NBA DFS Injury Report – If you’re betting NBA games or building DFS lineups, the injury report isn’t optional reading—it’s the difference between cashing tickets and lighting money on fire.
Editor’s Note: This article was published earlier in the day. These player designations will often change by the time tip-off starts! Check the official NBA injury report before tip-off.
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Let’s check out how a couple of stars are holding up as we enter the second half of November.
Ja Morant Injury News Today
Morant was diagnosed with a right calf strain Monday after exiting Saturday’s game against the Cavaliers with what was described at the time as soreness. The star point guard has been given a recovery timeline of at least two weeks, and his absence thins out the position for Memphis further, not to mention opening up significant usage for the rest of the starting five.
Jaren Jackson is unsurprisingly the Grizzlies’ usage leader when Morant has been off the floor this season, posting a 29.1% usage rate and per-36 averages of 25.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.0 blocks. Jackson is also averaging a robust 20.1 field-goal attempts in that split, making him the clearest beneficiary.
In terms of the rest of Memphis’ regulars, the next two closest players to Jackson in that scenario are Santi Aldama (22.8% usage) and Cedric Coward (19.8% usage). However, a couple of additional names to watch moving forward are center Zach Edey, who just made his season debut against Cleveland in the same game Morant suffered his injury, and the duo of Vince Williams and Cam Spencer.
Edey played 25 minutes right out of the gate and provided 13 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks. The performance is likely a reasonable approximation of what might be expected from the second-year big man, considering Morant was out for the majority of the contest. Then, Williams and Spencer could team up to handle the majority of point-guard work in Morant’s absence, while Jaylen Wells could also see a slight uptick in ball-handling opportunities.
Props to consider while Morant is out:
- Jaren Jackson Overs up to 25.5 points / up to 34.5 points + rebounds
- Zach Edey Overs up to 21.5 points + rebounds
Paolo Banchero Injury News Today
Banchero has already missed two games due to a groin strain that caused his early exit from a Nov. 12 game against the Knicks. The star forward doesn’t yet have a return timetable, leaving him day-to-day entering the new week.
In the two full games Banchero has missed thus far, Franz Wagner (30.9% usage) and Desmond Bane (26.3% usage) have been the biggest beneficiaries in terms of players who’ve suited up for both of those contests, while averaging 17.2 and 16.4 shot attempts per 36 minutes, respectively.
Meanwhile, Jalen Suggs only participated in one of those games due to his own groin issue, and he recorded 27.3% usage over 28 minutes in a win over the Nets on Friday. Any forthcoming Banchero absences that Suggs doesn’t miss could therefore lead to Wagner and Bane benefiting slightly less.
Tristan da Silva has been Banchero’s direct replacement at power forward in both of the latter’s absences to date and has put together some solid production, averaging 17.5 points (on 54.2% shooting, including 46.7% from three-point range), 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks across 36.0 minutes per contest.
The 2024 first-round pick’s usage hasn’t been anything particularly remarkable – 18.4% – but he certainly appears to have done enough to hold on to the top job for however long Banchero is sidelined for.
Props to consider while Banchero is out:
- Franz Wagner Overs up to 27.5 points / up to 38.5 points + rebounds + assists
- Desmond Bane Overs up to 23.5 points / up to 32.5 points + rebounds + assists
Jalen Brunson Injury News Today
Brunson has already been ruled out for a second consecutive game Monday due to his ankle injury, a sprain he suffered in a Nov. 12 game against the Magic. Brunson remains without a timetable to return for the moment.
Karl-Anthony Towns typically picks up the most extra work when Brunson is off the floor, leading New York with a 30.6% usage rate and averaging 28.8 points, 14.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks per 36 minutes. KAT’s involvement naturally bumps up even further when he isn’t sharing the court with OG Anunoby, who’s set to miss at least two weeks with a hamstring strain, as the big man’s usage bumps up slightly to 31.3% in such a circumstance.
The guard trio of two-way player Tyler Kolek (25.6%), Landry Shamet (24%) and Jordan Clarkson (21.5%) are next on the leaderboard in terms of usage with both Brunson and Anunoby off the court. However, in Brunson’s first absence in Friday’s game against the Heat, it was Miles McBride who drew the start at point guard and provided nine points, four assists and three rebounds across 30 minutes.
Yet, Shamet was the one who stole the show, coming off the bench to deliver 36 points in 37 minutes while posting a 23.5% usage rate. Notably, McBride has been cleared to play in Monday’s rematch against Miami after previously have been listed as questionable due to a personal issue, but given the disparity in their performances during Brunson’s first absence, it remains to be seen whether he or Shamet will get the starting call.
Props to consider while Brunson is out:
- Karl-Anthony Towns Overs up to 28.5 points / up to 40.5 points + rebounds
- Landry Shamet Overs up to 14.5 points
Notable Shorter-Term NBA Injuries:
- LeBron James, LAL (back)
- Victor Wembanyama, SAN (calf)
- Cade Cunningham, DET (hip)
- Zion Williamson, NOP (hamstring)
- Kawhi Leonard, LAC (ankle)
- Bam Adebayo, MIA (toe)
- Joel Embiid, PHI (knee)
- OG Anunoby, NYK (hamstring)
- Darius Garland, CLE (toe)
- Anthony Davis, DAL (calf)
- Jalen Williams, Thunder (wrist)
- Kelly Oubre, PHI (knee)
- Paul George, PHI (knee)
- Brandon Miller, CHA (shoulder)
- Tobias Harris, DET (ankle)
- Stephon Castle, SAN (hip)
- Benedict Mathurin, IND (toe)
- Jalen Green, PHO (hamstring)
- Jordan Poole, NOP (quadriceps)
- Grayson Allen, PHO (quadriceps)
- Jrue Holiday, POR (calf)
- Jonathan Kuminga, GSW (knee)
- Jalen Suggs, ORL (groin)
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