DFS Alerts
Status update: Kevin Love will remain on a minutes restriction Monday
Love had his minutes jump up from 20 to 23 last game, and it was reported that he would still be on a minutes limit as the Cavs play against the San Antonio Spurs. It’s likely he’ll be in the mid 20’s, hurting his upside while also limiting Isaiah Hartenstein’s in the process.
As reported by: Ashley Bastock via Twitter
Lineup update: Justin Robinson and Jaylen Hoard available to make Thunder debut Monday
Although neither Robinson nor Hoard are in any player pools as they were added to the Thunder today, their availability looms large ahead of the Thunder’s game against the Pistons. Coach Daigenault mentioned pregame that both players would be in the rotation tonight, which changes the Thunder’s eight healthy bodies to ten. Even if both players play limited minutes, the heavy minutes that Pokusevski, Maledon, and Mykhailiuk would’ve played are now going to be more in the low 30’s, as opposed to the high 30’s they would’ve been by necessity. The Thunder players will still be good plays, but not as good of value as they were before this news was released.
As reported by: Joe Mussatto via Twitter Other tagged players: Jaylen Hoard Hassan Whiteside (knee) available to play Monday
Whiteside has been close to playing for the last six games, and can finally make his return as he was upgraded from questionable with a knee injury to available to play against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Coach Luke Walton mentioned that he will probably play Whiteside to see how he feels, but it won’t be too many minutes as he’ll play behind Richaun Holmes. Chimezie Metu had been playing the backup minutes, but will likely lose most (if not all) of those, while Holmes may lose a few minutes as well.
As reported by: Sean Cunningham via Twitter Kristaps Porzingis (wrist) downgraded to doubtful Monday; Josh Richardson (calf) upgraded to probable
The Mavs had two players questionable earlier today, and they are trending different directions as the Mavs prepare to play the Utah Jazz tonight. Porzingis was downgraded to doubtful due to a wrist injury, while Richardson was upgraded to probable due to his calf injury. With Porzingis out, it’ll be interesting to see who the Mavs slot in at center to matchup with Rudy Gobert; it’s most likely to be Boban Marjonavic, but it could be Dwight Powell. Meanwhile, Richardson should take his spot at the shooting guard spot, pushing Tim Hardaway Jr. back to the bench. As we’ve seen all year, nobody benefits from a production standpoint greatly with Porzingis off the floor; it’s primarily the minutes that open up that should make some players value (albeit in one of the worst matchups against the Jazz). If Boban gets the start, he should still be good as he averages 1.17 FPM per CourtIQ and should get 20 or so minutes at a cheap salary. Luka Doncic is the top player for the Mavs as expected, but he doesn’t show major splits either with Porzingis off the floor; in 896 minutes, his FPM actually decreases by .01, essentially meaning there’s no change. Overall, Boban or Powell may take advantage of the minutes, but otherwise it’s quite cluttered outside of Luka.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Other tagged players: Josh Richardson Status update: James Harden won't have a minutes restriction Monday
Harden will not have a minutes limit as the Nets play the New York Knicks. With the Nets shorthanded otherwise around him (no Tyler Johnson or Landry Shamet), Harden will likely play his usual role in the mid 30’s and should be a top play on the slate.
As reported by: Matt Brooks via Twitter Lineup update: D'Angelo Russell will play off the bench, on a "pretty limited" minutes restriction Monday
As a follow up, Russell will not start and will be on a “pretty limited” playing status against the Kings. It’s more likely he plays minutes in the teens, while McLaughlin should be able to play some heavy minutes still; likely in the 30’s if all the Wolves doubtful players sit.
As reported by: Dane Moore via Twitter Fred VanVleet (hip) ruled out Monday; Malachi Flynn will start in his place
After leaving the Raptors last game due to a hip injury, VanVleet was downgraded from questionable to out and will miss the Raptors game against the Washington Wizards. Coach Nurse mentioned that Malachi Flynn would start at point guard in his place. The Raptors are down to nine healthy bodies, as Kyle Lowry is out, along with Paul Watson, Jalen Harris, Rodney Hood, and Patrick McCaw. With Lowry and VanVleet both out, Flynn will have to play heavy minutes as the Raptors don’t have many other guards to help out with ballhandling. Gary Trent Jr. and Yuta Watanabe may help out, but Flynn should be a safe bet for 30 minutes at a minimum. In a great matchup against the Wizards, Flynn looks to be a great value. From a production perspective, Pascal Siakam should benefit; there’s only a 78 minutes sample with Siakam on the floor with Lowry and VanVleet, but he averages 1.49 FPM, up from his average of 1.18. Although he likely won’t be at that rate, he should have increased usage and will handle the ball as well. Chris Boucher, Trent Jr., and OG Anunoby all also should benefit with more shots available.
