DFS Alerts
Joel Embiid (back) ruled out Monday
Embiid has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons due to back tightness as the Sixers wrap up a stretch of three games in four nights. This will be the fourth game Embiid has missed this season, and Dwight Howard will likely join the starting lineup once again after starting at the center spot in each prior instance Embiid has been sidelined. Howard has had far from a safe floor in these contests, but he has been productive for fantasy purposes more often than not, making him one of the top value options on the 10-game slates across the industry this evening.
As reported by: Keith Pompey via Twitter
George Hill (thumb) ruled out Monday
Hill has been included on the Thunder’s initial injury report and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers due to a sprained right thumb. Hill logged 28 minutes in Sunday’s loss, so it’s certainly possible that his unavailability is more to do with tonight’s contest being the second leg of a back-to-back set than a long-term injury concern. Hill has only been sidelined on one occasion this season, and in that game, Justin Jackson ended up joining the starting lineup. However, he’s largely been out of the rotation since that spot start, making Hamidou Diallo and Theo Maledon the most likely players to benefit from additional playing time this evening, whether that’s off the bench or as a starter.
As reported by: Jamie Hudson via Twitter Robert Covington (concussion) ruled out Monday
Covington has been included on the Trail Blazers’ injury report and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a concussion he sustained in Sunday’s win despite initially clearing the concussion protocol and returning to the game. Portland is still without C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic, so they will be without three starters in tonight’s contest, which may allow Carmelo Anthony to return to the starting lineup for the first time since last season. However, even if he remains in a bench role, Anthony is a strong favorite to lead the second unit in minutes for a second consecutive night, especially with players like Nassir Little and CJ Elleby next in line for minutes at the end of head coach Terry Stotts’ rotations.
As reported by: Casey Holdahl via Twitter D'Angelo Russell (quad) unlikely to play Monday
Russell is still technically listed as questionable on the Timberwolves’ injury report, but head coach Ryan Saunders disclosed that Russell is “probably unlikely” to play in Monday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors due to a right quad contusion he apparently suffered in Friday’s loss. In his probable absence, Ricky Rubio should receive another start at the point guard position following his solid fantasy performance in 28 minutes of action last time out. Jordan McLaughlin served as the backup point guard in that contest and was also fairly productive in his time on the floor, but if Rubio has his minute limit increased, it’s improbable McLaughlin will see enough minutes to become fantasy relevant on a 10-game slate across the industry this evening.
As reported by: Dane Moore via Twitter Larry Nance Jr. (wrist) listed out Monday
Nance Jr. was included on the Cavaliers’ injury report and is listed out for Monday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a sprained right wrist he sustained in Sunday’s loss. In his absence, there’s a number of directions head coach JB Bickerstaff could go with his starting lineup, but with Darius Garland set to play in his third game since an extended injury absence, he would be the logical choice to slot back into the first unit alongside Collin Sexton in the backcourt. This move would slide Isaac Okoro and Cedi Osman down to the forward positions, but it’s still certainly possible Bickerstaff continues to tinker with more double center lineup combinations given the defensive assignment issues the frontcourt of Anthony Davis, Montrezl Harrell, and Marc Gasol present to opposing teams.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Trae Young (back) and Clint Capela (hand) ruled out Sunday
Young officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks due to back spasms, while Capela also won’t be available following a late addition to the Hawks’ injury report because of a sore right hand. In Capela’s absence, Onyeka Okongwu will receive the starting nod at the center spot in tonight’s contest, but with how often head coach Lloyd Pierce utilizes smaller lineup combinations with John Collins at the five, Okongwu’s minutes are far from secure despite the spot start. As for Young, it appears that Rajon Rondo and Brandon Goodwin will assume the vacated point guard minutes with Rondo the most likely to join the starting lineup. With Danilo Gallinari and Cam Reddish still on minute restrictions, Collins, Kevin Huerter, and De’Andre Hunter figure to shoulder the burden of more minutes and usage sans Young and Capela this evening.
As reported by: Brad Rowland via Twitter Other tagged players: Clint Capela Russell Westbrook (quad) will start Sunday; Raul Neto (groin) ruled out Sunday
Westbrook has officially been upgraded from questionable and will start in Sunday’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs after missing over two weeks due to left quadriceps soreness, while Neto will also be unavailable because of left groin tightness. Wizards’ head coach Scott Brooks already confirmed with reporters that Westbrook will be limited to around 25 minutes in tonight’s contest, which will allow Cassius Winston to serve as the backup point guard despite having little-to-no meaningful minutes to this point in his rookie season. The Wizards continue to be ravaged by the NBA’s health and safety protocols and will have just 10 available players for tonight’s contest, including Alex Len and Jordan Bell, who were just signed to the active roster late last week.
