Fantasy Basketball Injury Updates for Week 21 - Ja Morant, Anfernee Simons, Zach LaVine, Chris Duarte, Brandon Ingram

March 14, 2022

Keith Cork's NBA injuries report for fantasy basketball in Week 21. He recommends NBA injury replacements to set optimal lineups for seasonal and DFS formats.

Getting this out early yet again as stuff is always time-sensitive this time of year. You need the info to win your playoff matches, so I'll have you covered!

I'll just cover what has changed since last week. These players are listed in the alphabetical order of the teams for which they play.

Short-Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball

Danilo Gallinari, SF/PF, Atlanta Hawks - Achilles

Danilo Gallinari is day-to-day with soreness in his Achilles. John Collins is also out on Monday so that will likely mean more run for Onyeka Okongwu. Okongwu is a fantastic speculative add as he can put up some very good big man stats in 20+ minutes a night. If you need boards, field goal percentage, and blocks, go snap him up for tonight.

Seth Curry, PG/SG, Brooklyn Nets - Ankle

It's just a sprained ankle for Seth Curry and he was a very late scratch in their last matchup. He's a hold for now with the hope that he can suit up for their back-to-back games on Tuesday and Wednesday coming up. If he's ruled out, Patty Mills, Bruce Brown, and Goran Dragic will get more opportunities. Bruce Brown should be owned everywhere at this point, so be sure to check your wire. I'd add Mills over Dragic, but if you need assists the Dragon is the better option.

Zach LaVine, SG/SF, Chicago Bulls - Knee

The Chicago Bulls are looking towards the playoffs, so it seems like they're taking this opportunity to get some additional rest for Zach LaVine, who has been dealing with knee soreness for a few months now. He seems to be able to play through the injury and doesn't have any structural damage, but this has to be annoying for LaVine owners. Coby White and Alex Caruso should get the biggest bump if LaVine needs more games on the sidelines. Caruso is a fantastic add for steals and Coby is the guy you want for threes and points.

Lauri Markkanen, SF/PF/C, Cleveland Cavaliers - Ankle

Lauri Markkanen already had to miss a game with some ankle soreness, and he might be on his way to missing another game on Monday night. Kevin Love is the biggest beneficiary of a Lauri Markkanen absence, though he's likely already owned in your league. Cedi Osman is good to continue with reasonable enough value to warrant a stream unless we get news that Caris LeVert is for sure returning. You need to hold Lauri in a four-game week for now. Caris LeVert was ruled in as I wrote this, so go ahead and move on from Cedi Osman.

Luka Doncic, PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks - Hamstring

Luka Doncic had to exit their last game with some tightness in his hamstring. It seems like there's a great chance he plays through the injury, but with the Mavs having a back-to-back to end this week, and only three games on the schedule, to begin with, owners need to be a bit worried that he might miss one of those games. Obviously, you shouldn't drop him, but just hang on and hope for the best. If Doncic has to miss time, Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie will get the biggest boosts, but all players on the Mavs will get a boost with the absence of Luka's massive usage.

Aaron Gordon, SF/PF, Denver Nuggets - Foot

Aaron Gordon is experiencing foot soreness and Zeke Nnaji is experiencing issues with his knee, so Davon Reed got plenty of burn in their last game. I wouldn't add him, but JaMychal Green saw some additional run in that game too, and would make for an intriguing add if AG and/or Nnaji has to miss some more time.

Killian Hayes, PG/SG, Detroit Pistons - Groin

The Pistons are absolutely decimated in the backcourt with Killian Hayes joining Hamidou Diallo, Frank Jackson, and Rodney McGruder on the sidelines. Saben Lee may get a lot of burn in the short term, but he's not a very strong add. If Diallo can make it back, he's only owned in 11% of leagues and can contribute points and steals if he can get 25+ minutes.

