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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 14 of the fantasy basketball season.
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Short-Term NBA Injuries
Kyrie Irving, PG, Brooklyn Nets - sore right hamstring
Irving surfaced on the injury report Monday with a sore right hamstring when he was ruled out. Guard Spencer Dinwiddie has cooled off since Irving returned from his shoulder impingement, but he plays like a house on fire when Irving is out. Guard Caris Lavert could also be worth streaming in DFS as long as Irving is out, but he's not worth picking up yet.
C.J. McCollum, SG, Portland Trail Blazers - sprained left ankle
McCollum sprained his ankle last week, and guard Anfernee Simons filled in for 12 points and three boards Saturday. He'll take the minutes, but guard Gary Trent Jr. dropped 30 in 36 minutes as point guard Damian Lillard's option B on offense. Trent is worth the speculative grab for the short term.
Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Dallas Mavericks - sore right knee
Porzingis is hoping to return from a 10-game absence Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers. He could sit out either Thursday or Saturday as he'll likely be eased back in. Center Dwight Powell has averaged 13 points and 6.4 boards over that stretch, and his value will plummet once the Unicorn returns. However, he could be streamed if Porzingis sits one out later this week. Porzingis is a must-start when he's active.
Zion Williamson, PF, New Orleans Pelicans - right knee surgery
The No. 1 overall pick is slated to make his NBA debut Wednesday, but he'll be on a strict minutes limit. His presence could hurt forward Derrick Favors, who has played pretty well of late. Williamson should be activated in all leagues, but expectations should be tempered for the time being. Hold on to Favors to see how the two are used in unison.
Mid-Term NBA Injuries
Wendell Carter Jr., C, Chicago Bulls - sprained right ankle
Carter has been progressing quickly, and he said he's closer to the four-week timetable than the six weeks. He has been out just under two weeks, which means he could return in early February. Center Daniel Gafford (thumb) also went down for two to four weeks, and Luke Kornet should be picked up in most formats. Kornet has averaged 11.3 points, 3.3 boards and 1.7 blocks per game the last three games.
Long-Term NBA Injuries
Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors - broken left hand
The superstar has pegged March 1 as his target return date, which will give him about 20 games to play before the end of the season. Rookie Jordan Poole has picked it up after a rough go in his first year. He has averaged 15.3 points and 2.8 assists the last four games. Poole is shooting just 28.6 percent on the season, and he'll do more damage than good in leagues with percentages. If you're in a counting-number league, he's a fringe pickup.
Jamal Murray, PG, Denver Nuggets - sprained left ankle
Coach Mike Malone said Murray will be out for the foreseeable future after he sprained his ankle Wednesday. Guards Monte Morris and Malik Beasley will take the bulk of Murray's minutes. Morris had 11 points and three dimes in 26 minutes Thursday, and Beasley had just two points and two boards. Neither will provide much more than depth for now, but they're worth watching for the right streaming option.
