Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (thigh) is absent from the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game against the Boston Celtics. Head coach Jacque Vaughn said Johnson was on track to return on Wednesday prior to Tuesday's loss to Boston, and the 27-year-old forward will return from a four-game absence. Johnson has taken a step back during his first full year in Brooklyn after being a key piece of last season's Kevin Durant trade, but he's shooting the ball well over his last nine games, averaging 13.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.3 treys on 42.9% shooting from long range in 27.2 minutes during this stretch. Johnson should re-enter the Nets' first unit, but he'll square off with a Celtics team that ranks second in opponent field-goal percentage (44.9%) in 2023-24, so he won't be a recommended DFS play in most situations.

Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons (knee) is out for Wednesday's meeting with the Boston Celtics. After Simmons collected five points, eight assists, and six boards in 24 minutes during Tuesday's defeat to the Celtics, a left knee effusion will cost him the second leg of a two-game home and away set against Boston. In all likelihood, Simmons will be back on the hardwood for Brooklyn's first outing post-All-Star break on Feb. 22 against the Toronto Raptors. Cameron Johnson (thigh) will return for the Nets on Wednesday following a four-game absence, representing the most likely candidate to replace Simmons in the starting five. The Celts rank first against forwards this season, per DraftKings scoring, so while Johnson is fine to deploy in head-to-head season-long fantasy leagues, he's only a contrarian DFS option in a nightmarish situation.

Philadelphia 76ers guard De'Anthony Melton (back) will remain out on Wednesday against Miami. Melton was back in practice on Tuesday, but the team won't be able to count on his services for a 17th consecutive game. Philadelphia will be off until Feb. 22 following Wednesday's game, so there's a strong chance this is the final contest Melton misses. His return to practice certainly suggests that the versatile guard isn't far from being game-ready again. The likes of Buddy Hield and Kelly Oubre Jr. will be in for busy nights again on Wednesday without Melton.

Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe (knee) will play on Tuesday night versus Boston, the first of consecutive meetings between the clubs. The 22-year-old is having the best season of his career, averaging 7.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in 37 appearances. He suffered a hyperextended left knee at the beginning of January and has been working his way back since. That said, Sharpe will presumably see limited action in his first game back in the lineup. However, the 2021 No. 29 overall pick has been relatively productive all year despite his limited workload, so he'll likely provide some value to fantasy managers.

The Brooklyn Nets have already ruled out forward Cameron Johnson (groin) for Tuesday's tilt versus the Boston Celtics. Johnson will miss a fourth consecutive game with soreness in his left groin, and he will have a quick turnaround to return before the All-Star break in a rematch with Boston on Wednesday. Ben Simmons has started each of Brooklyn's last three games and has averaged 7.6 points on 78.3% field-goal shooting, 6.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.2 steals across his past five games, but he's playing only 18.7 minutes per game during this stretch following his extended absence. With a difficult task against a Celtics team that sits second in the NBA in opponent field-goal percentage (44.9%) to boot, Simmons is going to be a risky DFS play on Tuesday despite Johnson's absence.