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Welcome back RotoBallers, Happy Holidays! I'm here to help you stay up to date on injury news, and how it impacts your teams in case you had a busy weekend of New Year's festivities and couldn't keep track of everything.
I'm doing this midday on Monday for release Tuesday morning, so any news that drops on Monday night won't be covered. I'll just cover what has changed since last week.
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Short-Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball
Darius Garland, PG/SG, Cleveland Cavaliers - Thumb
Garland's injury is officially listed as a sprain, which from my years of watching sports, seems to be a multi-week injury usually. However, he's been downgraded from "doubtful" to "out" in the Cavs' last two games (including the Monday night game against the Bulls). Caris LeVert has had two big games in Garland's absence and is worth picking up until his return.
Bradley Beal, PG/SG, Washington Wizards, - Hamstring
Beal exited last Tuesday's game against the Sixers early in the 4th quarter and hasn't returned since. The Wizards have treated him as day-to-day, but he's remained out in all capacities since, and it doesn't appear anything else is going on besides Beal trying to rest and shake it off. With no firm timetable, I would expect him to miss at least a couple more games.
Larry Nance Jr., PF/C, New Orleans Pelicans - Neck
Nance missed Monday's game against the Sixers, his third straight absence and 6th in the Pelicans' last 8. Already down Brandon Ingram (who was supposed to return weeks ago), the Pelicans are thin at forward. If you need to take a swing at a streaming option as a result of his injury, Willy Hernangomez could be worth a look.
Khris Middleton, SF/PF, Milwaukee Bucks - Knee
Turns out the ankle injury I wrote up last week didn't keep Middleton out of any games. However, he seems to have suffered a knee injury in a game last Thursday against the Grizzlies. Middleton was held out of Saturday's game vs. the Jazz, but in a surprising twist was also ruled out of Monday's game in New Orleans. The Bucks are going on a four-game road trip, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Middleton get extended rest while the season is still relatively young. If Middleton does miss any sort of meaningful time, Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton both remain viable streaming options.
Week 2: The Bucks don't play again until Wednesday, so there's been no real update on Middleton since he missed the Christmas game against the Celtics. The Bucks then have games Friday and Sunday, so I'd slightly lean toward Middleton coming back for the weekend with extended rest.
Week 3: Middleton did not return as I predicted, even though he was listed as questionable for both games before being ruled out. He's already been ruled out for the Bucks' back-to-back on Tuesday/Wednesday, so keep an eye out for an update later on in the week.
Clint Capela, C, Atlanta Hawks - Calf
Capela's calf injury was clearly more than just cramping, as he hasn't played in a competitive game since he re-aggravated his injury against the Pistons. Onyeka Okongwu moved into the starting five in his place and should remain there until his return.
Long-Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball
Devin Booker, PG/SG, Phoenix Suns - Groin
Booker played only four minutes on Christmas and then exited with a presumably re-aggravated groin injury. No update is being provided until Tuesday, so I don't have definitive answers this week. What I do know is the Suns' backcourt is depleted right now, and that Damion Lee is in a potential short-term explosion spot. I also think Torrey Craig is a decent option again as well.
Update 12/28: Booker was ruled out for 4 weeks, so he's officially been placed in the long-term section. Both guys listed in my initial write-up profile as fine streamer options during Booker's absence (but I may have gassed up Damion Lee a bit).
Aleksej Pokusevski, SF/PF/C, Oklahoma City Thunder - Leg
Pokusevski suffered some sort of tibia fracture in his left leg, which is expected to sideline him for at least 6-8 weeks. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, said that he doesn't think the injury is "long-long term", and expects Pokusevski to return before the end of the year. But...we know the Thunder, currently 12th in the West, love a good tank, so take that with a grain of salt.
Jalen Suggs, PG/SG, Orlando Magic - Ankle
I'm moving Suggs to the long-term section, it's been long enough. The Magic have said nothing about this injury, so I'm giving up. Knowing the Magic, Suggs will just appear as a GTD one day and he'll be playing. Until then he's staying right here.
Update 1/2: Suggs was a full participant in practice today, so I can only assume he'll return this week. Potentially even as early as Wednesday at home vs the Thunder.
Steph Curry, PG/SG, Golden State Warriors - Shoulder
Curry suffered a shoulder injury last Wednesday against the Pacers and is expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks. The good news is the injury doesn't require surgery. For now (while Andrew Wiggins is still sidelined), look at the aforementioned DiVincenzo, or if you need to dig deep, Ty Jerome has shown offensive capabilities but offers little for defense.
Update 12/24: The Warriors have said Steph is "making good progress", and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Anthony Davis, PF/C, Los Angeles Lakers - Foot
Davis is out a minimum of one month due to the injury, but what makes this even tougher to swallow for Davis owners is that Shams has reported the Lakers have braced for "an indefinite absence." Not exactly what you want to hear when it comes to a guy with extensive injury history in Davis. If your league is any sort of competitive, Thomas Bryant has already been scooped off waivers. If you need to dig deep, Dennis Schroder is worth a look based on volume (albeit not exactly a clean fit).
Update 12/23: The Lakers have announced Davis will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, Minnesota Timberwolves - Calf
KAT strained his calf last Monday night, and his timetable for return is 4-6 weeks. Based on usage since the injury, it looks like the Wolves starters will just take on more of the load. If you're looking for streaming options, both Jaden McDaniels and Kyle Anderson are worth evaluating.
Gordon Hayward, SF/PF, Charlotte Hornets - Shoulder
No stranger to the injury list, Hayward is now slated to be out "indefinitely" after fracturing his left shoulder. I'll provide an update whenever one comes available, but based on the language, I wouldn't expect to see Hayward until 2023. Jalen McDaniels has picked up most of Hayward's minutes traditionally when the latter has been injured. If you're in a deeper league, Kai Jones is worth a potential dart throw.
Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG, Philadelphia 76ers - Foot
Maxey and Embiid getting hurt on the same night is an absolutely brutal break. I already gave streaming advice when James Harden went down, so once again look at Shake Milton, and if you need to go deeper, then Danuel House Jr.
Update 12/26: Maxey could return as early as Friday at home vs the Pelicans. Given how careful the Sixers have been with him, I would expect that to be the day. He is confirmed to be on a minutes restriction upon return.
Cameron Johnson, SF/PF, Phoenix Suns - Knee
Johnson tore his right meniscus in last Friday's game against the Trail Blazers. Johnson is getting surgery done this week, and recovery time is typically four weeks minimum. I wouldn't expect to see Johnson until about mid-December.
Update 1/1: Johnson is being listed on gameday injury reports again, surely signaling his return is near. I would expect him to be back in the lineup before the week's end.
Lonzo Ball, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls - Knee
Until Ball returns (which doesn't seem like it will be in 2022), Ayo Dosunmu is the starting PG for the Bulls. Dosunmu is off to a hot start, and he's definitely worth looking to acquire if you can find a good deal.
Update 12/3: Coach Billy Donovan said in a press conference that "it's been really slow" regarding Ball's rehabilitation, and he remains without a timetable to return. I think there is a very real chance Ball doesn't suit up this year.
The Tank Corner
Closed until later in the season, we'll get here when teams start trotting out G-Leaguers none of us have ever heard of.
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