NBA injuries to monitor ahead of Monday’s slate on May 3rd

We’ve got eight games on the schedule for Monday, May 3rd, 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: Monday, May 3rd

Detroit Pistons injury report

The Pistons won’t have four of their usual five starters for Monday’s matchup against the Orlando Magic. Jerami Grant (knee), Cory Joseph (ankle), Mason Plumlee (rest), and Wayne Ellington (calf) have been ruled out. This game has Saddiq Bey’s ($5,900) name written all over it, but Isaiah Stewart ($6,300), Killian Hayes ($5,200), and Josh Jackson ($5,600) should also get significant playing time.

Orlando Magic injury report

Injury reports don’t get much larger than the Magic’s. Orlando won’t have a ton of key players, including Michael Carter-Williams (ankle), James Ennis (calf), Chuma Okeke (ankle), Otto Porter Jr. (foot), and Terrence Ross (back). Gary Harris (neck) is probable. There’s a lot of value on the table for the Magic, as several positions don’t have a legitimate backup.

Cole Anthony ($6,900) isn't necessarily a value play but is coming off arguably the best game of his career so far. He scored a season-high 26 points against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, and Dwayne Bacon ($4,900) and Moritz Wagner ($4,600) also eclipsed 20 points in that contest. All three will likely crack 30 minutes against the Pistons.

Nikola Vucevic, C, Chicago Bulls

Vucevic (hip) missed is questionable for Monday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers after missing one game and has carried the Bulls offensively with Zach LaVine (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) sidelined. LaVine is doubtful, so there will be plenty of fantasy points up for grabs if Vicevic doesn’t play. Thaddeus Young ($6,100) has the most to gain from Vucevic’s absence, but Coby White ($6,500) will likely take over most of the scoring if the two-time All-Star sits. Daniel Theis ($4,600) has stepped into the starting forward role and could provide value as a small-ball center as well.

Los Angeles Lakers injury report

The biggest news on the Lakers injury report is that LeBron James (ankle) will sit on the second night of a back-to-back. Dennis Schroder (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) is expected to miss an extended period of time, and several other players — Alex Caruso (back), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ankle), Anthony Davis (calf), and Kyle Kuzma (thumb) — are probable ahead of Monday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets. Caruso ($3,000) could see a major spike in production if he gets the start, and Talen Horton-Tucker ($4,100) could gain value off the bench with James out of the rotation.

Indiana Pacers injury report

The Pacers are still banged up after handing the Oklahoma City Thunder an embarrassing 152-95 loss on Saturday. Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring), Goga Bitadze (ankle), and Jeremy Lamb (knee) are questionable. JaKarr Sampson (concussion has been ruled out). It’s no secret that Domantas Sabonis ($9,800) and Caris LeVert ($8,600) will take control on offense, but Oshae Brissett ($6,700) could also continue to benefit from his team’s lack of frontcourt depth against the Washington Wizards.