3 weeks agoDenver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (hip) is available for Wednesday's pivotal clash with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 29-year-old had a 28-point, 13-rebound double-double in Tuesday's win over the Utah Jazz. However, he once again made an appearance on the injury report, although that's been a theme over the last few weeks. But now that Jokic is officially cleared, DFS managers should strongly contemplate getting him in their lineups, considering he's averaged 30.7 points and 12.0 rebounds in three meetings with the Timberwolves during the 2023-24 campaign.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoUtah Jazz guard Kris Dunn (foot) is ruled out for Thursday's game versus the Houston Rockets. Dunn is missing his third straight game with a foot injury limiting his play. Utah is among the many teams out of contention prioritizing playing it safe by resting all banged-up players. Dunn joins Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson as three Jazz guards missing time and opening up more playing time. Johnny Juzang and Keyonte George get the starting guard spots to improve their fantasy value. Talen Horton-Tucker will also see more usage increase coming off the bench on the limited roster.Source: Andy Larsen
3 weeks agoBoston Celtics forward/center Al Horford (toe) is questionable for Thursday's meeting with the Knicks. This injury has bothered him for at least a few weeks, and with the C's coasting to the postseason, he could get another night off to rest. With Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) and Xavier Tillman Sr. (knee) also on the injury report, Luke Kornet may get more work than he can handle at the five. Of course, more minutes are never a bad thing concerning Kornet's DFS potential.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoUtah Jazz forward/center John Collins (back) is officially ruled out for Thursday's game against the Houston Rockets. Collins will miss his sixth consecutive game after back spasms started limiting his availability. Utah falling out of playoff contention led them to play it safe with Collins and other banged-up players sitting out. Brice Sensabaugh has benefited the most from Collins' absence, with averages of 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in the previous five games. Luka Samanic, Taylor Hendricks, and Omer Yurtseven all have increased fantasy value with Collins and multiple other frontcourt players out on Thursday.Source: Andy Larsen
3 weeks agoAccording to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, guard Jrue Holiday (knee) and the Celtics agreed to a four-year, $135 million extension. The 33-year-old was traded to the Celtics before the 2023-24 campaign after spending his last three seasons with the Bucks. Although his scoring numbers have dropped significantly since last season, he remains one of the most capable defenders in the National Basketball Association. While retaining Holiday will help keep Boston competitive moving ahead, it also opens up some much-needed cap space. Unfortunately, Holiday is no longer a consistent fantasy asset, and his durability over the years has also been an issue. Still, his upside is still higher than most, and it should stay that way for at least a few more seasons.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski
3 weeks agoUtah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (back) is officially out for Thursday's game versus the Houston Rockets. This will be the eighth consecutive game missed by Clarkson thanks to a lingering back injury. Clarkson last played on March 25, but that was his only game played while missing 14 of 15 games. Talen Horton-Tucker has seen the biggest fantasy boost after playing 32 minutes in Utah's last game against the Denver Nuggets. The Jazz missing Clarkson, Collin Sexton, and Kris Dunn gives Tucker a strong usage rate against the Rockets in the backcourt. Keyonte George and Johnny Juzang both have higher ceilings, as well as the starting guards.Source: Andy Larsen
3 weeks agoBoston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Knicks. He's been getting routine days off to rest, and with Boston sitting comfortably as the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference, the C's may start resting their starters. But with Porzingis, Al Horford (toe), and Xavier Tillman Sr. (knee) on the injury report versus New York, Luke Kornet may get his share of minutes at the five, giving him plenty of upside for DFS participants.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoUtah Jazz center Walker Kessler (nose) will miss his fourth consecutive game on Thursday versus the Houston Rockets. Kessler is dealing with a nose fracture, and Utah is playing it safe with injuries since they have no chance of making the playoffs. The Jazz will have a limited roster against Houston with Kessler and multiple other rotation pieces out. Omer Yurtseven has started in Kessler's place, and he's averaged 13.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steals on 61% field goal shooting in those three games. Utah is running out the season, and unexpected players like Yurtseven benefit from improved fantasy value to end the season.Source: Andy Larsen
