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Tari Eason, Reed Sheppard Move into Starting Five on Friday
Houston Rockets guards Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard will move into the starting five ahead of Friday's Game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets will be without Kevin Durant (ankle), which is a huge blow to this team that is already down 2-0 in the series. With that being said, Houston will shake it up and shift Josh Okogie to the bench with one of Eason or Sheppard taking his spot in the starting unit. Sheppard dropped 17 points and eight assists during Saturday's Game 1 loss. He was quiet on Tuesday, but could be an interesting DFS option without Durant on the court. Eason probably has less overall upside, but is a more consistent option ahead of Friday's slate. Both players will need to pick it up offensively without Durant available on Friday.
Source: Yahoo Sports
Source: Yahoo Sports
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Wins Most Improved Player Award
Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker won the NBA's Most Improved Player award on Friday. A well-deserved win for Alexander-Walker, who posted an impressive 2025-2026 season. During the regular season, Alexander-Walker averaged 20.8 points, 1.3 steals, and 3.2 three-pointers across 33.4 minutes per game. The 27-year-old has bounced around since entering the league in 2019, but appears to have found a home in Atlanta. His excellent play is a key reason as to why the Hawks made the postseason. He put together top-five value at his position this season and has certainly raised his fantasy value heading into the 2026-2027 campaign.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Immanuel Quickley to Miss Rest of First-Round Series
Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) will miss the entire first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Quickley hasn't been able to suit up at all this series after suffering a hamstring injury during the regular-season finale. He suffered a setback during his rehab process and he won't be available at all during the first round. This is a major blow to the Raptors, who are already down in the series. The continued absence of Quickley should mean that Jamal Snead and Ja'Kobe Walter will see larger workloads for the rest of the series. Neither player is a great option, but Snead is the better choice between the two right now. If the Raptors do advance to the next round, fantasy managers should check back to see if Quickley will be available for that series.
Source: Tommy Beer
Source: Tommy Beer
Kevin Durant is Ruled Out for Game 3 on Friday
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (ankle) has been officially ruled out ahead of Friday's Game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant missed Game 1 due to a right knee issue, but was back on the court for Game 2. Unfortunately, Durant suffered a left ankle sprain during Tuesday's loss. The Rockets are already down 2-0 in the series and will have a tough hill to climb without Durant on Friday. The expectation is that Reed Sheppard will move into the starting five. He was scoreless across 11 minutes of action on Tuesday, but his value will increase without Durant on the court. Tari Eason and Jae'Sean Tate are candidates to see more time on the court as well. Out of the bunch, Eason seems to be the most trustworthy DFS option in Durant's absence. Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun will be asked to do the heavy lifting on Friday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Joel Embiid Officially Ruled Out for Game 3
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (abdomen) has been officially ruled out ahead of Friday's Game 3 against the Boston Celtics. Embiid hasn't been able to suit up this series, and it remains unclear if he'll play at all. The big man is still recovering from an appendicitis that has kept him sidelined for the last two weeks. His continued absence should mean Andre Drummond and Adem Bona continue splitting up the minutes at center. Between the two, Drummond is the better DFS option after nearly registering a double-double during Tuesday's game. Fantasy managers will have to check back for another update on Embiid ahead of Game 4.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jaden McDaniels Records Double-Double in Game 3
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels recorded 20 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block, and one three-pointer in 41 minutes during Thursday's Game 3 win over Denver. He was highly efficient from the field and played a key two-way role, logging heavy minutes while defending primary scorers. McDaniels' expanded workload boosts his DFS appeal, especially with Anthony Edwards managing a lingering knee issue. Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert continue to handle frontcourt usage, while McDaniels offers reliable multi-category production when minutes remain elevated.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Ayo Dosunmu Paces Wolves in Game 3 Victory
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu finished with 25 points, three rebounds, and nine assists in 32 minutes during Thursday's Game 3 win over Denver. He led the team in scoring and did most of his damage inside the arc, staying efficient while facilitating offense. Dosunmu continues to hold a key role off the bench, and his usage rises when Anthony Edwards is limited, boosting his DFS appeal. Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle continue to provide reliable production, and Dosunmu is trending as a strong DFS option with his growing playmaking role.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Jalen Johnson Flirts with Triple-Double in Game 3 Win
