RADIO
RotoBaller has assembled NBA injury updates and advice on various injury situations throughout the NBA to prepare for your daily lineups on March 2, 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 3/2/16
Questionable To Play
Tony Allen (SG/SF, MEM): Allen is considered questionable for tonight's game against Sacramento. If he sits again, P.J. Hairston would continue to play a big role for the Grizzlies.
Kobe Bryant (SG, LAL): Kobe sat out Tuesday and should be considered questionable for tonight's game in Denver. D'Angelo Russell exploded for a career high 37 points in Kobe's absence against the Nets, so Russell's fantasy owners are surely hoping Kobe sits again.
Clint Capela (PF/C, HOU): Capela finally practiced on his injured ankle on Tuesday, and is questionable for tonight's game against the Pelicans. His return could mercifully cut into Josh Smith's playing time.
Michael Carter-Williams (PG, MIL): Carter-Williams sat out Monday with knee tendinitis, and is questionable for tonight's game. Jerryd Bayless had a big game in his absence, and could be in line for another nice effort against the Pacers tonight.
Stephen Curry (PG/SG, GS): Steph sat out Tuesday's game against Atlanta with an ankle injury, but he expects to return for Thursday's epic rematch against the Thunder. Shaun Livingston would start again if the Warriors do decide to sit Curry again.
Anthony Davis (PF/C, NO): Davis sat out his last game with a toe injury. He is expected to be back against the Rockets tonight, though he's officially listed as a game-time decision. If he has a last minute setback, Dante Cunningham and Ryan Anderson would be the starting front court again, with Anderson and Eric Gordon (each with 31 points against Minnesota) carrying the offense.
Rudy Gay (SF/PF, SAC): Gay sat out Monday's game with a shoulder injury and is doubtful to play against Memphis tonight. If he sits again, Omri Casspi and James Anderson would see increased playing time, while the offense would run through DeMarcus Cousins even more than usual.
Taj Gibson (PF/C, CHI): Gibson injured his hamstring Tuesday against the Heat, and had to leave the game. He's considered doubtful for tonight's game against Orlando. If he were to miss the game, Bobby Portis would see massive minutes at forward, with little-used Cristiano Felicio the next man on the depth chart. The Bulls could also feature more small-ball lineups than normal when Portis or Pau Gasol goes to the bench, meaning slightly more playing time for their wings.
Jameer Nelson (PG, DEN): Nelson has been active for several games for Denver, but hasn't played since January, as he recovers from his wrist injury. Emmanuel Mudiay and D.J. Augustin are firmly in control of the point guard position for the Nuggets.
Austin Rivers (PG/SG, LAC): Rivers practiced on Sunday, and could return to action on Wednesday night. Jamal Crawford would see less action if Rivers makes his return.
Out Short Term
Omer Asik (C, NO): Asik is out for another week with a right ankle sprain. Alexis Ajinca is the main beneficiary here.
Evan Fournier (SG/SF, ORL): Fournier is dealing with a wrist injury and is out until at least Friday. Mario Hezonja will have a nice opportunity to show what he can do as starting SG.
Stanley Johnson (SG/SF, DET): Johnson has been missed three games with a strained shoulder and is considered unlikely to play on Wednesday. Reggie Bullock has been seeing some run off the Pistons bench in his absence.
C.J. Miles (SG/SF, IND): Miles has been missed the past few games with a calf injury and will probably miss Wednesday at Milwaukee as well. Solomon Hill has been seeing more action in his absence.
Jahlil Okafor (PF/C, PHI): Okafor will miss his second straight game with a shin injury tonight against Charlotte. Jerami Grant will draw another start for the 76ers, with veteran Carl Landry getting a chance to contribute off the bench.
Lou Williams (PG/SG, LAL): Williams suffered a hamstring injury Tuesday night and has been ruled out for tonight's game in Denver. With young building blocks D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson playing well and demanding time alongside Kobe Bryant in the Lakers backcourt, Williams was already losing playing time and likely won't be rushed back.
No Timetable to Return
Kevin Garnett (PF/C, MIN): Garnett has been dealing with a sore knee, and still hasn't practiced. He doesn't look close to a return. Young stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng have been seeing massive minutes in his absence.
Spencer Hawes (PF/C, CHA): Hawes is dealing with a back injury and is at least a week away from a return. Cody Zeller, Al Jefferson, and Frank Kaminsky will likely eat up all the big man minutes for Charlotte even when Hawes returns to action.
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.
