RADIO
Welcome back RotoBallers, it's the last week of the NBA season. Let's see where injuries have created value this week! I'm doing this midday on Monday for release Tuesday morning, so any news that drops on Monday night won't be 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.
Be sure to also bookmark our awesome free NBA injuries report tool for up-to-the-minute fantasy basketball injury updates.
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Short-Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball
Seth Curry, PG/SG, Brooklyn Nets - Ankle
Steve Nash has hinted that sitting Seth Curry for the rest of the regular season is a possibility, so he's an easy cut if you're still playing fantasy basketball. Goran Dragic is also down, so Patty Mills and Cam Thomas should have plenty of runway. Both guys are really only options if you need points and threes, with Patty being the preferable add.
Maxi Kleber, PF/C, Dallas Mavericks - Ankle
Maxi Kleber might return for Wednesday's game, but if he has to miss then Davis Bertans and Marquese Chriss could see some minutes. Neither guy is worth rostering, but Dwight Powell is a guy who I have advocated picking up if you need big man stats, and he gets enough of a bump to make him a really solid add. Dorian Finney-Smith also gets a bump in playing time.
Cade Cunningham, PG/SG, Detroit Pistons - Tank
Cade Cunningham only played eight minutes in the last Pistons game, and the reasoning that was given was that he was dealing with a sore hip. Yet, the Pistons sat two other guys after the same workload... Hmmm... The Pistons have almost no incentive to play Cade and things are going to get silly in Detroit. This might be a "stay away" situation if you're looking for reliable value, but guys like Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey, Frank Jackson, Saben Lee, and Isaiah Livers are all guys that could be big risk/reward pickups. I'd target Bey and Hayes first if they are available.
LeBron James, PG/SG/SF, Los Angeles Lakers - Ankle
LeBron James was on last week's injury report too, but I'm including him because those that are relying on him in fantasy basketball probably want to know if they should hold onto him or not. I think you do hold him for now with the Lakers still mathematically in the hunt for a play-in spot and Anthony Davis playing now. He may come back for their next game. The Lakers are extremely unlikely to make the play-in though unless they start playing significantly better, so you might be looking at one more LBJ game at maximum.
Cole Anthony, PG/SG, Orlando Magic - Toe
Cole Anthony lasted just three minutes when he tried to play on the toe, so if I had to guess I'd say there is a strong possibility that Cole is shut down for the season at this point. For now, we'll hope he comes back, but he can probably be dropped in your league regardless. Markelle Fultz might still be on a minutes limit, but he's worth an add for teams in need of assists, though there are probably safer options out there in guys getting more minutes.
Franz Wagner, SG/SF/PF, Orlando Magic - Ankle
Franz Wagner is currently questionable for Tuesday's game, and with the Magic looking at their lottery pick long and hard, they might just sit him to lose games. They're currently tied for last place with the Rockets. Chuma Okeke and Ignas Brazdeikis could be in line for more minutes, with Chuma being the obvious add if he's available and we get confirmation that Franz is out.
Wendell Carter Jr., PF/C, Orlando Magic - Wrist
Chuma Okeke has been starting with Wendell Carter Jr. on the sidelines, and even though he hasn't been great he should have ample opportunity to produce, especially if Franz Wagner has to miss. Moritz Wagner should get some more minutes too and is a decent option for points and boards. Mo Bamba gets a small boost as well.
De'Aaron Fox, PG, Sacramento Kings - Hand
The Kings frustratingly refuse to rule De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis out for the rest of the season, but it's looking like neither guy will come back to play. Davion Mitchell and Donte DiVincenzo are doing enough to be on most rosters. As for the big men, Damian Jones is a must add right now with Chimezie Metu being an okay consolation prize.
Jakob Poeltl, C, San Antonio Spurs - Back
Jakob Poeltl is day-to-day with back spasms, but he may sit out Tuesday's game against the Denver Nuggets. If that is the case, Jock Landale also sprained his foot, so Zach Collins would be a full go for fantasy purposes for that game. Poeltl will likely be back though so for now you can just make a note or add Collins to your watch list.
