DFS Alerts
Zach LaVine (quad) officially out Monday
As expected, LaVine has officially been downgraded from doubtful and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks due to left quadriceps soreness, while Otto Porter Jr. confirmed with reporters at shootaround that he will play after missing nearly four months due to a fractured left foot. Head coach Jim Boylen already disclosed that Porter will be limited to 16-22 minutes in his first game back, and Porter will come off the bench in his return. This means that Shaq Harrison and Denzel Valentine will be inserted into the starting lineup at the wing positions for tonight’s contest and should be in line for increased playing time with Porter limited and LaVine sidelined. There’s not much sample size with LaVine and the other injured Bulls off the court, but in that time, Coby White and Thaddeus Young each own a minimum of a +4.6% increase in usage rate and are averaging at least +0.09 more fantasy points per minute over their normal season-long numbers.
As reported by: K.C. Johnson via Twitter
Khris Middleton (neck) will play Monday
As expected, Middleton has officially been upgraded from probable and will play in Monday’s matchup against the Miami Heat after missing two games due to neck soreness, while Kyle Korver remains sidelined with a sore back and is still without a firm timetable for a return. In Middleton’s absence, Donte DiVincenzo ended up starting both games alongside Wesley Matthews on the wing, but he was relatively disappointing for fantasy purposes despite averaging 23.5 minutes per game over this span. However, there haven’t been any reports of a potential minute restriction for Middleton, so DiVincenzo will almost certainly head back to the bench to resume a reserve and Middleton should be fine to handle his usual allotment of minutes in tonight’s contest. Middleton is likely fairly priced on daily fantasy sites, but he’ll still be a fine tournament target on a seven-game slate since he has a 26.2% usage rate, a 20.9% assist rate, and is averaging 1.25 DraftKings and 1.20 FanDuel points per minute on the season thus far.
As reported by: Matt Velazquez via Twitter Victor Oladipo (knee) out Monday
Despite never being listed on the Pacers’ injury report, Oladipo has officially been ruled out and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs due to a sore right knee. The Pacers already lost Jeremy Lamb for the remainder of the season, so Aaron Holiday will now be the leading candidate to join the starting lineup in Oladipo’s absence, and he recently played at least 30 minutes in the two games Oladipo and Lamb were both sidelined following the All-Star break. Other than Holiday’s likely increase in playing time, Myles Turner has surprisingly been the largest beneficiary with Oladipo and Lamb off the court this season, as he has a 20.8% usage rate, a 15.0% rebound rate, and is averaging 1.12 DraftKings and 1.15 FanDuel points per minute in a 432.9 minutes sample size.
As reported by: the Indiana Pacers via Twitter Andre Drummond (calf) officially out Monday
As expected, Drummond has officially been downgraded from doubtful and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Utah Jazz due to a strained left calf, while Darius Garland and Tristan Thompson were already ruled out with their respective ailments. This news will leave Cleveland with just nine available players for tonight’s contest, two of which being Dean Wade and Matt Mooney, who have combined to play fewer than 60 minutes over the course of the entire season thus far. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has opted to go with a smaller starting lineup with Larry Nance Jr. receiving the start at power forward and Kevin Love sliding over to the center position. Ante Zizic hasn’t played more than 25 minutes in any game he’s been a part of the rotation, but he could still be in consideration for tournament formats if he can eclipse the 20-minute mark since he has an 18.3% rebound rate and is averaging 1.03 DraftKings and 1.04 FanDuel points per minute in a 185.0 minutes sample size on the year.
As reported by: Spencer Davies via Twitter Reggie Bullock (illness) out Monday
Bullock has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets due to an illness that has now forced him to miss two consecutive games, while Dennis Smith Jr. remains in the concussion protocol and will also be sidelined for a second straight contest. In Bullock’s absence, Wayne Ellington will be able to remain in the rotation for at least one additional game, but he’s been pretty irrelevant for fantasy purposes in an expanded role and was limited to just 15 minutes off the bench in Saturday’s win. Kevin Knox also saw a slight uptick in playing time with both Bullock and Smith Jr. unavailable last time out, whereas Frank Ntilikina was able to have the backup point guard role all to himself and amassed just under 17 minutes of action with the second unit.
