DFS Alerts
Jordan Clarkson (ankle) doubtful Thursday
After playing 25 minutes last night for the Jazz, Clarkson was listed as doubtful with an ankle injury as the Jazz take on the Portland Trail Blazers. Also of note, Mike Conley wasn’t listed on the injury report; he usually has sat out all back to backs, but perhaps with Clarkson unavailable, the Jazz may decided they need to have Conley available. If Clarkson ends up sitting, Joe Ingles may play a few more minutes off the bench, along with Miye Oni and Matt Thomas possibly re-entering the rotation. From a production standpoint, nobody of the Jazz regulars show major splits with Clarkson off the floor; Donovan Mitchell shows a slight bump, but not a substantial one. It’s most likely the extra minutes that Mitchell, Ingles, Conley, and Bojan Bogdanovic would see that would make them good plays.
As reported by: the Utah Jazz via Twitter
Status update: Freddie Gillepsie (protocols) unable to make Raptors debut Thursday
Gillepsie signed a ten day contract to join the Raptors, but won’t clear protocols in time as the Raptors take on the Chicago Bulls. Although Gillepsie wasn’t projected to have a large role, he would’ve given the Raptors nine healthy bodies; without him they’ll have eight. With no DeAndre Bembry (who was suspended), along with the Raptors who have been out the last few games (including Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet), the Raptors will be severely shorthanded. Malachi Flynn should get the start at point guard and be a great value, while Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Gary Trent Jr. will all play heavy minutes. Chris Boucher and Aron Baynes will likely split the center minutes, while Stanley Johnson and Yuta Watanabe will help out with depth at the wings. The Raptors will be one of the most popular options on the slate, as the lack of healthy players combined with coach Nurse’s reputation to play his starters heavy minutes means great fantasy value for the team.
As reported by: Blake Murphy via Twitter Mason Plumlee (head) listed questionable Thursday
Plumlee was listed as questionable on the injury report, as the Pistons take on the Sacramento Kings. Plumlee is being evaluated for a concussion, which would be a big absence for the Pistons. Detroit is already missing Jerami Grant and Rodney McGruder, who were ruled out previously. Jahlil Okafor was listed as questionable as well; after missing two months due to a knee surgery, his availability looms large if Plumlee does end up sitting. The last game that Plumlee missed, Isaiah Stewart got the start at center and was one of the top value plays of the slate. With Grant’s absence, Wayne Ellington will likely get the start in his place, although Hamidou Diallo is another option. Ellington actually shows positive splits with Plumlee and Grant off the floor; in a 126 minute sample in CourtIQ, Ellington averages 0.83 FPM, up from his 0.69 average. Saben Lee also shows good splits; he averages 1.06 FPM, up from his 0.93 average. If Plumlee ends up playing, he could be a good play, as he has an increased assist percentage with Grant off the floor; he averages 1.19 FPM with Grant off the floor. Plumlee’s absence looms large ahead of tonight’s slate.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Maxi Kleber (leg) listed questionable Thursday; Trey Burke (calf) listed probable
After missing yesterday’s game due to a leg injury, Kleber was listed as questionable as the Mavericks prepare to take on the Milwaukee Bucks. Burke was listed probable after missing the the last two games with a calf injury. Kristaps Porzingis wasn’t listed on the injury report, so it appears that he will play on the second half of a back-to-back. If Kleber were to sit, it would likely be Nicolo Melli who joins the starting lineup; he’s averaged 28 minutes over the last three games, but he played more minutes when Porzingis wasn’t available; with Porzingis expected to play, Melli could start and play 23 minutes like he did last night. Burke’s return isn’t a major deal, as he hasn’t played too many minutes and will likely play spot minutes off the bench, if at all.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Other tagged players: Trey Burke DeAndre Bembry (suspension) will not play Thursday
Since he left the bench during a scuffle in the Raptors’ last game, Bembry will be suspended and miss the Raptors’ game tonight against the Chicago Bulls. The Raptors are still very shorthanded, so this absence is huge; the Raptors are still missing Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet, along with Jalen Harris, Rodney Hood, Patrick McCaw, and Paul Watson. Without Bembry, the Raptors will have eight healthy bodies, and possibly nine if Freddie Gillepsie is available to play; he signed a ten day contract, but it’s unclear if he’ll be available. With Bembry out, Malachi Flynn will likely get the start at point guard; coming off the bench, he had been playing 33 minutes the last two games anyways as the Raptors need ballhandlers without Lowry or VanVleet. Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Gary Trent Jr. will all likely play heavy minutes, as coach Nurse likes to keep his rotation tight and he doesn’t have many options to play. Stanley Johnson and Yuta Watanabe will also play a few more minutes to fill in for Bembry.
As reported by: Brett Siegel via Twitter Talen Horton-Tucker (suspension) will not play Thursday
Horton-Tucker was suspended due to his involvement in a scuffle last game, and will miss tonight’s game as the Lakers play the Miami Heat. THT has averaged 25 minutes the last three games, so his absence may open up a few minutes for a shorthanded Lakers team. Kuzma is questionable due to calf tightness, while Ben McLemore is available to make his Lakers debut. The Lakers still don’t have Lebron and Anthony Davis, so there’s some room to be filled. Alex Caruso and McLemore will likely take on most of THT’s minutes, along with Wesley Matthews and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
As reported by: Brett Siegel via Twitter Andre Drummond (toe) will play Thursday; Kyle Kuzma (calf) a game-time decision
As expected, Andre Drummond will make his return to the lineup as the Lakers take on the Miami Heat. Drummond missed three games with a toe injury, but coach Vogel said he will play, and he will reclaim his spot as the starting center. Kuzma, meanwhile, is suffering some calf tightness; although he was listed as probable on the injury report, he is now a game-time decision. With Drummond starting, Marc Gasol will likely be out of the rotation, while Montrezl Harrell will continue to play the backup center role but won’t play as many minutes. If Kuzma were to sit, the Lakers would be severely shorthanded, as they are already without Lebron and Anthony Davis, as well as the suspended Talen Horton-Tucker. Markeiff Morris would have to play a few more minutes, while Dennis Schroder would command more usage. Ben McLemore is available to make his debut with the Lakers, so he may be thrust into heavy minutes if Kuzma sits.
