, you'd have to expect Evans will face at least some restrictions in playing time early on given his long layoff. Consider Thornton a good start for the time being, but do not be surprised to see at least a little bit of a dip in production once Evans does return -- whenever that may be.
News: After shooting a combined 32 percent from the field over his last two games, Kings guard Marcus Thornton was able to find his shooting stroke in Sunday's 127-95 win over the Timberwolves. Thornton finished with 23 points in the contest on 7 of 12 shooting from the field. He went 4 of 5 from downtown and also dished out a career-high nine assists to go along with eight rebounds and a block while logging 38 minutes. Thornton is averaging 24.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists over his last five contests.
Analysis: Thornton continues to thrive playing in Sacramento and has now scored at least 20 points in four of his last five contests. He is shooting nearly 50 percent from the field over that stretch and has been logging big-time minutes with Tyreke Evans sidelined with a foot injury. While he can be a bit inconsistent at times, Fantasy owners in the majority of formats should continue to roll with the 23-year-old while he is playing at such a high level.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton, in his 10th game with the team, scored a career-high 42 points Monday against the Warriors. He shot 13 of 20 from the floor, including 4 of 7 from beyond the arc on the way to his best game of the season. The slasher even hit 12 of 14 shots from the foul line on his hot night. "He just needed the opportunity," coach Paul Westphal said. "He's embraced it in a big way. Our guys have confidence in him and he obviously has confidence. I don't think it's his last 40-point game." Thornton added four steals, three rebounds and an assist in 41 minutes of playing time.
Analysis: Thornton was traded to Sacramento for Carl Landry ion order for the Kings to score more points on the wings, and he is proving them smart early on in his tenure. He is benefiting from Tyreke Evans being out with a foot injury, and making the most of his increased opportunity. Thornton's dynamic ability makes him a higher value on a defenseless Kings squad who would rather outscore opponents if at all possible. Fantasy owners should view him as a mid-range option with his ability to go off like this on any given night. Thornton is averaging 22.2 points per game since the trade, more than double of his scoring production in New Orleans.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton heads into Fantasy Week 21 looking to produce at a high level. Thornton, who has helped to replace the injured Tyreke Evans (foot), has some favorable games in this scoring period against Golden State, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Minnesota in Week 21. Three of those four teams allow over 105 points per game. In nine games since joining Sacramento in a trade from New Orleans, Thornton has averaged 35.3 minutes per game while seeing over 16 shot attempts per game while Evans sits out due to lingering plantar fasciitis issues.
Analysis: Expect Thornton to see a healthy workload against three of the worst defensive teams in the league, allowing him to post perhaps his best Fantasy scoring period of the season. Given his averages with Sacramento (20.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.7 spg), that kind of week could be a difference maker. We consider Thornton a must-start for this scoring period, and hopefully his quality stat lines will continue as long as Evans is out.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton continued to rack up points in bunches Saturday against the Jazz, but it came at a different cost this time. Not only did he take nearly as many shots as points he finished with, but Thornton did it in a starting role for the first time as a member of Sacramento's team. He finished with 22 points on dreadful 8 of 21 shooting, though he was a solid 3 of 6 from beyond the arc. The last long-range shot he made tied the game with less than 10 seconds remaining to propel it into overtime. Thornton was big when the moment was, but he was erratic otherwise. He pulled down three rebounds and chipped in a pair of assists and steals on the night in 47 minutes of extended action.
Analysis: Thornton showed plenty of frustration in the loss, but he has been very complimentary of the team since coming over at the trade deadline. He has managed to lead the team in scoring over the last three games, scoring at least 22 points in each of them. The big difference was in his shot selection and percentage in the first two games, both over 50 percent compared to Saturday's 38 percent clip. The second-year man is a talented scorer without question, but the shot volume was the most he's hoisted up all season. If he can play efficient ball on the offensive end, Thornton will be a solid Fantasy sleeper for the rest of the year in all formats. He already holds that status in leagues that don't account for shooting percentage.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton put on quite a show in his first home game at Arco Arena. Thornton scored a season-high 29 points in the contest -- with 16 of those coming in the fourth quarter -- on 9 of 16 shooting from the field. He went 10 of 12 at the charity stripe and also chipped in with four rebounds, three steals, two assists and block in 27 minutes off the bench. "They got me the ball in spots where I can be effective," Thornton said. "This is a young team that likes to have fun. It's been easy for me to get acclimated real fast,"
Analysis: Thornton has looked strong in his first three games with the Kings after being traded from the Hornets just before the trade deadline. While he had a very minimal role with New Orleans, Thornton has been getting solid minutes with the Kings. With Tyreke Evans expected to sidelined for a few weeks the 23-year-old should continue to see a decent amount of run. Owners may want to think about taking a flier on Thornton as the playoffs are fast approaching in most Fantasy leagues.
News: Kings guard Marcus Thornton was the first player off the bench for the on Friday against the Bobcats. He made first shot as a member of Sacramento en route to a 14-point effort. He shot 50 percent from the field -- converting 3 of his 5 attempts from beyond the 3-point arc -- and connected on 3 of his 4 foul shots. Thornton, who was acquired from New Orleans for Carl Landry, added four boards, one assist, one block and one steal. Thornton logged 25 minutes off the bench, but his solid outing was come in a losing effort. The Kings bowed down to the Bobcats, 110-98.
Analysis: Thornton was averaging 7.8 points in 16.2 minutes per game in New Orleans this year. He saw action in 46 games, but had a minimal role. In Sacramento he's expected to see plenty of playing with Tyreke Evans out at least three weeks -- possibly longer. The second-year guard is excited for his fresh start with a new team and Fantasy owners in deeper formats can get excited too. After his debut it may be worth taking a flier on Thornton in those deeper leagues, especially for Evans owners.
News: The Sacramento Bee reports that Marcus Thornton will make his debut with the Kings on Friday night at Charlotte. Thornton was traded from New Orleans for Carl Landry and says he feels like a "new person" with a fresh start in Sacramento.
Analysis: Thornton is averaging 7.8 points in 16.2 minutes per game in his second NBA season. He could see a chance at an increased role in Sacramento with Tyreke Evans (foot) sidelined for at least three weeks -- and possibly longer -- for the Kings. Think about taking a flier on him in deeper formats as a result.
News: The Hornets and Kings announced that they have completed a trade that will send Marcus Thornton to the Kings in exchange for Carl Landry. “We’re excited about acquiring Marcus Thornton,” said Kings president Geoff Petrie. “He brings a scorer’s mentality to our team and will certainly add an offensive threat to the backcourt with his ability to shoot from the perimeter. I think he’ll improve the look of our team offensively and we’re really excited about having him in Sacramento. I also want to thank Carl for his contribution here and wish him well in New Orleans.”
