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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 8 of the fantasy basketball season.
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Short-Term NBA Injuries
Gordon Hayward, SG, Boston Celtics - broken left hand
Hayward is listed as probable for Monday on what was exactly one month from when he suffered a broken hand. He had a four-to-six-week timetable and made it back on the front end. Guard Marcus Smart (eye) is dealing with an eye infection, and he'll suffer the most from Hayward's return. Hayward should be activated and returned to lineups universally.
JA Morant, PG, Memphis Grizzlies - back spasms
Morant is listed as probable for Monday as well, and he could just have missed nine days with back spasms. Guards Tyus Jones and De'Anthony Melton will lose minutes and fantasy viability in single-year formats. Morant should be returned to lineups in all leagues.
Isaiah Thomas, PG, Washington Wizards - left calf strain
Thomas has been out three games due to the calf injury, and he's out at least one more week. Point guard Ish Smith has averaged 16 points, 6.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds in the last three games in place of "IT", and he's a great short-term option to stream this week. Thomas is averaging 12.6 points and 5.1 assists in just under 25 minutes per game, and he's not a player you must stash.
Mid-Term NBA Injuries
Marvin Bagley, PF, Sacramento Kings - fractured right thumb
Bagley was ruled out for Monday's game, but he's getting closer and could be back this week. Power forward Nemanja Bjelica is averaging 12.7 points, eight boards and 2.9 assists in his last 10 games, and he would take the biggest hit upon Bagley's return. Forward/center Richaun Holmes could take a hit as well, but he's likely to see close to the 29 minutes he's seeing. Holmes is averaging 12.4 points and 8.6 boards while shooting 67.2 percent from the floor and should remain in lineups.
Zion Williamson, PF, New Orleans Pelicans - right knee surgery
The No. 1 overall pick has been doing partial weight-bearing workouts, but the team hasn't set a date for him to debut in stone. When he does make it back, he's not going to play in back-to-back games, and that's probably going to be consistent for most of the season. Center Jaxson Hayes, who has posted 14 points, five boards and 2.5 blocks per game the last two games, will likely take the biggest hit upon Williamson's activation. However, Hayes has some deep-league appeal for now.
Long-Term NBA Injuries
Kyrie Irving, PG, Brooklyn Nets - right shoulder impingement
The franchise point guard will begin ramping up his on-court work over the next two weeks, which means he's questionable to return before the calendar flips. Guard Spencer Dinwiddie has averaged 23.4 points, 7.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds over his last 10 games and will remain a fantasy cornerstone while Irving is out. Shooting guard Joe Harris is averaging 17 points per game over the last five, and he'll have a couple more weeks of lineup viability.
