After a strong Sunday night on FanDuel, we turn the page to a pivotal seven-game NBA DFS slate as the final full week of the 2025 calendar begins. Using industry-leading NBA projections, this breakdown scans salaries, game environments, and late-breaking news from the NBA injury report to uncover both elite plays and value targets. DFS success hinges on monitoring NBA lineups, injury replacements, and matchup-driven opportunity across the slate.
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NBA Games Today
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The UTA/DEN game has the highest total of the evening, but the massive point spread should be some cause for concern. The DAL/NOP contest also has a high total, and I'm a bigger fan of the closer margin, as well as the potential Dallas injury values. Although the IND/BOS total is low, the potential absences in Boston should reveal some smash-value opportunities if the current injury tags hold up.
NBA Injury Report
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.
CHA Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) - DOUBTFUL
CHA Collin Sexton (quad) - QUESTIONABLE
The Hornets will likely roll with Moussa Diabate ($3,900) in place of Kalkbrenner, and Tre Mann ($3,600) could see more run with the second unit if Sexton is sidelined.
CLE Evan Mobley (calf) - OUT
Mobley will remain out for two more weeks, with Dean Wade ($4,000) seeing the most time as his direct replacement.
BOS Jaylen Brown (illness) - QUESTIONABLE
BOS Jordan Walsh (illness) - QUESTIONABLE
Both players are battling illness, and their status for Monday is unclear. We'll see more action from Sam Hauser ($4,100) and Josh Minott ($3,900) if the tags hold.
DAL Cooper Flagg (back) - QUESTIONABLE
With Klay Thompson (knee) and Max Christie (illness) also questionable, it's anyone's guess who will show up in the first unit. Wait until lineup lock for things to clear up in this spot.
UTA Lauri Markkanen (groin) - QUESTIONABLE
UTA Kevin Love (rest) - OUT
Love will rest after a sharp game during Markkanen's absence. Kyle Filpowski ($5,800) recently ceded time to Brice Sensabaugh ($4,000), but I'd use caution in a scenario where production might not be enough to be relevant.
DEN Peyton Watson (side) - QUESTIONABLE
It's times like these when the Nuggets miss Aaron Gordon (hamstring). I expect Tim Hardaway ($4,200) and Bruce Brown ($4,600) to fill in if Watson misses.
MEM Ja Morant (ankle) - OUT
MEM Brandon Clarke (calf) - OUT
MEM Vince Williams (knee) - OUT
MEM Zach Edey (ankle) - OUT
Cam Spencer ($6,500) will be a fixture at point guard during this game, and Santi Aldama ($6,800) will contribute in the frontcourt. It's also a prime spot for Jaren Jackson ($7,700) to show some leadership and post a significant number.
OKC Chet Holmgren (back) - QUESTIONABLE
OKC Isaiah Hartenstein (leg) - OUT
With a host of other players questionable, the Thunder may have to dig deep to fill in the backcourt. Kenrich Williams ($3,700) could be the surprise producer in this spot.
ORL Jalen Suggs (hip) - DOUBTFUL
OrRL Franz Wagner (ankle) - OUT
These absences should have the greatest impact on the backcourt, where Tyus Jones ($3,700) and Anthony Black ($6,900) are expected to see increased roles.
POR Jerami Grant (Achilles) - QUESTIONABLE
Kris Murray ($4,000) should see a usage bump if Grant is ruled out.
Elite NBA DFS Picks
We see some usual suspects atop the player pool with $10k-plus salaries, and all five of them are healthy. Of the group, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,800) stands out in a spot where he may have to do a little more to offset potential frontcourt absences. The exploitable spot for Nikola Jokic ($12,700) may also be too good to pass up, although you'll have to pay a premium for his services. Cade Cunningham ($10,500) is also in a good spot, although I would take SGA over Cunningham if I am spending in this range. I'm usually not one to call Anthony Davis' ($10,500) number, but this could turn into a great spot to use him against a team he called home for several seasons. I'd exclude Paolo Banchero ($10,200) as this salary is too high today.
There are some injury concerns at the $9k level, but swapping in Donovan Mitchell ($9,600) could be a path to lower rostership. In the $8k range, Jamal Murray ($8,700) stands out as a good candidate, and I will happily move to Pascal Siakam ($8,600) if Jaylen Brown stays sidelined for the Celtics.
NBA DFS Chalk and Mid-Range Targets
Derrick White, BOS ($7,900) vs. IND
If Brown and Walsh are both out, White is almost a no-brainer for this slate. I'm also fine with him independent of these absences, so he's someone you can slot in early. He's enjoyed some massive totals over the past week, including a career-high nine three-pointers against the Heat.
Jimmy Butler, GSW ($7,800) vs. ORL
Butler played exceptionally well during the two-game set against Phoenix, halting a string of games where his shot needed some tinkering. I like his spot against the Magic tonight, and he could find some mid-range success against a depleted backcourt if he can keep his shot dialed in. Desmond Bane is no slouch defensively, but Butler was able to post 33 points in his last game against the Magic. I'll run with that kind of data.
Shaedon Sharpe, POR ($7,500) vs. DET
The Pistons will travel 2,400 miles to face Portland, and although Detroit is fully healthy, Sharpe is on a nice run of production and will be tough to stop. He just finished a brilliant two-game set against the Kings, and although the Pistons are a stiffer test, Sharpe will do well if he stays hot.
Jarrett Allen, CLE ($6,700) vs. CHA
Allen has been a common add amid Mobley's absence, and he has the distinct advantage of dual eligibility at PF working in his favor. It makes him a valuable commodity because we don't need to use the center position to add him, and the injury to Kalkbrenner also adds to his potential value.
Donovan Clingan, POR ($6,500) vs. DET
We already mentioned Sharpe, but the duel between Clingan and Jalen Duren will be interesting. Duren has been banged up recently but is expected to play, so it could be advantage Clingan if Duren's rebound ability is diminished in any way. Clingan also played well against the Kings, so he's hoping to keep the good vibes going.
Cedric Coward, MEM ($6,000) @ OKC
The Thunder will have some frontcourt deficiencies tonight, and although Aldama is the best value choice for the Grizzlies, Coward may end up being worth $6,000. He'll be slightly contrarian among Memphis' other replacement options, but I view him as a decent tournament alternative.
NBA DFS Value Plays
The injury section is chock-full of our best values, but here are a few additional players to help out your bottom line.
Toumani Camara, POR ($5,900) vs. DET - Solid scoring option who is trending up
Ausar Thompson, DET ($5,500) @ POR - Should step in and contribute in the second half
Hugo Gonzalez, BOS ($4,700) vs. IND - Just logged first start, and is an option if Brown is out
