Fantasy Basketball Injury Round-Up
Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
Injury: Right MCL sprain
Projected Return Date: March 1
According to Shams Charania, Durant is targeting the Match 1st game against the Hornets for his Suns debut. After missing 19 games, it can be presumed that Durant’s return will come with a minutes limitation of some sort. Regardless, a player of Durant’s caliber will have a significant impact even on limited minutes. For those in weekly leagues, the Suns first game of the week is indeed the one on Wednesday so Durant can be easily activated and wouldn’t miss any games if he suits up against the Hornets. Durant’s return will also put the breaks on Josh Okogie’s recent high-level performances. Though, he should still be rostered in most leagues until further notice.
Recommendation: Not long now.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Injury: Left high ankle sprain
Projected Return Date: Mid-March
Stephen Curry has started various on-court workouts and is making good progress in his injury recovery, according to Warriors PR. No public return timeline has been set and he will be re-evaluated in a week. By the sound of it, this could mean a couple of more weeks until Curry is able to return to the Warriors lineup. The Warriors are currently holding on to that precious last play-in spot so they’d prefer Curry to return sooner rather than later. I wonder if they know that title contention isn’t on the cards this year.
Recommendation: Donte DiVincenzo belongs on a roster as long as Curry is out.
Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors
Injury: Personal reasons
Projected Return Date: Unknown
Wiggins missed the last game before the All-Star break and the first one after it due to what the Warriors call a “family matter”. The nature of the matter is unknown to us and none of our business regardless, all we can do is send thoughts and prayers. Fantasy-wise, this only strengthens the case for picking up Donte DiVincenzo as well as perhaps considering more peripheral players such as Ty Jerome.
Recommendation: Donte DiVincenzo belongs on a roster as long as Wiggins is out.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Injury: Right wrist sprain
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Giannis injured his wrist in the final game before the All-Star break. According to reports he “avoided serious damage” and will miss a few games at most. While he is gone, expect extra big-man minutes for Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis as well as, possibly, Joe Ingles, Khris Middleton, and Jae Crowder.
Recommendation: Doesn’t look like there’s a killer pick-up here.
D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers
Injury: Right ankle sprain
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Russell sprained his ankle by stepping on Donte DiVincenzo’s foot in the game against the Warriors on Thursday. Dennis Schröder took care of point guard duties for the rest of the game and returned a 13 point, 6 assist, 1 trey, 1 block, and 1 steal stat line. By all indications, Russell’s injury doesn’t seem to be that serious and he could return for the next Lakers game on Sunday. If not, Schröder is available in half the leagues and ready to return an okay fantasy performance.
Recommendation: Keep an eye on it.
Kyle Lowry, Miami Heat
Injury: Left knee soreness
Projected Return Date: Late February
Lowry has missed the last six Heat games with a sore knee and will likely miss a couple more. He’s expressed hope to return before the calendar flips to March, which is soon. Maybe this is a long shot but Lowry is rostered in surprisingly few leagues so if you can pick him up, maybe there’s some late-season hot point guard action waiting for you.
Recommendation: Get Kyle Lowry.