Ellis will come off the bench in Tuesday's meeting with the Celtics, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News reports.
The Nets have gone 0-3 to start the season, so head coach Jodi Fernandez will shuffle his starting lineup, sending Ellis to the second unit. As a reserve last season, Ellis averaged 6.0 points and 1.1 steals in 19.3 minutes per game.
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Nets' Keon Ellis: Extends streak with multiple swipes
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Ellis registered nine points (4-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt), one rebound, three assists, one block and four steals in 23 minutes during Sunday's 136-109 loss to Indiana.
Ellis continues to make a big impact on the defensive end of the floor, having now picked up multiple steals in three straight games to open the season. The expectation is that rookie first-rounder Mikel Brown is eventually going to overtake Ellis for a starting spot in the backcourt once Brown's restrictions are lifted, but Ellis should continue to deliver low-end fantasy numbers until that change is implemented.
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Nets' Keon Ellis: Big workload in opener
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Ellis accumulated seven points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt), two rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals across 34 minutes during Wednesday's 110-103 loss to the Hornets.
With Brooklyn opting to ease rookie first-rounder Mikel Brown into the NBA fray, Ellis is operating as the team's starting shooting guard in the interim. Given Wednesday's workload, Ellis is worth keeping tabs on in fantasy leagues for his ability to supply treys and steals when given significant minutes.
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Nets' Keon Ellis: Knocks down three triples in preseason win
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Ellis finished with 15 points (4-7 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 4-5 FT) and a rebound across 21 minutes in Monday's 131-122 preseason win over the Wizards.
Ellis delivered an efficient offensive performance, connecting on three of his four attempts from beyond the arc and being one of four Brooklyn players who scored at least 15 points. He didn't record an assist, steal or block, making this a relatively scoring-dependent fantasy showing. However, his perimeter shooting helped Brooklyn maintain its offensive momentum, and he committed no turnovers during his 21-minute appearance. Ellis' ability to space the floor remains an important component of his potential rotation role.
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Nets' Keon Ellis: Quiet in spot start
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Eliis finished with just five points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt) in 12 minutes during Tuesday's 124-90 preseason victory over Charlotte.
With projected starter Mikel Brown sidelined due to a minor ankle injury, Ellis was inserted into the starting lineup. Despite the opportunity, Ellis failed to produce anything of note, particularly on the defensive end of the floor. Assuming Brown gets back on the court in the near future, Ellis will likely shift back to a bench role to begin the season. At best, he should be considered a last-round flyer for anyone needing steals.
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Nets' Keon Ellis: Starting sans Brown
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Ellis is starting Tuesday's preseason opener against the Hornets, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News reports.
The veteran swingman is getting the nod in the absence of rookie Mikel Brown (ankle) on Tuesday. Ellis could be ticketed for a bench role once Brooklyn is healthy, though.
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Nets' Keon Ellis: Inks deal with Brooklyn
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Ellis agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal with Brooklyn on Tuesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Ellis will head to Brooklyn after spending the 2025-26 season with Sacramento and Cleveland. Across 72 regular-season appearances (11 starts) last season, the Alabama product averaged 6.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 assists while shooting 44.0 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from beyond the arc in 20.5 minutes per contest. The 26-year-old may not operate as a full-time starter, but Ellis should carve out a significant role for a Brooklyn team continuing its rebuild after already acquiring veteran forward Julius Randle this offseason. Ellis' deal includes a mutual option with all $18 million guaranteed.
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Cavaliers' Keon Ellis: Scores five points in loss
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Ellis chipped in five points (1-3 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 16 minutes during Monday's 130-93 loss to the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
After being used sparingly by the Kings, a midseason trade to the Cavaliers gave Ellis new life. In Cleveland, he appeared in 29 regular-season contests (six starts) with averages of 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 blocks and 1.3 steals in 24.8 minutes per contest.
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Cavaliers' Keon Ellis: Fades out of rotation
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Ellis (coach's decision) went unused Sunday in the Cavaliers' 114-102 win over the Raptors in Game 7 of the first-round playoff series.
Since being moved to the Cavaliers prior to the trade deadline, Ellis had been a staple in the Cleveland rotation thanks largely to his defensive versatility. Following his trade from Sacramento to Cleveland, Ellis finished the regular season with averages of 8.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 three-pointers, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks in 25.0 minutes over 28 appearances. However, the fourth-year player ended up seeing his role diminish in the first round of the playoffs, averaging just 10.8 minutes over the first four games of the series before dropping out of the rotation entirely for the last three contests. For one of the few times all season, the Cavaliers have their entire roster healthy, so Ellis looks like he'll remain an odd man out of the rotation during the Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup with the Pistons while head coach Kenny Atkinson leans on a four-man bench.
