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:
- Norman Powell (MIA – Right Groin Strain): Week to Week
- Dillon Brooks (PHO – Broken Left Hand): 3-5 Weeks
- Lauri Markkanen (UTA – Hip Impingement): Two Weeks
Norman Powell (Miami Heat) – Right Groin Strain – Week to Week
Powell suffered the injury in Thursday’s matchup against the 76ers. Initial updates show that he will be out at least a week, which would translate to four or more games at a minimum. Powell leads the heat in usage (27.4%) and scoring (22.5 points per game), leaving a healthy amount of fantasy value that can be filled.
Who Benefits?
Tyler Herro has been excellent coming off the bench and is likely to step back into the starting lineup, but unfortunately, is 98% rostered on Fantrax. In terms of waiver wire options, Pelle Larsson is available in over 50% of leagues and could see a nice boost in fantasy value. He is risky with a lower floor but has been pretty good recently with 20 or more fantasy points in nine of his last 11 games while averaging 24.1 fantasy points per game. More good news as he has also flashed some big upside with 30+ fantast points three times in those 11 games.
Dillon Brooks (Phoenix Suns) – Broken Left Hand – Three to Five Weeks
We mentioned Brooks’ injury last week; at that time, the severity of the injury and timeline were unclear. It was confirmed this past week that Brooks suffered a broken hand and will be out multiple weeks, with the best-case-scenario being late March.
Who Benefits?
Royce O’Neale should continue to get a small boost for fantasy. After two very down games where he played less than 25 minutes in both while scoring a combined nine points, he bounced back on Thursday, playing 28 minutes, shooting 4 for 7 from the field, adding nine combined rebounds + assists, adding up to 23 fantasy points. He is still available in over 30% of Fantrax leagues.
Ryan Dunn has seen an increase in minutes while starting the last three games for the Suns. After a terrible shooting performance in the first start(1 for 9), he rebounded, going 8 for 13 over the last two games, scoring 10 points in each and combining for 10 rebounds, three assists, and a steal. If he continues to start, I am expecting even more out of him in the range of 25 fantasy points per game. He is available in 68% of Fantrax leagues.
Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz) – Hip Impingement – Two Weeks
The injury was suffered in practice, and the MRI on Thursday confirmed Markkanen suffered a hip impingement. He will be out at least two weeks before being re-evaluated. The injuries have really piled up for the Jazz in February, as they have already lost Jaren Jackson and Jusuf Nurkic for the season. For fantasy, however, it does open some opportunity for other players and fantasy managers in need of a waiver wire add down the stretch.
Who Benefits?
Brice Sensabaugh is likely to see some extra opportunities with all the injuries. Mostly coming off the bench, he has tallied 20 or more fantasy points in nine of his last 12 games while averaging 25.1 per game. He is available in 38% of leagues.
John Konchar is another candidate to get a boost, but I need to see it before I jump to the waivers for him. The minutes have been inconsistent, but there is upside. He is coming off a dud in his last game, but had averaged 24.1 fantasy points per game in his previous four, which included two starts.
Fantrax is one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites in the fantasy sports industry, and we’re not stopping anytime soon. We are the most customizable, easy-to-use, and feature-rich platform in the industry, offering the greatest fantasy experience for your dynasty, keeper, redraft, and best ball leagues. Fantasy sports doesn’t sleep, and neither does Fantrax, with seasons running 365 days a year. Take your fantasy leagues to the next level now at Fantrax.com!
