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We’ve got nine games on Wednesday’s NBA slate to kick off the month of March, 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: March 1
Phoenix Suns vs. Charlotte Hornets
Kevin Durant (knee) - available
Terrence Ross (toe) - OUT
Update - Ross has been ruled out, which means Josh Okogie and Damion Lee are in line for some extended minutes off the bench.
Durant makes his return to the court and it’ll also be his Suns debut. He’s expected to be on a minutes limit but the biggest trade deadline move is about to be seen in action.
P.J. Washington (foot) - OUT
Update - As expected, Washington is out for Charlotte. Kelly Oubre is expected to get the start tonight for the Hornets.
With Washington set to sit out, Gordon Hayward and JT Thor should see more minutes here.
Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons
Zach LaVine (injury management) - available
DeMar DeRozan (injury management) - available
Nikola Vucevic (injury management) - available
Patrick Williams (ankle) - available
Update - It looks like everyone will be in for Chicago tonight.
We’ll see how Chicago handles its stars on the second night of a back-to-back set.
Jalen Duren (ankle) - OUT
Isaiah Stewart (hip) - OUT
Bojan Bogdanovic (Achilles) - available
Jaden Ivey (personal) - available
Marvin Bagley remains a great value play with Duren and Stewart out. Bogdanovic should be back but we’ll see how much Detroit actually plays him.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown (personal) - available
Mike Muscala (knee) - available
Update - Muscala is in for Boston.
Brown coming back in will take some shots away from Jayson Tatum. If Muscala can’t play, that means more run for Grant Williams and even Luke Kornet.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat
Joel Embiid (foot) - OUT
Update - Embiid has been ruled out, which is a bit unexpected given his usual routine. PJ Tucker is going to start at the center position, and Tyrese Maxey is also getting the nod in the starting lineup after previously serving in a role off the bench.
Embiid has been added to the injury report with foot soreness, and he’s battled this issue for a while. However, it hasn’t really cost him any games. The Sixers big man should be ready to suit up for this game as his team hopes to bounce back from a loss to the Heat Monday.
Kyle Lowry (knee) - OUT
Max Strus (ankle) - available
Kevin Love (knee) - available
Update - Both Strus and Love are officially in for Miami.
Update - Strus has been upgraded to probable and should be in for tonight.
Gabe Vincent should be in DFS lineups with Lowry out. If Strus can’t play, that means more run for Victor Oladipo.
Brooklyn Nets vs. New York Knicks
No notable day-to-day injuries for either team at this time.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Houston Rockets
Ja Morant (injury management) - available
Jaren Jackson Jr. (injury management) - available
Desmond Bane (injury management) - available
Update - It looks like all of Memphis’ key guys will be available on the second night of a back-to-back set.
We’ll see if Memphis rests anyone on the second night of a back-to-back set.
Kevin Porter Jr. (foot) - available
Update - Porter Jr. is available and will have a minutes limit for Wednesday’s game.
Update - Porter Jr. has officially been listed as questionable.
We’ll see if Porter Jr. plays after sitting Tuesday’s game. The Rockets are tanking, so they might throw some different lineups out there to close out this season.
Orlando Magic vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Jonathan Isaac (hamstring) - OUT
Update - Isaac is out, so Wagner and Banchero will headline the perimeter rotation for Orlando.
If Isaac plays, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero might see less run at the swing positions.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (quad) - available
Khris Middleton (knee) - OUT
Jrue Holiday (injury management) - available
Brook Lopez (injury management) - available
Update - Middleton has been listed out.
Update - Everyone should be in for Milwaukee tonight as the Bucks attempt to win a 16th straight game.
Antetokounmpo played Tuesday, so we’ll see if the Bucks sit him. Middleton is likely to sit with his knee still being a problem. Holiday and Lopez are up in the air.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Anthony Davis (foot) - OUT
D’Angelo Russell (ankle) - OUT
Update - Davis has been ruled out, so Bamba and Vanderbilt are set to get big minutes here for the Lakers. Russell has also been ruled out, which was expected.
Russell is unlikely to play, so Dennis Schroder and Austin Reaves should remain key players in the backcourt. Davis might not suit up and if he doesn’t, that means more minutes for Mo Bamba and Jarred Vanderbilt.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal, protocols) - OUT
Update - SGA is still out, but now has an abdominal injury instead of an ankle issue. It sounds like the Thunder are making up stuff to hold him out for the tank.
The point guard was unlikely to play with the ankle and is now definitely out as he was put in health and safety protocols Tuesday. We’ll see who exactly suits up for the Thunder but Josh Giddey and Tre Mann should be solid value plays if they’re in.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Jonas Valanciunas (calf) - OUT
Josh Richardson (quad) - available
Update - Valanciunas is out, and Willy Hernangomez will start in his place. Richardson is in and will start for the Pelicans.
If Valanciunas is out, Jaxson Hayes should get plenty of run with Larry Nance Jr. already being ruled out. If Richardson sits, that’ll mean more playing time for Trey Murphy and Naji Marshall.
Anfernee Simons (ankle) - available
Update - Simons is available to make his return from an ankle injury.
The Blazers have listed Simons, who suffered this injury before the All-Star break, as questionable. That usually means he’s on track to play, especially when this designation comes after a long-term injury. We’ll see how much run he gets, and he’s unlikely to really cut into Shaedon Sharpe’s playing time in his first game back.