As reported by: Harrison Faigen via Twitter Other tagged players: Kyle Kuzma Status update: Ben McLemore available to make Lakers debut Thursday
After signing a contract for the remainder of the year with the Lakers, Ben McLemore is available to make his debut as the Lakers take on the Miami Heat. Coach Frank Vogel declared him available, and it’ll be interesting to see how many minutes he plays and where he slots in the rotation. He’ll likely play off the bench, and take minutes away from Wesley Matthews, Alex Caruso, and Talen Horton-Tucker, as he helps fill out the backcourt depth.
As reported by: Harrison Faigen via Twitter Jamal Murray (knee) ruled out Wednesday; Monte Morris will start in place
After missing the Nuggets game yesterday, Murray was downgraded from questionable to out due to knee soreness and will miss the Nuggets’ game against the San Antonio Spurs. In his absence yesterday, Monte Morris got the start and played 23 minutes as he works his way back from his injury. Coach Malone mentioned pregame that Morris would get the start again,b but that they would be cautious with his minutes due to the extended absence he came back from. Facundo Campazzo and PJ Dozier also played a few more minutes, and would likely do the same without Murray tonight. With Murray out, the remaining Nuggets starters all see big boosts per CourtIQ. Morris is the biggest winner; he averages 0.92 FPM, up from his 0.76 average. Will Barton, Michael Porter Jr., and Nikola Jokic all see boosts of .09 FPM or more, which is pretty substantial but makes sense due to the usage that Murray usually has. Jokic is the top play for sure, but the other Nuggets starters are all be viable plays now that Murray has been ruled out.
As reported by: Paul Garcia via Twitter Other tagged players: Monte Morris Josh Okogie (personal) ruled out Wednesday
Okogie was downgraded from questionable to out, and will miss the Wolves game against the Pacers due to personal reasons. Jake Layman gets the start, but won’t play too many minutes, as the Wolves offense should concentrate around KAT, Anthony Edwards, and D’Angelo Russell.
As reported by: the Minnesota Timberwolves via Twitter Kristaps Porzingis (wrist) will play Wednesday; Maxi Kleber (leg) ruled out
Porzingis will be able to make his return to the lineup as the Mavs take on the Houston Rockets, while Kleber was ruled out due to lower leg soreness. Porzingis should end up starting at center, while Melli should start at power forward in place of Kleber. The Mavs also could go a bit smaller, starting Dorian Finney-Smith at PF, while Tim Hardaway Jr. or Jalen Brunson slide into the starting lineup. Either way, with Porzingis coming back, Dwight Powell and Boban will both be out of consideration, while Luka Doncic and Porzingis are the two plays. Luka hasn’t shown major splits with KP on or off the floor, so he may go underowned despite a great matchup and triple-double upside.
As reported by: Tim McMahon via Twitter Other tagged players: Maxi Kleber Bradley Beal (hip) and Robin Lopez (quad) available to play Wednesday
After missing five games due to a hip injury, Beal is officially back to join the Wizards as they take on the Orlando Magic. Lopez is also available to play through a quad injury. With Beal back, he should slot right back into his normal role of playing mid thirties minutes, while being the top producer along with Russell Westbrook. Lopez returning means he and Len will continue to split the center minutes. The Wizards are the healthiest they have been in quite some time, which means outside of their top players (Russ, Beal, Rui Hachimura), it’ll be tough to commit to playing anyone else.
As reported by: the Washington Wizards via Twitter Other tagged players: Robin Lopez Darius Miller (groin) ruled out Wednesday
Miller was ruled out due to a groin injury as the Thunder take on the Charlotte Hornets. Miller’s absence will lead to a few more minutes for Svi Mykhailuk, Theo Maledon, and the Thunder’s two new contracts, Justin Robinson and Jaylen Hoard.
As reported by: Rylan Stiles via Twitter John Wall (knee) available to play Wednesday; will be on a minutes restriction
Coach Silas mentioned pre-game that Wall is officially available and will play against the Dallas Mavericks. Silas also mentioned that Wall would be on a minutes restriction, which is not a good sign for Wall’s first game back. This likely muddles the entire team, as Wall won’t play enough minutes to meet value at his salary, while Kevin Porter Jr. will lose heavy minutes (along with Avery Bradley and Sterling Brown). Wall, Porter Jr., and Christian Wood will lead the Rockets in usage and production, all of whom are tough to prioritize on today’s slate.
As reported by: Cayleigh Griffin via Twitter Josh Okogie (personal) listed questionable Wednesday
Okogie was listed as questionable due to personal reasons late in the day, as the Wolves take on the Indiana Pacers. Jake Layman will get the start in Okogie’s place. Okogie only plays around 20-25 minutes, and doesn’t produce at a high rate, so his minutes won’t make too big of a difference on a team that has KAT, D’Lo, and Edwards putting up shots. Layman may get a few more, as well as Jarrett Culver.
As reported by: the Minnesota Timberwolves via Twitter