DFS Alerts
Omari Spellman (hip) available to play Friday
Spellman has officially been upgraded from probable and will be available to play in Friday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics after missing one game with a right hip contusion, while Alex Len remains questionable and Alex Poythress has already been ruled out. John Collins and Dewayne Dedmon both recorded a season-high in minutes in Wednesday’s loss, so Spellman will be poised for a reduction in his bench role regardless if Len is able to suit up or not, especially with Justin Anderson now soaking up playing time in the frontcourt as well. Dedmon remains severely underpriced across the industry, so should Len be ruled out, he’ll become one of the top value options on the slate with an elevated minute floor and is averaging 1.05 DraftKings and 1.11 FanDuel points per minute with him off the court this season.
As reported by: Kevin Chouinard via Twitter
Alex Abrines (illness) now a game-time decision Friday
Abrines was originally listed out on the Thunder’s injury report, but he’s going to try to play and will be a game-time decision for Friday’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets due to a viral illness. There’s been no indication if Abrines will be healthy enough to start in place of the injured Terrance Ferguson or Hamidou Diallo, but if he isn’t, that responsibility may be passed to Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, who’s played at least 24 minutes in two of the last three games off the bench. However, there’s always a possibility that head coach Billy Donovan opts to start his two-point guard lineup combination with Dennis Schroder and Russell Westbrook patroling the backcourt. Surprisingly, Westbrook has actually seen an uptick in production with Ferguson and Diallo off the court, as he owns a 35.6% usage rate and is averaging 1.80 DraftKings and 1.83 FanDuel points per minute in a 121.4 minutes sample size.
As reported by: Erik Horne via Twitter Tony Parker (rib) out Friday
Parker is a new addition to the Hornets’ injury report and has been ruled out of Friday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a rib contusion, while Willy Hernangomez remains probable with a sprained right ankle. Parker has played over 20 minutes off the bench in each of the Hornets last two games, so Devonte’ Graham will likely absorb a large portion of those available minutes after he served as the primary backup point guard in the only other game Parker has missed this season. However, the aforementioned role only amounted to 13 minutes in that contest, so Graham will remain irrelevant for daily fantasy formats on tonight’s 12-game slate.
As reported by: Charlotte Hornets PR via Twitter Victor Oladipo (knee) out Friday; Myles Turner (ankle) and Domantas Sabonis (ankle) questionable
Oladipo has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Friday’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs due to a sore right knee that’s now forced him to miss three consecutive games, while Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis will be game-time decisions because of ankle injuries. The absence of Oladipo will enable Tyreke Evans to draw another start at the shooting guard spot following two serviceable fantasy performances in only 24.5 minutes of action in his previous two starts. Evans’ price tag has come up across the industry, but he remains in play for tournaments given his immense upside. Turner, Sabonis, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Cory Joseph have actually been the main beneficiaries from a usage standpoint with Oladipo sidelined, as each own at least a +2.7% usage rate differential with him off the court. However, it’s Sabonis that is clearly the top fantasy option given his 25.5% usage rate and an average of 1.47 DraftKings and 1.45 FanDuel points per minute in this scenario.
As reported by: J. Michael via Twitter Other tagged players: Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis Dwight Howard (glute) out Friday
Howard has officially been downgraded from questionable and will not play in Friday’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors due to gluteal soreness that has now kept him sidelined for two consecutive games. In his absence, Thomas Bryant will draw the start at center once again following a middling fantasy performance in 19 minutes of action in his first start. Still, head coach Scott Brooks seems willing to give him at least a moderate leash with the starters, citing the “youthful energy and enthusiasm” he brings to the court. Jason Smith and Ian Mahinmi still weren’t able to find the court with Howard unavailable and a majority of those backup center minutes continue to be absorbed by Markieff Morris and Jeff Green, as each logged at least 25 minutes in Tuesday’s win.
