Daily Fantasy Basketball Injury Report: Thursday 1/5/17
It's an abnormally large Thursday slate of games and with the injuries piling up, it's important to note the most important ones and getting some organization on the half dozen game time decisions tonight.
Notable Injuries
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard has missed five straight games, but the Portland Trail Blazers put up a good showing against the Golden State Warriors last night without him. The problem is we haven't heard much on his status for Thursday in Portland, but there is some hope.
Lillard has been ramping up his activity over the last few days, and CSN's Jason Quick thinks Lillard has a good chance to return tonight. Stay tuned, because Lillard's status obviously impacts C.J. McCollum's cash-game value.
Tyreke Evans, New Orleans Pelicans
Tyreke Evans hasn't played more than 19 minutes in his first eight games of the year, but like most players who come back from major injuries, Evans is experiencing some issues. He has some back spasms and is questionable on Thursday. Jrue Holiday is already a strong play tonight, but he may get a slight boost if Evans is out. Solomon Hill and E'Twaun Moore could also get a lift.
Cody Zeller, Charlotte Hornets
Cody Zeller recently passed the first stage of the league's concussion protocol, but it seems like he is questionable at best tonight. Expect Frank Kaminsky and Spencer Hawes to be decent tournament options, assuming Zeller is still out.
Patrick Beverley, Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets may be without Patrick Beverley tonight as he is dealing with pain in his wrist. He is officially a game-time decision, and we can look for Eric Gordon to play big minutes if Beverley is out.
Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets
In the last two games that Kenneth Faried has missed because of back spasms, there have been some nice value plays popping up in the Denver Nuggets' frontcourt. Jusuf Nurkic is averaging an absurd 1.6 FanDuel points per minute over his last two games while Nikola Jokic, Darrell Arthur and Wilson Chandler all get a slight bump if Faried (questionable) is out.
Dante Exum, Utah Jazz
George Hill remains on the sidelines for Thursday, but Dante Exum is ready to return against the Toronto Raptors. This obviously puts a small damper on Shelvin Mack's DFS potential, but it's unknown how many minutes Exum will play. Mack could still find his way into 28 to 30 minutes tonight.
Luol Deng, Los Angeles Lakers
Luol Deng is suffering from bicep tendinitis and is questionable for Thursday's game. He has yet to miss a game this season, but if he is out, Brandon Ingram might get some extended run, as could the Swag-master himself, Nick Young.
Lesser Injuries
Brandon Knight, Phoenix Suns
Brandon Knight missed Tuesday's game due to a combination of a wrist injury and a spot in Earl Watson's doghouse, but he is ready to return tonight. Who knows what you'll get out of him, though.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brooklyn Nets
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is out tonight after not traveling to Indianapolis. The Brooklyn Nets will almost certainly use a committee to cover his minutes, so there isn't a huge boost of DFS value. Caris LeVert, Bojan Bogdanovic and Joe Harris stand to pick up some minutes, though.
Patrick Patterson, Toronto Raptors
Patrick Patterson has missed the last two games for the Raptors, and we haven't heard anything on his status for Thursday. If he is out again, Pascal Siakam will likely play around 30 minutes.
Aron Baynes, Detroit Pistons
Aron Baynes missed shootaround this morning and looks like he will not play tonight. Andre Drummond could get a lot of run with Baynes out, and Drummond is a strong DFS option against a depleted Hornets frontcourt.
