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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 fewer injuries to cover for this week, luckily, so let’s get to it.
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Short-Term Injuries
Jaylen Brown, SF, Boston Celtics- knee
Brown missed Sunday’s game because of knee soreness and his status for Tuesday remains unclear. The 24-year-old has been averaging a stellar 25 points per game this season. Aaron Nesmith or Javonte Green could see more playing time if Brown is out, but none are fantasy-relevant.
Draymond Green, PF, Golden State Warriors- ankle
Green left Sunday’s game against the Lakers with an ankle sprain, but it seems the injury isn’t serious. The forward’s next chance to play would be on Wednesday. Eric Paschall could be an intriguing streaming option if Green can’t play. Paschall posted 18 points on Sunday and has scored at least 13 points in two of the last three games.
Jimmy Butler, SF, Miami Heat- knee
Butler was held out of Sunday’s contest due to knee swelling and his status remains uncertain now. The forward has posted at least 24 points in three of the last four games he played. Max Strus or Andre Iguodala would see more minutes if Butler can’t go, but none should be considered fantasy-relevant.
Elfrid Payton, PG, New York Knicks- hamstring
Elfrid Payton hasn’t played since February 23rd and has been nursing a hamstring injury that has kept him off the court for the past three games. The guard has been averaging 12.4 points per game this season. If Payton can’t play, Immanuel Quickley and Derrick Rose could get more minutes. Both are worth stashing as they have been playing well recently.
Pascal Siakam, PF, Toronto Raptors- COVID-19 protocols
Siakam is in COVID-19 protocols, and he won’t play until after the All-Star game on March 7th. The 26-year-old has been efficient this season, averaging 20.1 points per game. For now, Chris Boucher should see more playing time, and he’s a potential streaming option if you need him. Boucher has posted at least 10 points and five rebounds in three of the past four games.
Jerami Grant, SF, Detroit Pistons- quad
Grant sustained a quad injury during Sunday’s game and his status for Tuesday remains unclear now. Grant had been having a fantastic season with the Pistons, averaging 23.4 points per game and having posted at least 24 points in three of the last four games he had played. Sekou Doumbouya would be a candidate to see more minutes if Grant can’t play, but he shouldn’t be on your fantasy radar.
Tobias Harris, PF, Philadelphia 76ers- knee
A knee injury kept Harris out of his second straight game on Monday. It’s possible the forward won’t return until after the All-Star game this weekend. Furkan Korkmaz, Matisse Thybulle, or Mike Scott could see more minutes, but none should be considered for fantasy.
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