8 hours agoMinnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (rib) is questionable for Friday's clash with the Denver Nuggets. He has a left rib sprain, although he's been playing through the injury. The multi-time Defensive Player of the Year most recently logged 34 minutes in Wednesday's win over the Pistons, ending the night with a double-double with two blocks. The Timberwolves and Nuggets are fighting for the top spot in the Western Conference, so it's unlikely Gobert will miss this one. But if he does sit out, Naz Reid would presumably cover the five spot, with Kyle Anderson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker getting more minutes than usual.Source: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoWashington Wizards guard Tyus Jones (back) will not play Friday against the Detroit Pistons. The 27-year-old has a back sprain and hasn't suited up since March 14. Jordan Poole and Corey Kispert have anchored the Wizards backcourt while Jones has been unavailable. Jared Butler and Johnny Davis may also see an uptick in minutes as two of the worst teams in the National Basketball Association meet for the final time this season.Source: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoThe Carolina Panthers have agreed on a deal with running back Raheem Blackshear. The two sides have agreed on a one year deal worth $985,000 for the 2024 season. The 24-year-old will return to Carolina after spending each of the last two seasons with the organization. He has mainly been used as a reserve back and special teams player. Through two seasons, Blackshear has 37 carries for 123 yards and three touchdowns in 25 games. There is unlikely to be fantasy value here unless Carolina loses one or two running backs due to injury.Source: Pro Football Talk
8 hours agoWashington quarterback Michael Penix appears to have impressed during his recent pro day. The young signal-caller ran a 4.5 40-yard dash and posted a 36.5-inch vertical leap at Washington's pro day. After that, an unknown NFL coach has reportedly called Penix a locked in first round pick. Everyone should take this with a grain of salt because we don't know who the coach was who said this. However, the five-year prospect has looked impressive, so this isn't a crazy take. Currently, Penix is viewed more as a Day 2 prospect, but it wouldn't be shocking if he does sneak into the late first round after a strong showing on Thursday.Source: Jordan Schultz
8 hours agoDenver Nuggets forward/center Zeke Nnaji (thigh) has been ruled out for Friday's game versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. Nnaji will miss his sixth consecutive game thanks to ongoing issues with tendinitis on his right thigh. Denver only plays Nnaji 9.7 minutes per game, but his absence opens more bench minutes. Peyton Watson, Justin Holiday, DeAndre Jordan, and Julian Strawther have a slightly higher chance at contributing more on the fantasy side without Nnaji. The Nuggets starters will likely play their usual minutes, since Nnaji is not a difference maker in their rotation. There is no official timetable on Nnaji's return to action, but he's expected to return before the season ends.Source: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoDetroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (knee) is questionable for Friday's game against the Washington Wizards. Ivey was a late addition to the injury report, with soreness in his left knee on Wednesday, and he didn't play against Minnesota. Cade Cunningham (knee) and Quentin Grimes (knee) are also questionable. The 12-61 Pistons could be severely short in the backcourt against the 14-59 Wizards. Marcus Sasser and Malachi Flynn could be in line for many minutes.Source: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoRhys McKee (13-5-1) is set to open up the UFC Atlantic City main card against Chidi Njokuani. McKee enters the fight with an 0-3 UFC record as he's in his second stint with the promotion and he's coming off a decision loss to Ange Loosa in his return to the UFC. McKee enters this fight as the underdog as DraftKings has him at a salary of $7,600. McKee has only lost twice by stoppage and has won all 13 of his fights by stoppage.Source: UFC
