DFS Alerts
Josh Hart (back) available to play Tuesday
Hart has officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Tuesday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets despite dealing with lower back spasms. There haven’t been any reports of a potential minute restriction for Hart, so he should assume his usual role off the bench with the second unit that typically allows him to minutes in the upper-20s on a nightly basis. However, the Pelicans are on the front end of a back-to-back set, so it wouldn’t be completely astonishing if head coach Stan Van Gundy extended the rotation a bit with Hart somewhat hobbled, especially with Nickeil Alexander-Walker being a surprise DNP-CD last time out.
As reported by: the New Orleans Pelicans via Twitter
Delon Wright (ankle) and Wayne Ellington (calf) will start Tuesday
As expected, Wright and Ellington have been cleared and will play in Tuesday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets despite dealing with their respective ailments, while Frank Jackson was previously ruled out with an illness. There haven’t been any indications that Wright or Ellington will be subject to minute restrictions in tonight’s contest, so they should be fine to assume their usual places in the starting lineup and handle a normal minute workload in tonight’s contest. Additionally, with the departure of Derrick Rose to New York via trade, Saban Lee should remain in the backup point guard role for at least one more game since Dennis Smith Jr. still isn’t available to make his Pistons debut.
As reported by: Omari Sankofa II via Twitter Other tagged players: Wayne Ellington Delon Wright (ankle) and Wayne Ellington (calf) expected to play Tuesday
Wright and Ellington are still technically listed as questionable on the Pistons’ injury report, but they went through shootaround and head coach Dwane Casey expects them to play in Tuesday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets despite dealing with their respective ailments, while Frank Jackson was already ruled out with an illness. There haven’t been any indications that Wright or Ellington will be subject to minute restrictions in tonight’s contest, so they should be fine to assume their usual places in the starting lineup and handle a normal minute workload in tonight’s contest. Additionally, with the departure of Derrick Rose via trade, Saban Lee should remain in the backup point guard role for at least one more game since Dennis Smith Jr. still isn’t available to make his Pistons debut.
As reported by: Rod Beard via Twitter Other tagged players: Wayne Ellington Nerlens Noel (knee) listed available Tuesday
Noel has officially been upgraded from questionable on the Knicks’ injury report and is now listed as available for Tuesday’s matchup against the Miami Heat after missing two games due to a sore left knee. There haven’t been any reports of a potential minute restriction for Noel, but given his typical role off the bench as the backup center, it would seem unlikely he’d have any type of restrictions in tonight’s contest. The return of Noel to the frontcourt rotation should also relegate Taj Gibson back to a regular DNP-CD after logging at least 14 minutes with the second unit in each of the previous two games.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Kyrie Irving (finger) available to play Tuesday
As expected, Irving has officially been upgraded from probable and will be available to play in Tuesday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons after missing one game due to sprained finger. However, Irving’s absence was likely more related to the Nets playing the second game of a back-to-back set, so he should be fine to handle his usual minute allotment in tonight’s contest, which will send Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot back to the bench to resume a reserve role and should also diminish the minutes of Bruce Brown with another body available in the backcourt rotation. Additionally, Jeff Green will start at power forward in place of Kevin Durant, who remains in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, and Noah Vonleh will be available to make his Nets debut if head coach Steve Nash opts to utilize him in the second unit this evening.
As reported by: Alex Schiffer via Twitter Jrue Holiday (protocols) inactive Monday
Despite never being listed on the Bucks’ injury report, Holiday will be inactive for Monday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets as he’s entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols and may be required to self-isolate for a currently undetermined time period. In his absence, Bryn Forbes will receive the starting nod alongside Donte DiVincenzo in the backcourt, but not only is DiVincenzo a capable facilitator, but D.J. Augustin is also available off the bench, giving Forbes an extremely volatile minute floor for a player starting the game as a member of the first unit. On top of that, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are also more than capable of running the point in non-traditional lineup combinations, and Antetokounmpo even leads the team with a 40.2% assist rate with Holiday off the court this season.
As reported by: Eric Nehm via Twitter Alex Caruso (hand) ruled out Monday
Caruso has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a hand strain, while Anthony Davis was previously ruled out after an MRI revealed Achilles tendonosis in his right leg. When Davis has been sidelined this season, Kyle Kuzma has typically received the start at power forward, and in the most recent contest, he was phenomenal for fantasy purposes in 30 minutes of action. Head coach Frank Vogel’s rotation has shifted around a bit since the last time Davis was unavailable, so there may be a few extra minutes for Talen Horton-Tucker in the second unit if veterans Markieff Morris and Wesley Matthews continue to not see significant playing time even with two rotation pieces inactive this evening.