As reported by: Chase Hughes via Twitter Other tagged players: Raul Neto Dejounte Murray (ankle) available to play Sunday
Murray has officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Sunday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards despite dealing with a sprained right ankle he sustained in the Spurs’ previous contest. There haven’t been any reports of a potential minute restriction for Murray, so he should be able to handle his usual minute allotment as the starting point guard in head coach Gregg Popovich’s first unit. The Spurs will are in a tremendous with a depleted Wizards squad that continues to be ravaged by the NBA’s health and safety protocols and will have just 10 available players for tonight’s contest, including Alex Len and Jordan Bell, who were just signed to the active roster late last week.
As reported by: RJ Marquez via Twitter Kristaps Porzingis (injury management) officially out Saturday
Porzingis was a late addition to the Mavericks’ injury report and, as expected, won’t play in Saturday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets as the team attempts to manage his recovery from offseason knee surgery on the second night of a back-to-back set. The Mavericks are also still without Maxi Kleber, Dwight Powell, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Josh Richardson, so they will be extremely shorthanded at the frontcourt positions, which should give Willie Cauley-Stein a significant minute floor as the starting center in tonight’s contest. The lack of depth should also allow Boban Marjanovic to see regular minutes with the second unit, though his playing time likely hinges on how often head coach Rick Carlisle decides to utilize smaller lineup combinations this evening.
As reported by: mavstats via Twitter Kristaps Porzingis (knee) downgraded to doubtful Saturday
Porzingis is a late addition to the Mavericks’ injury report and is now listed as doubtful for Saturday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets as the team attempts to manage his recovery from offseason knee surgery on the second night of a back-to-back set. The Mavericks are also still without Maxi Kleber, Dwight Powell, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Josh Richardson, so they will be extremely shorthanded at the frontcourt positions, which should give Willie Cauley-Stein a significant minute floor as the starting center in tonight’s contest. The lack of depth should also allow Boban Marjanovic to see regular minutes with the second unit, though his playing time likely hinges on how often head coach Rick Carlisle decides to utilize smaller lineup combinations this evening.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Devin Booker (hamstring) officially out Saturday
As expected, Booker has officially been ruled out and won’t play in Saturday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets due to a strained left hamstring he sustained late in Friday’s loss, while Dario Saric and Damian Jones remain in the NBA’s health and safety protocols and continue to be ineligible to play until cleared. There isn’t really any clarity on who will replace Booker in the starting lineup for tonight’s contest, but even if someone like Jevon Carter receives the nod at the shooting guard spot, Booker’s vacated minutes are likely to be filled by committee with the lineup flexibility head coach Monty Williams has with his starters and second unit, especially since Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, and Cameron Johnson are all capable sliding up from usual positions.
As reported by: Jon Bloom via Twitter D'Angelo Russell (rest) ruled out Saturday; Ricky Rubio (protocols) will play
Russell has been included on the Timberwolves’ initial injury report and won’t play in Saturday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans due to rest purposes on the second leg of a back-to-back set, while Rubio will play as he continues to remain clear of the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Rubio will likely receive the starting nod at point guard in Russell’s absence, but head coach Ryan Saunders disclosed to reporters that he only expects Rubio to see 24-28 minutes with this being only his second game back from an extended absence. This means Jordan McLaughlin will serve as the backup point guard and could be an intriguing tournament target if Rubio sees the lower end of the aforementioned minute restriction this evening.
As reported by: Timberwolves PR via Twitter Other tagged players: Ricky Rubio Victor Oladipo (injury management) listed out Saturday; John Wall (knee) probable
Oladipo has been included on the Rockets’ initial injury report and won’t play in Saturday’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks as the team attempts to manage his return from a right quad injury that kept him sidelined for a large portion of last season. The Rockets are still without Christian Wood and Danuel House Jr., but it looks like they will have John Wall back from an extended injury absence despite earlier reports keeping him sidelined for at least another week. There haven’t been any reports of a potential minute restriction for Wall, but given the probably early return to the lineup, it appears likely he’ll be able to handle at least close to his usual minute allotment, and he should essentially step into Oladipo’s vacated role in the first unit this evening.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Other tagged players: John Wall Otto Porter Jr. (rest) listed out Saturday
Porter Jr. is a new addition to the Bulls’ injury report and won’t play in Saturday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers for rest purposes on the second leg of a back-to-back set. Meanwhile, Wendell Carter Jr. will miss a second straight game with a right quadriceps contusion, which will likely allow Daniel Gafford to receive another start at the center position following a rather disappointing fantasy performance in just under 19 minutes of action in Friday’s win. There’s a chance Gafford sees a bit more run in tonight’s contest with Chicago down a forward and the positional matchup with the Lakers frontcourt, but even so, he’ll be nothing more than a punt option in large-field tournaments given the other value options already available at the center spot across the daily fantasy industry.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Nicolas Batum (personal) will play Friday
Batum was a late addition to the Clippers’ injury report, but he’s been cleared to play in Friday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder following his earlier questionable designation as he tended to a personal matter. Batum has continued to maintain his spot in the Clippers starting lineup even with Marcus Morris back from his extended injury absence, but his minute floor has certainly become more volatile, and continues to be a low-usage player spending a majority of his time on the court alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on a nightly basis.
As reported by: Andrew Greif via Twitter