3 weeks agoCharlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams (ankle) won't play in Friday's matchup with the Celtics. He's battling a sprained right ankle. But with the Hornets having nothing left to play for, Williams likely won't see the floor again this season. With Nick Richards (foot) also out, Williams could have handled things at the five. But with both men out, Aleksej Pokusevski is nearly a lock for all DFS contests.Source: Charlotte Hornets
3 weeks agoBoston Celtics forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) and forward/center Al Horford (toe) will step out of the lineup on Friday against Charlotte. After losing to New York 118-109 on Thursday, Boston gives all of its key guys rest on Friday, with Xavier Tillman Sr. and Luke Kornet direct beneficiaries from the frontcourt absentees. The stage is set for the two to perform well against a team that gives up the third-most points and the second-most rebounds in the league to opposing centers.Source: Jared Weiss
3 weeks agoBrooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe (wrist) won't play on Friday versus the Knicks. He has a wrist injury, although there's no sense in putting him on the floor for a meaningless game for Brooklyn. With Dorian Finney-Smith (knee) also out, Noah Clowney, coming off a 10-point, seven-rebound, seven-block performance, has an even higher ceiling for DFS managers.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoNew York Knicks forward/center Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles) won't play on Friday against the Nets. He had a double-double with six assists and two blocks in Thursday's win over the Boston Celtics. But the 25-year-old will sit this one out to rest before presumably suiting up for New York's final regular season game on Sunday. Nonetheless, without Hartenstein in the equation, Precious Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson should split time in the middle, although the former is a much safer DFS option.Source: Fred Katz
3 weeks agoBoston Celtics guards Jrue Holiday (knee) and Derrick White (ankle) won't be in the lineup on Friday versus Charlotte. Boston will run with its bench mob against the Hornets, as the entire starting five plus Al Horford (toe) has been ruled out. Payton Pritchard will get the keys to the backcourt, with Jaden Springer and Svi Mykhailiuk also in a position to benefit from the absences of Holiday and White.Source: Jared Weiss
3 weeks agoBoston Celtics guard/forward Jaylen Brown (hand) will come out of the lineup as the team finishes a back-to-back on Friday against Charlotte. Brown is dealing with a hand sprain, but this is more of a rest day for him, with the C's having already secured the best record in the league and playing for a second consecutive night. Sam Hauser and Svi Mykhailiuk look set for a nice boost in minutes on Friday without Brown.Source: Jared Weiss
3 weeks agoBrooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (toe) won't suit up for Friday's encounter with the New York Knicks. The former Sun has been in and out of the lineup over the last few games. However, his injury woes have been the norm all year, so he may not be on the floor for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign. Fortunately, Noah Clowney, coming off a 10-point, seven-block showing on Wednesday, will be a popular DFS option. Johnson's absence will also open the door for Jalen Wilson and Trendon Watford to get involved enough to enter the DFS value conversation.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoBoston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (knee) will not play against Charlotte on Friday. The team has ruled him out with a right knee contusion. Boston will have all of its top six guys out on Friday, meaning a boatload of open minutes for the rest of the crew. Sam Hauser and Oshae Brissett will be the players directly benefiting from Tatum's absence.Source: Jared Weiss
3 weeks agoBrooklyn Nets guard Dennis Schroder (Achilles) won't play on Friday against the Knicks. The veteran has played well since getting moved to Brooklyn. However, the team has nothing left to play for, so Schroder may be done for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign. With Dennis Smith Jr. (hip) also out, Jacob Gilyard (hip) could slide into the starting lineup if he's cleared to play. But the offense should continue to run through Cam Thomas and Mikal Bridges regardless of who's at the one.Source: C.J. Holmes
3 weeks agoChicago Bulls guard/forward DeMar DeRozan (rest) will get the night off on Friday versus Washington. The Bulls have nothing left to play for and complete a back-to-back set, so it's completely understandable that the team gives DeRozan some time off. Coby White is set to be the only regular starter in the lineup and should get heavy usage in a good matchup against a struggling team. Meanwhile, Chicago's bench mob led by Dalen Terry will get an opportunity to show what they are capable of in larger roles.Source: K.C. Johnson
3 weeks agoOrlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (ankle) will suit up for Friday's game in Philly. He's missed the last two games because of a sprained right ankle and was riding a questionable tag heading into this one. But Orlando is looking to clinch the Southeast division, which is incentive enough for Wagner to return. Nonetheless, with F. Wagner back in the mix, Moritz Wagner and Jonathan Isaac will likely see fewer than 20 minutes each, lowering their ceilings for DFS purposes.Source: Orlando Magic
3 weeks agoChicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (rest) won't feature against the Wizards on Friday. He sits out the second leg of a back-to-back for rest purposes. With Andre Drummond (ankle) already on the shelf, it looks like we'll get to know Adama Sanogo a lot better on Friday. Smaller lineups could also give extra playing time to Dalen Terry, Torrey Craig, and Javonte Green.Source: K.C. Johnson
3 weeks agoWashington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (illness) won't be in the lineup on Friday against Chicago. The team has downgraded him from questionable to out. Poole's absence is good news for Jared Butler and Johnny Davis, who should receive a big boost in playing time, as there aren't many backcourt options left for the Wizards. There's also a possibility for the rest of the squad to get up more shots without Poole, who's averaging close to 20 attempts for the month.Source: Bijan Todd
3 weeks agoWashington Wizards forward/center Richaun Holmes (toe) won't be able to return to the lineup on Friday against Chicago. The team has downgraded Holmes from questionable to out, meaning an eighth consecutive absence for him. Tristan Vukcevic is available again on Friday and should make another start in a decent matchup. The 21-year-old has looked very promising in his first few outings in the NBA, averaging 14.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in three previous starts.Source: Bijan Todd
3 weeks agoUtah Jazz center Walker Kessler (nose) will skip a fifth consecutive game on Friday versus the Clippers. He continues to recover from a nasal fracture. There's no John Collins (back) either for the Jazz, meaning a big dosage of Omer Yurtseven, Darius Bazley, and Luka Samanic on the frontcourt. The latter had the best game of the three on Thursday against Houston, producing a team-high 22 points with six rebounds, two assists, and a steal.Source: NBA Injury Report