DFS Alerts
Wayne Ellington (hamstring) ruled out tonight; Tyler Johnson (illness) will play
Ellington will not play in tonight’s game against the Boston Celtics due to a strained right hamstring. Whereas, Tyler Johnson will give it a go after previously being listed as questionable on the Heat’s injury report. Either Josh Richardson or Justise Winslow are the likeliest candidates to be inserted in the starting lineup, though the decision basically comes down to whether the Miami coaching staff believes Winslow is healthy enough to handle a starter’s workload after missing substantial time with a wrist injury. If Winslow is confirmed in the starting lineup, he becomes an intriguing option in tournaments, as he has recorded a 27.7% usage rate, a sizable 6.6% increase over his season average, with Ellington and Waiters off the court this season.
As reported by: Ira Winderman Other tagged players: Tyler Johnson
Nik Stauskas (knee) questionable tonight; Hollis Thompson (knee) available to play
Stauskas has been downgraded to questionable for tonight’s game against the Brooklyn Nets after not originally being listed on the Sixers’ injury report. Hollis Thompson is reportedly available to play in this one and, ironically, would also be the biggest beneficiary if Stauskas were to be ruled out. However, Thompson would still find himself in a secondary reserve role with the Sixers relatively close to full strength, meaning it would be difficult to imagine him have the upside needed in tournaments.
As reported by: Tom Moore Other tagged players: Hollis Thompson Omri Casspi (illness) ruled out tonight, was a late scratch from Kings lineup
Casspi was a late scratch from the starting lineup for tonight’s game against the Dallas Mavericks due to the lingering effects of an illness. Unfortunately, this news did not become available until after the game’s lock time, so those that rostered Casspi are stuck with the goose egg. For what it’s worth, Garrett Temple will likely remain in the starting lineup at small forward with Rudy Gay already ruled out as well. With Casspi and Gay off the court this season, DeMarcus Cousins has recorded an elite 42.5% usage rate, which is 4.6% higher than his season average. So, it goes without saying that Cousins remains an elite option in all formats with an exploitable matchup with the Mavericks front court.
As reported by: Kayte Christensen James Ennis (calf) and Jarell Martin (foot) will play tonight; Chandler Parsons (knee) remains out
Ennis and Martin have been cleared to play in tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz after previously being listed on the Grizzlies’ injury report. Ennis will reportedly have his minutes capped at the same 28-minute mark as Mike Conley in his return from a 14-game absence due to injury. Ennis likely to be reinserted into the starting lineup with Chandler Parsons still sidelined, but the Grizzlies’ starting lineup has yet to be confirmed. Memphis suddenly has a log jam on the wing with Ennis, Vince Carter, Troy Williams, and Troy Daniels all healthy. None of the aforementioned players make particularly good fantasy options this evening in a matchup with the Jazz that has the lowest total and lowest projected pace on the slate.
As reported by: Grizzlies PR Other tagged players: Chandler Parsons Luc Mbah a Moute (shoulder) will play tonight, confirmed in starting lineup
Mbah a Moute will play and start in tonight’s game against the Washington Wizards after previously being listed as out and then questionable on the Clippers injury report due to a sore right shoulder. His presence in the starting lineup sends Austin Rivers back to the bench to resume his reserve role. Mbah a Moute’s availability is clearly be a knock to the fantasy value of Rivers and removes him from serious consideration entirely in all formats.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Los Angeles Clippers Other tagged players: Austin Rivers Kelly Oubre (concussion) and Jason Smith (hamstring) ruled out tonight
Oubre and Smith will not play in tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers after previously being listed as questionable on the Wizards injury report. In their absences, Wizards head coach Scott Brooks confirmed that Tomas Satoransky or Sheldon McClellan will likely enter the rotation, while Andrew Nicholson will assume Smith’s role and minutes. Despite the less than ideal matchup, this news is a significant bump to the fantasy value of Markieff Morris, as the Wizards will be less likely to roll out their small ball lineup, which would normally send Morris to the bench. Additionally, Morris can be expected to pick up a few extra minutes given the absences of Oubre and Smith from the rotation.
As reported by: Ben Standig Other tagged players: Jason Smith Rudy Gay (hip) ruled out tonight; Omri Casspi (illness) now probable
Gay will not play in tonight’s game against the Dallas Mavericks due to a strained right hip flexor. This will be the third consecutive game he will be sidelined with the aforementioned hip injury, and Omri Casspi is expected to draw the start at small forward in his place, assuming Casspi is cleared to play. With Gay off the court this season, DeMarcus Cousins has recorded an elite 41.6% usage rate, which is 3.7% higher than his season average. So, it goes without saying that Cousins remains an elite option in all formats with an exploitable matchup with the Mavericks front court.
