DFS Alerts
Jamal Murray (knee) questionable Wednesday
After missing the Nuggets game yesterday, Murray was listed as questionable due to knee soreness as the Nuggets take on 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. Facundo Campazzo and PJ Dozier also played a few more minutes, and would likely do the same again if Murray sat tonight. If Murray were to sit, 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 would be the top play for sure, but the other Nuggets starters would all be viable plays if Murray does end up sitting.
As reported by: Harrison Wind via Twitter
Trey Burke (calf) ruled out Wednesday
Burke was ruled out due to a calf injury, and will miss the Mavericks’ game against the Houston Rockets. Burke has only been playing a few minutes off the bench lately, and with Luka Doncic healthy, Burke’s absence shouldn’t change much; perhaps a few more minutes for Jalen Brunson and Josh Richardson, but nothing substantial.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report John Henson (calf) won't make Knicks debut Wednesday
After signing a 10-day contract recently to help out with frontcourt depth, Henson will miss today’s game against the Boston Celtics with a calf injury. Nerlens Noel should continue to start, while Taj Gibson should continue to back him up. Henson will hope to make his debut in the games to come and help fill in for Mitchell Robinson’s minutes.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Malcolm Brogdon (hip), Jeremy Lamb (toe), Domantas Sabonis (ankle), and Myles Turner (ankle) listed questionable Wednesday
As the Pacers prepare to play the Minnesota Timberwolves, they have huge question marks across the board. All of the questionable players have had absences of various lengths. Brogdon has missed three games with his hip injury, Sabonis has missed the last two with an ankle injury, while Lamb and Turner both suffered their injuries during yesterday’s game. Each player has almost a direct backup for them that would likely play in their place. Edmond Sumner has been starting for Brogdon, Doug McDermott has been starting for Sabonis, and Goga Bitadze would likely start if Turner were to sit. If they were all to sit, Caris LeVert should lead the team as he has averaged 35 minutes over the last three games and would certainly be expected to lead the team in usage. TJ McConnell has been playing big minutes off the bench, and probably would again if Brogdon sits. Goga would be a good value play, as he averages 1.18 FPM on the year without Sabonis, Turner, and Brogdon per a 255 minute sample in CourtIQ. If he gets the start, he’ll be a good play. The Pacers do have a good matchup against the Wolves, so watching these injuries will be key; fortunately, the game is the first one of the slate to lock.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Other tagged players: Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner, Jeremy Lamb Brandon Ingram (toe) and Kira Lewis Jr. (calf) questionable Wednesday
After missing the front end of a back-to-back, Ingram and Lewis Jr. have a chance to play on the second half as the Pelicans take on the Brooklyn Nets. Ingram is questionable with a toe injury that’s caused him to miss the last four games, while Lewis Jr. is hoping to come back after missing two games with a calf injury. Josh Hart and Nickeil Alexander-Walker both remain out, so the Pelicans will look to add reinforcements. If Ingram were to sit, James Johnson would continue to start, while Naji Marshall would likely play heavy minutes still. If Lewis Jr. were to miss the game, Isaiah Thomas would likely take the backup guard minutes; he played 25 in his debut yesterday. If they were to return, Johnson, Marshall, and Thomas would all likely lose their value. From a production standpoint, Ingram’s absence is huge, and CourtIQ shows some drastic splits. With Ingram off the floor, Lonzo averages a whopping 1.45 FPM, up from a 1.04 FPM in a 156 minute split. Although the bulk of these minutes came the last two games, the numbers make sense as Lonzo’s usage is 25%, up from 20%; with no Ingram, Lonzo shoots more. Zion Williamson also sees a big bump, averaging 1.42 FPM, up from his 1.29 average. If Lewis Jr. ends up sitting, IT could end up being a good play at cheap salary. Ingram’s injury is one of the biggest one to watch ahead of the slate.
