You are currently reading the Week 7 fantasy basketball injury report. In said report, we cover the latest in medium to long-term NBA injuries and their relevance to you – a fantasy basketball player. Overall this hasn’t been a bad week injury-wise. As always, say your prayers to the fantasy Gods and offer appropriate sacrifices to keep the vibes good.
Week 6 Fantasy Basketball Injury Report
Kevin Durant, SF/PF – Phoenix Suns
Injury: Left ankle sprain
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Durant will miss at least Friday’s game against Sacramento with an ankle sprain. According to head coach Frank Vogel, KD has been playing through an ankle injury for a few weeks now. There’s a reasonable chance Durant won’t participate fully in the Suns’ juicy 4-game schedule next week. Until now, Durant had been the healthiest member of the Suns’ alleged big three. Perhaps a more risk-averse fantasy player would have traded Durant during his hot streak as he’s only played half the games in his last three seasons. This ankle sprain likely won’t be too serious but Durant still comes with a massive injury warning. While he’s out, look for Devin Booker and Eric Gordon to carry the Suns’ scoring load.
Recommendation: Trade him after the next hot streak.
Zach LaVine, SG/SF – Chicago Bulls
Injury: Right foot inflammation
Projected Return Date: Early January
LaVine has been officially ruled out for the next 3-4 weeks with a foot inflammation. Whether he’ll return to the Bulls at all or get traded remains to be seen. For what it’s worth, the rumor mill seems to like the January 15th date when more contracts become eligible to be traded for LaVine. Regardless, Coby White owners will be rewarded in the meantime – White has been the Bulls’ best player for a couple of weeks now. Could you imagine having dropped White just before that run? I wouldn’t have to imagine it.
Recommendation: Possible buy-low opportunity for LaVine if you have the time and space.
Jalen Duren, C – Detroit Pistons
Injury: Left ankle sprain
Projected Return Date: Week-to-week
Duren landed on a Grizzlies player’s foot and rolled his left ankle at the end of the game on Wednesday. With a history of ankle injuries, they’ll likely take it slow and give Duren at least a few games off. So far this season, Duren ranks among the league’s best in the big-man stat combo of field goal-rebounds-blocks. The last time Duren missed time, Marvin Bagley III and James Wiseman got a boost in minutes, though, with neither really rising to the level of rosterable players in standard leagues.
Recommendation: Duren is too good to drop. No clear pick-up.
Jalen Suggs, PG/SG – Orlando Magic
Injury: Right ankle strain
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Suggs left the game against the Cavaliers with an ankle injury and is listed as questionable for Friday against the Pistons. Gary Harris will likely step into the starting lineup and will, likely, be a good streaming option. Suggs has been a solid top-100 player this year – mostly thanks to his 1.9 steals per game. I see no reason to panic with this injury. If anything, try to finagle him in a trade.
Recommendation: Harris in a stream. Suggs in a trade.