X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

NBA Injuries and Who Can Benefit Instead (Week 21)

Last week I was certain the basketball gods were trying to take out all of the NBA’s superstars, or there was a zombie apocalypse brewing, (I still believe the zombie apocalypse personally).

Thankfully, there are not many long-term injuries to report this week. As busy as NBA injuries keep me during the season, and as opportunistic as it may be for a bench player looking to showcase themselves, most people don’t want to see a player get hurt.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @RotoBaller, @RotoBallerNBA, and @DrakePFSA!

Upgrade To VIP: Win more with our NBA and DFS Premium Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! Jamie Calandro and Dan Palyo lead the RotoBaller team in 2024-25 with exclusive DFS picks, Prop picks and more. Gain VIP access to our Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, DFS Cheat Sheets and VIP Chat Rooms. Go Premium, Win More!

 

Notable Injuries Around The League

Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (ankle) suffered a right ankle sprain this past weekend versus the Denver Nuggets. He is expected to miss multiple games. In the meantime, look for Larry Nance Jr. to fill in some of his minutes. Also look for Lebron to take some defensive duties as a center, and look for the Cavaliers to run some more “small-ball” lineups.

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Wesley Matthews (hip) missed his most recent game because of this injury. His team filled the scoring void for him yesterday as Dirk Nowitzki and Dennis Smith Jr. led the team with 23 points each. Look for more updates to come, but all signs are pointing in the right direction for him to play versus the Denver Nuggets tomorrow evening. If he does miss, look for Yogi Ferrell to get another start.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (ankle) tweaked his ankle this past weekend, but he seems to be confident the injury is nothing to worry about. Curry is confident that this is minor as he has been through far worse on the same ankle numerous times before. Don’t expect him to miss any time with this injury unless it worsens.

LA Clippers guard Avery Bradley (sports hernia) has missed a few games due to this injury. He has been day-to-day during this time. CJ Williams has filled in for him, and extra minutes have been given to Austin Rivers, Lou Williams, and Milos Teodosic. The Clippers also just signed Sean Kilpatrick for extra depth on their bench.

LA Clippers forward Danilo Gallinari (hand) has been diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture in his right hand and is expected to miss two weeks. Wesley Johnson, as he has done for a lot of this season, has stepped in as the starter, providing heavy minutes, but very little else in regards to fantasy purposes.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Josh Hart (hand) has decided to undergo surgery for his left finger injury. It will put him out on the pine for 4-6 weeks.

Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Brandon Ingram (hip) has been diagnosed with a strain. He missed this weekend’s game versus the San Antonio Spurs because of it, but shouldn’t miss much more time. If he does miss anymore time, look for Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma to see more playing time along with higher usage rates for both.

Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (ankle/quad) is questionable for today’s game as he has been battling numerous injuries. Jarell Martin, JaMychal Green, and Ivan Rabb have filled in well for him in his absence.

Memphis Grizzlies guards Mario Chalmers (hamstring) and Tyreke Evans (ribs) are leaving the Grizzlies very short handed in the backcourt as they are both out today. Look for Andrew Harrison and Wayne Selden to carry the backcourt load.

Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (back) missed the whole weekend due to these issues. In his place, Kosta Koufos has played very well for him and should continue to do so if Cauley-Stein misses more time. Along with Koufos, Zach Randolph has played more minutes recently as well.

 

Let’s hope this injury news guides you to great success this week. Once again, follow us on Twitter @RotoBaller, @RotoBallerNBA, and @DrakePFSA!

 

More Fantasy Basketball Analysis

 

NBA DFS Premium Subscription

Get a free trial of our powerful NBA Premium Tools. Our famous DFS Cheat Sheets, and NBA Lineup Optimizer & Generator with daily matchup projections.

Win more. Try the most advanced lineup optimizer in daily fantasy basketball.

Sign Up Now!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

DJ Moore

Bears Experimenting with DJ Moore in Backfield
Rome Odunze

Could Move All Around the Offense
NFL

Dave Canales Comfortable With Panthers' Young Receivers
Quinshon Judkins

Not Considering NCAA Return
Dallas Goedert

Healthy for Week 1
Marvin Mims Jr.