As reported by: Steve Popper via Twitter Cam Reddish (back) downgraded to doubtful Monday
Reddish has officially been downgraded from questionable and is now listed as doubtful for Monday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies due to low back pain, while DeAndre’ Bembry, Clint Capela, and Dewayne Dedmon all remain sidelined with their respective ailments and are still without a firm timetable for returns. In Reddish’s absence, head coach Lloyd Pierce will more than likely utilize a big starting lineup with John Collins sliding over to power forward and Bruno Fernando receiving the start at the center position in tonight’s contest. However, since Damian Jones is available off the bench and Collins has the ability to play the five in smaller lineup combinations, Fernando typically has a volatile minute floor that relegates him to tournament-only consideration on a seven-game main slate.
As reported by: Brad Rowland via Twitter Aaron Gordon (knee) out Monday
Gordon has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers due to right knee inflammation, while Jonathan Isaac and Al-Farouq Aminu remain sidelined with their respective ailments and are still without timetables for a return this season. In Gordon’s absence, Gary Clark will receive the starting nod at power forward alongside James Ennis III in the frontcourt, though he has been a DNP-CD in four consecutive games, giving an extremely volatile minute floor even as a starter in tonight’s contest. Gordon plays a significant portion of his minutes with the Magic’s second unit, so it isn’t surprising that Terrence Ross, Michael Carter-Williams, and D.J. Augustin all own a minimum of a +2.6% increase in usage rate and are averaging at least +0.15 more fantasy points per minute over their season-long numbers with him off the court.
As reported by: Orlando Magic PR via Twitter Andre Drummond (calf) listed doubtful Monday
Drummond has been added to the latest Cavaliers’ injury report and is doubtful for Monday’s matchup against the Utah Jazz due to a strained left calf, while Darius Garland and Tristan Thompson were already ruled out with their respective ailments. This news will likely leave Cleveland with just nine available players for tonight’s contest, two of which being Dean Wade and Matt Mooney, who have combined to play fewer than 60 minutes over the course of the entire season thus far. There hasn’t been any indication from the team or head coach J.B. Bickerstaff on whether they’ll go small by starting Larry Nance Jr. or roll with a more traditional starting lineup with Ante Zizic at the center position. Either way, Zizic hasn’t played more than 25 minutes in any game he’s been a part of the rotation, but he’ll still be firmly in consideration for all formats if he can eclipse the 20-minute mark since he has a 18.3% rebound rate and is averaging 1.03 DraftKings and 1.04 FanDuel points per minute in a 185.0 minutes sample size on the year.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Kristaps Porzingis (knee) listed out Monday; Seth Curry (back) listed questionable
Porzingis has been listed out on the latest Mavericks’ injury report and won’t play in Monday’s second leg of a back-to-back set against the Chicago Bulls due to injury recovery for his ailing left knee, while Curry is listed as questionable with low back tightness. Luka Doncic and Willie Cauley-Stein are also listed as probable, so Doncic will almost certainly reclaim the starting point guard duties from Delon Wright, who was relatively solid for fantasy purposes in 32 minutes of action in Sunday’s win, whereas J.J. Barea essentially just served as the backup point guard and was limited to just under 17 minutes off the bench. In Porzingis’ absence, Maxi Kleber is the overwhelming candidate to join the starting lineup, and he’s managed to record between 28-30 minutes as a starter in the three previous games Porzingis has been sidelined for rest. In fact, Kleber, Doncic, and Tim Hardaway Jr. all own a minimum of a +2.3% increase in usage rate and are averaging at least +0.10 more fantasy points per minute over their normal season-long numbers.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Other tagged players: Seth Curry Khris Middleton (neck) listed probable Monday
Middleton has been listed as probable on the initial Bucks’ injury report for Monday’s matchup against the Miami Heat due to neck soreness that has already forced him to miss two games, while Kyle Korver remains sidelined with a sore back and is still without a firm timetable for a return. In Middleton’s absence, Donte DiVincenzo ended up starting both games alongside Wesley Matthews on the wing, but he was relatively disappointing for fantasy purposes despite averaging 23.5 minutes per game over this span. However, there haven’t been any reports of a potential minute restriction for Middleton, so DiVincenzo will almost certainly head back to the bench to resume a reserve and Middleton should be fine to handle his usual allotment of minutes in tonight’s contest. Middleton is likely fairly priced on daily fantasy sites, but he’ll still be a fine tournament target on a seven-game slate since he has a 26.2% usage rate, a 20.9% assist rate, and is averaging 1.25 DraftKings and 1.20 FanDuel points per minute on the season thus far.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Zach LaVine (quad) downgraded to doubtful Monday
LaVine has officially been downgraded from probable to doubtful for Monday’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks due to left quadriceps soreness, while Otto Porter Jr. confirmed with reporters at shootaround that he will play after missing nearly four months due to a fractured left foot. Head coach Jim Boylen already disclosed that Porter will be limited to 16-20 minutes in his first game back, though he didn’t specify whether Porter would start or come off the bench in his return. This means that one or both of Ryan Arcidiacono and Shaq Harrison could be inserted into the starting lineup for tonight’s contest and should be in line for increased playing time either way with Porter limited and LaVine likely sidelined. There’s not much sample size with LaVine and the other injured Bulls off the court, but in that time, Coby White and Thaddeus Young each own a minimum of a +4.6% increase in usage rate and are averaging at least +0.09 more fantasy points per minute over their normal season-long numbers.
