DFS Alerts

Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring), Goga Bitadze (ankle), and Jeremy Lamb (knee) all ruled out Saturday; Domantas Sabonis (back) a game-time decision

The Pacers had four players questionable entering tonight’s game, and will be without at least three as they prepare to play the OKC Thunder. Brogdon is the biggest name, and he was ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Goga and Lamb have been out for a while; Goga will miss his sixth straight game, while Lamb will miss his seventh. Sabonis is a game-time decision, and an injury that changes the whole complexion of the team and really the slate overall. With no Brogdon, an active Sabonis would be a phenomenal play; he would be forced into big minutes due to the frontcourt shortages, while also leading the team in usage. If he sits, Oshae Brissett will be forced to play almost all of the center minutes; JaKarr Sampson and Goga would both be missing. From a production standpoint, LeVert and TJ McConnell are great plays now, and would be even better if Sabonis sits. The Lamb injury means a few more minutes for Justin Holiday, with Aaron Holiday likely re-entering the rotation. Sabonis’ news is a massive deal and will open up tremendous value if he sits.

Nemanja Bjelica (illness) ruled out Saturday

Bjelica was ruled out due to an illness and will miss the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Bjelica usually doesn’t play in the rotation, but occasionally plays a rotation or two in the frontcourt. Precious Achuiwa should take those minutes now if needed.

Lauri Markannen (illness) and Nic Vucevic (adductor) will play Saturday

Vucevic and Markkanen were both upgraded from questionable to available, and will play against the Atlanta Hawks. Vucevic should continue soaking up the usage for the starting lineup, while Markkanen will come off the bench and likely play his usual 24 minutes or so. Yesterday’s game was without Markkanen, so the extended minutes for Patrick Williams and Thad Young should go down to an extent.

Lineup update: Charlie Brown Jr. will start Saturday

Charlie Brown will get the start for the Thunder against the Pacers, according to coach Daigneault. The Thunder want to get an extended look at him since he’s on a 10 day, and he will start in place of the injured Pokusevski. It’s difficult to project an exact amount of minutes for Brown since his start is so sudden, but it’s likely he stays within the low-mid 20’s. Kenrich Williams will likely remain out of the rotation as a result. At a cheap price, Brown isn’t the worst punt in a high-paced affair with the Pacers.

Status update: D'Angelo Russell no longer on a minutes restriction, but will likely continue to play around 30 minutes a game

Russell is not on an official minutes restriction anymore, but will likely continue to play around 30 minutes, per coach Finch. Finch said that it’s easier to manage Russell’s role of the bench if he keeps him in that 30 minute range, so although there is potential for him to play more, it’s likely that will be the safest projection for him going forward.

Lineup update: Magic will start Anthony, Harris, Bacon, Wagner, and Carter Jr. Saturday

Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring) and Kevin Huerter (shoulder) game-time decisions Saturday

On the second half of a back-to-back, the Hawks will have two key cogs be game-time decisions against the Chicago Bulls. Bogdanovic has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, and is questionable to make his return. Huerter was listed doubtful before missing yesterday’s game, but was upgraded to questionable with a shoulder injury for tonight’s game. The Hawks were blown out yesterday, but without both wings it was clear where the minutes would flow. Trae Young should dominate usage in the starting lineup, while Tony Snell and Solomon Hill should both start and play big minutes at the wings, as that’s where they are mostly lacking. Lou Williams will play alongside Trae as well at times. Should they both sit, Trae is certainly the biggest winner.

Hamidou Diallo (knee) ruled out Saturday

As expected, Diallo was downgraded from doubtful to out, and will miss the Pistons game against the Charlotte Hornets. The Pistons are doing one of their increasingly common rest days; they’ll be without half of their team, including key contributors Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee, and Cory Joseph. Since it’s happened often enough, we’ve been able to realize who the biggest winners are. Killian Hayes and Isaiah Stewart are the top producers stepping, and should continue to be tonight. Josh Jackson and Saddiq Bey should start and play the bulk of the minutes on the wings, while Saben Lee and Frank Jackson will be key contributors off the bench. Overall, Diallo’s absence gives more minutes to the bench wings, and makes them viable at cheap salaries.

