Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Bobby Portis has given head coach Doc Rivers a vote of confidence, saying he has unlocked a whole new player in him. Rivers' fit with the Bucks has been questioned heavily after he replaced Adrian Griffin in late January and finished the regular season with a losing record at the helm. He went 17-19 with the Bucks, which saw the team drop to the third seed in the Eastern Conference. Portis averaged 15.3 points and 8.9 rebounds under Rivers, a slight improvement from his season averages. The 29-year-old could end up playing a very big role in the first-round matchup against Indiana, with Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) in a race to get healthy for the series.

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Derrick Rose (groin, back) is planning to be back on the court with the team in 2023-24. The former MVP signed a two-year deal with the Grizzlies last summer and appears to have no plans of retiring despite another injury-riddled season. Rose, who will turn 36 in early October, played his final game of the campaign on Feb. 28 and ended up featuring just 24 times for the Grizzlies. He averaged 8.0 points and 3.3 assists in 16.6 minutes as a bench piece. He will likely be used even more sparingly next season, with a number of younger players on the rise in Memphis.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Tuesday's Play-In meeting with the Lakers. The 26-year-old injured his knee during a matchup with the Orlando Magic in March and was sidelined for 12 games. However, he returned for the regular-season finale versus the Lakers, amassing 13 points and five rebounds in 23 minutes. Fortunately, head coach Willie Green reported that Ingram looked good during practice on Monday, so the plan is to increase his minutes for Tuesday's rematch with Los Angeles. Of course, he'll likely see less work than usual. But Ingram is still worth considering for any DFS contest after Green's latest update.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) practiced on Monday. The reigning MVP logged 32 minutes in Friday's win over the Orlando Magic, finishing with 32 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, and one block. However, he briefly exited the contest after tweaking his knee, although he returned to finish the game. Embiid wasn't available for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Brooklyn Nets, so there is some concern about his health. Yet, head coach Nick Nurse indicated the 30-year-old was held out for precautionary reasons. With that said, it would be surprising if Embiid weren't available for Wednesday's Play-In battle with the Miami Heat. But if he can't suit up, Paul Reed would see a surge in interest from DFS managers.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) is probable for Tuesday's Play-In meeting with the New Orleans Pelicans. James has battled a left ankle injury for months. However, he should be ready to roll for the pivotal contest. These clubs met on Sunday for the regular-season finale, with James finishing with a 28-point, 17-assist, 11-rebound triple-double. He also had five steals and a block. Of course, the 39-year-old will receive plenty of attention from DFS managers. Yet, James will receive more if Anthony Davis (back) can't suit up.

Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (back) is questionable for Tuesday's Play-In matchup with New Orleans. These clubs met on Sunday for the regular-season finale. AD logged 33 minutes in that one, finishing with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals. Unfortunately, his day ended after experiencing back spasms. As a result, Davis is now on the injury report, although he's adamant he will be out there for the pivotal contest. If he's not, Jaxson Hayes will presumably take his spot in the rotation. Hayes has averaged 11.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in five starts during the 2023-24 campaign, giving him plenty of value potential for DFS managers.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is rehabbing daily, but there's some real doubt for his status to begin the first-round series versus the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. Although Antetokounmpo has rare recovery ability, he's very much up in the air for Game 1. Antetokounmpo sustained a strained left calf in last Tuesday's win over the visiting Boston Celtics, and early indications suggest he won't be available for the Bucks at the start of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Expect Milwaukee's offense to run through co-superstar Damian Lillard for any games he sits out, as Lillard averaged 29.9 points, 7.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 three-pointers, and 1.1 steals over eight games without Antetokounmpo this season. Additionally, Bobby Portis averaged 20.8 points, 10.1 boards, 1.7 dimes, 1.2 swipes, and 2.0 threes across eight outings sans the Greek Freak this year.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic eased his way to his 68th double-double of the year in Sunday's 126-111 win over Memphis, completing the regular-season finale with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Jokic, who shot 7-for-11 from the field, also had five assists and stretched his streak with multiple steals to five games with four swipes. The two-time MVP posted a new career-high in double-doubles this year and registered 25 triple-doubles. He ended up averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists. It's been another spectacular campaign for Jokic, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him earn MVP honors again. The big man from Serbia will now begin the title defense with the team in the 2024 playoffs as the second seed in the Western Conference.

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal had an outstanding game in Sunday's regular-season finale against Minnesota, leading all scorers with 36 points in a 125-106 win. The Suns were in a must-win situation to qualify directly into the 2024 NBA Playoffs and did the business in impressive fashion with Beal leading the way. He was a red-hot 6-for-6 from three-point range and shot 14-for-21 overall while collecting six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block. Beal's debut year in Phoenix was a disappointment for many, but he came up huge for the Suns in the final couple of regular-season games. The three-time All-Star will now be expected to deliver in the playoffs as well. Beal has averaged 23.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals across his previous five post-season campaigns.

