NBA Injury Report Jan. 22: Betting Impact of Nikola Jokic & Kawhi Leonard Today

The Warriors are facing the reality of Jimmy Butler being out for the season after losing at home to the Raptors in their first game without him. Meanwhile, Denver continues to fight without Nikola Jokic, who is still sidelined, forcing the Nuggets to adjust without their 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists per game hub.

The other major hinge is Kawhi Leonard‘s status in Los Angeles. The Clippers’ ceiling looks very different if Leonard (knee) cannot go, especially with Bogdan Bogdanovic already sidelined. Dallas is also still without Anthony Davis as they host Golden State.

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Denver Nuggets @ Washington Wizards Injury Report & Trends

Denver enters shorthanded at the top, and Washington has multiple starters on the report.
Nikola Jokic is out, and Denver’s results dip: 22-10 with him (plus-7.2 net rating) versus 7-5 without him (minus-3.2).
The Nuggets are also waiting on Jonas Valanciunas (calf) questionable, a major frontcourt hinge: 23-9 with him (plus-7.4 net rating) versus 6-6 without him (minus-3.7).
If Valanciunas sits, Denver’s listed starting group already leans smaller, with Aaron Gordon (hamstring) probable starting at center.
Washington has a key availability cluster. Khris Middleton (illness) is questionable, and the Wizards have cratered without him: 9-20 with him (minus-10.6 net rating) versus 1-12 without him (minus-12.0).
Bilal Coulibaly (back) is questionable, and Washington is 7-18 with him (minus-11.8) versus 3-14 without him (minus-9.9).
Tristan Vukcevic (hamstring) is out, and Washington is 4-18 with him (minus-15.6) versus 6-14 without him (minus-6.0).
Betting angle: Denver’s offense has still been productive this season, but the Jokic-out profile is a clear downgrade. If Valanciunas also sits, the market has to price a thinner interior rotation.

Charlotte Hornets @ Orlando Magic Injury Report & Trends

Orlando’s main question is in the backcourt, while Charlotte is on the second night of a back-to-back.
Jalen Suggs (MCL) is questionable, and Orlando has been better with him: 13-9 with Suggs (plus-2.7 net rating) versus 9-10 without (minus-3.2).
If Suggs sits, Orlando’s listed starters already feature Anthony Black and Desmond Bane, which can keep creation stable while shifting more on-ball work to Black.
Charlotte’s injury report is mostly clean, with only Mason Plumlee ruled out, and he is merely a role player for them.
Betting angle: Suggs is the only real needle-mover here.

Houston Rockets @ Philadelphia 76ers Injury Report & Trends

This game has two Philadelphia starters on the report, and Houston is missing a rotation big.
Joel Embiid is day-to-day, and Philadelphia has been steady either way: 13-10 with Embiid (plus-2.3 net rating) versus 10-8 without (plus-2.1).
Embiid still matters for matchup-specific reasons as a 24.2 points-per-game scorer with a 33.5% usage rate, even if the team-level splits are stable.
Paul George is questionable, and Philadelphia is again similar in results: 13-10 with George (plus-2.5) versus 10-8 without (plus-1.8).
Houston is without Steven Adams, and the Rockets have been strong regardless: 21-11 with Adams (plus-7.4) versus 5-4 without (plus-2.8).
Betting angle: This is more about how Philadelphia’s shot profile changes if Embiid or George sits, with Tyrese Maxey positioned as the primary engine either way.

Golden State Warriors @ Dallas Mavericks Injury Report & Trends

Golden State is missing a major piece, and Dallas is already without a high-usage star.
Jimmy Butler is out for the season, and the Warriors just lost at home to the Raptors in their first game without him. Golden State’s season results swing hard: 23-15 with Butler (plus-4.8 net rating) versus 2-5 without (minus-7.1).
With Butler out, the Warriors lean even more on Stephen Curry’s scoring and creation, with Brandin Podziemski and Draymond Green handling more connective playmaking.
Dallas is without Anthony Davis, and the Mavericks have been worse without him: 10-10 with Davis (minus-2.9) versus 8-16 without (minus-2.0).
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is questionable, and Dallas has a dramatic split: 8-21 with Gafford (minus-4.2) versus 10-5 without him (plus-1.1).
Betting angle: The cleanest signal is Golden State’s Butler split. If Gafford sits, Dallas likely leans more into its perimeter creators and smaller lineups.

Chicago Bulls @ Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report & Trends

Chicago has a key ball-handler who is questionable, and Minnesota is relatively clean.
Josh Giddey (hamstring) is questionable, and Chicago is 15-15 with him (minus-3.9 net rating) versus 6-7 without (plus-2.1).
If Giddey sits, more initiation likely flows to Coby White, with Nikola Vucevic operating as a hub in the half-court.
Zach Collins is out, and Chicago is 6-4 with him (minus-2.4) versus 15-18 without (minus-2.0).
Minnesota’s only listed absence is Terrence Shannon Jr., and the Wolves are 13-7 with him (plus-3.0) versus 14-10 without (plus-6.9).
Betting angle: Giddey’s status is the only meaningful lever. Minnesota’s baseline looks stable.

