DFS Alerts
Status update: Jusuf Nurkic will be restricted to 20 minutes Sunday
After playing 18 minutes in his return from a two month absence, Nurkic will be limited to 20 minutes again tonight against the Toronto Raptors. Coach Terry Stotts said pre-game that he would likely limit Nurkic to 5 minutes stints, so Enes Kanter should play the remaining center minutes as Nurkic finds his way into game shape.
As reported by: Jay Allen via Twitter
Kyle Lowry (foot) ruled out Sunday
Despite not being listed on the injury report all day, Lowry was a late scratch due to a sore right foot and won’t play tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers. Along with Lowry, DeAndre’ Bembry, Jalen Harris, Patrick McCaw, and Paul Watson are all out, although only Bembry and Watson had been playing substantial minutes. Coach Nurse prefers to only play 8 or 9 players, so whoever joins the starting lineup could benefit. Malachi Flynn played off the bench on Friday, and could possibly join the starting lineup. Another option is the Raptors go away from their smaller lineup and start Aron Baynes at center to matchup against Jusuf Nurkic and slide their regular starters down a position. Regardless of who starts, Fred VanVleet is certainly the biggest winner; with Lowry and the recently traded Norman Powell off the court, VanVleet averages 1.24 FPM (up from 1.07) and leads the team in both usage and assist percentage in a 227 minutes sample per CourtIQ. The newly acquired Gary Trent Jr. could also take some of the usage away and should be a good play on his own, along with Pascal Siakam.
As reported by: Blake Murphy via Twitter Malik Monk (foot) ruled out Sunday; PJ Washington (leg) available to play
Monk was downgraded from doubtful to out with a foot injury as the Hornets take on the Phoenix Suns. Washington is available to play after being listed probable earlier with a leg injury. With Monk out and LaMelo Ball out indefinitely with a broken wrist, the Hornets backcourt will be shorthanded. Devonte’ Graham should continue to start alongside Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward. Coach Bickerstaff mentioned pregame that without Monk, minutes will be distributed to Caleb Martin, Jalen McDaniels, and the newly traded Brad Wanamaker, who is available to make his Hornets debut. Nobody shows too big a jump with Monk off the floor; Cody Martin averages 1.00 FPM, up from 0.77 FPM with Ball and Monk off the floor per a 112 minutes sample from CourtIQ. However, with Wanamaker making his debut and likely playing backup point guard minutes, it’s possible that none of the Hornets bench players do much, while the heavy minutes to the Hornets starters allows them to take advantage.
As reported by: the Charlotte Hornets via Twitter Other tagged players: PJ Washington Malik Monk (foot) now doubtful Sunday
Monk was downgraded from probable to doubtful with a foot injury this morning as the Hornets take on the Phoenix Suns. PJ Washington remains probable with a lower leg contusion. With Monk doubtful and LaMelo Ball out indefinitely with a broken wrist, the Hornets backcourt will be shorthanded. Devonte’ Graham should continue to start alongside Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward. Coach Bickerstaff mentioned pregame that if Monk sits, his minutes will be distributed to Caleb Martin, Jalen McDaniels, and the newly traded Brad Wanamaker, who is available to make his Hornets debut. Nobody shows too big a jump with Monk off the floor; Cody Martin averages 1.00 FPM, up from 0.77 FPM with Ball and Monk off the floor per a 112 minutes sample from CourtIQ. However, with Wanamaker making his debut and likely playing backup point guard minutes, it’s possible that none of the Hornets bench players do much, while the heavy minutes to the Hornets starters allows them to take advantage.
As reported by: the Charlotte Hornets via Twitter Damian Lillard (knee) will play Sunday
After missing the Blazers last game with a knee injury, Lillard will return to the starting lineup to face the Toronto Raptors. The last game Lillard missed, Norman Powell was available to make his team debut and start in place. Powell will stay in the starting lineup, as Derrick Jones Jr. will move to the bench. Lillard’s return will lead to fewer minutes for Anfernee Simons, as with Lillard and CJ McCollum both healthy, his ballhandling and shot making won’t be as needed. Nasir Little has been ruled out due to a thumb injury, so the bench wing minutes should still be there for Jones Jr. and Carmelo Anthony, but perhaps not too many. Powell played 36 minutes in his debut, so the Blazers seem more than comfortable letting him and Robert Covington handle the frontcourt minutes alongside the returning Jusuf Nurkic.
As reported by: Chris Haynes via Twitter Status update: Isaiah Hartenstein won't play Saturday
After trading away JaVale McGee for Hartenstein, the Cavs will have to wait before Hartenstein can make his debut, and he won’t play against the Sacramento Kings. With Jarrett Allen out with a concussion, the Cavs will be severely shorthanded at the center position. It’s likely that Dean Wade starts there, while Larry Nance Jr. and Lamar Stevens also pitch in when the Cavs elect to go smaller.
