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Just when you thought the injuries were slowing down and players were getting healthy, the NBA was once again hit by the injury bug. Owners will have some critical and difficult decisions to make, as their mindset should be looking ahead and getting into the playoffs at all costs. Yes, that means even if you have to cut someone like John Wall, or a Kevin Love, especially if your league do not offer IR spots.
We're approaching crunch time in fantasy. You must do anything possible to make the playoffs. Once you get there, it's an entirely different ball game. Holding onto injured players with little upside is likely a bad move at this point. Understanding the injury landscape is key in all forms of fantasy basketball. Unfortunately, injuries will happen more often than not. It is just the nature of the game. However, in order to stay ahead of your opponents, you need to stay a top of these injury-related news. One significant add to the waiver wire could potentially make or break your season.
Consider this your one-stop overview of fantasy-relevant injuries around the NBA. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @RotoBaller @RotoBallerNBA and @fungo24!
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Notable Injury Updates Around The NBA
Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (knee) had surgery on Wednesday to undergo a "clean up" procedure on his left knee and will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks. This comes at a bad timing, as the Wizards will need to lean heavily on Bradley Beal, Otto Porter, and Markieff Morris to carry the load. All three players receive a nice boost to their value, and Wall owners could be looking at a drop unless you're optimistic about either a) Wall beating the 6-8 week timetable or b) You're sitting comfortably with a nice lead on top of your standings. I like Tomas Satoransky as a 14+ team add, but I don't like him or Tim Frazier in standard league adds just yet. This is likely an ugly time share, but feel free to take a chance on Satoransky if you have someone to cut. The Wizards could be busy at the trading deadline as well, so keep a look out for that.
Cleveland Cavalier power forward Kevin Love (hand) broke his hand on Tuesday night, as this can only mean a massive boost to LeBron James and Isaiah Thomas. Love is listed as "out indefinitely" and his owners are in the same situation as John Wall owners. The estimated recovery time for this type of injury is 6-8 weeks, and it's highly doubtful the Cavaliers rush him back. Jae Crowder could enter the standard league discussion after a disappointing season so far, but I wouldn't bank on it. Dwayne Wade is a decent 12-team add right now, but he could be looking at random DNP's. I don't want anything to do with Tristan Thompson, but Channing Frye has my attention. I like Frye as a nice 3-point specialist with a hint of upside. Give Frye a look as he has scored 16 and 20 points apiece over his last two, all while hitting a combined six 3-pointers. Frye won't hurt you anywhere, making an attractive add.
New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (Achilles tendon) will be out for the season and he will not likely take the court until 2019. Our prayers are with Boogie, as he was having a fantastic season (ranked No.7 in 9-cat leagues). There's no clear winner to add at all, as Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday will be the main focus of the offense. However, you can give Darius Miller or Dante Cunningham a look in deeper settings. There's a chance Rajon Rondo was dropped in your league, but there's a reason for that.
Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley (Achilles) had season-ending injury and he's in a close race for Bust of the Year honors along with Kawhi Leonard (quad) and Brook Lopez (just terrible). Conley lasted just 13 games this season and his time table has been pushed back every time the Grizzlies updated his status since November. The Grizzlies are officially in tank mode, as they have officially dropped out of the playoff picture. Look for the Grizzlies to turn the keys to their young players like Dillion Brooks, Wayne Selden J.R., Andrew Harrison, and Kobi Simmons. Brooks and Selden J.R are very nice adds right now in standard leagues, where Harrison deserves 16+ team consideration. Simmons is worth keeping an eye on. Marc Gasol could be on a new team by next week as well, so let's closely monitor what returns the Grizzlies get if that happens.
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Eric Bledsoe (ankle) could not finish Monday's contest, lasting just three minutes before being held out by the team. The Bucks have him listed as doubtful for Friday, but Bledsoe stated his ankle will be "fine". There's no real winners, as the ball runs through Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton anyhow. Malcom Brogdon has been playing well all season and he will receive a nice boost until Bledsoe returns. Jabari Parker (knee) is scheduled to return Friday as well, which could slightly take some of Bledsoe's value away. This is more of a wait-and-see approach.
