DFS Alerts
Aleksej Pokusevski (knee) ruled out Tuesday
Poku was downgraded from questionable with a knee injury to out, and will miss the Thunder’s game against the Sacramento Kings. Poku only played 10 minutes in the Thunder’s last game, so we should be able to expect a similar rotation, although the Thunder have been prone to change things up dramatically from game to game as they tried to increase their lottery odds. Isaiah Roby should start again, while Darius Bazley moves down a position. This should open up some more minutes for Gabriel Deck, Svi Mykhailiuk, and Ty Jerome possibly, but the biggest winners will likely be Roby, Bazley, and Lu Dort, who should continue to lead the team in usage when active.
As reported by: Andrew Schlecht via Twitter
Patrick Beverley (hand) upgraded to questionable Tuesday
Beverley has missed the last 12 games due to a fractured wrist, but was upgraded to questionable to make his return ahead of the Clippers game against the Toronto Raptors. According to Woj, Beverley is “progressing on making his return to the lineup”, which makes it seem like he’s closer to probable. His status won’t likely be confirmed until closer to game-time, but this would be a boost for the Clippers. Reggie Jackson would likely move to the bench, but there’s a chance Beverley gets eased into action and Reggie gets one more start. This will mostly eliminate all value from the Clippers outside of Kawhi and PG-13; the point guard minutes will be split, and players like Kennard and Mann may be removed from the rotation entirely if Beverley plays. Unfortunately, the Clippers game starts two hours after every other game, so it’ll be difficult to monitor, but it’s not a huge slate shaking return either way.
As reported by: Tomer Azarly via Twitter Jerami Grant (knee), Mason Plumlee (rest), Cory Joseph (ankle), Josh Jackson (tooth), Wayne Ellington (calf), and Dennis Smith Jr. (knee) all ruled out Tuesday; Frank Jackson (quad) and Hamidou Diallo (knee) listed questionable
Earlier in the year, the Pistons used back-to-backs to try to tank during one half. Now it looks like they’re going for both ends, and will be shorthanded yet again as they prepare to play the Charlotte Hornets. The usual suspects for the Pistons (Grant, Plumlee, Joseph, Ellington, and DSJ) are all out, but the new name is Josh Jackson, who came off the bench yesterday but is now ruled out due to a tooth injury. Diallo and Frank Jackson are both questionable, which are big news items; if they both sit, the Pistons would only have eight healthy bodies. Jahlil Okafor is not listed on the injury report; he missed the last two games due to personal reasons, but should be available to play and will back up Isaiah Stewart, which may cap some of his upside. The big winners will likely be similar names we’ve seen for the Pistons recently; Killian Hayes and Saddiq Bey should be in line for big minutes and will be the top producers, while Frank Jackson and Diallo (if they plays) may have to help out at the wings now that Josh Jackson is not there. Stewart should still be a good play, but with Okafor back he may lose some minutes. Overall, the Pistons will give us another slate where they are a popular value.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Other tagged players: Mason Plumlee, Josh Jackson, Wayne Ellington, Dennis Smith Jr., Frank Jackson, Hamidou Diallo Lonzo Ball (thumb) and Steven Adams (toe) questionable Tuesday
Ahead of their rematch against the Golden State Warriors, the Pelicans may be without two of their regular starters. Lonzo was added to the injury report with a thumb injury, while Steven Adams was added due to a toe injury; both players are listed as questionable. Adams has missed the last two games, leading to starts for Willy Hernangomez, whose price has gone up across the industry. Lonzo’s addition is new; he played 40 minutes last night, and has averaged 36 minutes over the last five games. If Lonzo sits, Kira Lewis would likely start in his place and be a top value option. From a production standpoint, Zion is a huge winner with no Lonzo on the court; he averages 1.42 FPM with no Lonzo on the floor, up from his average of 1.30 per CourtIQ. Taking Adams off the floor boosts him up to 1.48, so Zion would be a great play if either sit. Eric Bledsoe shows some boosts up as well, but this would certainly be the Zion show if either player sits, and even more so if they both due. Kira and Hernangomez are also viable options if Lonzo or Adams sit.
As reported by: Jim Eichenhofer via Twitter Other tagged players: Steven Adams OG Anunoby (injury recovery) ruled out Tuesday
Anunoby was downgraded from doubtful to out, and will miss the Raptors game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Anunoby missed last game as well for the Raptors, leading to a start for Stanley Johnson in his place. Johnson played 30 minutes last game, but only produced 10 fantasy points; he’s known for usually producing at a poor per minute rate, and will likely continue to do so now that Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry will both be available to play. Anunoby off the court does lead to some boosts up to the other players, particularly VanVleet; per CourtIQ, he averages 1.17 FPM with Anunoby off the floor, up from his 1.08 FPM average. Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry show some boosts up as well. It’s likely that Anunoby’s absence leads to more production for the Raptors starters, and not to those who will fill in his minutes.
