Daily Fantasy Sports managers must consult the NBA injury report to build optimal NBA DFS lineups. Monday's eight-game slate is loaded with value, as teams like Detroit, Indiana, and Philadelphia grapple with major NBA injuries to stars like Garland, Embiid, and Brunson. This influx of latest fantasy basketball news directly impacts the viability of mid-range and value plays.
Use our NBA lineup optimizer approach to target key replacements like Andre Drummond ($5,700) and Isaiah Hartenstein ($6,600), capitalizing on their secure roles and projected high-scoring matchups for maximum FanDuel points.
For up-to-the-minute updates on injuries, lineups, roster changes and more, head to RotoWire's NBA News or follow @RotoWireNBA on X.
SLATE OVERVIEW
For the latest spreads and over-unders, visit RotoWire's NBA Odds page. There, you can also find player props, futures, picks articles and sportsbook bonus codes.
The NYK/MIA game wins the Total race today, and we have a few choice selections for that contest. The CHI/DEN game also has a high total, and we leaned into the Nuggets for some quality options. Although there's blowout risk, we should still get three good quarters out of the Thunder's elites. We also hit spots with Cleveland and Philly. One quality roster that I omitted was Toronto, and most of their first unit will have lower ownership, and are certainly usable.
Visit RotoWire's NBA Daily Starting Lineups to find out starters for every game on the schedule!
INJURIES
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report. Below are some of the most recent and relevant injuries for Monday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate.
CLE Darius Garland (toe) - OUT
Sam Merrill ($4,400) will start once again for Garland as he misses his fourth consecutive game. It's not a pivot I am particularly thrilled with, but you could do a lot worse at this salary level.
IND Bennedict Mathurin (toe) - QUESTIONABLE
Mathurin was just upgraded, but he's likely to be limited if he suits up. Indiana is reeling with long-term injuries from Tyrese Haliburton, Obi Toppin and Aaron Nesmith. We're still working out who to trust, but Jarace Walker ($4,900) would signal a sixth-man role if Mathurin starts.
DET Cade Cunningham (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
DET Ausar Thompson (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
DET Tobias Harris (ankle) - OUT
Isaiah Stewart ($5,500) remains a suitable pivot for Harris, but the Pistons will have to dig deep if the tags hold for Cunningham and Thompson. Although Daniss Jenkins started for Cunningham, Caris LeVert ($5,100) was more effective in relief. Javonte Green ($5,100) will step in for Thompson if he is out.
LAC Derrick Jones (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
There's no word on Jones' status for Monday, but with Jordan Miller (hamstring) also questionable, Bogdan Bogdanovic ($4,400) would be in line for a larger role. John Collins ($5,100) is also excelling as Kawhi Leonard's (foot/ankle) replacement.
PHI Joel Embiid (knee) - OUT
PHI Kelly Oubre (knee) - OUT
PHI Adem Bona (ankle) - OUT
PHI Paul George (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
We could see Paul George make his debut this evening, but I won't take this route due to a possible minute restriction. Andre Drummond ($5,700) has a clear path to start at center with Embiid and Bona out, while Dominick Barlow's ($5,100) recent return will mean a potential stint with the first unit in Oubre's absence.
NYK Jalen Brunson (ankle) - OUT
NYK OG Anunoby (hamstring) - OUT
NYK Miles McBride (personal) - QUESTIONABLE
The Knicks would love to have McBride back tonight, but Landry Shamet ($5,000) will carry a larger role if he is absent. Josh Hart ($6,400) and Jordan Clarkson ($5,300) have been spark plugs off the bench, so I would consider them as well.
MIA Bam Adebayo (toe) - OUT
Kel'el Ware ($7,000) will continue to start at center, and while Pelle Larsson ($4,600) has slid into the lineup during this adjustment, I'm less confident in his production potential.
NOP Zion Williamson (hamstring) - OUT
Williamson is still at least a game away from returning. I would look to Saddiq Bey ($5,400) as a candidate to fill his role again.
