3 weeks agoOrlando Magic forward
Franz Wagner (ankle) remains listed as questionable for Friday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Wagner has missed two consecutive games due to a right ankle sprain, and his status remains uncertain for Friday's crucial matchup in helping decide Eastern Conference playoff seeding. Head coach Jamahl Mosley has turned to
Markelle Fultz in his starting backcourt in the last two contests Wagner has missed. Over his past four games that Wagner has been sidelined dating back to January, Fultz is averaging a modest 10.3 points on 51.3% shooting from the floor, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in 27.5 minutes and isn't the most attractive option from a DFS perspective.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Jason Beede - Orlando Sentinel
3 weeks agoThe Atlanta Hawks say forward
Jalen Johnson (ankle) has a Grade 2 lateral right ankle sprain and will be re-evaluated in three weeks, while center
Onyeka Okongwu (toe) has undergone a non-surgical procedure to address ongoing inflammation in his left big toe and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. Unless the Hawks go on an unlikely deep playoff run, the timetables effectively rule out the two players for the remainder of the season. Their absences leave significant voids in Atlanta's frontcourt going forward, with
Clint Capela having to dominate minutes down low and
Bruno Fernando playing the backup center role in Okongwu's stead. Over 18 games without Johnson this season,
De'Andre Hunter is putting up 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals, and 2.3 three-pointers per contest and has hit double digits in scoring during each outing.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Marc J. Spears - ESPN.com
3 weeks agoDetroit Pistons forward
Simone Fontecchio (toe) has been ruled out for a 13th straight game on Thursday versus Chicago. He's been knocked out of the lineup by a toe contusion, and it's beginning to look like we have seen the last of the Italian in 2023-24. Detroit has two more games scheduled following Thursday.
Chimezie Metu has received a big workload on the Pistons frontcourt lately, while the team is also giving extended looks to
Troy Brown Jr.,
Jared Rhoden, and
Tosan Evbuomwan. The rotation has been very unpredictable, with
Evan Fournier even popping up against Philadelphia on Tuesday to produce 21 points in 26 minutes.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoDetroit Pistons guard
Cade Cunningham (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Chicago. He's been out for the past four games, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him miss the rest of the campaign. The team has zero reasons to play its best player in a situation where Detroit is set to finish with the worst record in the league for the second year in a row.
Jaden Ivey gets to lead the offense without Cunningham, with
Marcus Sasser and
Malachi Flynn in a position to see extended minutes.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoChicago Bulls center
Andre Drummond (ankle) is considered doubtful to play against the Pistons on Thursday. He hurt his left ankle on Tuesday in a matchup against the Knicks and might be done for the rest of the regular season, with only three games remaining on the Bulls' calendar.
Adama Sanogo grabbed a few extra minutes following Drummond's exit on Tuesday, but he's not somebody fantasy managers should target.
Nikola Vucevic will likely get a busy night without a proper backup. This is a favorable matchup for him against an inexperienced squad that gives up the 10th-most rebounds in the league to centers and allows opposing fives to shoot nearly 60 percent from the field.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoChicago Bulls guard/forward
Ayo Dosunmu (quadriceps) is in danger of missing a second consecutive contest on Thursday against Detroit. He's suffered a right quadriceps contusion as the 2023-24 regular season is getting close to the finish line.
Javonte Green filled in for Dosunmu in the starting unit on Tuesday versus the Knicks and could play a bigger role again in Thursday's matchup. He was the team's leading rebounder on Tuesday with 12 boards and scored nine points. The 30-year-old has averaged 10.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in six games with the Bulls since joining the team late last month.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoChicago Bulls guard
Alex Caruso (ankle) is probable for Thursday's game against Detroit. Chicago's jack of all trades recently missed a game due to an ankle contusion but is expected to be in the lineup as the Bulls begin a back-to-back against the Pistons. Caruso logged 37 minutes against the Knicks on Tuesday when he returned to the lineup, so his injury doesn't appear to be serious, and fantasy managers can count on him to produce his usual numbers. The 30-year-old has tallied 10.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists,1.0 blocks, and 1.6 steals across the campaign.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoGolden State Warriors guard/forward
Klay Thompson (knee) is on the injury report as questionable ahead of Thursday's encounter with the Trail Blazers. The veteran has played in 29 of the last 30 games but could come out of the lineup for the first leg of a back-to-back due to right knee tendonitis. If that's the case,
Chris Paul and
Brandin Podziemski will be counted on to make a bigger contribution on Thursday. The rest of the Warriors bench might get extended playing time as well, as the matchup is projected to be a very one-sided affair. Vegas has Golden State as a 14-point favorite on the road.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoGolden State Warriors forward/center
Draymond Green (knee) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against Portland. The four-time All-Star made an early exit on Sunday against Utah due to an apparent back problem, and he's now on the injury report with a knee contusion.