As reported by: Blake Murphy via Twitter Other tagged players: Malachi Flynn D'Angelo Russell (knee) will play Monday
Despite being hit with a doubtful tag earlier in the day, Shams reported that Russell will be able to return from his knee surgery and join the Wolves lineup as they take on the Sacramento Kings. Russell missed 26 games with the injury, but finally is back. Ricky Rubio, Malik Beasley, and Jaylen Nowell are all still doubtful, so if there’s no minutes limit mentioned, it’s possible that Russell has to play heavy guard minutes along with Jordan McLaughlin. With Russell and his 30% usage percentage (per CourtIQ) returning, there will be a few players that will lose some of the value that they had before. Anthony Edwards is the biggest loser; in 296 minutes with Russell on the court, he averages 0.75 FPM, down from his average from 0.83. Part of that is due to Edwards being more aggressive as the year comes on, but he will still lose some shots. McLaughlin was going to be the sole ball handler for the Wolves, but with Russell back, McLaughlin’s minutes will trend downward heavily. Karl-Anthony Towns hasn’t played many minutes with Russell this year, but he should also lose some usage. Despite the dips, coach Finch has played his stars heavy minutes recently; KAT and Edwards each played over 40 minutes in the last game. With minutes high, they will still be good plays, but not as good as DLO works his way back into the team.
As reported by: Shams Charania via Twitter Kevin Durant (hamstring), Blake Griffin (knee), Tyler Johnson (knee), and Landry Shamet (ankle) ruled out Monday; James Harden (hamstring) available
The Nets will play the second half of a back-to-back without some key pieces, but will get one major one back as they take on the New York Knicks. Harden will be available to make his return to the lineup after missing two games with a hamstring injury. Griffin will be rested on the second half of a back-to-back, while Johnson and Shamet each picked up their injuries in yesterday’s game against the Bulls. Durant is ramping up and may be able to make his return Wednesday, but is out today. With Harden coming back, Kyrie Irving will go more into his usual scoring role while Harden helps facilitate the offense. It will be Harden’s first game with LaMarcus Aldridge as the starting center, so it’ll be interesting to see how much usage he gets after averaging 30 fantasy points in his first two games with Brooklyn. With Johnson and Shamet out, Bruce Brown may shift to the bench to play guard minutes, while Jeff Green moves to the starting lineup in place of Griffin who started last game. With no Durant or Blake Griffin off the court, Harden has averaged 1.50 FPM per CourtIQ, while Irving has averaged 1.33 FPM. Those two should lead the way for the Nets, along with Aldridge and Joe Harris. Johnson, Griffin, and Shamet don’t produce much, but their injuries will open up a few extra minutes for the Nets stars.
As reported by: Billy Reinhardt via Twitter Other tagged players: Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Tyler Johnson, Landry Shamet Jarrett Allen (concussion), Dylan Windler (knee), and Larry Nance Jr. (illness) all remain out Monday
The Cavs will continue to be shorthanded in the frontcourt as they prepare to take on the San Antonio Spurs. Allen will miss his fifth straight game with a concussion, Windler will miss his fifth straight with a knee injury, and Nance Jr. will miss his fourth straight due to an illness. The Cavs have been able to get by however, as Kevin Love returned the last two games and has played 20 and 23 minutes in two starts at center. Last game, Love was playing well but was pulled due to a minutes restriction that appeared to be around 24 minutes. If that number increases, he could be a good play, but it would be a surprise if he were to play 30 or more as the Cavs continue their youth movement. Isaiah Hartenstein should continue to back up Love, while Dean Wade will continue to play heavy minutes at the forward position in place of Nance and should be a decent value play.
