Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic headline NBA injury report for Friday, March 31

We have a massive 13-game slate in the NBA Friday, featuring 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 31

Chicago Bulls vs. Charlotte Hornets

Alex Caruso (foot) - available
Andre Drummond (personal) - available

Update - Drummond is in for Chicago after a one-game absence. Caruso is also in for Chicago.

If Caruso can’t go, Javonte Green and Coby White will see more playing time. Drummond being out would give more usage to Nikola Vucevic and Patrick Williams.

Terry Rozier (foot) - OUT
Gordon Hayward (thumb) - OUT
Kelly Oubre (shoulder) - OUT
Dennis Smith Jr. (toe) - OUT

Update - Everyone is out, including Smith Jr. McGowens and Washington are the top value plays here for Charlotte.

Oubre has some value on a tanking Hornets team if he suits up and goes. The main players to target here would be Dennis Smith Jr., Bryce McGowens and PJ Washington.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) - available

Update - SGA is in for Oklahoma City.

Update - The Thunder star is now questionable, which means he’s been upgraded and is likely to progress towards eventually suiting up here. Oklahoma City is still in the mix for the play-in tournament and getting Gilgeous-Alexander back will be a nice lift for this team. If he returns, Mann will lose out on most of his fantasy value but Giddey will still have good usage.

Josh Giddey and Tre Mann will be the primary backcourt players with SGA still sidelined due to an ankle injury.

Tyrese Haliburton (ankle, elbow) - OUT
Myles Turner (ankle) - OUT

Update - As expected, Turner has been ruled out. This opens the door for both Jackson and Smith as DFS filler options.

Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell will be the guards to target with Haliburton out. Turner likely doesn’t play, which means more run for Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith.

Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Gary Trent Jr. (elbow) - OUT
Will Barton (ankle) - OUT

Update - Both Trent Jr. and Barton have been ruled out.

If both guards are out, Malachi Flynn and OG Anunoby are elevated in fantasy/DFS formats.

Tobias Harris (illness) - OUT

Update - Harris has been ruled out.

These designations tend to go south on the day of the game. If Harris is out, Georges Niang and De’Anthony Melton will have bigger offensive roles, with Tyrese Maxey likely to get the start for Philadelphia.

Orlando Magic vs. Washington Wizards

Bradley Beal (knee) - OUT
Kyle Kuzma (ankle) - OUT
Daniel Gafford (ankle) - available
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) - OUT

Update - Porzingis has been ruled out. Gafford is in for Washington.

Update - Porzingis is also questionable, which further strengthens the roles Kispert and Avdija could have in this game.

It feels like the Wizards have shut down Beal and Kuzma for the season. Corey Kispert and Deni Avdija represent great value plays in DFS lineups, especially with a favorable matchup against Orlando.

Utah Jazz vs. Boston Celtics

Lauri Markkanen (hand) - OUT
Kelly Olynyk (illness) - available

With Markkanen out, Olynyk could be a good play. Walker Kessler likely gets a ton of minutes here for Utah.

Al Horford (injury management) - OUT
Jayson Tatum (injury management) - available
Jaylen Brown (injury management) - available
Malcolm Brogdon (injury management) - available
Robert Williams (injury management) - OUT

Update - Williams and Horford are out, while Tatum and Brown are in. Blake Griffin, Muscala and Grant Williams should all see minutes in the frontcourt tonight for Boston. Griffin is set to get the start for Horford.

Update - Brogdon is in, Williams is out and everyone else is questionable. Given the matchup, there’s a good chance one of Tatum and Brown gets a rest. Horford likely has some type of restriction even if he does suit up.

Horford is likely out, which means more minutes for Grant Williams and Mike Muscala. We’ll see how the Celtics handle their other key guys later on in the day.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Brooklyn Nets

De’Andre Hunter (knee) - OUT

Update - Hunter has been ruled out, opening up playing time and opportunities for Bogdanovic and Bey.

If Hunter sits, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Saddiq Bey will be good filler plays in fantasy/DFS formats.

Day’Ron Sharpe (ankle) - available

Update - Sharpe is in.

Sharpe should play but will likely be behind Nic Claxton in the rotation.

New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Julius Randle (ankle) - OUT, expected to miss two weeks

With Randle sidelined, look for Obi Toppin and R.J. Barrett to see more minutes at the power forward spot as the Knicks potentially look to go small for longer stretches of the game.

Jarrett Allen (groin) - OUT
Isaac Okoro (knee) - OUT

Update - Allen has been ruled out, which means more action for Mobley down low against the likes of Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims.

Caris LeVert seems set to start again with Okoro sidelined. Allen being out elevates Evan Mobley in fantasy/DFS lineups.

Detroit Pistons vs. Houston Rockets

No notable day-to-day injuries for either team at this time.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Kawhi Leonard (personal) - available

Update - Leonard is in for this contest as the Clippers look to get back-to-back wins over the Grizzlies.

If Leonard doesn’t play, a host of wing players will gain value for the Clippers. Nicolas Batum, Terance Mann, Norman Powell and Eric Gordon all get elevated, while Russell Westbrook should be the top target given his latest showing when Leonard sat out.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Anthony Davis (foot) - available
LeBron James (foot) - available

Update - James is officially in for the Lakers. Davis is also in.

Both stars should be in the lineup and both should start. Austin Reaves continues to be a viable fantasy asset even with James returning to action.

Karl-Anthony Towns (illness) - available
Anthony Edwards (illness) - available

Update - Towns is in, and Edwards is also battling an illness but will play.

Update - Towns is now listed as questionable with an illness and it feels like these usually result in the player not playing. Rudy Gobert will have a big role and with Naz Reid now expected to miss extended time, Luka Garza could get minutes here for Minnesota.

The big man should be in for Minnesota.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors

Devin Vassell (injury management) - questionable
Jeremy Sochan (knee) - OUT
Keldon Johnson (foot) - available

Update - Johnson is available.

Update - So much for Johnson being a viable fantasy play. He’s also listed as questionable with the Spurs tanking, it might not be wise to roster any San Antonio players until later on the day.

Keldon Johnson is the only viable fantasy/DFS play here, although Malaki Branham is an intriguing value option in this particular matchup.

Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Jusuf Nurkic (knee) - OUT, likely done for season
Anfernee Simons (foot) OUT, likely done for season
Jerami Grant (quad) - OUT, likely done for season

These three are unlikely to suit up again this year. Shaedon Sharpe, Nassir Little and Drew Eubanks are your replacement plays in fantasy/DFS lineups, with Sharpe having the most upside.

Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic (calf) - OUT
Jamal Murray (injury management) - OUT
Michael Porter Jr. (injury management) - OUT
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (illness) - OUT

Update - The Nuggets are going to punt on this contest, with everyone being ruled out. Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun and Bruce Brown are probably the best DFS players here but don’t expect much punch from this Nuggets offense tonight.

Jokic didn’t play Thursday, so his status is truly up in the air. Murray and Porter Jr. have played some back-to-back sets and given the opponent, they might suit up here. This is Denver’s chance to test itself against another title contender.