We’re officially in the part of the NBA regular season when players are going to sit out games to either rest for the playoffs or the 2023-24 season. The good thing for fantasy players is that only 5 teams league-wide are entirely out of the hunt for a playoff spot – Rockets, Spurs, Pistons, Hornets, and, sorry to say, Magic. So in a more typical season, we’d likely have fewer impactful players still playing. In any case, scroll down to see if the players listed will be indeed participating in the remaining NBA action.
Fantasy Basketball Injury Round-Up
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
Injury: Right ankle sprain
Projected Return Date: Hopefully, March 22
Haliburton missed the last three games and will miss at least two more. So in the best-case scenario, he’ll return on Wednesday against the Raptors. For leagues with weekly rosters, that would mean only missing one of the four games next week. While we wait, as per usual, T.J. McConnell will step in and put up monster numbers. Relatively. Last night McConnell scored 19 with 12 assists. Andrew Nembhard had 25 and 5 so there are options.
Recommendation: Hold onto Haliburton but take a peek at McConnell and/or Nembhard too.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Injury: Left hip contusion
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Tatum took a hard fall in the third quarter in Wednesday’s game against the Blazers whilst posterizing Rudy Gobert and is now listed as questionable for Friday against the Blazers. The good thing is that he finished the game on Wednesday so there doesn’t seem to be any serious damage. If he indeed misses games, look for Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White to get the extra touches. Blake Griffin got the start the last time Tatum missed a game, however, he and Grant Williams are a tier below Brogdon and White in terms of fantasy production.
Recommendation: Brogdon and White will be great if Tatum misses time.
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Injury: Suspended
Projected Return Date: March 20
The NBA has suspended Morant for 8 games for Ja Morant suspended eight games by NBA for ‘conduct detrimental to the league’. The six games he’s already missed will be counted among the eight so he’ll have to miss only two more. It’s not completely guaranteed that he will play in Monday’s game as he might need some time to return to his peak fitness levels. Can you fall out of shape in two weeks? I’d say probably not and would expect Morant to play on Monday. Morant’s return will be bad news for Tyus Jones’ fantasy value. Jones ranks 16th in 9-cat fantasy in games Morant doesn’t play in but 160th in games Morant does play in.
Recommendation: There are likely better options than Tyus Jones available.
Kevin Huerter, Sacramento Kings
Injury: Right hamstring
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Huerter left Thursday’s game with a hamstring injury after playing six minutes and will undergo an MRI today. Malik Monk is seemingly Huerter’s replacement should he miss more time. On Thursday Monk scored 12 points with 3 threes, 6 assists and 5 rebounds, which is about average for him. Monk did play 29 minutes, which is the most he’s played since the 45-point game in late February. The Kings will have 4 games next week so even an average Malik Monk might be a solid addition.
Recommendation: Keep an eye on it. Two eyes even.