7 days agoBoston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (shoulder) won't play on Friday versus Detroit. The veteran will miss his third consecutive contest because of an AC joint sprain, and there's a chance he won't suit up for Saturday's game in Chicago. With Jaylen Brown (ankle), Jayson Tatum (ankle), and Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) questionable, Derrick White could see a substantial bump in fantasy production, assuming Detroit can keep the game relatively close. Payton Pritchard, coming off a 19-point effort in Wednesday's win over the Milwaukee Bucks, would likely enter the starting lineup, ultimately giving him more value for DFS lineups.Source: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoBoston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game against Detroit. He's dealing with a right ankle injury, something that's bothered him for the last few weeks. However, the 27-year-old hasn't missed much time because of it and recently scored 21 points in 37 minutes in the narrow win over the Bucks on Wednesday night. The Celtics have a firm grasp on the top spot in the Eastern Conference. But considering Boston plays consecutive contests on Friday and Saturday, there's a good chance Brown sits out versus the worst team in the National Basketball Association. With Jrue Holiday (shoulder) already ruled out, Payton Pritchard will likely slide into the starting lineup. If that's the case, Pritchard will be a value option for DFS managers, especially after coming off a 19-point showing.Source: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoSacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter (shoulder) won't play on Thursday against Washington. However, the absence will extend beyond Thursday night, with ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reporting that Huerter suffered a dislocated left shoulder and labral tear during Monday's overtime win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The 25-year-old has struggled this season, averaging 10.2 points, five fewer than the 2022-23 campaign. At any rate, he doesn't have a timetable to return, so it's possible he's done for the year. But in the meantime, Keon Ellis, averaging 6.1 points and 2.6 steals in seven starts this season, will presumably continue to fill the hole in the rotation.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski
7 days agoBrooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton (illness) will play on Thursday against Milwaukee. He was questionable because of an illness. However, he at least feels well enough to suit up for this one. Naturally, Claxton's availability will mean less work for Day'Ron Sharpe, who had 17 rebounds in 24 minutes in the loss to the Pelicans on Tuesday evening. But considering Claxton has struggled at times versus the Bucks throughout his career, he may not be the best fantasy option, either, even if Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) misses another game.Source: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoMilwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Brooklyn Nets. Following Wednesday's narrow road loss to the first-place Boston Celtics, the Bucks will use Thursday's matchup against an inferior opponent to manage the left ankle that shelved Middleton for over a month of action between February and March. Sunday's showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder marks the veteran sharpshooter's next chance to take the court. Milwaukee's frontcourt could be undermanned with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) questionable on Thursday, so the glass-cleaning Bobby Portis Jr. may be in for an expanded role. Across 24 games without Middleton this year, Portis is averaging 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 three-pointers and faces a Nets team that could be without interior presence Nicolas Claxton (illness).Source: NBA.com
7 days agoWashington Wizards forward Deni Avdija (knee) is available for Thursday's game against the Sacramento Kings. A right knee contusion cost Avdija Washington's prior three outings, but the fourth-year forward is cleared to play on Thursday. Avdija has reached double scoring figures in each of his last eight appearances, averaging 16.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 three-pointers over this period. A 237.5-point implied total matches the highest figure on Thursday's seven-game slate, which should give the 23-year-old playmaker plenty of opportunities to rack up counting stats for a Wizards club missing starting point guard Tyus Jones (back).Source: NBA.com
7 days agoUtah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (quadriceps) isn't on the injury report for Thursday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. After sitting out six consecutive contests from March 4 to March 16 due to a right quadriceps contusion, Markkanen is good to go on the second night of Utah's back-to-back after also missing Wednesday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder for maintenance purposes. The 29-40 Jazz are likely to continue managing Markkanen's load down the stretch of a lost season, but the All-Star stretch four is in a good spot on Thursday against a Dallas team allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing power forwards. Markkanen is a set-and-forget play when healthy, returning second-round value in nine-category leagues this season on averages of 23.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.2 three-pointers while shooting 89.0% from the free-throw line over 52 appearances.Source: Utah Jazz on X