Analysis: Thornton is averaging 7.8 points in 16.2 minutes per game in his second NBA season. He could see a chance at an increased role in Sacramento with Tyreke Evans sidelined for at least three weeks -- and possibly longer -- for the Kings. Think about taking a flier on him in deeper formats as a result.
News: The Hornets and Kings have verbally agreed to a trade sending forward Carl Landry to New Orleans in exchange for shooting guard Marcus Thornton and cash considerations, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The deal is pending league approval and is expected to become official before Thursday's NBA trade deadline, the person told The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because neither team has announced the trade.
Analysis: With the Hornets hosting the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night, Hornets coach Monty Williams held Thornton out of the morning shoot-around. Williams says he told Thornton to stay home because of a pending trade, and he was not expected to play against the Clippers. Thornton is averaging 7.8 points in 16.2 minutes per game in his second NBA season. He could see a chance at an increased role in Sacramento with Tyreke Evans sidelined for at least three weeks -- and possibly longer -- for the Kings.
News: The Hornets official team website reports that guard Marcus Thornton was held out of shootaround Wednesday. According to coach Monty Williams, the second-year guard stayed home due to a “trade (that) is pending right now.” Williams: “We decided it would be best for him to not come to the arena,” partly so that Thornton would not have to address the media while his status is being determined. Thornton is awaiting official word on his trade to Sacramento in exchange for Carl Landry.
Analysis: Thornton is stuck in limbo right now until the trade is finalized. Fantasy owners in daily leagues should keep him reserved, and he should see a slight increase in value with the Kings, especially with Tyreke Evans (foot) out for three weeks. In 46 games, Thornton is averaging 7.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in around 16 minutes per outing.
News: Multiple sources, including NBA FanHouse and Yahoo! Sports are reporting that the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Hornets have agreed to a trade which would send Carl Landry to the Hornets in exchange for Marcus Thornton and cash. The deal is expected to be completed on Wednesday.
Analysis: New Orleans coach Monty Williams hasn't used Thornton much this year. In 46 games he's averaging 7.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in around 16 minutes per outing. Thornton is expected to come off the bench in Sacramento, but with Tyreke Evans injured Thornton may get more play. Thornton has the potential to be a scorer for the Kings and is worth monitoring in deeper Fantasy leagues. If you need a boost in scoring, picking up Thornton now might pay off down the stretch.
News: After averaging 14.5 points with 1.6 assists a year ago, Hornets G Marcus Thornton has take a big step back this season. He has seen his minutes take a hit from over 25 minutes per game to about 16 in his sophomore campaign and it has affected all of his numbers. He is averaging 7.8 points with 2.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists through the first 46 games. Thornton has played a little better of late though, putting up 8.7 points with 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 10 games prior to the All-Star break.
Analysis: Thornton had a solid rookie campaign last season, but Fantasy owners should keep in mind that he gained steam as the year went on and really picked up his pace after Chris Paul went down. This season with a healthy Paul though, the 23-year-old has not had the same success. His shooting percent from downtown hasn't changed much and his field-goal percentage would be better all around if his playing time was more consistent. When Thornton sees more than 20 minutes per contest, his numbers are usually pretty decent. But since his playing time is not guaranteed, Fantasy owners would be wise to leave Thornton for the deepest of formats down the stretch.
News: Hornets guard Marcus Thornton scored a season-high 24 points on Saturday night against the Bulls. He didn't make it into the team's last game on Wednesday, but came off the bench to lead New Orleans in scoring just a few days later. Thornton shot 9 for 15 from the field -- converting 3 of his 4 shots from beyond the 3-point arc -- and connecting on 3 of his 4 foul shots. Thornton scored 14 of his points in the second quarter as he drained back-to-back 3s in the midst of an 11-0 run by the Hornets. His six rebounds in 27 minutes were tied for a team best as well. The Hornets would fall to the Bulls, 97-88, despite Thornton's good outing. The second-year guard added two steals and a block during his time on the court.
Analysis: Thornton is capable of having games like this one, but he doesn't get consistent playing time in New Orleans. Over his last four games he's logging just 16 minutes per outing and averaging 11.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest. Despite this solid performance, Thornton hasn't done enough to get him minutes for the Hornets. Until that happens he will remain a low-end guard option in deeper category-based Fantasy leagues.
News: Hornets guard Marcus Thornton's shooting struggles continued in Tuesday's 97-89 loss to the Wizards. Thornton shot just 1 of 7 from the field in the contest, including going 0 of 2 from downtown in the victory and managed to finish to with 10 points thanks to a 8 of 12 showing at the charity stripe. Thornton also added two rebounds, one assist and one steal while logging 25 minutes off the bench. He is a combined 4 of 18 (22n percent) from the field over his last two games.
Analysis: Thornton continues to be a modest contributor off the bench for New Orleans, averaging 10.8 points over his last five contests. He is stuck in a bit of a shooting slump at the moment and is actually shooting well below his career average of 44 percent. The second-year player out of LSU is seeing around 25 minutes a game and should continue to be viewed as a low-end Fantasy option for the time being.
News: Hornets G Marcus Thornton had an efficient scoring night off the bench on Saturday against the Kings. He scored 16 points in just 17 minutes during the 102-96 loss. He went 7 of 10 from the field, including 1 for 3 from downtown, and converted his lone free throw attempt. Thornton also chipped in with two rebounds in the defeat.
Analysis: Thornton has been playing pretty well for the Hornets lately and is averaging 12.6 points with 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists over his last five contests. He is shooting 51 percent from the floor over that span while seeing about 22 minutes per game. The second-year player out of LSU is likely to see more playing time if he continues to produce so keep an eye on how he does over the next week or so before picking him up in deeper leagues. Thornton averaged 14.5 points as a rookie and would become a viable Fantasy option again if he could get close to those numbers.
News: New Orleans guard Marcus Thornton has logged three straight games with double digit scoring and more than 20 minutes of action. On the year, the second-year guard out of LSU, has been averaging just 15 minutes a game and has been in and out of coach Monty Williams' doghouse. Thornton and David West both scored 18 points to lead the Hornets on Saturday against the Spurs. Thornton shot 7 for 10 from the field and was a perfect 4-for-4 from behind the 3-point arc on Saturday. He logged 23 minutes off the bench, adding five rebounds, two assists and a block. New Orleans would go on to win the game 96-72.
Analysis: Over his last three games, Thornton has gone off for the Hornets. He's averaging 15.3 points and 5.0 rebounds over that span. Thornton also has shot 18 for 27 from the floor and gone 6 for 9 from downtown. Either he's back in the coach's good graces or he's just become really efficient with his shot in his allotted playing time. This is an interesting situation to watch. Thornton has potential, but as soon as he starts getting some Fantasy love, he'll go back to hardly playing. For now, Thornton should only be a guard option in deeper Fantasy leagues.
