Fantasy Basketball Injury Updates for Week 10

December 21, 2021

Keith Cork's fantasy basketball injuries and NBA lineup updates for Week 10. Find injury replacements and set optimal NBA lineups for seasonal and DFS formats.

Where in the world do I begin? Everyone's out, go pick up the 10 players who aren't out. The end.

Healthy and safety protocols are killing the season, and the league is working around the clock to come up with new protocols that will keep the games going and the players safe. I'm not optimistic, but hopefully, this is the worst of it this season. I'll be covering teams in full where there is a big outbreak, which is a lot of teams. Just going to save some space and give it all to you in one lump dump. Sorry.

Just a note that I'll be writing this early on Monday and it's almost guaranteed that more players will enter the league's protocols before this article drops. It is what it is... I'm liable to have missed some folks too, so double-check my work before you rush out to grab someone.

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

Trae Young, PG, Atlanta Hawks - Health & Safety Protocols

Trae Young is going to be out through the holidays and would first be eligible to return on December 29th. Delon Wright should be snapped up everywhere (2% owned in Yahoo! leagues) and Bogdan Bogdanovic is going to be relied on heavily once he returns. Bogdan is on the verge of a return and should be stashed if he's somehow available in your league. Kevin Huerter also goes from a borderline guy to a guy you can confidently stream. Huerter is owned in 41% of leagues, so he's likely available in leagues that aren't super competitive.

Jayson Tatum, SF/PF, Boston Celtics - Ankle

The Celtics have five guys in the health & safety protocols too, but Tatum's ankle injury is the newest issue and if he can't go on Monday night then the Celtics will be extremely thin. Dennis Schroder is also questionable but it seems like it's trending in the right direction for him to play. Aaron Nesmith would be worth a stream if Tatum can't go, as would Payton Pritchard, especially if Romeo Langford can't play through his sore neck. I'd prefer to have Nesmith if we get word that Tatum is sitting.

Players in H&S: Josh Richardson, Grant Williams, Sam Hauser, Juancho Hernangomez, Jabari Parker

The Entire Roster, All Positions, Brooklyn Nets - Health & Safety Protocols

So the Nets are just a pure "stay away" situation at the moment since their next game is going to be December 23rd after a few games were postponed. If they do play that game on the 23rd, we'll have to reevaluate, but Patty Mills and Blake Griffin will likely be worth a roster spot at that point. Nicolas Claxton would be worth a spot too if he can play through that wrist injury.

Players in H&S: Kevin Durant, Day'Ron Sharpe, James Harden, Jevon Carter, James Johnson, LaMarcus Aldridge, Bruce Brown, DeAndre' Bembry, Paul Millsap, Kyrie Irving

Gordon Hayward, SG/SF, Charlotte Hornets - Back

Gordon Hayward popped up as doubtful for Monday's game with back discomfort, but it doesn't sound like something that will keep him out beyond that one game. If he's going to miss multiple games, Kelly Oubre Jr. should have some nice games. Jalen McDaniels should pick up some minutes as well, but would only be useful in deeper leagues with the Hornets relatively healthy. Only Cody Martin is currently in the league's health and safety protocols.

Derrick Jones Jr., SG/SF, Chicago Bulls - Hamstring

DJJ went down in the last game, and it's unfortunate since the Bulls are still without a big chunk of their roster. None of the guys in the health and safety protocols are going to return before the holidays, but the only guys worth rostering in Chicago are Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic. Alfonzo McKinnie just signed a second 10-day contract and should pick up the DJJ minutes but isn't worth a spot in standard leagues. If you want to stream Javonte Green, he might be worth it for this week only. As I was writing this, Alex Caruso went down with a sore foot injury. If he misses time, McKinnie would be worth a snag.

Players in H&S: Zach LaVine, Alize Johnson, Troy Brown Jr., Ayo Dosunmu, Matt Thomas

The Entire Roster, All Positions, Cleveland Cavaliers - Health & Safety Protocols

The Cavs all entered the protocols around the same time and probably won't be back for the next week, at least. The Cavs had their game postponed in the last one, but they might have to suit up for Wednesday's game against the Boston Celtics. Lauri Markkanen should have a nice game with so many front-court bodies missing. Kevin Love should be snapped up in all leagues for the time being as well. Dean Wade should slide into the starting lineup and would be worth a look for teams in need of threes as long as he stays healthy through the release of this article. Fingers crossed.

