Giannis Antetokounmpo, Evan Mobley, Rudy Gobert headline NBA injury report for Friday, December 23

We’ve got a loaded NBA slate Friday with 14 games on tap, anchored by two nationally televised game. One will take place on NBA TV and the other will air on ESPN. Here’s a look at the day’s injury report, along with the relevant fantasy and betting implications.

NBA Injury Report: December 23

San Antonio Spurs vs. Orlando Magic

Keldon Johnson (hamstring) - available
Jakob Poeltl (knee) - available

Update - Both Johnson and Poeltl are not listed on the official injury report, so they’re good to go for tonight’s game.

Johnson sat Thursday, while Poeltl played but he’s just come back from a knee injury. The Spurs are likely to sit both guys, which means Devin Vassell and Zach Collins are in line for more minutes here.

Wendell Carter Jr. (foot) - available
Gary Harris (hamstring) - available
Jalen Suggs (ankle) - OUT

Update - Carter Jr. will have a minutes limit but he’s back tonight. Harris is also in for the Magic and will be on a minutes limit too.

Carter Jr. could return to the frontcourt, which would downgrade Mo Bamba and Mo Wagner in DFS formats. Harris coming back might impact Franz Wagner’s minutes.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Philadelphia 76ers

John Wall (ankle) - OUT

Update - Wall has been ruled out for tonight’s game.

If Wall sits, Reggie Jackson would be the primary point guard for the Clippers in this contest.

Detroit Pistons vs. Atlanta Hawks

Clint Capela (calf) - available

Update - Capela is in for the Hawks.

If Capela sits, John Collins and Onyeka Okongwu will gain value in fantasy/DFS lineups.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Boston Celtics

Rudy Gobert (ankle) - available
Kyle Anderson (back) - OUT

Update - Anderson is out.

Update - Gobert is in, while Anderson is a game-time call for Minnesota.

Naz Reid would likely get the start if Gobert sits this one out. If Anderson sits, Jaden McDaniels would continue to be a strong DFS play.

Marcus Smart (illness) - available
Robert Williams (illness) - OUT

Update - Smart is in, while Time Lord is out.

Update - Smart has been upgraded to probable, while Time Lord is now questionable with an illness. We’ll see how this shakes out closer to game time.

Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White will benefit the most from Smart’s absence in terms of fantasy/DFS value.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets

Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) - available
Khris Middleton (knee) - OUT

Update - Antetokounmpo is in for the Bucks which is a bit of a surprise but a pleasant one for Milwaukee fans. Middleton, as expected, is officially ruled out for the contest.

It’s rarely good when Antetokounmpo randomly pops up on the report, even though he’s listed as probable. Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen continue to be good plays with Middleton out. Bobby Portis might be worth rostering if Antetokounmpo gets downgraded.

Kyrie Irving (calf) - available
Joe Harris (knee) - OUT

Update - This is not a surprise because of the nature of what happens when guys get added late to the report but Harris has been ruled out.

Update - Harris has been added to the report quite late. If he sits, Royce O’Neale and Seth Curry will have more opportunities offensively.

Irving is not on the injury report and will play in Friday’s game.

Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Gary Trent Jr. (quad) - available

Update - Trent Jr. is in for the Raptors.

If Trent Jr. sits, that would mean more playing time for OG Anunoby and more shots for Fred VanVleet on the perimeter.

Evan Mobley (knee) - available

Update - Mobley is in for the Cavaliers.

Jarrett Allen and Kevin Love would be the featured frontcourt pair if Mobley doesn’t play.

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks

Alex Caruso (concussion, shoulder) - OUT

With Caruso out, Patrick Williams and Coby White should see more time in the rotation.

Quentin Grimes (ankle) - available

Update - Grimes will play tonight, per Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.

If Grimes doesn’t play, the Knicks likely slide Evan Fourier back into the starting guard spot.

Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat

Tyrese Haliburton (wrist) - available

Update - Haliburton is in for Indiana.

If Haliburton sits, the Pacers likely give Bennedict Mathurin more run in the rotation.

Jimmy Butler (illness) - available
Kyle Lowry (knee) - available

Update - Butler is in for the Heat.

Lowry is back and Butler should play. These inclusions would likely have the biggest impact on Victor Oladipo and Max Strus.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith (groin) - OUT
Kemba Walker (injury management) - OUT

With Finney-Smith and Walker out, Spencer Dinwiddie and Reggie Bullock gain some value in DFS lineups.

Eric Gordon (thumb) - OUT

With Gordon out, Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. should see even more shots in this offense.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Zion Williamson (protocols) - OUT
Brandon Ingram (toe) - OUT
CJ McCollum (calf) - available

Update - McCollum is in for the Pelicans.

Update - Williamson is out and Ingram is also out. McCollum is questionable and could be rested on the second night of a back-to-back set. If he sits, Jose Alvarado and Trey Murphy could see more opportunities in this rotation.

The Pelicans played Thursday, so there’s a chance they punt this game. Williamson likely won’t clear protocols in time for this game, while Ingram likely stays out with a toe issue.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets

Damian Lillard (wrist) - available
Jusuf Nurkic (calf) - available
Josh Hart (ankle) - available

Update - Everyone is in for Portland.

Everyone should be in for Portland in this game.

Michael Porter Jr. (heel) - available
Jamal Murray (injury management) - available

Update - Both MPJ and Murray are in for the Nuggets.

MPJ said he would play but the team has officially listed him as questionable. If Murray gets ruled out, Bruce Brown and Bones Hyland will see more minutes for Denver.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Phoenix Suns

Desmond Bane (toe) - available

Update - Bane is in but he will have a minutes limit.

Bane appears to be ahead of schedule in his recovery. He’ll take some minutes away from John Konchar if he returns to the lineup tonight.

Devin Booker (groin) - OUT
Cam Payne (foot) - OUT

With Booker out, Mikal Bridges and Landry Shamet both get elevated in fantasy/DFS formats. Payne being out means more run for Chris Paul.

Washington Wizards vs. Sacramento Kings

Kristaps Porzingis (illness) - available
Deni Avdija (back) - OUT

Update - Porzingisi is in while Avdija is out.

Update - Both players are questionable for Washington.

Neither player took the court Thursday, so we’ll see how the Wizards handle these guys on the second night of a back-to-back set.

Richaun Holmes (illness) - available

Update - Holmes is in for the Kings.

If Holmes is ruled out, Alex Len likely gets most of the backup center minutes behind Domantas Sabonis.

Charlotte Hornets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Terry Rozier (hip) - available

Update - After missing a couple games, Rozier is back in the mix for Charlotte.

Kelly Oubre Jr. would see more shots and minutes if Rozier sits again, although it’s clear the guard is progressing towards a return.

LeBron James (ankle) - available
Russell Westbrook (foot) - available
Austin Reaves (ankle) - available

Update - Everyone is in for the Lakers.

James and Westbrook should be in. If Reaves is out, Lonnie Walker and Kendrick Nunn will see more playing time in the rotation.