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
With the All-Star break wrapping up and minimal activity in terms of new injuries, we will take some time and review some existing injury situations leading into week 18.
Three Key Injuries Across the League:
- Aaron Gordon (DEN – Right Hamstring Strain): 1-2 Weeks
- Peyton Watson (DEN – Right Hamstring Strain): Week to Week
- Stephen Curry (GS – Right Knee): Week to Week
- Devin Booker (PHO – Right Hip Strain): One Week
Aaron Gordon (Denver Nuggets) – Right Hamstring Strain – 2-3 Weeks
Peyton Watson (Denver Nuggets) – Right Hamstring Strain – 4 Weeks
Both players are still recovering from hamstring strains, with Gordon out since late January and Watson out since early February. Gordon’s timeline looks the most favorable as he could return as soon as this week, while Watson isn’t expected to be reevaluated until around March 9.
Who Benefits?
In the last injury report, I mentioned Julian Strawther as my top beneficiary and waiver wire pickup. At that point, he had made just one start since the injuries and looked good. He is very scoring reliant, but that hasn’t been an issue as he has taken an average of 13 shots a game over his five starts while shooting 53% from the field and averaging 25.4 fantasy points per game. Strawther is still just 18% rostered in Fantrax leagues and is a priority pickup who comes with multi-position eligibility.
Tim Hardaway Jr. continues to come off the bench but has also looked very good recently. Over his last six games, he is shooting 58% from the field and averaging 21.7 fantasy points per game. Like Strawther, he is also shooting reliant for fantasy, so there will be games where he underwhelms, and with Strawther starting, I prefer him much more.
Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) – Right Knee – Week to Week
Curry suffered the knee injury on January 30 and missed the Warriors’ final five games before the All-Star break. He is expected to be reevaluated at the beginning of March.
Who Benefits?
My top priority for fantasy value on the Warriors is Pat Spencer. He has stepped up at different times of the season and is doing so once again. Going into Sunday, he has started five straight games with Curry out, averaging 13 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.4 steals for an impressive 27.7 fantasy points per game. The best part is that he is widely available on waivers at just 21% rostered.
De’Anthony Melton stepped into the starting lineup on February 5 and has seen decent usage, having taken double-digit shot attempts in four of five of those games. He has been largely shooting dependent, but has averaged 21.2 fantasy points per game over that stretch. He is available in over 50% of Fantrax leagues.
Devin Booker (PHO) – Right Hip Strain – One Week
Booker battled injuries in the first half of the season and now suffered a right hip strain in the Suns’ first game following the All-Star break. He will be reevaluated in one week. Booker is not the only Suns player who is dealing with injuries, as both Dillon Brooks and Jordan Goodwin left early in Saturday’s game. Their status will have to be monitored before making any roster decisions.
Who Benefits?
If available, you should run and grab Grayson Allen(79% rostered) or Collin Gillespie(78% rostered). Allen has been red-hot, scoring 30+ fantasy points in four straight and nine of his last 10 games while averaging 32.6 per game. Gillespie hasn’t been nearly as consistent on a game-by-game basis, but has flashed 50+ point upside and is averaging 27 points per game in February.
Royce O’Neale could see an uptick in usage and has been solid lately with 20+ fantasy points in five of his last seven games. If Brooks and Goodwin remain out, we will also want to consider Ryan Dunn, who has been good over his limited starts this season and is just 32% rostered.
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