Players in H&S: RJ Nembhard, Lamar Stevens, Denzel Valentine, Dylan Windler, Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Isaac Okoro

Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C, Dallas Mavericks - Toe

KP had to leave the last game with a sore toe, and Maxi Kleber was the main man to step up. Yet, Kleber is now in the health and safety protocols. If KP can't go for Tuesday's game, Dwight Powell, Moses Brown, and Boban Marjanovic might be worth a look for a game or two. Marquese Chriss also signed a 10-day recently and has been a fantasy monster in spots in the past. He might be worth a flier if we get word in time that KP isn't going to play. All of these guys carry considerable risk and it's not clear which one will be the biggest benefactor.

Players in H&S: Maxi Kleber, Reggie Bullock, Josh Green

Andrew Wiggins, SG/SF, Golden State Warriors - Health and Safety Protocols

Andrew Wiggins can return on December 29th at the earliest, and without Jordan Poole due to health and safety protocols, someone on the Warriors will definitely get a chance to step up. Damion Lee feels like the obvious winner, but Jonathan Kuminga is the more intriguing pickup for upside. I would view Lee as a solid streamer for threes and points, and Kuminga as a flier. As I was writing this, Kuminga experienced some back tightness. That would take him off the radar for the time being.

Marcus Morris Sr., PF/C, Los Angeles Clippers - Health and Safety Protocols

Marcus Morris Sr. is the sole player out in the health and safety protocols for the Los Angeles Clippers, but Paul George is still out as well which has left a massive hole on the wing for the Clippers. Terance Mann is somehow only rostered in 26% of Yahoo! leagues and should be scooped up everywhere. Luke Kennard (47% owned) is going to be a great play for the week as well. Go grab both of those guys. Roto players can lean heavily on Nicolas Batum but for standard H2H, the other two guys are a bit more appealing. As I was writing this, Paul George suited up and played. So don't go rush to grab Mann just yet.

The Entire Roster, All Positions, Los Angeles Lakers - Health and Safety Protocols

The Lakers have really thinned out in the past several days, with six players entering the health and safety protocols. The Lakers play on Tuesday but it's unlikely any of these guys return to the lineup for that one. Isaiah Thomas has been a popular streamer and should continue to be a good pickup with the Lakers in need of offense without Anthony Davis. Wayne Ellington (1% rostered) is worth a look for teams in need of threes and Carmelo Anthony would be worth a spot for points, threes, and rebounds. I'd go for Melo first, then IT, and I would view Ellington as a three-point specialist.

Players in H&S: Kent Bazemore, Malik Monk, Austin Reaves, Avery Bradley, Talen Horton-Tucker, Dwight Howard

PJ Tucker, PF/C, Miami Heat - Leg

PJ Tucker experienced some leg inflammation, which is worrisome. In his absence, KZ Okpala should get some additional run, but so should Omer Yurtseven. Yurtseven has the much higher upside and is worth a roll of the dice in case the Heat are going to be missing PJ and Bam Adebayo for an extended period of time here.

Tyler Herro, PG/SG, Miami Heat - Quadriceps

Tyler Herro has already missed several games with a sore quad, but his continued absence makes Gabe Vincent and Max Strus two attractive pickups. Vincent would be the more attractive pickup at the moment out of the pair.

The Entire Roster, All Positions, Minnesota Timberwolves - Health & Safety Protocols

Luckily for Karl-Anthony Towns owners, the big man is still healthy for the time being. He should be in for some monster games. D'Angelo Russell should go off as well. Malik Beasley should be rostered everywhere right now. Naz Reid is intriguing in case he starts to see 22-25 minutes per game, but it's hard to see that happening with Jaden McDaniels in the mix. McDaniels should get the bulk of the minutes, but he just doesn't do much with them.

