Miles McBride

The Knicks are without Josh Hart, who is not with the team for personal reasons. Tom Thibodeau has decided to go with a bigger lineup, starting Achiuwa due to a need to match up with Julius Randle. Achiuwa will have deep-league streaming value in this spot, as will reserve guard Miles McBride.

Hart will miss is first game of the season on Thursday. The Knicks swingman has been a key do-it-all player for New York and could be replaced by Miles McBride or Precious Achiuwa as a starter if Mikal Bridges or OG Anunoby assume his small forward spot in the lineup.

Hart popped up as questionable for personal reasons Thursday afternoon. While it's unclear what those reasons might be, his status for Thursday's game is also up in the air as it's hard to gauge what his chances of suiting up are. Hart averages 36 minutes per game, but it's unclear who would benefit most from his absence. Miles McBride or even Tyler Kolek might see more minutes, but Hart only takes nine shots per game and nobody the Knicks have on the bench will contribute in the other categories the way he does.

Payne will be back after a two-game absence, where he will see minutes in the teens off the bench. With Miles McBride healthy, Payne won't play enough minutes to impact fantasy hoops.

Yahoo Sports fantasy analyst Dan Titus discusses why the New York guard is at the top of his list of players to pick up, this week's streaming strategy, and injury fill-ins in Orlando and New Orleans.