As reported by: Jason Jones Other tagged players: Omri Casspi Luc Mbah a Moute (shoulder) upgraded to questionable for today
Mbah a Moute has officially been upgraded to questionable for today’s game against the Washington Wizards after previously being listed as out on the Clippers injury report due to a sore right shoulder. Iandf ruled out, this would be the third consecutive game that Mbah a Moute would be sidelined with the aforementioned shoulder injury, and Austin Rivers would likely draw the start at small forward once again in his absence. If Mbah a Moute is able to play, his presence in the rotation would clearly be a knock to the fantasy value of Rivers and would remove him from consideration entirely in all formats.
As reported by: Brad Turner Zaza Pachulia (wrist) confirmed in starting lineup tonight; David West (hip) will play
West and Pachulia will play in tonight’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers after previously being listed as questionable and probable on the Warriors injury report. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr also told reporters that Pachulia would be reinserted into the starting lineup. With both big men active and able to play, their presence in the rotation removes JaVale McGee from consideration in all formats.In fact, we can now go back to safely ignoring all three, as none of the aforementioned players typically see north of 20 minutes on any given night.
As reported by: Warriors PR Other tagged players: David West David West (hip) and Zaza Pachulia (wrist) now probable, both expected to play
West and Pachulia have been upgraded to probable for tonight’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers and are fully expected to play. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr also told reporters that Pachulia would be reinserted into the starting lineup. Assuming both big men are able to play, their presence in the rotation would remove JaVale McGee from consideration in all formats.In fact, we can go back to safely ignoring all three, if West and Pachulia are ultimately able to suit up..
As reported by: Chris Haynes Other tagged players: Zaza Pachulia Derrick Rose (back) ruled out tonight
Rose will not play in tonight’s game against the Denver Nuggets due to persistent back spasms. With Rose unable to give it a go, Brandon Jennings receives an obvious bump in fantasy value, as he will draw the start at point guard once again in Rose’s absence. Additionally, Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis would absorb some additional usage vacated by Rose in the starting unit and would be elite options in a pace up game against the Nuggets. In fact, Anthony has recorded an elite 38.7% usage rate with Rose off the court this season, which is a 7.4% increase over his season average.
As reported by: NY_KnicksPR Other tagged players: Carmelo Anthony Brandon Ingram will start for D'Angelo Russell (rest) tonight
Russell will not play in tonight’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to rest. It’s unclear if this is just a maintenance day for Russell, or if he could also be experiencing some knee soreness. Regardless of reason, he will be rested for tonight’s second of a back-to-back set after playing Friday night in Philadelphia. Brandon Ingram will somewhat surprisingly draw the start at point guard in his absence, meaning Lakers head coach Luke Walton has decided to willingly break up his second unit to some degree. Ingram can be considered as a cash game option at a typically shallow small forward position just for his expected minute floor, if nothing else, though he has yet to flash the upside required for tournaments. Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams remain the primary beneficiaries in Russell’s absence, as they can be expected to see both their minutes and usage increased this evening.
As reported by: Mark Medina Malcom Delaney (ankle) available to play tonight
Delaney will dress and be available to play in tonight’s game against the Charlotte Hornets after being listed as questionable on the Hawks’ injury report with a right ankle injury. It remains unclear whether Delaney will actually see the court or if he is just active in the event of an emergency. If Delaney doesn’t play, expect Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kent Bazemore to assume a majority of the ball handling responsibilities with the second unit when Dennis Schroder is on the bench, as the Hawks do not have another true point guard on their active roster. Obviously Delaney’s potential absence from the rotation, would be a nice boost to the projected fantasy value of Schroder since he will likely see extended run in a plus matchup against Kemba Walker and the Hornets back court defense.
As reported by: Chris Vivlamore D'Angelo Russell (rest, knee) ruled out tonight
Russell will not play in tonight’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to rest. It’s unclear if this is just a maintenance day for Russell, or if he could also be experiencing some knee soreness. Regardless of reason, he will be rested for tonight’s second of a back-to-back set after playing Friday night in Philadelphia. Assuming Lakers head coach Luke Walton continues to prefer keeping the second unit intact, expect Marcelo Huertas to draw the “start” at point guard. However, he is a starter in name only and should be used in any daily fantasy format. Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams remain the primary beneficiaries in Russell’s absence, as they can be expected to see both their minutes and usage increased this evening.
As reported by: Mike Trudell Jon Leuer (back) ruled out tonight
Leuer will not play in tonight’s game against the Indiana Pacers due to back spasms. Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy prefers to keep his rotation as tight as possible and has already confirmed that Marcus Morris will absorb most of the back up power forward minutes vacated by Leuer. This will open some playing time for Stanley Johnson at small forward when Tobias Harris is off the floor and Darrun Hilliard will likely slot in at shooting guard with the second unit. Morris and Harris are both elite cash game options in the absence of Leuer, as their already-high minutes floor can be expected to raised given Van Gundy’s propensity to stick with a tight rotation.
As reported by: Keith Langlois