8 hours agoMinnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (back) is questionable for Friday's game in Denver. The 22-year-old has routinely appeared on the league's official injury report during the 2023-24 campaign. Yet, he's only missed three games, so it's unlikely back soreness will keep him off the floor for a pivotal matchup against the champs. Edwards had a rough showing in Wednesday's win over the Pistons. However, he's averaged 27 points in his two meetings with Denver this season, meaning he has an excellent chance to bounce back. But if Edwards can't suit up, Nickeil Alexander-Walker would see a surge in fantasy interest.Source: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoDetroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (toe) will not play in Friday's game against the Washington Wizards because of a toe contusion. He has missed the previous six games, and there has been no indication that he is close to returning anytime soon. With Fontecchio sidelined, Evan Fournier and Troy Brown Jr. are candidates to see more minutes. Tosan Evbuomwan and Chimezie Metu started as the Pistons' forwards last game and could fill the same role again on Friday.Source: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoChidi Njokuani (22-10) is set to open up the UFC Atlantic City main card on Saturday against Rhys McKee. Njokuani will be cutting down to welterweight for the first time since 2017 when he missed weight, as he vowed to never cut down to 170lbs again. Entering this fight, Njokuani is a slight favorite as DraftKings has him at a salary of $8,600. In the UFC, Njokuani is 2-3 and on a three-fight losing skid and could be fighting for his job on Saturday.Source: UFC
8 hours agoKyle Nelson (15-5-1) is set to take on Bill Algeo on the main card of UFC Atlantic City on Saturday. Nelson is coming off back-to-back upset wins and is once again the underdog as DraftKings has him at a salary of $7,100. Nelson is 3-4-1 in the UFC and has saved his job after picking up upset decisions win over Blake Bilder and Fernando Padilla. In his four losses in the UFC, Nelson has been finished three times. Source: UFC
8 hours agoDenver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (knee) is questionable for Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Murray has missed the last three games with right knee inflammation. Fantasy owners will have to sweat it out again with Murray's status up in the air, trending toward a game-time decision. Reggie Jackson is the biggest benefactor, as he's averaged 16.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 19 games without Murray this season. Collin Gillespie also gets more playing time as a reserve in the games Murray misses and has averaged 18.7 minutes over the last three games.Source: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoOklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quadriceps) is doubtful ahead of Friday's showdown with the Suns. He injured his right quad during a recent game against the Utah Jazz but played through it. However, he finally missed a game, sitting out Wednesday's overtime loss to the Houston Rockets. Cason Wallace got the start in his place. Yet, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, combining for 33 points against Houston, will remain popular DFS options if Gilgeous-Alexander is ruled out. OKC is currently the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoff picture, so SGH might also sit out a portion of the Thunder's upcoming five-game road trip, which starts on Sunday in New York.Source: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoBill Algeo (18-7) is set to take on Kyle Nelson on the main card of UFC Atlantic City on Saturday. Algeo is coming off a decision win over Alexander Hernandez back in October and against Nelson, he's the favorite as DraftKings has him at a salary of $9,100. Algeo is 5-3 in the UFC and three of those wins have come by decision. A win over Nelson could get Algeo a ranked opponent next time out.Source: UFC
8 hours agoJoaquin Buckley (17-6) is set to take on the 11th-ranked welterweight in Vicente Luque at UFC Atlantic City on Saturday. Buckley is stepping up on short notice to face Luque, and entering the fight, DraftKings has him at a salary of $8,000. Buckley is 7-4 in the UFC but is a perfect 2-0 since dropping back down to welterweight and out of his seven wins, five have come by knockout. If Buckley defeats Luque, he would likely get a top-10 opponent next.Source: UFC
8 hours agoDetroit Pistons guard/forward Quentin Grimes (knee) will not play against Washington on Friday due to a knee injury. Grimes has suited up in just six tilts since January 30th. Simone Fontecchio (toe) will also be unavailable. Additionally, Cade Cunningham (knee/rest) and Jaden Ivey (knee) are listed as questionable. With several Pistons potentially sidelined, Marcus Sasser could be relied upon in a short-handed backcourt. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Sasser only holds a little fantasy value.Source: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoVicente Luque (22-9-1) is set to take on Joaquin Buckley in the co-main event of UFC Atlantic City on Saturday. Luque was supposed to fight Sean Brady but after an injury to the American, Buckley stepped up on short notice. Although Luque is fighting an unranked opponent, DraftKings has this at a pick'em as the Brazilian has a salary of $8,200. In the UFC, Luque is 15-5 and coming off a decision win over Rafael dos Anjos. Luque has finished 13 of his 15 wins in the UFC.Source: UFC
