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Fantasy Basketball Injury Updates for Week 19 - Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell, Scottie Barnes

Max Kulish's NBA injuries report for fantasy basketball in Week 19. He recommends NBA injury replacements to set optimal lineups for seasonal and DFS formats.

Welcome back, RotoBallers! We're heading into the home stretch of the fantasy season! 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, March 4, at night. I'll just cover what has changed since last week.

Drop me a follow on Twitter/X (@Maxadelphia) for all things fantasy basketball and nightly NBA plays.

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Short-Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball

Devin Booker, PG/SG, Phoenix Suns - Ankle

Booker will miss seven to 10 days, leaving him out for at least the next four games for the Suns. While he's out, I'd prioritize Royce O'Neale who has been killing it with Phoenix since being acquired. If O'Neale is unavailable, Eric Gordon is a nice boom-or-bust option.

Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG, Cleveland Cavaliers - Knee

The Cavs announced yesterday (March 4) that Mitchell will miss at least one additional full week after getting an injection in his knee. With Max Strus also hurt for the Cavs, they have two great streaming options: Isaac Okoro and Sam Merrill.

Jalen Brunson, PG, New York Knicks - Knee

Knicks fans saw the season flash before their eyes when Brunson went down awkwardly against Cleveland. Thankfully, a major injury was avoided, and more impressively, Brunson might actually suit up tonight. This injury could linger, so if Brunson misses time either now or down the line, look at Miles McBride to make spot starts.

Josh Richardson, PG/SG - Back, and Tyler Herro, PG/SG - Knee, Miami Heat

Terry Rozier finally returned to the Heat's lineup but Herro and Richardson continue to miss games, although Richardson appears to be nearing a return. Herro was preemptively ruled out of tonight's (March 5) game, which doesn't exactly instill confidence. With the return of Rozier and Jimmy Butler, you're better off looking elsewhere for streaming options.

Onyeka Okongwu, C, Atlanta Hawks - Toe

Okongwu has actually been injured since before the All-Star break, but the injury was initially expected to be resolved by the time the team returned to action. However, the Hawks provided an update on February 24 that Okongwu was now in a walking boot and will be reevaluated in two weeks. While he's out, Bruno Fernando has taken over the backup center role and is worth a look for streaming purposes.

Khris Middleton, SF, Milwaukee Bucks - Ankle

Middleton played only eight minutes last Tuesday against the Suns before exiting. After Friday's comfortable victory in Charlotte, coach Doc Rivers said that Middleton will be out "a minute", which according to Rivers equates to a couple of games. Given Middleton's recent injury history, I'd be surprised if he played before the All-Star break. Jae Crowder has entered fantasy relevance as a result and is worth a look.

Update February 25: Coach Doc Rivers said Middleton is "getting closer" to suiting up again. Given that he was only supposed to miss a few games initially, I'm staying wary of Middleton's status moving forward.

Malcolm Brogdon, PG, Portland Trailblazers - Knee

Brogdon continues to miss time due to his knee injury, and the team announced on February 11 that he won't be reevaluated for two more weeks. Matisse Thybulle will likely continue to start in his place, although he's only useful for defensive stats.

Update March 4: Thybulle is dealing with an injury of his own, along with many of the Blazers' impact players (using that term loosely). Portland is officially on tank watch, but as of now, this looks more like a case of injury pile-up.

 

Long-Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball

Russell Westbrook, PG, LA Clippers - Hand

Westbrook fractured his hand and is expected to miss the rest of the regular season. Terance Mann should get more playing time as a result.

Scottie Barnes, SF/PF, Toronto Raptors - Finger

Barnes underwent finger surgery, and while there was no official announcement of a timetable for his return, I would assume hand surgery takes at least two or three weeks to recover from. Gary Trent Jr should make for a solid streaming option in Barnes' absence.

Trae Young, PG, Atlanta Hawks - Finger

After injuring his finger on February 24 against the Raptors, Young underwent surgery last Tuesday. He won't be reevaluated for four weeks, so his fantasy season is likely finished.

Patrick Williams, SF/PF, Chicago Bulls - Foot

Williams has been out since January 25, but much like his teammate Zach LaVine, healing naturally did not work out for him. On February 23 the Bulls announced he would undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.

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. However, considering that he's been ruled out for "inflammation" for two games in a row, I would expect this injury to be monitored closely with the All-Star break approaching.

Update February 8: Anunoby underwent surgery to remove a loose bone fragment in his elbow and will be reevaluated in three weeks.

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 wishful 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 New York media, but Precious Achiuwa will probably see a little bump in minutes as well.

Update February 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.

 

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. During their game on January 29 in Sacramento, they had 11 players ruled out. This does include guys who have been lost for the season and injured for a long time, but that doesn't change the fact that 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.



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

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