As reported by: Blake Murphy via Twitter Miles Bridges (protocols) and PJ Washington (personal) ruled out Tuesday
The Hornets had two players ruled out this morning as they prepare to play the Detroit Pistons. PJ Washington was ruled out due to personal reasons, while Bridges has entered the health and safety protocols. It’s unclear how long Bridges will be out, but Woj mentioned that he may be out for multiple games as he’s currently entering quarantine. Bridges hasn’t missed a game all year, so his absence will certainly felt, as he’s averaged 36 minutes over the last six games. Washington has started at center, so his minutes will likely be filled by Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo. With no Bridges, it’ll likely be Jalen McDaniels and Caleb Martin re-entering the rotation to help from a minutes. Devonte’ Graham and Cody Martin are out as well, so the Hornets will be severely shorthanded. They haven’t played many minutes without both Bridges and Washington on the floor, but whoever starts for the Hornets will be the biggest winners, along with LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier.
As reported by: the Charlotte Hornets via Twitter Other tagged players: PJ Washington Lineup update: Lakers will start Caruso, Caldwell-Pope, Kuzma, Davis, and Drummond Monday
The Lakers will go ahead and start Caruso and Kuzma in place of Schroder and Lebron. Caruso is probably the chalkiest value on the slate, as he’s minimum priced and in line to play 30 mins and handle the ball more with both of the primary facilitators off the floor. Kuzma should be in line to show increased usage, and more minutes as well; he played 36 yesterday and may have to again if the game remains competitive.
As reported by: Ryan Ward via Twitter Other tagged players: Kyle Kuzma Lineup update: Thad Young will start for Nikola Vucevic Monday
Thad will get the start in place of Vucevic again Monday, just as he did for the Bulls last game. Daniel Theis will move to the 5, while Lauri Markkanen will play more minutes off the bench, as will Denzel Valentine.
As reported by: Chuck Swirsky via Twitter Grayson Allen (hand) will start Monday
Allen was upgraded from questionable to available and will make his return to the Grizzlies against the New York Knicks. Allen will start, moving Desmond Bane back to the bench. Since it’s a hand injury that Allen had, it’s likely he’s okay to continue his usual minutes role, which makes him a viable salary saver, but not the best one in a tough matchup against the Knicks.
As reported by: Rob Fischer via Twitter Lineup update: Taj Gibson will start for Nerlens Noel Monday
As expected, Gibson will start in place of the injured Noel. This makes him one of the best values on the board, as he projects for 30 plus minutes and should be able to at least rebound the ball at a good rate.
As reported by: Rob Fischer via Twitter Nerlens Noel (ankle) ruled out Monday
Noel was downgraded from questionable with an ankle injury to out, and will miss the game against the Memphis Grizzlies. With Mitchell Robinson still out, the Knicks will have to rely on Taj Gibson to play center for big stretches of time. Gibson played 32 minutes yesterday, and there’s no question Thibodeau loves him as well as runs his starters heavy minutes, so he should be an elite value on the slate. Norvel Pelle and Obi Toppin will help back him up, with Julius Randle playing more as a small-ball center.
As reported by: Stefan Bondy via Twitter Norman Powell (knee) available to play Monday
Powell was upgraded from questionable to available and will be able to play against the Atlanta Hawks. Powell should be able to play his usual heavy minutes, as he played 39 minutes last game and coach Stotts loves to run his starters heavy minutes.
As reported by: Casey Holdahl via Twitter Grayson Allen (hand) a game-time decision Monday
Allen is a game-time decision as he tries to return from a hand injury that’s cost him the last two games. If he sits, it’ll be another start for Desmond Bane, with De’Anthony Melton picking up a few more minutes off the bench.
As reported by: Evan Barnes via Twitter Zach LaVine (protocols) and Nikola Vucevic (adductor) ruled out Monday
The Bulls will be without their top two cogs, as they prepare to play the Philadelphia 76ers. LaVine was listed as doubtful to return from the health and safety protocols, and ultimately won’t make his return. Vucevic will miss his second straight game with an adductor injury, which should lead to another Thad Young start. Young will be a great value as a result; he played 33 minutes last game while starting, and should be a viable play. Daniel Theis and Patrick Williams may more get minutes as they did last game as well to chip in the frontcourt. Coby White and Young will be the top options again for the Bulls, as they look to fill a giant hole of usage with no Vucevic.
As reported by: KC Johnson via Twitter Other tagged players: Nikola Vucevic Andrew Wiggins (knee) will play Monday
Wiggins was upgraded from questionable with a knee injury to available, and will play against the New Orleans Pelicans. He should be in line for his usual 36 minutes or so, and will be a viable value as the Warriors likely run their usual 8 man rotation.
As reported by: Anthony Slater via Twitter