Golden State Warriors guard/forward Gary Payton II might have to come out of the lineup on Thursday against the Lakers due to an illness. The defensive specialist returned to action from a hamstring strain right before the All-Star break and featured in four consecutive games. However, it looks like he might have to sit out some action again on Thursday, with the team officially regarding him as questionable for the contest. Health issues have limited Gary Payton II to only 20 appearances this season. Lester Quinones and Moses Moody will battle for the available minutes if Payton II can't play on Thursday, though neither is a good fantasy option.

Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Christian Wood won't play on Thursday against the Warriors and will be out for approximately two weeks with an effusion in his left knee. Wood's absence will leave the Lakers without a big body off the bench. However, the team should be able to cope with the situation, with Jaxson Hayes soaking in most of Wood's minutes. With that said, unless your name is Anthony Davis, you have no business being on a fantasy team as a Lakers big.

Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Cam Reddish (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against Golden State. He's been sidelined for 11 games with a right ankle sprain but might be ready to return on Thursday. However, Reddish will find himself in a completely new situation compared to the time he was healthy. The 24-year-old has been a starter for most of the season, but the Lakers have been on a roll with a new starting five during his absence, and Reddish figures to play a smaller role for the rest of the way. However, he might still get a shot in the starting unit on Thursday due to LeBron James' (ankle) absence.

Dallas Mavericks guard Dante Exum (knee) will sit out an 11th consecutive game on Thursday versus the Suns. He's been sidelined with a right knee issue, and Exum's good comeback campaign has turned into misery, as the Australian guard has missed all but three games in 2024 with health issues. According to Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, Exum is "going in the right direction" and did non-contact work in Wednesday's practice. But it might still take a while until he's ready to play again.

Dallas Mavericks forward/center Maxi Kleber (nose) looks set to return from a one-game absence on Thursday versus Phoenix, as the team has listed him as probable for the game. Kleber missed a long stretch at the beginning of the season with a dislocated toe, and the team continues to have him on the injury report with the issue, while he also recently fractured his nose. However, Kleber has skipped only two of the last 16 games, and we should see him active on Thursday. Kleber's availability adds a frontcourt option to Dallas, but he doesn't carry much fantasy value following the arrivals of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford.