DFS Alerts
Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Pau Gasol among six Spurs ruled out for Friday
In addition to those three, Manu Ginobili (quad), Danny Green (quad), and Dejounte Murray (groin) have already be ruled out ahead of their matchup with the Mavericks Friday night. That means Kyle Anderson will be the chalk of the day tomorrow. He’s been playing really well lately, in his last two starts he produced an average of 30.8 FanDuel points and 32.0 DraftKings points. Not surprisingly, his usage goes up 3.2% when the resting players are out and his FD ppm jumps 0.15 points to 0.87. Jonathon Simmons will also be popular, he leads the team in usage (28.2%) with those players off. David Lee is second (25.1%) and he produces an even 1.0 FD ppm. Those three and Patty Mills will be the strongest plays. Dewayne Dedmon, Tony Parker, and Davis Bertans will also present possible value options though.
As reported by: San Antonio Spurs Other tagged players: LaMarcus Aldridge, Pau Gasol, Manu Ginobili, Danny Green, Dejounte Murray, Kyle Anderson, Jonathon Simmons, Tony Parker, Davis Bertans, Patty Mills, David Lee
Brandon Ingram (knee) probable for Friday, expected to be limited; Jordan Clarkson (knee) and D'Angelo Russell (knee) listed as questionable
Ingram and Clarkson both had limited practice sessions earlier Thursday, while Clarkson wasn’t able to participate. Ingram is expected to play tomorrow when Los Angeles hosts Sacramento, but he won’t play a full complement of minutes. He’s been held under 25 for the past three games since returning and he only got on the floor for 10 on Wednesday. Corey Brewer started the second half ahead of him last night, but still only played 20 minutes; he’s not getting enough time to be a fantasy target, even with Ingram hobbled up. Russell is questionable after sitting out last game. Tyler Ennis got the start and played 39 minutes, by far the most on the team. He was 8-for-14 from the floor, scoring 19 points while adding six assists. He’d be a major value target should Russell or Clarkson miss their upcoming matchup with the Kings.
As reported by: Mike Bresnahan Other tagged players: D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson Kevin Durant will return on Saturday for Warriors barring a setback
Durant is set to return just in time to warm up for a anticipated long post-season run. He will go through a full practice tomorrow and barring any setback will return to action on Saturday. Matt Barnes and Patrick McCaw will return to fantasy wasteland with Durant back in the lineup.
As reported by: Chris Haynes on Twitter Other tagged players: Matt Barnes, Patrick McCaw
Utah Jazz injury report for Friday
George Hill is doubtful for the Jazz on Friday while Rodney Hood, Derrick Favors, Raul Neto, and Jeff Withey are all listed as questionable. Hill has been out nearly two weeks but doubtful is an upgrade from his previous designation of out. If he can’t go it’ll once again be Shelvin Mack and Dante Exum manning the point. Favors hasn’t played in nearly a month but went through a partial practice and appears as if he will return in the near future. Hood continues to battle a knee injury and if he can’t go, Joe Ingles will again benefit. We’ll update you on the status of all these players tomorrow when more information comes in.
As reported by: Jody Genessy on Twitter Other tagged players: Rodney Hood, Derrick Favors, Raul Neto, Jeff Withey DeMarcus Cousins questionable for Pelicans on Friday
With the Pelicans officially out of the playoff race, there is a chance the Pelicans big man will not play on Friday but for now he’s considered questionable. We’ll update you tomorrow after the morning shootaround – Dante Cunningham would see the biggest playing time boost but the usage boost would go to Anthony Davis if Boogie sits.
As reported by: New Orleans Pelicans official Twitter feed Sergio Rodriguez remains OUT for 76ers; Dario Saric still on minutes limit
Rodriguez has been out since March 26th and is out once again today meaning T.J. McConnell will likely start at PG and be a viable DFS option. Gerald Henderson and Tiago Splitter are both available but are not viable DFS options while Dario Saric will continue to be on a 24 minute limit thus removing him as a viable DFS play.
