DFS Alerts

Joel Embiid (knee) will start Wednesday

Embiid was upgraded from questionable with his knee injury to available and will get the start against the Hawks. Embiid has been dealing with a meniscus injury, and he had to leave last game to get it checked out, but should be in line to play his heavy minutes. Embiid himself mentioned he won’t be 100% for a while and likely not at all this year, but that hasn’t stopped him from holding huge usage and rebounding as well.

Trae Young (shoulder) available to play Wednesday

As expected, Trae was upgraded from probable to available and will play through his shoulder injury against the 76ers. He remains one of the top options on both his team and tonight’s slate.

Mike Conley (hamstring) ruled out Wednesday

Conley was downgraded from questionable to out, and won’t be able to make his debut this series. Conley spoke up during the postgame conference that he had a slight setback in his recovery from the hamstring injury, and that he hopes to come back for the series but it’s not a guarantee. It’ll be the same rotation for the Jazz; Ingles will start for Conley, Clarkson will play more off the bench, and Miye Oni will likely play a few hedge minutes. Donovan Mitchell will continue to lead the team in usage, and with no Leonard for the Clippers, the Jazz will likely have bumps up in productivity due to Kawhi’s stellar defense off the floor.

Kawhi Leonard (knee) ruled out Wednesday

Kawhi was officially ruled out due to a right knee sprain and will sit in game 5 against the Utah Jazz. This is a huge blow to the Clippers, who will be without their star player for an indefinite time; Leonard mentioned postgame that he was fine, but after further testing he may be out for the rest of the series. How the Clippers move from here will lead to tremendous amounts of value for the team. From a minutes perspective, Luke Kennard and Terrance Mann are the likeliest options to replace him in the starting lineup; we are currently projecting Kennard to do so. Rajon Rondo may also re-enter the rotation after being inactive last game. From a production perspective, Paul George will be the lead star; he averages 1.32 FPM and 35% usage with Kawhi off the floor, up from his 1.25 FPM and 30.3% averages per CourtIQ; the splits are more drastic once Ibaka is off the floor as well. Other players showing boosts are Ivica Zubac, Marcus Morris, and Patrick Beverley, although Beverley is still only at 0.89 FPM. It’s more likely that Kennard or Mann pops off as a value, while virtually everyone else will get boosts. Paul George will likely be the best pay up option on the slate. Once there’s a confirmed starter, the Clippers best value will likely emerge, although the usage bumps to PG and others will likely be more valuable.

Kawhi Leonard (knee) expected to sit Wednesday

In a major shock to the slate and the rest of the NBA playoffs, Windhorst reported that Kawhi Leonard is expected to miss game 5 and is in jeopardy of missing the entire series. Kawhi injured his knee during the fourth quarter of last night’s game, and sat out for the last 4:35 of the fourth quarter. Kawhi was asked about it postgame, and said he was fine, and there was no mention of him on the injury report last night. Assuming he does sit, the Clippers rotation will be completely different. From a minutes perspective, Luke Kennard and Terrance Mann are the likeliest options to replace him in the starting lineup; we are currently projecting Kennard to do so. From a production persepctive, Paul George will be the lead star; he averages 1.32 FPM and 35% usage with Kawhi off the floor, up from his 1.25 FPM and 30.3% averages per CourtIQ; the splits are more drastic once Ibaka is off the floor as well. Other players showing boosts are Ivica Zubac, Marcus Morris, and Patrick Beverley, although Beverley is still only at 0.89 FPM. It’s more likely that Kennard or Mann pops off as a value, while virtually everyone else will get boosts. Paul George will likely be the best pay up option on the slate. Windhorst doesn’t report news often, but has often been right when he does, so this is devastating news for the Clippers.

Lineup update: Nets will start Harden, Harris, Brown, Durant, and Griffin Tuesday

As expected, Harden will start in place of Irving and the rest of the starters will be the same for the Nets. Harden looks to be all systems go, while the remaining starters should be in similar roles.

James Harden (hamstring) will play Tuesday

After all the signs earlier today made it seem that Harden would return, he was ultimately cleared to play and will be available for the Nets. Harden is expected to start, and there’s been no mention on a minutes limit so far; we are currently projecting him for 36 minutes, but there’s certainly volatility behind that number. Harden’s return comes right as Irving went out, so this should mean Mike James and Landry Shamet continue to play off the bench.

Status update: James Harden (hamstring) a game-time decision Tuesday

According to coach Steve Nash, Harden is going through physical therapy and that the decision to play will likely be up to Harden to return against the Bucks. Harden’s been upgraded from out to doubtful to questionable, and will now be a game-time decision. Nash has said that Harden is “pushing” to play, and it still looks like he should, but the result of his PT session should be known within the hour.

Status update: James Harden (hamstring) planning on playing Tuesday

Harden was upgraded from out to doubtful earlier, and was now upgraded to questionable and is expected to play according to Woj barring any setbacks. This is huge news, as it completely changes the complexion of the team. Harden will likely have some minutes limits to him, but Harden has been expressing huge desire to play and likely will be able to. He should slot into the starting lineup, and will take Kyrie’s spot from last game, likely alongside Durant, Harris, Bruce Brown, and Blake Griffin. If Harden is unable to go, Durant will become a much better play, as he’ll capitalize on all the usage. Mike James and Tyler Johnson would get more minutes without Harden, while Harris and Griffin both would have more usage as well. Assuming he plays, Harden changes everything and the confirmation of his return is something to wait on.

James Harden (hamstring) upgraded to questionable Tuesday

James Harden (hamstring) upgraded to doubtful Tuesday

After being listed as out yesterday, Harden was upgraded to doubtful as the Nets prepare to play game five against the Bucks. Harden hurt his hamstring during game one of the series; it’s the same hamstring that cost him during a few weeks during the regular season. It is a good sign that Harden has been upgraded, but it’s still unlikely that he returns as of this time. Woj also mentioned that Harden will try to test his hamstring out pre-game, so this may come down to the final minutes. With no Kyrie Irving, the Nets will likely be shorthanded still (assuming Harden doesn’t play). According to courtIQ with no Irving or Harden (along with the traded Caris LeVert), Durant is the clear alpha dog as expected; he averages 1.68 FPM, up from his 1.48 average. He’s certainly going to lead the team in usage, and his assist rate is up to 37.4%, up from his 27% average. Landry Shamet and Tyler Johnson will see more minutes and will both have to handle the ball more. Mike James will likely get the start, and should be one of the best values of the slate. If Harden does end up playing, he’d likely be on a minutes limit, but it looks like we won’t get an official designation until before the game.

Lineup update: Jazz will start Ingles, Mitchell, Bogdanovic, O’Neale, and Gobert Monday

Lineup update: Clippers will start Jackson, George, Leonard, Morris, and Batum Monday

Joel Embiid (knee) will play and start Monday

As expected, Embiid will start despite his questionable tag. He’s played 34, 35, and 38 minutes this series, and will certainly play a similar range once again.

Lineup update: 76ers will start Simmons, Curry, Korkmaz, Harris, and Embiid Monday

As expected, Korkmaz gets the start for the injured Danny Green as the 76ers prepare to play game 4 against the Hawks. Korkmaz has definite upside now that he’s starting; he played 28 minutes last game, and may play a similar range today. Shake Milton and Matisse Thybulle are likely the top options off the bench to fill out the wing minutes, with George Hill and Tyrese Maxey other options as well. Korkmaz will likely be one of the most popular plays of the slate as a result.