Jimmy Butler, LeBron James, Domantas Sabonis headline NBA injury report for Friday, January 28

It’s a loaded slate Friday in the NBA with 11 games on tap, headlined by ESPN’s doubleheader with Lakers-Hornets and Knicks-Bucks. The day’s injury report features a handful of teams with no immediate injury concerns, while others are facing questions regarding their biggest stars. Here’s a look at Friday’s injury report in the association.

NBA Injury Report: January 28

Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic

No notable day-to-day injuries at this time.

Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks

De’Andre Hunter (back) available
Danilo Gallinari (eye) available

Update - Both Hunter and Gallinari are playing for the Hawks. The former retains his role as the starter and is a strong DFS play, while Huerter and Bogdanovic land ahead of Gallinari in the wing rotation and take priority in fantasy/DFS contests.

Hunter is still having some back issues, while Gallinari will probably be okay with his eye injury. If neither player suits up, Kevin Huerter and Bogdan Bogdanovic are the plays in fatnasy/DFS lineups.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Charlotte Hornets

LeBron James (knee) OUT
Anthony Davis (wrist, knee) OUT
Malik Monk (groin) OUT
Russell Westbrook (knee) available

Update - Davis and James are both out, while Westbrook will be in. The point guard likely gets a boost in fantasy/DFS lineups, but this could be a rough game for the Lakers.

Update — The Lakers may not have LeBron, AD, Russ and Monk, which makes up 4/5 of their starting lineup. That makes the Hornets a great source of value in betting and DFS. Charlotte’s offense has been on fire and the Lakers could be rolling out a zombie squad.

James was ruled out of Thursday’s game as a late add to the injury report, while Davis suffered a wrist injury in the contest against the 76ers. Both players are questionable to play, which doesn’t bode well for LA. Look for Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony to get big minutes if James and Davis both sit.

Gordon Hayward (protocols) OUT
Kelly Oubre Jr. (ankle) OUT

Update - Oubre has been ruled out Friday, so look for Bridges, Rozier and PJ Washington to be good pickups in fantasy/DFS contests.

Hayward is in the protocols, so he’s likely out. Oubre Jr. was the biggest beneficiary of the starter sitting and popped off Wednesday as the Hornets topped 150 points. If he doesn’t go, look for Miles Bridges and Terry Rozier to be strong fantasy/DFS plays for Charlotte.

Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Brandon Ingram (ankle) OUT
Josh Hart (ankle) available
Jonas Valanciunas (illness) OUT

Update - Hart is available and will likely take on a bigger role with Ingram out.

Update - Both Ingram and Valanciunas have been ruled out Friday. Alexander-Walker and Temple remain great value plays on the wing, while Jaxson Hayes becomes an option in the frontcourt with Valanciunas out.

Ingram and Hart are the most important players for New Orleans with Zion Williamson still out. If neither can suit up, look for Jose Alvarado, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Garrett Temple to absorb those minutes. All three would represent value DFS plays.

Will Barton (illness) OUT

Update - Predictably, Barton has been ruled out. Look for Monte Morris and Bones Hyland as replacement DFS plays.

Once again, Barton is on the injury report. This time, it’s an illness. He’s officially been downgraded to questionable for the contest.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Miami Heat

Jimmy Butler (toe) available
Kyle Lowry (personal) OUT

Update - Butler is playing and starting Friday against the Clippers. He’s a great fantasy/DFS play, along with Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo.

Butler has a toe issue now, which has been at least his third different injury this season. Lowry has already been ruled out. Fantasy/DFS players can look for Tyler Herro to continue being a great option in Friday’s contests.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets

Robert Covington (knee) available
Nassir Little (shoudler) likely out for season
Dennis Smith Jr. (ankle, knee) available

Update - Covington and Smith Jr. are ready to go for Friday. The former is going to start for sure, while the latter is also likely to start with Damian Lillard still out.

Little’s injury is a bummer but Covington and Smith Jr. could play. Anfernee Simons and Norman Powell Jr. are the players to pick up if Covington and Smith Jr. don’t take the court.

Christian Wood (migraine) available
Kevin Porter Jr. (protocols) OUT
Josh Christopher (thigh) available

Update - Both Christopher and Wood will play Friday against the Trail Blazers. The latter is a big trade target and can use this stretch of games to improve his value.

Update - Porter Jr. has entered health and safety protocols, ruling him out for Friday’s game.

Wood and Porter Jr. appear to be dealing with some issues Friday and did not take part in shootaround. Christopher has a thigh problem but is likely to suit up. Wood is one of the big trade candidates around the league, while Porter Jr. is considered a part of Houston’s future core.

Utah Jazz vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Rudy Gobert (calf) OUT
Donovan Mitchell (concussion) OUT

Update — Mitchell will remain out after being downgraded this afternoon. With Gobert and Mitchell sidelined, we can still fire up Clarkson and Ingles in DFS tonight. Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic and Royce O’Neale are also in consideration.

Gobert has been ruled out. Mitchell is questionable, which is great news for him given the league’s concussion protocols. If Mitchell does play, it’ll impact Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles the most in fantasy/DFS lineups.

Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Domantas Sabonis (ankle) available

Update - Sabonis is officially available to play, which is a big boost for Indiana.

Update - Sabonis is likely to make his return to the floor Friday. He becomes a great fantasy and DFS option as a high-volume player on the Pacers.

Sabonis is the key for Indiana, both on the court this season and in the trade market. The more games he can get under his belt right now, the better. This is somewhat of a revenge game for the big man, as he was traded from the Thunder to the Pacers in the Paul George deal.

Chicago Bulls vs. San Antonio Spurs

No notable day-to-day injuries at this time.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Phoenix Suns

Patrick Beverley (ankle) OUT
D’Angelo Russell (shin) OUT

Update - Both guards have been ruled out, so Nowall and Beasley are the go-to backup options in fantasy and DFS lineups for Minnesota.

Update - Russell has been a late add to the injury report and clearly might not be in line for more work if Beverley is ruled out. If both guards sit, look for Jaylen Nowall and Malik Beasley to get most of the backcourt minutes.

Beverley didn’t play Thursday. If he doesn’t go again Friday, look for D’Angelo Russell to have more value in fantasy and DFS contests.

Deandre Ayton (ankle) OUT
Jae Crowder (wrist) OUT
JaVale McGee (knee) OUT

With Ayton and McGee out, Jalen Smith is the natural play at center for Phoenix. Mikal Bridges gets a boost with Crowder sidelined, as does Cam Johnson.

New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Nerlens Noel (knee) available

Update - Noel will play Friday, so he’ll eat into Gibson’s minutes at center.

Noel is questionable, but he hasn’t registered much on the fantasy/DFS front this season. If he sits, Taj Gibson is New York’s backup big man.