San Antonio Spurs @ Utah Jazz Injury Report & Trends

Utah is missing its top scorer, and San Antonio is down a rotation guard.
Lauri Markkanen is out, and Utah’s season has fallen apart without him: 14-19 with Markkanen (minus-5.6 net rating) versus 1-10 without (minus-15.5).
Markkanen’s absence removes a 27.9 points-per-game scorer with a 27.6% usage rate, forcing more creation onto Keyonte George and the guards.
Keyonte George is day-to-day, which adds another layer. Utah is 15-28 with him (minus-7.9) versus 0-1 without (minus-17.0).
San Antonio is without Devin Vassell (thigh), but the Spurs have still been strong: 23-9 with Vassell (plus-5.9) versus 7-5 without (plus-2.8).
Betting angle: Utah’s Markkanen-out profile is one of the slate’s clearest downgrades. San Antonio’s offense should face less resistance if Utah’s creation thins further.

Miami Heat @ Portland Trail Blazers Injury Report & Trends

Miami is missing a high-usage scorer, and Portland has multiple rotation pieces questionable.
Tyler Herro is out, and Miami has been much better without him: 4-7 with Herro (minus-5.5 net rating) versus 19-14 without (plus-3.6).
Herro’s absence still removes a 21.9 points-per-game scorer, and it keeps more offense flowing through Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell.
Portland has two key questionables. Jerami Grant (achilles), and the Blazers are 13-15 with Grant (minus-1.6) versus 9-6 without (minus-1.5).
Jrue Holiday (calf) is also questionable, and Portland is 8-8 with Holiday (minus-0.1) versus 14-13 without (minus-2.4).
Robert Williams III (knee) is questionable, and Portland is 14-14 with him (minus-1.7) versus 8-7 without (minus-1.4).
Betting angle: Miami’s Herro split is counterintuitive but real this season. Portland’s questionable cluster matters more for rotation clarity than for a single massive team-level swing.

Los Angeles Lakers @ Los Angeles Clippers Injury Report & Trends

This is the slate’s biggest late-scratch risk, driven by one superstar.
Kawhi Leonard (knee) is questionable, and the Clippers’ season swings sharply: 15-14 with Leonard (plus-1.7 net rating) versus 4-9 without (minus-7.1).
Leonard is also a 28.2 points-per-game scorer with a 32.2% usage rate, so his availability impacts both shot quality and defensive matchups.
The Clippers are also missing Bogdan Bogdanovic, which further narrows the wing scoring pool.
The Lakers are without Austin Reaves (calf). Los Angeles is 14-8 with Reaves (minus-0.8) versus 11-8 without (minus-0.4).
Betting angle: This game is a classic wait-and-react spot. Leonard’s status is the market mover, and it can also reshape player prop ladders around James Harden’s playmaking.

NBA Injury Statistical Impact Analysis Jan. 22

Denver is 22-10 with Nikola Jokic (plus-7.2 net rating) versus 7-5 without him (minus-3.2).
Golden State is 23-15 with Jimmy Butler (plus-4.8 net rating) versus 2-5 without him (minus-7.1).
Utah is 14-19 with Lauri Markkanen (minus-5.6 net rating) versus 1-10 without him (minus-15.5).
Los Angeles is 15-14 with Kawhi Leonard (plus-1.7 net rating) versus 4-9 without him (minus-7.1).

NBA Injury Betting And Fantasy Implications

Monitor Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas replacements in Denver’s frontcourt, with Aaron Gordon listed as the starting center.
Golden State without Jimmy Butler III typically means more offensive burden on Stephen Curry, with secondary creation pushed to Brandin Podziemski and Draymond Green.
Utah without Lauri Markkanen forces more volume onto Keyonte George and the remaining starters, especially if George is limited.
If Kawhi Leonard sits, James Harden becomes the clear offensive hub, and the Clippers’ scoring hierarchy tightens.
Philadelphia’s injury questions keep Tyrese Maxey positioned for heavy on-ball responsibility if Joel Embiid or Paul George sits.

NBA Injury Players To Monitor

Jonas Valanciunas, Denver Nuggets
Khris Middleton, Washington Wizards
Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards
Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers
Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors
Daniel Gafford, Dallas Mavericks
Patrick Williams, Chicago Bulls
Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls
Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers
Jrue Holiday, Portland Trail Blazers
Robert Williams III, Portland Trail Blazers
Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

The Betting Edge

The slate’s cleanest team-level downgrades come from Nikola Jokic, Jimmy Butler, Lauri Markkanen, and Kawhi Leonard. The best approach is patience. Wait for final statuses, then attack sides, totals, and props that reprice off those core availability swings.

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Data from Blitz. Stats as of January 22.