DFS Alerts
Elfrid Payton (hamstring) ruled out Saturday
As expected, Payton was downgraded from doubtful to out, and will miss the Knicks game against the Indiana Pacers with a hamstring injury. Coach Thibodeau confirmed that Derrick Rose would get the start in his place, while Frank Ntilikina will remain in the rotation and close out the ten man rotation. Rose remains a great play, as he played 28 minutes last game despite not closing the game due to a blowout. Immanuel Quickley only played 20 minutes last game but scored 25 real life points and was able to pay off his price. Both players salaries have elevated and are in a tougher matchup, but Rose in particular is still one of the top plays of the slate.
As reported by: Stefan Bondy via Twitter
Lamarcus Aldridge (wrist) will play Saturday
Aldridge was questionable all day with a wrist injury, but coach Popovich said pre-game that he would be available to play tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans. Popovich declined to name his starting lineup, so there is a chance that Aldridge comes off the bench like he did last game, although that isn’t expected. With Aldridge available as well as Demar DeRozan back from his personal issues, some of the value from the shorthanded Spurs won’t be there. Trey Lyles and Luka Samanic would go the bench if DeRozan and Aldridge start as expected.
As reported by: Paul Garcia via Twitter Status update: Cedi Osman "not looking good" to play Saturday
Osman looks closer to doubtful due to lower back spasms and is in line to miss the matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. Expect more minutes for Dylan Windler and Lamar Stevens, while Dean Wade should get the start and may pick up a few more minutes as well.
As reported by: Chris Fedor via Twitter Davis Bertans (knee) will play Saturday; expected to play "limited minutes"
After missing the last game with a knee injury, Bertans will be available to play “limited minutes” against the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to the pre-game presser with coach Scott Brooks. Bertans had been playing in the 28-30 minute range recently, but it looks he will be far below that for tonight’s game. Troy Brown Jr. likely takes the biggest hit, as he had played more minutes in the Wizards most recent game but otherwise has been out of the rotation. Garrison Matthews and Deni Avidja are also likely to see a few less minutes as a result of Bertans returning.
As reported by: the Washington Wizards via Twitter JJ Redick (hamstring) doubtful Saturday
Redick was listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury, and is unlikely to play against the San Antonio Spurs. This should open up some minutes off the bench, as Redick played 26 minutes last game, the most he had played in over a month as the Pelicans rolled with only an eight man rotation. At least one of Kira Lewis or Nickeill Alexander-Walker should re-enter the rotation and help play some guard minutes, while Josh Hart may get some more minutes as coach Stan Van Gundy doesn’t like to play too many bodies. This should add a couple more minutes to Eric Bledsoe and Lonzo Ball as well.
As reported by: the New Orleans Pelicans via Twitter Malcolm Brogdon (knee) questionable Saturday
Brogdon was added to the injury report late with a knee injury, and is questionable as the Pacers face off against the New York Knicks on the second leg of a back to back. Brogdon hasn’t missed a game all year and usually plays heavy minutes, so if he were to sit there would be a lot of production to allocate. One of TJ McConnell or Aaron Holiday would likely start at point guard, while Edmond Summer could see an uptick in minutes as well. Per CourtIQ, Myles Turner actually sees the biggest bump in production with Brogdon off the court, as his FPM increases from 1.02 to a team leading 1.41, and his usage increases from 17.5% to 23.6% in a 136 minutes sample. Justin Holiday, Doug McDermott, and McConnell all see big bumps in fantasy production as well. Surprisingly, Domantas Sabonis actually sees a slight downtick in production, but still averages 1.24 FPM, down from his usual 1.28 FPM.
As reported by: the Indiana Pacers via Twitter Kyrie Irving (shoulder) ruled out Saturday; Jeff Green (shoulder) available
Irving was ruled out this afternoon due to right shoulder recovery, and will miss the Nets game tonight against the Dallas Mavericks. Meanwhile, Green is available to return to the team after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury of his own. Along with Irving, Kevin Durant remains sidelined due to a hamstring strain, meaning only James Harden will be available of the Nets big three. Per CourtIQ, Harden averages 1.64 FPM with a team leading 33.6% usage and a 56.0% assist percentage with Irving and Durant off the court and is one of the top plays on the slate. Tyler Johnson received the start and played 32 minutes the last time Irving missed a game, although the Nets did re-sign Andre Roberson and Iman Shumpert to ten day contracts to add some backcourt depth. Chris Chiozza may also return to the rotation and snag a few minutes, but this is still Harden’s team. As for Green’s return, he should split his minutes at power forward and center, possibly reducing Deandre Jordan’s minutes and potentially removing Nicholas Claxton from the rotation.
