DFS Alerts
Fred VanVleet (hip) and Deandre Bembry (hamstring) will play Friday; Jalen Harris (hip) and Gary Trent (ankle) ruled out
Coach Nurse confirmed what we were expecting based off the most recent injury report as the Raptors prepare to play the Orlando Magic. VanVleet and Bembry are both able to play, while Harris and Trent were downgraded from doubtful to out. VanVleet is back after missing seven games, and he will likely dominate production. In a sample of only 74 minutes with Lowry, Siakam, Anunoby, and Trent off the floor, VanVleet averages 1.70 FPM with a 44% usage and a 47% assist rate per CourtIQ. There’s no question that those rates are higher than to be expected due to a small sample size, but it does show how VanVleet should dominate the ball. Malachi Flynn has been a popular value the last few slates, but with FVV back, he’ll struggle to produce at the same rate. Bembry, Chris Boucher, and Khem Birch should all play heavy minutes and should be good values at various price points.
As reported by: Eric Koreen via Twitter Other tagged players: DeAndre Bembry, Jalen Harris, Gary Trent Jr.
Kawhi Leonard (foot) ruled out Friday; Paul George (illness) now questionable
The Clippers will be at least partially shorthanded, and possibly be severely shorthanded as they prepare to play the Philadelphia 76ers. Kawhi was downgraded from questionable to out that has caused him to miss the last three games. PG is now questionable, as coach Lue mentioned he is feeling under the weather. George didn’t go through warmups, so it’s looking quite iffy that he ends up playing. We saw this from the Clippers last game as well. If both Kawhi and PG are out, there will be a dearth of usage that needs to be filled, along with big minutes. Luke Kennard and Terrence Mann will stay in the starting lineup, and both will be good plays. In 215 minutes with Ibaka, Leonard, and George off the floor, Kennard averages 0.96 FPM per CourtIQ, up from his average of 0.76 FPM. Marcus Morris will also have a higher usage, while Nicolas Batum and Ivica Zubac will be better plays as well. The Clippers will have a few options to fill out minutes, but Kennard, Mann, and Morris will likely be the best options for the team. If George does end up playing and has no issues, he could be a great play; he averages 1.49 FPM with no Kawhi and Ibaka, up from his 1.20 average. He’d be an elite play, but there’s certainly risk due to how he’s been feeling.
As reported by: Shane Young via Twitter Other tagged players: Paul George Tomas Satoransky (back) downgraded to questionable Friday
Satoransky was originally listed as probable, but was downgraded to questionable with back spasms as the Bulls play the Memphis Grizzlies. Sato missing will be a big deal, as the Bulls are already without Zach Lavine due to the health and safety protocols. Satoransky has been starting and playing more minutes lately, as coach Donovan has not been happy with Coby White’s play lately. Even so, White and Troy Brown Jr. will likely join the starting lineup if Sato were to sit along with Lavine. The Bulls have been playing bigger lineups lately, as Daniel Theis has played 28 minutes the last two games. The Bulls do play a lot of bodies regularly, but with Sato and Lavine out, White, Brown Jr., and Garrett Temple would likely pick up the minutes, with Denzel Valentine also chipping in as well.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report DeAndre Bembry (hamstring) now probable Friday
The Raptors will be shorthanded but may get Bembry back, as they prepare to play the Orlando Magic. Bembry was originally listed as doubtful yesterday due to hamstring soreness, questionable earlier today, and now probable. They are already without Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, and OG Anunoby, and are likely to be without Gary Trent Jr and Jalen Harris, both of whom remain doubtful. Fred VanVleet will be back after missing seven games, and he will likely dominate production. In a sample of only 74 minutes with Lowry, Siakam, Anunoby, and Trent off the floor, VanVleet averages 1.70 FPM with a 44% usage and a 47% assist rate per CourtIQ. There’s no question that those rates are higher than to be expected due to a small sample size, but it does show how VanVleet should dominate the ball. Malachi Flynn has been a popular value the last few slates, but with FVV back, he’ll struggle to produce at the same rate. Now that it looks like Bembry will play, he could be thrust into heavy minutes as Nurse chooses to trust him often. Bembry will likely be thrown into the starting lineup as well.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Davis Bertans (personal) ruled out Friday
Bertans was ruled out due to personal reasons and will miss the game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Bertans has been playing around 22-26 minutes off the bench since he’s returned from a long injury absence. With him out, Chandler Hutchinson will likely re-enter the rotation and play some minutes as he did last time Bertans was out. Deni Avdija and Garrison Matthews will also pick up a few more minutes as a result. Bertans doesn’t produce much per minute, and this will still be Russell Westbrook’s and Bradley Beal’s offense.
