DFS Alerts
Clint Capela (back) available to play Sunday; Kris Dunn (ankle) officially ruled out
Capela’s absence will be limited to just one game, as he was upgraded from questionable and will play against the Milwaukee Bucks. Dunn was listed as doubtful for the first time all year after ankle surgery, but will sit as expected as he gets nearer to a season debut. With Capela back, Onyeka Okongwu will move back to the bench and will likely only play spot minutes. Capela doesn’t appear to be on a minutes restriction, and coach Nate McMillan is never shy about playing his regulars heavy minutes, so it’s possible Capela gets full run. It’s also a slight downtick for John Collins, who doesn’t get as much production with Capela on the floor.
As reported by: Brad Rowland via Twitter Other tagged players: Kris Dunn
Lineup update: Cedi Osman will start for Collin Sexton (concussion) Sunday
Osman will get the start in place of Collin Sexton, after not playing in the last five games. The Cavs will look to replace Sexton’s ballhandling with Osman. Larry Nance Jr. and Matthew Dellavedova should be the primary reserves, along with Dean Wade.
As reported by: Chris Fedor via Twitter PJ Tucker (ankle) and Rodions Kurucs (arm) ruled out Sunday; Bryn Forbes (thigh) a game-time decision
Of the three Bucks questionable players, at least two of them will have to sit out against the Atlanta Hawks. Tucker was downgraded to out due to his ankle injury, while Kurucs was ruled out due to bicep injury. Forbes will test out his thigh injury during warmups and will be a game-time decision. With no Tucker, it’s likely a few more minutes for Bobby Portis and possibly a re-entry into the rotation for Thanasis Antetokoumpo. Kurucs usually only plays in garbage time so his absence won’t be relevant. If Forbes sits, it’ll elevate Pat Connaughton’s minutes by a few as well.
As reported by: Mike Conti via Twitter Other tagged players: Rodions Kurucs, Bryn Forbes Clint Capela (back) a game-time decision Sunday
Capela will be a game-time decision for the Hawks as they prepare to face the Milwaukee Bucks. Capela missed last game with a back injury, which lead to a start for Onyeka Okongwu. If Capela sits, John Collins would see a bump up as well as Okongwu (assuming he starts). With no Trae Young as well, the Hawks would be quite shorthanded and relying heavily on Kevin Huerter and Bogdan Bogdanovic, as they did last game.
As reported by: Mike Conti via Twitter Lineup update: Anthony Gill will start for Wizards Sunday
Gill will get the start for the Wizards Sunday, as he fills in for Rui Hachimura. Last game, it was Issac Bonga who started, but Gill got the start for the second half and played 16 minutes in the second half. This should raise his ceiling slightly for the Wizards, but usage will still flow through Westbrook and Beal.
As reported by: the Washington Wizards via Twitter Terrence Ross (back) and James Ennis (calf) ruled out Sunday; Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) available to play
The Magic had three questionable players, and will be getting one back as they prepare to play the Indiana Pacers. Carter will be available to return after missing one game with an ankle injury, but Ross and Ennis were ruled out due to their respective back and calf injuries; both players will miss their fourth straight game. With Carter back, he’ll likely go back into the starting lineup and will push Mo Bamba to the bench. Dwayne Bacon should continue to start in place of Ennis as he has the last few games. With no Ross and Ennis, it’ll likely be more minutes for RJ Hampton, Gary Harris, and Devin Cannady at the wings, along with Bacon.
As reported by: the Orlando Magic via Twitter Other tagged players: James Ennis III, Wendell Carter Jr. Derrick Jones Jr. (hip) available to play Sunday
Jones Jr. was upgraded from questionable with a hip injury to available and will play against the Memphis Grizzlies. Jones should continue to play his usual role off the bench, and play minutes in the teens.
As reported by: Jay Allen via Twitter Lineup update: Nets will start Irving, Shamet, Harris, Green, and Jordan on Sunday; Kevin Durant will play off the bench
The Nets will keep Durant even more protected, as they’ll play him off the bench. Shamet will continue to start, and could get a few more minutes as a result. Also, Jordan gets the start over Blake Griffin to matchup better with the Suns and Ayton, but this should be an even split at center most likely.