Status update: Draymond Green listed probable Saturday

Green is now listed as probable with his shoulder injury, an upgrade from his previously questionable status. This is obviously a better sign he plays, and he’ll likely get his usual 33-36 minutes, with the second most fantasy points on the team, behind Steph.

Lineup update: Hornets will start Ball, Rozier, Cody Martin, Bridges, and Washington Saturday

Kelly Oubre Jr. (wrist) ruled out Saturday; Draymond Green (shoulder) remains questionable

Oubre was ruled out due to a wrist injury and will miss his second straight game against the Houston Rockets. Draymond remains questionable with a shoulder injury and will likely be a game-time decision. With no Oubre, the Warriors should continue to run a tight rotation. Kent Bazemore will get most of the minutes as he should continue to start, while Mychal Mulder and Juan Toscano-Anderson should fill in as well. If Draymond sits as well, the Warriors may be on thin ice and forced to run even heavier minutes to Bazemore, Wiggins, and Steph, with possibly Alen Smailagic or Nico Mannion re-entering the rotation. From a production standpoint, it’s all Steph, with Draymond and Bazemore good plays alongside him.

LaMelo Ball (wrist) and Malik Monk (ankle) officially available to play Saturday

As expected, LaMelo and Monk were both upgraded from questionable to available, and will make their return tonight against the Detroit Pistons. After a long absence for each player, both Ball and Monk will be eased in to the rotation. Coach Borrego said he plans on playing both of them in 4-5 minute spurs to get their conditioning up, but he was unsure as to what total minutes limit that would be. Devonte’ Graham will move to the bench, as LaMelo will start in his first game back. It’s difficult to play Ball or Monk, as their ceiling for minutes will be capped, but they do put a big dent in the play of everyone around, particularly Ball. He usually leads the team in usage and assist percentage, so that will take away from Graham and Rozier the most, with Wanamaker and McDaniels likely losing minutes.

Donovan Mitchell (ankle) and Mike Conley (hamstring) remain out Saturday

As expected, the Jazz will continue to be without their starting backcourt as they prepare to play the Toronto Raptors. Mitchell will be out at least another week, while Conley may be back sooner but it’s unclear at this time. This should continue to benefit Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles more than anyone, with Georges Niang a viable cheap value play.

Darius Garland (ankle) ruled out Saturday

Garland rolled his ankle in yesterday’s loss, and was ruled out as a result ahead of the Cavs game against the Miami Heat. The Cavs are now down to ten healthy bodies, and will need some help in the backcourt particularly as Matthew Dellavedova is also out. Cedi Osman will likely join the starting lineup, moving Issac Okoro one spot; Dean Wade is another option for the starting spot. Collin Sexton will certainly benefit from the news, but surprisingly Jarrett Allen shows good splits with Garland off the floor; his assist rate goes up over 4%, per CourtIQ. Still, in a tough matchup against the Heat, the biggest benefactor may be Osman; he will likely be thrust into heavy minutes as he was in the past when the Cavs were shorthanded.

James Ennis (calf) and Terrence Ross (back) ruled out Saturday

Ennis was ruled out due to a calf injury he suffered last game, while Ross will miss his eighth straight game with back spasms as the Magic prepare to play a rematch with the Memphis Grizzlies. This leaves the Magic with only nine healthy bodies, and some heavy minutes to allocate as a result. Moe Wagner should get the start at power forward like he did yesterday, while Dwayne Bacon should join the starting lineup in place of Ennis. With how shorthanded the Magic are, there isn’t much CourtIQ data to glean, but the minutes will be key. Gary Harris and Cole Anthony should each play 32 minutes or more, with Chasson Randle backing them up. Bacon and RJ Hampton will also play big minutes in the wing, while the frontcourt should be handled by Wendell Carter, Mo Bamba, and Moe Wagner. Wagner will be an elite value play; he played 28 minutes yesterday, and may have to do so again at the minimum price. With only nine bodies, the majority of these players will pop in projections due to the sheer minutes there are to be played.