DFS Alerts
Daniel Theis (hip) and Troy Brown Jr. (ankle) ruled out Thursday; Tomas Satoransky (ankle) a game-time decision
Theis and Brown Jr. were downgraded from questionable to out, and both will miss the game against the Toronto Raptors. Satoransky will be a game-time decision with his ankle injury that limited him to ten minutes last game. Brown Jr. hasn’t played in a month, so his absence won’t mean much. Theis’s absence looms larger; Thad Young will likely get the start in his place, while Lauri Markkanen will get more minutes as a result. With Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine both playing and taking up most of the usage, it’ll likely be the two of them that get all the production. If Sato ends up sitting, it’ll be more minutes for Coby White, who played 37 minutes last game.
As reported by: Chuck Swirsky via Twitter Other tagged players: Tomas Satoransky
Joel Embiid (illness) a game-time decision Thursday; Matisse Thybulle (hand) likely out; Furkan Korkmaz (ankle) and Shake Milton (knee) expected to play
Embiid remains questionable with an illness for the 76ers game against the Heat. Coach Rivers mentioned that Embiid joined the team, but is still dealing with a severe illness. Milton and Korkmaz are expected to play, which goes with their probable status from earlier, while Thybulle will likely sit. Embiid is obviously the biggest news; if he ends up sitting, it would be big usage bumps for Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons, while Dwight Howard and Mike Scott should handle the center minutes.
As reported by: Noah Levick via Twitter Other tagged players: Matisse Thybulle, Furkan Korkmaz, Shake Milton Trae Young, Clint Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Danilo Gallinari are all game-time decisions Thursday
All four players on the Hawks injury report are game-time decisions ahead of the game against the Orlando Magic. Young is listed as probable, while the other three are all questionable. It’s best to look at all the questionable injuries by each player’s absence. If Capela sat, Onyeka Okongwu would likely start, but John Collins would be a big winner as he’d get to play center more often. If Bogdanovic were to sit, Lou Williams and Huerter would likely see more minutes, and would be viable plays. Gallinari usually plays the least minutes, but his absence would lead to more minutes for Solomon Hill, who rarely produces well per minute. If Trae were to sit, it’d be minutes for Brandon Goodwin, Lou Williams, and Kevin Huerter. Hopefully we can get the news ahead of time for the Hawks, who are still trying to clinch the 4 seed.
As reported by: Mike Conti via Twitter Other tagged players: Clint Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari Chris Boucher (knee) upgraded to questionable Thursday
Boucher was originally listed as out for the game against the Chicago Bulls, but now has been upgraded to questionable, usually a good sign for a player to return. Boucher would likely start at power forward again if he is cleared to play, and would certainly be a viable play. Boucher averages 1.18 FPM per CourtIQ with no Lowry, VanVleet, and Siakam on the floor. Boucher played 38 minutes last game, so if he’s cleared, it should be full systems go for him. Stanley Johnson will likely start if Boucher sits; the Raptors will have either eight bodies without Boucher, or nine with him, so there’ll certainly be value regardless, particularly from Malachi Flynn, Jalen Harris, and Gary Trent.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Nikola Jokic (toe) listed probable Thursday
Although being listed probable usually is not cause for concern, the circumstances around the Nuggets and their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves make this designation noteworthy. The Nuggets ruled out MPJ earlier in the day due to rest, as well as Monte Morris. There’s certainly a risk that Jokic could be downgraded from probable closer to gametime, as the Nuggets aren’t doing everything they can to win this game and may use the game to give their stars a breather. Jokic still is probable, and is still a great play if he ends up getting his regular minutes, but there’s certainly some risk with this designation.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Caris LeVert (knee) and Aaron Holiday (toe) ruled out Thursday
LeVert and Holiday were both downgraded from questionable to out, and will miss the Pacers game against the Milwaukee Bucks. This is on top of not having Malcolm Brogdon, Edmond Sumner, Jeremy Lamb, and Myles Turner; they will try to beat the Bucks with the majority of their regulars out, and the backcourt in particular will be starved for bodies. TJ McConnell is the only true “guard”, and he’ll likely be the starter; even if he comes off the bench, he will have to play at least mid thirties minutes, and likely more in a competitive game. Cassius Stanley may have to play significant minutes, while Justin Holiday and Kelan Martin will both try to chip in at the guard minutes as well. Sabonis and McConnell are the clear options now that the usage will flow exclusively through them. Justin Holiday, Doug McDermott, Oshae Brissett, and Kelan Martin will all have to chip in with minutes as well.
As reported by: Scott Agness via Twitter Other tagged players: Aaron Holiday Caleb Martin (thumb) available to play Thursday
Caleb was upgraded from questionable with a thumb dislocation to available and will play against the LA Clippers. Caleb was limited to 6 minutes last game due to the injury, but had been playing in the low/mid 20s, as he’s been filling for the injured Cody Martin, Miles Bridges, and Gordon Hayward. He did play more when Devonte’ Graham was out, and now that he’s returned, it’s tough to prioritize Caleb at all.
As reported by: the Charlotte Hornets via Twitter Nassir Little (back spasms) ruled out Thursday
Little was ruled out due to back spasms and will miss his second straight game as the Blazers take on the Phoenix Suns. Little usually only plays spot minutes off the bench, and his minutes should go to Carmelo Anthony and Norman Powell.
