You are currently reading the Week 4 fantasy basketball injury report in which we cover the latest in mid- and long-term NBA injuries and their relevance to you – a fantasy basketball manager. This week’s report includes superstar players, slapstick injuries, possible foul play, and who knows what more.
Week 4 Fantasy Basketball Injury Report
Stephen Curry, PG – Golden State Warriors
Injury: Right knee strain
Projected Return Date: Within two weeks
Curry fell on his knee during Sunday’s game against the Timberwolves but finished the game. An MRI done on Tuesday didn’t show any structural damage to the knee and, seemingly, the worst has been avoided. The Warriors will want to play it as safe as possible, especially when considering Curry’s injury history, however, the injury does seem like a mild one. Expect a return within two weeks with early next week being a reasonably optimistic return date. In the meantime, Chris Paul will be solid enough to hold down the PG position. Rookie Brandin Podziemski scored 23 points on Tuesday without Curry but that was a weird game and a repeat of 23 points is highly unlikely.
Recommendation: CP3 gets a temporary boost. If you really want to overreact to one good game, sure, take a look at Podziemski.
Ben Simmons, PG/SG/PF – Brooklyn Nets
Injury: Left lower back nerve impingement
Projected Return Date: December
Simmons missed a handful of games with a hip injury last week and is now out for at least a few more with a back injury. No official timeline has been provided and Simmons is officially listed as “out indefinitely”. I have him as the 121st-best player in 9-cat fantasy on a per-game basis this season. Considering this injury and his injury history, it wouldn’t be totally unreasonable to drop him for someone semi-decent but reliable. Simmons, obviously, can’t be relied on. Spencer Dinwiddie, Royce O’Neale, and even Lonnie Walker IV become a little bit more viable on the Nets with Simmons out.
Recommendation: Drop/trade Simmons.
Kelly Oubre Jr., SG/SF – Philadelphia 76ers
Injury: Fractured rib
Projected Return Date: Late-November/Early-December
Oubre suffered a fractured rib in a hit-and-run over the weekend in Philadelphia. It seems like he can be expected back soon enough so if he was dropped in your league – go get him. Oubre ranks in the top 70 in 9-cat fantasy on a per-game basis this season. Since Oubre’s been out, De’Anthony Melton has got a new lease on life. Melton had underperformed his post-Harden expectations but now, without Oubre, he ranks in the top 50 in fantasy.
Recommendation: Look into both Oubre and Melton, if available.
O.G. Anunoby, SG/SF – Toronto Raptors
Injury: Right finger laceration
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Anunoby, reportedly, cut his finger while doing household chores. The only question that matters right now is – which exact chore was he doing? Since the reports only give us a vague “household chores”, all we can do is speculate. The obvious pick is cooking – cutting onions or messing with an avocado, perhaps. Another kitchen-based possibility is while doing the dishes – maybe he grabbed hold of a knife the wrong way. But I just can’t imagine an NBA star washing the dishes like that. What if he was doing some light dusting in the living room and a vase fell, maybe it broke in an attempt to catch it and cut the finger? Perhaps he was tending to his plants and a sharp leaf or a cactus cut him?
Recommendation: Gradey Dick is the pick-up while Anunoby is gone. But, probably, only for deep leagues.
Markelle Fultz, PG/SG – Orlando Magic
Injury: Left knee tendinitis
Projected Return Date: Week-to-week
Fultz has missed six of the last seven games with knee tendinitis and is ruled out of the next game too. Quite disappointing considering the nice second half of the last season he had and the expectations for this season. In the 5 games he has played this year, he ranks outside the top 150 in fantasy. Unless you’re desperate for his 4 assists per game, Fultz probably doesn’t need to be rostered in standard leagues. That is if he returns any time soon. Knee injuries aren’t exactly straightforward. There are almost certainly better players available on your waiver wire.
Recommendation: Drop Fultz.
Wendell Carter Jr., C – Orlando Magic
Injury: Left third metacarpal fracture
Projected Return Date: Late-November/Early-December
Wendell Carter Jr. is due his hand surgery reevaluation date, which, hopefully, means his return to the court isn’t too far away either. Realistically, he is a top 100 player (or around thereabouts) when healthy. So if he is available on the waivers or you can get a trade done, perhaps it’s time to make a move.
Recommendation: Get Carter