Welcome to another round-up of the most impactful fantasy basketball injury updates from the previous week. This week’s edition includes updates to multiple long-term injuries among others. Remember – staying a step ahead of your competition on injuries is one of the few ways to really improve your fantasy team during the season.
Fantasy Basketball Injury Round-Up
Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks
Projected Return Date: Late December
Murray is expected to miss at least two weeks due to a left ankle sprain he picked up against the Knicks on Wednesday. Easily the Hawks’ best player, Murray has freed up tons of minutes and shots for the rest of the roster. While Aaron Holiday started in the second half in the game Murray was injured in, he’s unlikely to contribute rosterable stat lines for most fantasy leagues. Instead, look for a small boost for Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
Recommendation: Get Bogdan Bogdanovic off the waivers while you still can.
Robert Williams III, Boston Celtics
Projected Return Date: Mid-December
According to Adrian Wojnarowski on Wednesday, Williams could return from his knee injury within 10-12 days, which by now would be 8-10 days. Having provided second-round fantasy value last season, Williams’ return to basketball could completely rejuvenate a fantasy team (and an NBA team). Though a return from two knee surgeries will mean the Celtics will want to ease him into regular basketball and the fireworks might be a ways away. Ultimately, Williams should be a sure-fire starter for the Celtics and move all the other bigs down a step in the depth chart.
Recommendation: Start thinking about alternatives to Al Horford and Grant Williams.
Mike Conley, Utah Jazz
Projected Return Date: Now
Mike Conley is expected to return from a knee injury on Friday against the Warriors. Collin Sexton held down the fort at the point guard position in the 9 games Conley missed. Considering Conley’s return and Sexton’s hamstring injury, it’s safe to drop Sexton in most leagues. Before the injury, Conley averaged 11 points, 8 assists, 2 threes, and a low 1.5 turnovers for a point guard. Conley should be rostered in most leagues.
Recommendation: Move on from Collin Sexton.
Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies
Projected Return Date: Late December to Early January
In a reminder to all fantasy players that the reevaluation date is not the same thing as the return date, Desmond Bane’s toe injury was reevaluated to be 3-4 weeks away from being healed. While Bane’s been out, John Konchar has filled in very nicely – he ranks as a top 75 player in 9-cat leagues. Konchar may have been dropped in many leagues for missing a game himself but this 3-4 week extension is definitely a reason to have him rostered.
Recommendation: Get John Konchar.
Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
Projected Return Date: Unknown
Jonathan Isaac has been assigned to the Lakeland Magic of the G-League in a move that can only indicate a return to NBA basketball in the near future. However, it is unclear what role Isaac would be expected to play once he returns to Orlando. Isaac having missed two years of NBA basketball and a Magic roster full of young talent might severely limit his ability to produce high-level fantasy lines. Nonetheless, if Isaac could reproduce his peak-NBA form, he might end up being the difference-maker in the fantasy basketball playoffs.
Recommendation: If you need someone to fill your IR slot, might as well get Isaac.