New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau says forward OG Anunoby (elbow) will not play in Thursday's game versus the Indiana Pacers. Anunoby requires a third consecutive absence due to inflammation in his right elbow, and he'll look to return to the court on Saturday against the Los Angeles Lakers for the third game of New York's six-game homestand. After starting the past two contests and dropping 18 points in 40 minutes in Tuesday's win over the Utah Jazz, Precious Achiuwa remains an adequate streaming choice in fantasy hoops and should play heavy minutes again with Quentin Grimes (knee) also out for the Knicks.

Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (knee) is out for Thursday's tilt against the Memphis Grizzlies. This is a bit of a surprise, considering head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said following Wednesday's win over the Detroit Pistons that the plan was for Mobley to play on Thursday. The Cavs will instead err on the side of caution and manage the left knee of the 22-year-old former No. 3 overall pick, who had been sidelined since early December before returning to play on Monday following arthroscopic surgery. Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro are candidates to return to Cleveland's starting five against Memphis, with the latter being the more attractive fantasy option as a low-end streamer. Over 24 games as a starter this season, Okoro has averaged 10.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 threes.

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle says guard Bennedict Mathurin (toe) is still out for Thursday's meeting with the New York Knicks. This will mark Mathurin's second straight absence due to a sprained right toe, and he'll have a quick turnaround if he wants to return for Indy's next game, which arrives back home on Friday versus the visiting Sacramento Kings. The 22-year-old offensive-minded wing has been a far superior fantasy asset in points leagues, recording 14.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.3 treys per game on 36.4% shooting from beyond the arc in his second season. With T.J. McConnell (illness) back in the fold on Thursday, Andrew Nembhard can play more of a two-guard role from the Pacers' second unit. Keep an eye on rookie Ben Sheppard's minutes in very deep leagues while Mathurin remains unavailable.

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) is available for Thursday's matchup against the New York Knicks. Haliburton said on Wednesday that he expected to play against the Knicks, and the Pacers have officially cleared him to play. After Haliburton was restricted to 22 minutes in Tuesday's narrow loss to the Boston Celtics, the 23-year-old's minutes will reportedly be similarly monitored on Thursday in his second game back from a strained left hamstring. Haliburton is collecting a stellar 23.3 points on 49.1% shooting from the field, 4.1 rebounds, 3.3 triples, and 1.1 steals and leads the NBA with 12.5 assists per game this season. The All-Star point guard should be started in all season-long fantasy formats, but his playing-time cap makes him a risky DFS investment in a difficult matchup against New York.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) is out for Thursday's contest against the Boston Celtics. Thursday's clash between two storied franchises has lost plenty of luster, with the Lakers also ruling out co-superstar Anthony Davis (Achilles/hip) against the Celtics. Dealing with left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, King James sets his sights toward returning for Saturday's battle with the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves should orchestrate L.A.'s offense and experience big jumps in usage on Thursday, but this game has a chance to get out of hand. Reaves dropped a season-high 28 points with Davis out of action in Tuesday's defeat to the Atlanta Hawks, while Russell is running hot with averages of 25.2 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.3 three-pointers on 48.3% shooting from deep over his last 10 games.