As reported by: Kelsey Russo via Twitter Mike Muscala (ankle) listed questionable Saturday
Muscala was listed as questionable Saturday against the Boston Celtics due to an ankle injury. Muscala was in line to play some backup center minutes with Horford out for the year, but those minutes will go to Josh Hall if Muscala is unable to play, along with some more minutes for Moses Brown and Isaiah Roby.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Hassan Whiteside (knee) ruled out Saturday
Whiteside was downgraded from questionable and will miss the Kings game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Whiteside’s backup center minutes could be filled by Chris Silva or Chimezie Metu. Richaun Holmes may play a few minutes more as a result as well.
As reported by: Sean Cunningham via Twitter Status update: Delon Wright, Terence Davis, Moe Harkless, and Chris Silva available to make Kings debut Saturday
Coach Luke Walton mentioned pre-game that all four of the trade acquisitions will be available to make their debut for the Kings as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Harkless will likely be monitored and shouldn’t be expected for many minutes, while Wright, Silva, and Davis could play off the bench. Wright in particular looks to get the most minutes, as he should take over Cory Joseph’s role and be a regular rotation. Silva may play a few minutes as Whiteside was ruled out and the Kings need some frontcourt size without Nemanja Bjelica as well.
As reported by: Jason Anderson via Twitter Other tagged players: Terence Davis, Maurice Harkless, Chris Silva Kawhi Leonard (foot) and Marcus Morris (calf) will play Saturday; Rajon Rondo unavailable to make debut
After missing the last game, both Leonard and Morris are able to return to the lineup as the Clippers face off against the Philadelphia 76ers. Coach Lue mentioned that Rondo would not be available to make his team debut, so the Clippers will be a little shorthanded in the backcourt. With Leonard and Morris back, Terrence Mann and Patrick Patterson should both move to the bench, with Patterson likely out of the rotation. There are no minutes restrictions mentioned for either player, so they should go back to playing thirty minutes or so in a tough matchup against the 76ers.
As reported by: Justin Russo via Twitter Other tagged players: Marcus Morris, Rajon Rondo Lonzo Ball (hip) and Jaxson Hayes (wrist) ruled out Saturday
On the second half of a back-to-back, the Pelicans will without their star point guard as they prepare to take on the Dallas Mavericks. Ball has missed the last four games due to a hip flexor strain, while Hayes will miss the game with a wrist injury. In Ball’s absence, Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been getting the start and playing heavy minutes, topping out at 40 minutes last night as coach Stan Van Gundy prefers to keep his rotations tight. Kira Lewis Jr. has been playing the backup point guard, but could be in line for some more minutes as the Pelicans play their second game in two days. Alexander-Walker averages 0.99 FPM in a 418 minutes sample per CourtIQ with Lonzo and J.J Redick off the floor. With Hayes missing, Willy Hernangomez should play the backup center minutes, while Steven Adams and Zion Williamson could play a few more minutes at center.
As reported by: Daniel Sallerson via Twitter Other tagged players: Jaxson Hayes Christian Wood (ankle) ruled out Saturday; Kelly Olynyk to start in place
A late scratch Saturday, Wood was ruled out due to an ankle injury mintues before tipoff against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kelly Olynyk will get the start at center as he makes his team debut and should be in line for good minutes, while Justin Patton will likely compete with Jae’Sean Tate to play the backup center minutes. Kevin Porter Jr. sees the biggest bump with Wood off the floor, averaging 1.22 FPM per CourtIQ. John Wall should also benefit, although with Olynyk in the lineup it remains to be seen how much usage and rebounding he soaks up in his first game with the Rockets.
As reported by: Cayleigh Griffin via Twitter Other tagged players: Kelly Olynyk Luka Doncic (illness) and Kristaps Porzingis (knee) out Saturday
The Mavericks will be shorthanded, as their two key cornerstones won’t be available to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans. Doncic was ruled out due to a non-COVID illness, while Porzingis was downgraded from doubtful with a knee injury. Jalen Brunson becomes an elite play as he should join the starting lineup and averages 1.08 FPM with Luka and Porzingis off the court per CourtIQ. Dwight Powell will likely join the starting lineup in place of Porzingis, as Willie Cauley-Stein is out due to the health and safety protocols. Nicolo Melli is available to make his team debut, and could play some frontcourt minutes as well. Maxi Kleber benefits as well, as he jumps up from 0.72 FPM to 0.87 per CourtIQ. Josh Richardson and Tim Hardaway Jr. will also help to fill Doncic’s production.
As reported by: Brad Townsend via Twitter Other tagged players: Kristaps Porzingis Status update: Josh Hall expected to play Saturday
Hall has recovered from his knee injury and will be in the rotation against the Boston Celtics, according to coach Daigneault. With Horford no longer playing, Hall will likely play frontcourt minutes as the G-League is over, pushing Justin Jackson likely out of the rotations.
As reported by: Rylan Stiles via Twitter Status update: James Johnson and Wes Iwundu available to make Pelicans debut Saturday
Johnson and Iwundu were both traded from the Mavericks, and now will have a chance to take on their former team with the Pelicans. Neither player should play heavy minutes as coach Stan Van Gundy runs tight rotations and has most of his key players healthy.
As reported by: Will Guillory via twitter Other tagged players: Wes Iwundu