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
Key Injuries Across the League:
- Cameron Johnson (DEN – Right Knee Contusion): 4 to 6 Weeks
- Domantas Sabonis (SAC – Partially Torn Meniscus): 3 to 4 Weeks
- Zach Lavine (SAC – Left Ankle Sprain): Day to Day
- Anthony Davis (DAL – Groin Strain): Day to Day
- Austin Reaves (LAL – Left Calf Strain): 4 Weeks
Cameron Johnson (Denver Nuggets) – Right Knee Contusion – 4 to 6 Weeks
Johnson suffered a bone bruise in his right knee last Tuesday in a game against the Mavericks. The initial timeline is set at 4-6 weeks, putting him back on the court in late January, at the earliest.
Who Benefits?
Tim Hardaway Jr. made his third start of the season on Christmas Day and played a season-high 41 minutes. The game did go into overtime, but it was still only his fifth game of 30 or more minutes on the season. More good news as he also attempted a season-high 16 shots with 11 of those coming from beyond the arc. Hardaway has been trending up with double-digit shots and 26 or more fantasy points in three straight and should be able to sustain those numbers as he likely enters the starting lineup on a more regular basis over the next four to six weeks. He is currently rostered around 40% in FanTrax leagues and is a priority pickup.
Spencer Jones is another player who should benefit from a fantasy perspective. He also played 40 minutes in the overtime win on Christmas Day, tallying 12 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and two steals for 25 fantasy points. He likely won’t see the same usage as Hardaway, creating a little more risk, but he does contribute in secondary stats and is just 14% rostered in FanTrax leagues. Great pickup if you need forward help or are in a deeper league.
Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings) – Partially Torn Meniscus – Week to Week
Zach LaVine (Sacramento Kings) – Left Ankle Sprain – Day to Day
The Kings are down two of the key starters as Sabonis is still dealing with a knee injury, and LaVine is dealing with an ankle injury. We talked about Sabonis last week with his mid to late January timeline, with no update on that. For LaVine, he will be re-evaluated this upcoming week and could make his return soon.
Who Benefits?
Maxime Raynaud was the highlight of the injury report last week and is still available in about 40% of FanTrax leagues. He has now started eight straight games and made the most of that opportunity, averaging 29 minutes, 14.3 points, and 9.6 rebounds for 28.7 fantasy points per game.
Another player to keep your eye on is Nique Clifford, who may not be starting, but has played 25 or more minutes in three straight while attempting eight or more shots in each and contributing in multiple categories. He is rostered in just 30% of FanTrax leagues and is eligible as a guard and forward. Sacramento has four games this week, so if LaVine doesn’t return, Clifford is an excellent value add.
Anthony Davis (Dallas Mavericks) – Groin Strain – Day to Day
The Mavericks’ star big man left the Christmas Day game early with a groin strain. Shams Charania of ESPN is reporting that Davis is likely to miss around a week of action.
Who Benefits?
It is very likely that Daniel Gafford will re-enter the starting lineup as he has when Davis has missed time in the past. During a 13-game stretch where Davis missed time earlier in the year, Gafford was terrific, averaging 9.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.5 steals + blocks for an average of 24.1 fantasy points per game. He is only available in about 30% of leagues, so get to the waiver wire quickly if you are in need of help down low.
Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers) – Grade 2 Left Calf Strain – Four Weeks
Reaves has been playing through the injury for the past couple of weeks but was forced out of the Christmas Day game after aggravating the injury. He will be out of the lineup for at least four weeks, when the injury will be re-evaluated.
Who Benefits?
Reaves is out of the lineup, leaving a big hole in production as he sits 12th in scoring at 26 points per game while also adding 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists, as well. Luka Doncic and Lebron James will see some usage bumps, but both are highly rostered in FanTrax leagues. One player I will be targeting on the waiver wire is Jake LaRavia at just 42% rostered. He started back-to-back games on December 20 and 23, playing 37 and 29 minutes while going 9 for 19 from the field. He also provided some excellent secondary fantasy scoring with 16 rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and two blocks over those two games. He is likely to draw more starts and is a priority pickup for me this week.
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