As reported by: Philadelphia 76ers official Twitter feed Other tagged players: Gerald Henderson, Tiago Splitter, Dario Saric Rajon Rondo OUT for Bulls tonight
Rondo is dealing with a right wrist injury that will cause him to miss tonight’s game against the 76ers. Jerian Grant will get the start at point guard but will likely split playing time with Michael Carter-Williams making both of them risky DFS plays. Jimmy Butler, however, is a great option as he has a 36.6% usage rate with Rondo and Wade off the court.
As reported by: Vincent Goodwill on Twitter Other tagged players: Jimmy Butler Dirk Nowitzki (Achilles) will play tonight; Seth Curry (shoulder) ruled out
Nowitzki will play in tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers after previously being listed as questionable on the Mavericks’ injury report with a sore right Achilles that had forced him to miss one game, while Seth Curry will remain sidelined with a left shoulder injury. The return of Nowitzki will send Dwight Powell back to the bench to resume his reserve role, and Yogi Ferrell is expected to remain in the starting lineup at point guard once again. J.J. Barea and Devin Harris are also officially available to play after appearing the Mavericks’ game notes as questionable for possible rest. The Mavericks are now near full strength with Curry being the only player inactive, which removes any potential value options from consideration entirely.
As reported by: Earl K. Sneed Other tagged players: Seth Curry
James McAdoo will start for Draymond Green (rest) tonight
McAdoo will start at power forward in tonight’s game against the Phoenix Suns in place of Draymond Green, who has already been ruled out for rest purposes. Many believed that David West would receive the starting nod, but it appears Warriors head coach Steve Kerr prefers to keep West in his normal role off the bench. Meanwhile, Patrick McCaw will start at small forward ahead of Matt Barnes, which should allow him to see significant minutes bump with Andre Iguodala also sitting for rest purposes. None of the Warriors starters have historically seen a substantial usage increase with Green and Iguodala off the court, but we can expect Stephen Curry to take on more of a playmaking role with both Green and Kevin Durant unavailable this evening.
As reported by: Anthony Slater Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (personal) ruled out tonight; Reggie Bullock (foot) will start
Caldwell-Pope will not play in tonight’s game against the Toronto Raptors as he deals with a personal matter and is currently not with the team. Caldwell-Pope did not appear on the Pistons’ injury report at any point throughout the day, so, unfortunately, there was no hint that he might be unavailable for tonight’s contest. In his absence, Reggie Bullock will play and receive the starting nod at shooting guard after previously being listed as questionable himself with a sprained right foot that had forced him to miss four consecutive games. Bullock isn’t a particularly viable option given his abysmal 0.45 fantasy point per minute pace with Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson off the court. However, both Marcus Morris and Ish Smith see substantial usage and production increases with the aforementioned duo off the floor since the All-Star break, as they each own at least a +3.1% usage rate differential.
As reported by: Rod Beard Other tagged players: Reggie Bullock Jameer Nelson (calf) and Kenneth Faried (back) will play tonight
Nelson and Faried will play in tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets after successfully going through pregame warmups with their respective ailments that had them previously listed as questionable on the Nuggets’ injury report. With Nelson officially good to go, he will replace Jamal Murray in the Nuggets starting lineup, which sends him back to the bench to resume a reserve role. The absence of Will Barton will allow Gary Harris to continue seeing playing time in the 36-40 minute range, which enables him to still be a relatively safe cash game target on a nightly basis, especially in a pace up matchup with a Houston squad that is not known for their defensive abilities. With Barton off the court since the All-Star break, Mason Plumlee (21.8%) actually leads the Nuggets with a +3.4% usage rate differential, making him an interesting speculative tournament dart throw if looking for an ultra-contrarian option that could really set a lineup a part if Nikola Jokic gets into foul trouble.
