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Welcome to RotoBaller's weekly injury room report. Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, but we have you covered when the injury bug bites.
We'll discuss who is on the mend and who will benefit from the player's absence. The next up-and-coming gem could be waiting on the waiver wire ready for your claim.
Let's look at some of the important injuries around the league right now as we head into Week 9 of the fantasy basketball season.
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Short-Term NBA Injuries
Mike Conley, PG, Utah Jazz - strained left hamstring
Conley participated in some portions of Sunday's practice, and he said he's antsy to get back on the court. The 32-year-old has been mum on the injury since he went down Dec. 2, but he could be close to a return. Small forward Royce O'Neale has jumped into the starting lineup lately, and he had 14 points, four boards and four assists Friday. However, he's not a consistent enough option, and Conley shouldn't be out long enough for O'Neale to make an impact in fantasy.
De'Aaron Fox, PG, Sacramento Kings - sprained left ankle
The exciting third-year man is expected to return to action Tuesday after missing five weeks with a sprained ankle. Point guard Cory Joseph's time with the starters is likely over, and the Kings should start to look normal now that power forward Marvin Bagley is back as well. Fox, who is averaging 18.2 points, seven assists and four rebounds per game, should be inserted into lineups immediately.
Domantas Sabonis, PF, Indiana Pacers - sore right big toe
Sabonis injured the big toe on his right foot late in the game Sunday, and it was bad enough that he feared it was broken. He said that was a false alarm. The Pacers face the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, and Sabonis may be hobbled or rested as they don't play again until Friday and Sunday. Forward T.J. Leaf or center Goga Bitadze could be worth streaming in daily fantasy leagues if Sabonis sits, but they don't have a lot of value in fantasy otherwise.
Lou Williams, SG, Los Angeles Clippers - sore right calf
Williams missed two games over the weekend due to the calf issue, and his status for this week is up in the air. Point guard Landry Shamet filled in Saturday with 11 points and four boards in 21 minutes. If Williams is out an extended period, Shamet could be worth a pickup in deeper leagues. Keep him on the watch list for now.
Mid-Term NBA Injuries
Blake Griffin, PF, Detroit Pistons - left knee soreness
Griffin had an MRI on his left knee after he played just 15 minutes Saturday, but the results weren't immediately known. It's the same knee that he had operated on last season. He could be day to day, or he could be week to week. Power forward Christian Wood is worth a look in the meantime. He's averaging 10.3 points and 7.5 boards in just 17 minutes per game over the last four contests.
PJ Washington, SF, Charlotte Hornets - fractured finger
The rookie suffered a fractured pinkie on his right hand over the weekend, and he'll miss at least the next 10 days. Power forward Cody Zeller was thrust into the starting lineup Sunday, and he dropped 19 points and 12 boards in 29 minutes. That kind of output can't be expected to continue, but Zeller is averaging 11.6 points and 7.9 rebounds in 23.6 minutes per game on the season. He has a short-term window worth the pickup.
Long-Term NBA Injuries
Jusuf Nurkic, C, Portland Trail Blazers - broken left leg
After a horrific leg injury late last season, Nurkic said he is about 60 percent recovered. Nurkic said he lost some weight and feels more explosive. He's hoping to return around the All-Star break in February, but that's a lofty goal. Even then, he's not likely to be himself this season, and center Hassan Whiteside is holding down the middle pretty well. Nurkic probably isn't worth stashing on an IR spot except in deep leagues.
