RADIO
RotoBaller has assembled NBA injury updates and advice on various injury situations throughout the NBA to prepare for your daily lineups on February 26, 2016. Understanding the injury landscape, and who plans to benefit instead, is critical for setting your fantasy basketball lineups daily.
Here we will focus on the important questions: Who is injured? When are they coming back? Should you stash an injured player on your roster? Who is getting an opportunity in the mean time?
This injury analysis should assist in setting your daily lineups for both DFS formats and seasonal leagues. Consider this your one-stop overview of fantasy-relevant injuries in the NBA.
NBA Daily Lineup Injury News and Updates for 2/26/16
Returning From Injury
Eric Gordon (SG, NO): The shooting guard for the Pelicans is officially slated to start at SG for the Pelicans on Saturday. With Alonzo Gee having to start at SG after Bryce Dejean-Jones suffered a broken wrist, Gordon's return won't be a moment too soon for the Pelicans.
Rodney Stuckey (PG/SG, IND): Stuckey should be back Friday, but will be on a minute restriction. He's not worth playing yet as he will only come off the bench in "short bursts" according to Coach Vogel.
Questionable To Play
Tony Allen (SG/SF, MEM): Allen was active Wednesday but did not play and is very much questionable for Friday's game. The fact that he was suited up to play though was a good sign so it is possible Allen will receive some minutes. Unfortunately, he's still not worth playing based on the uncertainty around his playing time.
Clint Capela (PF/C, HOU): Capela missed Thursday's action with an ankle sprain and it doesn't look good for Friday. Avoid in all formats for now.
Pau Gasol (PF/C, CHI): Gasol has been dealing with an illness, but played through it on Wednesday. As such, he should be good to go after an off day on Thursday.
T.J. McConnell (PG, PHI): McConnell is looking like a game-time decision for Friday after spraining his ankle Tuesday. He already missed Wednesday's action and the Sixers haven't given any updates on his status.
Jameer Nelson (PG, DEN): Nelson has been active the last two games, but hasn't played as it appears the Nuggets are easing him back into action. There's no need to force him back into playing with the recent acquisition of D.J. Augustin.
Derrick Rose (PG, CHI): Rose is dealing with a hamstring injury and is a game-time decision for Friday. He went through shootaround but is still dealing with discomfort which forced him to miss Wednesday's game. E'Twaun and Aaron Brooks would see additional minutes if Rose sits.
Iman Shumpert (SG/SF, CLE): While Coach Lue was optimistic about Shumpert's chances to return on Friday, Shumpert himself was not so confident. It's looking like a game-time decision as Shumpert may still need to rest his shoulder.
Marcus Smart (PG, BOS): Smart returned to action Thursday although he was not particularly effective. This does bode well for him playing Friday, even if he does not make for the strongest PG play this game.
Out Short Term
Omer Asik (C, NO): Asik is out for two weeks with a right ankle sprain. Alexis Ajinca is the main beneficiary here.
Jerryd Bayless (PG/SG, MIL): Bayless has a hyperextended knee and is out for Friday. Michael Carter-Williams and O.J. Mayo will see a boost in his absence.
Kevin Garnett (PF/C, MIN): Garnett has been dealing with a sore knee, and still hasn't practiced. Young stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng have been seeing massive minutes in his absence.
Spencer Hawes (PF/C, CHA): Hawes missed Wednesday's game with a back injury and even if he is able to go Friday, he isn't likely to see much time anyway as he's buried in the Hornet depth chart.
C.J. Miles (SG/SF, IND): Miles has been ruled out for Friday with a calf injury and is expected to miss Sunday's game too.
Mo Williams (PG/SG, CLE): Williams' knee will keep him out Friday and Sunday. He was buried on the depth chat anyway so it's basically irrelevant.
No Timetable to Return
John Henson (PF/C, MIL): Henson has been out since January 26th with a bad back and is still unable to even practice. Miles Plumlee and Greg Monroe have picked up the slack in his absence.
Stanley Johnson (SG/SF, DET): Johnson has been shut down until at least March and will be reevaluated in a week.
Brandon Knight (PG/SG, PHO): Knight has been out since January 19th with a groin injury, and the timetable for his return remains murky. Archie Goodwin and Devin Booker will shoulder the load until Knight is ready to go.
On the Mend
Alec Burks (PG/SG, UTA): Burks is expected back at any time for the Jazz.. His return could cut into the minutes of Trey Burke, Rodney Hood, and Raul Neto.
