Welcome to another round-up of the most impactful fantasy basketball injury updates from the previous week. This week has so far, luckily, avoided serious injuries to impactful fantasy players so instead we’ll take a look at minor injuries and a couple of players returning from injury.
Fantasy Basketball Injury Round-Up
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Haliburton is listed as questionable against Friday’s game against Miami with right wrist soreness. Hopefully, this is a one-off and he won’t have to miss many games if any at all. In case he does miss games, T.J. McConnell will be able to step in. In the only game this season where McConnell played over 30 minutes, he went for 19 points, 10 assists, 3 steals, and 3 threes.
Recommendation: Get McConnell if Haliburton is out.
Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Clint Capela seems to be ready to return from his strained calf this Friday. That means that Onyeka Okongwu will likely be moved back to the bench. Whether Okongwu should be dropped or not depends on a league’s depth but a 20-minute-per-game Okongwu is significantly worse than a 40-minute-per-game Okongwu. Someone who is definitely safe to drop now is Frank Kaminsky.
Recommendation: Activate Capela, deactivate Okongwu, demolish Kaminsky.
Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
After missing 13 straight with a heel strain, Porter seems to be ready to return this Friday. With the return, Bruce Brown will likely move back to the bench and take a hit to his playing time and role within the team’s offense. In the 13 games without Porter, Brown ranks among the top 70 fantasy players. Before Porter Jr.’s injury, Brown ranked in the top 90, which would indicate that going forward, Brown will likely be a rosterable player. Porter Jr., while being somewhat of a disappointment so far this season, should be rostered in every league.
Recommendation: Make sure Porter Jr. isn’t on the waivers.
Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Bane seems to be ready to return from his 17-game absence with a toe sprain any game now. Being a top-20 fantasy contributor, Bane will easily bump all the second-tier players on the Grizzlies down the depth chart. The two players to look at are Santi Aldama and John Konchar. With Jaren Jackson Jr. back in action, too, Aldama will likely find it difficult to keep enough minutes to stay fantasy-relevant. Konchar might still eke out a role but he won’t be someone you’ll be excited to have on your roster.
Recommendation: Move on from Santi Aldama and John Konchar.