DFS Alerts
Jahlil Okafor starting for Joel Embiid (rest) tonight
Okafor will start at center for tonight’s game against the Washington Wizards in place of the resting Joel Embiid. Many projected Nerlens Noel to draw the start considering Okafor had recently fallen behind him in the rotation, but Sixers head coach Brett Brown made it clear that he wants to keep Noel in his current role off the bench when he stated that Okafor will play 28-32 minutes this evening. This means Okafor is expected to completely absorb the minutes vacated by Embiid and then some. No member of the Sixers’ starting unit drastically benefits from a usage standpoint in Embiid’s absence, as it seems to be relatively spread out, but clearly Okafor is the top overall target when taking price, projected minutes, and matchup into consideration.
As reported by: Tom Moore
Richaun Holmes still on D-League assignment, not available to play tonight
Holmes is still on assignment in the NBA Development League with the Delaware 87ers and will not be available to play in tonight’s game against the Washington Wizards. This means that Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel will split a large majority of the center minutes in Joel Embiid’s absence.
As reported by: Tom Moore Isaiah Whitehead (knee) probable for Sunday
Whitehead has officially been listed as probable for tomorrow’s game against the Houston Rockets after being forced to miss the Nets’ previous game with a sprained left knee. With Jeremy Lin still sidelined, Whitehead and Spencer Dinwiddie will continue to handle a majority of the point guard duties in the Brooklyn back court sans Lin.
As reported by: Brian Lewis Terrence Jones expected to remain in starting lineup alongside Anthony Davis
Davis will play in tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls after being forced to miss the Pelicans’ previous game with a bruised left hip. Davis will not be limited by a minutes restriction in his return from a one-game absence. Davis is arguably the highest floor and highest ceiling player on the slate, putting him in play for all formats. Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry has decided to leave Terrence Jones in the starting lineup alongside Davis, meaning that Dante Cunningham will remain on the bench to assume a reserve role. It remains to be seen if Gentry will commit to this starting lineup going forward or if it was a pure matchup-based decision to better counteract the front court tandem of Robin Lopez and Taj Gibson for Chicago.
As reported by: Justin Verrier Anthony Davis (hip) will play tonight, won't be limited by a minutes restriction
Davis will play in tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls after being forced to miss the Pelicans’ previous game with a bruised left hip. Davis will not be limited by a minutes restriction in his return from a one-game absence. Davis is arguably the highest floor and highest ceiling player on the slate, putting him in play for all formats. Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry has decided to leave Terrence Jones in the starting lineup alongside Davis, meaning that Dante Cunningham will remain on the bench to assume a reserve role. It remains to be seen if Gentry will commit to this starting lineup going forward or if it was a pure matchup-based decision to better counteract the front court tandem of Robin Lopez and Taj Gibson for Chicago.
As reported by: Jennifer Hale Lou Williams starting for Luol Deng (rest) tonight
Deng will be rested and not play in today’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers. With Deng unavailable, the Lakers have decided to go small and start Lou Williams alongside Nick Young and D’Angelo Russell. Brandon Ingram was expected to draw the start in Deng’s place, but still remains an intriguing tournament option regardless of his reserve status. Ingram started and saw 37 minutes of playing time in the only other game Deng has missed this season and should still flirt with the 30-minute plateau despite coming off the bench in this one.
As reported by: Mike Trudell Jimmy Butler (illness) and Denzel Valentine (illness) will play tonight; Butler will have minutes monitored
Butler will play in tonight’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans after previously being listed as questionable on the Bulls’ injury report due to an illness that forced him to miss the previous contest. Butler will have his minutes monitored by the Bulls’ coaching staff as he’s reportedly lost 10 pounds this week because of the illness. Butler is obviously too risky to be considered in cash games given the potential minutes limitation, but is an intriguing tournament option given the exploitable matchup with the Pelicans. Additionally, Denzel Valentine will also return from a one-game absence due to illness and with Nikola Mirotic already ruled out, could see some extra playing time off the bench with the second unit.
