DFS Alerts
Lonzo Ball (hip) ruled out Sunday
Lonzo was listed as questionable due to a hip injury, but has been downgraded to out and will miss the game against the Denver Nuggets. Nickeil Alexander-Walker will take his place in the starting five, and should be a great play as he averages 1.01 FPM with Lonzo Ball off the floor per CourtIQ. Lonzo has been shooting the ball much better lately and as a result has been playing big minutes; he’s averaged 35 minutes over the last three games as the Pelicans have played heavy minutes to their starters. Eric Bledsoe also benefits from Lonzo’s absence, as he takes over ballhandling duties and has increased usage as well. Per CourtIQ, Bledsoe averages 0.92 FPM, up from his average of 0.82 FPM. Kira Lewis should also gain more minutes as the backup point guard, while Zion Williamson also has more usage with Ball off the court.
As reported by: the New Orleans Pelicans via Twitter
Blake Griffin (injury management) and Jeff Green (shoulder) both available Sunday
Griffin will be able to make his Brooklyn Nets debut tonight as the Nets take on the Washington Wizards. The Nets will also have Jeff Green available to play as his shoulder injury was not serious enough to have him miss the game. In a great matchup against the Wizards, it’ll be interesting to see how coach Steve Nash will utilize Griffin. He is expected to be on a minutes restriction today, but there was not a specified amount listed. Griffin will likely play some backup center, taking some minutes away from Nic Claxton and Deandre Jordan, and potentially Jeff Green as well. Green has been averaging 30 minutes a game over the last five games, so if Griffin digs into those minutes it could be rough for Green to reach value as a player that doesn’t produce well per minute. With Irving and Harden still playing and dominating usage, it will be tough for any Nets peripheral players to be great.
As reported by: Billy Reinhardt via Twitter Other tagged players: Jeff Green Michael Carter-Williams (illness) and James Ennis (calf) available Sunday; Mo Bamba (hamstring and toe) ruled out
Carter-Williams and Ennis will each be making their return against the Boston Celtics. MCW missed two games with an illness, while Ennis missed eight with a calf injury. Mo Bamba was ruled out due to a hamstring and toe injury, leaving Khem Birch as the backup center behind Nikola Vucevic. Terrence Ross is also out for the Magic for his third game in a row. Carter-Williams will rejoin the starting lineup, pushing Chasson Randle to the bench, while Ennis will fight for wing minutes and should play some with Ross’s absence.
As reported by: Josh Robbins via Twitter Other tagged players: James Ennis III, Mo Bamba Status update: Lonzo Ball (hip) a game-time decision Sunday
Lonzo was listed as questionable due to a hip injury, and coach Stan Van Gundy mentioned in his pre-game conference that he would be a game-time decision against the Denver Nuggets. Lonzo has been shooting the ball much better lately and as a result has been playing big minutes; he’s averaged 35 minutes over the last three games as the Pelicans have played heavy minutes to their starters. If Lonzo were to miss, Eric Bledsoe would benefit, as he takes over ballhandling duties and has increased usage as well. Per CourtIQ, Bledsoe averages 0.92 FPM, up from his average of 0.82 FPM. Lonzo’s minutes would likely be replaced by either Kira Lewis Jr. or Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who would be good plays at cheap salaries.
As reported by: Andrew Lopez via Twitter Ben Simmons (knee) listed questionable Sunday
After missing the 76ers last game with a knee injury, Simmons was listed as questionable to face off against the New York Knicks. Simmons played 40 minutes in regulation the last time he was healthy, and may have to do the same with Joel Embiid and Seth Curry both out. Per CourtIQ, Simmons averages 1.23 FPM with Embiid and Curry out. If Simmons were to miss again, Tobias Harris would be an elite play, as he averages 1.32 FPM with the three other Sixers stars off the court, up from 1.15 FPM, while Shake Milton would also take advantage of the minutes and usage that opens up.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Status update: Damian Jones 10-day contract expired Sunday; Lakers not expected to re-sign him
Jones had his second ten-day contract expire, and reports say that Jones won’t be re-signed for the rest of the season. Jones has been starting at center and playing around 15 minutes, but his absence looms large with Anthony Davis out and Lebron James joining him after injuring his ankle in the Lakers game yesterday. Marc Gasol has been out due to his conditioning, but he may be forced to split the center minutes along with Montrezl Harrell and Markeiff Morris in small ball lineups. With the Lakers facing off against Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns, they will need some size to match up with the bigger frontcourt.
As reported by: Dan Woike via Twitter Kevin Porter Jr. (quad) upgraded to questionable Sunday
Despite being ruled out earlier in the day with a quad injury, coach Stephen Silas said Porter Jr. was upgraded to questionable against the Oklahoma City Thunder. There hasn’t been a game where all three of Porter Jr, Victor Oladipo, and John Wall have been healthy the whole game, so it remains to be seen how many minutes they would play together. If he were to play and not be on a minutes limit, they could all split the guard minutes in a great matchup, but the usage would be divided and it might be tougher to pay off their elevated salaries.
As reported by: Cayleigh Griffin via Twitter Goran Dragic (back) ruled out Sunday; Andre Iguodala (hip) "going to try and play"
Dragic was ruled out with a back injury, and will miss the game against the Indiana Pacers. Avery Bradley is also out, while Andre Iguodala will try to play after sitting out two games with a hip injury. With Dragic out, Kendrick Nunn should pick up a few more minutes, along with Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson. Nobody shows major splits with him off the court, as the offense should still run through Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. As for Iguodala, his minutes should be limited with the trade for Ariza, but if he plays he could take a few minutes from the other Heat wings.