8 hours agoLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) is questionable heading toward Friday's matchup with the Pacers. He's been dealing with a left ankle injury for months and has missed time because of it. The 39-year-old recently sat out Tuesday's double-overtime win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Yet, James returned on Wednesday versus Memphis and ended the night by amassing a 23-point, 14-rebound, 12-assist triple-double. The Lakers are currently the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference, so they must extend their five-game winning streak to at least remain in the Play-In conversation. With that in mind, James will likely be on the floor. But if he's not, Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and D'Angelo Russell should all pick up the slack on the offensive end behind Anthony Davis (knee), assuming he's available.Source: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoDetroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (knee) is in danger of missing Friday's game against the Washington Wizards after being listed as questionable because of left knee injury management. The 22-year-old returned to action on Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves after missing the previous two games because of the same injury. Cunningham logged 29 minutes and scored 32 points in the game. However, with the season ending in the next few weeks, it would not be surprising if the Pistons continued to be cautious with their young star and hold him out. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Friday to get clarity on his playing status.Source: Detroit Pistons
8 hours agoDenver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (back/hip) is listed as probable heading into Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The two-time MVP is dealing with hip and back inflammation, but he has played the last two games after sitting out one. Jokic is favored to win another MVP this season, and the Nuggets are fighting for home-court advantage in the Western Conference to make his playing status more important. Stats come easy to Jokic to make his health a significant variable for fantasy teams if he plays his usual minutes. Jokic missing games sees Aaron Gordon, DeAndre Jordan, and Peyton Watson increase their value, but he should suit up Friday in an important game for postseason seeding.Source: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoDetroit Pistons forward Taj Gibson (hamstring) is unavailable for Friday's game against the Washington Wizards. Gibson has been suffering from right-hamstring soreness and will miss his sixth consecutive contest. Currently, there is no timetable for when he will return. The veteran forward last played on March 18 against Boston, where he posted just three points, two rebounds, and one steal in 11 minutes of playing time. If the 38-year-old returns this season, he won't be a fantasy factor.Source: NBA Injury Report
9 hours agoLos Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (knee) is questionable for Friday's showdown with the Indiana Pacers. Despite being frequently mentioned on the league's official injury report, A.D. has only missed five games this season. He logged 52 minutes in Tuesday's double-overtime win over the Milwaukee Bucks, ending the night with a game-high 34 points and 23 rebounds with four blocks. However, Davis sat out the following night against Memphis because of a knee issue. With that said, he likely sat out for rest purposes, so fantasy managers could see him back in the lineup versus Indy. On the other hand, if Davis misses another contest, Jaxson Hayes and Rui Hachimura, combining for 48 points on Wednesday, will remain attractive DFS options.Source: NBA Injury Report
9 hours agoThe Arizona Diamondbacks officially placed outfielder Randal Grichuk (ankle) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to March 25) on Thursday. Grichuk is recovering from right-ankle surgery to remove bone spurs in January, but he is with Triple-A Reno and will play center field for the first time in his recovery process at some point this weekend. It sounds like he won't need much time before being ready to go. The 32-year-old didn't take part at all in any spring training games but will get some work in the minors before eventually being activated from the IL and brought to Arizona as outfield depth. Grichuk is first eligible to come off the IL on April 5. Because the veteran outfielder won't see much playing time, he's only a bench asset in NL-only fantasy leagues.Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
