DFS Alerts
Kenneth Faried (ankle) ruled out for Monday; Emmanuel Mudiay (back) questionable
Faried will not play in tomorrow’s game against the Golden State Warriors due to a sprained right ankle that has now forced him to miss three consecutive games, while Mudiay is listed as questionable with lower back pain that has kept him sidelined for eight of the Nuggets’ last 11 games. Darrell Arthur drew the start at power forward in Denver’s last two games without Faried but only saw 20 minutes of action in each contest, as Nuggets head coach Mike Malone continues to run out Wilson Chandler and Will Barton at the power forward and small forward spots respectively, regardless of the starting five. Speaking of Chandler, he is listed as probable in advance of tomorrow’s contest with an illness, but given how liberal Denver is with their injury report these days, he should be fully expected to play on Monday.
As reported by: Harrison Wind Other tagged players: Emmanuel Mudiay
Dion Waiters (sprained ankle) questionable for Monday
Dion Waiters has officially been listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Orlando Magic due to a sprained left ankle that has forced him to miss three consecutive games. Wayne Ellington has been starting at the shooting guard spot in Waiters’ place, but would likely be sent back to the bench to resume a reserve role if Waiters is able to suit up on Monday. On the other hand, if Waiters is eventually ruled out, Goran Dragic, James Johnson, and even Rodney McGruder will continue to see upticks in usage and playing time and would be firmly in play for all formats on Monday’s slate.
As reported by: Ira Winderman Jonathon Simmons (illness) ruled out today
Simmons will not play in today’s game against the New York Knicks due to an illness. Simmons has been consistently playing minutes in the mid-teens on a nightly basis, so his absence doesn’t have a huge effect in the Spurs rotation, but a majority of his playing time should be absorbed by Kyle Anderson off the bench. However, Anderson will not see enough run to be considered in daily fantasy formats on Sunday.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the San Antonio Spurs Alex Len and Brandon Knight confirmed as starters for Tyson Chandler (ankle) and Eric Bledsoe (rest) tonight
Bledsoe and Chandler did not travel with the team and will not play in tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets due to rest. Chandler is also dealing with a sprained right ankle that he sustained in Friday’s win over the Chicago Bulls. In their absences, Brandon Knight and Alex Len will receive the starting nods at point guard and center respectively. This is not an injury situation that we have had at any point this season for Phoenix, but Knight, Marquese Chriss, and Alan Williams all see positive usage rate differentials north of 3.0% with Bledsoe and Chandler off the court this season. Without question, the Suns will supply plenty of value for tonight’s slate in a great matchup with Houston, but it’s just a matter of pegging the right options. Knight, Len, and to some extent Chriss seem to be the players to focus in on given their projected minute floors compared to Williams and Tyler Ulis.
As reported by: Calvin Watkins Other tagged players: Brandon Knight Deron Williams (sprained toe) will play tonight
Williams will play in tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic after previously being listed as questionable on the Mavericks’ injury report with a sprained left great toe and participating in shootaround this morning. Yogi Ferrell had started at point guard in seven of the eight games Williams had been sidelined, and his daily fantasy value obviously takes a huge hit with Williams able to return for Saturday’s contest. Even if Williams is slightly limited, he would likely be immediately inserted into the Mavericks starting lineup, which would send Ferrell back to the bench to assume a reserve role. Despite the exploitable individual matchup for the Dallas point guards, this looks to be a situation to avoid on tonight’s slate considering it is unlikely we receive much clarification prior to game lock.
As reported by: Tim MacMahon Eric Gordon (back) ruled out tonight; Nene (rest) available to play
Gordon will not play in tonight’s game against the Phoenix Suns after previously being listed as questionable on the Rockets’ injury report with a sore lower back that has now forced him to miss two consecutive games. Eric Brewer should draw the start at the shooting guard spot in his absence. However, Sam Dekker would be the preferred value option to target on the Rockets despite coming off the bench, as he will likely see minutes in the mid-20’s. Additionally, Nene will be active and available to play after being rested in the previous game with a shoulder injury. With Nene officially good to go, Montrezl Harrell will likely see his role in the rotation minimized or diminished altogether.
As reported by: Craig Ackerman Other tagged players: Nene Hilario Dion Waiters (sprained ankle) ruled out tonight
Dion Waiters will not play in tonight’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers after previously being listed as questionable on the Heat’s injury report with a sprained left ankle that has now forced him to miss three consecutive games. Wayne Ellington will continue starting at the shooting guard spot in Waiters’ place and is certainly an option for tournaments this evening. With Waiters officially ruled out, Goran Dragic, James Johnson, and even Rodney McGruder will continue to see upticks in usage and playing time and are firmly in play for all formats this evening.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Miami Heat DeAndre Liggins (tooth) will play tonight, replaces Jordan McRae in starting lineup
Liggins will play and start in tonight’s game against the Denver Nuggets, which will send Jordan McRae back to the bench to resume his reserve role after a one-game stint in the starting lineup. Liggins had been a late scratch for the Cavaliers in their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday due to a tooth issue. With the big three of LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving all healthy and active, Liggins will be a non-factor for daily fantasy formats on Saturday.
