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Welcome to RotoBaller's weekly injury room report. Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, but we have you covered when the injury bug bites.
We'll discuss who is on the mend and who will benefit from the player's absence. The next up-and-coming gem could be waiting on the waiver wire ready for your claim.
Let's look at some of the important injuries around the league right now as we head into Week 2 of the fantasy basketball season.
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Short-Term NBA Injuries
Joel Embiid - C, Philadelphia 76ers - sprained right ankle
Embiid (ankle) has been hobbled by a sprained right ankle since the season opener Oct. 23. Embiid struggled in the game as he went just 5-for-14 (35.7 percent) from the floor. However, he posted 15 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 23 minutes. Center Kyle O'Quinn filled in for him Saturday with two points, six boards and two blocks in 14 minutes. Embiid played in Monday's game, but if he's forced to miss more time, O'Quinn would be a serviceable flyer in daily fantasy games or deeper leagues for boards and points.
Blake Griffin - PF, Detroit Pistons - left hamstring, knee soreness
Griffin's (hamstring, knee) lingering injuries are expected to keep him out through at least Nov. 4, but the team said they will be very conservative with him. In his stead, newly acquired forward Markieff Morris has been thrust into the starting lineup. He's averaging 10.7 points, five boards and 1.7 assists per game. He'll also help out if three-point makes are one of your categories. With the team taking Griffin's return slowly, Morris has a couple of weeks of sneaky value.
Jrue Holiday - SG, New Orleans Pelicans - left knee sprain
Holiday (knee) was questionable for Monday's game, but he's likely to miss a little more time. Forward Josh Hart has started the season off scorching hot with 18 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He's also shooting 40 percent from distance. The boards are an aberration, but he could consistently post 15 points a night. He deserves to be owned universally even after Holiday returns.
Enes Kanter - C, Boston Celtics - left knee contusion
Kanter (knee) was forced to miss two games over the weekend due to a left knee contusion. Center Robert Williams was the main benefactor of Kanter's absence. Williams averaged five points, 6.5 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in the two games. Williams is a better defender and could eventually cut into Kanter's minutes with this kind of production. Williams is someone to keep on the watch list in traditional leagues, but he's worth scooping in deeper formats.
Mid-Term NBA Injuries
Zach Collins - C, Portland Trail Blazers - dislocated left shoulder
The 21-year-old center is still awaiting MRI results on his shoulder, but there has been some optimism in recent days. Collins had fairly good range of motion, and the trainers were able to pop his shoulder back in place cleanly. The MRI will dictate how long he'll be out, but he's likely to miss a couple of weeks at least. Forward Skal Labissiere has averaged four points and three boards per game in 7.3 minutes per game, and he's in line to see increased minutes. He's unproven, and he's not an immediate add, but keep an eye on him to see if he can pepper some points and boards consistently.
Kyle Kuzma - PF, Los Angeles Lakers - left foot stress reaction
Kuzma (foot) has been ruled out through October, but he hasn't been cleared for full contact. The bigs are playing more with forward Anthony Davis at the four. Center Dwight Howard had 16 points, 10 boards and four blocks in 23 minutes Sunday. He's still available in a lot of leagues, and he has some staying power in fantasy. Center JaVale McGee will show some flashes, but he's mostly used for defense. McGee doesn't have as much roster allure as Howard.
Long-Term NBA Injuries
Marvin Bagley Jr. - PF, Sacramento Kings - fractured right thumb
Bagley (thumb) will be out of action for four to six weeks due to a right thumb fracture. Forward Nemanja Bjelica will benefit the most from Bagley's absence, and the fourth-year man from Yugoslavia is averaging seven points and 4.7 rebounds in 22 minutes. He's also shooting 37.5 percent from three-point range. He'll help a little in those three categories and is worth a look off of waivers.
Victor Oladipo - SG, Indiana Pacers - torn quadriceps
Oladipo (quadriceps) went through some full-contact, 5-on-5 halfcourt work last week, but he hasn't been cleared to go multiple days in a row. Guard Jeremy Lamb is filling in for Oladipo, but he's battling a hip pointer of his own. Point guard Edmond Sumner will be asked to fill in more minutes in the interim. He has averaged eight points in just 19 minutes per game through the first two games, and he has a solid 16.78 player efficiency rating. Lamb is owned in most leagues already, but Sumner is on the fringe for points and assists.
Zion Williamson - PF, New Orleans Pelicans - torn lateral meniscus
The No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft is pegged to miss six to eight weeks with torn cartilage in his right knee. Forward Nicolo Melli has enjoyed a larger role in the rotation with 9.3 points and three boards per game, and he's shooting 57.1 percent from distance. He's a slender forward that you won't be able to count on for much more than points and threes. He's worth scooping in deeper leagues, but his inability to rebound limits his value in traditional