Players in H&S: Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Josh Okogie, Taurean Prince, Anthony Edwards

The Entire Roster, All Positions, New York Knicks - Health & Safety Protocols

The New York Knicks are both desperate for wins and for some scoring. With all the backcourt bodies out, Kemba Walker has been the most popular pickup and for good reason. He played well enough against the Boston Celtics that Thibodeau will have no choice but to play him minutes until he gets some bodies back in the rotation. Derrick Rose is also questionable with an ankle injury, which means there is nothing but opportunity for Kemba. No one else on the Knicks is super appealing and likely to be available.

Players in H&S: Miles McBride, Immanuel Quickley, Kevin Knox, Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin

The Entire Roster, All Positions, Orlando Magic - Health & Safety Protocols

The Orlando Magic have five players in the health and safety protocols, but they have 12 players out in total. That's a full NBA roster out of commission. Sheesh. Wendell Carter Jr. is the biggest news of late as he left with a muscle strain. In his and Mo Bamba's absence, Robin Lopez must be rostered everywhere as well as Chuma Okeke. Franz Wagner is going to enjoy some increased production. Everyone else the Magic are going to trot out there is going to be too inefficient to consider, but they might pop off for a great game here or there. Mo Bamba could be back for the next Magic game, which would eat away at Robin Lopez's value quite a bit. Chuma Okeke should be safe for a few games though.

Players in H&S: Terrence Ross, RJ Hampton, Moritz Wagner, Ignas Brazdeikis, Mo Bamba

Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG, Philadelphia 76ers - Quadriceps

Tyrese Maxey has been dealing with a sore left quad for the last few games and it may sideline him for another game or two. Shake Milton would have been the guy to snag, but since he's in the league's health and safety protocols, Isaiah Joe has been absorbing most of the minutes but has only managed one point over 50 minutes somehow. Leave Joe on the wire. Danny Green is a nice player to pickup with a bit more added opportunity in Philadelphia.

Players in H&S: Andre Drummond, Shake Milton, Georges Niang

Damian Lillard, PG, Portland Trail Blazers - Hamstring

Lillard is questionable for Tuesday with a sore hamstring. Hamstrings can be really tricky, so there is a good chance he misses the game on Tuesday. If he does, Anfernee Simons would be in line for a huge bump and is the obvious add. Everyone else on the team should get a bump in usage as well.

The Entire Roster, All Positions, Sacramento Kings - Health & Safety Protocols

The Kings got rocked with the COVID bug, losing six players to the health and safety protocols. Chimezie Metu is a must add in the short term for his ability to give you blocks, threes, points, and rebounds in bunches as long as he's getting minutes. Tristan Thompson would also be worth an add for rebounds and field goal percentage. Once Richaun Holmes returns, thing will get pretty hairy for both of these guys, but Metu should be able to retain his value. Most of the players in the protocols are likely out through Christmas.

Players in H&S: Davion Mitchell, De'Aaron Fox, Louis King, Alex Len, Marvin Bagley, Terence Davis

Gary Trent Jr., SG/SF, Toronto Raptors - Health & Safety Protocols

GTJ is one of the most recent casualties due to COVID. Svi Mykhailiuk would be worth an add for teams in need of points and three-pointers. Yuta Watanabe would be worth an add in deeper leagues.

Long Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball

Anthony Davis, PF/C, Los Angeles Lakers - Knee

Anthony Davis was sitting games and we didn't have much clarity until last Saturday when it was announced he had suffered a sprained MCL. He's going to miss at least four weeks, but it's likely (given his injury history and reluctance to play through injury) that his absence will be a few weeks longer. Dwight Howard will probably get enough minutes once he's out of the health and safety protocols to be useful for teams in need of rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage. Carmelo Anthony will also be useful for teams in need of points and boards.

Ja Morant, PG, Memphis Grizzlies - Knee

As of the writing of this article, Ja Morant has gotten his first questionable tag since going down with the knee injury. That's good news and his return will likely tank all value for Tyus Jones, and it might send De'Anthony Melton back into fluctuating minutes as well. Melton is a hold for now, but Jones is a clear drop.

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