NBA Injuries October 31 – The NBA Cup tips off tonight, and if you’re looking to bet these games or set your DFS lineups, you need to know who’s actually suiting up. We have all of Friday’s basketball news here.
We’ve got eight games across the slate, and the injury report reads like a MASH unit. Here’s everything you need to know.
Editor’s Note: This article was published at 9 a.m. EST. These player designations will often change by the time tip-off starts!
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NBA Injuries October 31 – Today’s Player News and Updates
LeBron James (Lakers) headlines the injury report. He remains out with right sciatica and won’t make his season debut tonight. Lakers coach JJ Redick confirmed Wednesday that LeBron’s timeline is the second or third week of November—meaning he’ll miss at least the first 10 games of the season. The 40-year-old hasn’t played a single minute yet this year, and the team’s taking the long-view approach to manage the nerve irritation in his glute.
Jayson Tatum (Celtics) is out indefinitely with a right Achilles repair from an injury sustained in last season’s playoffs. The Celtics have not officially ruled him out for the entire 2025-26 season, but all indications point to him missing most, if not all, of the campaign. Boston’s leaning entirely on Jaylen Brown to carry the offensive load.
Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers) suffered a devastating right Achilles tear in Game 7 of last season’s NBA Finals and is out for the season. This is catastrophic for Indiana, who’s already sitting at 0-4 and missing their entire backcourt rotation.
Trae Young (Hawks) is out tonight with a right knee sprain suffered Wednesday night. He exited that game after just seven minutes, but further evaluation revealed it’s a sprain rather than a tear—meaning this isn’t long-term. Young was averaging 20.8 points and 9.5 assists before the injury. He’s considered day-to-day.
Questionable Players and Game Time Decisions
Luka Doncic (Lakers) has been upgraded to questionable after missing the last three games with a left finger sprain and lower left leg contusion. This is huge news for LA. Before his injury, Doncic was absolutely absurd—43 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists in the season opener against Golden State, then 49 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists in his second game.
His swollen finger has reportedly improved significantly, and coach JJ Redick said Doncic could return “in the next couple of games.” His status will be decided pregame.
Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers) is questionable with left hamstring tightness. He was added to the injury report just hours before Wednesday’s loss to Boston but played through it, leading the Cavs with 25 points despite the discomfort. His status against Toronto will be monitored closely, and it’s likely a game-time call.
Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers) is questionable after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his left ring finger during warmups before Wednesday’s game in Boston. The injury occurred about an hour before tip-off, but Allen played through it anyway—scoring 16 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in 25 minutes without any protective support.
X-rays Thursday morning confirmed the fracture. It doesn’t require surgery, but Allen will need to manage swelling and discomfort. His availability tonight is a true coin flip.
Jamal Murray (Nuggets) is questionable with left calf tightness. Murray’s been excellent when healthy this season, averaging 27.0 PPG, but Denver’s being cautious with their star point guard. If he sits, expect Reggie Jackson to run point with usage bumps for Nikola Jokic and the other main starters.
Marcus Smart (Lakers) is questionable with a right quad contusion. The former Grizzly would provide extra motivation and perimeter defense if he suits up against his old team tonight.
NBA Players Out Tonight
Paul George (76ers) remains out recovering from arthroscopic left knee surgery performed during the offseason. There’s no timeline for his return yet. Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe continue carrying enormous offensive loads in his absence—they combined for 74 points in Philadelphia’s season opener.
Darius Garland (Cavaliers) is out with left great toe surgical recovery from an offseason procedure. His absence means Mitchell keeps his elevated usage at point guard when healthy.
Jakob Poeltl (Raptors) is out with low back tightness. Expect Collin Murray-Boyles to start at center again for Toronto.
Coby White (Bulls) is out with a right calf strain. His absence means Josh Giddey keeps his monster ceiling—Giddey’s averaging 19.5 points, 8.5 rebounds (1st among guards), and 7.2 assists this season.
Dillon Brooks (Suns) is out with a core muscle strain, hurting Phoenix’s already shaky perimeter defense. Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen continue to benefit from his absence.
Jalen Green (Suns) is out with a right hamstring strain. Grayson Allen and the wing rotation absorb his minutes.
Scoot Henderson (Trail Blazers) is out with a left hamstring tear and won’t return until mid-November at the earliest.
Indiana Pacers Injury Report
Indiana deserves its own section because their injury situation is legitimately historic. The Pacers are missing eight rotation players tonight:
- OUT: Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles tear – season), T.J. McConnell (left hamstring strain), Andrew Nembhard (left shoulder strain), Bennedict Mathurin (right great toe sprain), Obi Toppin (right foot stress reaction), Kam Jones (lower back stress reaction)
- QUESTIONABLE: Johnny Furphy (left foot bone bruise), Taelon Peter (right groin strain)
Pascal Siakam (26.3 PPG) is essentially playing 1-on-5 right now. This is why the Pacers are 0-4 and why Atlanta’s favored despite also missing Trae Young.
Probable NBA Players Tonight
- Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks) is probable with a right quad strain. He’s been solid all season and should play.
- Guerschon Yabusele (Knicks) is probable with a left knee sprain.
- Shaedon Sharpe (Trail Blazers) is probable with left calf soreness.
- Cameron Johnson (Nuggets) is probable with right shoulder inflammation.
The Long-Term Absences
These guys won’t factor into tonight but are worth knowing:
- Jared McCain (76ers): Out with right thumb surgery recovery (but back soon)
- Max Strus (Cavaliers): Out with left foot surgery (Jones fracture)
- Sam Merrill (Cavaliers): Out with right hip contusion
- Zach Collins (Bulls): Out with left scaphoid fracture
- Brandon Clarke (Grizzlies): Out with right knee surgery recovery
- Zach Edey (Grizzlies): Out with left ankle surgery recovery
- Ty Jerome (Grizzlies): Out with right calf strain
- Scotty Pippen Jr. (Grizzlies): Out with left great toe surgery recovery
- Matisse Thybulle (Trail Blazers): Out with left thumb sprain
- Georges Niang (Jazz): Out with left foot stress reaction
- Dejounte Murray (Pelicans): Out with right Achilles rupture
- Kevon Looney (Pelicans): Doubtful with left knee sprain
- Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers) remains out for the season