Brandon Knight (PG/SG, PHO): Knight has been out since January 19th with a groin injury, and is out for at least the current road-trip for the Suns. Interim coach Earl Watson is optimistic Knight could return soon after, but the timetable for his return remains murky. Ronnie Price and Archie Goodwin will shoulder the load at point guard in the mean time.
Gary Neal (PG/SG, WAS): Neal will miss the Wizards road trip through Minnesota and Cleveland tonight and on Friday with soreness in his thigh. He's already missed ten games, and there's no indication when he'll return. In the meantime, Ramon Sessions and Garrett Temple will be the primary complements to John Wall and Bradley Beal.
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 Shelvin Mack and Rodney Hood, while further relegating Trey Burke into irrelevancy.
Jimmy Butler (SG/SF, CHI): Butler is nearing a return after sitting out for awhile with a balky knee, and could return as soon as Saturday. E'Twaun Moore has been starting at the 2 for Chicago and is being given a ton of usage in big minutes, while Doug McDermott has been experiencing a mini-breakout in recent games. Derrick Rose, himself banged up as usual, has also seen a bump in usage when he's been able to play.
Manu Ginobili (SG/SF, SA): Ginobili had to have testicular surgery after taking a knee to the crotch from Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson. He is a little ahead of schedule, and could return as soon as this Saturday. Danny Green, Jonathan Simmons, and Patty Mills could lose value with his return.
Blake Griffin (PF/C, LAC): Griffin, who broke his hand in a fight with the team trainers, has said he is "very close" to a return. He'll still have to face a four game suspension for the fight, so it won't be tomorrow. 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. Jeff Green and Wesley Johnson will see smaller minutes once Griffin does return.
Out Multiple Weeks
Chris Bosh (PF/C, MIA): Bosh may miss the rest of the season because of blood clotting in his calf, but it's still completely up in the air. 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 will all continue see a boost in playing time with Bosh out, while Luol Deng will continue to put up big numbers in scoring and rebounding in his higher profile role with the team
DeMarre Carroll (PF, TOR): Carroll had knee surgery in December, and is reportedly upping his activities in practice. There's a chance he comes back in time to have relevance at the end of the fantasy season. In the mean time, Terrence Ross and Patrick Patterson will continue to see a boost production from Carroll's absence.
Danilo Gallinari (SF, DEN): Gallinari is out until early April with multiple tears in his ankle, which means he's out for the season as far as most seasonal leagues. He may make it back for the last week or two of games, though. JaKarr Sampson is starting in Gallinari's place, while Will Barton shoulders a bigger and more consistent role off the bench.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SG/SF, BKN): RHJ has been out since early December recovering from a fracture in his ankle. He is expected back later in March. When he returns, he could see a big role on the wing competing with low-tier starters Wayne Ellington and Bojan Bogdanovic.
Nikola Mirotic (SF/PF, CHI): Mirotic still appears to be a few weeks away with complications from appendix surgery, as he has reportedly not been making progress in practice. Bobby Portis will continue to see added minutes in his absence.
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.
Anthony Tolliver (SF/PF, DET): Tolliver has a right knee sprain and will be out until mid-to-late March. Tobias Harris and Marcus Morris will see extra run until he comes back.
Mo Williams (PG/SG, CLE): Williams' knee will be out until at least mid-March with a knee injury. Matthew Dellavedova has a firm grasp on the backup PG spot for Cleveland.
Brandan Wright (PF/C, MEM): Brandan Wright is out indefinitely with a sprained MCL, and likely won't return to the lineup until at least mid-March. JaMychal Green and Chris Andersen will see a boost in his absence.
Out for the Season
Bryce Dejean-Jones (PG/SG, NO): Dejean-Jones has a broken wrist. Eric Gordon has reclaimed his starting spot at shooting guard.
Tyreke Evans (PG/SG, NO): Evans will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing knee surgery. Norris Cole remain starter for the rest of the year, with Jrue Holiday playing a huge role off the bench.
Marc Gasol (C, MEM): Marc Gasol has a broken foot and is out for the season. In his absence, Zach Randolph, Brandan Wright (when he returns from his own injury), JaMychal Green, and Chris Andersen will do their best to fill the void.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF, CHA): MKG is out for the season now as he received surgery on his torn labrum. Nicolas Batum has shifted to SF with Courtney Lee, Jeremy Lin, and Jeremy Lamb filling the void at the other wing spot. Marvin Williams is also seeing more time at the SF in bigger lineups.
Beno Udrih (PG, MIA): Udrih will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a plantar plate in his right foot. Josh Richardson will see added minutes, while Dwyane Wade will play a bigger role in ball-distribution when Goran Dragic needs a breather.
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 Sonny Weems lurking on the bench.
