James Harden, Jimmy Butler, Paul George headline NBA injury report for Monday, December 5

We have eight games on Monday’s NBA slate, with a few prominent players looking to come back from injuries. Here’s a look at the day’s injury report, along with the relevant fantasy and betting implications.

NBA Injury Report: December 5

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Charlotte Hornets

Kawhi Leonard (ankle) - will play
Paul George (hamstring) - will play
Norman Powell (groin) - OUT
Luke Kennard (calf) - will play

Update — Kawhi, Kennard and PG-13 will have their minutes limited in tonight’s game vs. the Hornets.

Nicolas Batum and Terance Mann would be value adds if Leonard, George and Kennard cannot go. The two stars should be close to returning after sitting the team’s last game despite being listed as questionable.

LaMelo Ball (ankle) - OUT
Gordon Hayward (shoulder) - OUT

Terry Rozier and Kelly Oubre Jr. are the plays here with Ball and Hayward out.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic

Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) - available
Jrue Holiday (ankle) - available
Khris Middleton (wrist) - will play
Grayson Allen (foot) - OUT
Brook Lopez (rest) - OUT

The stars should be back in for Milwaukee. Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton would take on bigger roles if Lopez and Allen sit.

Jalen Suggs (ankle) - OUT
Mo Bamba (back) - OUT
Gary Harris (hamstring) - OUT

Update - Bamba has been ruled out, opening the door for Wagner to start for the Magic.

Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony gain some value with Suggs out. If Bamba sits, Mo Wagner continues to be a strong filler option.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Atlanta Hawks

Trae Young (shoulder) - available

We know this isn’t really a shoulder injury. There’s some tension between Young and head coach Nate McMillan, which caused the point guard to skip the team’s last game. We’ll see if the situation gets addressed one way or the other in the near future.

Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors

Marcus Smart (hip) - available
Malcolm Brogdon (illness) - OUT
Al Horford (back) - OUT

Update - Brogdon is out, so White and Pritchard can be added as filler players. Griffin is going to get the start for Horford Monday.

Update - Smart is in, while Horford is out. It looks like the center will sit one game on back-to-backs, which means more minutes for Grant Williams and Blake Griffin here. Brogdon is questionable and if he sits, that opens up playing time for Derrick White and Payton Pritchard

Smart missed Sunday’s game with this injury, so there’s a chance the Celtics were just resting him on one of the back-to-back games. If he sits again, Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White gain value.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Houston Rockets

James Harden (foot) - available
Georges Niang (foot) - OUT

Update - Harden is in, but will have a minutes limit in his return to the floor for Philly.

Harden is planning on making his return from a foot issue which has sidelined him for about a month. The 76ers do need him back to provide some support to Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris. Look for Philadelphia to close the year strong with Harden back in the mix.

Miami Heat vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Jimmy Butler (knee) - available
Tyler Herro (ankle) - available

Update - Butler and Herro are both in for the Heat tonight.

The Heat have several other players who are probable as well. Butler is the key. If he can come back here, he will show he’s getting over some lingering knee soreness. This injury has flared up from time to time for Butler but he badly needs to return to this team to give them a chance to compete for a playoff spot.

Ja Morant (ankle) - OUT
Jaren Jackson Jr. (injury maintenance) - OUT
John Konchar (toe) - OUT

Update - The Grizzlies have ruled most of their doubtful guys out, which means Tyus Jones, David Roddy, Brooks and Clarke are likely to play heavy minutes tonight.

With the Grizzlies playing on the second night of back-to-back, they might be punting here with Morant and Jackson Jr. both unlikely to play. Konchar is also doubtful. Dillon Brooks and Brandon Clarke could have some value in DFS formats as they seem set to get extended minutes.

Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks

Chris Paul (heel) - OUT

This has become an interesting situation with Paul but the Suns keep rolling. Cam Payne and Devin Booker continue to gain playmaking value with the veteran point guard sidelined.

Christian Wood (illness) - available

Update - Wood is in for the Mavericks.

If Wood cannot play, Maxi Kleber will see more looks as the stretch forward for the Mavericks.

Indiana Pacers vs. Golden State Warriors

Tyrese Haliburton (groin) - OUT
Myles Turner (hamstring) - OUT

Update - Turner has been scratched for tonight’s game with a hamstring issue. Jalen Smith and Isaiah Jackson will be the primary big men for Indiana.

With Haliburton out, Bennedict Mathurin gains some value as a playmaker for the Pacers.

Jordan Poole (ankle) - available
Andrew Wiggins (groin) - OUT

Update - Poole is not only available but is going to start for Golden State as well in Monday’s game.

Update - Wiggins has been ruled out, which means Kuminga could have a more prominent role Monday.

Klay Thompson would see more minutes if Poole sits, as would Moses Moody. If Wiggins sits, Jonathan Kuminga seems like the natural replacement option.