DFS Alerts

Kyrie Irving (face) ruled out Wednesday

Irving was downgraded from questionable with a facial contusion to out, and will miss the Nets game against the San Antonio Spurs. With no Irving and no Harris, the Nets will be shorthanded in the backcourt, but will likely be getting James Harden, who is still probable to return from his hamstring injury. Harden and Kevin Durant will be the clear top options for the team; Harden may be limited in his first game back, and Durant has some mild risk since it’s a back to back, but Durant should be a very popular play with no Irving and no Harris. In only a 62 minute sample, he averages a staggering 1.72 FPM, up from his 1.48 average per CourtIQ. Harden averages 1.75 FPM in a 207 minute sample, up from his 1.51 average. Mike James, Landry Shamet, and Bruce Brown will help pick up some backcourt minutes, but Durant is the clear top option, with Harden a risky play as well.

Cedi Osman (ankle) a game-time decision Wednesday

Cedi will be a game-time decision as the Cavs prepare to play against the Boston Celtics. Osman has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, after playing heavy minutes in place of Darius Garland. Should he be cleared to play, he’ll likely rejoin the starting lineup and play heavy minutes (barring any restrictions he may be on). If he ends up sitting, it’ll likely be another start for Dean Wade. Kevin Love has returned for the team, so it’s more likely that Wade takes a slight backseat to the other frontcourt members, although he may be viable if Osman sits again.

LeBron James (ankle) ruled out Wednesday

According to Haynes (and later confirmed by LeBron himself), LeBron will not be making his return as the Lakers prepare to play the Houston Rockets. LeBron has missed the last five games with an ankle injury that cost him to miss six weeks earlier in the year. It’ll likely be Kyle Kuzma entering the starting lineup, with possibly more changes ahead; Anthony Davis and Alex Caruso are both still questionable. They are certainly more viable without LeBron; Davis if he plays will have a big upside in a great matchup with the Rockets. Andre Drummond, Talen Horton-Tucker, Kenatvious Caldwell-Pope, and Kuzma are all winners with LeBron out again, besides Davis.

Joe Harris (hip) ruled out Wednesday

Harris was added to the injury report with hip soreness, and will miss the game against the San Antonio Spurs. Harris hasn’t missed a game all year, as he’s been an iron man for the Nets while they’ve had multiple players miss time throughout the year. With Harden returning, Harris’s role would’ve been reduced anyways. Landry Shamet, Bruce Brown, and Jeff Green are options to start for him, but they both will be tough to prioritize as the Durant and Harden (and Kyrie if he plays) will monopolize production for the team.

Nassir Little (back) ruled out Wednesday

Little was downgraded from questionable with back spasms to out, and will miss the game against the Utah Jazz. His absence will open up a few minutes for Derrick Jones and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, but likely won’t matter too much as he only plays 9-13 minutes a game.

Lebron James (ankle), Anthony Davis (adductor), and Alex Caruso (foot) listed questionable Wednesday

The Lakers listed three players questionable ahead of their game against the Houston Rockets, and all loom large. Lebron is expected to make his return from an ankle sprain, but was officially listed as questionable. Davis was listed as questionable with adductor tightness, as he suffered the injury last night and gutted out an injury. Caruso is questionable with a foot injury; he left the game yesterday after only 7 minutes, as his minutes were primarily replaced by Talen Horton-Tucker, with Wes Matthews and Ben McLemore chipping in as well. When Lebron came back from his longer absence, he played 32 minutes in his first game back, so it’s likely that if he plays he won’t be limited. Davis should be in the same boat; he played 43 minutes yesterday, so it feels like they’ll rest him in a winnable game against the Rockets, but it’ll be a late decision for the slate. Caruso’s minutes are key with Dennis Schroder still sidelined, but if Lebron plays, Caruso won’t be as needed either. THT and Andre Drummond have the most to gain if Lebron and AD aren’t cleared to play.

Marcus Smart (calf), Kemba Walker (knee), and Robert Williams (toe) all ruled out Wednesday

The Celtics will be without four of their five regular starters as they head into a matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Smart was the big loss; he was ruled out with a calf injury after playing 33 minutes the last three games. Kemba was ruled out as he usually sits on one end of back-to-backs, while Williams will miss his second game in a row with a toe injury. Along with Jaylen Brown out for the year, the Celtics will be incredibly shorthanded and putting plenty on Jayson Tatum’s shoulders. Evan Fournier and Tristan Thompson should continue to start, while any combination of Payton Pritchard, Aaron Nesmith, Carsen Edwards, or Grant Williams could start for the other spots. With no Kemba, Smart, or Brown on the floor, Tatum leads the team in usage at 35% per CourtIQ. Thompson and Fournier will each be valuable as the matchup against the Cavs porous defense should lead to fantasy points. Whoever ends up starting for the Celtics will be valuable as well, with Pritchard and Nesmith likely the best options.