As reported by: K.C. Johnson Other tagged players: Denzel Valentine Patty Mills (calf) ruled out tonight
Mills will not play in tonight’s game against the Phoenix Suns due to left calf tightness. The Spurs recalled Bryan Forbes from the NBA Development League to help fill the void left by Mills and Dejounte Murray, who has also been ruled out. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili will likely be called upon to handle a majority of the ball handling responsibilities, while Forbes may pick up a few spare minutes off the bench.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the San Antonio Spurs Evan Fournier (foot) and Serge Ibaka (shoulder) questionable tonight
Fournier and Ibaka have both been listed as questionable for tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz with a foot and shoulder soreness respectively. If Fournier and Ibaka are unable to suit up this evening, we should expect Jeff Green and Jodie Meeks to draw the starts in their place. Both players would become viable punt options despite the difficult matchup with this Jazz defensive unit. In fact, Green has a 4.0% usage rate differential (23.9%), which is the highest among the projected starting five, with the duo of Fournier and Ibaka off the court this season.
As reported by: Josh Robbins Other tagged players: Serge Ibaka Luol Deng (rest) ruled out today
Deng will be rested and not play in today’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers. His replacement in the starting lineup has yet to be announced by the Lakers, but Brandon Ingram is likely to draw the start at small forward in Deng’s place. Ingram becomes an intriguing tournament option regardless of starting status, though his minute floor would certainly be raised if given the opportunity to start, as he saw 37 minutes of playing time in the only other game Deng has missed.
As reported by: Mark Medina Zach LaVine (hip) questionable for Sunday
LaVine has officially been listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Dallas Mavericks after missing the Timberwolves previously two games with a left hip contusion. If LaVine is eventually ruled out, Brandon Rush would likely draw the start at shooting guard once again. Not only has Rush started the last two games, but has stepped right into LaVine’s role and has averaged a whopping 38 minutes per game. Given his expected price tag across the industry, Rush could potentially be one the top value plays on Sunday’s slate. According to our CourtIQ tool, Wiggins leads the Timberwolves with a substantial 6.3% usage rate differential (36.2%) with LaVine off the court this season, making him fine play in every format given his price tag and matchup.
As reported by: Timberwolves PR Andrew Bogut (hamstring) ruled out indefinitely
Bogut will not play in tomorrow’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves and will be sidelined for the foreseeable future with a strained right hamstring, according to Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle. In Thursday’s contest, Seth Curry drew the start in place of Bogut, sliding Dirk Nowitzki and Harrison Barnes down to center and power forward respectively. Curry will find himself in cash game consideration if he starts, as he will have juicy matchup against the Timberwolves’ horrendous back court defense.
As reported by: Earl K. Sneed Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) questionable for Sunday, but not expected to play
Porzingis is unlikely to play in tomorrow’s game against the Toronto Raptors despite appearing on the Knicks’ injury report as questionable with a sore left Achilles that forced him to miss Thursday’s contest. If Porzingis is ruled out, Carmelo Anthony would likely slide over to power forward in place of Porzingis once again, while Lance Thomas should start at small forward. Joakim Noah and Kyle O’Quinn would continue to absorb a majority of the available front court minutes sans Porzingis and would be viable options on Sunday’s slate. According to our CourtIQ tool, Anthony unsurprisingly leads the Knicks with a substantial 4.8% usage rate differential (36.2%) with Porzingis off the court this season. Clearly, Anthony potentially will deserve consideration as one of the top small forward plays on the entire slate tomorrow.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the New York Knicks Sam Dekker (shoulder) questionable for Sunday
Dekker has officially been listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Brooklyn Nets due to a strained right shoulder. Dekker has been an integral part of the Rockets’ rotation thus far, but his potential absence wouldn’t necessarily affect the projected fantasy outlook of any particular member of the rotation, though K.J. McDaniels could find his way into the rotation while Corey Brewer could also see a small uptick in minutes. The primary benefactor if Dekker is eventually ruled out would likely be Eric Gordon, as he would assume some additional usage in the second unit.
As reported by: Calvin Watkins Moe Harkless (calf) ruled out tonight; Allen Crabbe listed as starter
Harkless will not play in tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic after not appearing on the Trail Blazers’ injury report at all prior to game time. The news broke after lineup lock, unfortunately, and there was no indication of an injury leading up until now. For what it’s worth, Allen Crabbe has been confirmed in the starting lineup at small forward in his place.
As reported by: Jason Quick