LeBron James, Darius Garland, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headline NBA injury report for Wednesday, January 4

We’ve got a massive 12-game slate in the NBA Wednesday, anchored by a doubleheader on ESPN. Here’s a look at the day’s injury report, along with the relevant fantasy and betting implications.

NBA Injury Report: January 4

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Charlotte Hornets

Brandon Clarke (knee) - OUT

With Clarke out, Steven Adams and Jaren Jackson Jr. will be the primary frontcourt players in this game for Memphis.

Gordon Hayward (hamstring) - OUT
Cody Martin (knee) - available
Kelly Oubre Jr. (hand) - OUT, expected to miss 4-6 weeks

Update - Hayward is out, and McDaniels will start in his place. Martin is in but is going to be on a minutes limit.

Martin might be back in the rotation as Oubre Jr. exits. Hayward is unlikely to play, which means more minutes for Jalen McDaniels. This team is ready to sell at the deadline, so we’ll eventually see who ends up sticking around for the tanking.

Phoenix Suns vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Darius Garland (thumb) - OUT
Evan Mobley (ankle) - available

Update - Garland has been formally ruled out. LeVert is likely to start in his place.

Update - After missing two games, Mobley will be back on the court for the Cavaliers.

Caris LeVert seems to be in line for another start with Garland unlikely to play. If Mobley sits, Kevin Love should start alongside Jarrett Allen in the frontcourt.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Orlando Magic

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (illness) - available

Update - Gilgeous-Alexander is not on the injury report, so he should be in for this game.

SGA was ruled out Tuesday with an illness late, so we’ll see if he feels better for this game. If he sits again, Josh Giddey and Tre Mann will take over as the backcourt duo.

Indiana Pacers vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid (foot) - OUT

Update - Embiid has been ruled out, which elevates both Harrell and Reed in DFS lineups. The Pacers will gain some ground on the spread as well and could be an intriguing bet there.

Embiid is once again a late add to the injury report, being listed as questionable with a foot issue. If he sits, Montrezl Harrell and Paul Reed are the frontcourt options for the 76ers.

San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks

Devin Vassell (knee) - OUT

Update - Vassell has been ruled out, which means Johnson gains some stock as a scoring threat and Sochan can be played as a DFS filler option.

If Vassell doesn’t play, Jeremy Sochan is elevated in DFS formats. Keldon Johnson would be the unquestioned top offensive option for San Antonio in that event.

Obi Toppin (knee) - available
R.J. Barrett (finger) - OUT

Update - Congratulations to the Knicks for pulling a fast one on everybody. Toppin went from doubtful to available during the course of the day. He’ll take some minutes away from Reddish and Evan Fournier in the rotation.

Update - Toppin has been upgraded to questionable, so he could be back in the lineup on a minutes limit tonight.

Toppin has been slightly upgraded but he’s still unlikely to play. With Barrett still out, Cam Reddish looks like a great value play for New York.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Toronto Raptors

Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) - available
Jrue Holiday (conditioning) - OUT
Joe Ingles (conditioning) - OUT

Update - Antetokounmpo isn’t on the latest injury report, so we’re going to say he’s good to go in this one.

Update - Holiday has been ruled out, with conditioning being the official label. Ingles is also out for Milwaukee.

The Bucks played Tuesday, and Holiday played off the bench. We’ll see how Milwaukee approaches the second night of a back-to-back set.

Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls

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

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Jusuf Nurkic (illness) - available

Update - The big man is in for Portland.

Nurkic should be in but if he gets downgraded, Drew Eubanks likely starts and Jerami Grant gains some rebounding value.

D’Angelo Russell (illness) - available
Naz Reid (back) - OUT

Update - Reid is out, which increases Gobert’s workload Wednesday.

Russell is in. If Reid sits, Rudy Gobert should get major minutes in this contest.

Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson (hamstring) - OUT, expected to miss at least 3 weeks

With Williamson out, CJ McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas would be great anchors in DFS lineups.

Detroit Pistons vs. Golden State Warriors

Andrew Wiggins (illness) - OUT
Jonathan Kuminga (foot) - OUT

The Warriors are hurting on the wing. Donte DiVincenzo and Klay Thompson are strong DFS plays as both are set to get heavy minutes in this matchup.

Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James (illness) - OUT
Russell Westbrook (foot) - available
Lonnie Walker (knee) - OUT

Update - Westbrook is in for the Lakers.

Update - While James was listed as questionable with an ankle injury, the Lakers star was ruled out Wednesday with a non-COVID illness. Walker is also out.

James is questionable, which is a downgrade from his typical status. If he sits, betting on the Heat would be the safer move. If Westbrook sits, Patrick Beverley and Kendrick Nunn would get more minutes. If Walker sits, Austin Reaves should get a lot of playing time.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Sacramento Kings

Clint Capela (calf) - OUT

With Capela out, Onyeka Okongwu is one of the best value adds on the board in DFS lineups.