LeBron James, LaMelo Ball, Jrue Holiday headline NBA injury report for Friday, November 18

We’ve got 11 games on tap in the NBA Friday, which usually means a lengthy injury report anyway. However, there seem to be more issues than usual to start the season this time around. Here’s Friday’s injury report, along with the relevant fantasy and betting implications.

NBA Injury Report: November 18

Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards

Tyler Herro (ankle) - OUT
Bam Adebayo (knee) - OUT
Caleb Martin (knee) - available
Jimmy Butler (knee) - OUT
Gabe Vincent (knee) - OUT
Duncan Robinson (hand) - OUT

Update - Vincent has been ruled out very quickly and although Adebayo is technically unlikely to play, we’re going to commit for the Heat here and rule him out right now. If there’s a game to avoid betting on or using for DFS purposes, this is the one.

Update - Martin is in for the Heat, but Dewayne Dedmon is out and Adebayo is apparently closer to doubtful. Robinson was ruled out earlier in the day. Also, Vincent has been added to the report with a knee issue. It might be best to avoid Heat players entirely in DFS lineups and bet on the Wizards.

Update - So much for Butler being the player to target here. He’s been ruled out with a knee injury, so we’ll have to wait to see how the Heat line up with their star out.

Adebayo might be back after missing the team’s last game. Jimmy Butler and Max Strus seem like the best DFS plays for Miami given the current injury situation.

Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

LaMelo Ball (ankle) - OUT
Gordon Hayward (shoulder) - available
Dennis Smith Jr. (ankle) - OUT

Update - Hayward is in for the Hornets, but McDaniels should still be a solid play as the Hornets might monitor Hayward’s workload in his first game back. Smith Jr. is out.

Ball suffered another ankle injury, while Hayward and Smith Jr. are still unlikely to play. Look for Terry Rozier and Jalen McDaniels to be favorites in DFS lineups.

Jarrett Allen (illness) - available

Update - Allen will play for the Cavaliers tonight.

Allen had an ankle issue earlier this month and is now dealing with an illness. If he doesn’t play, Evan Mobley gains value in fantasy/DFS formats.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Jrue Holiday (ankle) - available
Grayson Allen (ankle) - available
Pat Connaughton (calf) - OUT

Update - Holiday and Allen are both in for the Bucks. However, Carter is starting for Milwaukee.

Update - Holiday has been listed as probable, which means he’s set to make his return to the court. Carter likely takes a hit in terms of DFS value but he should still get some minutes after his recent strong play.

With Connaughton out and Allen doubtful, Jordan Nwora has some appeal in fantasy/DFS formats. If Holiday sits, the Jevon Carter show will continue Friday.

Matisse Thybulle (ankle) - available
Furkan Korkmaz (knee) - OUT
Tobias Harris (hip) - OUT

Update - Harris been ruled out for Friday’s game.

Update - Harris is being listed as questionable and if he doesn’t play, that’ll but the 76ers down another key player. PJ Tucker would likely get more run if Harris does sit this contest.

Thybulle is back but Korkmaz being out opens up more minutes for Georges Niang and De’Anthony Melton off the bench.

Orlando Magic vs. Chicago Bulls

Wendell Carter Jr. (foot) - available
Paolo Banchero (ankle) - OUT, expected to miss at least a week
Gary Harris (knee) - available

Update - Carter Jr. is in for the Magic.

This is a potential revenge game for Carter Jr., so he might be a good pick in DFS lineups. Franz Wagner maintains his value with Banchero out.

Coby White (quad) - available
Patrick Williams (ankle) - available

Update - Both White and Williams are in for the Bulls. The former is expected to be on a minutes limit and will probably serve in a bench role anyway. The latter should start.

White coming back would impact Goran Dragic and Ayo Dosunmu off the bench, although the Bulls do need some scoring. If Williams sits, Chicago’s already suspect defense takes a big hit.

Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets

Kevin Porter Jr. (back) - OUT

Update - Porter Jr. has been ruled out for the Rockets tonight.

If Porter Jr. sits, Jalen Green should see even more shooting volume in Houston’s offense.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Tre Mann (back) - OUT
Darius Bazley (ankle) - OUT

With Mann and Bazley still out, Josh Giddey and Aleksej Pokusevski are the top value adds from Oklahoma City’s roster.

Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks

Nikola Jokic (protocols) - OUT
Jamal Murray (protocols) - OUT
Aaron Gordon (illness) - OUT

Update - Gordon has been ruled out. It’s a surprise he hasn’t been put in protocols given the situation in Denver.

With Jokic and Murray both sidelined, it might be wise to bet against the Nuggets in this one. DeAndre Jordan and Bones Hyland likely get the start with Jokic and Murray out. If Gordon doesn’t suit up, that means more minutes for Jeff Green.

JaVale McGee (neck) - available
Maxi Kleber (back) - OUT
Reggie Bullock (neck) - available

Update - Both Bullock and McGee are in for the Mavericks.

Christian Wood will see more frontcourt minutes with Kleber sidelined. McGee coming back will cap Dwight Powell’s playing time.

Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring) - available
Marcus Smart (ankle) - OUT

Update - Smart has been ruled out, so either Brogdon or White will start at the point guard spot for the Celtics. Pritchard should be in the rotation as well but most of the minutes will go to Brogdon and White.

If both players return, Derrick White will be back in his bench role and Payton Pritchard will see a big reduction in playing time.

Zion Williamson (foot) - OUT

Update - Williamson will miss his third straight game with the foot contusion.

Williamson sat the team’s last two games, which were both victories for the Pelicans. Larry Nance Jr. likely sees more playing time, but it’ll be CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram who benefit from a fantasy/DFS standpoint with more shot attempts.

Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz

Chris Paul (heel) - OUT

Update - Once again, Paul will be out with his heel injury. Booker and Payne are going to be leading the charge from the backcourt Friday.

If Paul remains out, Devin Booker will continue to be a playmaker while Cam Payne would rise into the realm of being a solid value add.

New York Knicks vs. Golden State Warriors

Mitchell Robinson (knee) - OUT

Update - Robinson has been formally ruled out Friday.

With Robinson still sidelined, look for Julius Randle to continue being a big factor on the glass.

Detroit Pistons vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Cory Joseph (hip) - available

Update - Joseph is in for the Pistons.

Joseph played Thursday, so he might be rested tonight. We’ll see if the Pistons sit more players for this contest as the day goes on.

LeBron James (groin) - OUT
Anthony Davis (back) - available

Update - James has been ruled out, while Davis is in for the Lakers.

James could make his return after missing the last two games, and the Lakers desperately need their star back on the floor. Davis should be good to go after an extended break.