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It’s a four-game slate Thursday in the NBA, which means a relatively light injury report for the day. That’s a good sign for the league as the trade deadline nears and players start moving from failing teams to contenders. Here’s a look at Thursday’s injury report in the association.
NBA Injury Report, January 6
Detroit Pistons vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Dillon Brooks (protocols) Will Play
De’Anthony Melton (protocols) Will Play
Desmond Bane (quad) OUT
Kyle Anderson (back) OUT
Brooks and Melton seem to be close to getting cleared and their game status will likely come down to conditioning. Bane, who has been a star for Memphis, is nursing quad issue and is doubtful. Anderson is doubtful with a back injury. If Brooks and Melton are both good, they’ll be strong plays in fantasy and DFS lineups.
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
Kemba Walker (knee) OUT
Nerlens Noel (conditioning) OUT
Walker, who has had a strong run since returning to the lineup, is out with a knee injury. Noel is questionable after being cleared from the protocols, although it’s hard to see him having much value given how loaded New York’s frontcourt is.
Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Andre Iguodala (knee) Will play
Stephen Curry (quad) OUT
Draymond Green (hip) OUT
Juan Toscano-Anderson (ankle) OUT
Update — Curry, JTA and Green have been ruled out for tonight’s game vs. the Pels. Green is getting some rest of the second night of a back-to-back. With Green and Toscano-Anderson out, Kevon Looney ($3,900) and Nemanja Bjelica ($3,400) become viable options.
Update — Curry is being listed as questionable to play in tonight’s game vs. the Pelicans. Jordan Poole ($5,800) and Andrew Wiggins ($6,800) are two options in tournaments if Curry sits. Damion Lee ($3,500) is the other choice from the value bin. He could see more minutes or start in place of Curry. Gary Payton II ($4,800) will get hype as well. Those core four could make up a pretty decent stack with so many minutes and usage up for grabs.
Iguodala and Porter Jr. didn’t play Wednesday. If they don’t suit up, look for Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody to get playing time. As for Curry, he took a hard shot to his left leg Wednesday against the Mavericks. The point guard remained in the game but the Warriors could look into resting him for precautionary reasons Thursday.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns
Nicolas Batum (ankle) Available to play
Luke Kennard (protocols) TBD
Ivica Zubac (protocols) TBD
Update — Batum is going to be active for tonight’s game vs. the Suns.
Batum is the key here as the team’s secondary creator, although Kennard’s shooting has also been sorely missed. If Zubac is unable to play, Serge Ibaka becomes a strong value play.
Deandre Ayton (conditioning) OUT
Jae Crowder (conditioning) OUT
Landry Shamet (protocols) OUT
JaVale McGee (conditioning) OUT
Ayton, Crowder and McGee have all been cleared from the protocols but remain out. That means Jalen Smith gets a big boost in fantasy and DFS formats as he’s likely to start. Shamet’s status is not yet known.