Donovan Mitchell, Anthony Edwards, Fred VanVleet headline NBA injury report for Friday, November 4

After only two games on Thursday’s schedule, we get a loaded NBA slate Friday with 12 games. ESPN’s doubleheader will anchor this day, with Bulls-Celtics getting things going and Bucks-Timberwolves closing things out. Here’s a look at Friday’s injury report in the NBA, along with the relevant fantasy and betting impact.

NBA Injury Report: November 4

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons

Darius Garland (eye) - OUT
Donovan Mitchell (ankle) - OUT

Update - In a bit of a twist, the Cavaliers have ruled out both Garland and Mitchell. It looks like LeVert and Okoro will start in the backcourt for Cleveland.

Garland and Mitchell both played in the team’s last game but the latter did sustain the ankle injury he’s currently experiencing. Garland seems likely to play. Caris LeVert and Isaac Okoro would see more minutes and shots if Mitchell sits.

Jalen Duran (ankle) - OUT

Update - Duren has been ruled out Friday.

Update - Duren has been downgraded to questionable, so there’s a chance Stewart gets more run if the Pistons ultimately rule the rookie out or decide to limit his minutes.

The Pistons big man didn’t miss a ton of time with this injury, which is what the team was hoping for. If he is available, he’ll take some minutes from Isaiah Stewart in the frontcourt.

Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers

Jimmy Butler (hip) - OUT
Bam Adebayo (knee) - available
Victor Oladipo (knee) - OUT

Update - Adebayo is available to play and should get some additional shot opportunities with Butler out. This is a big game for the big man, who has to show he can anchor this team with the star forward out of the lineup.

Butler is out once again with his hip tightness, while Oladipo still hasn’t recovered from his knee issue. Adebayo’s designation seems precautionary, and the Heat would likely roll with Dewayne Dedmon if the starting big man misses this contest.

New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid (illness) - OUT
Matisse Thybulle (ankle) - available
James Harden (foot) - out at least a month

Update - Embiid will miss his third game in a row with this illness, and the Sixers are now down two of their stars for this contest against the Knicks. Thybulle is available to play.

Embiid missed the last two games with this illness and if he doesn’t suit up, Montrezl Harrell should see time at center. Thybulle returned to the game where he sustained the ankle injury, so he’s likely to play. Harden is out a month with a foot sprain so Tyrese Maxey is the big play Friday, rising even higher in DFS value if Embiid sits.

Brooklyn Nets vs. Washington Wizards

Ben Simmons (knee) - OUT
Seth Curry (injury management) - OUT
Kyrie Irving (suspension) - OUT

Update - It didn’t take long for Curry to get ruled out, which means Harris and O’Neale gain some value in fantasy/DFS formats.

The big news here is Irving’s suspension, which leaves the Nets thin at guard. Joe Harris and Royce O’Neale remain solid plays as value fillers, while Cam Thomas might get extended run. Patty Mills is also a candidate to replace Irving in the starting lineup.

Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics

Coby White (quad) - OUT
Andre Drummond (shoulder) - OUT

Update - As expected, the Bulls have formally ruled White out. Goran Dragic and Dosunmu should be getting significant minutes once again with this development.

The good news for the Bulls is Zach LaVine will play, so it seems his knee issues are a thing of the past for now. Nikola Vucevic and Ayo Dosunmu will continue seeing more time with White and Drummond out.

Jaylen Brown (illness) - available

Update - Brown is in for Boston.

The bug going around the NBA has hit Boston. Brown has been added late to the injury report with an illness and is questionable. If he sits, Jayson Tatum will carry an even bigger scoring load against the Bulls.

Charlotte Hornets vs. Memphis Grizzlies

LaMelo Ball (ankle) - OUT
Terry Rozier (ankle) - OUT
Gordon Hayward (shoulder) - OUT
Cody Martin (quad) - OUT

Update - As has been the case since they’ve popped up on the injury report, Rozier and Martin are once again out for the Hornets.

The Hornets added Hayward to this report after he suffered a shoulder injury Wednesday. Dennis Smith Jr. and Kelly Oubre Jr. remain the best value plays for Charlotte.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs

Kawhi Leonard (injury management) - OUT
Robert Covington (protocols) - OUT

With Leonard and Covington out, Norman Powell, Nicolas Batum and Luke Kennard are the best value additions for LA. Paul George is once again elevated to superstar status in terms of fantasy production.

Devin Vassell (knee) - available
Keldon Johnson (calf) - available

Both of San Antonio’s key players are in for this game, so there might be some value taking the Spurs against the spread here.

Toronto Raptors vs. Dallas Mavericks

Fred VanVleet (back) - OUT

Update - Once again, VanVleet has been ruled out with his back injury. Koloko should get the start for the Raptors and Barnes will be the lead initiator.

VanVleet has been dealing with this injury for the past few games. The Raptors have moved Scottie Barnes to the point and inserted Christian Koloko into the starting lineup when VanVleet sits, so expect that again if the point guard can’t go.

Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Stephen Curry (elbow) - OUT
Andrew Wiggins (foot) - OUT
Draymond Green (injury management) - OUT
Klay Thompson (injury management) - OUT

The Warriors are effectively deciding the pull the plug on tonight’s game, which is the second of a back-to-back set and the last of their road trip. It’s been a rough journey for Golden State, so Steve Kerr has decided to give his guys a break. Jordan Poole, James Wiseman, Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga should have bigger roles tonight for the Warriors.

Brandon Ingram (concussion) - available
Herb Jones (knee) - available

Update - Both Ingram and Jones are in, which means less minutes for Marshall and Murphy.

Both Ingram and Jones are set to come back on the floor. You can assume both will start, which means less minutes for Naji Marshall and Trey Murphy.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Giannis Antetokoumpo (knee) - available

Update - Antetokounmpo is in for the Bucks.

Antetokoumpo was a recent add to the injury report and did go through shootaround, so all signs point to him playing Friday. The Bucks have been an absolute force behind the Greek Freak this season, so him sitting out would be a huge blow for their chances in this contest. For now, he’s slated to play.

Anthony Edwards (illness) - available
Rudy Gobert (illness) - available

Update - Both Edwards and Gobert will play in Friday’s game.

The bug going around the NBA has landed in Minnesota. If Edwards sits, Taurean Prince would likely get heavy minutes behind Jaden McDaniels. If Gobert sits, you can pencil Karl-Anthony Towns in for major run at the center spot.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns

Anfernee Simons (foot) - OUT

Update - Simons has been ruled out, so Sharpe becomes an immediate value add to fantasy/DFS lineups.

The Blazers really need Simons to play with Damian Lillard still out. If he sits, Shaedon Sharpe is likely to get the start at point guard.

Deandre Ayton (ankle) - available
Torrey Craig (heel) - available

Update - Ayton will make his return to the court after suffering an ankle injury early in the season. Craig is also in for the Suns.

Ayton being back is big for the Suns, especially against a strong Blazers frontcourt. Craig being in also helps in that regard but Ayton is the true star Phoenix needs to get back to the Finals.

Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis (back) - available
LeBron James (foot) - available

Update - As expected, both Davis and James are playing Friday for the Lakers.

Let’s be real; both these guys are playing. The Lakers have suddenly won two in a row and appear to have a formula. Davis and James both remain fantasy/DFS stars, so put them in your lineup with minimal concerns about their health entering the contest.