Fantasy Basketball Injury Updates for Week 18 - Pat Connaughton, Norman Powell, John Collins, Zach LaVine, Chris Duarte

February 15, 2022

Keith Cork's NBA injuries report for fantasy basketball in Week 18. He recommends NBA injury replacements to set optimal lineups for seasonal and DFS formats.

Going to be knocking this out early on Monday yet again as there's another Bulls game tonight. Double-check the latest injury reports before you go full speed ahead on any adds. This should give you a quick, general idea though.

The tradeline has come and gone, and there's been a ton of shifting in the NBA landscape. There's plenty of value to be had between that and these injury updates, and the all-star break should mean we have plenty of time for injured guys to rest up. Be on the lookout for people ramping up to make an appearance after the all-star break. It happens every year.

We'll just be covering the stuff that has changed since I wrote this article last week because I know you've been following and taking copious notes since we began! These players are listed in the alphabetical order of the teams for which they play.

Short-Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball

John Collins, PF/C, Atlanta Hawks - Foot

John Collins will be on the sidelines at least through the all-star break, which means Danilo Gallinari and Onyeka Okongwu should see some additional minutes. Gallo is an easy snatch with some added run. Okongwu is a tougher grab but if you need big man stats more desperately he makes a lot of sense.

Ben Simmons, PG, Brooklyn Nets - Conditioning

Ben Simmons was in the blockbuster trade over the deadline as he got exchanged for another disgruntled star in James Harden. Ben hasn't played a game this season, so he's getting his body and mind ready. There's no guarantee he'll be back this season, but I tend to believe we'll see him after the all-star break, potentially in that first game after the break. Once he comes back, it will be interesting to see how he affects the fantasy value of everyone else on the team. He will probably end up playing more forward whenever Kyrie Irving is able to play, so guys like James Johnson and Blake Griffin will become unrosterable pretty quickly. LaMarcus Aldridge may also take a hit.

Zach LaVine, SG/SF, Chicago Bulls - Knee

We wrote about Zach LaVine's back spasms last week, but this week we have a new injury to report. Zach is seeing a specialist about discomfort in his knee that he has been experiencing now for quite some time. That's worrying news for the Bulls and for Zach LaVine owners in fantasy basketball. Obviously, you need to hang tight for now and not do anything rash with LaVine until we get more news. His absence will mean more run for Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu as the Bulls are just paper-thin in the backcourt, especially with Javonte Green out now too.

Spencer Dinwiddie, PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks - Traded

Spencer Dinwiddie is set to make his Dallas Mavericks debut soon, and it's really a headache for fantasy hoops. If you have Dinwiddie on your roster, he wasn't good in Washington and his new situation is even worse. You should probably hang on for a few games just to see what his role looks like, but if you want to move on for a hot free agent I wouldn't blame you. His entry into the lineup could be bad news for guys like Jalen Brunson and Reggie Bullock. Those guys are still holds though for now.

Monte Morris, PG/SG, Denver Nuggets - Concussion

Monte Morris has cleared the concussion protocol and he should rejoin the starting lineup soon. Bones Hyland is an easy drop with this news.

Eric Gordon, SG/SF, Houston Rockets - Heel

As I write this, Eric Gordon is listed as probable. If he plays, that's bad news for those hoping for a buyout. His presence will make guys like Garrison Mathews and Josh Christopher hard to roster. If you have dead space on your roster and need points, he's worth a look in the hopes he can continue to see 25 minutes or so, but that's hard to bank on as the Rockets are surely looking to tank the rest of the season as they sit on a 15-40 record.

Chris Duarte, SG/SF, Indiana Pacers - Toe

It's unfortunate, but Chris Duarte is looking at a few games on the sidelines at least as he deals with a sore toe. The Pacers aren't in any rush to get him back to the floor as they try to make the most out of their draft capital. Lance Stephenson and Duane Washington Jr. will fill the void in the backcourt with Stephenson being the guy you should stream for points and assists. The return of Malcolm Brogdon looms, but it's possible Brogdon doesn't play again for the Pacers this season too. You can add Lance with some measure of confidence.

