Brooklyn Nets DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

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.

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.

Philadelphia 76ers guard De'Anthony Melton (back) is still sidelined for Monday's contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Make it 16 consecutive absences for Melton due to a lumbar spine stress response on his back, but head coach Nick Nurse said before Friday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks that there's a "decent chance" Melton returns before the All-Star break. Melton has one more opportunity to suit up this week, coming on Wednesday versus the visiting Miami Heat. Kelly Oubre Jr. is getting plenty of run in Philly's starting lineup in the meantime, averaging 19.0 points, 5.9 boards, 1.1 triples, and 0.9 blocks during 34.9 minutes across his last nine games. Cleveland ranks first in the Eastern Conference in defensive efficiency (107.5) this season, so Oubre's fantasy expectations should be tempered on Monday.