As reported by: the Washington Wizards via Twitter Tobias Harris (knee) unlikely to play Friday, per coach Rivers
According to coach Rivers, Harris is “probably doubtful” as the 76ers prepare to face the LA Clippers. Dwight Howard remains questionable for the game due to knee soreness. Harris was listed as questionable on the new injury report, so there’s still a chance he suits up, but it’s worth assuming that he’ll end up sitting. The last game he sat, Matisse Thybulle ended up getting the start, which is what seems most likely as of now. The bigger impact is from a production standpoint; with Harris off the floor, Joel Embiid is a big winner. Embiid averages an astonishing 1.84 FPM per CourtIQ with Harris off the floor, up from his average of 1.61. Shake Milton also has massive bumps in the split, averaging 1.08 FPM, up from 0.91. Ben Simmons and Seth Curry would likely play a few more minutes as well. Embiid is the biggest winner by far and would be a top play of the entire slate.
As reported by: Shane Young via Twitter Damian Lillard (hamstring) questionable Friday
Lillard was a late addition to the injury report with a hamstring injury and is now questionable as the Blazers prepare to play the San Antonio Spurs. Lillard’s absence would be obviously huge; he’s one of the league leaders in minutes per game, and is the Blazers top option on the team. Although Anfernee Simons would get more minutes as a ballhandler, the Blazers might opt to start Derrick Jones as they have in the past when Lillard sat, while CJ McCollum and Norman Powell each slide down a position. CJ McCollum is the most obvious winner if Lillard ends up sitting; per CourtIQ, he averages a team leading 31.4% usage and a 32% assist percentage, up from his averages of 28% usage and 23% assist. Carmelo Anthony and Jusuf Nurkic show big improvements from a FPM perspective as well, as they both have a higher usage and assist percentage as well. Lillard’s late addition to the injury report is always worrisome, and his news becomes one of the biggest on the slate.
As reported by: Casey Holdahl via Twitter Myles Turner (ankle), Doug McDermott (ankle), and JaKarr Sampson (back) all ruled out Friday
The Pacers had two questionable players against the Utah Jazz, yet somehow will be missing three players as they prepare for their matinee. Turner will miss his sixth game in a row due to his ankle injury, while McDermott will miss his second game in a row with his own ankle sprain. Sampson was a surprise inactive, as he suffered some back spasms pre-game after not being listed on the injury report; he hasn’t played the last few games anyways. The Pacers have been starting Domantas Sabonis at center in the games Turner has missed, with Justin Holiday as a small-ball power forward, and Goga Bitadze backing up Turner. McDermott has been coming off the bench since the Pacers went to the new lineup. With no Turner, Sabonis and Caris LeVert show big bumps in production; per CourtIQ, LeVert averages 1.18 FPM, up from his 1.04 average, while Sabonis is at 1.34 FPM, up from his 1.27 average. With no McDermott, it should be more minutes for Holiday, Edmond Sumner, and Jeremy Lamb off the bench. Lamb played 30 minutes off the bench last game, so he looks to be biggest beneficiary of McDermott missing. On the one-game slate, the Pacers will be hard-pressed to score points against the tough defense of the Jazz, but Sabonis, Brogdon, Levert, and Lamb will do their best.
As reported by: the Indiana Pacers via Twitter Other tagged players: Doug McDermott, JaKarr Sampson Jordan Clarkson (ankle) will play Friday; Derrick Favors (knee) ruled out
After a four game absence due to an ankle injury, Clarkson was upgraded form probable to available and will play in the matinee against the Indiana Pacers. Favors was ruled out however, due to a knee injury; he was originally listed as doubtful, so this should come as no surprise. Clarkson should go right back into his role of sparkplug off the bench, as it doesn’t appear that he will have any minutes restrictions. He’ll take a few minutes away from Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley, and Joe Ingles, as well as removing Miye Oni and Matt Thomas likely from the regular rotation. Favors only plays fifteen minutes a game or so as the backup to Rudy Gobert, so those minutes will likely be picked up by Juwan Morgan or Ersan Ilyasova, as well as potentially a minute or two more for Gobert.