As reported by: Candace Buckner via Twitter Al Horford (knee) officially out Friday
Horford has quickly been downgraded from doubtful and will not play in Friday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks due to a sore left knee. However, the Celtics do not expect the injury to impact Horford long-term and there’s a good chance he’s able to suit up for the game in Dallas tomorrow evening. There’s a number of different ways head coach Brad Stevens can go with his starting lineup sans Horford, but Gordon Hayward appears to be the likeliest candidate to start alongside Jayson Tatum at one of the forward spots, though it’s certainly possible Stevens opts to start someone like Daniel Theis or Semi Ojeleye at power forward to keep the rotation mostly intact. The primary beneficiary with Horford off the court this season has easily been Marcus Morris, as he owns a 28.1% usage rate and is averaging 1.14 DraftKings and 1.08 FanDuel points per minute, making him an outstanding tournament target given a likely increase in playing time as well.
As reported by: the Boston Celtics via Twitter CJ Miles (groin) will play Friday; OG Anunoby (wrist) remains probable
Miles has officially been upgraded from probable and will play in Friday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards after missing five consecutive games with a strained right adductor, while Anunoby remains probable due to a sprained right wrist but just needs to pass one additional test before receiving medical clearance. Kawhi Leonard is slated to return to the starting lineup for tonight’s contest, which will send Fred VanVleet back to the bench to resume a reserve role following his underwhelming fantasy performance in 36 minutes of action in Wednesday’s win. Jonas Valanciunas also started ahead of Serge Ibaka at center in the Raptors previous game, but the two big men have been shuffled around the rotation on numerous occasions this season and each typically sees around the same amount of playing time regardless of role.
As reported by: Blake Murphy via Twitter Other tagged players: OG Anunoby Ed Davis (left ankle sprain) will play on Friday.
Ed Davis will be available to play for the Brooklyn Nets on Friday against Minnesota. He was listed as questionable with an ankle sprain. Except Daivs to get about his normal 16-20 minutes of action today. He isn’t a recommended DFS option on this huge slate.
As reported by: Bryan Fonseca via Twitter
NBA Injury Rundown - Friday, 11/23
Brooklyn Nets – Ed Davis (Questionable), Caris LeVert (Out), Treveon Graham (Out)
Cleveland Cavaliers – George Hill (Out), Sam Dekker (Out), Kevin Love (Out), J.R. Smith (Out)
Philadelphia 76ers – Markelle Fultz (Out), Jonah Bolden (Out)
Washington Wizards – Dwight Howard (Questionable)
Toronto Raptors – OG Anunoby (Probable), CJ Miles (Probable), Norman Powell (Out)
Boston Celtics – Al Horford (Questionable)
Atlanta Hawks – Omari Spellman (Probable), Alex Len (Questionable), Alex Poythress (Out)
Charlotte Hornets – Willy Hernangomez (Probable), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Out)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Terrance Feruson (Out), Hamidou Diallo (Out), Alex Abrines (Out)
Indiana Pacers – Victor Oladipo (Questionable), Domantas Sabonis (Questionable)
Miami Heat – Goran Dragic (Out), Tyler Johnson (Out)
Chicago Bulls – Chandler Hutchison (Probable)
Milwaukee Bucks – Donte DiVincenzo (Out), John Henson (Out)
Portland Trail Blazers – Seth Curry (Probable), Maurice Harkless (Probable)
Golden State Warriors – Draymond Green (Out), Stephen Curry (Out), Alfonzo McKinnie (Out)
Los Angeles Lakers – Josh Hart (Questionable), Rajon Rondo (Out)
Jerami Grant (ankle) and Nerlens Noel available to play Wednesday; Alex Abrines (illness) ruled out
Grant and Noel have both officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors, while Abrines has been ruled out due to an illness that limited him to just seven minutes in Monday’s loss. Terrance Ferguson rejoined the Thunder at shootaround this morning and will be available to play after missing three consecutive games due to a personal matter. Ferguson will reclaim his spot in the starting lineup at the shooting guard position, which will send Hamidou Diallo back to the bench to resume a reserve role following a couple of solid fantasy performances in an average of 20.3 minutes over the last three games. However, Diallo does seem to have asserted himself ahead of Abrines and possibly Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot in the wing rotation, despite the latter logging at least 24 minutes off the bench in the last two contests.