As reported by: Tom Withers Ersan Ilyasova (hip) and Richaun Holmes (illness) available to play tonight
Ilyasova and Holmes will both be available to play tonight’s game against the Miami Heat after previously being listed as probable on the Sixers’ injury report. Ilyasova continues to deal with a lingering hip issue that he also played through in the Sixers’ previous game. Ilyasova is becoming a secondary play at best, even with Joel Embiid still sidelined, as he, Dario Saric, Jahlil Okafor, and Nerlens Noel are virtually splitting the available power forward and center minutes evenly. All four players are certainly in play for tournaments on any given night while Embiid is out, but they have become unplayable in cash games given their low minute floors.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Philadelphia 76ers Other tagged players: Richaun Holmes Michael Beasley starting ahead of John Henson tonight
Beasley will be inserted into the Bucks starting lineup for tonight’s game against the Indiana Pacers, sending John Henson back to the bench to resume a reserve role. With Khris Middleton already ruled out, Giannis Antetokounmpo will be forced to take on even more of the offensive workload with Jabari Parker sidelined for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee. Beasley and Thon Maker have now split starts at power forward in Milwaukee’s first two games sans Parker, but we should expect that to be a fluid situation with Bucks head coach Jason Kidd at the helm. With that said, the primary value options to consider here would be Beasley and Malcolm Brogdon, regardless of starting status, as they both should see a minimum allotment of minutes in the mid-to-upper-20’s this evening.
As reported by: cfgardner Joakim Noah (hamstring) ruled out for Sunday; Lance Thomas (orbital fracture) will be available to play
Noah will not play in tomorrow’s game against the San Antonio Spurs due to a sore left hamstring that has now forced him to miss four consecutive games. Despite Kristaps Porzingis sliding over to the starting center spot on Friday, Kyle O’Quinn, who started the two prior games Noah was sidelined, should be expected to be reinserted to the Knicks starting lineup given the matchup with San Antonio, which would send Brandon Jennings back to the bench to resume his reserve role. Additionally, Lance Thomas will make his return to the Knicks rotation after a 14 game absence due to a fractured left orbital bone. His role in the rotation will definitely still need to be determined considering how much progress Mindaugas Kuzminskas has made seeing regular playing time on a nightly basis. Both players can be ignored for daily fantasy purposes until one or the other reclaims a majority of the backup forward minutes behind Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony.
As reported by: Stefan Bondy Other tagged players: Lance Thomas Cody Zeller (quad contusion) ruled out tonight
Zeller will not play in tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers after previously being listed as questionable on the Hornets’ injury report with a quad contusion that has now forced him to miss eight of the last nine games. Frank Kaminsky should be expected to draw the start at center once again in his absence with Miles Plumlee absorbing a majority of the backup center minutes. Zeller, along with Marvin Williams, now become fine options on the early and all day slate considering each will likely see north of 30 minutes for reasonable price tags across the industry.
As reported by: Charlotte Hornets PR Jae Crowder (personal) ruled out tonight, but expected to play Monday
Crowder will not play in tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz as he is still currently not with the team tending to a family matter. In his continued absence, Marcus Smart will draw the start at shooting guard once again, sliding Jaylen Brown down to the small forward spot. Both are certainly in play as tournament options on tonight’s slate given their projected minute floors with Crowder and Avery Bradley unavailable, but the matchup with Utah is less than ideal. Not surprisingly, Isaiah Thomas leads the Celtics with a positive 4.6% usage rate differential (40.4%) with the aforementioned duo of Crowder and Bradley off the court this season. This news just cements Thomas’ status as an elite play in tournaments despite the difficult matchup with this Jazz defensive unit.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Boston Celtics Eric Bledsoe (rest) and Tyson Chandler (ankle) ruled out tonight
Bledsoe and Chandler did not travel with the team and will not play in tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets due to rest. Chandler is also dealing with a sprained right ankle that he sustained in Friday’s win over the Chicago Bulls. The Suns have yet to announce their replacements in the starting lineup, but Brandon Knight and Alex Len will almost assuredly get the starting nods at point guard and center respectively. This is not an injury situation that we have had at any point this season for Phoenix, but Knight, Marquese Chriss, and Alan Williams all see positive usage rate differentials north of 3.0% with Bledsoe and Chandler off the court this season. Without question, the Suns will supply plenty of value for tonight’s slate in a great matchup with Houston, but it’s just a matter of pegging the right options. At the time of this writing, Knight, Len, and to some extent Chriss seem to be the players to focus in on given their projected minute floors compared to Williams and Tyler Ulis.
As reported by: Craig Grialou Other tagged players: Tyson Chandler Thaddeus Young (sprained left wrist) officially ruled out tonight
Young will not play in tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistons after previously being listed as doubtful on the Pacers’ games notes with a sprained left wrist that has now forced him to miss four consecutive games. Lavoy Allen will likely draw the start at power forward once again, which keeps the remaining members of the starting unit at their normal positions. It also seems as if Allen and Kevin Seraphin will continue tp absorb a majority of the available minutes at power forward with Paul George occasionally sliding down from his typical small forward spot. With Young officially ruled out, C.J. Miles becomes an interesting tournament target, as he owns a positive 2.0% usage rate differential (21.6%) with him off the court this season, while averaging roughly 32 fantasy points per 36 minutes. This sample size would presumably allow him to easily exceed his salary-based expectations across the industry even if he only sees minutes in the low 30’s, which, unfortunately, is far from guaranteed for Miles this evening.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Indiana Pacers