DFS Alerts
Tyler Johnson (abductor) ruled out Sunday; Nic Claxton (knee) listed available Sunday
Johnson was ruled out due to a tight left abductor, and will miss the game tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers. Claxton is available to make his season debut however, as he has previously missed time due to a right knee injury. Johnson only played eight minutes in the Nets last game, and with Kyrie Irving and James Harden both healthy, the guard minutes are few and far between. Landry Shamet and Bruce Brown may pick up a few minutes in his absence. Claxton likely won’t get too many minutes as a big man on a Brooklyn team that likes to play small, but he may carve out a role as spot minutes at center depending on the matchup.
As reported by: the Brooklyn Nets via Twitter Other tagged players: Nic Claxton
Dennis Smith Jr. expected to start for Delon Wright (groin)
With Wright out for two weeks due to a groin strain, Smith Jr. is in line to get the start at point guard against the Orlando Magic. Coach Casey mentioned pre-game that it would most likely be “handled by committee” but that they would start with Smith Jr. first. Saben Lee should also get some minutes as well.
As reported by: Rod Beard via Twitter Glenn Robinson III (not with team) ruled out Sunday
After being listed questionable due to a knee injury, the Kings ruled out Robinson due and listed him as not with the team before their game against the Milwaukee Bucks. There was no further update on Richaun Holmes or Harrison Barnes, who both remain questionable after missing the front end of the Kings back-to-back. With Robinson out, expect more minutes to go to Nemanja Bjelica off the bench, especially if Holmes and Barnes also miss.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Austin Rivers (illness) ruled out Sunday
Rivers was ruled out due to an illness and will be unable to play tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Since Derrick Rose joined the team, Rivers has barely played; in the last five games, he played two minutes in two of them and was inactive due to coach’s decision for the other three.
As reported by: the New York Knicks via Twitter Ben Simmons (illness) and Shake Milton (ankle) both available Sunday
After missing two games with an illness, Simmons will be making his return to the Sixers lineup as they take on the Toronto Raptors. Milton is also available to play, after missing the last five games with a left ankle sprain, and should take on his role of spark plug off the bench. Coach Doc Rivers mentioned pregame that Milton would be on a minutes limit, but did not specify an exact number. With Simmons back in the starting lineup, Matisse Thybulle should return to the bench and compete for minutes along with Milton and Tyrese Maxey. The rest of the Sixers are priced up for the absence of Simmons, so it may be tougher to pay up for them in a difficult matchup against the Raptors.
As reported by: Blake Murphy via Twitter Other tagged players: Shake Milton Kyle Lowry (thumb) ruled out Sunday
Lowry will miss his third straight game with a thumb injury, and he won’t be able to play tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Raptors have juggled lineups in his absence, as OG Anunoby missed the Raptors last game, but is not listed on the injury report and should be expected to start. Deandre Bembry has started the last two games, along with Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam. The Raptors have juggled lineups, but despite facing Joel Embiid, are electing to play small and keep Bembry in the starting lineup with Anunoby and Norman Powell rounding out the lineup. With Lowry off the floor, Powell and VanVleet see the biggest bumps, as Powell goes from .92 FPM to 1.02 FPM per CourtIQ, while VanVleet goes from 1.11 FPM to 1.19 FPM, and also leads the team with a 27.4% usage.
As reported by: Blake Murphy via Twitter Steven Adams (ankle sprain) ruled out Sunday
After being listed as questionable earlier in the day, Adams will miss his second straight game with a right ankle sprain and is out against the Boston Celtics. Willy Hernangomez has been starting in his absence, while Jaxson Hayes has re-entered the rotation and has been playing the backup center minutes. Hernnagomez averages 1.09 FPM per CourtIQ and now that he is starting, he should be a great play for the showdown slates, as the Pelicans game is the only one in the afternoon. Lonzo Ball also sees a bump in production, particularly in his assist percentage that jumps from 22% to 29.4% with Steven Adams off the floor. Zion Williamson also is a beneficiary, as he sees a usage increase from 28% to 31.2%, which leads the team in the split.
As reported by: the New Orleans Pelicans via Twitter Harrison Barnes (foot), Glenn Robinson III (knee), and Richaun Holmes (knee) all questionable Sunday
On the second night of a back-to-back set, the Kings listed Barnes, Robinson, and Holmes questionable for their game against the Milwaukee Bucks. All three of the players missed yesterday’s game; Robinson and Barnes were ruled out a few hours before the game, while Holmes was a game-time decision and ruled out shortly before tipoff. In their absence yesterday, Hassan Whiteside started at center but only played 16 minutes. He played 12 first half minutes, but dealt with some foul trouble in the second half and didn’t return after subbing out of his rotation. Cory Joseph also started last night and played 36 minutes, but didn’t do much with in that time as expected, as he averages only 0.78 FPM when Barnes and Holmes are off the court per CourtIQ. The biggest winner was Marvin Bagley III, who was on a minutes limit last night according to coach Walton, but proceeded to play 35 minutes and put up 26 points and 11 rebounds. If all three injured players were to miss again, he would be a big beneficiary assuming he’s not limited, as he averages 1.27 FPM in the split and is still affordable across the industry.