Jonathan Kuminga and
Trayce Jackson-Davis have the most to gain from a fantasy perspective if Green can't play on Thursday. This is a favorable matchup for Golden State's big men against a bad rebounding team that struggles on the defensive end.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoNew Orleans Pelicans forward/guard
Naji Marshall (shoulder) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Sacramento Kings. Marshall has missed the last two games with his shoulder limiting him on the court and further weakening New Orleans' depth.
Brandon Ingram missing 11 straight games allowed Marshall to get extra minutes to contribute more before being forced out with shoulder issues. The Pelicans have incentive to keep Marshall out on Thursday in the first half of a back-to-back.
Dyson Daniels and
Larry Nance Jr. will benefit from more playing time if Marshall misses another game.
--Joey Haverford - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoNew Orleans Pelicans forward
Brandon Ingram (knee) is ruled out for Thursday's game against the Sacramento Kings. There is optimism for Ingram returning soon after doing more in practice, but he will miss his 11th consecutive game. Ingram has two more regular season games after this to return before the postseason and play-in games start.
Trey Murphy III has stepped up most with averages of 16.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game over those 11 games in Ingram's absence.
Larry Nance Jr. and
Herbert Jones also get extra frontcourt minutes that come without Ingram to boost their value.
--Joey Haverford - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoGolden State Warriors power forward/center
Dario Saric (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game versus the Portland Trail Blazers. Saric has been a solid bench player for Golden State, but he has missed the last 11 games while dealing with right-knee soreness. The Warriors would benefit from Saric's return since
Draymond Green is also questionable for the game, and depth may be weakened. However, it is unlikely Saric will have much of an impact when he does return. Names like
Trayce Jackson-Davis and
Jonathan Kuminga will have more fantasy value than Saric, and that only increases if Saric misses another game.
--Joey Haverford - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoAccording to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Milwaukee Bucks forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) will miss the rest of the regular season. The multi-time All-Star suffered a calf injury during Tuesday's win over the Boston Celtics and underwent an MRI, revealing a strained Soleus. He'll undergo daily treatment and receive routine evaluations moving ahead. However, it appears there's a chance Antetokounmpo may also miss the postseason or at least part of it. But until he's back in the lineup,
Damian Lillard and
Khris Middleton should see a surge in offensive opportunities.
Bobby Portis, who plays well when Antetokounmpo isn't available, could also continue to benefit.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
3 weeks agoLos Angeles Clippers guard
Russell Westbrook (hand) won't play on Wednesday in the rematch with Phoenix. The 35-year-old had a triple-double when these clubs met on Tuesday night. However, Westbrook will join
Paul George (knee),
James Harden (foot), and
Kawhi Leonard (knee) on the shelf for this one. As a result,
Ivica Zubac,
Amir Coffey,
Terance Mann,
Bones Hyland, and
Norman Powell could easily surpass their usual DFS expectations.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoDenver Nuggets guard
Jamal Murray (knee) will play on Wednesday against the Timberwolves. Murray's presence on the injury report isn't anything new since returning from a seven-game layoff. But he's been on the floor for the Nuggets' previous two contests, most recently scoring 28 points on Tuesday in the win over Utah. With that in mind, the battle with the Timberwolves could go down to the wire, so Murray could see more work than he saw on Tuesday, giving him a higher ceiling from a DFS standpoint.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Jamal Murray
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