Rudy Gobert, Jimmy Butler, Ja Morant headline NBA injury report for Saturday, Jan. 8

Saturday’s NBA slate features just six contests, but that doesn’t mean the injury report is a short one. Plenty of the league’s players are still going in and out of health and safety protocols, while others are being held out as more teams try to manage workloads down the stretch. Here’s a look at Saturday’s injury report in the association.

NBA Injury Report: January 8

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Desmond Bane (quad), Available
Ja Morant (thigh), OUT
Kyle Anderson (back), OUT

Update - Bane is available to play and becomes a strong option in DFS formats. Morant and Anderson have been ruled out, so Bane and Dillon Brooks are likely to get good volume on the offensive end in this game.

Bane has been a star for Memphis in Morant’s previous absences and is questionable. Morant and Anderson are doubtful, with the former having previously dealt with a knee sprain this season. Look for Dillon Brooks to be biggest beneficiary if Bane is ruled out, although Brooks is still a strong play with Morant unlikely to play.

Luke Kennard (protocols) TBD
Ivica Zubac (protocols) Available

Update - Zubac has been cleared and is starting for the Clippers in this game.

Kennard was supposed to clear protocols soon, so he might be back for this game. With Zubac potentially still out, Serge Ibaka should keep getting minutes. Terrace Mann and Reggie Jackson are good value plays, especially if Kennard is not back.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Charlotte Hornets

Jrue Holiday (conditioning) OUT
Pat Connaughton (protocols) OUT
Grayson Allen (protocols) OUT
Donte DiVincenzo (ankle) OUT

Update - Holiday has cleared the league’s health and safety protocols but remains out Saturday due to conditioning.

Holiday, Connaughton and Allen remain in protocols while DiVincenzo’s ankle is acting up again. Jordan Nwora is probably the best value play on the board for Milwaukee, but Khris Middleton is the star most DFS players should target.

Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons

Cole Anthony (ankle) Available
Franz Wagner (ankle) Available
Wendell Carter Jr. (hamstring) OUT

Update - Anthony and Wagner are in for the Magic, while Carter Jr. has been ruled out.

Both Anthony and Wagner are dealing with ankle issues. The latter is making a strong push to be considered for Rookie of the Year and is up to +800 on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Utah Jazz vs. Indiana Pacers

Rudy Gobert (protocols) OUT
Joe Ingles (protocols) OUT
Bojan Bogdanovic (finger), Available
Jordan Clarkson (back), Available
Donovan Mitchell (back), Available

Update - Mitchell and Bogdanovic are officially available for Saturday’s contest.

Update - Both Mitchell and Bogdanovic are probable for the Jazz, while Clarkson has been taken off the injury report and is good to go.

The Jazz have some major issues right now on the injury front. Conley could be back after resting in Friday’s game, while Mitchell and Clarkson should also be in. Bogdanovic seems to have a finger injury that’s slightly more severe. Gobert and Ingles are unlikely to get cleared from protocols, but they do have a slight chance with the league’s updated guidelines.

Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles), OUT
Caris LeVert (conditioning), TBD
Chris Duarte (conditioning), Available
Jeremy Lamb (conditioning), Available

Update - Duarte and Lamb are good to go, while Brogdon’s Achilles injury is still an issue. The point guard is out Saturday.

The entire Indiana backcourt is good to go from a protocols standpoint, so the question is now about conditioning. Treat LeVert and Duarte as being likely to play, while Brogdon is also dealing with an Achilles issue and could sit this one out.

New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics

Kemba Walker (knee) OUT
Evan Fournier (thigh), OUT
Nerlens Noel (conditioning), OUT

Update - Fournier has been officially ruled out for Saturday. Look for game lines to shift significantly towards Boston in this one.

Update - Noel has been ruled out, while Fournier is a game-time decision against the Celtics.

Walker is out, which is a shame for the hometown player who was having a strong run. Fournier will want to duplicate his outing earlier in the week against the Celtics, while Noel is questionable with conditioning issues after clearing protocols.

Miami Heat vs. Phoenix Suns

Jimmy Butler (ankle), OUT
KZ Okpala (wrist) OUT

Update - Butler has been ruled out, making Robinson and Herro strong plays in fantasy and DFS contests.

Butler, who is on his second ankle injury this season, is officially questionable. Okpala is out with a wrist issue. Look for Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro to be strong value plays if Butler sits this one out.

Deandre Ayton (conditioning) Available
Jae Crowder (conditioning) Available
JaVale McGee (conditioning) Available
Landry Shamet (protocols) TBD

The Suns had three rotation players in protocols who are good to go Saturday. Ayton is the biggest name, but McGee’s presence means Jalen Smith loses a lot of value. With Crowder back, expect Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson to see less touches on the perimeter.