We’ve got eight games on Friday’s NBA slate, anchored by a doubleheader on ESPN. Here’s a look at the day’s injury report, along with the relevant fantasy and betting implications.
NBA Injury Report: February 24
New York Knicks vs. Washington Wizards
Evan Fournier (illness) - OUT
Mitchell Robinson (thumb) - available
Update - Robinson is in for the Knicks and will be a nice boost for the team in the interior, especially defensively. He’ll take some rebounding opportunities away from Julius Randle but won’t impact much from a fantasy/DFS standpoint as he’s primarily there for defensive purposes.
Robinson could make his return after being sidelined with a thumb issue. He’d take minutes away from Jericho Sims if he does come back. Fournier being out means more playing time for Josh Hart and Quentin Grimes.
Bradley Beal (knee) - available
Update - Beal is in for the Wizards and should provide a boost for this offense. Avdija likely has more rotation value than Kispert in DFS formats. The Wizards have become favorites with Beal’s inclusion.
If Beal sits, Corey Kispert and Deni Avdija get elevated in Washington’s rotation.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks
Darius Garland (injury management) - available
Donovan Mitchell (injury management) - available
Evan Mobley (injury management) - available
Jarrett Allen (injury management) - available
Update - All the key guys are in for Cleveland.
We’ll see how Cleveland plays this on the second night of a back-to-back set.
John Collins (concussion) - OUT
Trae Young (personal) - available
Update - Young is in the starting lineup and Saddiq Bey is starting in place of John Collins.
With Collins out, Onyeka Okongwu is likely to get more minutes in the frontcourt. Saddiq Bey likely continues to start for Atlanta in Collins’ place.
Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Tyler Herro (knee) - available
Kevin Love (buyout) - available
Victor Oladipo (ankle) - available
Update - Herro is in, and he’s starting. Love is also starting alongside Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler and Gabe Vincent. We’ll see if the former Cavs big man can provide an immediate impact for the Heat.
Oladipo is back, Love is in and Herro is expected to play. The Heat should be at full strength for the first time in a long time for this rivalry game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (wrist) - available OUT
Pat Connaughton (calf) - OUT
Bobby Portis (knee) - available
Jae Crowder (trade) - available
Khris Middleton (knee) - available
Update - Giannis knocked knees with an opponent during the game and is out for the rest of the night.
Update - After some gamesmanship, Antetokounmpo is in and will start for the Bucks. It turns out his wrist injury is really minor, as he’s slated to not miss a single game because of it.
Update - Antetokounmpo has been upgraded to questionable, which means there’s a chance he could suit up against the Heat. That would greatly impact the lines for this game, although the Bucks were slight favorites even with the Greek Freak set to sit out.
Grayson Allen will take on a bigger role with Connaughton out. Middleton and Jrue Holiday will handle most of the scoring with Antetokounmpo set to sit. Crowder should get decent minutes as the Bucks try to catch the Celtics in the East standings.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Terry Rozier (hand) - available
Kelly Oubre Jr. (hand) - available
Update - Both guys are in for the Hornets.
Two of Charlotte’s top scorers should be back in, which will cut down a bit on LaMelo Ball’s shots.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls
Ben Simmons (knee) - OUT
Update - Simmons has been ruled out, which means Thomas and Bridges likely handle the ball more in this Brooklyn offense. We’ll see if Simmons can get past this knee soreness in time for the team’s next game.
This is a bit ridiculous considering Simmons had the full All-Star break to sort this out. If he doesn’t play, that’ll mean more usage for Cam Thomas, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson.
DeMar DeRozan (quad) - available
Alex Caruso (foot) - available
Update - DeRozan and Caruso are both in the starting lineup for Friday’s game.
The Bulls are at full strength in this one and will try to improve their playoff positioning against another East hopeful.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) - OUT
Update - SGA has been downgraded to out for Friday’s game.
SGA is potentially out on the second night of a back-to-back set. If he does sit, Josh Giddey and Tre Mann would be elevated in DFS formats. The Suns are going to be a strong bet on the moneyline if Gilgeous-Alexander is out.
Cam Payne (foot) - available
Payne returns after a 21-game absence and will serve as backup point guard behind Chris Paul.
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
Kevin Porter Jr. (foot) - OUT
Jalen Green (groin) - OUT
With both backcourt guys out, it’s anyone’s guess who the tanking Rockets will play. TyTy Washington, Josh Christopher and Jae’Sean Tate are all potential value plays here.
Andrew Wiggins (personal) - OUT
Klay Thompson (injury management) - available
Draymond Green (injury management) - OUT
Update - In a twist, Green is out for Friday’s game.
Update - Green was listed as questionable, but is expected to be available for the game, per Kendra Andrews.
Wiggins remains out, while Thompson is now available to play back-to-backs per head coach Steve Kerr. We’ll see how the Warriors handle their veteran stars in this one.
Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Domantas Sabonis (injury management) - available
De’Aaron Fox (injury management) - available
Update - Both stars are in for the Kings.
We’ll see if the Kings sit any key players on the second night of a back-to-back set.
Russell Westbrook (buyout) - available
Ivica Zubac (calf) - OUT
Update - Westbrook is in the starting lineup for his Clippers debut in place of Terance Mann. Mason Plumlee is starting in place in Zubac and Paul George is reportedly on a minutes limit.
Westbrook could potentially start and is at least set to get decent minutes here. He can be a strong stat stuffer in DFS formats. With Zubac out, Mason Plumlee is going to get a ton of minutes in the interior for LA.