DFS Alerts
Dario Saric (ankle) ruled out Friday
Saric has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Friday’s matchup against the Chicago Bulls due to a sprained right ankle he sustained during the Suns’ previous game. Other than Saric, the Suns are basically at full strength, so it’ll be interesting to see what direction head coach Monty Williams decides to go with his starting lineup as Frank Kaminsky may now be needed to absorb the backup center minutes following the release of Damian Jones earlier in the week. If that’s the case, one of Jae Crowder or Cam Johnson would likely receive the starting nod at the power forward position and would become intriguing tournament options at their price tags across the daily fantasy industry this evening.
As reported by: Duane Rankin via Twitter
Tyrese Haliburton (calf) officially out Friday
As expected, Haliburton has downgraded from doubtful and won’t play in Friday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons due to left calf soreness, while Hassan Whiteside and Jabari Parker remain sidelined because of the NBA’s health and safety protocols and are still without a timetable for a return. Haliburton has surprisingly been averaging nearly 35 minutes per game over the previous five contests, so assuming Cory Joseph doesn’t directly step into that role, someone like Kyle Guy or Justin James could see significant playing time since Kings head coach Luke Walton has consistently been utilizing just an eight-man rotation and it seems extremely unlikely he would further condense that rotation to just seven players this evening.
As reported by: James Ham via Twitter Pascal Siakam (protocols) listed out Friday
Siakam is a new addition to the Raptors’ injury report and is now listed out for Friday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets 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. This news maybe shouldn’t be all that surprising since it was reported earlier in the day that six members of the Toronto coaching staff, including head coach Nick Nurse, won’t be on the bench for tonight’s contest as they also are going through necessary contact tracing as part of the health and safety protocols. In Siakam’s absence, one of Chris Boucher or Aron Baynes will likely join the starting lineup at the center position, but their minutes should be expected to volatile given the matchup with Houston, who has no issue with running P.J. Tucker or Jae’Sean Tate at the five on a nightly basis.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Justise Winslow (injury management) ruled out Friday; Jonas Valanciunas (thigh) questionable
Winslow has been included on the Grizzlies’ initial injury report and is listed out for Friday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers as the team attempts to manage his return from a hip displacement injury on the second leg of a back-to-back set, while Valanciunas is listed as questionable with left thigh soreness. Winslow has 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 Other tagged players: Jonas Valanciunas Cody Zeller (hip) downgraded to doubtful Friday
Zeller has officially been downgraded from questionable to doubtful on the Hornets’ latest injury report for 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 likely 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 D.J. Augustin (personal) ruled out Thursday
Despite never being listed on the Bucks’ injury report, head coach Mike Budenholzer referred to Augustin as “highly doubtful” to play in Thursday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a personal matter, while Jrue Holiday remains in the NBA’s health and safety protocols and is still ineligible to play. Augustin’s absence should allow Bryn Forbes to rejoin the starting lineup alongside Donte DiVincenzo in the backcourt, and with no other experienced point guards left on the active roster, both Forbes and DiVincenzo could be in line for additional playing time in tonight’s contest. However, if Budenholzer does choose to expand his rotation one or both of Torrey Craig or Sam Merrill could see nominal minutes off the bench to help round out the second unit this evening.
As reported by: Kane Pitman via Twitter Davis Bertans (knee) ruled out Thursday
Bertans has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Thursday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets due to right knee soreness, while Ish Smith remains sidelined with a left quadriceps strain and is still without a definitive timetable for a return to game action. In Bertans’ absence, Wizards head coach Scott Brooks will expectedly utilize the same starting lineup with Garrison Mathews at small forward and Moritz Wagner manning the five, but both of their minute floors have been volatile of late, especially Wagner with Robin Lopez and Alex Len continuously lurking on the bench to siphon away valuable playing time. This will also likely force Rui Hachimura to continue logging a heavy workload at the power forward spot, but it’s always possible someone like Isaac Bonga or Troy Brown Jr. find their way back into the rotation to help alleviate some of that burden and round out the second unit.
As reported by: the Washington Wizards via Twitter Jeff Green (shoulder) ruled out Thursday; Landry Shamet (chest) available to play
Green has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Thursday’s matchup against the Orlando Magic due to a right shoulder contusion that has now forced him to miss two consecutive games, while Shamet has been cleared to play following his original questionable designation on the Nets’ injury report with a chest contusion. The absence of Green should allow DeAndre Jordan to continue seeing the lion share of the center minutes in head coach Steve Nash’s rotation, and he’s managed to log at least 31 minutes in each of the previous two contests. Additionally, Nicolas Claxton will likely remain in the backup center role, and if he continues to play well, it’s certainly possible he could begin to siphon away playing time from Jordan as Brooklyn typically tries to manage the workload of their veteran big man.
