NBA injuries to monitor ahead of Wednesday’s slate on April 21st

We’ve got six games on the schedule for Wednesday, April 21th, and there are plenty of big names on the injury report. Here we’ll be monitoring all the latest injury news with some analysis and how to approach the injury for DFS and fantasy basketball.

NBA Injury Report: Wednesday, April 20th

Toronto Raptors injury report

The Raptors will have a full stable of starters available for Wednesday night’s game vs. the Brooklyn Nets. OG Anunoby, Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam are all available to play. So the Raptors will have a rotation as close to 100 percent healthy as possible really. The Nets won’t have Kevin Durant (thigh) is not expected to play and James Harden (hamstring) is still sidelined. This may be a good spot to target a Raptors stack against a poor Nets defense.

Paul George, SG, Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers are resting both Paul George and Reggie Jackson against the Grizzlies on Wednesday night. So Kawhi Leonard, PG-13, Jackson, Patrick Beverley and Serge Ibaka are all ruled out. The two biggest benefactors are Marcus Morris ($5,700) and Terance Mann ($4,500). Luka Kennard ($3,700) and Yogi Ferrell ($3,400) should also make for decent value options.

Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers

Update: Embiid will start, but Simmons, Harris, and Curry have been ruled out. Danny Green ($4,800) could get a healthy boost as one of Philly’s most well-rounded wings.

The Sixers are saying Embiid (knee) is questionable to play Wednesday vs. the Phoenix Suns. Seth Curry (hip) is also questionable. We already had Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris both on the injury report. We could see a very shorthanded Sixers team against Phoenix.

If Embiid and Curry sit along with Simmons and Harris, Philly will be in a very tough spot. Furkan Korkmaz ($5,000) wouldn’t be a bad play on the wing as a primary shooter. Danny Green ($4,800) would have to play a ton with Dwight Howard ($4,600) being a good all-around option. Shake Milton ($4,300) is the other name to watch and would be a strong option on DraftKings.

Damian Lillard, PG, Portland Trail Blazers

Update: Lillard is officially active and should give Portland’s backcourt a major boost. Simmons’ production will likely be affected most by the star’s return to the rotation.

Dame was held out of Tuesday’s 113-112 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers due to a hamstring injury. That was his third straight game missed since last week. He is expected to play Wednesday vs. the Denver Nuggets, however. Jusuf Nurkic is also expected back after sitting to get some rest.

With Dame back, CJ McCollum ($8,800) is too overpriced. We need to see if Lillard will be on a minutes limit. If he isn’t, then Lillard is an OK tournament play at $9,600. Nurk ($5,400) is cheap but probably won’t play more than 25 minutes or so. Anfernee Simons ($4,000) also gets a downgrade off the bench with Dame expected back.

Miami Heat injury report

Update: Butler and Adebayo have been deemed available to play vs. the Spurs tonight. Herro’s status was not updated on the injury report.

Jimmy Butler (ankle), Bam Adebayo (knee) and Tyler Herro (foot) are all being listed as questionable to play Wednesday vs. the San Antonio Spurs. Victor Oladipo is already going to be out. Bam ($8,300) isn’t a bad play if he ends up in the game but this is a tough spot since the Spurs have been good on defense lately. This is sort of a wait and see scenario, so keep an eye on the report.

Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Indiana Pacers

Update: Goga, McDermott and Lamb have all been ruled out vs. the Thunder on Wednesday. Sabonis is also sidelined along with Myles Turner. Sampson is suspended, so he’s out. With everyone out, Brissett and Edmond Sumner ($3,300) are going to get a lot of minutes at low prices. Malcolm Brogdon ($7,700), Caris LeVert ($7,600) and TJ McConnell ($5,200) are all going to be decent tournament options against the Thunder, who are also without a bunch of key players.

The Pacers front court is ravaged right now. Sabonis is dealing with a back injury and has been ruled out already. Goga Bitadze has an ankle injury and is questionable Wednesday vs. the OKC Thunder. Jeremy Lamb and Doug McDermott are also question marks, while JaKarr Sampson has been suspended one game. So all this means is it’s time for Oshae Brissett ($3,100). He was signed to a contract by the Pacers and would be the only real big active if McDermott, Goga, Sabonis and Myles Turner are all sidelined. Brissett can shoot a little bit and would be ultra chalk if Goga can’t played.

Memphis Grizzlies injury report

Update: Jackson will make his season debut tonight vs. the Clippers. Brooks is also available to play. JJJ isn’t really a viable play on DK at his price given we can’t expect him to play more than say 20-25 minutes, if that.

The Grizz are listing Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) and Dillon Brooks (thigh) as questionable to play vs. the Los Angeles Clippers. Jonas Valanciunas (concussion) has already been ruled out. JJJ has yet to play this season after knee surgery. He has a chance to debut, but would likely be on a minutes restriction and probably wouldn’t start in the front court. At $7,100 on DK, he’s a fade. Xavier Tillman ($4,200) and Brandon Clarke ($4,000) should both be decent value options even if Jackson plays. Grayson Allen ($4,900) gets a slight boost if Brooks sits.

Kevin Porter Jr., PG/SG, Houston Rockets

KPJ is out because of health and safety protocols and is set to miss at least three more. DJ Augustin (ankle) is also out, so the Rockets should be extremely limited at point guard against the Utah Jazz. John Wall’s ($7,700) usage should be through the roof in this matchup. His last two games were subpar, but he has a chance to bounce back as one of Houston’s few quality options on offense.

Oklahoma City Thunder injury report

Luguentz Dort ($7,000) has been ruled out with a hip for the second game in a row, and Isaiah Roby ($4,500) will be a game-time decision because of a toe injury. The door is wide open for Darius Bazley ($6,200) to get the lion’s share of minutes at power forward. He’s tallied at least 16 points and seven rebounds in four straight games.