Boston Celtics point guard Marcus Smart (hand) will miss another week or so after hitting his hand in a team hotel. The injury seems a bit wacky but Terry Rozier has a small window to produce some value while Smart is on the shelf. Rozier also took advantage with Kyrie Irving (quad contusion) out on Wednesday, notching himself the first-career triple-double. Rozier filled it up 17 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals, two blocks and three 3-pointers in 33 minutes. Irving is considered day-to-day, but is considered doubtful against the Knicks. Irving has been great all season and could possibly use a couple games to heal. Rozier has shown enough to be worthy, making him a very nice short-term add.
Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball (knee) has progressed in his recovery from a MCL sprain, but has not been cleared to return to practice yet. The Lakers will be very careful with him, as it seems like Ball has ways to go before getting adjusted at the professional level. Ball has serious upside, given that he was flirting with top-35 numbers prior to his injury. He is doubtful Friday against the Nets, but have a decent chance to return sometime next week. Jordan Clarkson has been getting a bulk of his minutes lately and has been playing very well, making Clarkson a classic sell-high. No, don't think about adding Tyler Ennis. He's terrible.
Portland Trail Blazer center Jusuf Nurkic (quad) suffered a quad contusion late in Wednesday's contest and he's already listed as doubtful for Friday's contest against the Raptors. This most likely will mean Nurkic will not make the trip to Toronto, and there's a very good chance he could miss the remaining three-game road trip that ends Monday for the Blazers. Ed Davis has been playing really well even before Nurkic got injured, so he deserves a long look in competitive leagues given that the big men around the league is falling like dominoes. Rookie Zach Collins is a very desperate consideration in deeper leagues.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Tyreke Evans (trade block) has likely played his last game as a Grizzly, so you should be sending sell-high offers if you haven't been already for the past 3 weeks. If you read my weekly columns for the past month, I've urged owners to sell sell sell. However, it could be too late as everyone who knows a thing or two about basketball knows Evan's value will likely trend down regardless of where he ends up. See Mike Conley in this section for the players who benefit.
Houston Rockets point guard Chris Paul (groin) & forward Trevor Ariza (hamstring) did not suit up on Tuesday, as James Harden went ham with 60 points triple-double. Obviously, Harden will benefit anytime Paul misses time, but it's Gerald Green who will also benefit because Eric Gordon (back) could not continue the game with stiffness in his back. Luc Mbah a Moute is a lukewarm add, as he just hasn't been playing well lately. P.J. Tucker will have a nice game here and there, but he's completely unreliable enough to be started in standard leagues.
Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (groin) has missed two games and will likely miss Friday's contest against the Lakers as well. The Nets has been tweaking some lineup changes, starting Jarret Allen at center and playing Jahlil Okafor off the bench. There's no real winner with RHJ's news, but Joe Harris can be used as a 3-point specialist. Yes, Allen absolutely deserves a look in standard leagues but Okafor should be considered a stash in most 14+ team leagues.
Chicago Bulls center Lauri Markkanen (personal) did not travel with the team to Portland and could rejoin the Bulls on Saturday, if not Monday. Bobby Portis is a nice add and play right now, despite the fact he's struggling lately. Nikola Mirotic was held out by the Bulls and is expected to be moved, so a trade would really benefit Portis.
Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Canaan (leg) was diagnosed with a left ankle fracture on Wednesday, as it was a very similar injury that Gordon Hayward suffered early in the season. It was not pretty and his NBA career could very well be in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Troy Daniels and Tyler Ulis will continue to share minutes at the point guard position. Devin Booker will also play some point guard, but he's not exactly an iron man himself either. Josh Jackson looks like the next man to own in Phoenix after Booker and T.J Warren. Jackson has been playing fairly well lately, including a full line on Wednesday with 21 points. Get him now, as the Suns are definitely going to play their young guys more down the stretch.
Chicago Bulls point guard Kris Dunn (face/concussion) had a massive breakaway dunk before falling flat on his face two weeks ago, and he's still not cleared to return yet. He was bleeding in his mouth and was laying on the ground for a while and it's crazy to say the Bulls could let him heal throughout the All-Star break with absolutely nothing to play for. He's still suffering from concussion symptoms and Jerian Grant is a a very nice short-term option where Denzel Valentine can be used.
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