April 18, 2026
San Antonio Spurs guard
Dylan Harper (thumb) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Sunday's Game 1 against the Portland Trail Blazers. Harper was forced to exit the regular-season finale due to a left thumb injury. It doesn't appear to be serious enough to force Harper to miss the beginning of the playoffs. Harper should resume his role as the backup guard to
De'Aaron Fox. The rookie guard averaged 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists across 22.6 minutes per game during the regular season. He won't be an ideal DFS option with Fox and
Stephon Castle healthy. The 20-year-old is an important part of the Spurs rotation, so they'll be glad to have him back for the beginning of this series.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
April 18, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard/forward
Grayson Allen (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Allen has been dealing with a lingering hamstring issue, but was available for Friday's game against the Golden State Warriors. Despite being available, Allen didn't suit up for Friday's Play-In victory.
Jordan Goodwin,
Collin Gillespie, and
Haywood Highsmith stand to gain the most value if Allen remains on the sideline for Sunday's contest. Goodwin is by far the best streaming choice between the three players, but he could lose value if Allen does end up playing.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
April 18, 2026
Phoenix Suns center
Mark Williams (foot) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Williams was able to play 22 minutes during Tuesday's loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. The big man was unable to suit up for Friday's win over the Golden State Warriors due to a lingering foot issue.
Oso Ighodaro finished with 10 points and six rebounds across 26 minutes of action on Friday. He figures to play a similar role once again if Williams misses a second straight game.
Khaman Maluach could see an expanded role as well, but Ighodaro is the better streaming option if Williams gets downgraded.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
April 18, 2026
Houston Rockets guard
Reed Sheppard will move into the starting five ahead of Saturday's Game 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets will be without
Kevin Durant (knee), which will shift Sheppard into the starting unit. The Rockets are hopeful that this will only be a one-game absence for the superstar forward. Sheppard will be asked to take on a larger role offensively without Durant available. He should be a focal point on offense along with
Alperen Sengun and
Amen Thompson.
Tari Eason,
Dorian Finney-Smith, and
Jae'Sean Tate could all see increased run as well. Among the bench, Sheppard is the best DFS option with Durant missing at least Game 1.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
April 18, 2026
Houston Rockets forward
Kevin Durant (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's Game 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant will be downgraded from questionable to out due to a right knee contusion. Head coach Ime Udoka is hopeful that this will be a one-game absence for Durant. His absence from the rotation will mean that
Reed Sheppard will move into the starting five on Saturday.
Tari Eason,
Dorian Finney-Smith, and
Jae'Sean Tate are all candidates to see increased run as well. Among the bunch, Sheppard is the best DFS option ahead of Saturday's slate. He should be a focal point on offense along with
Amen Thompson and
Alperen Sengun.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
April 18, 2026
Charlotte Hornets guard
LaMelo Ball recorded 23 points (7-for-17 on field goals, 3-for-8 from three, and 6-for-6 on free throws), five assists, and two rebounds in 25 minutes during Friday's Play-In loss to Orlando, ending the Hornets' season. Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 28.0 minutes across 72 games, maintaining strong per-game production despite reduced minutes. His usage remains secure entering next season, with offense flowing through him.
Brandon Miller and
Miles Bridges should continue handling secondary scoring roles alongside Ball's playmaking.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA
April 18, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard/forward
Jordan Goodwin recorded 19 points (7-for-11 on field goals, 4-for-7 from three, and 1-for-1 on free throws), nine rebounds, two assists, and six steals in 34 minutes during Friday's win over Golden State, helping Phoenix secure the West's eighth seed. Goodwin averaged 12.6 points, 3.0 three-pointers, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals over his last five games, showing multi-category upside. His defensive production and rebounding give him DFS value if minutes hold, though his role could shift if
Grayson Allen (hamstring) returns.