As reported by: Darnell Mayberry via Twitter Otto Porter Jr. (foot) will play Monday
Porter Jr. is still technically listed as questionable on the Bulls’ injury report, but he confirmed with reporters at shootaround that he will play in Monday’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks after missing nearly four months due to a fractured left foot, while Zach LaVine is now doubtful with left quadriceps soreness. Head coach Jim Boylen already disclosed that Porter will be limited to 16-20 minutes in his first game back, though he didn’t specify whether Porter would start or come off the bench in his return. This means that one or both of Ryan Arcidiacono and Shaq Harrison could be inserted into the starting lineup for tonight’s contest and should be in line for increased playing time either way with Porter limited and LaVine likely sidelined. There’s not much sample size with LaVine and the other injured Bulls off the court, but in that time, Coby White and Thaddeus Young each own a minimum of a +4.6% increase in usage rate and are averaging at least +0.09 more fantasy points per minute over their normal season-long numbers.
As reported by: Rob Schaefer via Twitter Anfernee Simons (ankle) intends to play Monday
Simons is still technically listed as questionable on the Trail Blazers’ injury report, but he confirmed with reporters at shootaround that he will go through pregame warmups with the intention of playing in Monday’s matchup against the Orlando Magic despite dealing with a sprained right ankle. Portland is still without Damian Lillard because of a strained right groin, so head coach Terry Stotts has consistently been playing his starters heavy minutes, which has limited Simons to fewer than 22 minutes in each of the previous four games. Simons doesn’t have a stable enough minute floor to be a realistic tournament option on a seven-game slate, but C.J. McCollum continues to thrive with Lillard off the court, and he has a 36.5% usage rate, a 32.5% assist rate, and is averaging 1.25 DraftKings and 1.18 FanDuel points per minute in a 366.0 minutes sample size.
As reported by: Casey Holdahl via Twitter Luka Doncic (thumb) and Willie Cauley-Stein (personal) listed probable Monday
Doncic and Cauley-Stein are listed probable for Monday’s second leg of a back-to-back set against the Chicago Bulls after missing time due to their respective ailments, while Kristaps Porzingis won’t play in order to manage injury recovery for his ailing left knee. Doncic will almost certainly reclaim the starting point guard duties from Delon Wright, who was relatively solid for fantasy purposes in 32 minutes of action in Sunday’s win, whereas J.J. Barea essentially just served as the backup point guard and was limited to just under 17 minutes off the bench. In Porzingis’ absence, Maxi Kleber is the overwhelming candidate to join the starting lineup, and he’s managed to record between 28-30 minutes as a starter in the three previous games Porzingis has been sidelined for rest. In fact, Kleber, Doncic, and Tim Hardaway Jr. all own a minimum of a +2.3% increase in usage rate and are averaging at least +0.10 more fantasy points per minute over their normal season-long numbers.
As reported by: Dwain Price via Twitter Other tagged players: Willie Cauley-Stein Draymond Green (knee) and Kevon Looney (hip) out Sunday
Green and Looney have officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards due to their respective ailments, while Jordan Poole was already cleared to return after missing one game with a sprained right ankle. In Green and Poole’s absences, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Dragan Bender ended up receiving the starting nod alongside Marquese Chriss in the frontcourt, and even though they both logged 31 minutes of action, Bender was the far more productive for fantasy purposes and will be an intriguing option on tonight’s four-game slate with both Green and Looney unable to suit up this evening. There is almost no sample size with Green, Looney, and Ky Bowman off the court since the NBA trade deadline, but Andrew Wiggins has a 25.7% usage rate and is averaging 1.09 DraftKings and 1.12 FanDuel points per minute in a 227.3 minutes sample and figures to see an even bigger boost in his usage and assist numbers.
As reported by: Nick Friedell via Twitter Other tagged players: Kevon Looney