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We’ve got eight games on Saturday’s NBA slate, anchored by NBA TV’s doubleheader featuring Celtics-Knicks and Trail Blazers-Suns. Portland and Phoenix are repeating Friday’s game again Saturday in a rare back-to-back set featuring the same teams at the same venue. Here’s a look a Saturday’s injury report in the NBA, along with the relevant fantasy and betting implications.
NBA Injury Report: November 5
Sacramento Kings vs. Orlando Magic
De’Aaron Fox (knee) - available
Update - Fox has been cleared to return to the floor and is available to play Saturday. Mitchell likely comes off the bench now for the Kings but should still get some playing time if the Kings want to be a bit cautious with Fox’s workload.
Fox practiced Friday, so it’s possible he plays Saturday. If he does suit up, that means Davion Mitchell likely gets back to his bench role. Kevin Huerter might also lose some opportunities as a secondary initiator but should remain a solid DFS addition.
Terrence Ross (knee) - available
Update - Well, it turns out Ross is going to be available Saturday. He’ll take some minutes away from Wagner and Banchero in the forward rotation.
The veteran is out for Saturday, meaning Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero will continue to dominate the wing minutes for the Magic.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Charlotte Hornets
Seth Curry (injury management) - available
Joe Harris (injury management) - available
Ben Simmons (knee) - OUT
Kyrie Irving (suspension) - OUT
Update - As expected, both Curry and Harris will suit up Saturday. Both are intriguing value plays, although Curry might be more fresh since he didn’t play Friday.
Irving and Simmons remain out, but Curry is expected to get back in the lineup. Harris is still in, so the real loser from a fantasy standpoint is Royce O’Neale. However, it is a back-to-back so the Nets will try to manage workloads meaning everyone should get decent run.
LaMelo Ball (ankle) - OUT
Terry Rozier (ankle) - available
Gordon Hayward (shoulder) - OUT
Cody Martin (quad) - OUT
Update - Rozier is back in for the Hornets and should start as the secondary guard. Smith Jr. is still a strong play but Oubre Jr. might be more limited with Rozier’s return.
Update - Rozier is listed as questionable, so that’s some progress for the Hornets guard. He might get some minutes if he’s cleared to play but Charlotte will be cautious with Rozier.
The Hornets have the same deal as usual. Dennis Smith Jr. and Kelly Oubre Jr. are the value plays with Charlotte, even on the second night of a back-to-back set.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Atlanta Hawks
Brandon Ingram (concussion) - available
Herb Jones (knee) - available
Update - Both Jones and Ingram are available to play Saturday. Both are starting as well, so they’ll be solid fantasy/DFS additions.
Both players suited up Friday so we’ll see if there are any limitations for them with a back-to-back set.
Trae Young (eye) - available
Update - Young is in for Atlanta, which was expected.
Young sustained this injury Wednesday against the Knicks but did return to that contest so he’s likely to play. If he doesn’t, Dejounte Murray will be an all-around star in fantasy/DFS lineups.
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
Al Horford (back) - OUT
The Celtics have ruled Horford out due to a back issue, which means Noah Vonleh and Blake Griffin will all be in the mix for frontcourt minutes. Vonleh is most likely to get the start but Griffin should see solid minutes off the bench.
Mitchell Robinson (knee) - OUT
Update - Robinson is out and will miss 7-10 days with the knee issue.
Robinson suffered this injury Friday and did not return, so he’s unlikely to play in this contest. Isaiah Hartenstein and Jericho Sims are the backup centers for the Knicks and figure to get heavy minutes in this contest.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) - OUT
Update - Antetokounmpo has been ruled out with a knee injury.
Update - Antetokounmpo is listed as questionable after playing Friday’s game.
Antetokounmpo was probable with this injury in Friday’s game and ended up playing. The Bucks might want to take it easy with their superstar and could potentially rule him out. Jrue Holiday and Bobby Portis stand to benefit the most from a fantasy perspective if the Greek Freak is out.
Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Jae’Sean Tate (ankle) - OUT
Jabari Smith (illness) - OUT
With Tate and Smith out, the scoring load will continue to fall on Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green. The backcourt plays no defense but puts up points in bunches. They remain strong plays in DFS formats.
Anthony Edwards (illness) - available
Rudy Gobert (health protocols) - OUT
Update - Well this is not a good sign. Gobert is out due to health protocols, so the Timberwolves might be dealing with a slew of protocols-related absences. This situation is worth monitoring.
Both players took the floor in Friday’s game, so we’ll see if they are up for Saturday’s contest or if the team decides to give them some rest.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets
Bones Hyland (hip) - available
Update - Hyland is good to go and should deliver solid minutes off the bench against a bad San Antonio team.
The Nuggets guard is questionable and if he sits out, that means more run for Jamal Murray and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Christian Braun could also get more minutes depending on how Denver rounds out the rotation.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns
Anfernee Simons (foot) - OUT
Josh Hart (ankle) - available
Update - Hart is in and will get the start for Portland.
Update - Simons has been ruled out once again, so Sharpe is the lead point guard for Portland. Hart is dealing with an ankle injury but should be good to go.
Simons didn’t play Friday, so he could be back for this game. If he doesn’t play, Shaedon Sharpe likely gets the lead point guard job again.
Cam Johnson (knee) - OUT
Update - As expected, Johnson is out. That means Craig is likely to get the start, and Dario Saric should also see minutes in the forward rotation for Phoenix.
Johnson suffered this injury in Friday’s game and didn’t return. Depending on how severe the ailment is, the Suns might hold him out. Torrey Craig would likely replace him as a starter if Johnson sits.