DFS Alerts
Karl-Anthony Towns (wrist) ruled out Sunday, considered week-to-week
Towns won’t be available to play in Sunday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a dislocated left wrist, and it appears the Timberwolves are bracing for their star center to miss extended time as Towns will have the injury re-evaluated on a week-by-week basis. Unfortunately, this is the same wrist that Towns fractured prior to the league shut down in March, so it’s likely Minnesota will be extra cautious while mapping out his return-to-play plan. As for tonight, Naz Reid will receive the starting nod at the center position and should step into a sizable role in terms of minutes with only he and Ed Davis as the only true centers left on the active roster.
As reported by: Adrian Wojnarowski via Twitter
Joel Embiid (back) ruled out Sunday
Embiid is an unexpected scratch from the lineup and won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to what’s been classified as back tightness. However, more likely than not, the Sixers are opting to rest their star big man on the second leg of a back-to-back set this early in the season. In his absence, Dwight Howard will receive the starting nod at the center position, and given how well he’s performed with the second unit in the early going, he’ll likely step directly into Embiid’s allotment of playing time with some combination of Tony Bradley, Mike Scott, and possibly Vincent Poirier absorbing the available backup center minutes this evening. Other than Howard, players like Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons should see sizable increases in usage sans Embiid, making them excellent options on tonight’s daily fantasy slates across the industry.
As reported by: Keith Pompey via Twitter Victor Oladipo (knee) ruled out Sunday
Oladipo was an unexpected scratch from the lineup, and he won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics as the Pacers choose to manage the injury that forced him to miss extended time prior to the league shut down in March last season. The injury, if you want to even call it that, doesn’t appear to be serious, and in all likelihood, Oladipo will be good to go for the Pacers’ next upcoming contest sometime this week. As for tonight, Aaron Holiday will receive the starting nod in the backcourt alongside Malcolm Brogdon, but Oladipo’s absence will also open up additional playing at the wing and forward positions for the likes of Justin Holiday and Doug McDermott, putting both firmly in play for tournament formats across the daily fantasy industry this evening.
As reported by: the Indiana Pacers via Twitter Dennis Smith Jr. (hip) ruled out Sunday
Smith Jr. has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks due to a left hip contusion. He’ll join Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, and Austin Rivers on the Knicks’ inactive list for tonight’s contest. Their absences should enable Alec Burks to continue filling in as one of the backup point guards, and given their current lack of depth, it wouldn’t be unsurprising if Frank Ntilikina joined the rotation as another potential ballhandler in the backcourt. It’s unlikely Ntilikina sees enough playing time to become relevant in daily fantasy formats across the industry, but Burks can certainly be targeted in tournaments at the very least this evening.
As reported by: Ian Begley via Twitter Kevin Love (calf) expected to play Sunday
Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff disclosed to reporters during his pregame media availability that he expects Love to play in Sunday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers despite continuing to battle a strained right calf. Love was able to play through the aforementioned ailment in Saturday’s double-overtime win, but blew past his proposed minute restriction and logged nearly 37 minutes of action, so it’s a bit surprising if the Cavaliers’ medical staff is allowing him to suit up on the second leg of a back-to-back set, which may signal that he could have his playing time managed in tonight’s contest. Meanwhile, Isaac Okoro was already ruled out earlier in the day, and he joins Kevin Porter Jr. and Matthew Dellavedova on the inactive list this evening.
As reported by: Rick Noland via Twitter Draymond Green (foot) listed out Sunday
Green was briefly upgraded to questionable on the Warriors’ injury report, but he’ll remain sidelined for at least one additional game and won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the Chicago Bulls due to a sore right foot. In his absence, Eric Paschall will presumably continue to start at the power forward position, but both his minutes and fantasy production have been inconsistent, at best, as head coach Steve Kerr hasn’t been afraid to go deep into his bench and experiment with different lineup combinations. However, Marquese Chriss is slated to miss the rest of the season with a fractured leg, which may temporarily open up additional playing time in the frontcourt rotation for the second unit.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Anthony Davis (calf) ruled out Sunday
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel confirmed with reporters following shootaround that Davis won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves after previously being listed as questionable on the injury report with a left calf contusion. Vogel didn’t disclose who he planned to start in place of Davis, but Kyle Kuzma appears to be the overwhelming favorite since he started and received extensive run in the preseason when Davis and LeBron James were unavailable to play. This news will also free up minutes for Markieff Morris off the bench, and Vogel will likely be forced to utilize more single-big lineups, adding the Lakers’ tertiary wing players to the list of potential tournament targets on tonight’s slates across the daily fantasy industry.
As reported by: Kyle Goon via Twitter Kawhi Leonard (laceration) ruled out Sunday
Leonard fell victim to a scary collision towards the end of Friday’s win, and he’s officially been ruled out of Sunday’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks after previously being listed as questionable on the Clippers’ injury report due to a mouth laceration. In his absence, Luke Kennard will receive the starting nod alongside Paul George on the wing, and with Marcus Morris also still unavailable, there will be a surplus of playing time available at the forward positions this afternoon. Unsurprisingly, George has led the Clippers with a 37.5% usage rate with Leonard off the court thus far this season, so he immediately becomes one of the top options on the single-game and all-day slates across the daily fantasy industry this afternoon.
