4 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) scored a team-high 30 points in Saturday's win over the Nuggets. He added five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block. With the Lakers facing elimination, James led his team to a much-needed win in Game 4. Granted, it will be tough for Los Angeles to take the series. But James, averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 assists, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in the conference quarterfinals, can't take any of the blame. Game 5 is on Monday night, and DFS managers will likely see James on the injury report because of his ankle injury. However, he should be out there and deserves consideration for all DFS contests.Source: ESPN
4 weeks agoDenver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic had a triple-double in the Game 4 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The multi-time MVP had 33 points, shooting 10-for-20 from the field while draining all 11 free throw tries, adding 14 rebounds and 14 assists. While his efforts weren't enough, the Lakers still have an uphill climb to get back into this series. With that said, Jokic has arguably had the best postseason out of anyone, averaging 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. As usual, expect the 29-year-old to see plenty of attention from DFS managers for Game 5 on Monday night.Source: ESPN
4 weeks agoMiami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (knee) didn't suit up for Saturday's loss to Boston. According to Butler, while speaking with TNT's Chris Haynes during Game 3, he remains without a return timeline. The 34-year-old is dealing with a sprained knee suffered during the Play-In, and with Miami down in this series, DFS managers may not see him back on the floor until next season. Terry Rozier (neck) is also sidelined, so Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo will remain the team's preferred offensive options. However, the recent play of Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr. is at least something positive from Butler's absence, with the duo expected to stay heavily involved moving forward.Source: Barry Jacks
4 weeks agoPhoenix Suns forward Grayson Allen (ankle) is questionable heading into Sunday's pivotal matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Allen tweaked his ankle twice during this series, keeping him off the floor for Game 3. Royce O'Neale got the start in that one. However, it was Eric Gordon who benefitted the most, finishing with 11 points, three assists, three steals, and one block in 34 minutes. If Allen misses another contest, Gordon has DFS value potential written all over him. But fantasy managers shouldn't dismiss O'Neale, either.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 weeks agoMinnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson (hip) is questionable for Sunday's postseason clash with the Phoenix Suns. The veteran is dealing with a hip pointer. While Anderson carried an injury designation heading into Game 3, he was still out there, although he had just two points in eight minutes. The 30-year-old likely won't see much action in Game 4 if he suits up, considering Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker have absorbed most of the bench minutes. As a result, Anderson is irrelevant for DFS purposes on Sunday.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 weeks agoMilwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (ankle) is probable for the playoff matchup with the Pacers on Sunday. The veteran was questionable heading into Game 3 because of an ankle injury. While the Bucks lost that one in overtime, DFS managers still appreciated Middleton's game-high 42 points. Milwaukee is in trouble, with Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (Achilles) unlikely to play. As a result, Middleton is a lock for all DFS contests, although he'll be a popular option.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 weeks agoMilwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (Achilles) isn't expected to play on Sunday against Indiana. Lillard has been on a roll during the series. Unfortunately, he tweaked his Achilles during the overtime loss to the Pacers on Friday night. The former Trail Blazer is now in a walking boot, so there's a chance he won't be back for the rest of the playoffs. With Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) also doubtful, Khris Middleton (ankle), assuming he plays, could get most of the scoring opportunities. Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton, and Patrick Beverley should also get more involved.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 weeks agoMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's postseason matchup with Indiana. Head coach Doc Rivers doesn't expect the multi-time MVP to be out there for Game 4. Even worse, Damian Lillard (Achilles), now in a walking boot, is also anticipated to miss Sunday's game. Fortunately, Khris Middleton (ankle) is probable, so he should get most of the scoring opportunities if Lillard and Antetokounmpo aren't available. In addition, Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, Patrick Beverley, and Brook Lopez could also see an uptick in fantasy production.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 weeks agoDallas Mavericks guard/forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (ankle) isn't expected to meet the Clippers on Sunday. The veteran sharpshooter tweaked his ankle in Game 2 and wasn't available for Friday's win. However, Hardaway hasn't been a reliable fantasy option during this series, averaging three points and two rebounds. It's hard to imagine he'll be any more productive if he's cleared to suit up for Game 4. If anything, Hardaway missing Sunday's contest would open up minutes for Josh Green, who would see value interest from DFS managers after amassing eight points, five rebounds, and one steal in Game 3.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 weeks agoLos Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) is questionable for Sunday's postseason showdown with Dallas. After missing the end of the regular season and the series opener because of knee inflammation, Leonard finally returned for Game 2. He played well in that one, so most had assumed he was feeling better. However, the veteran logged just 25 minutes in Game 3 to finish with nine points and nine rebounds. As with any of Leonard's injuries through the years, his current knee issue is something to monitor, considering it could keep him off the floor for the rest of the playoffs. At any rate, if Leonard is ruled out, James Harden and Paul George would be the favorites to benefit on the scoring end. In addition, guys like Russell Westbrook and Norman Powell would automatically draw attention from DFS managers.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 weeks agoDallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (knee) is questionable for Sunday's playoff battle with the Clippers. He's back on the injury report because of knee soreness. However, Doncic has been known to sustain minor ailments over the years, so it's hard to imagine he'll miss Game 4. The 25-year-old has struggled shooting the ball recently. However, he has still averaged 29.0 points, 9.7 boards, 8.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in this series. DFS managers should expect Doncic to see north of 40 minutes in Game 4, assuming the contest stays close, with the 25-year-old having the potential to finish as the highest-producing fantasy option on Sunday's slate.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 weeks agoPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Knicks. The injury report is misleading, considering Embiid is nearly guaranteed to be on the court for Game 4. Not only that, he's coming off a strong performance, amassing 50 points in Thursday's win over New York. While the 30-year-old is also battling Bell's Palsy, he guaranteed the Sixers would win this series. As a result, Embiid should be aggressive on both sides of the floor on Sunday afternoon.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 weeks agoNew York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's meeting with the 76ers. Robinson began the series by nearly amassing a double-double with four blocks. Unfortunately, things have gone south since then, with the 26-year-old exiting Game 3 after reinjuring his surgically repaired left ankle. There's a real possibility he won't be out there for Game 4. But even if Robinson plays, he might not see enough minutes to justify his presence in any DFS lineup.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 weeks agoAccording to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (Achilles) is in a walking boot. The Bucks have been without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), with head coach Doc Rivers reporting the multi-time MVP isn't expected to return for Game 4 of the series with the Pacers. It also appears Lillard could miss that contest as well. The former Trail Blazer suffered an Achilles injury early in Friday's overtime loss. While he managed to finish the game, Milwaukee might be down their primary scoring options on Sunday and beyond. Khris Middleton, who almost missed Game 3 with an ankle issue, will have plenty of weight to carry if Lillard and Antetokounmpo are both sidelined. In addition, Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, Patrick Beverley, and Pat Connaughton may also benefit on the scoring end.Source: Shams Charania
4 weeks agoPhoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal posted a team-high 28 points on 10-for-19 shooting in Friday's 126-109 loss to Minnesota. He got going offensively after totaling only 29 points across the first two games of the series, hitting 6-for-11 from downtown and 10-for-19 overall from the field. Beal also registered four rebounds and four assists. However, despite his best efforts, the Suns got embarrassed on home court and face elimination in Sunday's Game 4. Beal sits fifth among active players with a career average of 28.1 points in elimination games.Source: ESPN