As reported by: Billy Reinhardt via Twitter Other tagged players: DeAndre Jordan Jonas Valanciunas (concussion) will play Sunday
After missing three games due to the concussion protocol, Valanciunas was upgraded from questionable to available and will play against the Portland Trail Blazers. With JoVal back, Tillman will move to the bench and play his usual role of backup center. With no Jaren Jackson Jr. today, Kyle Anderson and Brandon Clarke should split the power forward minutes. JoVal usually gets a huge portion of the rebounds and usage when he’s on the floor, so this should be slight bumps down for the rest of the starters, particularly Anderson and Clarke (as well as Tillman).
As reported by: Jay Allen via Twitter Lineup update: Kevin Durant will be on a minutes restriction Sunday; likely "won't play 30 minutes" per Coach Steve Nash
As a follow up note, coach Nash mentioned in his pre-game news conference that he doesn’t want to just run Durant out for heavy minutes for the next few games. Nash said he wants KD to see “significant minutes”, but that they don’t “want to throw him out for “30ish”. Although there’s nothing definitive here, it certainly reduces Durant’s ceiling a bit. We are currently projecting KD for 28 minutes, but there is certainly some volatility within that number.
As reported by: Alex Schiffer via Twitter Brynn Forbes (thigh), P.J. Tucker (ankle), and Rodions Kurucs (arm) listed questionable Sunday
On the second half of a back-to-back, the Bucks could be without some of their bench depth as they prepare to play the Atlanta Hawks. Forbes and Tucker are the bigger names to watch, as they are both regulars in the rotation. Forbes usually plays 15-18 minutes off the bench for guard depth, while Tucker plays around 19 minutes or so and helps out for frontcourt depth. Neither player on their own are great DFS plays, but if they both sit, it could be a few more minutes for the Bucks starters, as well as Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton off the bench.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Other tagged players: P.J. Tucker, Rodions Kurucs Domantas Sabonis (back) listed out Sunday; Jeremy Lamb (knee), Doug McDermott (ankle), and Goga Bitadze (ankle) listed questionable Sunday
The Pacers will be in a familiar spot as they were yesterday, as they prepare to play the Orlando Magic. Sabonis will miss his fourth straight game with a back injury, while Lamb, McDermott, and Goga are all questionable. All three had the same designation yesterday; McDermott was cleared to play, while Goga and Lamb were ultimately ruled out due to their injuries. The frontcourt woes should continue to allow JaKarr Sampson and Oshae Brissett to shine. Sampson started at center and played 21 minutes, while Oshae played a whopping 38 minutes after starting at the 4, while playing some center as well. Brissett would be a great value again if Goga ends up sitting. McDermott’s return yesterday led to him playing 24 minutes; his return took away mostly from Justin Holiday, who came off the bench and only played 19 minutes. If Lamb ends up playing, he’ll take away a few minutes from Edmond Sumner most likely. Goga’s injury is the biggest one to watch; it would lead to big value for Brissett again, and possibly for Sampson as well.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Other tagged players: Jeremy Lamb, Goga Bitadze, Doug McDermott Kevin Durant (thigh) and Tyler Johnson (knee) available to play Sunday
As expected, KD and Johnson were both upgraded from probable to available and will play against the Phoenix Suns. Durant missed three games with a thigh contusion, while Johnson was out for 10 games due to a knee injury. It’ll be interesting to see how many minutes Durant plays in his first game back; the Nets have been very cautious with their stars after returning from injury. He should start, while Landry Shamet likely moves to the bench. Durant should lead the team in usage, while Kyrie Irving takes a big step back, as well as the Nets other peripheral players; Joe Harris, Shamet, and Jeff Green will all lose some value as well. As for Johnson, he’ll likely come off the bench and possibly play a few minutes in the teens; there’s a chance he doesn’t play in favor of Mike James, who was recently signed to a 10-day contract.
As reported by: Alex Schiffer via Twitter Other tagged players: Tyler Johnson Lineup update: PJ Dozier will start in place of Will Barton Saturday
Dozier gets the start in place of Barton as expected, alongside Campazzo. As the Nuggets are losing bodies, Dozier may have to play big minutes, and is a good value as a result.
As reported by: Jonathan Feigen via Twitter Lineup update: Rockets will start Brooks, Tate, Martin, Wilson, and Olynyk Saturday
The Rockets will start KJ Martin and DJ Wilson Saturday, putting Danuel House to the bench. This makes House extremely risky based on previous reports, and his upside is severely capped. Wilson and Martin are good plays at cheap salaries, while Tate, Brooks, and Olynyk are all the top producers for the team.
As reported by: Jonathan Feigen via Twitter Other tagged players: Danuel House Jr.