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. Let’s get started!
NBA Fantasy Basketball Injury Impact Report
Three Key Injuries Across the League:
- Nikola Jokic (DEN – Hyperextended Left Knee): Four Weeks
- Jonas Valanciunas (DEN – Right Calf Strain): Four Weeks
- Josh Giddey (CHI – Left Hamstring Strain): Two Weeks
- Coby White (CHI – Right Calf Tightness): One Week
- Tobias Harris (DET – Hip Sprain): Two Weeks
Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) – Hyperextended Left Knee – Minimum Four Weeks
Jonas Valanciunas (Denver Nuggets) – Right Calf Strain – Minimum Four Weeks
The Nuggets have been hit hard with injuries over the last week. They first lost Nikola Jokic to a hyperextended left knee last Monday, and when it looked like Jonas Valanciunas would be the beneficiary, he also went down with an injury. Both players will be out for around a month and miss approximately 16 games. The Nuggets play four of those games this upcoming week and have plenty of waiver wire add intrigue.
Who Benefits?
With the length of the injury for the Denver big men, there are multiple players who can help impact your fantasy basketball squad. Peyton Watson is still available in around 32% of Fantrax leagues and has seen the biggest increase in usage over the first two games without Jokic. He’s fired an impressive 41 shots across the two games, scoring 20+ points in each while adding 12 rebounds. The result: 30 fantasy points in both outings.
Spencer Jones is more widely available (34% rostered) and has been playing very well lately, even before Jokic went down. Over his last five games, he is averaging 12.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.4 steals + blocks for an impressive 25.5 fantasy points per game.
Center DaRon Holmes is picking up steam on waivers (43% rostered) with both big men going down. He hasn’t stood out a whole lot with 17 fantasy points in each of his last two games, but did pick up his first start of the season last game and likely continues to start moving forward. I fully expect to see 20+ fantasy point performances in his future. Excellent pickup if you need some center help.
Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls) – Left Hamstring Strain – Two Weeks
Coby White (Chicago Bulls) – Right Calf Tightness – One Week
Both players suffered their respective injuries in a game on December 29 and have now missed three games. White is expected to be out for the duration of the upcoming week, while Giddey won’t be reevaluated for two weeks.
Who Benefits?
The Bulls will need some other guards to step up, and Tre Jones has done just that. He has stepped into the starting lineup in three straight, shooting 54% from the field (13 for 24) and adding 25 assists for 26.2 fantasy points per game. He is picking up steam on waivers but is still available in 28% of Fantrax leagues.
While Ayo Dosunmu continues to come off the bench, he has been a very effective fantasy option. He has attempted double-digit shots in four of his last five games, has tallied double-digit points in five straight, and 27+ fantasy points in four straight. He is available in 29% of Fantrax leagues.
Kevin Huerter is another player who continues to come off the bench but has provided above-average fantasy value. He has only shot 43% from the field over the last three games, but has added a ton of secondary value with a total of 21 rebounds, 10 assists, and a combined five steals + blocks in those games. That has helped him reach 26 or more fantasy points in each of those contests. He is only rostered in 50% of Fantrax leagues and is a terrific add in all formats.
Tobias Harris (Detroit Pistons) – Hip Strain – Two Weeks
Harris suffered the injury early in a game on December 30, and it has been confirmed to be a hip strain. He will be reevaluated in two weeks.
Who Benefits?
In the Pistons’ first game without Harris, we saw Isaiah Stewart get his first start in nearly a month. He played 30 minutes, went 2 for 5 from the field, added four rebounds, two assists, and five blocks, good for 22 fantasy points. He will likely continue to start and is available in 34% of leagues.
Another player who has seen his value rise with the Harris injury has been Javonte Green. He has played 31 and 26 minutes over his last two, while shooting 50% from the field(7 for 14). He is more suitable for deeper leagues coming off the bench, but is widely available at just 15% rostered.
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