9 hours agoArizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) could throw off a mound within the next five to seven days. Lovullo called Rodriguez's progress so far "very encouraging." A strained left shoulder landed E-Rod on the injured list to begin the year in his first season with Arizona, but it's looking like he may not be out for long. Still, there's a good chance that the 30-year-old veteran southpaw will miss most, if not all, of April. His injury allowed both Tommy Henry and Ryne Nelson to make the club's Opening Day roster, although the Snakes also recently added lefty Jordan Montgomery in free agency. After fortunately posting career-bests in ERA (3.30) and WHIP (1.15) in 2023 with the Detroit Tigers, fantasy managers should be expecting some regression from the oft-injured Rodriguez.Source: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
9 hours agoMinnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (leg) left Thursday's Opening Day contest early against the Kansas City Royals after fouling a ball off his right leg. Matt Wallner entered the game to replace Kepler in right field. Before leaving the game, Kepler went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. The 31-year-old left-handed slugger was at least able to finish out his at-bat after fouling the ball off his leg, but fantasy managers will have to check back for more information on Kepler's injury. It's not the start that he was looking for after a strong season in 2023 in which he hit .260/.332/.484 with an .816 OPS, 24 home runs and 66 RBI in 130 games. Injuries have been an issue for Kepler before, but hopefully this one doesn't keep him out for long, if at all. If Kepler misses extended time, Wallner would be in line for more playing time in right field.Source: MLB.com - Do-Hyoung Park
9 hours agoWashington Nationals third baseman Nick Senzel (thumb) suffered a broken thumb while fielding a ground ball before Thursday's Opening Day contest against his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, according to a source familiar with the injury. The 28-year-old former first-rounder has not lived up to his draft stock in his first five years in the big leagues, mainly due to injuries, and he's now looking at an extended absence in 2024 in his first year in D.C. Ildemaro Vargas got the start at the hot corner for Washington in the Opening Day loss to Cincy and will see more playing time now to open the season, making him worth picking up in NL-only leagues. Trey Lipscomb, the club's No. 16 prospect per MLB Pipeline, could get called up from the minors earlier than expected as well.Source: The Washington Post - Andrew Golden
9 hours agoDetroit Tigers reliever Jason Foley picked up the save in a 1-0 win over the White Sox on Thursday. It was Foley who entered the game with one out in the bottom of the ninth, not the team's projected closer Alex Lange, with Foley striking out the only two batters he faced. Lange had his share of struggles last season and his grip on the closer role was tenuous, but neither pitcher had much success this spring. It's unclear at this point why Lange didn't pitch, as offseason additions Shelby Miller and Andrew Chafin also got work in Thursday's game. Regardless, it seems Jason Foley could be in line for additional save opportunities after Thursday's performance and will be a popular waiver wire add.Source: ESPN
10 hours agoAtlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (back) will play against the Celtics. The lower back soreness is nothing new, so he wasn't expected to sit this one out, considering Atlanta is trying to remain in the Play-In conversation. The 27-year-old has been on a roll, averaging 25.8 points, 9.2 assists, and 2.3 steals in March, making him an ideal DFS option for all contests.Source: Bally Sports Hawks
10 hours agoBoston Celtics forward/center Xavier Tillman Sr. (knee) will play on Thursday against Atlanta. He wasn't available when these clubs met on Monday night because of knee swelling and was questionable heading into this one. But he's averaged just 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11 games with the Celtics, so his presence won't mean much to DFS managers, even with Al Horford (toe) sidelined.Source: NBA Injury Report
10 hours agoBoston Celtics forward Al Horford (toe) won't play in Thursday's rematch against the Hawks. He continues to be bothered by a toe sprain. However, the 37-year-old logged 36 minutes in Monday's loss to Atlanta, so it's surprising he's unavailable. Fortunately, the C's will get back Jrue Holiday (shoulder) from a five-game absence. But without Horford on the floor, Sam Hauser, averaging 12.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in 10 starts this season, remains a viable fantasy asset.Source: Boston Celtics