DFS Alerts

NBA Injury Rundown - Thursday, 1/10

Denver Nuggets – Gary Harris (Q), Will Barton (O), Isaiah Thomas (O), Michael Porter Jr. (O), Jarred Vanderbilt (O)

Oklahoma City Thunder – Nerlens Noel (O), Alex Abrines (O), Andre Roberson (O)

San Antonio Spurs – Rudy Gay (O), Dejounte Murray (O)

Detroit Pistons – Ish Smith (TBD), Zaza Pachulia (TBD), Henry Ellenson (O)

Sacramento Kings – Iman Shumpert (Q)

Dennis Smith Jr. (back) officially out Wednesday

Smith Jr. has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns due to mid-back tightness, and he’ll join Dirk Nowitzki on the Mavericks’ inactive list, while Luka Doncic will start at point guard despite dealing with a lower back strain. Nowitzki has seen his playing time ramp up a bit in recent games, as he’s averaged nearly 15 minutes off the bench in the last two games he was active, which has led Maxi Kleber to accumulate one DNP-CD and just five total minutes over that span. On top of that, the last time Smith Jr. was sidelined, Kleber ended up drawing the start at power forward, allowing Doncic to take over the primary ballhandling responsibilities in the starting unit. Obviously, Kleber will have an expanded role in the rotation as the starting power forward once again with both Smith Jr. and Nowitzki unavailable this evening.

Dirk Nowitzki (illness) officially out Wednesday

Nowitzki has officially been downgraded from doubtful and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns due to an illness, while Dennis Smith Jr. is unlikely to play, according to head coach Rick Carlisle, and Luka Doncic is ready to go despite dealing with a strained lower back. Nowitzki has seen his playing time ramp up a bit in recent games, as he’s averaged nearly 15 minutes off the bench in the last previous two games he was active, which has led Maxi Kleber to accumulate one DNP-CD and just five total minutes over that span. On top of that, the last time Smith Jr. was sidelined, Kleber ended up drawing the start at power forward, allowing Doncic to take over the primary ballhandling responsibilities in the starting unit. Obviously, Kleber will have a role in the rotation regardless of Smith Jr.‘s availability, but his status still clearly affects his and the other Mavericks overall viability in daily fantasy formats this evening.

Tristan Thompson (foot) will play Wednesday

Thompson has officially been cleared to play and will suit up for Wednesday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans after briefly being considered a game-time decision due to foot soreness, while Larry Nance and Rodney Hood have already been ruled out due to their respective ailments. There’s yet to be any official confirmation on who will replace Nance in the starting lineup, but Channing Frye received the honors to begin the second half of Tuesday’s loss, making him the likeliest candidate to start and match up with Julius Randle and Anthony Davis in the Pelicans frontcourt. However, despite some recent spot starts, Frye has still yet to play more than 20 minutes in any game this season, which realistically relegates him from consideration in daily fantasy formats on a full 10-game slate.

Mohamed Bamba (foot) out Wednesday

Bamba has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Utah Jazz due to a sore left foot. Bamba has essentially settled into a mid-teens minutes role off the bench in his rookie season, so his absence won’t have too much of an impact on the remainder of the frontcourt rotation, though Nikola Vucevic could possess a slightly higher minute floor and Jarell Martin has a good chance to enter the rotation to absorb a portion of the available playing time at center in the second unit. However, Bamba has only missed one game this season, and it was actually Khem Birch that saw 22 minutes off the bench in that contest, though neither he or Martin are realistic options in tournament formats on a full 10-game slate like the one on tap this evening.

JaMychal Green (shoulder) and Jevon Carter (knee) available to play Wednesday

Green has officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Wednesday’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs despite dealing with a sore left shoulder, while Carter has been upgraded from probable as he continues to be hampered by a sore right knee. Carter was recently anointed as the primary backup behind Mike Conley at point guard by head coach JB Bickerstaff, and he’s averaged 16.9 minutes off the bench over the Grizzlies last three games. As for Green, he’s essentially settled into a role of low-20s minutes off the bench but finds himself in a bit of a daily fantasy purgatory where he doesn’t possess enough upside to be utilized in tournaments or have a solid floor to be viable in cash game formats.

Luka Doncic (back) will play Wednesday; Dennis Smith Jr. (back) unlikely to play

Doncic has officially been upgraded from questionable and is ready to go for Wednesday’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns despite dealing with a strained lower back, while head coach Rick Carlisle considers Smith Jr. and Dirk Nowitzki unlikely to play with their respective ailments. Nowitzki has seen his playing time ramp up a bit in recent games, as he’s averaged nearly 15 minutes off the bench in the last two games he was active, which has led Maxi Kleber to accumulate one DNP-CD and just five total minutes over that span. On top of that, the last time Smith Jr. was sidelined, Kleber ended up drawing the start at power forward, allowing Doncic to take over the primary ballhandling responsibilities in the starting unit. Obviously, Kleber will have a role in the rotation regardless of Smith Jr. and Doncic’s availability, but their statuses still clearly affect his and the other Mavericks overall viability in daily fantasy formats this evening.

Tristan Thompson (foot) now a game-time decision Wednesday

Thompson is reportedly feeling some soreness in his foot and will be a game-time decision for Wednesday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, while Larry Nance and Rodney Hood have already been ruled out due to their respective ailments. There’s yet to be any official confirmation on who will replace Nance in the starting lineup, but Channing Frye received the honors to begin the second half of Tuesday’s loss, making him the likeliest candidate to start and match up with Julius Randle and Anthony Davis in the Pelicans frontcourt. However, despite some recent spot starts, Frye has still yet to play more than 20 minutes in any game this season, which realistically relegates him from consideration in daily fantasy formats on a full 10-game slate. Of course, that’s assuming Thompson is able to play through his foot soreness.

