A barrage of injuries to star players has come our way in week 19. As sad as it is for the players and the teams involved, it is also an opportunity for the next players on the depth charts and, subsequently, for fantasy players. The teams are also starting to shut down certain players for the sake of the precious draft picks, which is another opportunity to scoop up solid players for your fantasy teams.
Week 19 Fantasy Basketball Injury Report
Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C – Minnesota Timberwolves
Injury: Left knee lateral meniscus tear
Projected Return Date: Not during the NBA regular season
Towns is scheduled to undergo surgery on his knee early next week and will miss the rest of the NBA regular season. There is hope for him to return at some point during the NBA playoffs but that’s outside the scope of most fantasy leagues. In the 3 games without Towns so far, Naz Reid has averaged 13.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 0.7 threes in 26 minutes. Not totally in must-own territory but, still, there is some upside. Kyle Anderson got the start on Thursday in Towns’ stead but is such an unproductive player that he’d be only worth a look in deeper leagues for one category (assists). Also worth mentioning is that the Wolves only have two games next week where many have four.
Recommendation: Drop Towns. Take a look at Naz Reid.
Stephen Curry, PG/SG – Golden State Warriors
Injury: Right ankle injury
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Curry left Thursday’s game against the Bulls late in the fourth after rolling his ankle. No official word yet on the severity but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him out for a few games at least. If Curry indeed misses games, Chris Paul becomes a must-roster player. Also, expect to see boosts to Brandin Podziemski’s and Klay Thompson’s stat lines.
Recommendation: Chris Paul if Curry misses time.
LeBron James, SF/PF – Los Angeles Lakers
Injury: Left ankle peroneal tendinopathy
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
LeBron is listed as questionable with an ankle injury, which isn’t uncommon this season, but he did leave Wednesday’s game early, which gives a little more cause for a pause. After the game, he claimed that he’ll be “all right”, which doesn’t, at least, point to anything too serious. But, in case he misses time, expect Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell to carry a bigger offensive load. Rui Hachimura has been very good recently, even with LeBron in the lineup, so I’d add him regardless if appropriate. A deeper, more speculative pick is Taurean Prince if James indeed misses games.
Recommendation: Rui Hachimura.
Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG – Cleveland Cavaliers
Injury: Left knee bone bruise
Projected Return Date: Within a couple of weeks
Mitchell received a PRP injection in his left knee and is scheduled to miss the rest of this week. An update is promised to come this weekend. A typical time out with a PRP injection is in the 2-3 week range. Mitchell ranks as a top 10 fantasy player for the season so it’s unlikely for anyone on the Cavs to replace his production. Darius Garland will have to carry a bigger load offensively but he’s not available on the waivers in fantasy. Perhaps players like Isaac Okoro and Caris LeVert will get the bulk of Mitchell’s shots.
Recommendation: Okoro?
Victor Wembanyama, PF/C – San Antonio Spurs
Injury: Right ankle sprain
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Coach Popovich said Wemby is ready to go on Monday which indicates the injury is not serious at all. If it was serious, Wemby would be presumably treated with extreme care considering his future potential and the lack of importance of the Spurs’ games this season. Zach Collins is the guy to get if Wembanyama misses more time.
Recommendation: Hope for a quick return for Wembanyama.
Lauri Markkanen, SF/PF – Utah Jazz
Injury: Right quadriceps contusion
Projected Return Date: Week-to-week
“Larry” Markkanen has missed two games with the quad bruising. Theoretically, he shouldn’t be out for much longer, however, he has been carrying the team for the whole season and could use a rest. By now there is nothing for the Jazz to play for, in fact, they get to keep their pick this draft if they end with a bottom 10 regular season record. The two games without Markkanen have been dominated by Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton, and John Collins. Keyonte George has been out with an illness so presumably, he’ll be in the mix for this final stretch. That looks like a pretty solid group of guys to command a tank job.
Recommendation: Find yourself a good tank commander on the Jazz.
Scottie Barnes, SG/SF/PF – Toronto Raptors
Injury: Left hand third metacarpal fracture
Projected Return Date: 2024-25 season
Barnes is presumably out for the rest of the season after undergoing a finger surgery. So feel free to drop him. Gary Trent Jr. is a must-roster going forward. He’s led the team in field goal attempts and ranks overall in the top 50 in 9-cat fantasy during the last week.
Recommendation: Drop Barnes. Add Trent Jr.
Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG – Philadelphia 76ers
Injury: Concussion
Projected Return Date: 2024-25 season
Maxey is out with a concussion until he passes the league-mandated tests. The 76ers’ head coach Nick Nurse described it as a “delayed mild concussion”, which would indicate (or hope) for a return sooner rather than later. Maxey and Joel Embiid out will leave the Sixers in a pretty sorry state. The bulk of the offensive will have to go through Buddy Hield, Kelly Oubre Jr., Camero Payne, or, I guess, Tobias Harris. So look for those four to add if available.
Recommendation: Surely someone will have to score.
Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG – Philadelphia 76ers
Injury: Concussion
Projected Return Date: 2024-25 season
Maxey is out with a concussion until he passes the league-mandated tests. The 76ers’ head coach Nick Nurse described it as a “delayed mild concussion”, which would indicate (or hope) for a return sooner rather than later. Maxey and Joel Embiid out will leave the Sixers in a pretty sorry state. The bulk of the offensive will have to go through Buddy Hield, Kelly Oubre Jr., Camero Payne, or, I guess, Tobias Harris. So look for those four to add if available.
Recommendation: Surely someone will have to score.