Returns to Practice Monday
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Carted Off Monday With Knee Injury
Jason Adam

Diagnosed With Ruptured Left Quadriceps Tendon
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Scratched on Monday
Matthew Stafford

Expected to Start in Week 1
Edward Cabrera

Heading to Injured List With Elbow Sprain
Najee Harris

Cleared for Contact, Could Play in Week 1
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Harry Ford

Called Up for Major-League Debut
Victor Scott II

Activated From Injured List
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Dealing With Hamstring Tightness, Expects to Play Monday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

"Staying in Milwaukee"
Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Agrees to a One-Year Contract with Milwaukee
Kyrie Irving

"Healing Up Great"
Dante Exum

Mavs Agree on a One-Year Deal
Jaylen Warren

Agrees to Two-Year Extension With Steelers
De'Von Achane

Practicing Monday, on Track to Play in Week 1
Quinshon Judkins

Could Report to Browns This Week
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs, Trent McDuffie Not Expected to Finalize Extension
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500
Dameon Pierce

Ahead of Schedule, Ready for Season
Jordan Love

May Wear Thumb Brace During Season
Chicago Bears

Bears Head Coach Admits Offense Could Face Learning Curve
Matt Chapman

Leaves Early on Sunday, Expects to Play Monday
A.J. Brown

Says He'll Be Active For Season Opener
Luis Garcia

to Make Season Debut on Monday
Max Scherzer

Exits Due to Back Tightness
Taylor Ward

Exits Early After Collison
Braelon Allen

Says He Has a Lot Left to Prove
Sal Stewart

Reds Promoting Sal Stewart to Majors
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Randy Rodríguez

Randy Rodriguez to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic to Miss the Rest of EuroBasket
Denny Hamlin

Picking Up Where He Left Off At Darlington
Kyle Larson

The Sky Is The Limit for Kyle Larson at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

a Strong DFS Play at Darlington This Weekend
Tyler Reddick

Shouldn't Be Overlooked at Darlington This Weekend
Alex Bowman

An Easy Place-Differential Play in DFS This Weekend
Ty Gibbs

Could Be Strong at Darlington This Weekend
Erik Jones

Has Best Darlington Qualifying Effort Since Last Win
Zane Smith

Hopeful For Another Solid Run At Darlington
Aroldis Chapman

Agrees to Contract Extension
Juan Soto

Homers Twice in Loss
Nick Kurtz

Avoids Serious Injury
MacKenzie Gore

Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Reaches 25-Homer, 25-Steal Milestone
Chris Sale

Activated on Saturday
Dansby Swanson

Homers Twice, Drives in Six in Win
Nick Kurtz

Leaves Game With Oblique Soreness
Joe Burrow

Bengals Feel Joe Burrow Just had "the Best Training Camp of his Career"
Dallas Mavericks

Olivier-Maxence Prosper Waived by the Mavs
Lauri Markkanen

Dominant in Win Over Great Britain
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Leads Serbia to a Win
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Shines Versus Portugal
De'Von Achane

Should be Ready for Week 1
Jose Alvarado

"Good" After Recent Fall
Green Bay Packers

Packers Acquire Micah Parsons, Sign him to Four-Year Extension
Jauan Jennings

Remains Sidelined at Practice
Lauri Markkanen

Torches Sweden
Neemias Queta

Dominates in EuroBasket Opener
Kawhi Leonard

Clippers Not Allowing Kawhi Leonard to Play Back-to-Backs
Dallas Mavericks

Mavericks Looking to Trade Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Tyrese Haliburton

Expects to Return in 15 Months
Terance Mann

Confident About Having a Big Year in Brooklyn
Zaccharie Risacher

Aims to Improve Ball-Handling Skills
NBA

Pistons And Timberwolves Join Race for Malik Beasley
John Tonje

Signs Two-Way Deal With Jazz
Max Strus

to Miss 3-4 Months After Surgery