As reported by: Andy Larsen via Twitter Other tagged players: Derrick Favors DeAndre Bembry (hamstring) upgraded to questionable Friday
The Raptors have a chance of getting one more player back, as they prepare to play the Orlando Magic. Bembry was originally listed as doubtful yesterday due to hamstring soreness, but was upgraded to questionable, a good sign as the Raptors could use the body. They are already without Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, and OG Anunoby, and are likely to be without Gary Trent Jr and Jalen Harris, both of whom remain doubtful. Fred VanVleet will be back after missing seven games, and he will likely dominate production. In a sample of only 74 minutes with Lowry, Siakam, Anunoby, and Trent off the floor, VanVleet averages 1.70 FPM with a 44% usage and a 47% assist rate per CourtIQ. There’s no question that those rates are higher than to be expected due to a small sample size, but it does show how VanVleet should dominate the ball. Malachi Flynn has been a popular value the last few slates, but with FVV back, he’ll struggle to produce at the same rate. If Bembry plays, he could be thrust into heavy minutes as Nurse chooses to trust him often. If he ends up sitting, Rodney Hood and Yuta Watanabe will try to pickup some more minutes as one of them would likely get the start.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Hamidou Diallo (knee) listed questionable Friday
Diallo was added to the injury report with a knee injury, and is questionable to play in the tankfest that is the Pistons vs the OKC Thunder. The Pistons are already without half of their team: Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee, Rodney McGruder, Dennis Smith Jr., Cory Joseph, and Wayne Ellington have all been ruled out due to various ailments and resting. If Diallo does end up sitting, Frank Jackson will likely end up in the starting lineup for him, as the Pistons don’t have many other options to play shooting guard. With all the injuries, the Pistons currently have eleven bodies, and would have ten if Diallo sat. The best play looks to be Isaiah Stewart, who should get the start at center; at a cheap salary across the industry, he’ll have a great opportunity to make value. Josh Jackson, Saddiq Bey, and Killian Hayes will all likely have to play big minutes. CourtIQ doesn’t have too much data with all the Pistons off, so following the minutes and the starting lineup will be key news as we await for Diallo’s status.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Lonzo Ball (hip) officially available Friday
After missing the last four games with a hip injury, Lonzo is officially available to play against the Washington Wizards. Lonzo was listed as questionable, upgraded to probable last night, and now is good to go. Lonzo should reclaim his role as starting point guard, moving Eric Bledsoe over to the shooting guard and moving Naji Marshall to the bench. With Lonzo back, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson will lose some usage and assist percentage, while the minutes for Marshall and James Johnson will be gone almost entirely. In the game with the highest total on the slate, Lonzo should be a good play along with Ingram and Zion.
As reported by: the New Orleans Pelicans via Twitter Alec Burks (protocols) ruled out Friday
Burks has entered the health and safety protocols, and will miss the Knicks game against the Dallas Mavericks. Burks had been coming off the bench and usually has a wide range of minutes that he could end up playing; in his last four games, he’s played as few as 16 and as many as 33. Reggie Bullock will likely pick up most of his minutes, as he’s usually the one who comes off the floor when Burks comes in. RJ Barrett will likely pick up a few more minutes as well, while Immanuel Quickley could pick up a few more minutes as well.
As reported by: the New York Knicks via Twitter Lonzo Ball (hip) says he'll play Friday
After missing the last four games with a hip injury, Lonzo mentioned pregame that he’d be playing tonight against the Washington Wizards. Lonzo was listed as questionable, upgraded to probable last night, and now appears to be a go. Lonzo should reclaim his role as starting point guard, moving Eric Bledsoe over to the shooting guard and moving Naji Marshall to the bench. With Lonzo back, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson will lose some usage and assist percentage, while the minutes for Marshall and James Johnson will be gone almost entirely. In the game with the highest total on the slate, Lonzo should be a good play along with Ingram and Zion.
As reported by: Andrew Lopez via Twitter Lineup update: Lakers will start Schroder, Caldwell-Pope, Matthews, Kuzma, and Gasol on Thursday
Not only will Schroder end up starting, but Matthews will as well, over Talen Horton-Tucker. This makes Matthews in line to get a few more minutes, but he doesn’t produce well from a fantasy perspective usually. Schroder and Kuzma should dominate usage with this starting lineup, and Montrezl Harrell will help out as well.
As reported by: Mike Trudell via Twitter