News: New Orleans guard Marcus Thornton tallied 17 points -- all in the final portion of the game -- to lift the Hornets to a 103-102 overtime victory over Memphis on Wednesday night. Thornton scored 11 points in the fourth quarter and six points in overtime, including the winning layup shortly after making a defensive deflection on a Grizzlies’ inbound pass. “He won the game for them,” Memphis Coach Lionel Hollins said. “Seventeen points in 22 minutes . . . ." Thornton finished 7 of 10 from the field, including 1 of 2 from 3-point range.
Analysis: Thornton, a second-year guard from LSU, has clashed with New Orleans coach Monty Williams much of the season and has not received much playing time as a result. Thornton is averaging 6.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in just 14.7 minutes per game and totaled 20-plus points just once this season. “I’m happy for him,” Williams said. “He and I have had rough times since I signed. I’ve been up his tail like a you-know-what. And I want him to succeed." Until the rift subsides, Thornton is only worth owning in deeper Fantasy leagues.
News: Hornets guard Marcus Thornton shot just 20 percent from the field on Monday against the Raptors, but did hit all four of his foul shots. He finished with eight points, two rebounds and one steal in his 16 minutes on the court. New Orleans would go on to beat Toronto, 85-81. Marco Belinelli returned to the starting lineup after missing some time.
Analysis: Thornton is definitely the odd man out in New Orleans. With Belinelli back in the starting lineup and Willie Green ahead of him on the depth chart, Thornton's once promising status has sharply declined. Over his last five games, Thornton is averaging 7.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. While he has potential, Thornton is only worth owning in the deepest of Fantasy leagues right now.
News: The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that if Marco Belinelli is out for Friday's game at Houston then Willie Green would start in his place and not Marcus Thornton. “As much as I like Marcus’ scoring, he doesn’t have the size that you like at that position to start the game,” coach Monty Williams said Thursday. “Willie is probably a better option with that group. I would like to keep Marcus in that role of giving us a spark off the bench.” After watching Belinelli struggle to make cuts at Thursday’s practice, Williams said he probably will not play tonight. Belinelli was injured in the opening minute of Wednesday’s game attempting to rebound. He had started all 39 games, and his 11.0 scoring average is third on the team.
Analysis: Keep an eye on Thornton's production against the Rockets in case Belinelli is out for an extended period of time. Even with Green starting we expect Thornton to have more Fantasy value. He is worth adding now in deeper leagues.
News: Hornets guard Marcus Thornton entered Wednesday's win over Orlando having played a total of 15 minutes in the team's previous four games. With teammate Marco Belinelli injured early on, Thornton played 32 minutes against the Magic and scored 22 points to lead all Hornets scorers. “I just wanted to step up. Marco is a big part of our offense,” Thornton said. “I just wanted to step up and try to fill the void. My teammates were very supportive when I got in there. They told me to do what I do best, which is go out and play hard. That’s what I did.” Thornton shot 7 of 18 from the field and hit two 3-pointers in eight attempts. He added nine rebounds and a steal.
Analysis: Thornton was on the court late for the Hornets in the overtime win and even sank two crucial free throws. This was all because the starter Belinelli suffered an injury and left after just one minute on the floor. The injury could open a door for Thornton, but if he doesn't play defense, coach Monty Williams will stop giving him minutes as he's done all year. Thornton should be monitored before you go starting him again after his latest big effort.
News: Hornets guard Marcus Thornton is in the middle of a 6-for-32 shooting slump over his last five games. Coach Monty Williams told the New Orleans Times-Picayune, that Thornton is working hard despite his slump. "He's playing hard, and he had a couple of plays that went unnoticed Monday until I watched the film,'' Williams said. "He had a blocked shot and had some big boards for us. But the one thing I do know is that at any given moment I can call on Marcus, and he might put up 15 to 20 points in a matter of minutes. He's going to put up shots." He played just four minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Warriors. He would miss his lone shot from the field as well.
Analysis: Thornton has been contributing in other ways for the Hornets, but he hasn't been doing enough on a consistent basis to give him a lot of Fantasy value. Over his last five games, he's averaging 3.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and has missed all eight of his 3-pointers. The second-year guard has potential, but until he becomes a nightly contributor his value will remain minimal. With Willie Green back in the rotation, Thornton will have to prove himself to get more playing time. Owners in the deepest of category-based leagues should view Thornton as a low-end guard option.
News: Hornets guard Marcus Thornton has seen his minutes dip over the last five games. With less court time, his production has fallen as well. He scored two points on a 1-for-5 shooting performance on Friday in 12 minutes of court time. He added just one rebound to contribute to the Hornets' 83-81 win over the Celtics.
Analysis: Thornton scored 18 points a few games ago, but has seen his numbers decrease in the four games since. He's averaging 7.4 points and 2.0 boards over his last five outings. The return of Willie Green could be contributing to his lack of production on Friday. While Thornton has potential, his inconsistent playing time hurts his Fantasy value. Until he gets some stability in New Orleans, Thornton should be viewed as a low-end guard option in the deepest of Fantasy leagues.
News: Hornets guard Marcus Thornton continued to come off the bench Wednesday in an easy win over the Nets. Thornton didn't miss much on Wednesday as he shot 7 of 10 from the field with four 3-pointers to score 18 points. He added three rebounds and an assist.
Analysis: Thornton has shown he can score and rebound and he can stroke the three, when given the minutes. The minutes are where he's had trouble this season as he's been known to be a liability on defense. As long as he's playing minutes, though, Thornton is a high-end scoring option. Fantasy owners will want to continue to watch him closely. If the Hornets begin playing him more consistently, his value could catapult.
News: Hornets guard Marcus Thornton played well in two consecutive games and New Orleans fans cheer wildly each time he gets off the bench, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Thornton scored 19 points for the second straight game on Friday in a win over Utah. He went 8 for 10 from the field and 3 for 5 from long range. Thornton added two steals and five rebounds. Still, coach Monty Williams remains wary of his defense. "This is a test for him," said Williams. "He was there before and drifted back to having those lapses on defense.’’
Analysis: Thornton didn't even get off the bench three games ago but has scored 19 points in back-to-back contests now. He's shot 16 for 25 over 48 minutes in the two games with nine rebounds and three steals with five 3-pointers. Thornton is worth a look off waivers in deeper leagues. If he can keep up his defense, he could be a nice option the rest of the way.
News: The Hornets are beginning to give Marcus Thornton minutes again. Thornton received 24 minutes off the bench on Wednesday night in a win over the Kings. He responded by scoring 19 points on 8 of 15 shooting from the field. He went 2 for 2 from deep and added four rebounds, a steal and a block. "Just happy, man. Just happy to be out there on the court with those guys again, playing as a team and contributing," Thornton said. "I credit my teammates for that. They never let me put my head down when I was going through stuff or whatever. Coaches never let me put my head down, told me to keep it up and be ready when your name's called."
