Anthony Davis and Jalen Johnson Are Questionable for Wizards at Hawks as Anthony Edwards and Ja Morant Stay Out: Friday NBA Injury Watch and Fantasy Pivots

Friday's nine-game NBA slate comes with a crowded injury report, and the most important decision is in Atlanta, where Washington's Anthony Davis is questionable with a sprained right ankle for a rematch with the Hawks. Atlanta's Jalen Johnson is also questionable with a left ankle sprain. Elsewhere, Jayson Tatum is cleared after a rest day, while Minnesota's Anthony Edwards and Portland's Ja Morant remain sidelined by longer-term injuries. Here is what every key status means for your lineups and who picks up the slack.

Anthony Davis: a game-time decision in Atlanta

Davis hurt his right ankle in the first quarter of Wednesday's 120-105 loss to the Hawks when he landed on AJ Dybantsa's foot after going up for a jump. He stayed in the game and finished with 26 points in 30 minutes, which is a hint that the sprain is not severe. The Wizards are expected to evaluate him at shootaround and in pregame warmups before deciding.

Davis has played in eight of Washington's nine games and has been excellent in fantasy.

If Davis plays, start him as usual. A minor sprain that he played through for three quarters on Wednesday should not limit his minutes much.

If Davis sits, Alexandre Sarr is the top beneficiary. Sarr would get more opportunities as the primary big, with added rebounds and blocks, and he is a strong one-day streamer in that scenario. Deandre Ayton would also see an expanded role, making him a deeper-league pivot for rebounds.

Jalen Johnson and Atlanta's thin rotation

Jalen Johnson is questionable with a sprained left ankle, and the Hawks have already ruled out Jock Landale, Asa Newell and Keshon Gilbert. That is a lot of frontcourt and depth absences at once.

If Johnson plays, he remains a strong start given his all-around box-score production. If he sits, the Hawks' remaining rotation players see a usage bump, and Atlanta's secondary forwards become streaming targets for rebounds and minutes.

Jayson Tatum is cleared, Kon Knueppel is out

Tatum sat Wednesday's game against Milwaukee for planned rest and is off the injury report for Friday's game in Charlotte. Start him without hesitation. Boston is a sizable road favorite, so the only small risk is a lopsided score that limits fourth-quarter minutes.

Charlotte will be without Kon Knueppel and Grant Williams, and Dennis Schroder and Moussa Diabate are both questionable. Knueppel's absence removes a primary scorer, which pushes usage toward the Hornets' remaining creators. If Schroder plays, he becomes a useful assists streamer. Boston guard Payton Pritchard dealt with an eye issue earlier in the week, so check his status before relying on him.

Anthony Edwards remains out for Minnesota

Edwards had a successful arthroscopic debridement on his right knee on October 29, and sources told ESPN he could miss up to two months. The Timberwolves expect a full recovery. Donte DiVincenzo is also out following surgery to repair his right Achilles tendon, and Terrence Shannon Jr. is questionable with a left hip contusion for Friday's NBA Cup game in New Orleans.

For fantasy, the Edwards absence is a long one. Managers should use their IL slot and look for usage-driven pickups. Minnesota's remaining guards and wings, including Shannon if he is healthy, absorb the scoring load. The absence also carries real-world stakes: missing two months would keep Edwards below the league's 65-game threshold for MVP and All-NBA honors.

On the Pelicans' side, Yves Missi is out with a left knee issue and Trey Murphy III is probable. Start Murphy as usual.

Ja Morant is out at least four weeks

Portland's Ja Morant suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in late October, and the Trail Blazers said he would be re-evaluated in four weeks. A doctor interviewed by Portland's KATU said a Grade 2 hamstring strain typically falls in a four-to-six-week window, depending on how the player responds to rehab. He will not play Friday against the Lakers.

Jrue Holiday is the main beneficiary, absorbing more of Portland's guard minutes and ball-handling. He is a solid start in category leagues for assists, steals and threes while Morant is out.

Friday's injury board

Here is the full picture for the key names.

Betting angle

The Davis decision is the swing factor in Wizards at Hawks. If he is ruled out, expect the line to move toward Atlanta, though Johnson's status cuts the other way. Minnesota's line in New Orleans already reflects Edwards' absence, but the Shannon decision could move it further. For the model's view on Friday's slate, see the NBA predictions page and the daily NBA picks piece.

What to do in your league

Start Tatum. Leave Davis in your lineup only if your platform allows late swaps or you have a fallback in a later game; otherwise, have Sarr ready as a pivot. Move Edwards and Morant to IL slots and use the freed roster spots on usage beneficiaries, with Jrue Holiday the safest. Check the Hawks and Hornets reports before lineup lock, because Johnson and Schroder are the remaining swing decisions.