Fantasy Basketball Injury Updates for Week 8

December 7, 2021

Keith Cork's fantasy basketball injuries and NBA lineup updates for Week 8. Find injury replacements and set optimal NBA lineups for seasonal and DFS formats.

Do the Atlanta Hawks even have a wing healthy these days? I guess we'll find out in this week's version of the injury updates!

The health and safety protocols have kicked our collective butts in the past month or so, and LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier are the latest victims. That opens up some value on a high-octane offensive team in Charlotte though, so don't be all doom and gloom! Except when it is because as I was writing this, DeMar DeRozan and Ish Smith were ruled out for health and safety protocols. Bummer.

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

Solomon Hill, SG/SF, Atlanta Hawks - Hamstring

Solomon Hill's hamstring injury would be a non-factor except for the fact that De'Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Cam Reddish are also all out right now. That makes the Hawks extremely thin on the wing. Danilo Gallinari is only rostered in 24% of Yahoo! leagues, so he should be snapped up everywhere he's available at least until Reddish is back, who seems to be the closest to a return. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot received over 38 minutes in their last game and is worth an add in deep leagues as a source of threes and points. He's hasn't produced enough to warrant an add in standard leagues though.

Jaylen Brown, SG/SF, Boston Celtics - Hamstring

Jaylen Brown is back on the pine after suffering a setback with his hamstring. That's a real bummer for Jaylen Brown owners in fantasy and for the Boston Celtics in real life. There isn't a great add here, but Dennis Schroder is going to be busy. Aaron Nesmith, Payton Pritchard, and Josh Richardson will get some extra run but none of them are going to light the world on fire.

LaMelo Ball, PG/SG, Charlotte Hornets - Health & Safety Protocols

The Hornets actually got entirely wiped out by COVID-19 recently and LaMelo Ball will be joined on the sidelines by Mason Plumlee, Terry Rozier, and Jalen McDaniels. With LaMelo and Rozier both out, the Hornets are going to need someone to step up in the backcourt, and so far it has been up to Ish Smith and Cody Martin. Unfortunately, as I wrote this Ish Smith was placed in the league's health and safety protocols as well, which makes Cody Martin the one and only add that you should rush to grab right now.  James Bouknight will get some extra run as well and can certainly be considered in deeper leagues or as a desperation stream with the Hornets so depleted. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Gordon Hayward owners should enjoy some increased production over the next week or so.

Terry Rozier, PG/SG, Charlotte Hornets - Healthy & Safety Protocols

See above. Add Ish Smith then Cody Martin.

DeMar DeRozan, SF/PF, Chicago Bulls - Health & Safety Protocols

Such a bummer for me personally as a Bulls fan, but DeMar is going to join the laundry list of players on the sidelines for the Chicago Bulls. I'll go more in depth below, but you'll want to add Derrick Jones Jr. first and foremost. Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic owners should rejoice.

Alex Caruso, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls - Hamstring

This is another team that is just completely depleted with DeMar DeRozan, Javonte Green, and Coby White all in the league's health and safety protocols now. Derrick Jones Jr., Troy Brown Jr., Ayo Dosunmu, and Alize Johnson should all see more minutes and an increased workload and I'd add them in that order.

Luka Doncic, PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks - Ankle

It sounds like Luka Doncic may or may not miss tonight's game against the Brooklyn Nets. If he does, and Tim Hardaway also misses, Kristaps Porzingis should have a great game as he's listed as probable right now. The Mavericks will also lean on Jalen Brunson and Reggie Bullock a bit more heavily. Bullock might be a stream for teams in need of threes, but he doesn't provide much else.

Kevin Porter Jr., PG/SG/SF, Houston Rockets - Thigh

Kevin Porter Jr. is likely to miss another game or two as he gets right with this thigh injury that has bothered him for weeks now. Without KPJ, the Rockets will lean on Garrison Mathews and Armoni Brooks. Either guy can be grabbed for points and threes for the next few games.