Analysis: Thornton saw 15 minutes on Sunday in Philadelphia in his first real action in a while. He didn't even play the next game at Miami. The 24 minutes he played on Wednesday were his most since notching 30 back in October. Thornton has high-end scoring capability when getting run. If this continues, Fantasy owners should begin taking notice.
News: Hornets G Marcus Thornton saw his first game action in five contests on Sunday in Sacramento. He played just eight minutes, however, and finished with two points. Thornton has not played more than 15 minutes in a game since scoring 17 points with seven rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes on Sept. 30.
Analysis: Thornton was said to be dealing with a minor thigh issue, but coach Monty Williams had also admitted it was not the reason that he was not playing. Thornton has the potential to put up numbers like he did on Sept. 30 and for much of the second half of last season when Chris Paul was out due to injury. Do not write him off completely, but he is not very helpful in Fantasy at the moment.
News: New Orleans guard Marcus Thornton (thigh) has not played in five straight games and hasn't been a factor in his last eight games. He's reportedly dealing with a thigh injury and is in coach Monty Williams' dog house. Williams has said he could be out for an extended period of time as well.
Analysis: Despite being a key player for the Hornets last year when Chris Paul got injured, Thornton's attitude and play have landed him in the dog house. No one wants to be in the dog house, but it seems Thornton will have to put the effort in during practice to get back in his coach's good graces again. While he'll likely get minutes again down the road, we just don't know when that will be. Keep him reserved in all Fantasy leagues until he decides to jump on board with Williams' coaching philosophy. He can probably be dropped in 10- and 12-team formats.
News: Hornets guard Marcus Thornton (thigh) did not play on Wednesday against Dallas. Thornton, who is supposedly dealing with a thigh injury, is in coach Monty Williams' dog house and is mostly not playing because he isn't giving his coach the defensively play he wants. Thornton has not played since getting 10 minutes on Nov. 5 against Miami. Williams has said he could be out for an extended period of time as well.
Analysis: Thornton's attitude has been an issue and it continues to plague his ability. He has played just 15 minutes in the last six games and not at all in the last four as he seems to be out of the rotation for the time being. He should return to get big minutes some time in the future, but it will really be dictated by his willingness to do what his coach asks. For now, Thornton should grounded in all Fantasy leagues. He can probably be dropped in 10- and 12-team formats.
News: Hornets coach Monty Williams said on Tuesday that guard Marcus Thornton, who was inactive on Monday with a thigh injury and for disciplinary reasons as well, probably won't be back on the active roster anytime soon, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "Not in my estimation," Williams said when asked if Thornton would return shortly. "He's got to do some things defensively to earn minutes. That's just the way we're going to play it. We're not in a position to give away minutes because games are too important. I don't have a doghouse. I would hope you guys wouldn't even make that up. I don't even play that. I've explained to him on a number of occasions why he's not playing."
Analysis: While Thornton has a thigh bruise, it is clear that he'd be playing if he was giving his coach what he wanted defensively. Thornton's attitude has been an issue and it continues to plague his ability. He has played just 15 minutes in the last five games and not at all in the last three. He should return to get big minutes some time in the future, but it will really be dictated by his willingness to do what his coach asks. For now, Thornton should grounded in all Fantasy leagues. He can probably be dropped in 10- and 12-team formats.
News: Hornets PG Marcus Thornton was inactive for his second consecutive game on Monday against Dallas, reports NBA.com. Thornton is dealing with a thigh contusion but coach Monty Williams also said Thornton "has to do more to gain more minutes," especially defensively.
Analysis: Thornton last played on Nov. 6 at Milwaukee and got only five minutes. He needs to learn to do the little things or his coach won't let him score as he wants to. Thornton is not yet ready to be a Fantasy contributor but could have the lights come on later in the year. Stash him or keep him on waivers until then.
News: New Orleans guard Marcus Thornton was inactive for Saturday's game against Portland. He didn't play in the last game for the Hornets as coach Monty Williams decided against putting him on the floor.
Analysis: Thornton has fallen out of favor quickly in New Orleans. He stepped up last season when Chris Paul got injured and was expected to improve this season. Unfortunately for Thornton, Marco Belinelli has played well and taken his minutes and been producing for the Hornets. Until Thornton either is traded or regains some favor in New Orleans, he is a player Fantasy owners should avoid heading into Week 4 (Nov. 15-21).
News: Hornets G Marcus Thornton's Fantasy appeal hit a new low when he received a DNP-Coach's Decision in Tuesday's game against the Clippers. He had seen his minutes decline from 14 minutes on Nov. 14 to 10 on Nov. 5 in the two games prior.
Analysis: Thornton stepped up for the Hornets last year when Chris Paul went down with an injury and was expected to continue to improve this year. However, the emergence of Marco Belinelli this season has caused him to be pushed aside. Thornton had some spotty efforts and looked to be re-gaining some ground earlier in the season, but now appears to be completely out of the rotation. This could change, but Thornton is clearly a player to avoid in the meantime.
News: After a solid outing on Saturday for New Orleans, guard Marcus Thornton took a step back. On Wednesday night against the Rockets, Thornton logged just 14 minutes, shooting 2 for 9 from the field. He finished with four points, two rebounds and one assist. Marco Belinelli got the start over Thornton as both have been trading minutes and production.
Analysis: Thornton stepped up for the Hornets last year when Chris Paul went down with an injury and was expected to continue to improve this year. Belinelli has the starting job right now, so it looks like Thornton will have to keep battling for minutes from the bench. Fantasy owners shouldn't give up on him yet, as he has the potential to be a solid option. He's worth stashing in most formats as the season is just one week old.
News: Hornets G Marcus Thornton has gotten progressively better in each of his first three games of the regular season despite coming off the bench behind Marco Belinelli. Thornton scored 17 points with seven rebounds and three assists on Saturday night against the Spurs, getting 31 minutes off the bench.
Analysis: Belinelli won the starting job in the preseason with a strong performance and even had a solid game in the opener only to his numbers decline in the next two games. Meanwhile, Thornton has seen his numbers and playing time go up with each game. This situation is far from resolved, but it appears Thornton should not be written off completely in Fantasy. He is worth a flier off the waiver wire in the hopes that he can repeat last season's success as the team's starting shooting guard somewhere down the line.
News: New Orleans guard Marcus Thornton had a productive night against the Spurs on Saturday. He scored 17 points and pulled down seven boards in the win. Thorton also managed three assists and two steals in 30 minutes off of the bench.
Analysis: Thornton could earn more minutes with his play but that might not happen for some time after he fell out of favor in the preseason. He was drafted pretty early and he's finally coming around after the pedestrian preseason and poor start to the regular season. Until Thornton contributes consistently, leave him on the bench of Fantasy rosters.