Nikola Mirotic (ankle) will play Wednesday; E'Twaun Moore (quad) ruled out

Mirotic has officially been upgraded from questionable and will play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing 12 consecutive games with a right ankle injury, while Moore has been ruled out and will miss a second straight contest with a bruised left quad. Head coach Alvin Gentry did confirm in a recent interview that Mirotic was nearing a return, so it wasn’t all that surprising that he’s available following an upgrade in status earlier in the day. Gentry did disclose to reporters that Mirotic will continue to come off the bench but will be limited to a maximum of 20 minutes in his first game back from an extended absence. Additionally, with Moore unavailable, Darius Miller, who was mediocre from a fantasy standpoint in 30 minutes of action in his first spot start, will likely receive the starting nod at small forward once again.

Kevin Huerter (back) available to play Wednesday

Huerter has officially been upgraded from probable and will be available to play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets after missing one game due to mid-back pain. There’s been no confirmation if Huerter will be subject to a minute restriction in his return, and he should displace Jeremy Lin from the starting lineup following his phenomenal fantasy performance in 35 minutes of action in Tuesday’s loss. Huerter has quietly played at least 34 minutes in four of his last five games, so he certainly remains in consideration for tournament formats if he’s deemed to be a full-go this evening. Trae Young has been a bit inconsistent of late, but he still owns a 31.2% usage rate and is averaging 1.14 DraftKings and 1.08 FanDuel points per minute with Kent Bazemore, Taurean Prince, and Miles Plumlee off the court this season.

Darren Collison (leg) available to play Wednesday

Collison has officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics despite dealing with a sore right leg, while Myles Turner will miss his third consecutive game with a sore right shoulder. Despite dealing with the aforementioned leg injury in Tuesday’s loss, Collison still managed to play 26 minutes, so he’ll likely be close to a full-go once again for tonight’s contest. In Turner’s absence, Domantas Sabonis will almost certainly receive the starting nod at center and is coming off of a second straight serviceable fantasy performance in 34 minutes of action. Anytime Turner or Sabonis have been sidelined this year, Kyle O’Quinn has joined the rotation as the primary backup center, and he’s always worth a look in tournaments at his inexpensive salary across the industry, as he is averaging 1.31 DraftKings and 1.38 FanDuel points per minutes with Turner off the court this season.

Larry Nance (knee) and Rodney Hood (Achilles) listed out Wednesday

Nance has been listed out on the most recent version of the Cavaliers’ injury report and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a right knee injury he sustained during Tuesday’s loss, while Hood has been ruled out for the sixth time in the last eight games with a sore left Achilles tendon. There’s yet to be any confirmation on who will replace Nance in the starting lineup, but Channing Frye received the honors to begin the second half of yesterday’s contest, making him the likeliest candidate to start and match up with Julius Randle and Anthony Davis in the Pelicans frontcourt. However, despite some recent spot starts, Frye has still yet to play more than 20 minutes in any game this season, which realistically relegates him from consideration in daily fantasy formats on a full 10-game slate.

J.J. Redick (back) out Wednesday

Redick has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards due to back tightness that has forced him to miss two consecutive games. In his absence, Furkan Korkaz drew the start alongside Jimmy Butler on the wing, and he continues to be serviceable from a fantasy perspective in an average of 27.3 minutes over his previous three spot starts. However, it was Landry Shamet that stole the show in 24 minutes off the bench, recording a ridiculous 39.75 DraftKings and 36.10 FanDuel points at his inexpensive price tag. With Redick now unavailable, Butler will be an intriguing tournament target considering he owns a 30.1% usage rate (+5.6%) and is averaging 1.19 DraftKings and 1.20 FanDuel points per minute with Redick off the court.

Devin Booker (back) officially out Wednesday

Booker has officially been downgraded from doubtful and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks due to back spasms that have now forced him to miss two consecutive games. Josh Jackson ended up replacing Booker in the starting lineup for Tuesday’s win, and he was solid from a fantasy perspective in 31 minutes of action, marking two consecutive contests he’s logged at least that many minutes and exceeded salary-based expectations. On top of that, Jackson has consistently been one of the primary beneficiaries with Booker off the court this season, and he leads the Suns with a 26.1% usage rate and is averaging 1.09 DraftKings and 1.11 FanDuel points per minute in this scenario. Another player in position to benefit from Booker’s absence is De’Anthony Melton, as he owns a 19.2% usage rate (+2.3%) with an average of 1.15 DraftKings and 1.21 FanDuel points per minute in a 172.4 minutes sample size.

Don't Overlook the Last Game of the Night

The Pistons – Lakers matchup in Los Angeles is middle-of-the-pack in terms of projected point total tonight with a over/under of 215.5, however unlike a number of other games, it is projected to be a close game with the Lakers only favored by two points. The game also features a number of appealing matchups for key players. The Lakers rank 26th in the league in points-in-the-paint allowed, and Andre Drummond could be in for another big game after averaging 17 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 steals over his past two games. Lonzo Ball gets one of the best defensive matchups on the night at the point guard position according to DRPM, and although his priced has increased recently, he should be running the Lakers offense with LeBron James out. Speaking of King James’ absence, Kyle Kuzma gets a 3.8% usage bump and Brandon Ingram sees a 3.7% usage increase with LeBron off the floor this season, and I have interest in both players as overlooked GPP options in the late-night game.