RADIO
Welcome back, RotoBallers! It was another disappointing All-Star Weekend, but since there haven't been games in a week, there aren't many new updates on the injury front. With the fantasy basketball season hitting its home stretch, I'm here to help you stay up to date on injury news and how it impacts your teams.
I'm writing this the day before you'll see it; information is accurate as of Thursday, February 22 around middle of day. I'll just cover what has changed since last week.
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Short-Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball
Terry Rozier, PG/SG - Knee, and Josh Richardson, PG/SG - Back, Miami Heat
It was a bad Sunday for the Heat. During their four-point loss in Boston, they lost two of their top guards. The newly acquired Rozier's MRI showed he avoided serious damage, but both he and Richardson are labeled as week-to-week currently. Duncan Robinson also picked up a knock during that game in Boston, but he looks like he'll be fine. The Heat are still a premier streaming spot as we head out of the All-Star break. Both Robinson and/or Caleb Martin should be high on your waiver order.
Khris Middleton, SF, Milwaukee Bucks - Ankle
Middleton played only eight minutes last Tuesday against the Suns before exiting. After Friday's comfortable victory in Charlotte, coach Doc Rivers said that Middleton will be out "a minute," which according to Rivers equates to a couple of games. Given Middleton's recent injury history, I'd be surprised if he played before the All-Star break. Jae Crowder has entered fantasy relevance as a result and is worth a look.
Update February 22: Middleton hasn't had his injury status updated since February 14, so it appears he'll miss additional time. Based on Doc Rivers' comments, he should be able to return soon.
Malcolm Brogdon, PG, Portland Trail Blazers - Knee
Brogdon continues to miss time due to his knee injury, and the team announced on February 11 that he won't be reevaluated for two more weeks. Matisse Thybulle will likely continue to start in his place, although he's only useful for defensive stats.
Clint Capela, C, Atlanta Hawks - Abductor
After undergoing an MRI on Sunday, Capela was diagnosed with an abductor strain that will keep him out for seven to 10 days. However, 10 days coincide perfectly with the last game the Hawks play before the All-Star break. Atlanta may hold him out through the All-Star break as he's been a popular name in trade rumors lately.
Long-Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball
OG Anunoby, SF, New York Knicks - Elbow
Anunoby's elbow injury wasn't initially feared to be anything serious, which is why he wasn't included in this article last week, but when a guy misses four straight games, something is up. Anunoby could very well return for tonight's game against the battered Grizzlies. However, considering that he's been ruled out for "inflammation" for two games in a row, I would expect this injury to be monitored closely with the All-Star break approaching.
Update February 20: Anunoby hasn't yet been able to return to contact drills, suggesting he's still a week or two away from a return.
Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers - Knee
We officially won't see Embiid repeat as the MVP. After hurting his seemingly already shaky knee last Tuesday against the Warriors, it was announced on Sunday that he would undergo a procedure on his torn meniscus. The Sixers have said there's a possibility he could return this year, but it won't be until after the fantasy basketball season is finished. Paul Reed is likely long gone from the free agents pool, but if you need a big man, Mo Bamba should be involved enough moving forward to be worth a roster spot.
Update February 21: The Sixers are optimistic that the reigning MVP can return to the court toward the end of the regular season to ramp up before the playoffs. However, his fantasy season should still be finished.
Julius Randle, PF, New York Knicks - Shoulder
Randle suffered a dislocated shoulder against the Heat on Sunday, and while the Knicks are hopeful the severity of the injury is "measured in weeks, not months," that's nothing more than wishful thinking until his MRI later this week. If Josh Hart is still available in your league, he's pegged as the most likely candidate to join the starting lineup according to NY media, but Precious Achiuwa will probably see a little bump in minutes as well.
Update February 21: Randle said surgery "hasn't been ruled out," but he is hoping to avoid it. It sounds like the Knicks will be without their other star forward for another week or two at least.
Desmond Bane, SG/SF - Ankle and Marcus Smart, PG/SG - Finger, Memphis Grizzlies
If the season-ending injury to Ja Morant didn't end the Grizzlies' season, surely this pair of injuries will. Bane and Smart suffered their injuries in back-to-back games, and both are expected to be reevaluated in six weeks, which puts their timeline at the end of February. I'd be shocked if the Grizzlies weren't thinking more about their lottery odds at that point, and you should consider both of these injuries as essentially season-ending ones.
Chris Paul, PG, Golden State Warriors - Hand
The Warriors announced over the weekend that Paul will undergo surgery on his injured hand and miss four to six weeks. If I had to guess, he'll probably return after the All-Star break (February 16-18). Coach Steve Kerr has indicated Moses Moody will see additional minutes off the Warriors bench and is worth looking at for fantasy purposes.
Update February 21: Paul practiced fully, and is expected to return early next week.
The Tank Corner
OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
The Grizzlies may not have the worst record in the league (would you believe they only have one fewer loss than the Warriors?), but it seems inevitable that the plug will be pulled soon. During their game on January 29 in Sacramento, they had 11 players ruled out.
This does include guys who have been lost for the season and injured for a long time, but that doesn't change the fact that they're working with scraps. If Jaren Jackson Jr. picks up any sort of significant injury (real or fake), the floodgates will undoubtedly open for the Grizzlies to have the least recognizable roster in the NBA. For the time being, consider them a one-stop shop for all fantasy and DFS dart throws.
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