As reported by: Dan Woike via Twitter Chris Paul (hamstring) ruled out Monday
Paul has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a sore hamstring, while Jae Crowder, Abdel Nader, and Cameron Payne each remain sidelined on the second night of a back-to-back set with their respective ailments. There hasn’t been any indication on who would start in place of Paul if he’s ruled out, but it would be a fair assumption to suggest that Devin Booker would be spending more time than normal running the point when he’s on the floor regardless of starting lineup. E’Twaun Moore has been the direct backup to Paul in recent games, so it’s likely he’ll see a significant increase in minutes, and possibly even start, whereas Langston Galloway and Jevon Carter figure to pick up any additional slack in the backcourt with the second unit.
As reported by: Gerald Bourguet via Twitter Chris Paul (hamstring) questionable Monday; Jae Crowder (foot) and Abdel Nader (ankle) remain out
Paul has been included on the Suns’ initial injury report and is listed as questionable Monday’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a sore hamstring, while Crowder and Nader, and Cameron Payne each remain sidelined on the second night of a back-to-back set with their respective ailments. Paul has played both games of every back-to-back situation thus far this season, but his inclusion on the injury report does raise some red flags on his potential availability in tonight’s contest. There hasn’t been any indication on who would start in place of Paul if he’s ruled out, but it would be a fair assumption to suggest that Devin Booker would be spending more time than normal running the point when he’s on the floor. E’Twaun Moore has been the direct backup to Paul in recent games, so it’s likely he’d see a significant increase in minutes, and possibly even start, whereas Langston Galloway and Jevon Carter figure to pick up any additional slack in the backcourt with the second unit.
As reported by: Duane Rankin via Twitter Other tagged players: Jae Crowder, Abdel Nader Anthony Davis (Achilles) officially out Monday; Alex Caruso (hand) questionable
As expected, Davis has officially been ruled out and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to right Achilles tendonosis, while Caruso is a new addition to the Lakers’ injury report and is listed as questionable with a hand strain. When Davis has been sidelined this season, Kyle Kuzma has typically received the start at power forward, and in the most recent contest, he was phenomenal for fantasy purposes in 30 minutes of action. Head coach Frank Vogel’s rotation has shifted around a bit since the last time Davis was unavailable, so there may be a few extra minutes for Talen Horton-Tucker in the second unit if veterans Markieff Morris and Wesley Matthews continue to not see significant playing time on a nightly basis.
As reported by: Dave McMenamin via Twitter Other tagged players: Alex Caruso John Wall (rest) and Eric Gordon (rest) listed out Monday
Wall is a new addition to the Rockets’ injury report and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets as the team manages his recovery from Achilles tendon surgery on the front end of a back-to-back set, while Gordon will also be held out for rest purposes, marking the first time he hasn’t played both times on a back-to-back this season. The Rockets are also still without Christian Wood, so they will be without three key rotation pieces in tonight’s contest, which should lead to additional playing time in the backcourt for Sterling Brown, David Nwaba, and possibly even Mason Jones for nominal backup minutes at the point guard position.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Other tagged players: Eric Gordon Carsen Edwards will start Sunday
Edwards will receive his first start of his career for the Celtics as they face off against the Phoenix Suns. Grant Williams also surprisingly starts ahead of Daniel Theis, who was not listed on the injury report despite missing the second half of Friday’s game due to a knee injury. It remains to be seen if coach Stevens is playing the matchups, or perhaps resting Theis to let his knee recover.
As reported by: the Boston Celtics via Twitter Other tagged players: Daniel Theis
Abdel Nader (ankle soreness) ruled out Sunday
Despite being listed as probable, Nader has been downgraded to out with ankle soreness and will miss the game against the Boston Celtics. With Jae Crowder and Dario Saric also missing the game, the Suns frontcourt is even thinner and minutes will be more consolidated. E’Twaun Moore will pick up a few extra minutes, while Cam Johnson and Frank Kaminksy should pick up a few more as well.
As reported by: the Phoenix Suns via Twitter Joe Ingles will start Sunday
Joe Ingles is receiving the start in place of Mike Conley, who is out with right hamstring tightness and will miss his first game of the year against the Indiana Pacers. Ingles averages 0.96 FPM with Conley off the floor per CourtIQ, and should see the biggest uptick in minutes. Rudy Gobert and Bojan Bogdanovic also average 0.14 and 0.11 FPM more with Conley off the floor, respectively.
As reported by: Ryan Miller via Twitter Jae Crowder (foot) ruled out Sunday
Crowder has been downgraded from doubtful to out, and will miss his second consecutive game with a sore right foot against the Boston Celtics. Dario Saric also is out with a sprained ankle, so the Suns will remain thin in their frontcourt rotation. In the Suns last game without Crowder, Frank Kaminsky received the start and played 20 minutes, while Cam Johnson came off the bench and played 21 minutes. Coach Williams mentioned to reporters that he declined to name his starters, although it is expected that Kaminsky will get the start again to matchup with the Celitcs bigger frontcourt. Damian Jones also has re-entered the rotation the last two games and may play a few more minutes off the bench.
As reported by: Gerald Bourguet