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Each week of the NBA season unfortunately brings injuries to key players across the league. The goal of this column is to break down those injuries and understand which players could benefit in fantasy from an injury to a teammate.
As a reminder, COVID-19 related absences from players will now be included in this column.
There are a few injuries to cover for this week, so let’s get to it.
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Short-Term Injuries
De’Andre Hunter, SF, Atlanta Hawks- knee
Hunter is dealing with a knee injury and any review of his status won’t happen until very late this week. The forward departed from Friday’s contest against Washington early. Danilo Gallinari is a solid add while Hunter is absent. The veteran has posted double-digit points in four of the past five games and should see more playing time.
Larry Nance Jr., PF, Cleveland Cavaliers- wrist
Nance missed Monday’s game along with another two contests last week because of a wrist injury. Though he returned for two contests on Friday and Sunday of last week, it appears the forward re-injured his wrist. Taurean Prince is a candidate for more minutes if Nance must miss more time. Prince could be a streaming option as he did post 16 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks in a contest Nance missed last week.
Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers- back
Joel Embiid missed Sunday’s contest due to a back injury and his status for Wednesday’s clash against Charlotte remains uncertain as of now. Despite dealing with this injury, Embiid has been playing lights out recently, getting at least 33 points and 10 rebounds in five of the past seven games. Dwight Howard is a streaming option if Embiid can’t play in any contests soon. Howard recorded 11 points and 15 rebounds on Sunday.
OG Anunoby, SF, Toronto Raptors- calf
A strained calf will keep Anunoby out for possibly this entire week. The forward hasn’t played since January 25 but he was playing spectacularly prior to that, scoring at least 18 points in three of the last four games he played. There is no concrete timetable on when Anunoby will return, but Norman Powell could see more chances for production if he can play. Powell is dealing with a quad injury and his status remains unclear for Tuesday’s game.
Norman Powell, SG, Toronto Raptors- quad
A quad injury has sidelined Powell for the past two contests though he is now questionable for Tuesday’s contest. The guard has been sensational lately, scoring at least 20 points in the last four games he has played. OG Anunoby is dealing with a calf injury and will miss a few games at the minimum, so Powell could put up great production in his place if he can ultimately get back on the court.
Mid-Term Injuries
Marcus Smart, PG, Boston Celtics- calf
Smart will miss roughly two or three weeks of action with a strained calf. The guard was having a fantastic season, averaging 13.1 points and 6.1 assists per game. He also scored at least 12 points in each of the five prior games to Saturday’s, the one where he went down with the injury. For now, Jeff Teague will get more minutes. He’s worth monitoring, but not adding right now.
Long-Term Injuries
Wendell Carter Jr., C, Chicago Bulls- quad
A quad injury will keep Carter on the sidelines for the next month or so. The center last played on January 18 and was averaging 12.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game this season. Daniel Gafford will see more playing time going forward, but he’s not worth an add at all considering he’s only scored in single-digits during each game that Carter has been out thus far.
Aaron Gordon, SF, Orlando Magic- ankle
Gordon is dealing with a severe left ankle sprain and could be out for roughly four to six weeks. The forward got injured in Sunday’s contest and now will be out for the foreseeable future. He was averaging 13.8 points and 7.2 rebounds this season. James Ennis III and Gary Clark could see elevated minutes going forward, but don’t consider adding them unless they prove they are fantasy-relevant.
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