As reported by: Brett Dawson via Twitter Other tagged players: Nerlens Noel, Alex Abrines Chandler Hutchison (back) out Wednesday
Hutchison was a late addition to the Bulls’ injury report and has officially been ruled out of Wednesday’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns due to back spasms he began experiencing during today’s walkthrough. Meanwhile, Zach LaVine will make his return from a one-game absence because of illness, but with Hutchison unable to suit up, Cameron Payne could remain in the rotation for at least one more game after logging 22 minutes with LaVine sidelined for the Bulls previous contest. However, he is still clearly behind LaVine, Ryan Arcidiacano, Shaq Harrison, and Antonio Blakeney in head coach Fred Hoiberg’s current guard rotation even sans Hutchison, limiting his viability as a punt option in any format.
As reported by: the Chicago Bulls via Twitter Maurice Harkless (knee) available to play Wednesday; Seth Curry (knee) ruled out
Despite originally being listed as out on the Trail Blazers’ injury report, Harkless has officially been cleared and will be available to play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks after missing 12 consecutive games with a sore right knee. Meanwhile, Curry was ruled out due to a patellar bone bruise in his right knee despite being upgraded to probable earlier in the afternoon. In his absence, both Wade Baldwin and Anfernee Simons have gotten some run in the second unit, though neither has seen enough court time to become fantasy relevant. However, Evan Turner has been the main beneficiary in terms of playing time with Curry sidelined, but he could see his minutes regress back to the mid-20s range with Harkless also slated to see some of the backup forward minutes behind Jake Layman and Al-Farouq Aminu this evening.
As reported by: Jamie Hudson via Twitter Other tagged players: Seth Curry Dennis Smith Jr. (wrist) and J.J. Barea (groin) will play Wednesday; Dwight Powell (knee) out
Smith Jr. and Barea have both been upgraded from questionable and will play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets despite dealing with a sprained right wrist and strained left groin, respectively, while Dwight Powell has been ruled out and will join Wesley Matthews among the Mavericks’ inactives for tonight’s contest. With Matthews sidelined, Dorian Finney-Smith has started three of the last four games and has averaged nearly 36 minutes over that span, keeping him in consideration as a punt option in tournaments despite his lowly 13.4% usage rate on the year. The return of Barea is a slight downgrade to the projected value of Smith Jr. in this matchup, as his presence just adds another body to the backcourt rotation and the two rarely share the court together, limiting Smith Jr.‘s floor and upside in daily fantasy formats.
As reported by: Eddie Sefko via Twitter Other tagged players: J.J. Barea, Dwight Powell Davis Bertans (concussion) available to play Wednesday
Bertans has officially cleared the concussion protocol and will be available to play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies after missing two games with the aforementioned concussion. The Spurs will still be without Pau Gasol as he continues to deal with a sore right foot, which should allow Jakob Poeltl to continue serving as the primary backup center in traditional lineup combinations, though head coach Gregg Popovich has opted to tighten his rotation in certain matchups and recently played both DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge over 40 minutes on the front end of a back-to-back set. Prior to Bertans’ injury absence, his minutes were a bit sporadic, but his presence in the rotation will grant Popovich the privilege to be more flexible with personnel decisions at all five positions.
As reported by: Paul Garcia via Twitter OG Anunoby (wrist) and CJ Miles (groin) out Wednesday
Anunoby and Miles have both been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks due to a sprained right wrist and strained right adductor, respectively, while Kawhi Leonard will be rested on the second night of a back-to-back set as part of his load management plan. With all three wing players unavailable, Toronto is now relatively thin at the forward positions and will likely allow Malachi Richardson and Lorenzo Brown to receive some run with the second unit. Fred VanVleet started alongside Kyle Lowry in the backcourt in the previous game Leonard sat out, logging 29 minutes, and he’ll likely start once again this evening. Unsurprisingly, Lowry has been the primary beneficiary with Leonard off the court this season, as he owns a 25.9% usage rate (+5.0%) and is averaging 1.47 DraftKings and 1.46 FanFuel points per minute in a 214.6 minutes sample size.
As reported by: Eric Smith via Twitter Other tagged players: C.J. Miles