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Welcome back, RotoBallers! I hope everyone is staying warm! I'm here to help you stay up to date on injury news, and how it impacts your teams.
I'm writing this the day before you'll see it; information is accurate as of Monday February 5, at night. I'll just cover what has changed since last week.
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Short-Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball
OG Anunoby, SF, New York Knicks - Elbow
Anunoby's elbow injury wasn't initially feared to be anything serious, which is why he wasn't included in this article last week, but when a guy misses four straight games something is up. Anunoby could very well return for tonight's game against the battered Grizzlies, but considering the last two games he's been ruled out for "inflammation" I would expect this injury to be monitored closely with the All-Star Break approaching.
Andrew Wiggins, SF/PF, Golden State Warriors - Ankle
After Saturday's game in Atlanta where Wiggins left early, Warriors' coach Steve Kerr said Wiggins suffered a sprained foot in his post-game presser. Wiggins was then listed as doubtful for last night's game before ultimately being ruled out. Brandon Podziemski took Wiggins' spot in the Warriors' starting lineup and should be a priority add if he's available. If Podziemski has already been scooped up by someone else, but you still want to target the Warriors, look at Dario Saric.
Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF, Washington Wizards - Shoulder
Kuzma is a big name who's been popular in trade talk rumors, so I'm not sure what to make of him being a late addition to the injury report Sunday before eventually being ruled out. The injury was listed as "shoulder soreness" so it's probably nothing serious from a physical standpoint, but should Kuzma continue to miss time (or get traded) I'd prioritize Bilal Coulibaly (who started in Kuzma's place) or Corey Kispert.
Malcolm Brogdon, PG - Knee, and Jerami Grant, PF - Back, Portland Trailblazers
Both Grant (two games) and Brogdon (one game), haven't missed much time for Portland after picking up their respective injuries. However, the Blazers are in the rare spot of having three days of rest between games (their next game against the Pistons isn't until Thursday) so this situation won't be cleared up until at least Thursday morning. If one or both of them are still inactive come Thursday night, look for Matisse Thybulle or Toumani Camara to continue starting in their place.
Clint Capela, C, Atlanta Hawks - Abductor
After undergoing an MRI on Sunday, Capela was diagnosed with an abductor strain that will keep him out for seven to 10 days. However, 10 days coincide perfectly with the last game the Hawks play before the All-Star Break. Atlanta may hold him out through the ASB as he's been a popular name in trade rumors lately.
Jalen Williams, SF/PF, Oklahoma City Thunder - Ankle
It seems like every week there's someone of significance who tweaks something late in the game on Monday night, and the severity of the injury is unknown, but I feel obligated to note it because it could be meaningful. JDub (as he's known to the Thunder faithful) is that guy this week. He rolled his right ankle late in the fourth quarter and was seen not putting any weight on that foot as he left the court. If Williams does miss time, Kenrich Williams is my best guess to see an increase in opportunity.
Week 2: Turns out that rolled ankle was significant enough to keep Williams out of the Thunders' last three games. He did participate in a shootaround before Sunday's game against the Raptors, so it appears he'll return sooner rather than later.
Long-Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball
Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers - Knee
We officially won't see Embiid repeat as the MVP. After hurting his seemingly already shaky knee last Tuesday against the Warriors, it was announced on Sunday that he would undergo a procedure on his torn meniscus. The Sixers have said there's a possibility he could return this year, but it won't be until after the fantasy basketball season is finished. Paul Reed is likely long gone from the free agents' pool, but if you need a big man, Mo Bamba should be involved enough moving forward to be worth a roster spot.
Zach LaVine, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls - Ankle
After a few weeks of trying to let his ankle injury heal naturally, it took rumors of a trade to the Pistons to convince LaVine that surgery was his best course of action. If he's still available, Ayo Dosunmu has been solid as a starter and should be a priority add with the knowledge that LaVine's year is finished.
Julius Randle, PF, New York Knicks - Shoulder
Randle suffered a dislocated shoulder against the Heat on Sunday, and while the Knicks are hopeful the severity of the injury is "measured in weeks, not months", that's nothing more than wishing thinking until his MRI later this week. If Josh Hart is still available in your league, he's pegged as the most likely candidate to join the starting lineup according to NY media, but Precious Achiuwa will probably see a little bump in minutes as well.
Update 2/1: The Knicks announced that Randle will be reevaluated in two to three weeks.
Desmond Bane, SG/SF - Ankle and Marcus Smart, PG/SG - Finger, Memphis Grizzlies
If the season-ending injury to Ja Morant didn't end the Grizzlies' season, surely this pair of injuries will. Bane and Smart suffered their injuries in back-to-back games, and both are expected to be reevaluated in six weeks, which puts their timeline at the end of February. I'd be shocked if the Grizzlies weren't thinking more about their lottery odds at that point, and you should consider both of these injuries as essentially season-ending ones.
Ja Morant, PG, Memphis Grizzlies - Shoulder
This season came and went for Morant, who will only end up playing nine games this year. Morant tore a labral muscle in his right shoulder and is undergoing season-ending surgery. This season looks lost for the 13-23 Grizzlies, who are now officially on tank watch.
Chris Paul, PG, Golden State Warriors - Hand
The Warriors announced over the weekend that Paul will undergo surgery on his injured hand and miss four to six weeks. If I had to guess, he'll probably return after All-Star Weekend (February 16-18). Coach Steve Kerr has indicated Moses Moody will see additional minutes off the Warriors' bench and is worth looking at for fantasy purposes.
Mitchell Robinson, C, New York Knicks - Ankle
One week after undergoing surgery, Robinson's recovery timeline has drastically changed. Initially only slated to miss around two months, an update on December 20 announced Robinson's 2023-24 campaign has ended due to this injury. Isaiah Hartenstein has taken over the starting role, and with Jericho Sims scheduled to return at the beginning of 2024, Tom Thibodeau's favorite Taj Gibson will be in the Knicks' rotation.
Gabe Vincent, PG/SG, Los Angeles Lakers - Knee
After missing nearly two months with a knee issue, Vincent returned to the Lakers' lineup for one whole game. He hurt the same left knee that's been bothering him all year, and the team announced he'll undergo surgery this week. He's expected to miss six to eight weeks minimum, but due to the recurring nature of this injury, I wouldn't be surprised if his absence is longer than that. It seems most likely that rookie Max Christie will rejoin the rotation in his wake.
The Tank Corner
OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
The Grizzlies may not have the worst record in the league (would you believe they only have one fewer loss than the Warriors?) but it seems inevitable that the plug will be pulled soon. For last night's game in Sacramento, they had 11 players ruled out, which does include guys who have been lost for the season and injured for a long time, but that doesn't change the fact they're working with scraps. If Jaren Jackson Jr. picks up any sort of significant injury (real or fake), the floodgates will undoubtedly open for the Grizzlies to have the least recognizable roster in the NBA. For the time being, consider them a one-stop shop for all fantasy and DFS dart throws.
Update: JJJ was ruled out with "hip soreness" when the Grizzlies played in Boston on Sunday, and is doubtful for tonight's game already. It looks like this phantom injury could be exactly what the team needs as their last step of waiving the white flag this season.
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