As reported by: Mailka Andrews via Twitter Other tagged players: Jeff Green Kristaps Porzingis (back) upgraded to probable Saturday
Porzingis has been upgraded to probable after missing the last three games due to a back injury, and is in line to return against the Brooklyn Nets. If Porzingis were to return, he should be able to start and take the bulk of the center minutes, while the remainder of the Mavericks big men are liable to lose some minutes. Particularly against a Nets team that plays smaller, the minutes of Dwight Powell and Boban Marjanovic are likely gone, while Willey Cauley-Stein should come off the bench as the backup center. James Johnson also re-entered the rotation the last two games, and may not get too many minutes either. Luka Doncic shows lower usage but a higher assist percentage with Porzingis on the floor, while the remainder of the Mavericks all see slight downticks in usage.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report JaKarr Sampson (protocols) available Saturday
Sampson missed the last two games due to health and safety protocols, but is available to play tonight against the New York Knicks. He may play a few spot minutes off the bench on the second half of a back-to-back, but not enough to be DFS relevant.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Darius Miller (illness) ruled out Saturday
Miller was ruled out due to a stomach illness and won’t be available against the Denver Nuggets. He hasn’t played the last four games and his absence isn’t relevant for the Thunder.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Cedi Osman (back) listed questionable Saturday
Osman was added to the injury report this afternoon with lower back spasms, and is questionable to play tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers. This injury may end up being critical to monitor, as Taurean Prince was ruled out already due to personal reasons, along with Andre Drummond who is out while the team looks to trade him. If Osman were to miss, the Cavs would be very shorthanded on the wing, as Dean Wade should continue to start and would play a few more minutes, while Dylan Windler and Lamar Stevens would also see an increase in minutes. Windler is the best fantasy producer of the grouop on the season, averaging 0.87 FPM per CourtIQ. Osman and Prince combined to play 28 minutes their last game, so Wade and Windler seem primed to take advantage.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Mike Conley (injury management) ruled out Saturday
After playing 33 minutes yesterday on the front end of a back-to-back, Conley will sit out today for injury management and will miss the game against the Orlando Magic. Conley missed six games with a right hamstring injury before returning for the last three games, so the Jazz are being cautious with their point guard. With Conley out, Joe Ingles should get the start as he did while Conley missed action previously, while Jordan Clarkson should see a few more minutes and Miye Oni may re-enter the rotation. The Jazz have a decent sample size with Conley off the court, and they spread out the production with all their core players. Donovan Mitchell shows an increase in assist percentage from 25.7% to 30.1% per court IQ, while the remainder of the Jazz starters all see modest upticks in production, but should take advantage by playing more minutes, particularly Ingles and Clarkson.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report DeMar DeRozan (personal) available to play Saturday
After missing the Spurs last game due to personal reasons, DeRozan is available to play against the New Orleans Pelicans. He should be expected to reclaim his spot in the starting lineup, although coach Popovich shocked everyone with his starting lineup last game, with Luka Samanic, Trey Lyles, and Jakob Poetl in the front court over Lamarcus Aldridge, who was active and not on a minutes restriction, but still came off the bench. The Spurs are still shorthanded, as Derrick White, Keldon Johnson, Rudy Gay, Devin Vassell, and Quinndary Weatherspoon all out due to the health and safety protocols, and Aldridge remains questionable with a sore right wrist. The return of DeRozan should lead to a loss of minutes for Keita Bates-Diop and Samanic, while Dejounte Murray will compete with DeRozan for the highest usage on the team in a great matchup against the Pelicans.
As reported by: Matthew Tynan via Twitter Cody Zeller (hip) officially out Friday
As expected, Zeller has officially been downgraded from doubtful and won’t play in Friday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors due to a left hip contusion, while Devonte’ Graham continues to be sidelined with left knee discomfort and is still without a timetable for a return. In Zeller’s absence, Bismack Biyombo will likely replace him in the starting lineup at the center position, but his minute floor will likely depend on how often head coach James Borrego chooses to utilize lineup combinations with PJ Washington as the small-ball five. If this game goes small for extended stretches, one or both of Jalen McDaniels or Cody Martin could see extra playing time with the second unit, and McDaniels, specifically, could be an intriguing tournament target since he’s seen as much as 25 minutes off the bench in two of the previous four contests.
As reported by: Charlotte Hornets PR via Twitter
Jonas Valanciunas (thigh) will start Friday
Valanciunas has officially been upgraded from questionable and will start in Friday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers despite dealing with a left thigh contusion, while Justise Winslow will sit for rest as the team attempts to manage his return from a hip displacement injury on the second leg of a back-to-back set. Winslow had managed to record at least 21 minutes in each of his three games since returning from a lengthy injury hiatus from professional basketball, so his absence will certainly open a sizable chunk of playing time on the wing with the second unit. Unfortunately, his unavailability may not necessarily mean a significant increase for any of the regular rotation players as De’Anthony Melton was on pace for a DNP-CD last time out, so it’s plausible he just steps directly into the vacated role left behind by Winslow this evening.
As reported by: Grizzlies PR via Twitter