As reported by: Jim Eichenhofer via Twitter Other tagged players: Kira Lewis Jr. Brandon Clarke (calf), De'Anthony Melton (leg), and Justise Winslow (thigh) all ruled out Wednesday; Ja Morant (back) not on injury report
The Grizzlies had three key players miss the front half of their back-to-back, and all three will miss the second half as the Grizzlies take on the Atlanta Hawks. Clarke and Melton will miss their second game with their respective calf and leg injuries, while Winslow will miss his sixth straight game due to a thigh injury. Morant had a scare yesterday due to a back injury, but he’s not listed on the injury report and should be a full go. The Grizzlies almost always play ten to eleven players, and that didn’t change last night despite the injuries for the Grizzlies. John Konchar played 20 minutes and slotted into Melton’s spot in the rotation, while Killian Tillie came in to take over Clarke’s minutes (although he only played 13). It’s better to look at who takes advantage from a production standpoint, and CourtIQ helps us do that. With Clarke, Melton, and Winslow off the court, Jonas Valanciunas is the biggest winner; he averages 1.42 FPM, up from his 1.32 average. Kyle Anderson is the other big winner; he averages 1.13 FPM, up from 1.05. Overall, the minutes opened up by these injuries don’t offer as much value as the usage splits, and JoVal and Anderson are the biggest winners.
As reported by: the Memphis Grizzlies via Twitter Other tagged players: De'Anthony Melton, Justise Winslow, Ja Morant Danilo Gallinari (ankle) questionable Wednesday
After playing 21 minutes yesterday, Gallinari was listed as questionable due to ankle soreness as the Hawks take on the Memphis Grizzlies. Gallinari’s absence looms large, as the Hawks are still missing John Collins, De’Andre Hunter, and Cam Reddish. If Gallinari were to sit, his minutes would likely be filled by a combination of Nathan Knight and Solomon Hill, as well as some smaller players if the Hawks choose to go smaller. There isn’t a huge sample of all the Hawks players off the floor, but Bogdan Bogdanovic is certainly a big winner; in 163 minutes with Gallinari, Collins, Reddish, and Hunter off the floor, Bogdanovic averages 1.1 FPM, up from his average of 0.93. This makes sense, as Bogdanovic as been playing more minutes lately and would need to put more shots to fill the usage that the Hawks left. Solomon Hill played 30 minutes yesterday and could be a good play, while Nathan Knight could be as well with extended minutes.
As reported by: Chris Kirschner via Twitter Michael Carter-Williams (illness) and Khem Birch (illness) available to play Wednesday; Cole Anthony (rib) officially available as well
The Magic will be getting healthier after being super shorthanded the last few games, as they prepare to take on the Washington Wizards. A few players were struck with a non-COVID illness, but MCW and Birch are good to go after missing the last three games with the illness. Anthony is officially available to return after missing 25 games due to a rib injury. The Magic are one of the worst teams in the league after trading away their best players, but there was still value to be had since they had so few bodies. With these three players coming back, the Magic will have a muddied rotation. The point guard position will likely have MCW starting, with Anthony coming off the bench and Chasson Randle possibly out of the rotation. With Birch back, Wendell Carter Jr. will likely lose heavy minutes as he will have to split the center minutes. Overall, the Magic will have more players than they have the last few games, and are not as good values as they had been recently.
As reported by: the Orlando Magic via Twitter Other tagged players: Khem Birch, Cole Anthony Tristan Thompson (protocols) available to play Wednesday; Kemba Walker (injury management) officially ruled out
After a thirteen game absence due to the health and safety protocols, Thompson is not listed on the injury report and is available to play against the New York Knicks. Meanwhile, Kemba was ruled out as expected, as the Celtics are resting him as they have all year on back-to-backs. Evan Fournier is also out due to the health and safety protocols, and coach Stevens mentioned he doesn’t think he’ll see Fournier for the rest of the week. Thompson’s return puts a big dent into the value of Robert Williams, as the center minutes that Williams had been soaking up will now have to be split. Thompson may not play heavy minutes as he works his way into game shape, so Williams could be viable for one more game, but it remains to be seen how Stevens plays his card. With Kemba out, CourtIQ shows us that Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown take noticeable bumps; Tatum averages 1.32 FPM, up from a 1.23 average, while Brown averages 1.24 FPM, up from his 1.18 average. Although the Knicks aren’t a great matchup, these two will be the top plays for the Celtics.