News: New Orleans guard Marcus Thornton had two chips stacked against him entering Wednesday's season opener against the Bucks. He was playing with an Achilles' injury suffered in practice Sunday. Plus, Thornton fell out of favor with his coach Monty Williams in the preseason. For that, he played only 11 minutes and shot 3 of 6 from the field to score eight points.
Analysis: Thornton could earn more minutes with his play but that might not happen for some time after he fell out of favor in the preseason. A lot of owners drafted him pretty high and right now he's barely worth using in deeper leagues.
News: Hornets G Marcus Thornton was hurt in practice on Sunday, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. He suffered a strained left Achilles' tendon, but is listed as day to day by the team.
Analysis: Thornton's status for Wednesday's opener against the Bucks is in question with the injury, but it does not initially appear to be a very serious one. Thornton had a rough preseason and it was even reported last week that he may be falling into the doghouse in New Orleans. Given these factors, it is a good idea to keep him reserved to begin the year. Allow him to prove both healthy and productive before activating him. He has the upside of a No. 3 guard in standard leagues when going well.
News: Hornets PG Marcus Thornton may be completely falling out favor for New Orleans and coach Monty Williams. Thornton did not play in Wednesday's preseason game against Charlotte and it seems like it wasn't due to injury.
Analysis: Thornton began the preseason playing 25 minutes per game but was down to just nine minutes in his last preseason contest and was a healthy scratch, for all we know, on Wednesday. Fantasy owners can't be too excited about his preseason, especially after last year's rookie campaign of 14.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists while making 117 3-pointers. Thornton could emerge as a sleeper alongside Chris Paul but not if coach Williams doesn't play him. Monitor that situation and only take him in the latest rounds of the deepest Fantasy drafts right now.
News: New Orleans guard Marcus Thornton played just five minutes in Friday's preseason loss to Indiana. The second-year player missed five of his field-goal attempts and committed a turnover in his limited action. Thornton went 2 for 12 from the field in a previous preseason game.
Analysis: Thornton has seemingly struggled to find his touch. He entered the preseason a bit banged up, so that shin could still be causing him some trouble. Fantasy owners can't be too excited about his preseason thus far as they are hoping he improves on last year's rookie campaign of -- 14.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists while making 117 3-pointers. Chris Paul should help Thornton take his game to the next level, which is why we view him as a mid-round pick on Draft Day.
News: Hornets guard Marcus Thornton struggled from the field on Saturday's preseason game against the Grizzlies. He went 2 for 12 -- 1 for 3 from downtown -- but did hit 75 percent of his free-throw attempts. He chipped in three rebounds, three assists and one steal, but New Orleans would still lose to Memphis.
Analysis: Thornton was a question mark entering the Hornets' preseason opener as he had been dealing with a bruised left shin. The second-year guard averaged 14.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists while making 117 3-pointers in his rookie campaign. With Chris Paul coming back healthy and Thornton could have an even better sophomore year. We view him as a solid mid-round draft pick this year.
News: The Hornets have decided to hold second-year SG Marcus Thornton out of the remaining three games of the Las Vegas summer league. Thornton bruised his left shin during the Hornets' second game against the Heat on Sunday. In two summer league games, Thornton averaged 18.5 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Analysis: Thornton played well as a rookie and has established himself as the starting shooting guard in New Orleans. He averaged 14.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists while making 117 three-pointers. We expect Thornton to improve in his second year, and he's worth a mid-round pick in all leagues. If he can add a mid-range game to his offense and also increase his assists and rebounds then his value would continue to rise.
News: The Hornets official team Web site reports that rookie guard Marcus Thornton said he plans to attend the team's summer league practices this year in Las Vegas. Games for the 2010 NBA Summer League are scheduled for July 9-18. In Thornton's case, he wants to become more effective on mid-range jump shots. "Most of the time I was either going to the goal or shooting the three," Thornton said. "The great players all have mid-range games. Once you have all of those (offensive elements), you know that you have really made your mark."
Analysis: Thornton played well as a rookie and has established himself as the starting shooting guard in New Orleans. He averaged 14.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists while making 117 three-pointers. We expect Thornton to improve in his second year, and he's worth a mid-round pick in all leagues. If he can add a mid-range game to his offense and also increase his assists and rebounds then his value would continue to rise.
News: New Orleans guard Marcus Thornton had 22 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals Sunday against Minnesota. Thornton is averaging 22.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists in his past five games. Thornton has 20 games with 20 or more points this year.
Analysis: Thornton has played well to close the season and should finish the year strong. Keep him active in all leagues for the Hornets' final game of the year Wednesday at Houston.
News: Hornets G Marcus Thornton scored 36 points in Wednesday's game against Charlotte. He is averaging 21.2 points and 5.0 rebounds in his last five games.
Analysis: Thornton saw 20-plus field-goal attempts for a third straight game Wednesday. He was not affected horribly by the return of Chris Paul, but with CP3 done for the year we expect Thornton to be in line for a strong finish. His numbers prior to Paul's return from injury were in this range.
News: Hornets G Marcus Thornton scored 18 points in a loss to the Nets on Saturday. Thornton shot 7 of 21 from the field while adding eight rebounds and two steals in 42 minutes. It was Thornton's fourth straight game scoring in double digits.
Analysis: Thornton has maintained a level of consistency over his last five games, averaging 15.6 points and 4.6 rebounds. Even with Chris Paul back in the lineup, Thornton continues to play at a high level. Fantasy owners should consider him a solid option for the rest of the season.
News: Hornets rookie guard Marcus Thornton had 15 points, six rebounds and one steal Wednesday against Washington. He is averaging 17.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in his past five games.
Analysis: This was the fifth game since Chris Paul has returned from a 25-game absence due to a knee injury, and Thornton has continued to play well. Look for him to finish the season strong, and keep Thornton active in all leagues as a No. 3 Fantasy guard.
News: After scoring just eight points against the Blazers on Saturday, Hornets G Marcus Thornton posted 18 points in a win over the Lakers on Monday. Thornton shot 5 or 13 from the field while hitting three 3's, grabbing three boards and dishing out two assists. He has scored in double figures in four of his last five games.
Analysis: Thornton is averaging 19.2 points, three rebounds and three assists over his last five contests. It appears that Thornton will still see valuable minutes with Chris Paul back in the lineup. As long as he can continue to produce at this pace, Thornton is a quality Fantasy option in any format.
News: Hornets G Marcus Thornton had eight points to go with with assists and a rebound in 29 minutes Saturday against Portland. It was the first time he was held under 10 points since Feb. 10.
