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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 4 of the fantasy basketball season.
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Short-Term NBA Injuries
Lonzo Ball, PG, New Orleans Pelicans - strained right hip
Ball (hip) was ruled out well in advance of Monday's game, which means he might need a few more days to rest and rehab his hip. Rookie Kenrich Williams stepped into the starting lineup Saturday and dropped 15 points with five boards, three assists, a block and two steals. Ball isn't expected to miss too much time, and we need to see more from Williams before running to the waiver wire.
Paul George, SF, Los Angeles Clippers - shoulder surgeries
PG13 (shoulders) is getting super close to a return, and it's possible he comes back Wednesday. However, it's more likely to be this weekend. Forward Montrezl Harrell has played valiantly in place of George with 20.4 points, 6.7 boards and 2.2 assists per game. However, those numbers will take a big hit when George returns. See if you can sell high immediately.
Ben Simmons, PG, Philadelphia 76ers - sprained AC joint
Simmons (shoulder) missed consecutive games for the first time in three years last week with a Grade 1 sprain of the AC joint in his shoulder. Point guard Raul Neto has been OK in his place averaging 11 points, 4.7 assists and two rebounds the last three games. As soon as Simmons returns, Neto will be irrelevant again so it's probably a waste of time to pick him up.
Myles Turner, C, Indiana Pacers - sprained ankle
The 23-year-old Turner (ankle) has progressed to 4-on-4 work, and it's possible that he returns by the weekend. Center Goga Bitadze (concussion) also went down, and power forward Domantas Sabonis is carrying a heavy load. He had 21 points, 16 boards and seven assists in 38 minutes Sunday. As soon as Turner returns, he should be back in your lineups as his number could be called often.
Mid-Term NBA Injuries
Serge Ibaka, PF, Toronto Raptors - sprained right ankle
The 30-year-old Ibaka (ankle) is out indefinitely with a "pretty bad" sprain of his right ankle, according to head coach Nick Nurse. He'll have an MRI to determine the length of absence. Forward Chris Boucher delivered 15 points and three blocks in 24 minutes Sunday. He's an option in deeper leagues. Center Marc Gasol will have to contribute more than the two points and seven boards he had Sunday. He is likely owned in most leagues, though.
Long-Term NBA Injuries
Gordon Hayward, SF, Boston Celtics - broken left hand
Hayward's (hand) broken hand couldn't have come at a worse time as he was on fire averaging 29.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and seven assists the previous two games. Guard Marcus Smart will likely take over in the starting lineup. Smart is averaging 10.4 points, 4.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds while shooting just 36.8 percent from the floor and 34.6 percent from deep. He's a fringe option in fantasy because he's relied on so heavily for his great defense, but he can be picked up for depth.
Kyle Lowry, PG, Toronto Raptors - fractured left thumb
The defending champs also lost their floor general when Lowry (thumb) suffered a fracture in the distal phalanx of his left thumb. He's out at least two weeks, but it will probably be longer. It looks like 26-year-old Norman Powell will take Lowry's place in the starting lineup, and he has averaged 16 points and 4.5 boards the last two games. Small forward OG Anunoby could also be called on to do more behind guard Fred Vanvleet and forward Pascal Siakam. Powell is a deep-league option but just someone to watch in traditional leagues.
