After only one game on Thursday’s slate, the NBA is back in action in a big way with 11 games Friday. These games are anchored by a doubleheader on ESPN, with Lakers-Bucks also being available on ESPN+. Here’s a look at Friday’s injury report, along with the relevant fantasy and betting implications.
NBA Injury Report: December 2
Washington Wizards vs. Charlotte Hornets
LaMelo Ball (ankle) - OUT
Gordon Hayward (shoulder) - OUT
Ball and Hayward remain out, so Terry Rozier, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Jalen McDaniels are fine filler players in DFS lineups.
Denver Nuggets vs. Atlanta Hawks
Jamal Murray (quad) - available
Michael Porter Jr. (heel) - OUT
Jeff Green (knee) - OUT
Update - Murray is in for the Nuggets.
Update - Murray has been downgraded to questionable, so we’ll see if he ends up playing. If he sits, Bones Hyland would be the natural replacement, with Bruce Brown also being a solid filler play in DFS lineups.
Aaron Gordon is a solid play with both Porter Jr. and Green likely to be absent from this game.
De’Andre Hunter (hip) - OUT, to miss at least one week
John Collins (ankle) - OUT, to miss at least two weeks
Clint Capela (foot) - available
Jalen Johnson (ankle) - available
Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) - available
Trae Young (shoulder) - OUT
Update - Young has been ruled out, but the Hawks do get Capela, Johnson and Bogdanovic in to round out their rotation.
Update - As if the Hawks didn’t have enough problems, Young has now been added to the report with a shoulder issue. If he doesn’t play, Dejounte Murray would be the lead guard for Atlanta.
All three questionable players would be solid value adds if they are in. Otherwise, Onyeka Okongwu is a good frontcourt option while both Hawks guards take on even more of the offensive burden.
Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics
Jimmy Butler (knee) - available
Tyler Herro (ankle) - available
Update - Butler returns after a brief absence with a knee issue, while Herro is back in for the Heat.
The Heat have a host of rotation players who are probable as well, but the main focus here is Butler. If he returns to the lineup, Miami has a chance to get back into the Eastern conference mix relatively quickly.
Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets
Otto Porter Jr. (foot) - OUT
Porter Jr. remains out, which means Chris Boucher and Christian Koloko remain strong frontcourt rotation options. Thad Young is also in the mix here.
Ben Simmons (knee) - OUT
T.J. Warren (foot) - available
Warren is making his season debut and return the court, but we’ll see how many minutes he actually plays. Simmons being out increases the usage rate for Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, which in turn might set up more shots for Joe Harris and Seth Curry.
Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Jalen Suggs (ankle) - OUT
Wendell Carter Jr. (foot) - OUT, expected to miss 1-2 weeks
Mo Bamba (back) - OUT
Update - Bamba has been ruled out.
If Bamba sits, Mo Wagner and Bol Bol become solid value plays in DFS lineups Friday.
Jarrett Allen (back) - OUT
Kevin Love (thumb) - available
Update - Love is in for the Cavaliers and could have a solid role off the bench as the secondary big man for the team.
Update - Love has been upgraded to questionable and could be a solid filler play with Allen out.
Evan Mobley continues to be a star in fantasy/DFS lineups with Allen and Love sidelined.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Anthony Davis (calf) - available
LeBron James (groin) - available
Update - Both James and Davis are in for the Lakers tonight.
Expect both stars to be in for this primetime showdown against Milwaukee.
Khris Middleton (wrist) - available
Update - Middleton is in for the Bucks but will have a minutes limit for his season debut.
Middleton is expected to make his 2022-23 season debut. He’ll take some shots away from Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen, but might not play heavy minutes right off the bat.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Tobias Harris (illness) - available
Update - Harris is in for Philly.
If Harris sits, Danuel House and Georges Niang will likely see more shots in Philadelphia’s offense.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs
Brandon Ingram (toe) - OUT
Herbert Jones (ankle) - OUT
CJ McCollum (conditioning) - available
Update - McCollum is in but could be on a minutes limit as he comes back from a stint in the health and safety protocols.
McCollum is set to return after a stint in health and safety protocols, while Ingram and Jones are likely both out. Trey Murphy is the value play here and should continue to deliver solid fantasy production.
Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix Suns
Chris Paul (heel) - OUT
With CP3 sidelined again, Cam Payne and Devin Booker are players to lock in on for Friday’s DFS slate.
Indiana Pacers vs. Utah Jazz
Tyrese Haliburton (groin) - available
Update - Haliburton is in for the Pacers.
If Haliburton doesn’t play, Buddy Hield will see more shots while Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin should get more minutes in the backcourt.
Chicago Bulls vs. Golden State Warriors
No notable day-to-day injuries for either team at this time.