Devin Booker and
Jalen Green continue to lead usage, limiting Goodwin's scoring ceiling.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA
April 18, 2026
Orlando Magic forward/center
Paolo Banchero recorded 25 points (9-for-17 on field goals, 2-for-6 from three, and 5-for-8 on free throws), five rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block in 33 minutes during Friday's Play-In win over Charlotte, sending Orlando into the playoffs as the East's eighth seed. Banchero averaged 20.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists over his last five games with a 30.7 usage rate, continuing to drive the offense. His all-around role keeps him firmly in play for DFS despite a tougher matchup against Detroit, while
Franz Wagner should continue handling a steady secondary role.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA
April 18, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard/forward
Jalen Green delivered 36 points (14-for-20 on field goals, 8-for-14 from three), six rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals in 40 minutes during Friday's win over Golden State, sending Phoenix into the playoffs as the West's eighth seed. Green has now scored at least 35 points in back-to-back games and is averaging 22.2 points over his last five outings. His scoring-heavy profile boosts his DFS ceiling, but a first-round matchup against Oklahoma City introduces efficiency risk.
Devin Booker should continue sharing primary usage, while
Dillon Brooks provides secondary wing support.
--Brian DailisanSource: ESPN
April 18, 2026
Houston Rockets guard/forward
Amen Thompson isn't listed on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers after sitting out the regular-season finale. Thompson closed the season on a strong run, averaging 24.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.2 steals over his last five games while logging 38.1 minutes. His ability to contribute across categories makes him one of the more stable DFS options on the slate, with production not tied to shooting alone.
Alperen Sengun remains the primary offensive hub, while
Kevin Durant's (knee) status could influence Thompson's usage and scoring opportunities.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
April 18, 2026
Houston Rockets forward/center
Jabari Smith Jr. is not on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers after sitting out the regular-season finale. Smith averaged 15.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.3 three-pointers per game this season, and he enters the playoffs in strong form with 19.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.4 three-pointers over his last five outings in 33.6 minutes. His scoring remains tied to perimeter efficiency, making him a streaky DFS option.
Alperen Sengun continues to command usage inside, while
Tari Eason could absorb minutes if Smith cools.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
April 18, 2026
Houston Rockets forward/center
Alperen Sengun isn't listed on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers after sitting out the regular-season finale. Sengun averaged 17.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 30.8 minutes over his last five games while posting a 26.7 usage rate, reinforcing his role as Houston's offensive hub. His multi-category production makes him a strong DFS anchor with a stable floor and ceiling combination.
Clint Capela is expected to remain in a limited backup role, which should keep his minutes and overall production low.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Denver Nuggets forward/center
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) will be available for Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. He is set to return from a two-game absence after the team removed him from the injury report. Denver and Minnesota met four times during the regular season, but Gordon was in the lineup for only two of the games. He averaged 16.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, making 50 percent of his attempts from outside. If Gordon can maintain his efficiency against the Timberwolves in the playoffs, he should easily overcome the consistency issues he faced late in the regular season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves power forward
Julius Randle (hand) isn't listed on the injury report before Saturday's Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets. A hand injury kept Randle sidelined for the last three regular-season games. During the regular season, Randle faced Denver four times and exceeded his averages. Despite being limited to 26.3 percent efficiency from behind the arc, Randle notched 24.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.0 steals against the Nuggets. With
Anthony Edwards (knee) potentially out for Game 1, Minnesota could lean heavily on Randle in Saturday's game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers center
Jaxson Hayes (foot) will return to action on Saturday against the Houston Rockets. The former Texas Longhorn didn't play in the last four regular-season games due to a foot injury, but the Lakers haven't included him on the injury report ahead of their playoff opener. Hayes finished the regular season strong, averaging 14.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in his last seven appearances. It would be a major boost for the injury-hit Lakers if they could get the same level of production from Hayes in the playoffs. Hayes' role during the regular-season series against Houston was minimal, as he contributed 0.5 points and 1.5 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game over two contests.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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