3 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) is listed as probable for Monday's postseason clash with the Denver Nuggets. By now, most should expect him on the injury report for the remainder of the playoffs. But unless James suffers a significant setback with his nagging ankle injury, DFS managers should expect to see him out there. The 39-year-old continues to produce at a high level, most recently amassing 27 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in the Game 1 loss to the champs. He also had seven turnovers, although that shouldn't keep DFS managers from putting him in their lineups.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (back) is probable heading toward Monday's matchup with the Nuggets. AD was on the injury report ahead of the Game 1 loss to the champs. But as expected, he was on the floor. Davis looked good, too, amassing a 32-point, 14-rebound double-double with four blocks. Head coach Mike Malone will likely make some adjustments, making it unlikely Davis will remain as productive in Game 2.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) was officially ruled out ahead of Sunday's postseason contest against the Pacers. While the multi-time MVP still hasn't practiced since suffering a left Soleus strain, TNT's Jared Greenberg reported that the team remains optimistic he'll be back at some point during the series with Indiana. Of course, many believe Antetokounmpo won't be back on the floor until the 2024-25 campaign. However, it appears there's still a chance he'll be back. In the meantime, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis will presumably stay the team's top scorers, with Pat Connaughton and Patrick Beverley expected to receive more minutes.Source: Jared Greenberg
3 weeks agoBoston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum scored a team-high 23 points in Sunday's postseason win over the Miami Heat. The former Blue Devil had issues shooting the ball, going 7-for-18 from the field and 1-for-8 from deep. However, he made all eight free throw tries and added 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals. Tatum played well against the Heat during the 2023-24 campaign, averaging nearly a triple-double. He has an excellent chance to remain as productive, so he deserves attention from DFS managers moving ahead despite a likely rostering cost increase.Source: ESPN
3 weeks agoPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) is questionable for Monday's matchup with the Knicks. Embiid's presence on the injury report is nothing new. But he re-injured his surgically repaired left knee during the Game 1 loss to New York on Saturday, forcing him to exit the contest briefly. Many have called for the reigning MVP to get shut down until next season. However, Embiid dismissed the idea, so it appears he'll at least try to continue to play. With that in mind, his DFS ceiling is significantly lower for Game 2.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoMiami Heat center Bam Adebayo scored a game-high 24 points in Sunday's loss to the Celtics. He added six rebounds and three assists. Tyler Herro struggled in Game 1. However, Adebayo did all he could to at least keep the game semi-competitive, although it wasn't enough. With Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck) on the shelf, the 26-year-old has an excellent chance of remaining the team's top scorer throughout the series, especially since Herro has had trouble shooting the ball of late. Both clubs will meet on Wednesday for Game 2. Of course, Adebayo will stay a viable DFS option.Source: ESPN
3 weeks agoMiami Heat guard Tyler Herro struggled in Sunday's 114-94 loss to the Celtics. After scoring a game-high 24 points in Friday's Play-In win over the Bulls, he had 11 in Game 1, going just 4-for-13 from the field and 3-for-9 from behind the arc. The 24-year-old added four rebounds and four assists. But it was still a disappointing showing from Herro, who will now try to turn things around in Game 2 on Wednesday night. However, the C's could continue to target him on the defensive end, so his DFS potential could remain limited for the rest of the series.Source: ESPN
3 weeks agoNew York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson led his team to the win over the 76ers on Saturday. Brunson had trouble shooting the ball, going 8-for-26 from the field. But he still finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. The 22-year-old didn't have his best showing in Game 1. However, he played well enough to help his team take the series opener. Both clubs will meet for Game 2 on Monday evening. While Brunson hasn't had the easiest time dealing with Philly throughout the 2023-24 campaign, he will likely spend most of the game on the floor, which is always good for anyone's DFS potential.Source: ESPN
3 weeks agoPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) finished with 29 points, eight boards, six assists, and two steals in Saturday's playoff loss to the Knicks. The reigning MVP had trouble shooting the ball, going 8-for-22 from the field and 2-for-8 from deep. But more importantly, he came down hard on his left knee after a dunk late in the second quarter and exited the contest. Fortunately, he returned to start the third quarter and finished the contest. However, Embiid should undergo more tests ahead of Game 2 on Monday night. But it's possible he won't be out there for that one, opening the door for Mo Bamba and Paul Reed to take over in the middle.Source: ESPN
3 weeks agoPhoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen (ankle) exited Saturday's postseason loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The former Duke Blue Devil tweaked his ankle, so he'd finish the day with four points, five rebounds, and two assists in 25 minutes of work. Luckily, X-rays were negative, and the team will now take things day by day before deciding his availability for Game 2 on Tuesday evening. If he can't suit up, Royce O'Neale, finishing with 14 points in Game 1, would likely slide into the starting lineup and immediately become an enticing DFS option for any contest.Source: Donnie Druin
3 weeks agoMiami Heat guard/forward Duncan Robinson (back) is questionable for Sunday's playoff matchup versus the Celtics. The 29-year-old is on the injury report again because of Left Facet Syndrome, something he's battled for weeks. While Robinson was available for Wednesday's Play-In loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, he remained on the bench. However, he saw 12 minutes in Friday's victory over the Chicago Bulls and ended the night by amassing eight points, three boards, and one assist. With Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck) out for Game 1, Robinson should get on the floor. Yet, he's likely not fully healthy, making him hard to trust for DFS contests.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoBoston Celtics center Luke Kornet (calf) won't play in Sunday's postseason showdown with the Miami Heat. Kornet holds a semi-regular spot in the rotation, averaging 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks this season. But he's sidelined because of a strained calf, meaning the 28-year-old could miss more time beyond Sunday's contest. Fortunately, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford are available, so they should absorb most of the minutes at the five. Xavier Tillman Sr. could potentially see the floor. However, Tillman won't play enough to warrant DFS consideration.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoDallas Mavericks guard/forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) is questionable for Sunday's postseason clash with the Clippers. He's not feeling well. As a result, Hardaway has missed practice time over the last few days. With that in mind, the 32-year-old has posted double-digit scoring performances in just two of his eight appearances in April, meaning he'll be hard to trust from a DFS standpoint if he's healthy enough to get on the floor.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoMilwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (groin) isn't listed on the league's official injury report ahead of Sunday's postseason opener versus the Pacers. The former Trail Blazer has been burdened by a groin strain over the last week or so. However, he practiced over the last few days, so DFS managers had a feeling things were moving in this direction. With Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) unlikely to suit up, Lillard will be a popular fantasy option on Sunday.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) will play on Saturday against the Nuggets. There wasn't much doubt regarding his availability for the series opener, especially since he's battled a nagging ankle injury for months. James is coming off a few potent performances. That trend could continue, with the multi-time All-Star averaging 24.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in three meetings with the champs throughout the 2023-24 campaign.Source: NBA Injury Report