As reported by: Danny Marang via Twitter
Deandre Ayton questionable for Thursday
Ayton was added to the injury report with knee soreness, and is questionable to play against the Portland Trail Blazers. Ayton has played in every game this year, so if he sits, it’ll be unchartered territory for the suns. Presumably, the start would go to either Frank Kaminsky or Dario Saric; the Blazers have a big center in Nurkic, so Kaminsky may make more sense. The suns remain without Cam Johnson and Abdel Nader, so the frontcourt will need some help if Ayton does indeed sit. From a production standpoint, Mikal Bridges sees the biggest jump per CourtIQ; his FPM jumps from 0.81 to 0.95 with Ayton off the floor. Devin Booker also sees some increased usage and production, but nothing like we’ve seen with instances from other teams. We may get the news late as the Suns game is the last one on the slate, and Kaminsky and Saric may be low owned as a result.
As reported by: Danny Marang via Twitter Monte Morris (injury management) and Michael Porter Jr. (rest) ruled out Thursday
Morris was downgraded from questionable to out, and will miss the Nuggets game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The bigger shock is that MPJ will miss the game due to rest; he hasn’t missed a game since January, and has been playing around 35-36 minutes for the last month. With no MPJ, Morris, Jamal Murray, Will Barton, and PJ Dozier, the MVP favorite Nikola Jokic will be forced into super heavy lifting. There seems to be some risk behind him, as the Nuggets may try to stay in the four seed and have lost games in the past seasons in order to get a more favorable playoff bracket. The other scenario is that the Nuggets believe they can beat the Wolves without MPJ, and will give Jokic his regular run. Regardless, he’s clearly the top option on the team and possibly on the slate. MPJ’s minutes should be filled by a combination of JaMychal Green, Paul Millsap, and Shaquille Harrison, with Vlatko Cancar possibly getting a few minutes as well. With no Morris, it should be more minutes again for Facundo Campazzo and Austin Rivers; Campazzo in particular has averaged 34 minutes for the last six games as the Nuggets need the bodies. The starting lineup should help clarify the other value pieces, but Jokic, Campazzo, and Rivers should all be good plays if there are no other minutes restrictions.
As reported by: Mike Singer via Twitter Other tagged players: Monte Morris Derrick Rose (ankle), Reggie Bullock (ankle), and Alec Burks (knee) upgraded to probable Thursday
Rose, Bullock, and Burks were all upgraded from questionable to probable as the Knicks prepare to play the San Antonio Spurs. Immanuel Quickley remains questionable with his ankle injury, but the Knicks bigger weapons are now back and will make the team tough to prioritize. With Rose and Bullock expected to be back, the Knicks should have their regular rotation. Elfrid Payton may have been a good option, but now Rose should get his usual run. Burks will return after missing three games, while Bullock has played 45 minutes in the last two games (one of which was OT). With how much value there is on the rest of the slate, it’ll be tough to prioritize anyone on a predominantly healthy Knicks team.
As reported by: the New York Knicks via Twitter Other tagged players: Reggie Bullock, Alec Burks Caris LeVert (knee) listed questionable Thursday
The shorthanded Pacers have relied on LeVert to help carry them through the past few games, but now they’ve listed him questionable with a knee bruise ahead of their game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Pacers are already without Malcolm Brogdon, Jeremy Lamb, and Edmond Sumner, while Aaron Holiday is listed as questionable as well with a sprained toe. If LeVert and Aaron sit, the backcourt will be severely shorthanded. TJ McConnell would be forced into almost all of the guard minutes, while Justin Holiday would likely chip in at the shooting guard. Kelan Martin has started to get more run for the team, and he usually plays at forward positions, so he may move down a position as well. Sabonis and McConnell would be the clear options if LeVert sat, although blowout risk is certainly present. Aaron Holiday’s injury also looms large, as if he plays while LeVert sits, he could be a great value.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Trey Lyles (ankle) and Luka Samanic (finger) ruled out Thursday
Lyles has been out since March with his ankle injury, while Samanic fractured his finger yesterday and both players will miss the game against the New York Knicks. Neither plays much when active anyway; Lyles is nearing a return, while Samanic will likely be out for an extended absence. Keita Bates-Diop and Drew Eubanks may pick up a few more minutes as a result.
As reported by: Paul Garcia via Twitter Other tagged players: Luka Samanic Trae Young (hip) probable Thursday; Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring), Clint Capela (heel), Danilo Gallinari (back) questionable; Tony Snell (Achilles) ruled out
After the big Hawks win last night, they may be without several plays as they prepare to play the Orlando Magic. Although Trae was listed as probable and should be expected to, Bogdanovic, Capela, and Gallinari were all listed as questionable after playing in yesterday’s game. Snell was ruled due to an Achilles injury, but he shouldn’t factor in too much from a minutes stand point; he played 23 yesterday, but that was due to Kevin Huerter’s foul trouble more than anything. It’s best to look at all the questionable injuries by each player’s absence. If Capela sat, Onyeka Okongwu would likely start, but John Collins would be a big winner as he’d get to play center more often. If Bogdanovic were to sit, Lou Williams and Huerter would likely see more minutes, and would be viable plays. Gallinari usually plays the least minutes, but his absence would lead to more minutes for Solomon Hill, who rarely produces well per minute. The news for the Hawks should come out before lock, so we should be able to prioritize accordingly.
As reported by: Brad Rowland via Twitter Other tagged players: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Clint Capela, Danilo Gallinari, Tony Snell Lineup update: Rockets will start Augustin, Thomas, Tate, Martin Jr., and Olynyk Wednesday
This was the expected lineup for the Rockets after all their injuries; Khyri will slide in at shooting guard, while Martin will start once again in place of Wood. With only eight bodies, the starters will be pressed into heavy minutes, except for possibly Augustin, who’s been limited to below 30 minutes if possible. Khyri and KJ Martin will likely play close to 40 minutes barring foul trouble.
As reported by: Ryan Ward via Twitter