Analysis: Thornton suffered his first misstep in the three games since Chris Paul returned from injury. Paul and Darren Collison played 30-plus minutes, but it was really Thornton's 2 for 7 shooting from the field that did him in. In the two previous game with Paul and Collison both healthy, Thornton still scored 20-plus points. There appears to be enough room and minutes for all three guards to remain productive for now.
News: Hornets G Marcus Thornton had 20 points, five assists and four rebounds in Wednesday's game against Cleveland. He played 43 minutes, scoring 20-plus points for a third straight game.
Analysis: Thornton has refused to fade away despite the return of Chris Paul. In Paul's first two games back, it has been Thornton who has played the most active scoring role in the back court. Part of that has to do with Paul still being rusty, but Thornton certainly has merited a significant role with his play. It remains to be seen what will happen to the production of Darren Collison and Thornton once (or if) Paul gets back to some level of full strength, but for now Fantasy owners should make the most of Thornton's continuing value. In Week 23 (March 39-April 4), the Hornets have a favorable four-game slate where all three guards could conceivably contribute good numbers.
News: Hornets G Darren Collison came off the bench in Chris Paul's return from a 25-game absence Monday night against Dallas. Collison played 35 minutes, however, and scored 16 points with eight assists and four rebounds. Paul played just 21 minutes and finished with only 11 points and three assists. Marcus Thornton played alongside both, scoring 28 points in 37 minutes.
Analysis: There are a few things to digest here. For one, Paul returned from a 25-game absence and looked rusty and in need of some conditioning. He did not play a full game and we may not yet have seen the actual impact of his return on Collison and Thornton. Secondly, the Hornets were able to rack up 115 points against a good defensive team int he Mavericks. They aren't likely to score 115 points per night the rest of the way. Under more normal circumstances, the anxiety that caused many Fantasy owners to stay away from Collison and Thornton in Week 22 despite their success while Paul was out could still be warranted. As Paul gets healthier and in better game shape, he'll get the majority of the minutes at the point. That will leave Collison and Thornton to battle each other for minutes and touches alongside Paul, which could limit both players to being more low-end Fantasy guard options than what they have shown. Make the most of their remaining Fantasy appeal while it lasts, but don't think that this game means they're going to be this good going forward necessarily.
News: Hornets G Marcus Thornton scored 28 points in a win over the Mavericks on Monday. Thornton shot 12 of 22 from the field while collecting four boards and two assists in 37 minutes. It was the second straight game that Thornton scored 20 or more points.
Analysis: Thornton is averaging 19.2 points and 3.4 assists over his last five contests. With Chris Paul returning to the lineup, it is highly likely that Thornton's Fantasy value could see a decrease. Fantasy owners should consider Thornton a risky option the rest of the way.
News: According to Mavericks play-by-play announcer Mark Followill and the team's official Twitter feed, Hornets G Chris Paul (knee) is in the starting lineup for Monday night's game against Dallas. Paul was considered a game-time decision for the game by the team. Paul will start alongside Marcus Thornton with Darren Collison moving to the bench.
Analysis: The Hornets have said that they would like to play Darren Collison alongside Paul, given Collison's success in Paul's absence. That could mean a severe reduction in Thornton's Fantasy appeal the rest of the way. Keep a close eye on this situation as it develops in Week 22 (March 22-28), but it appears that Thornton is a risky play going forward.
News: Hornets G Marcus Thornton scored 15 points in a loss to the Nuggets on Thursday. Thornton shot 6 of 14 from the floor while adding two rebounds and an assist in 30 minutes. he has now scored in the teens in three straight games.
Analysis: Thornton is averaging 19.4 points and 3.6 rebounds over his last five contests. His lack of production on the boards doesn't make him an elite Fantasy option but he is still a quality option in any format.
News: New Orleans G Marcus Thornton scored 28 points in a loss to Phoenix on Sunday. Thornton shot 12 of 21 while adding four 3's and two steals in 35 minutes. He has now scored 20 or more points in three of his last five contests.
Analysis: Thornton is averaging 21.6 points over his last five contests to go with two assists and 3.8 boards. While Thornton scores at a good rate, he doesn't offer much in other statistical categories but is still a quality Fantasy option in any format.
News: Hornets PG Marcus Thornton (back) played through the pain on Monday against the Warriors and played well. Thornton scored 28 points over 29 minutes off the bench as he shot 11 of 19 from the field with two 3-pointers. Thornton added six rebounds, two steals and two dimes.
Analysis: Thornton is averaging 24.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and well over two 3-pointers per game over his last five. He's become a viable Fantasy option in any format.
News: According to the official team Web site, Hornets rookie guard Marcus Thornton (bruised upper back) said he expects to play Monday night against Golden State. Thornton fell hard on his back Friday night at San Antonio and still had some stiffness in his neck and back Monday morning. "I'm just happy it wasn't as bad as it looked," Thornton said.
Analysis: It appears safe to keep Thornton active for Fantasy Week 20. He has become a quality Fantasy option with his recent play and hopefully won't suffer any setbacks with his back injury.
News: Hornets G Marcus Thornton had 18 points in a loss to the Spurs Friday, but left in the fourth after taking a hard fall. He was diagnosed with an upper back strain and did not return, and was to be re-evaluated Saturday. Thornton set the Hornets rookie record for 3-pointers in a season with 82, besting J.R. Smith's former mark of 81.
Analysis: Thornton is a must-start Fantasy option when healthy. Fantasy owners will have to keep tabs on his status entering Fantasy Week 20 (March 8-14) where the Hornets play four times.
News: Hornets guard Marcus Thornton had 24 points, three rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal Wednesday night against Memphis. This is the fourth time in five games where Thornton has scored at least 20 points. He is averaging 23.6 points and 5.4 rebounds over that span.
Analysis: Thornton has become a must-start Fantasy option with his recent production. Hopefully he will keep up this level of play for the rest of the season, but he should remain active in all formats while he's playing this way.
News: Hornets PG Marcus Thornton scored 30 points on Monday night over just 27 minutes on the floor in a loss to the Spurs. Thornton, who scored 30 or more for the second time in his last five games, shot 12 of 19 from the field and hit six 3-pointers. He added seven rebounds.
Analysis: Thornton scored 37 points at Cleveland on Feb. 23 and is averaging 26.2 PPG over his last five. That comes with 5.2 rebounds and almost there 3-pointers per night. With Chris Paul out, Thornton has become a go-to scorer for the Hornets and would be a decent option in all Fantasy leagues at the moment.
News: Hornets PG Marcus Thornton didn't have much of a letdown after scoring a career-high 37 points on Tuesday, finishing with 25 Wednesday against the Bucks. In 41 minutes, he shot 8 of 21 from the field, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range. He added five rebounds, one assist and one steal.
Analysis: Thornton is showing no signs of cooling off this month, having scored in double figures in seven of eight games. Over his last five he's averaging 20.0 points and 3.6 rebounds. Thornton is currently owned in only 51 percent of Fantasy leagues; it wouldn't be a bad idea to pick up a player who can score points like he can.
