All articles tagged with #bench
Week 2 fantasy starts/sits flag Drake London and five other players (Mike Gesicki, Kendrick Bourne, Marvin Harrison Jr., Marshawn Lloyd, Jordan Addison) as risky due to limited snap counts, volatile QB situations, and tough matchups. The guidance is to bench these players in standard leagues in favor of those with clearer roles and higher, more secure targets.
Caitlin Clark, coming off the Team USA bench at the FIBA World Cup, is posting historic assist numbers, averaging 6.3 assists per game and 19 assists across three games (including an 11-assist game vs China), a pace that could set a new Team USA record and potentially reach 57 assists in nine games; she's doing this while playing about 22 minutes per game and coming off the bench, which makes the feat even more remarkable.
Cleveland escaped Toronto 114-102 in Game 7 largely on role players, as Donovan Mitchell and James Harden struggled to score when it mattered most. Jarrett Allen dominated with 22 points and 19 rebounds, while the bench—Strus, Merrill and Tyson—provided key contributions to spark a third-quarter push. The win underscores a troubling pattern for Cleveland: if its stars don’t show up in the next round against Detroit, the Cavaliers could be headed for trouble, since Allen and the supporting cast can carry games only so far.
Trae Young was ejected from the Wizards' game after leaving the bench to argue with a referee, an incident occurring days before his scheduled Wizards debut and during a confrontation that also saw Tari Eason ejected.
Trae Young was ejected Monday night after leaving the Wizards’ bench to argue with a referee during Washington’s game with Houston, just days before his anticipated Wizards debut. Tari Eason was also ejected in the incident. Young had posted workout footage and signaled a return, with coach Brian Keefe saying he’d likely play about 17-20 minutes in the Thursday game against the Utah Jazz. The Wizards acquired Young in January in a deal noted as involving CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
The New York Yankees signed veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk to a minor-league deal with a non-roster invitation to Spring Training, aiming to add a right-handed platoon bat off the bench. Grichuk, 34, slumped to .228/.273/.401 in 293 plate appearances with Kansas City after a Diamondbacks trade, but he has a strong left-handed track record from 2022–24 (.317/.367/.573 with 25 HR in under 500 PAs), making him a potential late-inning option. If he makes the roster, he’d provide depth behind star hitters; Jasson Domínguez is expected to start in Triple-A, and Grichuk would face opt-out dates if he doesn’t break camp. Opening Day decisions could hinge on his Spring Training progress.
Yankees re-signed Paul Goldschmidt on a one-year, $4 million contract (incentives up to $6 million) to bolster a lefty-heavy platoon at first base. Goldschmidt posted a 169 wRC+ vs lefties in 2025 but just 74 vs righties, and at 38 remains a leadership presence whose return locks in bench pieces like Amed Rosario and J.C. Escarra; Ben Rice’s role could shrink, and the final roster spot may come down to Jasson Domínguez vs. Oswaldo Cabrera.
Victor Wembanyama played limited minutes off the bench in the Spurs' NBA Cup semifinal win and may have a similar role in the final against the Knicks, as the team carefully manages his minutes due to a recent calf strain and prioritizes his long-term health while considering team dynamics.
New York Knicks' center Mitchell Robinson is expected to make his return from a 50-game absence due to an ankle injury and come off the bench in the game against the Toronto Raptors.
Chris Paul's return to the Golden State Warriors after missing 21 games due to a left-hand fracture provided a steadying presence off the bench, contributing 9 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and a plus-17 net rating in 22 minutes. His leadership and playmaking abilities were evident as he orchestrated a 16-4 run in the third quarter and connected with Kuminga for an alley-oop. With Klay Thompson also coming off the bench, the Warriors' second unit outscored the Wizards' bench 59-15, showcasing the team's depth and potential for a lethal combination.
Klay Thompson, a long-time starter for the Golden State Warriors, came off the bench for the first time since 2012 in a game against the Utah Jazz. Despite initial reluctance, Thompson responded with an explosive performance, scoring 35 points and showcasing his competitive spirit. Warriors coach Steve Kerr plans to continue starting rookie Brandin Podziemski and keeping Thompson as a bench player after the All-Star break, aiming to maximize the team's firepower.
Klay Thompson came off the bench for the first time in 12 years and responded with a season-high 35 points, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 140-137 victory over the Utah Jazz. Despite initially being unhappy with the decision, Thompson's performance showcased his competitive spirit and helped the team secure their eighth win in 10 games. Coach Steve Kerr praised Thompson's resilience and adaptability, highlighting the potential for this change to bring out the best in both Thompson and the team.
LSU star Angel Reese was absent from the team's recent game after being benched in the previous game, with no explanation given by head coach Kim Mulkey. Reese, who led LSU in scoring and rebounding last season, was not in uniform, and Mulkey stated that she hopes to see her back soon. The Tigers, who won the national title last season, have had a slow start this year and suffered an upset in their season opener. There is speculation about trouble within the team, but no further details have been provided.
NBA Twitter reacts to Russell Westbrook volunteering to come off the bench for the struggling LA Clippers, with many praising his professionalism and willingness to make a change. Some speculate that the benching was inevitable and Westbrook and his team wanted to get ahead of the controversy. Others compare Westbrook's treatment to that of James Harden and express optimism about the new lineup.
Mac Jones, the quarterback for the New England Patriots, was benched for the third time this season during the closing minutes of a game against the Colts. Jones' interception and inconsistent decision-making have been a recurring issue throughout the season, leading to his benching. Patriots players, including team captains, refrained from commenting on the decision, deferring to coach Bill Belichick. Despite the benching, some players expressed confidence in backup quarterback Bailey Zappe. The Patriots' ground game was a bright spot in the game, with Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott combining for 142 rushing yards. Moving forward, it is crucial for Jones to stay positive and ignore the outside noise, according to teammate Matthew Slater.