Luka Doncic, De’Aaron Fox, Damian Lillard headline NBA injury report for Sunday, Jan. 9

It’s a rare loaded Sunday slate in the association with 10 games on the schedule. While all the attention will be on Klay Thompson’s return when the Golden State Warriors face the Cleveland Cavaliers, we assure you there are other games going on with meaningful injuries to monitor. Here’s a look at Sunday’s injury report in the NBA.

NBA Injury Report: January 9

San Antonio Spurs vs. Brooklyn Nets

Derrick White (protocols) OUT
Keldon Johnson (protocols) OUT
Devin Vassell (protocols) OUT

The Spurs have three key rotation players in protocols. Look for Dejounte Murray, Lonnie Walker and Josh Primo to be good value plays if all three players above don’t suit up.

Kyrie Irving (home game) OUT
LaMarcus Aldridge (foot) OUT

Update — LMA has been ruled out for today’s game vs. the Spurs.

Irving can’t play at home. Aldridge is dealing with a foot issue. If he can’t go, Nic Claxton and Blake Griffin will get slight bumps in value.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Clint Capela (ankle) doubtful
Jalen Johnson (ankle) probable

Capela is doubtful, so John Collins becomes the big beneficiary. Johnson is probable, so look for him to be a potential value add as Cam Reddish and Bogdan Bogdanovic could see less opportunities.

Luke Kennard (protocols) TBD

Kennard has to be close to clearing protocols at this point. The guard would be a good play if he does get cleared and suits up.

Washington Wizards vs. Orlando Magic

Rui Hachimura (protocols) Available
Montrezl Harrell (protocols) OUT
Davis Bertans (foot) Available

Update - Bertans is in, which could eat into some of Kuzma’s minutes as a big man who operates on the perimeter more.

Update - Hachimura is available to make his season debut Sunday, which is big news for the Wizards as they hope to stay in the playoff picture this season. Harrell has been ruled out, which means Hachimura might get some additional minutes in the frontcourt.

Hachimura and Harrell would get minutes in the frontcourt, while Bertans has value as a three-point shooter. If these guys can’t play, Kyle Kuzma and Daniel Gafford are the DFS guys to target.

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

Update - Carter Jr. has been ruled out for Sunday’s game.

Anthony and Wagner played Saturday, so they might rest in the second game of a back-to-back set. Carter Jr. didn’t suit up Saturday and has a history with leg injuries, so the Magic could be cautious here and sit him again.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Toronto Raptors

Josh Hart (unspecified) OUT

Hart isn’t listed with the team, so he’s likely out barring an unexpected change.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Houston Rockets

Patrick Beverley (groin) OUT

Update - Beverley, who was unlikely to play, has been ruled out for Sunday’s game.

Beverley is questionable and if he doesn’t play, back D’Angelo Russell to deliver some additional production.

Alperen Sengun (ankle) TBD

Sengun appears unlikely to play, as the Rockets haven’t released an update on the big man. The team is probably going to take the cautious approach with the rookie center.

Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Tre Mann (conditioning) TBD
Darius Bazley (conditioning) TBD

The Thunder want to evaluate Mann and Bazley as much as possible for the future. Both need to get back as soon as possible for that process to occur.

Chicago Bulls vs. Dallas Mavericks

Alex Caruso (protocols) OUT

Caruso remains in protocols and likely won’t play even if cleared as he’s dealing with a foot injury also.

Luka Doncic (ankle) Available
Kristaps Porzingis (protocols) OUT

Update - Doncic will play Sunday.

Update - Doncic is officially a game-time decision Sunday.

Doncic is questionable after missing Friday’s game. Porzingis remains in protocols and is likely out, meaning Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber are potential value plays.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry (quad) Available
Draymond Green (hip) Active; not expected to play
Klay Thompson (Achilles) Expected to start in 2021-22 debut

Update - Green will start to honor Thompson, but then he will sit due to a calf issue.

Update - Green is good to go. Previous reports of him being out were not accurate.

Update - Green is listed as a starter on Golden State’s official release. We’ll just have to wait until the starters actually take the floor at this point.

Update - That Big 3 reunion on the court will have to wait as Green is out for Sunday’s game.

The Big 3 is taking the floor together for the first time since Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals. This is going to be an electric moment for Warriors fans.

Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers

De’Aaron Fox (shoulder) Available

Update - Fox is playing and will start Sunday’s game.

Update - Fox is officially a game-time decision against Portland.

Fox, a trade target, is questionable for Sunday’s game. The Kings are in total disarray this season, so the point guard might be on the way out soon.

Damian Lillard (injury management) TBD

Lillard’s injury has been a lingering issue for Portland. The Trail Blazers are slipping in the West and time is starting to run out. If Lillard sits, look for Anfernee Simons to be the starter at point guard.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Ja Morant (thigh) Available
Kyle Anderson (back) Available
Dillon Brooks (ankle) OUT
Desmond Bane (quad) Available

Update - All 3 Grizzlies players in question are suiting up for Sunday’s game against the Lakers.

Update - Morant, Bane and Anderson are all game-time decisions for the Grizzlies.

Update - Morant and Anderson are officially questionable, while Brooks is still out due to his ankle injury from Saturday’s game. Bane is questionable but this is likely a load management deal after he played Saturday.

Morant missed Saturday’s game and probably is trending towards missing Sunday’s contest as well. Brooks suffered an ankle injury Saturday, so his status is unknown. Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. are the players to back for Memphis, although Ziaire Williams could be a value play as he got minutes when Brooks went out.

LeBron James (abdominal) Available

Update - As expected, James is good to go Sunday.

James has been listed on the injury report as a formality for a long time now. While he’s not at 100 percent, he’s certainly good enough to take the floor and be the best player on it. The Lakers star will play.