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Each week of the NBA season unfortunately brings injuries to key players across the league. The goal of this column is to break down those injuries and understand which players could benefit in fantasy from an injury to a teammate.
As a reminder, COVID-19 related absences from players will now be included in this column.
There are quite a few injuries to cover this week for fantasy-relevant players, so let’s get to it.
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Short-Term Injuries
Kemba Walker, PG, Boston Celtics- oblique
Walker has now missed four games because of an oblique injury and when he returns is not known. The Celtics are currently dealing with injuries to several key players and Payton Pritchard should see more playing time if Walker is out for more games. Nevertheless, Pritchard’s numbers don’t make him fantasy-relevant.
Jaylen Brown, SG, Boston Celtics- leg
A collision with his own teammate on Sunday left Brown with a leg injury and now his status going forward is questionable. Brown is a major component of this offense as he averages 24.7 points per game. Evan Fournier and Aaron Nesmith are both worth keeping an eye on and they could be good streaming options as well.
Jayson Tatum, SF, Boston Celtics- leg
Tatum also endured a leg injury after colliding with Jaylen Brown in Sunday’s game. Tatum is averaging 26.5 points per game and was on a torrid stretch where he posted at least 33 points in four of the past five games. If he can’t play, Grant Williams and Semi Ojeleye could see more minutes but none are worth monitoring in fantasy.
Darius Garland, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers- ankle
Garland has missed one game so far because of an ankle injury and his timetable for return is unclear. Cedi Osman and Damyean Dotson would see more minutes if Garland misses any more time and Osman is worth monitoring for fantasy as he has at least 14 points in four of the past five games.
Kelly Oubre Jr., SG, Golden State Warriors- wrist
Oubre has now missed three games in a row because of a wrist injury and when he could return is unspecified. While Oubre is gone, Jordan Poole and Kent Bazemore are candidates for more minutes. They are worth monitoring, but none have been consistent enough to pick up and start in fantasy.
Christian Wood, C, Houston Rockets- quad
A quad injury leaves Wood’s status in the air. The center has been averaging a decent 21 points per game, so this is a huge potential absence. Kelly Olynyk is certainly worth adding in fantasy as he would see more minutes if Wood can’t go. Olynyk has posted at least 17 points in five of the past six games.
Dennis Schroder, PG, Los Angeles Lakers- health and safety protocols
Schroder will be out for an expected 10 to 14 days because of being placed in health and safety protocols. This means he could miss the rest of the regular season. The Lakers are skidding right now and this comes at an inopportune time. Alex Caruso could see more minutes but he’s not relevant for fantasy.
LeBron James, SF, Los Angeles Lakers- ankle
LeBron sat out Monday’s contest because of an ankle injury and the superstar missed a month already because of an ankle sprain too. James’ status going forward is still unclear. If he can’t play in another contest, Kyle Kuzma and Talen Horton-Tucker could be seeing more minutes with Kuzma being a potential streaming option.
Harrison Barnes, SF, Sacramento Kings- groin
A groin injury has sidelined Barnes for three games now. The forward’s return date is unspecified now. Marvin Bagley III would see more minutes if Barnes can’t go for more games and Bagley is worth adding as he posted 23 points on Sunday.
Fred VanVleet, SG, Toronto Raptors- hip
A hip injury kept VanVleet out of Sunday’s contest and when the guard could return is uncertain. Rodney Hood and Malachi Flynn could see more playing time if VanVleet can’t play but none are fantasy-relevant.
Mike Conley, PG, Utah Jazz- hamstring
A hamstring injury has now kept Conley out of four straight games and a potential return date has not been stated. Guys like Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles would continue to see more playing time. Clarkson is a solid add as he has 15 points in six of the last eight games. Ingles is only worth monitoring.
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