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It’s a light Sunday slate in the NBA with just four games on the schedule, likely in response to the NFL having three playoff games throughout the day. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some good teams in action, with the three Western Conference heavyweights all in action. Even with a light day, there are some big names on the injury report. Here’s a look at Sunday’s list, along with relevant fantasy and DFS impact for each injury.
NBA Injury Report: January 16
Phoenix Suns vs. Detroit Pistons
Cam Johnson (ankle) OUT
Update — Johnson has been ruled out vs. the Pistons this afternoon. If you’re playing the DK Showdown contest for the early start, Jae Crowder ($5,600) in the FLEX isn’t a bad lineup starter. He may be chalky but is pretty safe.
Johnson has been dealing with this injury for a while. If he cannot take the floor, Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder are the primary beneficiaries.
Houston Rockets vs. Sacramento Kings
Richaun Holmes (conditioning) available
Tristan Thompson (illness) OUT
Damian Jones (conditioning) available
Update — Holmes and Jones will be available to play tonight vs. the Rockets. This game should be high scoring and a popular stack option. Holmes isn’t a bad play at $5,300. He should play regular minutes since he’s coming out of protocols.
The Kings have been a mess all season and these frontcourt absences have contributed to the problem. Holmes has the most fantasy relevance if he plays, although Jones does carry some value. If all three are out, Alex Len and Chimezie Metu are the fallback options that have the most value.
Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Stephen Curry (hand) OUT
Draymond Green (calf) OUT
Klay Thompson (injury management) expected to play
Curry and Green have both been ruled out, while Thompson is probably going to be on a minutes limit. Jordan Poole, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Jonathan Kuminga are great value plays, while Andrew Wiggins is poised to be the lead option offensively.
Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets
Rudy Gobert (conditioning) available
Gobert has finally exited protocols and is available to play. He’ll be going up against Nikola Jokic, which will be one of the premier matchups between bigs.
Austin Rivers (illness) questionable
Rivers did not suit up Saturday and will hope to play Sunday. If he can’t go, fantasy and DFS players can continue to ride with Monte Morris and Bones Hyland.