News: New Orleans rookie Marcus Thornton set a franchise record with 23 points in the second quarter of the Hornets' game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. Thornton made his first five shots and 10 of 13 in the quarter as the Hornets scored 40 points to turn an eight-point first-quarter deficit into a 56-53 lead at the half. New Orleans shot 71 percent for the quarter, making 17 of 24 shots. Thornton is a second-round pick out of LSU. In one quarter he nearly matched his career high for a game of 25. When it was all said and done, however, Thornton did have a new career high of 37 points on 15 of 22 shooting with three 3-pointers and two steals.
Analysis: Thornton came into the game averaging 10.8 points per game this season but the Hornets will continue to ask for scoring from other places with Chris Paul out. Those duties have fallen on Thornton and Darren Collison and they have run with the opportunity. If he can play well consistently, Thornton should be added in all 12-team and deeper leagues.
News: According to the official team Web site, Hornets guard Morris Peterson will remain in the starting lineup against Utah on Wednesday night, the fifth consecutive start for the 10-year veteran. Marcus Thornton, who missed three consecutive games before returning to action Feb. 10 vs. Boston, will come off the bench for a second straight outing. "We are going to keep Mo in the starting lineup and bring Marcus off the bench," Hornets coach Jeff Bower said at shootaround. "Marcus practiced very well the past two days and is recovered."
Analysis: Peterson started in the final game before the All-Star break against Boston and finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Hopefully he can continue to produce at that level, but Thornton will likely start to cut into his minutes. Thornton has more upside than Peterson, but both should be considered low-end Fantasy options going forward.
News: Hornets guard Marcus Thornton returned to action after missing three games with a bad back on Wednesday against the Celtics. It was not a happy return for Thornton, however. He came off the bench as Morris Peterson continued to start in his place. Where Peterson scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Thornton managed just two points over nine minutes on the court.
Analysis: Thornton may have lost minutes to Peterson, who has played well since Thornton went down. Stay tuned to the two players usage in the second half of the season. Thornton was becoming a nice option in deeper leagues but that may be over for the time being.
News: The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports Hornets rookie guard Marcus Thornton plans to play Wednesday night against Boston. Thornton, who has missed the past three games with a sore lower back, practiced Tuesday, but he is still listed as questionable to play. "I can't miss any more games," Thornton said. "It's been tough not being out there."
Analysis: Thornton is a quality Fantasy option when healthy, so hopefully he can return against the Celtics. You might want to still keep him reserved in daily leagues since he will be playing at less than 100 percent, but hopefully he can give you a good indication that he can return at full strength following the All-Star break.
News: Hornets guard Marcus Thornton (back) missed Monday's game at Orlando. With one game remaining until the All-Star break, Thornton will have just Wednesday's game against Boston to return before the break.
Analysis: When healthy, Thornton could be considered a No. 3 Fantasy guard since he has started to play well after being inserted into the starting lineup for the Hornets following the Devin Brown trade and the injury to Chris Paul has also increased his role in the back court.
News: The Orlando Sentinel reports that Hornets coach Jeff Bower says starting shooting guard Marcus Thornton (lower back contusion) is out for Monday against the Magic.
Analysis: When healthy, Thornton could be considered a No. 3 Fantasy guard since he has started to play well after being inserted into the starting lineup for the Hornets following the Devin Brown trade and the injury to Chris Paul has also increased his role in the back court.
News: According to the New Orleans Times Picayune, Hornets starting rookie shooting guard Marcus Thornton is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Orlando Magic because of a sore lower back. "It's getting there but it's a day-to-day process and I just have to see how it goes," Thornton said.
Analysis: Thornton has missed the previous two games since falling hard on a drive to the basket in last week's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He participated in pregame warmups before Saturday's game against the Charlotte Bobcats, but he complained of stiffness and did not play. This makes him a questionable play for Fantasy Week 16 (Feb 8-14), especially given the shortened scoring period due to the All-Star break. When healthy, Thornton could be considered a No. 3 Fantasy guard since he has started to play well after being inserted into the starting lineup for the Hornets following the Devin Brown trade and the injury to Chris Paul has also increased his role in the back court.
News: New Orleans G Marcus Thornton did not play Saturday against Charlotte because of a back injury. It was the second straight game Thornton has missed.
Analysis: Fantasy owners will have to keep an eye on Thornton's injury over the remainder of the weekend to determine what will happen heading into Fantasy Week 16 (Feb 8-14). When healthy, Thornton should be considered a No. 3 Fantasy guard since he has started to play well after being inserted into the starting lineup for the Hornets.
News: According to the official team Web site, Hornets G Marcus Thornton will sit out Saturday's game against Charlotte because of a back injury. It is the second straight game he has sat out.
Analysis: Fantasy owners will have to keep an eye on Thornton's injury over the weekend to determine what will happen heading into Fantasy Week 16 (Feb 8-14). When healthy, Thornton should be considered a No. 3 Fantasy guard since he has started to play well after being inserted into the starting lineup for the Hornets.
News: Hornets PG Marcus Thornton sat out Friday night's game against the 76ers due to a lower-back contusion. He is considered day-to-day.
Analysis: Keep an eye on Thornton's status for Saturday at Charlotte to determine what will happen heading into Fantasy Week 16. When healthy, Thornton should be considered a No. 3 Fantasy guard since he has started to play well after being inserted into the starting lineup for the Hornets.
News: Hornets PG Marcus Thornton (back) will not play Friday against Philadelphia, according to the team's official Twitter feed.
Analysis: Keep an eye on Thornton's status for Saturday at Charlotte to determine what will happen heading into Fantasy Week 16. When healthy, Thornton should be considered a No. 3 Fantasy guard since he has started to play well after being inserted into the starting lineup for the Hornets.
News: The Hornets have signed journeyman guard Jason Hart to a 10-day contract because of an injury to shooting guard Marcus Thornton. A hard fall in the fourth-quarter of the Hornets' loss to Oklahoma City on Wednesday left Thornton with a lower-back contusion that was expected to keep him out of Friday night's home game against Philadelphia. Thornton has been averaging 10.9 points. With Chris Paul's knee injury, the Hornets will try to stay in the Western Conference playoff race without their starting backcourt. Hornets coach Jeff Bowers says Thornton is day-to-day and has not been ruled out for the Hornets' upcoming two-game road trip beginning in Charlotte on Saturday night.
Analysis: Keep an eye on Thornton's status for Friday night against the 76ers, although we don't expect him to play, as well as Saturday at Charlotte to determine what will happen heading into Fantasy Week 16. When healthy, Thornton should be considered a No. 3 Fantasy guard since he has started to play well after being inserted into the starting lineup for the Hornets.
