We’ve got just four games on the schedule for Thursday, April 15th, but there are still plenty of big names on the injury report. Here we’ll be monitoring all the latest injury news with some analysis and how to approach the injury for DFS and fantasy basketball.
NBA Injury Report: Thursday, April 15th
Dennis Schroder, PG, Los Angeles Lakers
Update: Wesley Matthews (Achilles) and Kyle Kuzma (calf) are both available to play on Thursday night against the Celtics.
In addition to Drummond, the Lakers will be without starting point guard Dennis Schroder. Head coach Frank Vogel said on Thursday night that veteran guard is unlikely play due to a couple of injuries. Without Schroder, there will be a lot of minutes for Alex Caruso ($3,700), Ben McLemore ($3,800), and Talen Horton-Tucker ($5,100). All three players listed are value plays in the late game NBA DFS slate.
Andre Drummond, C, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers announced that center Andre Drummond has been ruled out for Thursday night’s game against the Celtics with the a toe injury. Drummond play 27 minutes on Tuesday night, where he had four points and 12 rebounds versus Charlotte. Along with Drummond, Los Angeles will also be without forward Markieff Morris (ankle). This should open up more minutes for Marc Gasol ($3,300), who is available to play and Montrezl Harrell ($5,300)
Robert Williams, PF/C, Boston Celtics
The Celtics are listing Time Lord as questionable to play Thursday vs. the Los Angeles Lakers. This is a new injury for Williams, who has played great since the Celtics shipped out Daniel Theis. Williams is averaging close to a double-double since the beginning of March. If Time Lord ends up sitting, Grant Williams ($3,000) becomes an appealing value option, though this game tips late, so you’d have to adjust your DraftKings lineup after we get word, since it’ll likely come after lock.
Atlanta Hawks injury report
Update: Gallo has been ruled out and Young will play vs. the Bucks on Thursday night.
The Hawks are listing PG Trae Young (calf) and PF Danilo Gallinari (foot) as questionable to play against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night. Young and Gallo have both missed the past two games. If they remain out, Clint Capela ($8,900) and Bogdan Bogdanovic ($7,200) are going to get a look in tournaments. The issue is both of their prices are getting up there. These prices are season highs for both players. I’d lean Bogdanovic over Cap if I were picking one. Kevin Huerter ($5,100) and Solomon Hill ($3,800) aren’t bad values if Gallo remains out.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C, Milwaukee Bucks
Update: Giannis is available to play and DiVincenzo has been ruled out vs. the Hawks.
Update: Giannis and Donte DiVincenzo (toe) are being listed as questionable to play tonight vs. the Hawks.
The Bucks held out Giannis again on Wednesday afternoon vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves. Antetokounmpo has missed the past six games due to a knee injury. It appears the Bucks have no issue just holding the MVP out until he’s 100 percent, similar to a lot of teams handling of superstars this season. If Giannis remains out, there isn’t a ton of value being created at this point. Jrue Holiday ($8,400) and Khris Middleton ($8,300) are up there in price and Bobby Portis ($6,800) is inflated as hell. This game could be close, so I’m more interested in Holiday or Middleton.
Cleveland Cavaliers injury report
Update: Garland and Sexton will start vs. the Warriors tonight.
Update: Sexton is being listed as questionable to play vs. the Warriors tonight.
The Cavs held PG/SG Collin Sexton (groin) out of Wednesday’s win over the Charlotte Hornets. Darius Garland ($6,600) was back in the lineup and scored 36.5 DKFP with Sexton out. Garland wouldn’t be a bad option on Thursday night against the Golden State Warriors. If Sexton is out again, I’d also have interest in Jarrett Allen ($7,700), who just got back in the lineup last night.
Kelly Oubre, SF/PF, Golden State Warriors
Update: Oubre is being listed as out for the Warriors vs. the Cavaliers tonight.
The Dubs are listing Oubre as doubtful to play due to a wrist injury against the Cavs on Thursday. They did mention that the team is hopeful he’ll be able to return during this road trip. The Dubs are pretty banged up in the front court with Oubre and James Wiseman (knee) sidelined. The offense has basically been all Stephen Curry ($10,600) with a little Kent Bazemore ($4,900) and Kevon Looney ($3,800) sprinkled in as value options.
Richaun Holmes, C, Sacramento Kings
Holmes is sidelined with a hamstring injury for the Kings, who face the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night. With Holmes sidelined, Hassan Whiteside ($3,400) is likely going to be the most popular value option on the four-game slate. He played 22 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Washington Wizards and returned 10x value with 36.3 DKFP at a higher price tag. It’s egregious he’s not more expensive after knowing Holmes is out. The only spot I’d fade Whiteside in would be GPPs to get leverage since his ownership could be up in the 40-50 percent range.