DFS Alerts
Tyrese Maxey (quad) ruled out Monday
Without Maxey, the Sixers have an inner crisis at the point guard position for Monday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics as yesterday Shake Milton became the most recent Sixer to enter the NBA’s health and safety protocols. This will force head coach Doc Rivers to turn to Seth Curry as the lead man at point in the starting unit, but it remains to be seen if he opts to insert a secondary ballhandler like Isaiah Joe in the starting lineup or go with a defender like Matisse Thybulle at the small forward position. Either way, both players figure to see plenty of minutes and newly signed Myles Powell is likely to step in the rotation as a reserve guard this evening as well.
As reported by: Keith Pompey via Twitter
Gordon Hayward (back) doubtful Monday
The Hornets are on the second leg of a back-to-back set and Hayward has been included in their initial injury report due to low back pain. Since Cody Martin is still in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, Kelly Oubre Jr. appears to be the most logical candidate to join the starting lineup alongside Terry Rozier on the wing, but even if he remains in his usual sixth-man role and someone like Jalen McDaniels or PJ Washington starts, Oubre should still be expected to see 30-plus minutes against the Utah Jazz this evening.
As reported by: Charlotte Hornets PR via Twitter Ja Morant (knee) and Tyus Jones (finger) questionable Monday
As the Grizzlies head into the second leg of a back against the Oklahoma City Thunder, it appears that Ja Morant will be making his return from an extended absence due to a sprained left knee and a stint in the NBA’s health and safety protocol. If Morant is cleared to play, it’s not yet known if he’ll be limited by a minute restriction, but even if he is limited, Jones, who is also questionable, will be relegated back to his normal backup point guard and see a massive decrease in playing time. However, if Jones is unable to suit up, De’Anthony Melton should be able to maintain his low-20s minute role off the bench as a combo guard for at least one more game.
As reported by: Grizzlies PR via Twitter Other tagged players: Tyus Jones Derrick Jones Jr. (hamstring) listed out Monday
As expected, Jones Jr. has been ruled out of Monday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets after sustaining a hamstring in the second quarter of Sunday’s win. Following his exit, all the Bull regulars, including Javonte Green, went on to log heavy minutes as each starter accrued more than thirty-four total minutes. Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be any reinforcements returning anytime soon for Chicago, so it should be expected for the main rotation players to see similar workloads in tonight’s contest with the possibility of someone like to Devon Dotson joining the fold to help alleviate some of the burden placed on an already COVID-depleted active roster.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Lineup Update: Isaiah Thomas will start for Kent Bazemore (protocols) on Sunday
Lineup Update: Isaiah Thomas will start for Kent Bazemore (protocols) on Sunday. Thomas should be a bigger part of the equation with Bazemore now joining a slew of other Lakers on the inactive list. He’s currently projecting as one of the better punt plays on the late slate and while he’s not likely to offer a ton outside of raw points, he could see enough run to pay off his near-minimum price tag. Rajon Rondo also could play a little more and we’ll likely see more Trevor Ariza than initially expected. The starters outside of DeAndre Jordan could see extended run here. LeBron’s ceiling is immense in this spot.
Other tagged players: Kent Bazemore Cody Martin (protocols) listed out Sunday
Cody Martin (protocols) listed out Sunday. With Martin out, we could see some extra Ish Smith and James Bouknight is also a candidate to re-enter the rotation after falling out of favor as the Hornets got healthier. Smith himself would have been a fringe rotation option this evening with Martin active, but he should be secured minutes as a ball-handler behind LaMelo Ball or Terry Rozier. We could see a little more Kelly Oubre, Gordon Hayward or either of the two aforementioned starting guards.
Trevor Ariza (ankle) will play Sunday
Trevor Ariza (ankle) will play Sunday. He’s not a recommended DFS option, but his presence could impact Carmelo Anthony, Wayne Ellington and/or DeAndre Jordan’s court time. It’s likely the Lakers will ease Ariza in lightly, so he figures to play a minimal bench role for the time being.
Devin Booker (hamstring) will play Sunday
Booker will return to the Suns lineup on Sunday night. His presence should shift Landry Shamet back to a bench role, and will also eat into the playing time of Elfrid Payton, Cameron Payne and potentially Cameron Johnson. Chris Paul’s upside takes a small hit, but he’s still a strong producer with Booker in the lineup and is still firmly on the radar in all formats, but likely makes for a strong tournament play given that his ownership figures to take a hit.
As reported by: Shams Charania
Tyler Herro (quad) ruled out Sunday
Tyler Herro (quad) ruled out Sunday. His absence will lead to more opportunity for Gabe Vincent, who has offered excellent DFS value over the past two games and his price tag still does not reflect his opportunity with how shorthanded the Heat are. Kyle Lowry’s fantasy upside also spikes, while guys like Duncan Robinson, PJ Tucker and Max Strus should see some added chances as well.
As reported by: Ira Winderman Other tagged players: Gabe Vincent, Kyle Lowry Richaun Holmes (eye) ruled out Sunday
Richaun Holmes (eye) ruled out Sunday. He’ll miss yet another contest and his absence should lead to another start for Tristan Thompson, who does turn into a viable DFS option against the Spurs. Damian Jones should back up Thompson and see minutes in the high teens, but he’s not a recommended DFS target on Sunday.
As reported by: Nicki Jhabvala Josh Okogie (health protocols) out Sunday.
Josh Okogie (health protocols) out Sunday. Okogie joins Edwards and Prince in the health protocols, leaving the Timberwolves quite short on the wing. Jaylen Nowell will most likely pick up additional minutes along with Jalen McDaniels, while also giving Jake Laymen a chance to enter the rotation in a more meaningful capacity.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report
Devin Vassell will start for Doug McDermott on Sunday.
Devin Vassell will start for Doug McDermott on Sunday. With McDermott out on Sunday, Vassell will step into the starting lineup in his place. He is the much better point-per-dollar option of the two, and is an intriguing option for Sunday’s covid shortened slated.
As reported by: Paul Garcia Tyler Herro and Marcus Garrett remain questionable on Sunday.
Tyler Herro and Marcus Garrett remain questionable on Sunday.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Other tagged players: Marcus Garrett Dennis Smith Jr. (knee) will be available to play on Sunday.
Dennis Smith Jr. (knee) will be available to play on Sunday. Smith hasn’t played since December 12th, and he doesn’t figure to be a a strong play for Sunday’s slate.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Doug McDermott (tooth) ruled out Sunday
Doug McDermott (tooth) ruled out Sunday. Keita Bates-Diop has been regularly starting in place of McDermott, so it’s likely he gets another nod here, but is not a recommended DFS option. This news doesn’t hold a ton of weight for fantasy purposes, but Keldon Johnson’s ceiling is likely mildly higher and Devin Vassell and/or Lonnie Walker could lightly benefit.
As reported by: Jeff McDonald via Twitter Other tagged players: Keita Bates-Diop