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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
Clint Capela, C, Atlanta Hawks- foot
Capela missed Sunday’s game because of a foot injury and his status is up in the air as of now. The center has been an integral part of the Hawks all season and had posted a double-double in four of the past five games he had played. Bruno Fernando is certainly a candidate who could see more minutes if Capela must miss more time, but he’s not a fantasy pickup at this point.
Kevin Durant, SF, Brooklyn Nets- hamstring
Though Durant hasn’t played since February 13th, an injury update confirmed the superstar won’t hit the court for at least another week or two because of a hamstring injury. The veteran has been sensational when healthy, averaging 29 points per game, but he has missed quite a few games this season due to multiple reasons.
Kevin Love, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers- calf
After a calf injury sidelined Love for all but two games this season, he was finally able to return to the court on Friday after last playing on December 27. Unfortunately, it seems the forward re-aggravated his calf injury on Sunday and now his status is once again questionable. Love managed four points and one rebound in 12 total minutes during the past two games. Larry Nance Jr. is worth keeping an eye on in fantasy now because of Love’s uncertainty.
John Wall, PG, Houston Rockets- knee
Wall has not played in the past three games because of a knee injury and his status remains uncertain at this point. The 30-year-old has been averaging 21 points per game this season but posted at least 32 points in the last two games he had played. Kevin Porter Jr. is worth stashing right now as he has gotten at least 11 points and seven assists in the last three games, including one contest with 27 points.
Evan Fournier, SG, Orlando Magic- groin
Fournier has now missed four straight games because of a groin injury. The veteran has also missed a handful of games this season due to back spasms as well. Michael Carter-Williams and Terrence Ross could see more playing time if Fournier is out for more games. Ross is a solid pickup as he posted 31 points on Sunday.
Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers- knee
Embiid sustained a knee injury in Friday’s game and now will miss about two weeks of action. The center was in the midst of a magnificent season, averaging 29.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. He had also posted at least 40 points in two of the past four games he had played along with a double-double in three of the last four games he had played. For now, Dwight Howard and Tony Bradley are players who should see more minutes. Howard is worth stashing right now given he is the more proven player.
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