Kendrick Nunn, PG/SG, Los Angeles Lakers - Knee

Just an update as it seems Kendrick Nunn won't be playing basketball anytime soon. He's targeting 2022 for his return and is in no way worth a stash.

Trevor Ariza, SG/SF, Los Angeles Lakers - Ankle

On the other side for the Los Angeles Lakers, Trevor Ariza is now participating in live action during practices now. He's still not worth stashing though, even though he's been a nice late round player for years in fantasy.

Donte DiVincenzo, PG/SG, Milwaukee Bucks - Foot

Double D is now with Milwaukee's G-League team and is nearing a return soon. He's been sidelined since June and with the strong play of Grayson Allen, his upside is considerably capped. There's no reason to stash him.

D'Angelo Russell, PG/SG, Minnesota Timberwolves - Ankle

D'Angelo Russell popped up on the injury report and is questionable for Wednesday's game. Patrick Beverley is still out, so Jordan McLaughlin might see a spot start, but isn't worth rostering for just one game.

Josh Hart, SG/SF, New Orleans Pelicans - Knee

Josh Hart is still injured, but it's worth mentioning because it has lead directly to the emergence of Herb Jones. Herb Jones is an ideal pickup for teams in need of steals and blocks. Go get him and see if it sticks.

Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG, Philadelphia 76ers - Non-Covid Illness

It's possible that Tyrese Maxey will miss Wednesday's game, so keep an eye on his status. Shake Milton will absolutely be worth a stream should Maxey miss a game.

Devin Booker, SG/SF, Phoenix Suns - Hamstring

If you follow me on Twitter, I was all over picking up Cam Johnson with Devin Booker on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. He's likely going to miss another game or two at minimum as the Suns have stated that they're taking the "long view" with his health. It's smart, but it means they are in no rush to bring him back. Cam Payne is also worth a grab as the Suns will have shots to go around.

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

Anfernee Simons would have been a nice streamer with Damian Lillard on the sidelines, but instead he's dealing with his own ankle sprain. Dennis Smith Jr. is likely to soak up all the minutes at the point guard position, and if CJ McCollum is out for the next one, the opportunity is there for DSJ to put up some big games. He's worth a speculative add.

Nassir Little, SF, Portland Trail Blazers - Ankle

Nassir Little also happens to be out with an ankle injury, which is unfortunate because he was playing really well. Larry Nance Jr. should get a needed boost in minutes and should continue to plod along as a late round guy. He's been just a 15th round value over the last week though, so not a ton to like. He's still worth an add though as long as he's getting 25ish minutes per game.

Harrison Barnes, SF/PF, Sacramento Kings - Foot

Harrison Barnes was able to get through the last practice so it's time to move on from the Kings players you were streaming like Terence Davis, Chimezie Metu, and Marvin Bagley. Metu is the only guy I'd hang onto for another game or two to see if his role still sticks.

Devin Vassell, SG/SF, San Antonio Spurs - Quadriceps

Devin Vassell hasn't been able to shake this injury, which has affected him the last four games. Lonnie Walker IV is worth a roster spot while Vassell is on the sidelines, and the Spurs have five games this week.

Long Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball

Bam Adebayo, PF/C, Miami Heat - Thumb

Huge loss for the Miami Heat and for fantasy owners everywhere. Bam Adebayo is an early round draft pick that is now going to be on the sidelines through late January at the earliest. Dewayne Dedmon is owned in only 49% of leagues and needs to be owned everywhere. Omer Yurtseven should be in line for 20ish minutes a night but isn't someone that needs to be picked up.

Thomas Bryant, C, Washington Wizards - Knee

Thomas Bryant is nearing a return from a long absence due to an ACL injury. He's still about a month away from playing a game, but GM Tommy Shepard said he could start practicing within the next two weeks. He isn't worth a stash just yet, and with Daniel Gafford playing relatively well plus Montrezle Harrell in the mix it's hard to see where he'll get enough minutes to make an impact. He's someone to keep an eye on as he provides elite level field goal percentage and decent big man stats when he gets the minutes, but he's a long way from being a good stash.

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