Donatas Motiejunas (SF/PF, HOU): Montiejunas has been out since the new year with a back ailment, and saw his trade to the Pistons rescinded after doctors refused to clear him. He has indicated he's interested in playing soon, but his minutes will definitely be restricted if and when he does return to the court for the Rockets. He'll compete with Josh Smith, Terrence Jones, Montrezl Harrell, K.J. McDaniels, and various small ball forwards for action in Houston's crowded power forward rotation.
Out Long Term
Chris Bosh (PF/C, MIA): There are whispers coming out of Miami that Bosh may miss the rest of the season because of blood clotting in his calf. Given that Bosh has had issues with this in the past, the team will likely proceed with extreme caution and it looks like his 2016 season is over. Amar'e Stoudemire, Justise Winslow, and Josh McRoberts could all see a boost in playing time with Bosh out.
Jimmy Butler (SG/SF, CHI): Butler is suffering from a balky knee, and his return is still "a ways away." E'Twaun Moore has been starting at the 2 for Chicago and is being given a ton of usage in big minutes. Derrick Rose, himself banged up as usual, has also seen a bump in usage, while the likes of Doug McDermott, Mike Dunleavy, and Tony Snell will see some added minutes on the wing.
DeMarre Carroll (PF, TOR): Carroll had knee surgery in December, and is reportedly ahead of schedule with his recovery. There's a long-shot chance he comes back for the end of the year, so if you have an unused IR spot, stashing him there is better than nothing. In the mean time, Terrence Ross and Patrick Patterson will continue to see a boost production from Carroll's absence. The Raptors are reportedly big players in the trade market.
Bryce Dejean-Jones (PG/SG, NO): Dejean-Jones has a broken wrist. Eric Gordon is returning on Saturday and will reclaim his starting spot at the 2.
Tyreke Evans (PG/SG, NO): Evans will reportedly have surgery on his knee and miss the remainder of the season. Norris Cole remain starter for the rest of the year, with Jrue Holiday and Bryce Dejean-Jones continuing to play big roles.
Marc Gasol (C, MEM): Marc Gasol has a broken foot and is out indefinitely. In his absence, Zach Randolph will see a lot more run, while Brandan Wright will also play a big role as he returns from his own injury. JaMychal Green and the newly acquired Chris Andersen will also help fill the void.
Manu Ginobili (SG/SF, SA): Cringe warning: the Argentine had to have testicular surgery after taking a knee to the crotch from Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson. He'll be out until at least early March. Danny Green might find his way back to last season's fantasy value if he ends up taking on a bunch of Ginobili's minutes. Jonathan Simmons and Patty Mills could also see more run off the bench.
Blake Griffin (PF/C, LAC): Griffin, who broke his hand in a fight with the team trainers, will likely be out with the injury until sometime in March, after which he'll face a four game suspension for the fight. The Clippers have been managing without Griffin and Chris Paul, J.J. Redick, and DeAndre Jordan have stepped up in his absence, and they should continue to have increased value without him. Cole Aldrich and Wesley Johnson have also gained relevance with extended playing time.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF, CHA): MKG is out for the season now as he received surgery on his torn labrum. The Hornets have acquired Courtney Lee to help fill the void on the wing.
Nikola Mirotic (SF/PF, CHI): Mirotic still appears to be a few weeks away with complications from appendix surgery. Bobby Portis will continue to be a good play unless Chicago makes some moves at the trade deadline to shake up the rotation.
Kelly Olynyk (C, BOS): Olynyk's has a painful shoulder injury. While it won't require surgery, he'll be out until around mid-March. Tyler Zeller, Jared Sullinger, Amir Johnson, and Jonas Jerebko could all see more run than usual in the Celtics' unpredictable frontcourt rotation.
Austin Rivers (PG/SG, LAC): The son of Coach Doc Rivers is out until around mid-March with a broken hand. As a result, Jamal Crawford will see more minutes off the Clippers' bench.
Anthony Tolliver (SF/PF, DET): Tolliver has a right knee sprain and will miss two-four weeks. Tobias Harris and Marcus Morris will see extra run until he comes back.
Beno Udrih (PG, MIA): Udrih will miss the next three months after undergoing surgery to repair a plantar plate in his right foot. As a result, Josh Richardson will see some added minutes.
T.J. Warren (SF, PHO): Warren suffered a fractured foot, and will miss the remainder of the season. P.J. Tucker will continue to see massive minutes at small forward, with Mirza Teletovic and Sonny Weems lurking on the bench.
