Fantasy Basketball NBA Injury Impact Report — Who Benefits from Key Absences (Week 15)

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:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL – Right Calf Strain): 4-6 Weeks
•  Zach Edey (MEM – Left Ankle): 3-4 Weeks
• Ja Morant (Mem – UCL Sprain): 3 Weeks

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) – Right Calf Strain – 4-6 Weeks

The Bucks superstar forward suffered another calf injury during Friday’s game. He left briefly in the first half but returned with a wrap and finished all but 34 seconds of the game. In an interview after the game, he stated he will likely be out 4-6 weeks based on his previous experience with the injury. After receiving an MRI on Saturday, that timeline was confirmed.

Who Benefits?

Giannis’s elite usage rate of 36% leaves a lot to go around for the rest of the Bucks roster. The bad news is that the Bucks roster has been picked clean, with four of the next five rostered in over 84% of Fantrax leagues.

Ryan Rollins (84% rostered) and Kevin Porter (97%) have seen the biggest usage boosts with Giannis off the floor, with 4.3%and 3.8% boosts, respectively. The one player I have my eye on is Kyle Kuzma, who is still available in 30% of leagues, gets a 3% usage boost, and a six fantasy points per game boost with Giannis out.

Going deeper, we should keep a close eye on Cole Anthony (29% rostered), who has been making the most of his situation lately. With limited minutes (16, 24), he has been red-hot, going 11 for 19 (58%) from the field with 20+ fantasy points in two straight.

Zach Edey (Memphis Grizzlies) – Left Ankle – 3-4 Weeks

Edey has been out for over a month now after suffering a stress reaction in his left ankle back in early December. His original timeline was four weeks, but the rehab hasn’t gone as planned, so he will be re-evaluated in early March.

Who Benefits?

The main reason to circle back on the Edey injury is mention Jock Landale, who is somehow still just 56% rostered in Fantrax leagues. He stepped into a consistent starting role in early January and has been excellent, averaging 13.9 points and 9.0 rebounds for 30.3 fantasy points per game. He is the only center eligible player during that time that is averaging over 30 points per game and is under 70% rostered. If you are in need of center help, he is a top waiver wire pickup.

Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies) – UCL Sprain – Three Weeks

Another big hit for the Grizzlies as Morant suffered a UCL sprain in his left elbow last Wednesday. He missed Friday’s game and on Saturday, the team opted to shut him down for three weeks, when he will be re-evaluated.

Who Benefits?

Rookie Cedric Coward is having an excellent rookie season and has been even better lately. He contributes in multiple categories and over his last 13 games is averaging 15.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists for 28.7 fantast points per game. He is likely to see an uptick in minutes and usage without Morant, but is only available in 20% of Fantrax leagues.

Cam Spencer has not only been the better fantasy player, but he is also more widely available at 68% rostered on Fantrax. Over his last 10 starts with Morant out, he has been incredible, averaging 13.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 10 assists for just over 33 fantasy points per game. That is a huge bump from his 23.7 fantasy point average overall this season. He is a top waiver wire pickup in week 15.