Isaiah Jackson, PF, Indiana Pacers - Ankle

The rotations in the frontcourt in Indiana are at the top of everyone's mind these days when it comes to fantasy basketball, and Isaiah Jackson is a big part of that. He's day-to-day at the moment as he had to leave in his return game due to reaggravating the ankle injury he had before. The Pacers are probably going to be extremely cautious with him since they don't want to make the injury worse, which means Oshae Brissett needs to be rostered everywhere immediately, and newly acquired Jalen Smith is worth a look in deeper leagues. Goga Bitadze is also worth a stream in the short term for big man stats.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF, Milwaukee Bucks - Ankle

Giannis Antetokounmpo is a bit dinged up and is likely just getting a rest day against the lowly Trail Blazers. Jordan Nwora might go off in Monday's game, but don't be fooled. Giannis was listed probable earlier in the day so he's very likely to be back for their next game unless some crazy news drops.

RJ Barrett, SG/SF, New York Knicks - Ankle

RJ Barrett has had to miss a few games with a sprained ankle, which has cleared the way for some Quentin Grimes minutes. Grimes is worth a look in the short term if you're in need of points, but Barrett will likely be back for the next game for the Knicks.

Mitchell Robinson, C, New York Knicks - Ankle

Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel are both listed as questionable for Monday's game, so I figured it would be beneficial to give you this little tidbit. The Knicks frontcourt is kind of easy to figure out. If Robinson can't play and Noel plays, then Noel is a great stream (and vice versa). If neither guy can go, Taj Gibson is worth a look for big man stats. That will remain true for the rest of the season, so just take note.

Luguentz Dort, SG/SF, Oklahoma City Thunder - Shoulder

Lu Dort is dealing with a shoulder strain, potentially caused by a very heavy tank. The Thunder are already down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, so Josh Giddey is going to have his hands full for Monday. Should Lu miss more time, Darius Bazley shouldn't be sitting on any wires. Kenrich Williams is also a nice stream in the short term playing for a Dort-less Thunder team.

James Harden, PG/SG, Philadelphia 76ers - Hamstring

If I'm a Sizers fan, I'm mildly concerned that James Harden keeps pulling his hamstring. Hopefully, he can get it right, but he's out through the all-star break which will make Furkan Korkmaz and Shake Milton worth a stream. Tyrese Maxey will have nice stats for a while longer. Harden's eventual return to playing basketball will hurt Maxey most, I'd imagine.

Daniel Gafford, C, Washington Wizards - Health & Safety Protocols

Daniel Gafford has been out for a few weeks but he's nearing a return. He's worth an add as it remains to be seen if Kristapz Porzingis will suit up anytime soon, or how the frontcourt rotations in Washington will work after their big trades at the deadline. Gafford's return will make Thomas Bryant an easy drop. Rui Hachimura is someone I'd actually hang onto to see if he can maintain his 20+ minute role, but if Gafford and KP both play then he's an easy drop as well.

Long Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball

Kevin Durant, SF/PF, Brooklyn Nets - Knee

Steve Nash said recently that there's still no firm timetable for the return of Kevin Durant, but he has been doing individual workouts and getting up shots. If he can return, the soonest would probably be the middle of March, which may be in time for the fantasy playoffs for some leagues. If you have him on your roster, you can stash him for now, but I wouldn't have high hopes he can come back in time to help you out. Just hope for the best.

Lauri Markkanen, SF/PF/C, Cleveland Cavaliers - Ankle

Lauri Markkanen has been out for almost a month now and I bet you forgot about it because the Cavs just keep winning basketball games. I'm not super confident he's going to return to a starting role, or even that his minutes are safe with the way that Kevin Love has played for the Cavaliers, but if you held onto him this long you might as well hold on a bit longer. His return is likely going to cut into Kevin Love enough to make him a drop and I've already moved on from him in any league I had him on my roster. Caris LeVert's arrival probably will cut a bit into Lauri's production as well.

Norman Powell, SG/SF, Los Angeles Clippers - Foot

Norm Powell fractured a bone in his foot and there's no timetable yet for his return. He could be looking at missing the rest of the season but is likely looking at a few weeks on the sidelines at minimum in order to heal up. That's a tough blow for Powell owners and the Clippers, but Terance Mann is worth a speculative add right this very minute. Marcus Morris Sr. and Amir Coffey enter back into the conversation as borderline fantasy assets now. Stay tuned for more information, but doesn't look good for ol' Norman.

Pat Connaughton, SG/SF, Milwaukee Bucks - Hand

Pat Connaughton is probably going to miss the rest of your fantasy season and if you have him on your roster for some reason you should definitely move on. His absence should help Grayson Allen hang onto dear life for fantasy value. Jordan Nwora and Wesley Matthews could get more run but are really only worth a look as streams here and there.

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