Kevin Huerter (hip) and Tony Snell (Achilles) both available to play Wednesday

Huerter and Snell were upgraded to available for the Hawks rematch against the Washington Wizards. Huerter was upgraded from probable with a hip injury, while Snell was upgraded from questionable with an Achilles injury that caused him to miss the last game. Snell should start for the team, while Huerter will likely move back to the bench and be the first guard off the bench. The offense should flow through Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic, so neither player (particularly Snell) are going to be a priority on tonight’s slate.

James Harden (hamstring) listed probable Wednesday; Kyrie Irving (face) listed questionable; Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin both available to play

The Nets gave out their updated injury report to further clarify the Nets status ahead of their game against the San Antonio Spurs. Harden was upgraded from questionable to probable, which further cements the likelihood that he returns. Irving was listed as questionable; although there’s a chance he ends up sitting, it’s a good sign that he has avoided the concussion protocol after taking an elbow to the face. Durant and Blake Griffin were both not mentioned on the injury report; there was a chance that they’d rest on the back to back, but both will be available, so the Nets will have a chance to be full strength as they have been in a long time. Harden will likely be on a minutes restriction, as he will get eased into play. Durant and Griffin may have their minutes managed (particularly Griffin), but the fact that they are playing is a good sign for restrictions. If Irving sits, Durant may be a top play tonight, while Harden will probably be better in a few games once his minutes are more secure.

Lonzo Ball (thumb), Steven Adams (toe), and Brandon Ingram (ankle) all ruled out Wednesday

The Pelicans will be severely shorthanded as the season ends for them, as they prepare to play the Dallas Mavericks. Ingram was downgraded from doubtful to out, and will miss his fourth straight game with an ankle injury, while Adams will miss his fourth straight with a toe injury. Lonzo is the big name though; he was added to the injury report with a thumb injury, and will miss the game after playing heavy minutes over the last two weeks. Also without no Zion, the Pelicans will be without four starters as they look forward to the future. Eric Bledsoe may get the start, but the Pelicans other guards are going to be the best plays for the team. Assuming Nickeil Alexander-Walker has his minutes limit increased, he’ll be one of the top plays; he averages 1.24 FPM per CourtIQ with no Lonzo, Zion, and Ingram on the floor. He was on a minutes limit of around 24 for the Pelicans last game, but now may have to play closer to 30 minutes with no Lonzo. Eric Bledsoe averages 1.15 FPM in the same split, but his minutes ceiling may be reduced as the Pelicans look to the future. With no Adams, Jaxson Hayes and Willy Hernangomez will split the center minutes once again, but both salaries have elevated as Adams has missed game. Kira Lewis will also see more minutes, but isn’t as great per minute. The Pelicans will be a big source of value on tonight’s slate.

James Harden (hamstring) expecting to play Wednesday

Harden is expected to return from his 18 game absence tonight, as the Nets play against the San Antonio Spurs. Harden hurt his hamstring in the beginning of April, and will likely be eased into action as the Nets try to get him healthy for the playoffs. He won’t be a good play on his own if he plays, as he likely won’t approach the minutes total needed, but there’s a chance that he’s the only one of the big three active. Kyrie left last night’s game against the Bulls after taking a hard elbow to the face, and may have to miss tonight’s game. Durant has rested on back to backs often throughout the year; there’s a chance he sits as well, so Harden may be thrust right into a role as the alpha of the team. The Nets usually give out their injury report early in the day, so we should have the news soon. Landry Shamet, Joe Harris, and Jeff Green will all lose minutes and usage as Harden gets acclimated back into the team.

Kristaps Porzingis (knee) listed questionable Wednesday; JJ Redick (heel) ruled out

Porzingis has missed the last seven games with a knee injury, and is listed as questionable as the Mavs prepare to play the New Orleans Pelicans. Redick was listed as out due to a heel injury, but he hasn’t played many minutes for the team anyways. If Porzingis sits, it’ll likely be another start for Willie Cauley-Stein, as he and Dwight Powell will split the center minutes. If he does play, Tim Hardaway Jr. will likely lose some run, as his usage has been elevated with no KP on the floor.

Jae Crowder will start Tuesday for the Suns sending Torrey Craig to the bench. Crowder has been working himself back from injury and the Suns have decided it is time for him to rejoin the starting lineup, this will likely mean more minutes for Crowder and fewer for Craig.

As expected Chimezie Metu will get the start for Marvin Bagley

Wesley Matthews will remain in the starting lineup Tuesday despite Kyle Kuzma being available