Rudy Gobert, LeBron James, Seth Curry headline NBA injury report for Friday, January 21

Friday’s NBA slate features a 11 games, which means there’s a long injury report to go along with that. The league is still putting players and coaches in health and safety protocols, although that number is far less than it was a month ago. Here’s a look at Friday’s injury report in the NBA.

NBA Injury Report: January 21

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Charlotte Hornets

PJ Washington (hip) available

Washington is good to go Friday, although he’ll be behind guys like Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges and Mason Plumlee in the rotation.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic

LeBron James (abdominal strain) available

Update - As expected, James is available to play.

LeBron James has been banged up but should be good to go against the Magic tonight. With the weirdness going on with Russell Westbrook being benched earlier in the week, one could benefit from looking into both Talen Horton-Tucker and Malik Monk as value options in DFS for tonight’s showdown.

Wendell Carter Jr. (hamstring) available

Update - Carter Jr. is playing Friday but is reportedly going to have a minutes limit. That likely takes him out of any fantasy/DFS consideration for the day’s slate.

Wendell Carter Jr. could possibly return to the court against the Lakers tonight but in the event that he’s limited, one could still lean on Mo Bamba as a strong fantasy option. He’s averaged 31.3 fantasy points in DFS over the last three games and his 32 point performance against the 76ers on Wednesday earned him 49 DFS points.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Nicholas Batum (protocols) available
Marcus Morris Sr. (personal) available

Update - Batum is available for Friday’s game and becomes a solid DFS play as a creator on the perimeter for the Clippers. Morris is also set to play, which likely impacts Terrace Mann’s ceiling in tonight’s contest.

With Batum and Morris potentially out yet again for the Clippers, Ivica Zubac continues to be a strong DFS and fantasy play. The big man put up 32 points and 10 rebounds against the Nuggets on Wednesday.

Seth Curry (ankle) OUT
Danny Green (hip) OUT
Matisse Thybule (shoulder) OUT

Update - Curry is out, which means guys like Maxey ($6,000) and Furkan Korkmaz ($4,100) get some additional value in fantasy and DFS lineups.

With Seth Curry questionable, fantasy users should still look into Tyrese Maxey as an option. He’s averaging 27.8 fantasy points over his last five outings.

Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks

Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee soreness) OUT
Clint Capela (ankle) available
Danilo Gallinari (ankle) OUT

Update - Capela is playing Friday, but his presence likely affects John Collins ($7,200) ahead of Hunter.

Clint Capela’s ankle injury has opened up De’Andre Hunter as an effective weapon in the paint, so keep him a look in your lineups.

Tyler Herro (protocols) OUT
Kyle Lowry (personal) OUT

New role players have continually stepped up for the Heat as of late as guards like Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, and Jimmy Butler have missed time. Any one of Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, or Caleb Martin would present themselves as a strong value play for tonight’s game.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Boston Celtics

Aaron Nesmith (ankle) OUT
Marcus Smart (reconditioning) OUT

Update - Both Nesmith and Smart have been ruled out, meaning Schroder ($6,700) and Payton Pritchard ($3,200) are viable fantasy and DFS options Friday against Portland.

Keep tabs on the status of both Smart and Nesmith heading into tonight’s home game against the Blazers. Dennis Schroder is right there for the taking if Smart isn’t able to suit up.

Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards

Gary Trent Jr. (ankle) available

Gary Trent Jr. could potentially return from a two-week hiatus for tonight’s game but in the event that doesn’t happen, Scottie Barnes’ role only increases.

Kyle Kuzma (neck) OUT

Kuzma has been ruled out with a neck injury, which means Rui Hachimura ($3,300), Montrezl Harrell ($4,600) and Daniel Gafford ($4,300) could carry some additional value in fantasy and DFS formats.

Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Lonzo Ball (knee) OUT
Zach LaVine (knee) OUT
Alex Caurso (conditioning) minutes limit

Update - Caruso remains on a minutes limit with his conditioning, so Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White remain strong fantasy/DFS plays Friday.

The Bulls continue to re-adjust in life without Lonzo Ball or Zach LaVine and that presents the opportunity for Coby White and Alex Caruso to continue to present themselves as viable fantasy options.

Brooklyn Nets vs. San Antonio Spurs

Kevin Durant (MCL sprain) OUT
Paul Millsaps (personal) OUT
Nic Claxton (hamstring) OUT

Update - Claxton has been ruled out as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury. Aldridge and Day’Ron Sharpe will be Brooklyn’s primary interior players in Claxton’s role.

As the Nets navigate the next month without Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge becomes a primary inside presence for the Brooklyn while Kessler Edwards could be a potential fantasy sleeper.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets

Desmond Bane (protocols) OUT
Kyle Anderson (protocols) OUT
Dillon Brooks (ankle) OUT

The Grizzlies are still without both Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks at shooting guard and that only increases the value of Ja Morant as a No. 1 fantasy option. Brandon Clarke has also been a solid hand for the last week and a half and is worth a look for DFS users.

Bryn Forbes (trade) available to make debut

Forbes, who was acquired in a trade with the Spurs, is available for the Nuggets Friday.

Detroit Pistons vs. Utah Jazz

Jerami Grant (thumb/protocols) OUT

Jerami Grant continues to sit out as the Pistons have been sending feelers out to trade him by the deadline. Saddiq Bey had himself a solid 30 point, seven rebound performance on Wednesday and could be a primary starter in fantasy lineups for tonight.

Rudy Gobert (ankle) available
Hassan Whiteside (protocols) OUT

Update - Gobert is playing Friday, so the Jazz will likely stick with their traditional rotation sans Mitchell.

Rudy Gobert could potentially miss tonight’s game against the Pistons with an ankle injury. With Hassan Whiteside also out for this game, look for Royce O’Neale to step it up in the post.

Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors

Draymond Green (disc) OUT
Klay Thompson (injury management) OUT
Andrew Wiggins (foot) available

Update - Wiggins is listed as available to play, so he’s likely to start and become a key part of the offense with Thompson and Green out.

Update - Wiggins has been added to the injury report with a foot issue and is officially questionable for the contest.

Both Green and Thompson are out, so look for Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga and Jordan Poole to step into larger roles offensively. Stephen Curry is still the focal point of this team but these supporting players will be strong fantasy/DFS options Friday.