As reported by: Jason Kosmicki Other tagged players: Kenneth Faried D'Angelo Russell (knee) ruled out tonight; Tyler Ennis will start; Tarik Black (knee) available to play
Russell will not play in tonight’s game against the San Antonio Spurs due to a sore left knee despite never appearing on the Lakers’ injury report at any point throughout the day. In his absence, Tyler Ennis will draw the start at point guard and immediately enters tournament consideration despite the difficult matchup, while Tarik Black has also been cleared to play, but Lakers head coach Luke Walton failed to confirm whether Black would reclaim the starting center spot from Larry Nance, who started alongside Julius Randle in the previous game. Russell’s injury is not considered serious and this is probably closer to a rest day for him than anything more significant. With Russell off the court since the All-Star break, both Ennis (24.6%) and Jordan Clarkson (33.8%) have been the clear beneficiaries of his time off the floor, as they each own at least a positive +3.5% usage rate differential (Clarkson sees a whopping +8.0% increase), albeit a limited sample. The matchup is less than ideal but Clarkson and Ennis are both more than worthy of tournament exposure on Wednesday’s slate.
As reported by: Mark Medina Other tagged players: Tyler Ennis, Tarik Black Marc Gasol (foot) will have his minutes monitored tonight
Mike Conley (eye) has been ruled out. Not surprisingly, Gasol does better from a fantasy perspective when Conley is not on floor; he produces 1.22 FD ppm, a 0.11 ppm increase. However, it appears that he won’t get a full complement of minutes tonight in the second game of a back-to-back. He’ll be on a “minutes watch” although we don’t know what that number will be exactly. Last night he played 30 min in an overtime game, so he’ll probably be stuck around that number or perhaps somewhere in the mid 20s tonight. He’ll be a risky bet given the injury.
As reported by: Peter Edmiston Darrell Arthur (knee) available to play tonight
Arthur will be available to play in tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets after previously being listed as probable on the Nuggets’ injury report with a sore left knee that had forced him to miss four consecutive games. Additionally, Will Barton was previously ruled out with a sore left foot, while Jameer Nelson and Kenneth Faried are reportedly going through pregame warmups with the intent of playing in tonight’s contest. Assuming Nelson is good to go, he will replace Jamal Murray in the Nuggets starting lineup, sending him back to the bench to resume his reserve role. The absence of Barton will allow Gary Harris to continue seeing playing time in the 36-40 minute range, which enables him to still be a relatively safe cash game target on a nightly basis, especially in a pace up matchup with a Houston squad that is not known for their elite defensive abilities. With Barton off the court since the All-Star break, Mason Plumlee (21.8%) actually leads the Nuggets with a +3.4% usage rate differential, making him an interesting speculative tournament dart throw if looking for a super-contrarian option that could set a lineup a part if Nikola Jokic gets in foul trouble.
As reported by: Nick Kosmider Will Barton (foot) ruled OUT tonight for Denver; Jameer Nelson (back) and Kenneth Faried (back) will warm up with intent to play
Barton will not play in tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets after previously being listed as doubtful on the Nuggets’ injury report with a sore left foot, while Jameer Nelson and Kenneth Faried will reportedly go through pregame warmups with the intent of playing in tonight’s contest. Assuming Nelson is good to go, he will replace Jamal Murray in the Nuggets starting lineup, sending him back to the bench to resume his reserve role. The absence of Barton will allow Gary Harris to continue seeing playing time in the 36-40 minute range, which enables him to still be a relatively safe cash game target on a nightly basis, especially in a pace up matchup with a Houston squad that is not known for their elite defensive abilities. With Barton off the court since the All-Star break, Mason Plumlee (21.8%) actually leads the Nuggets with a +3.4% usage rate differential, making him an interesting speculative tournament dart throw if looking for a super-contrarian option that could set a lineup a part if Nikola Jokic gets in foul trouble.
As reported by: Jonathan Feigen Other tagged players: Jameer Nelson, Kenneth Faried