Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dillon Brooks, LeBron James headline NBA injury report for Thursday, April 7

We’ve got another relatively light slate in the NBA Thursday with seven games on tap, anchored by TNT’s doubleheader featuring Celtics-Bucks and Lakers-Warriors. Here’s Thursday’s injury report for all the action, along with the relevant fantasy and betting implications.

NBA Injury Report: April 7

Orlando Magic vs. Charlotte Hornets

Cole Anthony (toe) OUT
Wendell Carter Jr. (wrist) OUT
Franz Wagner (ankle) OUT
Gary Harris (personal) available

Update - Harris is in and could be worth a flier given the Magic players sitting and the potential for a high-scoring game.

The Magic are tanking, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great fantasy/DFS value plays here. Mo Bamba, Markelle Fultz and Jalen Suggs are all options from Orlando for Thursday’s contests.

Gordon Hayward (foot) OUT

Update - Gordon was already doubtful, so it’s no surprise to see him being ruled out.

Hayward continues to have issues with his foot stemming from the ankle injury he had. Look for Miles Bridges and PJ Washington to absorb these wing minutes for Charlotte.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors

Matisse Thybulle (vaccine mandate) OUT

Thybulle is unvaccinated, so he can’t enter Canada. This is a tough blow for the 76ers defensively and we already know how James Harden reportedly felt about Kyrie Irving’s stance on the COVID-19 vaccine. This is a situation which could become much worse if the 76ers have to play the Raptors in the playoffs.

OG Anunoby (quad) OUT
Fred VanVleet (rest) OUT

Update - Anunoby has officially been ruled out, but the bummer for Raptors fans is VanVleet also being ruled out. This game now swings towards the 76ers more even with Thybulle out. Barnes and Trent Jr. are going to take on bigger roles though, so those two guys are worth rostering for fantasy/DFS purposes.

Update - Anunoby is now listed as doubtful, so that’s one less wing player the 76ers have to worry about. Barnes receives more touches now, and Trent Jr. will likely get some additional shots as well.

If Anunoby sits, Gary Trent Jr. and Scottie Barnes continue to be nice mid-tier options with the latter having more upside in fantasy/DFS formats.

Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Jayson Tatum (knee) OUT
Jaylen Brown (knee) available
Al Horford (back) OUT
Marcus Smart (ankle) available

Update - Smart and Brown look to be available for the Celtics, but it’ll be tough climb in this game with Tatum and Horford out.

Update - It looks like the Celtics are punting this game, as Tatum and Horford are out. Smart is probable and becomes a value add in fantasy/DFS formats, along with Grant Williams and Derrick White.

All three played in Wednesday’s game, so it’s possible the Celtics give these guys a breather despite this being a key matchup.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) available
Grayson Allen (back) OUT

Update - As expected, Antetokounmpo will play and Allen will sit.

The Bucks are fighting for seeding, so Antetokounmpo is likely to play even if the knee trends in the wrong direction. With Allen unlikely to go, Pat Connaughton and Wes Matthews are nice value plays.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Dejounte Murray (illness) OUT
Devin Vassell (Achilles) available
Lonnie Walker (back) OUT
Jock Landale (foot) OUT

Update - Vassell is in and should be a tremendous fantasy/DFS play, while Walker has been ruled out.

Murray is out, which makes Vassell a high-upside option in fantasy/DFS lineups. Look for Keldon Johnson to take on a bigger role if Walker sits, while Jakob Poeltl is the primary big man with Landale out.

Patrick Beverley (ankle) available
D’Angelo Russell (hamstring) OUT

Update - Beverley is in, but Russell is out in a critical game for the Timberwolves.

Update - It could be a big night for Nowall, as Russell is now questionable with a hamstring issue.

If Beverley sits, D’Angelo Russell and Jaylen Nowall are the primary backcourt players for Minnesota is a key game for playoff position.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Jonas Valanciunas (ankle) available
Brandon Ingram (hamstring) OUT

Update - Ingram has been formally ruled out for Thursday’s game, although it’s not likely to impact the result given the opponent.

Update - Valanciunas said he plans to play, which is a nice boost for the Pelicans. He’ll likely get less run as this could be a blowout quickly. Hayes and Hernangomez are still solid plays here. The twist here is Ingram being doubtful with a hamstring issue, which frees up more opportunities for CJ McCollum and Herbert Jones.

Valanciunas missed the last game so we’ll see if he can go against the Trail Blazers. Jaxson Hayes and Willy Hernangomez would be in line to get bigger minutes if Valanciunas sits again.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets

Dillon Brooks (hip) available

Update - Brooks is available and will start for the Grizzlies Thursday.

Brooks missed the last contest with this injury. If he sits another game, Desmond Bane would be the top wing player for the Grizzlies. Memphis has no reason to rush Brooks back, as the team is locked into the No. 2 seed in the West.

Jeff Green (personal) available

Update - Green is in and starting Thursday.

If Green doesn’t go, Aaron Gordon and JaMychal Green are the top contenders to absorb those minutes at the forward spot. The Nuggets badly need a win here to secure a playoff spot and avoid the play-in tournament.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors

LeBron James (ankle) OUT
Anthony Davis (foot) OUT
Russell Westbrook (shoulder) OUT
Carmelo Anthony (illness) OUT

Update - The Lakers have sat the “Big 3” for this game, and it looks like that truly will be it for James, Davis and Westbrook as a trio in LA.

The Lakers are out of contention for anything, so there’s no reason for any of the stars to suit up. Look for Austin Reaves, Malik Monk and Carmelo Anthony as possible value plays here even in what is likely to be a blowout game.