3 weeks agoBoston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (knee) is questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Knicks. He's on the injury report because of a knee contusion. However, the C's are the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference, so Tatum could just be getting a night off to rest. With Jaylen Brown (hand), Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring), and Jrue Holiday (leg), among others, also in danger of missing Thursday's contest, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Luke Kornet could get plenty of action.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoBoston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (hand) is listed on the injury report ahead of Thursday's clash with the New York Knicks. The Celtics are the top team in the Eastern Conference by a mile, so some of their players may be rested heading into the postseason. With Jayson Tatum (knee), Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring), and Jrue Holiday (leg), among others, also carrying injury designations, Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet, and Payton Pritchard could end up smashing through their DFS ceilings.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoUtah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (illness) will miss Thursday's game against the Houston Rockets. Sexton is battling an illness that will force him to miss his second consecutive game after playing every game of the season beforehand. Utah is having a lackluster season limited by injuries, but Sexton was a rare bright spot. The Jazz have no reason to rush Sexton or other players back early, with the team having nothing left to play for. Johnny Juzang started in place of Sexton in the last game to boost his fantasy value. Talen Horton-Tucker and Jason Preston also have greater opportunities off the bench with more guard minutes open.Source: Andy Larsen
3 weeks agoNew York Knicks forward Julius Randle (shoulder) underwent successful surgery on Tuesday. The 29-year-old dislocated his right shoulder in January. While he tried to get back on the floor for the playoffs, he ultimately needed to go under the knife. Randle had another quality year, averaging 24.0 points and 9.2 rebounds in 46 games. He will be re-evaluated in five months, so it appears he might be ready for the start of the 2024-25 campaign. Considering Randle had played at least 71 games in the previous three seasons leading up to this one, the surgery shouldn't be enough to lower his fantasy stock significantly.Source: Ian Begley
3 weeks agoUtah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (shoulder) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Houston Rockets. Markkanen will miss his seventh consecutive game after aggravating a right shoulder impingement to continue the woes in an injury-limiting season. Utah's one-time All-Star has played in just 55 games this season. The Jazz revealed that Markkanen would be re-evaluated on a timetable that should be met in a few days, but it is unlikely he will play again with Utah out of contention. Forwards Brice Sensabaugh, Luka Samanic, Taylor Hendricks, and Darius Bazley receive more minutes with Markkanen and others out for boosted fantasy value.Source: Andy Larsen
3 weeks agoMilwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (ankle) isn't available for Wednesday's clash with Orlando. The 32-year-old logged 33 minutes in Tuesday's win over the Boston Celtics, finishing with 12 points, nine assists, and six boards. However, he also turned the ball over seven times. Nonetheless, it's the second game of a back-to-back, so Middleton will take the night off to rest. With Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) also sidelined for this one, Damian Lillard, Bobby Portis, and Brook Lopez should pick things up on the scoring end. At the same time, AJ Green, Pat Connaughton, Jae Crowder, and Malik Beasley could also get more involved offensively.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 weeks agoMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) won't play on Wednesday against Orlando. The 29-year-old went down with a non-contact injury in Tuesday's win over the Celtics. Of course, there was a great deal of concern regarding the injury. However, Antetokounmpo underwent an MRI, which revealed he is dealing with a strained soleus. Milwaukee has two games left before the postseason commences, although things don't look promising regarding his availability. But as far as Wednesday's contest is concerned, Khris Middleton (ankle) is also out to rest. As a result, Damian Lillard, Bobby Portis, and Brook Lopez are expected to pick up most of the slack. There's also a chance guys like Jae Crowder, AJ Green, Malik Beasley, and Pat Connaughton get more involved.Source: NBA Injury Report