As reported by: Dennis Krause via Twitter Other tagged players: Richaun Holmes, Glenn Robinson III Richaun Holmes (knee) ruled out Saturday
Despite being a game-time decision, Holmes was ultimately ruled out due to a knee injury and will join Harrison Barnes and Glenn Robinson III on the sidelines. Hassan Whiteside will get the start against the Chicago Bulls in his place, while Cory Joseph enters the starting lineup in place of the injured Barnes. With Barnes and Holmes off the court, Fox has a usage percentage of 26.9% which leads the team per CourtIQ. Marvin Bagley has a big increase in usage as well and his FPM increases from 1.03 to 1.24 per CourtIQ, but he still has an unspecified minutes restriction. Whiteside is the biggest beneficiary, as he averages 1.35 FPM in the split per CourtIQ, and should get enough minutes to meet value at his salary.
As reported by: James Ham via Twitter Stephen Curry (illness) a late scratch Saturday
Despite being listed as available and nothing reported at all on the injury report, Stephen Curry was a late scratch after lock and right before tip off due to an illness. The official statement from the Warriors said he “wasn’t feeling well” and wouldn’t play, but the illness was not related to COVID. Mychal Mulder ended up getting the start in place of Curry.
As reported by: the Golden State Warriors via Twitter Harrison Barnes (foot) and Glenn Robinson III (knee) ruled out Saturday; Richaun Holmes (knee) a game-time decision
Coach Walton mentioned pregame that Barnes would miss his second straight game due to a foot injury, while Robinson would miss due to a knee injury. Holmes is still a game-time decision, but will be on an unspecified minutes restriction if he plays, just like DaQuan Jeffries and Marvin Bagley III who will also have their minutes monitored. Coach Walton also mentioned that if Holmes were to play, Cory Joseph would get the start, but if Holmes doesn’t play, he is unsure how he will have his starting lineup. With Barnes off the court, Bagley and Hassan Whiteside see the biggest bumps in production, but are both risky plays due to unclear minutes rotations. Tyrese Haliburton shows the biggest usage increase, as he goes from a 16.6% usage percentage up to 20% per CourtIQ and is line for some extended minutes for the short-handed Kings.
As reported by: James Ham via Twitter Other tagged players: Glenn Robinson III, Richaun Holmes Justise Winslow (hip) available to play Saturday
After a 13 month absence, Winslow will be making his team and season debut tonight against the Phoenix Suns. Coach Jenkins mentioned that he would be “smart” with Winslow’s minutes, although there was no specified amount listed. The Grizzlies could use his help, as Kyle Anderson, Grayson Allen, Brandon Clarke, and Dillon Brooks are all out tonight. Coach Jenkins hasn’t given out a starting lineup yet but even if Winslow gets the start, he likely won’t get enough minutes to be fantasy relevant.
As reported by: Rob Fischer via Twitter Kyle Kuzma (back) will start Saturday
Kuzma was listed probable with a back injury, but coach Frank Vogel confirmed that he will start tonight in an NBA Finals rematch against the Miami Heat. The Lakers will trot out the same starting lineup that they did in their last game, as Wesley Matthews will take over for Dennis Schroder who is out for three more games due to health and safety protocols. The Lakers have the second lowest implied total on the slate, only ahead of their opponent the Heat.
As reported by: Mike Trudell via Twitter Gordon Hayward (back) available to play Saturday
Hayward was listed as probable due to lower back discomfort, and although he had this designation last week and was ruled out, he’s available to play tonight against the Golden State Warriors. PJ Washington is returning as well, while Devonte’ Graham and Caleb Martin are out. Hayward will reclaim his starting spot, but coach Borrego mentioned that the Hornets may run a 10-deep rotation since they last played Sunday, and were only allowed to practice once all week. Despite that, Hayward still is in a good spot against the Warriors and no specific limitations were mentioned on his minutes.
As reported by: Christos Tsaltas via Twitter Grayson Allen (rest), Kyle Anderson (rest), Brandon Clarke (calf), and Dillon Brooks (thigh) all ruled out Saturday; Justise Winslow (hip) questionable
On the second night of a back to back, the Grizzlies will be severely shorthanded as they take on the Phoenix Suns. Brooks will miss his second straight game with right thigh soreness, Clarke is sitting due to injury maintenance for his calf, and Allen and Anderson will be resting after playing last night in the victory against the Pistons. Winslow was also listed questionable for the first time all year, and could make his team debut with the Grizzlies after being traded to them during the 2020 season. If Winslow were to be active, the Grizzlies would have 10 healthy bodies tonight. Desmond Bane and Xavier Tillman would likely join Jonas Valanciunas in the front court, while De’Anthony Melton would likely start in the backcourt alongside Ja Morant. There is not a big sample size with all of the injured players off, but minutes will open up dramatically. Expect Melton, Bane, and Tillman to take advantage of the opportunity, while Sean Mcdermott and John Konchar could be in line for a few extra minutes as well.
As reported by: the Memphis Grizzlies via Twitter Other tagged players: Grayson Allen, Brandon Clarke, Dillon Brooks, Justise Winslow