Russell Westbrook, Fred VanVleet, Tyler Herro headline NBA injury report for Saturday, February 12

There are 11 games on the NBA schedule Saturday, with ABC’s Saturday showcase featuring the Lakers and Warriors. With the Super Bowl happening Sunday, the league tends to load up Saturday’s slate. That leads to a lengthy injury report, continuing to feature prominent players as the All-Star break approaches. Here’s Saturday’s injury report in the association.

NBA Injury Report: February 12

New York Knicks vs. Portland Trail Blazers

RJ Barrett (ankle) OUT
Nerlens Noel (knee) OUT

Update - Noel has been ruled out, opening the door for Robinson and Taj Gibson in fantasy/DFS lineups.

With Barrett out, Obi Toppin will be a strong play in fantasy/DFS lineups. If Noel misses the game, look for Mitchell Robinson to continue being a dominant force in the interior.

Eric Bledsoe (Achilles) OUT
Josh Hart (trade) will start
Dennis Smith Jr. (elbow) OUT

Update - Smith Jr. is out, which means Anfernee Simons continues to be the hot play in fantasy/DFS lineups. This also elevates Hart, who will get the start with his new team.

We won’t see Bledsoe back on the court, and it’s probably best for Portland that they play young guys over veterans at this point.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Charlotte Hornets

No notable day-to-day injuries for either team at this time.

Sacramento Kings vs. Washington Wizards

Kristaps Porzingis (knee, trade) OUT

Porzingis is now on the Wizards, but he’s out. It’ll be Rui Hachimura, Kyle Kuzma and Daniel Gafford in the froncourt for Washington.

Donte DiVincenzo (trade) available

DiVincenzo, the prize for the Kings in the Marvin Bagley deal, is available to play Saturday. Look for him to come off the bench and could carry some fantasy/DFS value as a three-point threat.

San Antonio Spurs vs. New Orleans Pelicans

No notable day-to-day injuries for either team at this time.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Darius Garland (back) available

Update - Garland is available and will start against the 76ers.

Update - Garland has been upgraded to probable, which is good news for the Cavaliers. Rondo will still get good minutes, but this likely takes Goodwin out of any fantasy/DFS lineups.

Garland didn’t play Friday, but that’s likely so he can go Saturday. If he doesn’t play, it’ll be Rajon Rondo and Brandon Goodwin at the point guard spot for Cleveland.

Tyrese Maxey (hamstring) starting
Shake Milton (back) available

Update - It looks like both Maxey and Milton are available for the 76ers. The former will get the start and is a strong play with James Harden still not set to make his team debut.

Maxey and Milton played through these issues Friday, so we’ll see if the 76ers play them on the second game of a back-to-back set.

Denver Nuggets vs. Toronto Raptors

Austin Rivers (hip) available
Monte Morris (concussion) OUT

Update - Technically, Rivers is not on the injury report so he’s good to go. His three-point shooting does give him some upside, although Bones Hyland remains the go-to value play.

Morris remains out, while Rivers could potentially sit on the second game of a back-to-back.

Fred VanVleet (groin) available

Update - VanVleet will play, so the Raptors will likely gain a point or so on the line. This lowers Trent Jr.’s ceiling in fantasy/DFS lineups, but Anunoby and Pascal Siakam should be okay to stay in those lineups.

If VanVleet doesn’t play, fantasy/DFS players can look for Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby as alternate options on this team.

Brooklyn Nets vs. Miami Heat

Nic Claxton (hamstring) OUT
LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle) OUT
Seth Curry (trade) OUT
Ben Simmons (trade) OUT
Andre Drummond (trade) OUT

Update - Curry and Drummond have been officially ruled out against the Heat Saturday. Irving, Mills, Griffin and Sharpe are your best fantasy/DFS options in what could be a blowout.

Update - Simmons is not with the team yet, while Curry and Drummond are questionable for the contest against the Heat.

Blake Griffin and Day’Ron Sharpe should get good minutes with Claxton and Aldridge out. We’ll see how the traded players are integrated, but Kyrie Irving and Patty Mills are safe fantasy/DFS options regardless.

Tyler Herro (knee) available
PJ Tucker (knee) available

Update - Both Herro and Tucker are available, with the latter taking his usual spot in the starting lineup.

Update - Both Herro and Tucker are on track to play, though only the former carries major fantasy/DFS value.

If Herro and Tucker sit out, Duncan Robinson and Jimmy Butler will get boosts. Kyle Lowry is also going to see some additional touches for Miami in that case.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Chicago Bulls

Zach LaVine (knee) OUT
Nikola Vucevic (hip) available

Update - Vucevic is available and will start against the Thunder. He’s a consistent play in fantasy/DFS lineups.

Update - LaVine has been ruled out, meaning Dosunmu and White are the plays in the backcourt for Chicago.

The Bulls are on the second night of a back-to-back, so there’s a chance LaVine gets a break here. It’s his knee being listed as the problem, which has seemingly flared up from time to time. Vucevic should be good to go. If LaVine sits, look for Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White to be major factors in fantasy/DFS contests.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks

Norman Powell (toe) OUT

Update - Powell has been ruled out, so Covington, Kennard and Batum are good players to target in fantasy/DFS contests.

Powell has picked up this injury recently. If he doesn’t play, look for Robert Covington, Luke Kennard and Nicolas Batum to get additional touches on the perimeter.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors

Russell Westbrook (back) available
LeBron James (knee) available
Anthony Davis (wrist) available
Dwight Howard (back) available
Carmelo Anthony (hamstring) OUT

Update - Westbrook and James are available, meaning LA’s “Big 3” is intact for Saturday’s game.

This injury report looks like a mixed All-NBA team. Westbrook’s status is somewhat in doubt with his back issue but James and Davis should play. If the point guard is out, Austin Reaves likely takes his spot.

Klay Thompson (injury management) expected to play
Otto Porter Jr. (injury management) expected to play

Both perimeter scorers should be good to go in primetime Saturday, which caps Jordan Poole and Jonathan Kuminga in fantasy/DFS formats.

Orlando Magic vs. Phoenix Suns

Jalen Suggs (Achilles) available

Update - Suggs is not officially on the injury report, which means he’s good to go Saturday. Even if he starts, this might be a tough matchup for him against a Phoenix backcourt which can lock down opposing guards.

Suggs played Friday, so there’s a chance the Magic rest him Saturday. He’s a crucial piece of this franchise going forward, so Orlando is always going to exercise caution with this type of injury.

Torrey Craig (trade) available
Aaron Holiday (trade) available

Both Craig and Holiday are available to play for Phoenix tonight. Look for both to come off the bench if they do suit up.