ROYCE O'NEALE NEWS

Low total as fill-in O'Neale produced nine points (3-10 FG, 3-8 3Pt), three rebounds, four assists and two blocks over 33 minutes during Sunday's 118-110 loss to the Thunder.

Impact O'Neale took over for Devin Booker (ankle) in the starting lineup and didn't do much with his opportunity. Eric Gordon ended up as the better fit for the backcourt, but O'Neale's defensive skills were helpful at the wing. Booker's status for Tuesday is unclear, but it's unlikely that O'Neale will be a worthy fantasy target.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Starting sans Booker O'Neale will start Sunday's game against the Thunder, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Impact O'Neale will return to the starting lineup for the third time in the last four games, this time due to Devin Booker (ankle) being out of the lineup. In those two previous starts, O'Neale averaged 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks in 37.0 minutes per game.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Gains clearance for Sunday O'Neale doesn't appear on the Suns' injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Thunder after he appeared to tweak his left ankle late in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 118-...

Impact O'Neale looked to be limping around after teammate Devin Booker sprained his right ankle when he collided with O'Neale on a defensive possession with less than two minutes remaining. Booker limped to the sideline and checked out of the game at the next dead ball, while O'Neale -- who also seemed to be limping -- stayed in the contest until head coach Frank Vogel cleared the bench with 1:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. Booker will be sidelined for the second leg of the back-to-back set due to his ankle sprain, but O'Neale's apparent ankle injury won't be significant enough to keep him off the floor. O'Neale should be primed for an elevated role once again after averaging 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 4.3 three-pointers, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in 33.7 minutes over his last three contests.

MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE

Records double-double off bench O'Neale registered 20 points (7-13 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 27 minutes during Saturday's 118-109 loss to the Rockets.

Impact O'Neale returned to a bench role following the addition of Bradley Beal to the starting lineup, but O'Neale found a way to contribute and finished with his third double-double of the season. Perhaps as a coincidence, two of those double-doubles happened when he played off the bench. O'Neale could be a candidate to return to the starting lineup if Devin Booker (ankle) is unable to face the Thunder on Sunday.

MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to bench O'Neale will come off the bench for Saturday's game against the Rockets.

Impact Bradley Beal is back in the lineup for Saturday, so this is an expected move. Eric Gordon (groin) is out, however, so it's likely that O'Neale will maintain a significant role.

MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE

Stuffs stat sheet in starting role O'Neale finished with 11 points (3-10 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, seven assists, one block and three steals across 37 minutes during Thursday's 110-105 win over the Rockets...

Impact O'Neale didn't have his best scoring performance, but he still salvaged his fantasy day with an outstanding stat line that featured multiple contributions in four of the major five categories. O'Neale is not going to carry the team on offense any time soon, but he will remain valuable as long as he can continue to impact the game at both ends with ease.

MARCH 1 • ROTOWIRE

Posts 20-10 double-double in start O'Neale ended with 20 points (7-12 FG, 6-10 3Pt), 10 rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals across 37 minutes during Sunday's 123-113 victory over the Lakers.

Impact O'Neale got his first start with Phoenix due to the absences of Bradley Beal (hamstring) and Eric Gordon (groin), connecting on a team-high-tying mark from three and ending as one of two Suns with 10 or more rebounds in a double-double outing. O'Neale posted his third game of the season with at least 10 rebounds, his first outing with at least 20 points and 10 boards.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Sunday O'Neale will start Sunday's game against the Lakers, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Impact With Bradley Beal (hamstring) and Eric Gordon (groin) out, O'Neale will make his first start with the Suns. He made six starts for the Nets earlier in the campaign, averaging 8.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals-plus-blocks in 30.5 minutes during those contests.

FEBRUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Near double-double Thursday O'Neale logged 10 points (4-12 FG, 2-8 3Pt), nine rebounds, two assists and one steal in 30 minutes during Thursday's 123-113 loss to the Mavericks.

Impact It was the veteran forward's best performance in four games with the Suns since being acquired from the Nets at the trade deadline. O'Neale is seeing a significant role in the frontcourt, averaging 28.0 minutes across the last three contests after needing a game to get acclimated to his new team, and he's averaged 9.3 points, 6.7 boards, 3.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 2.3 threes.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go for Saturday O'Neale (trade pending) will be available for Saturday's game against Golden State.

Impact The Suns acquired O'Neale at the trade deadline, and he figures to play a key role in the second unit. In Brooklyn, O'Neale produced averages of 7.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.6 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers in 24.5 minutes.

FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

NBA trade grades: Can Royce O'Neale help the Suns' big three? Have the Suns solved their depth issue by acquiring Royce O'Neale? Zach Harper grades the Suns-Nets deal.

FEBRUARY 8 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Headed to Phoenix The Nets are trading O'Neale to the Suns in exchange for the three second-round picks Thursday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Impact With the addition of Thaddeus Young, Brooklyn's forward rotation had become too clogged, so O'Neale's departure makes sense. The veteran forward is averaging 7.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 24.5 minutes across 49 appearances in 2023-24. In Phoenix, O'Neale will likely provide much-needed spacing and perimeter defense off the bench to support the team's big three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.

FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Boosts bench offensively in loss O'Neale amassed 18 points (6-16 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes during Tuesday's 119-107 loss to Dallas.

Impact O'Neale led all bench players in Tuesday's contest in scoring and threes made while hauling in a half-dozen rebounds and adding a pair of assists in a well-rounded showing. O'Neale has scored 18 or more points in three games this season, his first such performance since posting 18 points on Nov. 28 against Toronto. O'Neale has connected on at least four threes in eight games, including in two straight outings.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Pops for 15 in Monday's loss O'Neale supplied 15 points (5-12 FG, 5-12 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 27 minutes off the bench during Monday's 109-98 loss to the Warriors.

Impact It's the veteran forward's best scoring performance since Jan. 15, when he also dropped 15 points and five made threes against the Heat. O'Neale's production has been erratic of late, but he could be in line for a bigger role in the short term as injuries thin Brooklyn's frontcourt -- Dorian Finney-Smith has missed the last four games with a sprained ankle, and Cameron Johnson left Monday's game early with a sore hip.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Makes five threes off the bench O'Neale finished with 15 points (5-10 FG, 5-10 3Pt), nine rebounds, five assists and one block across 30 minutes during Monday's 96-95 overtime loss to the Heat.

Impact O'Neale was one rebound away from registering his third double-double of the season. Monday's performance was the third time this season he has connected on five or more three-point shots. It was O'Neale's second double-digit outing of the new year, and he is averaging 6.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists over 23.3 minutes per game in January.

JANUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Back to bench O'Neale won't start Friday's game against the Wizards.

Impact O'Neale drew a spot start Wednesday but will return to the bench now that Brooklyn is back to full strength. Across his last 12 appearances off the bench, O'Neale has averaged 7.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 22.2 minutes per game.

DECEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets starting nod O'Neale is in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus the Bucks.

Impact O'Neale will replace Cameron Johnson (knee) in the starting lineup Wednesday. O'Neale is averaging 9.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 blocks in 34.6 minutes across his previous five starting appearances.

DECEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Five dimes in win O'Neale closed Saturday's 126-115 victory over Detroit with five points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt), six rebounds, five assists and one steal over 19 minutes.

Impact Across 11 December contests, O'Neale averaged 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 22.8 minutes per game. Even with Ben Simmons (back) amid an extended absence, O'Neale's workload pales in comparison to the 30.8 minutes per game he averaged in November. The 30-year-old continues to be a solid secondary facilitator and spot-up threat, but his nightly ceiling is low.

DECEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Held in check Thursday O'Neale supplied two points (1-1 FG), one rebound, one assist and one steal over 14 minutes during Thursday's 124-101 loss to the Nuggets.

Impact O'Neale has seen his playing time drop in recent matchups, and he's logged his three lowest minute totals of the season over his last three appearances. He had minimal production during Thursday's matchup and was held below 10 points for the fifth time in his last six outings. During that six-game stretch, the 30-year-old has averaged 6.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 20.8 minutes per game.

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not on injury report O'Neale (hip) isn't on the injury report for Saturday's game against Orlando, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports.

Impact O'Neale missed his first game of the season Thursday against Charlotte due to a left hip contusion, but he should be back in action Saturday. Over 14 appearances in November, he averaged 8.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 30.1 minutes per game.

DECEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Thursday O'Neale (hip) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Hornets.

Impact O'Neale will be unavailable for the first time this season due to his left hip contusion. In his absence, Dorian Finney-Smith and Trendon Watford could see additional minutes.

NOVEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable against Charlotte O'Neale is questionable for Thursday's game versus the Hornets due to a left hip contusion, Evan Barnes of Newsday reports.

Impact O'Neale is in danger of missing his first game of the season Thursday due to a hip injury. If the veteran forward is ruled out, Dorian Finney-Smith and Trendon Watford are candidates to receive extended minutes in his absence.

NOVEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays strong off bench O'Neale finished with 18 points (6-12 FG, 6-12 3Pt), seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal over 31 minutes during Tuesday's 115-103 victory over the Raptors.

Impact O'Neale moved back to the bench Tuesday with Nic Claxton returning from his ankle injury, but he kept his momentum going from his best performance of the season Sunday against the Bulls. O'Neale is suddenly hot and is drawing more attention from fantasy managers, as he averaged 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.0 blocks and 6.0 three-pointers in his last two games.

NOVEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moves back to bench O'Neale isn't in the starting five for Tuesday's game versus the Raptors.

Impact The return of Nic Claxton from his ankle injury will send Royce O'Neale back to the bench. O'Neale is averaging 7.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 28.3 minutes across his previous 10 appearances coming off the bench this season.

NOVEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores 20 points in win O'Neale amassed 20 points (7-11 FG, 6-10 3Pt), nine rebounds, four assists and one steal across 36 minutes during Sunday's 118-109 victory over the Bulls.

Impact O'Neale's 20 points easily mark a new season high, and this was his sixth game of the season in double figures. Sunday's performance certainly has the look of an outlier, as O'Neale has been quiet for the most part in fantasy basketball. In his previous four games, O'Neale had scored a total of 11 points.

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE