DFS Alerts
Kevin Durant (rest) and LaMarcus Aldridge (rest) ruled out Wednesday
Despite Durant’s comments following Tuesday’s win, both he and Aldridge have been included on the Nets’ initial injury report and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against Houston Rockets for rest purposes on the second leg of a back-to-back set. James Johnson and Nicolas Claxton ended up closing out last night’s game with the starting unit ahead of Aldridge and De’Andre Bembry, so it appears as if they will be the leading candidates to step into the starting lineup, unless head coach Steve Nash opts to dust off Blake Griffin after his string of DNP-CDs and reinsert him into the lineup at center in tonight’s contest. Either way, Claxton projects to be an intriguing option in tournament formats whether he starts or comes off the bench given his tremendous upside on a per minute basis.
As reported by: Mark Medina via Twitter Other tagged players: LaMarcus Aldridge
Jaylen Brown (hamstring) officially out Tuesday
Brown was technically listed as questionable on the Celtics’ injury report, but he was always a longshot to play in Tuesday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers due to lingering right hamstring tightness. In his absence, Dennis Schroder should continue starting at the point guard position alongside Marcus Smart in the backcourt, and he’s been effective for daily fantasy purposes over the Celtics previous two games. Additionally, the Celtics will have the services of Al Horford in tonight’s contest following a one-game absence, so his presence in the rotation could have a negative affect on the projected fantasy values of Robert Williams and Enes Freedom this evening.
As reported by: Brian Robb via Twitter Carmelo Anthony (illness) available to play Tuesday
Anthony has officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Tuesday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics despite battling a non-COVID related illness, while LeBron James and Anthony Davis remain listed as “probable” with their respective ailments but, as always, are fully expected to play in tonight’s contest. As for Anthony, he’s taken on a slightly reduced role in the second unit when the Lakers are full strength, and Malik Monk has tallied more total minutes than him off the bench in each of the Lakers’ previous three games.
As reported by: Kyle Goon via Twitter CJ McCollum (rib) and Nassir Little (ankle) ruled out Monday
Despite originally being listed as probable on the Trail Blazers’ injury report, McCollum has now gone from doubtful to out and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers due to a rib contusion, while Little will miss yet another game with a sprained right ankle. This news makes the Blazers dangerously thin in the backcourt, and Dennis Smith Jr. should now be expected to see all the minutes he can handle as the primary initiator of Portland’s offense with McCollum, Damian Lillard, and Anfernee Simons all sidelined. Other than Smith and the usual Blazers starters it’s tough to pinpoint where head coach Chauncey Billups will go with his rotation, but unless he opts to utilize just eight players in tonight’s contest, it’s likely someone like CJ Elleby or Greg Brown see significant playing time this evening.
As reported by: Casey Holdahl via Twitter Other tagged players: Nassir Little Cam Reddish (wrist) ruled out Monday
Reddish has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a sprained left wrist that has now forced him to miss three consecutive games. In his absence, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot should receive the starting nod at the small forward position once again even though his playing time has wildly fluctuated in his previous two spot starts. However, even with Luwawu-Cabarrot starting, Kevin Huerter and Danilo Gallinari are the other two clear beneficiaries of increased playing time as Gallinari has logged his season in minutes over this stretch, logging just over 29 off the bench in last Wednesday’s loss.
As reported by: Sarah K. Spencer via Twitter Tyrese Maxey (illness) ruled out Monday; Tobias Harris (illness) will play
Maxey was never listed on the Sixers’ injury report, but he’s now been ruled out of Monday’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets due to an illness, while Harris is set to return from a one-game absence caused by the same illness. With Maxey unavailable, Shake Milton will move into the starting lineup and should have a secure minute floor as one few offensive creators left on the on Sixers’ roster. The absence of Maxey also does create a bit of a usage void in the first unit, so there may be a bump in projection for the likes of Harris, Joel Embiid, and the remaining members of the starting lineup this evening.
As reported by: Derek Bodnar via Twitter Other tagged players: Tobias Harris Ish Smith (health protocols) ruled out Monday
Smith is the latest Charlotte player to enter the NBA’s health and safety protocols, and he’s now officially been ruled of Monday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, while LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Jalen McDaniels, and Mason Plumlee will all miss a second straight game for the same reason. The Hornets are now desperately thin at multiple positions and are on the second night of a back-to-back set, so with Smith unavailable, James Bouknight could be heading for a sizable workload in tonight’s contest as one of the only players with point guard experience, albeit mostly in college and the G-League this season. Other than Bouknight, expect the usuals like Gordon Hayward, Kelly Oubre Jr., Miles Bridges, PJ Washington, and Cody Martin to all see huge minutes once again this evening.
As reported by: Charlotte Hornets PR via Twitter Cory Joseph (knee) listed out Monday
As expected, Joseph has been downgraded from doubtful and is now listed out on the Pistons’ injury report for Monday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to right knee inflammation, while Hamidou Diallo was already ruled out with a face fracture. Their absences should allow Josh Jackson to take on a much larger role in the second unit after being a DNP-CD in the Pistons’ previous game and only seeing sporadic playing time before that. It’s also possible that Saban Lee joins the rotation to absorb some of the playmaking responsibilities with the reserves when one or both of Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes are off the court this evening.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Josh Hart (knee) out Sunday.
Josh Hart (knee) out Sunday. With Hart out, plenty of minutes open up for Graham, Alexander-Walker and Jones, along with Garrett Temple and Tomas Satoransky off the bench. Graham and NAW are strong plays with Hart out.
Hornets will start Smith, Oubre, Hayward, Bridges, Richards Sunday.
Hornets will start Smith, Oubre, Hayward, Bridges, Richards Sunday. With Ball, Rozier and others out for the Hornets, they are in one of the strongest spots on this small slate. Richards is the only starter that remains a questionable play with his minutes unsure, with Cody Martin and PJ Washington being viable off the bench.
Other tagged players: PJ Washington, Nick Richards Trae Young (knee), Kevin Huerter available to play Sunday.
Trae Young (knee), Kevin Huerter available to play Sunday. Young has been scorching hot lately, and remains a strong play today. With Reddish out, Delon Wright remains a reasonable value play in the backcourt.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Other tagged players: Kevin Huerter Isaac Bonga (dental) available to play Sunday.
Isaac Bonga (dental) available to play Sunday. Bonga likely won’t enter the rotation, and if he does, won’t be DFS relevant.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Isaac Bonga (dental) listed probable Sunday.
Isaac Bonga (dental) listed probable Sunday.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Trae Young, Kevin Huerter both to be game-time decisions Sunday, Cam Reddish (illness) is out.
Trae Young, Kevin Huerter both to be game-time decisions Sunday, Cam Reddish (illness) is out.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Other tagged players: Kevin Huerter, Cam Reddish Hassan Whiteside (glute) out on Sunday.
Hassan Whiteside (glute) out on Sunday. With Whiteside out, Gobert is likely to play as many minutes as he can handle, with the Jazz likely to go small for the second unit. This gives Eric Paschall a chance to return to the rotation, but he won’t become DFS relevant.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report