CHI Tre Jones (ankle) - OUT
Kevin Huerter ($5,600) has filled in the most for this spot, but Ayo Dosunmu ($5,200) should also see a minute increase.
DEN Cameron Johnson (biceps) - QUESTIONABLE
DEN Christian Braun (ankle) - OUT
Tim Hardaway ($4,900) is still a decent pivot in this spot, but Bruce Brown ($4,600) seems to have the better upside at the moment.
ELITE PLAYERS
We have five players populating the player pool with five-figure salaries, but we can probably exclude Cade Cunningham with his questionable tag. For my money, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,400) is in the best situation against New Orleans. While Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are always viable options to consider, I will likely fade them and use SGA if I am spending high. Tyrese Maxey ($10,100) is also here, and he's on the cusp of my endorsements.
Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,500) and Donovan Mitchell ($9,300) are my two favorite selections in the $9k range. I think we also need to consider James Harden ($9,500), who didn't leave Philly on good terms. He'll get his share of boos from the crowd and should be motivated to post a good number. The $8k tier is a little lighter today, but Evan Mobley ($8,900) will be my favorite play from the group.
Also consider: Anthony Edwards, MIN ($9,400) vs. NYK
EXPECTED CHALK AND MID-RANGE TARGETS
Jamal Murray, DEN ($7,900) vs. CHI
Murray looks like a dependable option, although I would prefer to see him at a slightly cheaper salary. It should be an exploitable spot against the Bulls, who will be rotating backups into the backcourt. Nikola Jokic is a little banged up, and while that could result in more assists from the superstar, Murray will still get his share.
Isaiah Hartenstein, OKC ($6,600) @ NOP
Hartenstein hung a massive number on the Pelicans a couple of weeks ago, and while I have confidence in most of OKC's starters tonight, I'll put Hartenstein atop the list alongside SGA. There's no question that the Pelicans' frontcourt is hurting, and this game could be a blowout in the making.
Andrew Wiggins, MIA ($6,400) vs. NYK
Wiggins always seems to find his way to good production, and the spot also benefits from Bam Adebayo's absence. He didn't reach 30 FDFPs in his last game, but he's shown a consistent ability to break that plane, making him a 5x value-beating candidate.
VJ Edgecombe, PHI ($6,100) vs. LAC
I am not sure what to do with Edgecombe tonight, although I would like to use him. Ideally, a debut from Paul George shouldn't affect his bottom line too much, and Edgecombe has played his way into the off-guard role. It's been a long time since the Sixers had George's services, and although it's unclear how he'll be utilized while he works his way back, I'll work on the assumption that Edgecombe won't be impacted.
Aaron Gordon, DEN ($5,900) vs. CHI
Gordon sets up well against the Bulls, who are still figuring things out at the wing position. Jokic's probable tag indicates that his role will still be large, but there's always a chance he'll increase his load as a facilitator. Gordon will often be a victim of a big stat line from his teammate, but he's at an unbeatable salary at the moment.
Also consider: Chet Holmgren, OKC ($7,200) @ NOP
VALUE PLAYS
We have quite a few bargain options in the injury report, but I'll identify two options below $6,000 that I am fond of below.
Naz Reid, MIN ($5,400) vs. DAL
Although Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert are suitable options, Reid's salary is hard to beat. Reid routinely steps in and logs encouraging totals with the second unit, and he's put up excellent numbers relative to his current salary. Dallas will throw a variety of big men at this unit, and I'm fairly certain that Reid will see at least 25 minutes to spell the starting duo.
John Collins, LAC ($5,100) @ PHI
I realize I mentioned Collins in the injury report, but I feel like he deserves his own mention. We all knew that no season is complete without some Kawhi Leonard absences, and Collins has been invaluable in those scenarios. A suitable Kawhi pivot is critical to the Clippers' success or failure, and Collins is doing a great job filling in.
