Welcome to the Week 13 fantasy basketball injury report where we cover the latest in medium to long-term NBA injuries and their relevance to you – a fantasy basketball player.
Week 13 Fantasy Basketball Injury Report
Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG – Indiana Pacers
Injury: Left hamstring strain
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Seemingly ahead of schedule, Haliburton will be looking to return from his hamstring strain in the next handful of games. I would bet on Tuesday’s game against Denver but there’s also a chance of it happening on Sunday against the Suns and a slight chance of Tyrese playing in Pascal Siakam’s debut on Friday. So probably by next week, it’s time to move on from T.J. McConnell, who so far has averaged 8.4 assists and 1.4 steals without Haliburton. And it’s definitely time to move on from Andrew Nembhard, who really didn’t provide enough value for standard-sized category leagues and is injured now anyway. With Bruce Brown moving to Toronto, there are more minutes available at the guard positions but with Haliburton’s return, it’s unlikely for McConnell and Nembhard to produce enough stats to warrant a roster spot. By the way, did you know that T.J. McConnell is the last player to have had a triple-double with steals?
Recommendation: Activate Haliburton for next week. Move on from McConnell when Haliburton returns. Move on from Nembhard now.
Jimmy Butler, SF/PF – Miami Heat
Injury: None for now
Projected Return Date: –
Butler has been playing for two games now and so far looks great. In fact, he looks so great that I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to sell high on Butler. In fact, I would encourage you to do so. Maybe wait a couple of more games but hey-hey ho-ho Jimmy Butler’s got to go. As far as players to target, I’d look at someone like Sengun, Sabonis, perhaps Jalen Brunson or Derrick White.
Recommendation: Trade Butler.
Zach LaVine, SG/SF – Chicago Bulls
Injury: Right ankle
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
LaVine left Thursday’s game with a rolled ankle and, while there is no official word yet, might miss another bunch of games. All in all, this has been a very poor season for LaVine, whose ADP hovered around 50 before the season. Perhaps, one would have thought, he could have been a steal after a down year in 22-23. Now, he’s firmly outplayed by Coby White and barely ranks in the top 100 in 9-cat. That is if he isn’t injured. Which he is. The best hope for LaVine owners is that he indeed is traded to the, say, Lakers and starts to play with some passion and enthusiasm. Other than that, not like he can be traded in fantasy nor should he be dropped.
Recommendation: Wait.
Desmond Bane, SG/SF – Memphis Grizzlies
Injury: Left ankle sprain
Projected Return Date: March
Bane has been diagnosed with a grade 3 ankle sprain and is out for at least six weeks. I’ve never been to Memphis but apparently, when it rains it pours, then your roof blows off and then your ankle explodes. This season is a complete write-off from a competitive standpoint. The positive side, though, is that a bunch of players will get to play heavy NBA minutes who otherwise wouldn’t have. Vince Williams has been the best player on the Grizz since Bane’s injury and is a must-roster. G.G. Jackson had a couple of great games but doesn’t look rosterable for now. That might change, of course, when we get near the end of the season. Xavier Tillman is playing 30+ minutes and contributing in nearly every category. Luke Kennard is a solid addition if you need threes.
Recommendation: Williams, Tillman, Kennard.
Ivica Zubac, C – Los Angeles Clippers
Injury: Right calf strain
Projected Return Date: Mid-Feb
The only good big man on the Clippers, Zubac, will miss at least four weeks with a calf strain. The next guys off the bench are Mason Plumlee and Daniel Theis, who are both unlikely to produce anything you’d want to see on your fantasy team in standard-sized leagues. At most, you’d get 10 points and 10 rebounds, which sounds better than it actually is in category leagues. Another casualty of Zubac’s injury could be James Harden who loses his pick and roll partner. In the two games without Zubac, Harden has struggled to shoot and only averaged 15 points. Very small sample but something to monitor.
Recommendation: IR Zubac if you can. Don’t bother with Plumlee or Theis.