7 days agoThe preliminary diagnosis for Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (ankle) is a right ankle sprain, and he will be re-evaluated in one week. It's a tough break for a 30-38 Hawks team looking to stay alive in the East play-in race as well as fantasy managers participating in the playoffs. Based on this timetable, the 22-year-old Most Improved Player of the Year candidate's next chance to return arrives on March 30 against the Milwaukee Bucks, well into fantasy semifinals week. Over 12 games without Johnson, spot-up wing De'Andre Hunter is averaging 15.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.2 three-pointers and will be a strong source of points and treys as the most likely candidate to enter Atlanta's starting lineup. Hunter should be rostered in all leagues ahead of Thursday's tilt against the Phoenix Suns, but they're giving up the sixth-fewest DraftKings points per game to opposing power forwards.Source: Brad Rowland - Locked On Podcast Network
7 days agoWashington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (shoulder) isn't on the injury report ahead of Thursday's encounter with the Kings. He's been absent for a pair of games with a shoulder injury but appears to be ready to rejoin the action in a favorable fantasy matchup. Deni Avdija (knee) is questionable for the game, meaning Kuzma could be the only regular starter in the lineup. He's set to do a lot of heavy lifting offensively, along with Jordan Poole. Kuzma produced 27 points, eight rebounds, and one block in 29 minutes against Sacramento in this season's first head-to-head meeting between the teams.Source: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoWashington Wizards point guard Tyus Jones (back) will miss a fourth straight game on Thursday versus Sacramento. He's trying to shake off a back problem and will have his next opportunity to return on Saturday against Toronto. Jordan Poole has taken over as the starting point guard in Jones' absence, with Jared Butler seeing a good amount of minutes off the pine. Poole's fantasy stock has plummeted in 2023-24, and he did poorly again last time out against Houston, but he's getting a lot of shots and can heat up in a hurry. The matchup against the Kings is set to be a run-and-gun game, with both teams pushing the pace and focusing very little on defense, which will suit Poole.Source: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoBrooklyn Nets forward/center Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) will come out of the lineup Thursday versus Milwaukee. He's played through an ankle issue for several weeks but won't be able to go on Thursday, missing his first game since Feb. 8. His absence is set to give Cameron Johnson a chance to shine. Johnson has done well coming off the bench, but a bigger role and more minutes as a starter will increase his fantasy value. The 28-year-old has recorded 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists as a member of the first unit in 2023-24.Source: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoBrooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton (illness) is sporting a questionable tag ahead of Thursday's battle against Milwaukee. He might be forced to miss his first game of 2024 due to an illness. Claxton has registered six double-doubles in 10 March appearances and would be in a solid position to do damage again on Thursday, as the Bucks struggle defensively and are a mediocre rebounding team. If he's missing, we could see a big performance from Day'Ron Sharpe, with Trendon Watford also in line to see extra minutes.Source: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoChicago Bulls guard Coby White (hip) has officially been listed as questionable for Thursday's contest against Houston. White logged a full practice on Wednesday, but the questionable tag leaves the possibility that he might not be ready to play just yet. Chicago's rising star has been absent for the past three games with a hip strain. White had a big 30-point game in an overtime win in this season's first meeting with the Rockets and should be desperate to take the court on Thursday. His return will have an impact on the minutes of Ayo Dosunmu and Jevon Carter, although the former should still have a significant role to play in a good fantasy matchup against an up-tempo team.Source: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoAtlanta Hawks guard/forward Wesley Matthews (illness) is a question mark ahead of Thursday's matchup against the Suns. The veteran sniper is feeling under the weather and might not be able to play. With the team battling the injury bug, Matthews has started a couple of games lately, and Jalen Johnson's (ankle) injury has made him a candidate to move into the first unit again on Thursday. Garrison Mathews and Vit Krejci should take care of most of Matthews' minutes if he can't play on Thursday. They are not recommended fantasy targets.Source: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoAtlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (ankle) will miss Thursday's matchup against Phoenix. He has been ruled out for the contest after Johnson re-injured his right ankle in the previous game versus the Lakers. The 22-year-old recently missed three games with a right ankle sprain. Johnson's absence means more playing time off the bench for De'Andre Hunter, who might even move into the starting unit. Hunter struggled against the Lakers but has done well lately, averaging 16.0 points for March. Vit Krejci and Garrison Mathews could get more usage as well in smaller lineups, although their contributions have been underwhelming.Source: NBA Injury Report