3 days agoPhoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen (ankle) exited Saturday's postseason loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The former Duke Blue Devil tweaked his ankle, so he'd finish the day with four points, five rebounds, and two assists in 25 minutes of work. Luckily, X-rays were negative, and the team will now take things day by day before deciding his availability for Game 2 on Tuesday evening. If he can't suit up, Royce O'Neale, finishing with 14 points in Game 1, would likely slide into the starting lineup and immediately become an enticing DFS option for any contest.Source: Donnie Druin
3 days agoMiami Heat guard/forward Duncan Robinson (back) is questionable for Sunday's playoff matchup versus the Celtics. The 29-year-old is on the injury report again because of Left Facet Syndrome, something he's battled for weeks. While Robinson was available for Wednesday's Play-In loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, he remained on the bench. However, he saw 12 minutes in Friday's victory over the Chicago Bulls and ended the night by amassing eight points, three boards, and one assist. With Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck) out for Game 1, Robinson should get on the floor. Yet, he's likely not fully healthy, making him hard to trust for DFS contests.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 days agoBoston Celtics center Luke Kornet (calf) won't play in Sunday's postseason showdown with the Miami Heat. Kornet holds a semi-regular spot in the rotation, averaging 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks this season. But he's sidelined because of a strained calf, meaning the 28-year-old could miss more time beyond Sunday's contest. Fortunately, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford are available, so they should absorb most of the minutes at the five. Xavier Tillman Sr. could potentially see the floor. However, Tillman won't play enough to warrant DFS consideration.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 days agoDallas Mavericks guard/forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) is questionable for Sunday's postseason clash with the Clippers. He's not feeling well. As a result, Hardaway has missed practice time over the last few days. With that in mind, the 32-year-old has posted double-digit scoring performances in just two of his eight appearances in April, meaning he'll be hard to trust from a DFS standpoint if he's healthy enough to get on the floor.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 days agoMilwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (groin) isn't listed on the league's official injury report ahead of Sunday's postseason opener versus the Pacers. The former Trail Blazer has been burdened by a groin strain over the last week or so. However, he practiced over the last few days, so DFS managers had a feeling things were moving in this direction. With Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) unlikely to suit up, Lillard will be a popular fantasy option on Sunday.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 days agoLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) will play on Saturday against the Nuggets. There wasn't much doubt regarding his availability for the series opener, especially since he's battled a nagging ankle injury for months. James is coming off a few potent performances. That trend could continue, with the multi-time All-Star averaging 24.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in three meetings with the champs throughout the 2023-24 campaign.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 days 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.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 days 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.Source: NBA Injury Report
3 days 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.Source: ESPN
3 days 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.Source: Barry Jackson
3 days 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.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski
4 days 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.Source: ESPN
4 days 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.Source: ESPN
4 days 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.Source: Tommy Wild
4 days 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.Source: NBA Injury Report