Welcome to our weekly NBA fantasy basketball injury round-up, where we provide updates on the status of key players around the league. Injuries can greatly impact a team’s performance and can make or break a fantasy season. It’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest injury news to make informed decisions on who to start and sit in your lineup. This week, we’ll be covering the latest updates on some of the top players dealing with injuries and their potential return to action. So, stay tuned and stay ahead of the game with our injury round-up.
Fantasy Basketball Injury Round-Up
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Injury: Left groin strain
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Mitchell left Monday’s game halfway through and missed the game on Thursday with a groin strain. As the Cavs’ best player and a top 15 overall fantasy player, his injury opens up a lot of box score to be filled. On Thursday, Caris LeVert was the man replacing Mitchell in the starting lineup and finished the game with 23 points, 4 threes, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and a block and a steal each. LeVert will be a good addition in any league as long as Mitchell is out, which he is expected to be on Friday.
Recommendation: Caris LeVert should be rostered as long as Mitchell is out.
LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
Injury: Left ankle sprain
Projected Return Date: Week-to-week?
LaMelo Ball left Wednesday’s game against Houston with an ankle sprain on the same ankle that caused him to miss half the season already. Pretty much a nightmare scenario for LaMelo owners. So far no official word on the extent of the injury is out – could be nothing, could be weeks. Since he has injury history on the same ankle, we have to assume all precautions will be taken. And it’s not like the Hornets are playing for a playoff spot. While Ball is gone, Terry Rozier and Dennis Smith Jr. will likely get the bulk of Ball’s offensive opportunities.
Recommendation: Dennis Smith Jr.
Christian Wood, Dallas Mavericks
Injury: Left thumb fracture
Projected Return Date: Late January
The second-best player on the Mavericks, Wood, injured his thumb in the game on Wednesday against the Hawks and will need to miss at least a week of NBA action. Wood has been a revelation this season in fantasy basketball putting up top-30 stats over the last couple of months. As far as his replacements for the, hopefully, short week, he’s out – there’s not much there. Dwight Powell, Davis Bertans, even JaVale McGee will get a bump but are unlikely to make a significant impact. I believe there was some graffiti made in the Dallas area referencing the issue.
Recommendation: Expect Wood to be back to his best in a week.
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Injury: Left ankle soreness
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Trae Young stepped on a photographer’s foot in the first quarter against the Mavericks on Wednesday. He stayed in the game and finished with a decent stat line – 18 points, 12 assists, 3 steals, and went 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Regardless, Young is listed as questionable for the game on Friday against the Knicks. Should he sit this one out Aaron Holiday is likely to get the starting spot but unlikely to have a significant impact as Dejounte Murray will carry most of the load.
Recommendation: Doesn’t seem like there is much opportunity here.
Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks
Injury: Right thumb fracture
Projected Return Date: Mid-Feb
Mitchell Robinson had thumb surgery and will be re-evaluated in three weeks. For the season Robinsons ranks as a top-70 fantasy player for his blocks, field goal percentage and rebounds (and lack of turnovers if that’s your jam). The next man up on the Knicks depth chart is Isaiah Hartenstein, who will likely struggle to match Robinson’s block and field goal percentage numbers. But, perhaps, as an end-of-the-roster guy in a deeper league, could be worth a pick-up until Robinson is back.
Recommendation: Meh.