Otto Porter Jr., SF/PF, Golden State Warriors - Illness

Otto Porter Jr. has already missed four games and there hasn't been much information about what is going on with him. His absence has directly corresponded with Jonathan Kuminga's recent success, and the rookie is worth an add if you need points and threes. You'd have to think OPJ gets back soon, but there's no telling if he's already lost his piece of the rotation to Kuminga.

Goga Bitadze, C, Indiana Pacers - Foot

Goga Bitadze is may or may not play in Tuesday's game at this point, but he shouldn't be owned anyways. If you are an Isaiah Jackson owner, you're hoping Goga misses more time. Jalen Smith would be a safer value too with Goga on the sidelines. If he does suit up, both those guys take a minor hit but should still do enough to warrant a roster spot.

Chris Duarte, SG/SF, Indiana Pacers - Toe

The Pacers are going full silly season as they sit everyone in an attempt to tank their way to a top pick. Chris Duarte won't suit up unless he's completely healthy, and with Malcolm Brogdon out in the concussion protocols that makes Duane Washington Jr. an intriguing short-term add. I wouldn't go out of my way to add him, but if we know for certain he's going to be locked into starter's minutes, he's worth a one-game stream.

Malcolm Brogdon, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers - Concussion

Malcolm Brogdon has now missed the minimum two games after he entered the concussion protocol, but the Pacers have no reason at all to rush him back. He may miss more time, but if you have him on your roster still you can obviously hold for one more day to see if there's any additional clarity. As mentioned above, Duane Washington Jr. makes for an intriguing short-term stream if Brogdon and Chris Duarte remain out.

Robert Covington, PF/C, Los Angeles Clippers - Personal

The rumor is that Robert Covington is welcoming his new baby into the world, but he's been out for some time now. You probably need to cut him now because there's still no timetable for his return and the Clippers play two of their three games Monday through Wednesday. Nicolas Batum has played well in his absence, though he can put up duds. Terance Mann and Luke Kennard will get some additional minutes as well. All of these guys are worth a look for a stream from today through Wednesday.

LeBron James, PG/SG/SF, Los Angeles Lakers - Knee

LeBron James continues to be listed as questionable, but the season is looking more and more like a "lost season" for the Lakers recently. If King James gets some rest, Carmelo Anthony, Russell Westbrook, Malik Monk, and Talen Horton-Tucker will get enough of a boost to warrant consideration. The Lakers play two games in three days Monday through Wednesday. Monk, Melo, THT would be the order I would add those guys, personally.

Ja Morant, PG, Memphis Grizzlies - Back

Ja Morant is being listed as doubtful for Tuesday night as he plans to rest his back. The Grizzlies need to start thinking about the playoffs, so this is a smart move and will mean a one-game stream for Tyus Jones and De'Anthony Melton. I would add them in that order, for sure.

Jarred Vanderbilt, PF/C, Minnesota Timberwolves - Quad

Jarred Vanderbilt is going to be held out of Monday's game and may have to miss Wednesday's game as well. That makes Jaden McDaniels a MUST ADD for his ability to put up steals, blocks, and rebounds. He just won't score very much. McDaniels is the last man standing though and should get plenty of run.

Patrick Beverley, PG/SG, Minnesota Timberwolves - Ear

Patrick Beverley has perhaps the strangest injury of the season with an "ear contusion" that has sidelined him already. It's pretty simple to read this situation though. If Pat Bev can go, he's a nice add. If Pat Bev can't go, you can continue to stream Malik Beasley.

CJ McCollum, PG/SG, New Orleans Pelicans - Health & Safety Protocols

We don't see many people enter the protocols these days, but CJ McCollum is unfortunately one of them. With McCollum and Brandon Ingram on the sidelines, Devonte' Graham was the best waiver wire add last week. The problem is that the Pels only play one game Monday through Thursday, so anyone you add is likely only going to have about a game of relevance this week, if even that. If you own McCollum you're probably hoping he returns for Tuesday's game.