As reported by: Ira Winderman via Twitter Other tagged players: Andre Iguodala D.J. Augustin (illness) ruled out Sunday
After being traded to the Rockets and playing 20 minutes in his team debut, Augustin was ruled out due to a stomach illness and will miss the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kevin Porter Jr is also out, along with Eric Gordon and David Nwaba. With John Wall and Victor Oladipo both healthy and expected to start, Augustin would’ve played in the 18-20 minute range, but with his absence, Oladipo, Wall, and Sterling Brown will play a few more minutes while Mason Jones may re-enter the rotation and play spot minutes off the bench.
As reported by: Adam Wexler via Twitter Status update: Mitchell Robinson (hand) a game-time decision Sunday
After missing fifteen games due to a fractured hand, Robinson is questionable to make his return and will be a game-time decision against the Philadelphia Sixers. Elfrid Payton and Immanuel Quickley are both questionable, while Austin Rivers and Derrick Rose are out. It’s unclear if there would be any minutes limit for Robinson since his injury was to his hand and not conditioning related, but he would likely start and push Nerlens Noel off the bench, and reduce Taj Gibson’s minutes as well.
As reported by: Ian Begley via Twitter Serge Ibaka (back) ruled out Saturday
Ibaka has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Saturday’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets due to lower back tightness that has now forced him to miss three consecutive games. The Clippers will also be without Patrick Beverley for a fourth straight contest because of right knee soreness, so their absences will allow Reggie Jackson and Ivica Zubac to continue having starting roles, and Jackson, in particular, should have a substantial minute floor after logging at least 26 minutes as the starting point guard in two of the previous three games. As for Zubac, his playing time can volatile with head coach Tyronn Lue’s propensity to go small or even utilize Patrick Patterson as a stretch-five for portions of the game, but he’s managed to log at least 35 minutes in both starts thus far, making him a viable option in all formats across the daily fantasy industry this evening.
As reported by: Shane Young via Twitter
Ben Simmons (knee) ruled out Saturday
Simmons was a late addition to the Sixers’ injury report, and despite being listed as probable, he has officially been ruled of Saturday’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings due to left knee soreness, while Seth Curry will also be unavailable because of a sprained left ankle. Philadelphia continues to be without the services of Joel Embiid as well, so they will be down three regular starters in tonight’s contest, which will enable Shake Milton and Matisse Thybulle to join the first unit whereas Furkan Korkmaz and Dwight Howard figure to be the main cogs off the bench in head coach Doc Rivers’ rotation. Unsurprisingly, Milton and Tobias Harris lead the Philly regulars in usage and assist rate with Simmons, Embiid, and Curry off the court this season, and they each become two of the top options on the daily fantasy slates across the industry this evening.
As reported by: Kyle Neubeck via Twitter Steph Curry (tailbone) officially out Saturday
As expected, Curry has officially been downgraded from doubtful and won’t play in Saturday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies due to a tailbone contusion that has now forced him to miss two consecutive games, while Kevon Looney will also be unavailable as he’s entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols and may be required to self-isolate for a currently undetermined period of time upon the conclusion of test and contact tracing. In Curry’s absence, Jordan Poole will remain into the starting lineup at the point guard position, which will keep Nico Mannion and Brad Wanamaker on the bench to battle for backup minutes in the second unit but it is still possible one of them picks up a DNP-CD if head coach Steve Kerr opts to allocate more minutes to players like Alen Smailagic and Juan Toscano-Anderson at the frontcourt positions. However, even at a slightly elevated price tag, Poole becomes one of the top value options across the daily fantasy industry this evening.
As reported by: Nick Friedell via Twitter Kevon Looney (protocols) ruled out Saturday
Looney has been included on the Warriors’ initial injury report and won’t play in Saturday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies as he’s entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols and may be required to self-isolate for a currently undetermined period of time upon the conclusion of test and contact tracing. Meanwhile, Steph Curry is expected to be ruled out because of a tailbone contusion, and in his absence, Jordan Poole will remain into the starting lineup at the point guard position, which will keep Nico Mannion and Brad Wanamaker on the bench to battle for backup minutes in the second unit but it is still possible one of them picks up a DNP-CD if head coach Steve Kerr opts to allocate more minutes to players like Alen Smailagic and Juan Toscano-Anderson at the frontcourt positions. However, even at a slightly elevated price tag, Poole becomes one of the top value options across the daily fantasy industry this evening.
As reported by: Connor Letourneau via Twitter Rudy Gobert (hip) will play Friday
Gobert has officially been upgraded from questionable and will play in Friday’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors despite originally being included on the Jazz injury report with a left hip contusion. There haven’t been any reports of a potential minute restriction for Gobert, so he should be fine to handle his usual minute allotment as the starting center, which will keep Derrick Favors in his familiar backup role with the second unit and likely sentence Ersan Ilyasova to yet another DNP-CD after signing with Utah for the remainder of the season. The Jazz is on the second night of a back-to-back set, and they’ll get Mike Conley back from a one-game absence for injury management purposes, relegating Joe Ingles to his usual role off the bench following a monster fantasy performance in 33 minutes of action during Thursday’s loss.
As reported by: Andy Larsen via Twitter