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner completed the 2023-24 regular season with a bang, scoring a team-high 31 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in a 157-115 victory over Atlanta. He was also in dominant form defensively, swatting away four shots. Turner missed only one of his four attempts from deep and shot 13-for-17 overall in just 22 minutes of action. This should give the Pacers big man a nice bit of momentum ahead of the playoff series against Milwaukee. The Bucks have struggled against Indiana all year, with Turner going for 19.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in the matchup.

New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum netted a team-high 25 points on 9-for-19 shooting in Sunday's 124-108 loss to the Lakers. He hit 4-for-9 from downtown and was also among the team leaders with seven assists, completing his line with four rebounds. McCollum had a fairly inconsistent regular-season campaign, but he's heated up at a good time for the team, with the Pelicans set to begin the play-in tournament against the Lakers on Tuesday. The 32-year-old has averaged 30.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists over his last seven appearances.

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Brandon Ingram logged 23 minutes in his first game back from a knee injury in Sunday's losing effort against the Lakers. The Pelicans produced a sub-par performance in a must-win game, but Ingram played well in his first action since March 21, shooting 6-for-9 from the field en route to 13 points and five rebounds. Ingram missed the previous 12 games, but the team should ramp up his minutes quickly, as the Pelicans now enter the play-in tournament, with a rematch against the Lakers scheduled for Tuesday. Ingram has always saved some of his best performances for his former team, averaging 23.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists for his career against the Lakers.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James completed his 21st regular-season campaign with his 112th career triple-double in Sunday's 124-108 win over New Orleans. James put on a playmaking clinic in the first quarter and finished with 17 times, as well as having 28 points and 11 rebounds. He shot 11-for-20 from the field and also produced a monster game defensively, racking up five steals with one block. James averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists for the year across 35.3 minutes. It wasn't enough to help the Lakers get a top-six seed in the West, but the team is well-placed to make the playoffs via the play-in tournament. The Lakers start the action on Tuesday against the Pelicans, whom they have dominated all season. James has averaged a 28-6-12 line in the matchup.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) didn't suit up for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Brooklyn Nets. He tweaked his knee during Friday's win over the Orlando Magic, causing him to exit the contest briefly. Naturally, there remains apprehension regarding his availability for Wednesday's Play-In meeting with the Miami Heat. However, head coach Nick Nurse seemingly put any concern to rest by stating Embiid would "be ready to go." Of course, DFS managers won't be satisfied until he is listed as available on the injury report. But for now, everyone can plan on Embiid being on the floor versus Miami.

Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (back, hip) finished with a 30-point, 11-rebound double-double in Sunday's win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Unfortunately, he exited the contest, with ESPN's Dave McMenamin reporting he suffered hip and back spasms after an awkward fall. With the victory, the Lakers secured the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference and will remain in New Orleans to meet the Pelicans on Tuesday. Davis vows he will play. But things happen, so Jaxson Hayes could be in line to start if AD doesn't suit up.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (adductor) is considered probable for Sunday's match-up with the Orlando Magic. The 33-year-old is expected to return to action on Sunday following his absence from Milwaukee's last game due to left adductor soreness. The Bucks will happily welcome their star point guard back into the lineup, as a win on Sunday would clinch the second seed in the Eastern Conference. With superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo remaining on the sidelines, Lillard will need to carry a heavier load.

Boston Celtics forward/center Al Horford (rest) will not play in Sunday's season finale against the Washington Wizards. Along with Horford, the Celtics will be resting their five usual starters. Center Luke Kornet and forward Xavier Tillman Sr. could be very busy in the frontcourt, and they are worth considering for DFS contests on Sunday, especially going up against the Wizards, one the worst teams in the National Basketball Association.

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (knee) won't play on Sunday against the Wizards. Holiday has been banged up all year. With that in mind, the C's need him as healthy as possible for the playoffs, so he'll sit out on Sunday. The C's also won't have Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White (ankle). As a result, Payton Pritchard, coming off a double-double in Friday's win over the Charlotte Hornets, is a lock for all DFS contests.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (neck) is out for Sunday's contest against the Toronto Raptors. He continues to be hampered by neck spasms and will miss his fourth straight game. Expect Caleb Martin and Tyler Herro to run the backcourt, while Delon Wright could play some important minutes. Duncan Robinson (back) is listed as questionable and would likely factor into the rotation if he were to suit up. Rozier will hopefully recover from this ailment and get back on the court soon, as the Heat will need his contributions to try to make another run to the NBA Finals.

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown won't play on Sunday against the Wizards. The Celtics claimed the No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference by a mile, so the team can afford to give Brown the afternoon off to rest in preparation for the postseason. With Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White (ankle), and Jrue Holiday (knee) also sitting this one out, Payton Pritchard, coming off an impressive 31-point, 11-assist effort in Friday's win over Charlotte, will be a lock for DFS managers. At the same time, Luke Kornet, Sam Hauser, and ... [More]