We’ve got 10 games on Wednesday’s NBA slate, anchored by ESPN’s doubleheader featuring Celtics-Hawks and Warriors-Suns. Here’s a look at the day’s injury report, along with the relevant fantasy and betting implications.
NBA Injury Report: November 16
Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Hornets
Tyrese Haliburton (ankle) - available
Update - Haliburton is in for the Pacers, which is a big boost to Indiana. This team is an intriguing play on the moneyline at DraftKings Sportsbook (+110), especially with Charlotte struggling. Mathurin will come off the bench for the Pacers with Haliburton in the starting lineup.
Haliburton is the engine of this Pacers team. If he sits, Bennedict Mathurin would be the player to watch in fantasy/DFS formats.
Gordon Hayward (shoulder) - OUT
Dennis Smith Jr. (ankle) - OUT
Update - As expected, Smith Jr. is out with an ankle injury.
LaMelo Ball will continue to work his way back into a major role with Smith Jr. sidelined. Jalen McDaniels and Kelly Oubre Jr. are nice value plays with Hayward still out.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Orlando Magic
Paolo Banchero (ankle) - OUT
Wendell Carter Jr. (foot) - OUT
Update - Carter Jr. has officially been ruled out.
Update - Banchero has quickly been ruled out, while Carter Jr. is a game-time decision and didn’t go through the team’s morning shootaround. It’s looking like both players will be ruled out, which gives Minnesota’s big men a boost.
Banchero didn’t practice Tuesday, so his prognosis isn’t great. If Carter Jr. sits, the Magic might be toast on the glass. Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs should still be good value plays in DFS lineups.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Washington Wizards
Tre Mann (back) - OUT
Darius Bazley (ankle) - OUT
With Mann and Bazley still sidelined, the Thunder will likely dole those minutes out to Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams and Aleksej Pokusevski.
Bradley Beal (protocols) - available
Update - Beal has been taken off the official injury report, so he’s good to go for Wednesday’s game.
Beal has cleared the protocols, so now it’s just about conditioning. He’s expected to play, which gives Washington a much-needed boost offensively.
Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks
Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring) - OUT
Marcus Smart (ankle) - OUT
Update - Both Smart and Brogdon have been ruled out, which means White is likely to start this game for the Celtics and Pritchard will operate as the backup. The Hawks might gain a few points against the spread here and make this a pick ‘em, while the total might move down a bit.
Update - Brogdon is closer to doubtful for Wednesday’s game, which means White and Pritchard are in play for fantasy/DFS lineups.
If Brogdon doesn’t play, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard will get solid minutes in the backcourt. If Brogdon does play, that likely cuts into Pritchard’s playing time more than White’s.
Miami Heat vs. Toronto Raptors
Tyler Herro (ankle) - OUT
Bam Adebayo (knee) - OUT
Update - Adebayo is out, which puts Miami down two starters in this contest. We’ll see how the rotation shakes out but this is not a good development for the Heat. Jimmy Butler will have a massive role here as he likely gets the nod at power forward. Caleb Martin could also see minutes in the frontcourt. Ultimately, you’ll have to see how the Heat align before making a call in fantasy/DFS formats.
Max Strus should get the start with Herro out. We’ll see how Erik Spoelstra adjusts his rotation if Adebayo sits out, but Haywood Highsmith might be a player who sees significant time if that happens.
Fred VanVleet (illness) - available
Gary Trent Jr. (hip) - OUT
Otto Porter Jr. (foot) - OUT
Update - VanVleet will play, which is a huge boost for the Raptors. Trent Jr. is out, but the point guard is far more valuable in this instance than the shooting guard. The Raptors are still a bit down on players but VanVleet coming back in could swing the lines further in their favor.
Nick Nurse has done some unconventional stuff with his rotation so it’s hard to tell who will start if VanVleet and Trent Jr. both sit. Scottie Barnes looks like a safe fantasy/DFS play in any circumstance, though his impact will be diminished a bit if both guards suit up.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Donovan Mitchell (ankle) - available
Jarrett Allen (ankle) - OUT
Update - Mitchell is officially in for the Cavaliers.
Update - Mitchell went through the morning shootaround, which bodes well for his status in tonight’s pivotal game against the Bucks.
Allen has already been ruled out, which means Evan Mobley and Kevin Love are the primary big men in Cleveland. If Mitchell sits, Caris LeVert would take on a bigger role offensively.
Jrue Holiday (ankle) - OUT
Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) - available
Pat Connaughton (calf) - OUT
Grayson Alllen (ankle) - OUT
Update - This is not a great development for the Bucks, who will be without Holiday, Connaughton and Allen. Jordan Nwora likely gets big minutes here and Carter will return at the point guard position for Milwaukee.
Connaughton coming back would help, especially with Allen likely to sit. If Holiday returns, the Jevon Carter experience will not be the same. Carter has earned some minutes but he won’t start if Holiday is cleared to play.
Chicago Bulls vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Coby White (quad) - OUT
White remains out, which boosts the likes of Goran Dragic and Ayo Dosunmu in DFS lineups.
Zion Williamson (foot) - OUT
Update - Williamson is once again out for Wednesday’s contest against the Bulls. This is a real injury for Williamson, which will concern New Orleans. CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram will be the players to back in fantasy/DFS formats for New Orleans.
Williamson didn’t play in Tuesday’s contest, so we don’t know his status for Wednesday. It’s possible Tuesday was a precautionary rest day on a back-to-back set, especially given Williamson’s history with foot problems.
Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic (rest) - OUT
Maxi Kleber (back) - OUT
JaVale McGee (neck) - OUT
Doncic is out tonight getting some much-needed rest, while Kleber and McGee will take some additional time to heal. Dwight Powell, Spencer Dinwiddie and Christian Wood will take on bigger roles with these absences for Dallas.
New York Knicks vs. Denver Nuggets
Bones Hyland (protocols) - available
Aaron Gordon (illness) - OUT
Nikola Jokic (protocols) - OUT
Update - Gordon is out with an illness, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he got put in health and safety protocols in the coming days. Hyland is active and will take away from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s minutes.
Update - It’s hard to tell exactly how the protocols system works, as Hyland has moved from out to doubtful to questionable in a span of 12 hours. This clearly shows he’s out of the actual protocols but likely needs to get his conditioning up to speed. With Jokic out, getting Hyland back would be a nice boost for the Nuggets.
Gordon’s illness is certainly something to watch, especially with two teammates in COVID-19 protocols. Jeff Green seems set for a big role here, while DeAndre Jordan is likely to draw the start for Denver.
Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns
Chris Paul (heel) - OUT
Landry Shamet (concussion) - OUT
Update - Paul has been formally ruled out Wednesday.
If Paul sits, Cam Payne and Devin Booker gain value in fantasy/DFS lineups.