Monday's NBA DFS slate brings a massive 11-game schedule packed with star power, injury news, and value opportunities across FanDuel contests. With 22 teams in play, the player pool is wide open—making lineup strategy and late-breaking updates more crucial than ever. From elite options like Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic to mid-tier risers and low-cost sleepers, this breakdown covers everything you need to build winning lineups. We'll spotlight top matchups, key injury pivots, and the best value plays to help you dominate GPPs and cash contests alike. Let's dive into the slate and uncover tonight's DFS edge.
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SLATE OVERVIEW
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Surprisingly, the ATL/CHI matchup wins the projected total race tonight, and we made a couple of mentions for this game in the injury report. With a slate this size, you're bound to fade a couple of teams, and the Pistons, Nets and Raptors were my chosen victims. If I had to bet on an over, it would be the OKC/DAL total. I'd keep my eye on players from this matchup that I didn't mention.
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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.
PHI Joel Embiid (knee, rest) - OUT
PHI Dominick Barlow (elbow) - OUT
Although the Sixers have several other injuries, Embiid and Barlow hit the report over the weekend. It's essentially a back-to-back rest day for Embiid, who will likely be spelled by Adem Bona ($3,700) in the starting lineup. Barlow's absence should result in a usage increase for Jabari Walker ($3,800), who has averaged 24.1 FDFPs in a reserve role.
CLE Darius Garland (toe) - OUT
Garland's return is imminent, but his spot in the starting lineup will go to Sam Merrill ($4,400) for at least one more week.
NOP Yves Missi (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
Several players could be in line to start for Missi if he is sidelined, and it's a spot I will probably avoid unless I see reliable news closer to game lock.
ATL Zaccharie Risacher (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
ATL Jalen Johnson (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
ATL Kristaps Porzingis (illness) - QUESTIONABLE
With more than half of Atlanta's starting lineup at risk of an absence, we'll have to wait and see if any of these tags lift throughout the day. Keep Onyeka Okongwu ($6,300) in mind, especially if we see negative news from Johnson and Porzingis.
CHI Josh Giddey (finger) - QUESTIONABLE
CHI Coby White (calf) - OUT
Finger injuries are always tricky, and we'll know more about Giddey's participation during pre-game shootaround. It's a spot to avoid if you lack the time to check the news, but you can count on Tre Jones ($5,800) to be in play for White.
OKC Chet Holmgren (back) - QUESTIONABLE
OKC Alex Caruso (concussion) - OUT
OKC Jalen Johnson (wrist) - OUT
Pivot to Aaron Wiggins ($5,000) and Cason Wallace ($5,000) for these injuries, and give a slight bump to the rest of the starting lineup.
PHX Dillon Brooks (groin) - QUESTIONABLE
Royce O'Neale ($4,100) would likely move into the starting lineup if Brooks can't play.
MIN Anthony Edwards (hamstring) - QUESTIONABLE
Edwards may be fine for this matchup, but Terrence Shannon's ($3,900) stock would go up if he misses, and a higher total would be in store for Jaden McDaniels ($5,500).
GSW Al Horford (toe, rest) - OUT
Horford is sitting out the first leg of a back-to-back for injury management purposes. It's an imposing matchup against the Grizzlies, so Quinten Post ($3,600) will likely slide into the five spot to defend the interior.
LAL Luka Doncic (finger, leg) - OUT
LAL LeBron James (sciatica) - OUT
LAL Gabe Vincent (ankle) - DOUBTFUL
LAL Jaxson Hayes (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
Doncic will be out for at least a week, so the Lakers will likely turn to Marcus Smart ($4,500) and Jake LaRavia ($4,200) to run the backcourt.
ELITE PLAYERS
We have no shortage of blue-chip talent in Monday's massive player pool. Five players hold five-figure salaries, and while all of them will likely excel, Victor Wembanyama ($12,400) is my favorite option due to his dual eligibility and overall dominance to begin the season. I have no problem with Nikola Jokic ($12,000), but the size of the slate will open up more center options, and I'm likely to find a budget candidate when 22 teams are available. I feel the same way about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,500). Anthony Davis is on a back-to-back, so I can find cause to fade him.
The $9k tier has six players to choose from. With a potential absence at center, I like Zion Williamson's ($9,700) opportunity at home against the Celtics. Alperen Sengun ($9,600) is also in a great spot against the Nets, but we may be able to find cheaper centers if need be.
A whopping 15 players populate the $8k tier, and it's full of great options. Tyrese Maxey ($8,700) stands out to me immediately, and I also like Paolo Banchero ($8,600) against the Sixers due to Embiid's absence. While Jaylen Brown's ($8,100) totals have fallen a bit below expectations so far, his upside is more than enough reason to take him at a slight discount.
Also consider: Kevin Durant, HOU ($8,800) vs. BKN, Devin Booker, PHX ($8,800) @ UTA
EXPECTED CHALK AND MID-RANGE TARGETS
Franz Wagner, ORL ($7,700) @ PHI
I'd consider a Banchero/Wagner stack against the Sixers, who will have some trouble without Embiid's assistance. Wagner is off to an excellent start this season, averaging 22.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals.
Jaren Jackson, MEM ($7,600) @ GSW
I wouldn't pay too much attention to Jackson's current averages, as two of his three games were blowout scenarios where he left the game early. The opener against the Pelicans is a much better example of what to expect, and his sub-$8k salary is a great opportunity for him to hit 6x value.
Derrick White, BOS ($7,600) @ NOP
White's rock-solid dependability is no surprise, and he's turned in three standout games to begin his season. If you aren't fond of Brown's salary, you should definitely consider White, whose scoring and secondary contributions make him the clear second option for Boston.
Julius Randle, MIN ($7,000) vs. DEN
It's a quick turnaround for Randle, but at least they are playing at home. Randle has yet to let me down, and if you look at Randle's results against a near-identical Denver lineup last season, his totals were above average. Randle is notoriously difficult to defend, and he'll give Aaron Gordon all he can handle in this one.
Jonathan Kuminga, GSW ($6,300) vs.MEM
Kuminga has strung together some excellent stat lines so far. He's averaged 31.3 FDFPs over the first three games, which is in line with his current salary. He may log more time on the floor with Al Horford unavailable in the second unit, and he sets up well against Memphis' frontcourt.
VALUE PLAYS
We have several buy-low candidates in the injury report, but here are some additional options at and below $6k that you won't want to miss.
VJ Edgecombe, PHI ($6,000) vs. ORL
Edgecombe is having a red-hot start to the season, and he's hard to avoid at this salary point. Edgecombe and Maxey will have to create their own opportunities without their primary assist target on the floor, and it's a perfect opportunity for Edgecombe to put in another multi-category performance.
Deandre Ayton, LAL ($5,700) vs. POR
With injuries littered throughout the lineup, Ayton will take on a bigger load over the next couple of weeks. Without Doncic, the team needs a veteran to step up in a leadership role, and Ayton could be that guy. His latest 46-FDFP performance is evidence of how gameflow works in his direction without Doncic, and I think he's well worth utilizing in our sole center position tonight.
Grayson Allen, PHX ($5,200) @ UTA
Allen should stay on everyone's radar until Jalen Green makes his debut. His reduced salary makes it very easy to attain a value-beating number, and Dillon Brooks' potential absence should increase his usage as well.
Also consider:
- Quentin Grimes, PHI ($4,800)
- Julian Champagnie, SAS ($4,100)
- Kyle Filipowski, UTA ($5,200)