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Cavaliers' Keon Ellis: Scoreless again Friday
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Ellis closed with four rebounds and one block over 15 minutes during Thursday's 126-104 loss to the Raptors in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Ellis continues to offer very little on a nightly basis, having now scored a total of just 10 points in his past five appearances. For a player whose reputation is built around an ability to contribute on the defensive end, the fact that Ellis has averaged 1.0 combined steals and blocks during that time is a real worry.
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Cavaliers' Keon Ellis: Starting Sunday
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Ellis will start Sunday against the Pacers, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.
Ellis is getting a spot start due to Evan Mobley (calf) taking a maintenance day, and he'll be joined in the first unit by James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus and Thomas Bryant. As a starter this season, Ellis has averaged 9.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.4 triples and 1.2 steals per game.
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Cavaliers' Keon Ellis: Starting against Jazz
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Ellis will start in Monday's game versus Utah.
Cleveland is down Jarrett Allen (knee), Max Strus (foot), Dean Wade (ankle) and Jaylon Tyson (toe), so Ellis will return to the starting lineup. The 26-year-old last started in Wednesday's 120-103 loss to the Heat, finishing with 17 points, two rebounds, one assist and two steals in 37 minutes of work.
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Cavaliers' Keon Ellis: Starting Wednesday
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Ellis will start Wednesday versus the Heat, Spencer Davies of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Ellis is getting a spot-start with Dean Wade (ankle) unavailable, and it'll be Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Sam Merrill and Evan Mobley joining him in the first unit for Wednesday's game. As a starter this season, Ellis has averaged 7.7 points, 1.6 triples, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.
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Cavaliers' Keon Ellis: Won't start Tuesday
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Ellis won't start against the Bucks on Tuesday.
With Sam Merrill (hamstring) back in the lineup following a two-game absence, Ellis will slide to the second unit. In five appearances off the bench this month, the 26-year-old has averaged 10.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocks in 27.8 minutes per tilt.
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Cavaliers' Keon Ellis: Available to play Sunday
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Ellis (finger) is listed as available for Sunday's game against the Nets.
Ellis has been cleared to return after missing one game with a left index finger fracture. While James Harden (thumb) is also expected to return to the lineup Sunday, Ellis should still see a healthy workload in a backcourt that remains without Donovan Mitchell (groin).
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Cavaliers' Keon Ellis: Questionable for Sunday
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Ellis (finger) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Nets.
Ellis is in danger of missing a second consecutive contest due to a left index finger fracture. However, if he's cleared to suit up, the 26-year-old guard would likely see increased minutes due to Donovan Mitchell (groin) being sidelined. Over his last five outings, Ellis has averaged 7.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks in 22.4 minutes per contest.
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Cavaliers' Keon Ellis: Ruled out Friday
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Ellis (finger) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pistons.
Ellis was initially listed as questionable for Friday's contest, though he'll be held out due to a left index finger fracture. His next opportunity to play will come Sunday against the Nets. With the 26-year-old guard joining Donovan Mitchell (groin) and James Harden (thumb) on the sidelines, Sam Merrill, Dennis Schroder and Craig Porter are likely to see increased playing time, while Tyrese Proctor could enter the rotation.
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Cavaliers' Keon Ellis: Added to injury report
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Ellis is questionable for Friday's game against Detroit due to a left index finger fracture.
Ellis presumably suffered the injury at some point during Wednesday's game against Milwaukee, though it appears he plans to try to play through the fracture. He'll likely test the injury during shootaround and pre-game warmups to see if he's able to suit up Friday.
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Cavaliers' Keon Ellis: Fares well off bench
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Ellis racked up nine points (4-7 FG, 1-4 3Pt), one rebound, three assists and two steals across 23 minutes during Sunday's 121-113 loss to Oklahoma City.
Ellis made a strong impact off the bench and continues to play a key role for the second unit. Since joining Cleveland via trade, Ellis has averaged 21.4 minutes across five appearances with 5.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 three-pointers.
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Cavaliers' Keon Ellis: Logs 27 minutes in win
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Ellis chipped in six points (2-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal across 27 minutes during Wednesday's 138-113 win over Washington.
Ellis logged 27 minutes Wednesday, the most he has played since joining the Cavaliers. While he has provided the team with consistent defensive contributions off the bench, his playing time has been largely underwhelming. With that said, he is worth keeping an eye on, particularly if he can carve out a regular 25-minute role for himself, given his defensive upside.