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson posted 24 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, one block, and two three-pointers in 38 minutes during Thursday's Game 3 win over New York. He carried a heavy workload and contributed across all categories, continuing to anchor Atlanta's frontcourt production despite inconsistent shooting compared to his regular-season efficiency. Johnson's high usage and all-around role keep his fantasy value strong in all formats. CJ McCollum and Nickeil Alexander-Walker continue to provide reliable support, while Dyson Daniels chips in on defense but isn't heavily involved as a scorer.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Mikal Bridges Goes Scoreless in Game 3 Loss
New York Knicks guard/forward Mikal Bridges went scoreless with one rebound and two assists in 21 minutes during Thursday's Game 3 loss to Atlanta. His limited role stood out, as Miles McBride logged 31 minutes and produced 15 points with five three-pointers, signaling a possible shift in the rotation. Bridges' usage has dipped, and his offensive inconsistency is becoming a concern in playoff formats. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns continue to carry the scoring load, while McBride emerges as a viable DFS value option if his minutes remain elevated.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Anthony Edwards Limited to 24 Minutes in Game 3
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (knee) left Thursday's Game 3 win over Denver late in the fourth quarter and did not return, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two three-pointers in 24 minutes. He dealt with foul trouble and ongoing knee soreness that has lingered throughout the series, putting his status for Game 4 in question. Edwards still carries heavy usage when active, but the uncertainty adds risk. Ayo Dosunmu and Donte DiVincenzo picked up extra run, with Dosunmu delivering 25 points and nine assists, making him a strong DFS alternative if Edwards is limited.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Jalen Brunson Pours in 26 Points in Game 3 Defeat
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson finished with 26 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals, and zero three-pointers across 40 minutes in Thursday's one-point loss to Atlanta. He carried the offense with 23 shot attempts but missed all five from deep and committed a late turnover in the final possession. Brunson has cleared 25 points in all three games this series, maintaining elite usage. OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns continue to benefit as secondary scorers, while Miles McBride remains a deep-league option for threes.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
CJ McCollum Delivers Clutch Shot in Game 3 Win
Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum finished with 23 points, five rebounds, one assist, two steals, two blocks, and two three-pointers in Thursday's narrow Game 3 win over New York. He struggled to find rhythm after halftime but came through when it mattered, knocking down the go-ahead mid-range jumper in the final seconds. McCollum has now topped 20 points in each game this series, averaging strong scoring with modest peripherals. His steady usage and late-game role make him a reliable DFS option heading into Saturday's Game 4 with Atlanta holding a 2-1 series edge.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Jake LaRavia Available for Game 3 Friday
Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia (ankle) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Game 3 against the Houston Rockets on Friday night. LaRavia hurt his right ankle in Tuesday's Game 2 win, but this issue won't force him to miss additional time. Although LaRavia made a positive impact with the Lakers during the regular season, his role has been limited in the playoffs. Across the first two games of the first-round series, the 24-year-old has averaged only 3.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 17.0 minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Austin Reaves Upgraded to Questionable on Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (oblique) is listed as questionable for Friday's Game 3 against the Houston Rockets. This is a positive development after Reaves' three-week absence due to a left oblique strain. The Lakers initially ruled him out for at least four weeks. Reaves' return on Friday would affect the playing time and offensive usage of Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart. However, Reaves might not handle his usual workload after a long absence, so Kennard and Smart could remain key players.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Spencer Jones Starting in Game 3
Denver Nuggets guard/forward Spencer Jones will take Aaron Gordon's (calf) spot in the starting lineup on Thursday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 24-year-old will start at least one game as Gordon manages left-calf tightness. A spot in the starting unit typically puts players in a better position to make an impact, but Spencer's effectiveness has not shown up in the box score. In 37 regular-season starts, he averaged 7.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game. Cameron Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bruce Brown will also help cover for Gordon's absence.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