As reported by: Billy Reinhardt via Twitter Other tagged players: Landry Shamet Kristaps Porzingis (back) officially out Thursday; Maxi Kleber (ankle) available to play
As expected, Porzingis has been downgraded from doubtful and won’t play in Thursday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers due to low back tightness that has now forced him to miss three consecutive games, while Kleber will be available following a one-game absence because of a sprained left ankle. In Porzingis’ absence, Dwight Powell has started the last two games at the center spot, but he was ultimately limited to just 11 minutes in Tuesday’s win on the second leg of a back-to-back set. The return of Kleber and the presence of Willie Cauley-Stein and Boban Marjanovic on the bench will do nothing to help the minute floor of Powell in tonight’s contest, so he’ll be nothing more than a tournament punt option if he receives the starting nod once again this evening.
As reported by: Brad Townsend via Twitter Other tagged players: Maxi Kleber Seth Curry (ankle) listed available Thursday
As expected, Curry has been upgraded from probable on the latest Sixer’s injury report and is now listed as available for Thursday’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks after missing one game due to a sore left ankle. There hasn’t been any indication that Curry will be subject to a minute restriction in tonight’s contest, so he should be fine to handle a full minutes allotment and assume his usual spot in the starting lineup alongside Ben Simmons in the backcourt. However, his return will send Furkan Korkmaz back to the bench to resume a reserve role following his stellar fantasy performance in just under 29 minutes of action as a surprise starter in Tuesday’s win.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Kristaps Porzingis (back) downgraded to doubtful Thursday; Maxi Kleber (ankle) listed probable
Porzingis has been downgraded from questionable on the latest Mavericks’ injury report and is now listed as doubtful for Thursday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers due to low back tightness that has already forced him to miss two consecutive games, while Kleber is probable with a sprained left ankle and is on track to return from a one-game absence. In Porzingis’ absence, Dwight Powell has started the last two games at the center spot, but he was ultimately limited to just 11 minutes in Tuesday’s win on the second leg of a back-to-back set. The likely return of Kleber and the presence of Willie Cauley-Stein and Boban Marjanovic on the bench will do nothing to help the minute floor of Powell in tonight’s contest, so he’ll be nothing more than a tournament punt option once again if he receives the starting nod this evening.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Other tagged players: Maxi Kleber Gordon Hayward (hand) available to play Wednesday
As expected, Hayward has officially been upgraded from probable and will be available to play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns despite dealing with a right-hand contusion he sustained in Monday’s loss. There hasn’t been any indication the Hayward will be limited or subject to any kind of minute restriction for Hayward, so he should be fine to handle his usual minute allotment as the starting small forward in tonight’s contest. Additionally, Devonte’ Graham remains sidelined with left knee discomfort, which should force Hornets head coach James Borrego to continue relying heavily on LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier in the backcourt rotation, while Malik Monk figures to see all of the backup guard minutes once again and has been a volatile option in daily fantasy formats over the previous few weeks.
As reported by: Charlotte Hornets PR via Twitter John Collins (concussion) available to play Wednesday
Collins has officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics despite being evaluated for a concussion, while Cam Reddish was previously ruled out with right Achilles soreness that has now forced him to miss two straight games. In Reddish’s absence, Tony Snell will likely be the main benefactor of additional playing time once again and is still a candidate to join the starting lineup at small forward as he had seen more minutes than Solomon Hill off the bench in each of the previous three games. As for Collins, there haven’t been any reports of a potential minute restriction, so he should be fine to handle his usual allotment of minutes as the starting power forward this evening.
As reported by: Brad Rowland via Twitter Jarrett Culver (ankle) will play Wednesday
As expected, Culver has been upgraded from probable and will play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Chicago Bulls after missing the previous 16 games due to a sprained left ankle. With Culver available, Minnesota is set to have everyone but D’Angelo Russell active for tonight’s contest, which makes their forward rotation potentially difficult to project, especially with this being only the second game for Chris Finch as the Timberwolves’ new head coach. It remains unclear how Culver will fit in the new coaching regime’s plans, but even if Culver is set to have a major role at some point, he will be limited to a 15-minute restriction as he attempts to work his way back from an extended layoff.
As reported by: Timberwolves PR via Twitter Tyler Herro (hip) ruled out Wednesday; Goran Dragic (ankle) will play
Herro has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors due to a right hip contusion that has now forced him to miss two consecutive games, while Dragic has been cleared to play following his questionable designation on the Heat’s injury report and will return from a nine-game absence. There haven’t been any reports of a potential minute restriction for Dragic, but even if he’s limited, his presence in the backcourt rotation should help stabilize some of the second unit playmaking deficiencies that existed with Gabe Vincent and Max Strus running the show over the last few weeks. Additionally, with Dragic available, it’s certainly possible one of Vincent or Strus finds themselves out of the rotation entirely and could be candidates to pick up a DNP-CD this evening.
As reported by: Tim Reynolds via Twitter Other tagged players: Goran Dragic