April 9, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward
Kobe Brown (back) is ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Brown was forced to exit early during Tuesday's game due to a back issue. He's not feeling 100 percent yet, but fantasy managers should check back for another update ahead of Friday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. His absence should mean larger roles for
Jarace Walker,
Obi Toppin, and
Jalen Slawson. Walker likely has the highest upside among the three players ahead of Thursday's slate.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
April 9, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard
Ben Sheppard (hip) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. This marks the third game in a row that Sheppard has missed due to a lingering hip issue. His next chance to play will come on Friday, so fantasy managers should check for another update ahead of that contest.
Quenton Jackson and
Ethan Thompson should see a boost in playing time with Sheppard sidelined. Jackson is the better fantasy option between the two, with 10 or more points scored in three of his last five games.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
April 9, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward
Jarace Walker (hip) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Walker is dealing with a hip issue, but it won't be enough to hold him out of this contest. He finished with 11 points, five assists, and six rebounds across 28 minutes of action during Tuesday's game. Given the injuries to this roster, Walker is likely going to continue playing significant minutes over the final few games of the regular season. He's usually a consistent enough contributor to be trusted as a DFS option ahead of Thursday's game.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
April 9, 2026
According to Zack Cox of the Boston Herald, Boston Celtics forward
Sam Hauser (back) is available for Thursday's matchup against the New York Knicks. Lower-back spasms won't keep him out, as this will be his 26th consecutive appearance. Hauser has been a regular starter for Boston in 2026, averaging 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists since joining the first unit. The 28-year-old could see an increased role with
Jaylen Brown (Achilles) sidelined tonight.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Zack Cox
April 9, 2026
Chicago Bulls guard
Collin Sexton (finger) is expected to suit up for Thursday's matchup against the Washington Wizards. Sexton was previously listed as probable due to a right finger injury but has since been cleared to play. He profiles as a solid streaming option and should see increased usage tonight, especially given his recent play. Over his last nine games, he is averaging 19.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.8 steals in 27.6 minutes per contest.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
April 9, 2026
According to Taylor Snow of the Boston Celtics' official site, center
Neemias Queta (toe) will play against the New York Knicks on Thursday. Despite dealing with a toe sprain, the 26-year-old is set to suit up. Fortunately,
Derrick White (knee) is also available after previously being listed as questionable, as
Jaylen Brown (Achilles) is on the shelf. Queta has been on a strong run recently, averaging 16.3 points and 8.3 rebounds across 30.3 minutes per game over his last four outings.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Taylor Snow
April 9, 2026
According to Taylor Snow of the Boston Celtics' official site, guard
Derrick White (knee) is available for Thursday's matchup with the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Despite dealing with a right knee contusion, he has been cleared to play tonight. The 31-year-old should be considered a strong fantasy option with an increased offensive role, especially with
Jaylen Brown (Achilles) on the shelf.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Taylor Snow
April 9, 2026
Golden State Warriors point guard
Stephen Curry (knee) is unavailable for Thursday's matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. The two-time MVP has just returned from a knee injury, but he will have the first leg of a back-to-back off for injury maintenance. Curry should be back in action on Friday against Sacramento.
Pat Spencer and
Brandin Podziemski will likely take on extended minutes in Curry's absence.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
April 9, 2026
Boston Celtics guard/forward
Jaylen Brown (Achilles) will miss Thursday's matchup against the New York Knicks. He will sit out the first leg of a back-to-back due to left Achilles tendinitis.
Derrick White (knee) is also listed as questionable, meaning Boston could be without two of its top scorers.
Jayson Tatum could be in line for an increased offensive workload as he returns to the arena where he tore his Achilles tendon last year.
Payton Pritchard and
Nikola Vucevic could also take on expanded roles, especially if White is ultimately ruled out.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
April 9, 2026
According to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, the Philadelphia 76ers announced that center
Joel Embiid (appendicitis) is undergoing emergency surgery in Houston on Thursday after being diagnosed with appendicitis a few hours before the team's matchup with the Rockets. It's unclear when the 32-year-old big man will be able to return to the floor. With Embiid sidelined,
Adem Bona and
Andre Drummond should handle the bulk of the minutes at center over the final stretch of the regular season.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Tim Bontemps
April 9, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward
Jarace Walker (back) could be back in street clothes on Thursday night, as the team has listed him as questionable for a meeting with the Brooklyn Nets. Walker shook off a back injury to end a four-game absence on Tuesday against Minnesota, recording 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. If he plays on Thursday, Walker is expected to see higher offensive usage again, as Indiana will remain without
Pascal Siakam (ankle) and
Andrew Nembhard (back). Walker's absence would open up more playing time for
Obi Toppin,
Jalen Slawson, and
Kobe Brown (back).
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 9, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard/forward
Aaron Nesmith (neck) will sit out Thursday's matchup with the Brooklyn Nets, missing his sixth consecutive game. Health issues have limited Nesmith to just 45 outings this campaign, and there's no point in bringing him back for the final regular-season games.
Pascal Siakam (ankle) and
Andrew Nembhard (back) are also out, so reserves like
Ethan Thompson,
Jalen Slawson, and
Quenton Jackson will have more prominent roles in a favorable fantasy matchup. Given how poor both defenses have been this season, it should be a free-scoring game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 9, 2026
Indiana Pacers guards
Andrew Nembhard (back) and
T.J. McConnell (hamstring) will remain out on Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets. Both players exited the lineup at the start of the month and will sit out a fifth consecutive game, as Nembhard is dealing with a back problem and McConnell is managing a hamstring injury. With the two playmakers sidelined, Indiana will continue to rely more on
Quenton Jackson,
Ethan Thompson, and
Kam Jones in the backcourt. Of the trio, Thompson had the best outing in Tuesday's loss to Minnesota, tallying a team-high 17 points. Thompson formed the starting backcourt with Jackson, who finished with nine points, four assists, and one steal.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 9, 2026
Miami Heat guard
Dru Smith (foot) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Toronto Raptors. He didn't play on Tuesday night against the Raptors, and it's unclear whether he will be part of the lineup for Thursday's rematch as Smith nurses a sore right foot. The 28-year-old has been highly rated by the organization, but his playing time has dried up recently. Over his last five outings, Smith has averaged just 8.4 minutes per game. Miami won't feel his absence if Smith isn't available on Thursday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 9, 2026
Miami Heat guard/forward
Norman Powell (groin) is questionable for Thursday's tilt against the Toronto Raptors. These teams also played in Toronto on Tuesday, and Powell returned to action after missing four games due to illness. He might now take some time off again because of a sore right groin.
Pelle Larsson has benefited from Powell's absence and would be worthy of fantasy consideration if he remains in the starting lineup on Thursday. The Swedish sophomore has posted 12.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game in a starting role this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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