As reported by: Keith Smith via Twitter Other tagged players: Kemba Walker John Wall (knee) expects to play Wednesday
During his pre-game media session, John Wall said that he expects to play tonight against the Dallas Mavericks tonight. Wall has missed the last four games due to a knee injury along with a few other nagging injuries, but according to him he’ll make his return tonight. With Wall returning, Avery Bradley will likely move back to the bench, with Kevin Porter Jr. moving to the shooting guard position. Porter Jr. is the biggest loser, as he won’t be able to handle the ball as much with Wall returning and will lose a few minutes as well. Bradley and Sterling Brown will lose a few minutes as well. Other than Wall and Christian Wood, it’ll be tough to see many Rockets producing well now that Wall is back and minutes will be tougher to come by.
As reported by: Cayleigh Griffin via Twitter Cole Anthony (rib) says he'll play Wednesday
After missing 25 games due to a rib injury, Anthony mentioned during his pre-game media session that he will be playing today as the Magic take on the Washington Wizards. The Magic have been severely shorthanded the last few games, as they only had eight healthy bodies in their last two games. It’s unclear how many minutes Anthony will play, but the Magic could use him; Michael Carter-Williams is questionable with an illness, while Chasson Randle has been dealing with a hamstring injury that limited him to 21 minutes last game. If MCW is able to play, Anthony likely won’t play too many minutes. If he misses, there’s a chance Anthony plays a few more, but likely won’t approach the 30 minute range.
As reported by: Dan Savage via Twitter Kevin Durant (hamstring) officially available Wednesday
After missing 23 games due to a hamstring injury, Durant was upgraded from probable to available and will rejoin the Nets as they take on the New Orleans Pelicans. There’s been no mention of any minutes restrictions, but it’s likely that the Nets will ease Durant back into the lineup as the playoffs are the main concern for the team. Durant will join a lineup that needs him, as James Harden went down with a hamstring injury of his own last game, and will be re-evaluated in ten days. Landry Shamet and Tyler Johnson remain out, so the Nets could certainly use Durant’s scoring ability. With the Nets having far more frontcourt depth than backcourt at the moment, Durant could start at small forward, alongside Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge, rather than his usual power forward position. Either way, Durant should be the highest usage player now that he returns, with Kyrie Irving not far behind him.
As reported by: the Brooklyn Nets via Twitter Giannis Antetokounmpo ruled out Tuesday
Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play Tuesday against Golden State. This comes as a big surprise given that he appeared to be on track to play all day, but his absence will lead to much more opportunity for Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton, both of whom immediately become elite plays in all formats. Donte DiVincenzo also becomes a far more appealing mid-range option, and guys like Brook Lopez and Pat Connaughton become viable value targets. Bobby Portis has missed some time recently, but he also steps onto the GPP radar in late-slate contests.
As reported by: @Bucks Other tagged players: Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, Donte DiVincenzo, Pat Connaughton, Brook Lopez
Pat Beverley will play Tuesday; Beverley will start but unlikely to play major minutes
Pat Beverley will play Tuesday. He will start, but is unlikely to play major minutes coming off of a fairly long layoff. He should be expected to play between 18-22 minutes with Reggie Jackson shifting back to the bench and Terance Mann potentially seeing a little less court time. Beverley isn’t a recommended DFS option and his return also eats into the appeal of Jackson/Mann.
As reported by: Shane Young Other tagged players: Reggie Jackson, Terance Mann Jamal Murray (knee) ruled out Tuesday
Jamal Murray (knee) ruled out Tuesday. Monte Morris is expected to start in place of Murray, and he does step onto the radar as a potential value play. Morris’ minutes will see an uptick, but he likely won’t be all that involved offensively alongside the Nuggets other four starters. Nikola Jokic should take on a little extra responsibility, but Aaron Gordon’s presence has eaten into his production since the trade deadline. Still, Jokic is an elite play in all formats and the upside of Michael Porter Jr., Will Barton and Aaron Gordon also rises mildly.
As reported by: @Nuggets Other tagged players: Monte Morris, Nikola Jokic