Brandon Ingram, SF/PF, New Orleans Pelicans - Hamstring

The Pelicans were playing decently but that went south as soon as Brandon Ingram went down. He's set to be reevaluated around March 16th, so hang on tight and hope for good news, but the best-case scenario is that he plays Friday, making this a two-game week for BI. As mentioned above, Devonte' Graham is a fantastic add but his productive days are numbered (probably at just one more game, at best).

Aaron Wiggins, SG/SF/PF, Oklahoma City Thunder - Illness

Aaron Wiggins was playing too well, so he caught a mysterious OKC illness. Josh Giddey and Luguentz Dort remain on the sidelines, so Theo Maledon has been the next man up and put up low-end numbers in a start on Sunday. He'd be worth a stream for guard stats as the Thunder have a four-game week.

Jalen Suggs, PG/SG, Orlando Magic - Ankle

Jalen Suggs tweaked his ankle in the last Orlando Magic game and might have to miss Tuesday's game against Brooklyn. He's been a drop since Markelle Fultz came back basically, so if you were still holding out hope, this is your sign to ditch him as the Magic are in a three-game week. There are no great adds here.

Justin Holiday, SG/SF, Sacramento Kings - Illness

Justin Holiday had to leave Saturday's game and should be considered questionable at best for Monday night against the Bulls. With Jeremy Lamb also set to miss for personal reasons, Donte DiVincenzo is with a snag for at least one game, though he has played pretty poorly in their last two games.

Dejounte Murray, PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs - Calf

Dejounte Murray got popped, as did several of his teammates, which did screw me over in at least one league. He's likely not injured enough to miss their game on Monday night, but I'm putting him on here to remind everyone that San Antonio is likely to sit people randomly down the stretch. When that happens, expect guys like Tre Jones and Josh Primo to have some one-game streaming appeal.

Fred VanVleet, PG/SG, Toronto Raptors - Knee

Fred Vanvleet has been missing games with this knee issue and it has not been easy for fantasy owners. Obviously, you hold him for the rest of the season. If he misses, there's not a great add either as Scottie Barnes has simply slid over to the point guard position. Chris Boucher has found some rotation minutes, as have Precious Achiuwa and Thaddeus Young. If you want to roll the dice on one of those guys, I'd put them in that order.

Long Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball

John Collins, PF/C, Atlanta Hawks - Finger/Foot

John Collins has been terrible recently and we finally know why as he's been dealing with a bad finger sprain that has affected his ability to grip and shoot the basketball. There is speculation that he could be missing weeks here instead of just days, so if you have him on your roster, you need to hold until we get more information. If you are in a close matchup, you might want to consider cutting ties early on here in order to avoid taking too many zeroes. As mentioned in the Danilo Gallinari update, Onyeka Okongwu makes for a fantastic speculative add for teams in need of rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage.

Caris LeVert, SG/SF, Cleveland Cavaliers - Foot

Some positive news as Caris LeVert is officially listed as questionable for Monday's game. If you've held LeVert until this point, you might as well hang on a little longer. If you need points, you need to wait until we get confirmation he's for sure returning, but the Cavs are one of thirteen teams with four games this week, so he'd be worth activating if he's on your IL. Cedi Osman would be a drop if LeVert comes back. Caris LeVert was ruled in as I was writing this.

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

Anthony Davis is going to be doing some on-court shooting as of Monday, which is nice but means he's still a ways away. You'd have to be crazy to drop him, but he might not come back until most fantasy seasons are over, if he comes back at all. It's not an easy thing to do, but you might want to consider dropping him if you're in a tight matchup and need the roster spot. He may return soon, but the Lakers are pretty bad and might not be that interested in fighting for the play-in.

Anfernee Simons, PG/SG, Portland Trail Blazers - Knee

Anfernee Simons was everyone's favorite pickup, but with the news that he's set to miss the next few weeks, he should be relatively safe to drop. Brandon Williams and Keljin Blevins are going to get playing time with Williams being the clear add of the two. He will assuredly put up duds though, so beware. Josh Hart is going to be busy on the offensive end.

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