Fantasy Basketball NBA Injury Impact Report — Who Benefits from Key Absences (Week 9)

Injuries shape the fantasy basketball landscape more than any other variable, and staying ahead of each team’s rotation changes can be the difference between winning and falling behind. Each week, we will be bringing you an Injury Impact Report, where we break down the most important injuries around the league and highlight the players most likely to benefit.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Injury Impact Report

Three Key Injuries Across the League:

• Evan Mobley(CLE – Left Calf Strain): Out 2-4 Weeks
• Franz Wagner(ORL – Left Ankle Sprain): Out 2-4 Weeks
• Giannis Antetokounmpo(MIL – Right Calf Strain): Out 2-4 Weeks

Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers) – Left Calf Strain – Out 2-4 Weeks

Just as the Cavs get Jarrett Allen back after missing nine of the last 10 games, they now lose Evan Mobley for multiple weeks. He ended up finishing the game on Friday but suffered a Grade 1 left calf strain.

Who Benefits?

With Mobley averaging just over 34 minutes a game, it presents a ton of opportunity for other players to step up. In the previous injury article, we discussed Jaylon Tyson as an option, and he has stepped up from a minutes and usage perspective, playing 30 or more minutes in seven straight games with double-digit shot attempts in five of those games. He is also still just 67% rostered in FanTrax leagues. A more positionally correlated play is forward Dean Wade, who stepped into the starting lineup on Sunday, played 31 minutes, went 5 for 9 from the field, and added eight rebounds, two assists, and a steal for 29 fantasy points. He is very likely to get more starts moving forward and is only 12% rostered in FanTrax leagues.

Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic) – Left Ankle Sprain – Out 2-4 Weeks

Wagner fell awkwardly during last Sunday’s game against the Knicks. The good news is that he didn’t sustain any structural damage but will be out for a few more weeks.

Who Benefits?

The biggest beneficiary through the first two games without Wagner has been Paolo Banchero, who recently returned from an injury himself. He has worked his way back to playing 32+ minutes over the last two games while seeing his usage increase, taking 35 shots over the last two games. He isn’t a player who is going to be available (99% rostered) outside of a trade so let’s look at a few other players who can help out your fantasy team. Anthony Black has started each of the last two games, taking 15 shot attempts in each, tallying double-digit points in each with a combined 11 assists and rebounds over those two games. He is 74% owned, and that is likely to rise even more, so get on it while you can. A player who presents a little more risk is Tristan da Silva, who comes off the bench. He was a non-factor last game, playing just 12 minutes, but played 27 minutes the game before, going 4 for 9 with 11 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. He is much more widely available at just 45% rostered.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) – Right Calf Strain – Out 2-4 Weeks

We mentioned Giannis in our last injury impact report, and it doesn’t appear likely that he will return before the end of December.

Who Benefits?

In the four games he has been out, Kyle Kuzma has benefited from playing 28 or more minutes in each game. He has also seen an uptick in usage with double-digit shot attempts, 14 or more points, and 20 or more fantasy points in each of those games. He is now rostered in 78% of leagues, but if still available, grab him while you can. Gary Trent is a viable option and is only rostered in 45% of leagues. He made the start on Sunday, attempted his second-highest shot total(14) of the season, shot 50% from the field, and tallied 24 fantasy points. After that performance, he is likely to be a popular option on the waiver wire.