4 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers forward/center
Anthony Davis (back) will play in Saturday's game versus the Denver Nuggets. He was listed as questionable because of a back issue, although there wasn't any doubt regarding his availability for Game 1. With that in mind, AD has had trouble in three meetings with the champs this season, at least compared to his encounters with other clubs, averaging 22.0 points, 9.3 boards, and 3.0 blocks. He's also shot 47.4% from the field in those contests, much lower than his seasonal average.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 weeks agoMilwaukee Bucks forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is doubtful ahead of Sunday's postseason battle with the Indiana Pacers. Although the injury report suggests he has a chance to play, he likely won't be out there for Game 1. In fact, his absence could extend beyond Sunday's contest. Fortunately,
Damian Lillard (groin) is off the injury report, so his presence will help lessen the blow.
Khris Middleton,
Bobby Portis, and
Brook Lopez should pick up the rest of the surplus opportunities on the offensive end.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 weeks agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) exited Saturday's postseason meeting with the Knicks. The reigning MVP went up for a dunk late in the second quarter. Unfortunately, he came down hard on his surgically repaired left knee and immediately fell to the court in obvious pain. There hasn't been an official update on his status. However, the team likely won't take chances with Embiid, so
Paul Reed and
Mo Bamba may handle things in the middle for the remainder of Game 1.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 weeks agoMiami Heat guard
Terry Rozier (neck) has progressed since going on the shelf. However, he's still not healthy enough to play. Fortunately, the issue isn't expected to jeopardize his career. But there haven't been any updates on when the Heat can expect to get him back on the floor. One thing is for sure; the team needs him, considering
Jimmy Butler (knee) is also out for at least a few weeks. With that in mind, until Rozier is cleared to suit up,
Tyler Herro should continue to hold things down at the one, with
Delon Wright playing the support role.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Barry Jackson
4 weeks agoAccording to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, there is "increasing doubt" regarding the availability of Los Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (knee) for Sunday's postseason meeting with the Mavericks. The multi-time All-Star still hasn't gone through contact at practice since going on the shelf with another knee injury. There also haven't been any concrete updates regarding the nature of his ailment. But things don't look good for Leonard, who has battled knee injuries throughout his career. While it's too early to speculate, his absence could extend beyond Game 1. As expected,
James Harden and
Paul George should be the team's top offensive contributors while Leonard is out. Guys like
Russell Westbrook,
Norman Powell, and
Ivica Zubac could also benefit from a production standpoint.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
4 weeks agoChicago Bulls forward
DeMar DeRozan scored a team-high 22 points in Friday's Play-In loss to the Miami Heat. Despite the veteran's solid showing, the Bulls lost to a Miami team that didn't have
Jimmy Butler (knee) or
Terry Rozier (neck). With another season in the books, DeRozan will hit the open market this summer. But he's still productive as ever, ending the 2023-24 campaign with averages of 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds. The 34-year-old also played more minutes this season than anyone in the National Basketball Association. However, DeRozan has made it known he wants to win, so he may have played his final game with the Bulls.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 weeks agoMiami Heat guard
Tyler Herro scored a game-high 24 points in Friday's Play-In win over the Chicago Bulls. The 24-year-old nearly had a triple-double, adding 10 boards and nine assists to his scoring total. While he still had issues taking care of the ball, he shot better than he did in Wednesday's loss to the 76ers. With that said, Herro should continue to benefit from a production standpoint while
Jimmy Butler (knee) and
Terry Rozier (neck) remain sidelined. Unfortunately, the Heat will advance to meet the Celtics in the opening round, which is never an easy matchup for anyone.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 weeks agoCleveland Cavaliers guard
Craig Porter Jr. (ankle) won't play in Saturday's postseason clash with the Magic. He tweaked his ankle during Cleveland's final game of the regular season. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear Porter will be back anytime soon, with head coach J.B. Bickerstaff reporting that the 24-year-old is currently on crutches. With that said, the Cavs will have
Donovan Mitchell and
Darius Garland handling things in the backcourt, so Porter wasn't figured to see much action anyway.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Tommy Wild
4 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers forward
Cam Reddish (ankle) won't play in Saturday's postseason battle with the Nuggets. The 24-year-old has been on and off the injury report throughout the 2023-24 campaign, so this update isn't surprising. But Reddish's absence should at least open up some minutes for
Taurean Prince. However, Prince hasn't been a reliable DFS producer.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 weeks agoSacramento Kings forward
Keegan Murray (hip) returned to Friday's Play-In matchup with the Pelicans. He exited in the second quarter. While details were scarce initially, the team reported Murray was battling hip soreness. The 23-year-old appears to be in line to finish the contest. However, it's something for DFS managers to continue monitoring, especially if the Kings advance.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Anthony Slater
4 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers forward
LeBron James (ankle) is probable for Saturday's matchup with the Nuggets. This has been the norm for the veteran throughout the season, as he's making another appearance on the injury report because of the same ankle issue that's bothered him for months. At any rate, he is coming off two potent performances versus the Pelicans. That trend could continue in Game 1, with James averaging 24.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.7 steals in three meetings with the champs during the 2023-24 campaign.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers forward/center
Anthony Davis (back) is listed as probable ahead of Saturday's Playoff matchup with the Denver Nuggets. AD has made frequent appearances on the injury report throughout the 2023-24 campaign. But this time, he's battling a sore back. With that said, barring a significant setback Davis will be out there for Game 1. Unfortunately, he's had a tough time in his three meetings with the champs this season, at least compared to his production versus other clubs, averaging 22.0 points, 9.3 boards, and 3.0 blocks. He's also shot 47.4% from the field and 20.0% from deep during those contests, meaning DFS managers may want to consider other options.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 weeks agoSacramento Kings forward
Keegan Murray (undisclosed) left Friday's Play-In matchup with the Pelicans. There isn't much information regarding the nature of the injury. But Kings' radio reporter Sean Cunningham reported that Murray favored his hip while walking toward the locker room. There should be more information soon. In the meantime,
Sasha Vezenkov should be in line for more minutes.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Sean Cunningham
4 weeks agoMiami Heat guard/forward
Duncan Robinson (back) will play on Friday night against the Bulls. The 29-year-old missed a few games to end the 2023-24 campaign. He was cleared for Wednesday's Play-In loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. However, Robinson didn't see the floor. With that in mind, the 29-year-old likely isn't fully healthy. Yet, with
Jimmy Butler (knee) and
Terry Rozier (neck) sidelined, Robinson should get work, although he should be considered a risky DFS option.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Ira Winderman
4 weeks agoChicago Bulls center
Andre Drummond (ankle) is available for Friday's matchup with the Heat. The veteran injured his ankle toward the end of the regular season and missed some games. Yet, he was back on the floor for the win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night. While Drummond only logged 11 minutes, he made the most of his limited workload, finishing with four points, four rebounds, three blocks, and one steal. Nonetheless, while
Nikola Vucevic should absorb most of the minutes in the middle on Friday evening, Drummond has value for DFS managers on a night that features just two games across the National Basketball Association.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Ira Winderman
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