News: According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Marcus Thornton bruised his lower back on a hard fall Wednesday against Oklahoma City. Thornton, who scored a game-high 22 points, did not return for the final 7:59 and is listed as day-to-day.
Analysis: Thornton has played extremely well since being promoted to the starting lineup following the Devin Brown trade to Chicago. The injury to Chris Paul only added to his Fantasy appeal and he's a great option as long as he is able to play through this injury. Continue to monitor his progress.
News: New Orleans F Marcus Thornton scored 25 points in a 109-100 loss to Phoenix on Monday. Thornton played 39 minutes shooting 10 of 21 from the field with four assists and rebounds. he scored eight quick points in the fourth quarter to cut a 97-88 deficit to 99-96. Thornton has scored 20-plus points in two of his last five games.
Analysis: Thornton has averaged 19.2 points and 4.2 rebounds over his last five games. He has been on a tear since joining the starting lineup and has been scoring way above his 10.2 point per game average. The only place Thornton can go from here is up, and he is worth of a No. 3 Fantasy forward with the potential of becoming a No. 1 in the future.
News: Hornets PG Marcus Thornton continues to play well since being inserted into the starting lineup, scoring 20 points on Friday against the Bulls. He shot 6 of 12 in 40 minutes, including 5 of 8 from beyond the arc. He also grabbed five rebounds and recorded one steal.
Analysis: Thornton is flourishing in the Hornets' starting lineup. He was already playing well in January, with at least 10 points in 11 of his last 12 games. But in each his three starts he's scored at least 18 points. His fantasy value is skyrocketing. Add him now if you're in one of the 69 percent of the leagues in which he is available.
News: New Orleans got a bit of a facelift Monday when the Hornets traded shooting guard Devin Brown to the Chicago Bulls for backup 7-foot center Aaron Gray. New Orleans coach Jeff Bower said the move to obtain the 25-year-old Gray, who is averaging 2.3 points a game, "is an opportunity to add a tough player who adds something different to our front line." Bower said that by trading Brown, the Hornets are able to give rookie guards Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton increased playing time. In his first start of the season at Portland, Thornton hit 8 of 12 shots and scored 19 points in 38 minutes. "He's a guy with a lot of confidence that doesn't back down, so he's going to be just fine," West said of Thornton.
Analysis: Thornton added one rebound and one assist. He has the potential for increased Fantasy value and is worth adding in deeper leagues. Keep an eye on his progress and hope for more production like this.
News: The New Orleans Hornets have traded starting shooting guard Devin Brown to the Chicago Bulls for backup 7-foot center Aaron Gray. The move opens the way for rookie Marcus Thornton, who has averaged 9.4 points in only 18.6 minutes per game, to start for the Hornets.
Analysis: Thornton is still currently just a low-end Fantasy option but entrance into the starting lineup and more playing time could immediately boost his prowess as a Fantasy option in at least deeper leagues.
News: Hornets PG Marcus Thornton chipped in 16 points for New Orleans on Monday in a loss to the Spurs. Thornton shot 7 for 14 from the field and 1 for 3 from deep. He added three assists and a blocked shot.
Analysis: Thornton is averaging almost 13 points per game over his last five contests and that comes with 4.2 rebounds and over one three per night. Still, he doesn't dish enough for a point guard and his defensive statistics leave something to be desired as well. Thornton is a decent piece to the puzzle in the deepest of Fantasy leagues but has only low-end appeal in anything else.
News: Hornets guard Marcus Thornton scored five points on Friday in a win over the Nets. The former LSU Tigers standout played 20 minutes and shot 1 of 7 from the floor. His lone make was a three and he added two assists and two rebounds.
Analysis: Thornton took enough shots to finish in double figures, he just missed more often than not on Friday. He averages 8.5 points per game on the season but hasn't seen that number since scoring 10 at Toronto back on Dec. 20. Thornton has zero Fantasy value at this time.
News: Hornets PG Marcus Thornton scored 20 points on Wednesday as New Orleans beat the Wolves. Thornton shot 8 of 13 from the field and hit three three-pointers in the game. He added two steals and two assists.
Analysis: Thornton scored in double figures for the first time in three games. He gets about 20-25 minutes per night and is averaging over 11 points per game on the season. He was scoring more with Chris Paul out but now that the superstar PG has returned, Thornton is only valuable in the deepest of Fantasy leagues.
News: Hornets G Marcus Thornton had 21 points with 3 rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench in Saturday's game against Atlanta. He has scored at least 19 points in three of his last five games.
Analysis: Thornton has gotten at least 10 field goal attempts in his last five games. He has shot 9 for 23 from beyond the arc in that time and is seeing increased production with Chris Paul out indefinitely with an ankle injury. The Hornets play just two games in Fantasy Week 5 (Nov. 23-29), however, which hurts his appeal in cumulative leagues.
News: New Orleans rookie PG Marcus Thornton couldn't have picked a better game to have his best performance of his young career Friday against Portland. Starter Chris Paul hurt himself and will likely miss a few games and Thornton was fabulous behind him Friday. Thornton scored a career-high 20 points on 8 of 15 shooting with two threes. He added two rebounds, a steal and an assist in 23 minutes on the floor.
Analysis: Thornton had previous highs of eight points and 17 minutes played on the season. He didn't even see the court in the first five games of the season for the Hornets. He still only has low-end Fantasy value but could become viable as a stopgap option for Paul. The Hornets play three times in Week 4 (Nov. 16-22) and we expect Paul to get back for at least one of those games. Thornton is still yet to be worth starting in Fantasy play.
News: Hornets coach Byron Scott intends to give 2007 first-round draft choice Julian Wright a chance to start at small forward this season, while Morris Peterson and rookie Marcus Thornton, a star on LSU's 2009 Southeastern Conference championship team, will compete for playing time at shooting guard. "Peja [Stojakovic] and I have already talked about him coming off the bench," Scott said after the Hornets' first practice of training camp. "It's a position he's accepted. His main thing is he wants to win and do whatever he can to make this team better. So right now, Julian is the starting (small forward), and like I told him, it's his position to lose."
Analysis: Wright averaged 7.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in 17 games as a starting forward last season, mostly filling in for Stojakovic due to injuries. He has some upside as a young player who can rebound, but is more of a late-round sleeper pick in Fantasy. Peterson and Thornton are not expected to have much Fantasy appeal this season.
News: The Miami Heat traded the 43rd pick in the NBA Draft to the New Orleans Hornets. The Hornets used the pick to select Marcus Thornton of LSU.
Analysis: Thornton is 6-4, 205 pounds and averaged 21.1 points and 5.5 rebounds as a senior for the Tigers. He is a scorer who could earn minutes as a rookie, but not likely enough to be used in Fantasy play. Consider him merely a long-term flier pick in keeper leagues at this point.
