James Harden, De’Aaron Fox, Michael Porter Jr. headline NBA injury report for Monday, March 27

We’ve got eight games on Monday’s NBA slate, anchored by a doubleheader on NBATV. Here’s a look at the day’s injury report, along with the relevant fantasy and betting implications.

NBA Injury Report: March 27

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons

Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) - OUT
Jae Crowder (calf) - available
Jrue Holiday (personal) - OUT

Update - Crowder is in for Milwaukee.

Update - As hinted at earlier, Antetokounmpo has been ruled out against the Pistons. Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton are now the focal points of this offense.

Update - Holiday has been ruled out, so Jevon Carter is likely to get the start and will be a strong value play.

This seems like a good spot to potentially get Antetokounmpo some rest but he’s listed as probable. Crowder should be back in and will take some minutes away from Joe Ingles and Grayson Allen.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Indiana Pacers

Luka Doncic - available
Maxi Kleber (injury management) - OUT

Update - Kleber is out, so Wood and Davis Bertans should see more run tonight for Dallas.

Update - Doncic’s technical has been rescinded, so he’s available tonight for the Mavericks. Kleber is questionable on the second night of a back-to-back set and if he sits, Christian Wood would have more value.

With Doncic out due to accumulating too many technical fouls, Kyrie Irving is likely to be the focal point in this offense. We’ll see how the Mavs handle their guys on the second night of a back-to-back set.

Tyrese Haliburton (injury management) - OUT
Myles Turner (injury management) - OUT
Buddy Hield (illness) - OUT

Update - Turner and Haliburton are both out, which means Jackson, Smith, Nembhard and McConnell are all solid value options in DFS lineups.

If Turner is out, Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith would be good options as filler DFS plays. If Haliburton is out, Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell are good fantasy plays.

Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks

Jae’Sean Tate (knee) - OUT

With Tate out, Kenyon Martin Jr. and Jabari Smith should see more minutes.

Jalen Brunson (hand) - OUT

Update - Brunson has been ruled out, and Rose is also out with an illness. Quickley and Quentin Grimes are the best plays as they’ll see more time with Brunson out.

Brunson is a late add to the injury report and if he doesn’t play, Immanuel Quickley will be the lead guard. This is a spot where the Knicks probably feel they can give Brunson a breather.

Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz

Deandre Ayton (hip) - available

Update - Ayton is in for Phoenix.

Ayton should be in and he’ll take minutes away from Bismack Biyombo and Jock Landale.

Jordan Clarkson (finger) - OUT
Lauri Markkanen (hand) - available

Update - Markkanen is in for the Jazz, but it’s unclear exactly how much he’ll play.

Ochai Agbaji and Talen Horton-Tucker are strong DFS filler plays with Clarkson out. If Markkanen sits, Walker Kessler remains a great value add in lineups.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Denver Nuggets

Joel Embiid (calf) - OUT
James Harden (Achilles) - OUT

Update - Harden has also been ruled out, which was not expected. Maxey is going to be a big factor now, and De’Anthony Melton will also be an important part of this offense for Philly.

Update - Embiid has been ruled out, so the MVP showdown is off the books. Harden is on track to play after participating in the morning shootaround. It looks like Paul Reed will have a role in this one with Embiid out, but the Sixers might also look to go small.

Both players are expected to play, although Embiid did say he needed a day off eventually. With Harden coming back, Tyrese Maxey will see a decline in usage.

Michael Porter Jr. (injury management) - available

Update - Porter Jr. is in for Denver.

If Porter Jr. sits, Aaron Gordon and Bruce Brown would gain some value in fantasy/DFS formats.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard (calf) - OUT
Jerami Grant (quad) - OUT
Jusuf Nurkic (knee) - OUT
Anfernee Simons (foot) - OUT
Trendon Watford (ankle) - OUT
Cam Reddish (back) - available

Update - All the heavy hitters are out for Portland. Watford is likely out as well, which elevates Little and Eubanks.

The Blazers might shut everyone down. Shaedon Sharpe, Drew Eubanks and Nassir Little would continue getting big minutes if Portland decides to tank it out.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Sacramento Kings

Karl-Anthony Towns (injury management) - OUT
Anthony Edwards (injury management) - available
Rudy Gobert (injury management) - available
Taurean Prince (illness) - OUT

Update - Edwards is in, while Prince is out.

Update - Towns has been ruled out, which was expected. Naz Reid will have a decent role in this contest as a result. Edwards is questionable and seems likely to play, while Gobert is in for Minnesota.

We’ll see how the Timberwolves handle their key players on the second night of a back-to-back set. Towns is most likely to sit here.

De’Aaron Fox (hamstring) - available

Update - Fox is available to play and won’t have a minutes restriction.

Davion Mitchell will likely get the start again if Fox is out.

Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Alex Caruso (foot) - OUT

Caruso has been ruled out on the second night of a back-to-back set for Chicago.

Kawhi Leonard (facial contusion) - available

Update - Leonard is in and will start for LA.

Leonard should be in for the Clippers.