As reported by: the Cleveland Cavaliers via Twitter Other tagged players: Larry Nance Jr., Dylan Windler John Wall (knee) and Danuel House Jr. (ankle) ruled out Monday
As expected, both Wall and House Jr. were ruled out on the second half of a back-to-back as the Rockets take on the Phoenix Suns. Wall has been battling a knee injury that’s caused him to miss the last three games, while House suffered a bad ankle sprain last night and left the game. It’ll be interesting to see how the Rockets look to fill House’s spot in the lineup, as Kelly Olynyk started the second half in place of House, but they were playing a Pelicans lineup that was playing Jaxson Hayes and Steven Adams, a much bigger lineup than the Suns will play. If not Olynyk, Avery Bradley would likely get the start, with Jae’Sean Tate playing at power forward. With House and Wall off the floor, the Rockets will run through Christian Wood and Kevin Porter Jr. again, while Olynyk, Bradley, and Sterling Brown will help to fill out minutes.
As reported by: Mark Berman via Twitter Other tagged players: Danuel House Jr. Status update: Justin Jackson to be waived by Thunder Monday
Although Jackson hasn’t played too many minutes the last few games, his absence from the Thunder may loom large as they take on the Detroit Pistons. With Jackson not available, the Thunder will only have eight bodies available, as Isaiah Roby and Josh Hall were both ruled out and placed in the concussion protocol, while Mike Muscala is out due to an ankle sprain. This is on top of injuries to Lu Dort, Darius Bazley, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who have been out for an extended time, as well as Al Horford who isn’t playing any more. As a result, there should be huge minutes for Moses Brown at center, Aleksej Pokusevski at the forward positions, and Theo Maledon and Ty Jerome at the guards, as well as Svi Mykhailiuk. Darius Miller is one of the eight healthy bodies and hasn’t played more than 20 minutes all year, so the remaining seven players will likely split the 220 minutes or so, and thus will all be in play in a tankfest matchup.
As reported by: Adrian Wojnarowski via Twitter Rui Hachimura (shoulder) ruled out Monday
After being a late scratch in the Wizards last game due to right shoulder tightness, Hachimura was downgraded from questionable to out because of his shoulder and will miss the Wizards game against the San Antonio Spurs. Bradley Beal remains questionable with a hip injury. It’s not a good sign that Rui was ruled out this early in the day, as usually that leads to a longer absence. When Rui missed the Wizards last game, Davis Bertans got the start in his first game back, and played 20 minutes despite being on a minutes restriction. Bertans may be in line for a few more minutes again, along with Deni Avdija, who is playing huge minutes whether the game is close or a blowout. Avdija has averaged 34 minutes the last four games, including a season high 39 in the Wizards’ last game. The biggest benefactors with Rui off the floor are Bertans and Alex Len. Per a 528 minutes sample in CourtIQ, Bertans averages 0.88 FPM, up from his average of 0.75. Len averages 1.17 FPM, up from his average of 1.02 in a 168 minute sample. Russell Westbrook will still be the top play, and an even bigger one if Beal were to miss the game.
As reported by: the Washington Wizards via Twitter Monte Morris (quad) active Sunday
After missing eleven games with a quad injury, Morris was upgraded from questionable to available and is able to make his return to the Nuggets as they take on the depleted Orlando Magic. Morris will likely come off the bench to start, as he gets eased into action and the Nuggets have been rolling with Will Barton, Michael Porter Jr., and newly acquired Aaron Gordon. Morris will cut into some minutes of Barton, while PJ Dozier and Facundo Campazzo will be competing for the remaining guard minutes off the bench, although there won’t be many. Morris will probably get ramped up over the next few games, as the Nuggets try to get their rotation consistent as the playoffs approach.
As reported by: Mike Singer via Twitter Status update: Mo Bamba (illness) and James Ennis (illness) "not feeling well", but will play Sunday
As if the Magic didn’t have enough issues, coach Clifford gave some worrisome comments ahead of their game against the Denver Nuggets. Although Bamba and Ennis are both available (and Ennis is still starting), they are suffering from the non-COVID illness that has spread throughout the team, and is keeping Khem Birch and MCW out of the lineup. Coach Clifford said that they “really aren’t feeling well”, but that they’ll still play. This means that they may not get as many minutes as they were projected for originally. In addition to that, Randle has a hamstring injury that is bothering him, which is why he will come off the bench. R.J. Hampton will get the start at point guard against his former team, and may play minutes in the low to mid 30’s since Randle looks to be limited by the hamstring injury. The Magic have eight available players, but three of them are hobbled. There’s a chance they all play with no issues, but just add more worry to the blowout risk.
As reported by: Josh Robbins via Twitter Other tagged players: James Ennis III, Chasson Randle