As reported by: Tomer Azarly via Twitter Isaac Okoro (foot) listed out Sunday; Kevin Love (calf) questionable
Okoro popped up on the Cavaliers’ initial injury report, and he has officially been ruled out of Sunday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers due to a sprained left foot, joining Kevin Porter Jr. and Matthew Dellavedova on the inactive list for tonight’s contest. Love also remains questionable with a calf issue he was able to play through in Saturday’s double-overtime win, but Love blew past his proposed minute restriction and logged nearly 37 minutes of action, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the Cavaliers’ medical staff opts to hold him out on the second leg of a back-to-back set. This would clear up playing time for Larry Nance Jr. and Cedi Osman, who is likely to receive the start in place of Okoro, while Damyean Dotson may be able to rejoin the rotation following his DNP-CD last time out.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Other tagged players: Kevin Love Russell Westbrook (rest) listed out Sunday
Wizards head coach Scott Brooks recently backtracked on reports suggesting the team planned to rest Westbrook on one leg of back-to-back sets this season, but apparently, coach speak has struck again since Westbrook has officially been ruled out of Sunday’s matchup against the Orlando Magic for rest purposes. In his absence, one of Ish Smith or Raul Neto is likely to receive the starting nod at the point guard position, while Bradley Beal should theoretically benefit from a massive bump in usage rate with Westbrook and his triple-doubles sidelined this evening.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Obi Toppin (calf) and Immanuel Quickley (hip) officially out Saturday
Toppin and Quickley were both originally listed as doubtful on the Knicks’ injury report, so it’s no surprise that they’ve officially been ruled out of Saturday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers due to their respective ailments. Quickley didn’t serve a sizeable role off the bench in the season opener, but his absence should allow Alec Burks to take on additional playing time in the backcourt as evidenced by his fantasy output last time out. As for Toppin, there will be more time available for Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel to play alongside Julius Randle in the frontcourt, potentially making Robinson an intriguing tournament target on tonight’s nine-game slates across the daily fantay industry.
As reported by: Steve Popper via Twitter Other tagged players: Immanuel Quickley Danilo Gallinari (foot) ruled out Saturday
Despite briefly being upgraded from doubtful to questionable on the Hawks’ injury report, Gallinari has officially been ruled out of Saturday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies due to a foot injury. Gallinari did receive the starting nod in place of the injured Clint Capela at power forward alongside John Collins in the season opener, but it’ll be fairly easy for head coach Lloyd Pierce to find another replacement in the starting lineup given the surplus of wings and forwards he has at his disposal on the active roster. If Pierce opts to continue starting small with Collins at the center spot, either Bogdan Bogdanovic or Kevin Huerter could receive the start in the backcourt while De’Andre Hunter slides down to power forward or current backup center Bruno Fernando could take on a larger role and see time alongside Collins in the frontcourt this evening.
As reported by: Brad Rowland via Twitter Rajon Rondo (COVID protocols) available to play Saturday; Danilo Gallinari (foot) now questionable
Despite originally being listed out on the Hawks’ injury report, Rondo will be available to play in Saturday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies after clearing the necessary health and safety protocols, while Gallinari has also been upgraded from doubtful to questionable and appears to be on track to suit up this evening. There’s been no word if Gallinari will be limited by a minute restriction if he’s cleared to play in tonight’s contest, but it’ll be fairly easy for head coach Lloyd Pierce to manage the veteran forward’s playing time given the surplus of wings and forwards he has at his disposal on the active roster. Gallinari ended up starting in place of the injured Clint Capela in the season opener, and barring news suggesting otherwise, he’ll likely find himself in that role once again.
As reported by: Sarah K. Spence via Twitter Other tagged players: Danilo Gallinari De'Anthony Melton (COVID protocols) ruled out Saturday
Melton is a new addition to the Grizzlies’ injury report, and he’s officially been ruled out of Saturday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks as he must adhere to the league’s health and safety protocols regarding the coronavirus. Melton managed to log 25 minutes off the bench in the season opener, so his absence will open additional playing time for rookie Desmond Bane, Grayson Allen, and potentially a few other members of the Memphis wing and forward rotations since Justise Winslows remains sidelined and is still without a timetable for a return because of a hip injury.
As reported by: Grizzlies PR via Twitter Robert Williams III (illness) ruled out Friday
Williams was a late addition to the Celtics’ injury report and has now officially been ruled out of Friday’s Christmas Day matchup against the Brooklyn Nets after previously being listed as questionable due to an illness. Williams had a decent role off the bench in the season opener with both Daniel Theis and Tristan Thompson starting alongside each other in the frontcourt, but in his absence, there certainly a chance that head coach Brad Stevens may opt to utilize smaller lineup combinations, which would lead to increased playing time for tertiary players like Grant Williams and Semi Ojeleye or possibly even allow Javonte Green to join the rotation following a solid preseason as a temporary member of the starting lineup.
As reported by: Brian Robb via Twitter