OG Anunoby, SF/PF, Toronto Raptors - Thigh
OG Anunoby is just dealing with a thigh contusion, so he may make it back out there for Tuesday's game against Atlanta. The Raptors are battling the Bulls and Cavaliers in the standings, so he has a lot of incentive to play if he can go. If he can't go, Chris Boucher, Precious Achiuwa, and Thaddeus Young will get some minutes with Boucher being the only guy who has the potential to put up enough value to justify an add. Wait for news here, and if you have Anunoby hold on tight for now.
Long Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball
Ben Simmons, PG, Brooklyn Nets - Back
It has finally been announced that Ben Simmons will sit the rest of the regular season and the play-in games. That's a tough blow in real life, but it's doubtful anyone was hanging onto Ben hoping he would turn their fantasy season around. Seth Curry and Patty Mills maintain their value for the rest of the season and we likely won't see Simmons until next season.
Jarrett Allen, C, Cleveland Cavaliers - Finger
Jarrett Allen has been spotted with a big brace on his finger still, so there is speculation that he won't return for any games in the regular season. The Cavs are suddenly in trouble, especially with Evan Mobley's return still up in the air. They are likely to stick in the play-in. Moses Brown has been a popular pickup with both of those guys on the sidelines.
Christian Wood, PF/C, Houston Rockets - Hamstring
Christian Wood has officially been shut down for the season as the Rockets engage the tank. Dennis Schroder and Eric Gordon were also shut down. Alperen Sengun shouldn't be sitting on any wires, and Jalen Green is going to have the mega green light. Usman Garuba might get some minutes down the stretch here, but he's not worth rostering.
Malcolm Brogdon, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers - Tank
I'm including him here because I finally gave up on him in my roto league. He hasn't played in eight straight games, and the Pacers are gunning for the best pick they can get. Malcolm Brogdon isn't likely to play any more games this season, so you can safely cut ties with him in redraft leagues if you're in your championship. Chris Duarte has also been shut down for the season, so the Pacers are likely to utilize Keifer Sykes and Duane Washington Jr. more. As long as Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield are playing, these guys won't have a ton of value though.
Julius Randle, PF/C, New York Knicks - Knee
The New York Knicks have been mathematically eliminated and head coach Tom Thibodeau has said that Julius Randle will "most likely will be out the rest of the way." That's not a surprise. Obi Toppin is the obvious replacement for Randle, but Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, and Jericho Sims are likely looking at additional minutes and opportunity as well as the Knicks close out the season with meaningless games.
The Entire Team, All Positions, Oklahoma City Thunder - Mega Tank
Any idea who is playing for the Thunder these days? Me neither. Darius Bazley, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Derrick Favors, Kenrich Williams, Ty Jerome, Luguentz Dort, Mike Muscala, and Josh Giddey have already been ruled out for the season. Tre Mann seems to be dealing with a legitimate hamstring injury too. Aleksej Pokusevski, Theo Maledon, and Isaiah Roby are the only guys you can trust on that team right now, and I use "trust" very loosely here. Buyer beware, but you should be able to count on those guys theoretically. Nobody tanks quite like OKC.
The Entire Team, All Positions, Portland Trail Blazers - Mega Tank
The Blazers are pulling their best OKC Thunder impression, it seems. Anfernee Simons, Jusuf Nurkic, Eric Bledsoe, Joe Ingles, Nassir Little, and Damian Lillard are out for the season so far. Josh Hart, Justise Winslow, and Trendon Watford are essentially day-to-day, but it's doubtful those first two guys come back. Drew Eubanks, Kris Dunn, Brandon Williams, Keon Johnson, and CJ Elleby are running the show right now and probably for the rest of the way. I'd target them in that order with the last two guys being real dice rolls.
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