You are currently reading the Week 9 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.
Week 9 Fantasy Basketball Injury Report
Jimmy Butler, SF/PF – Miami Heat
Injury: Left calf strain
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Butler will sit out Friday’s game against the Hawks with a calf injury. That will make it two missed games and potentially a few more. There is no reporting yet on the severity of the injury. Knowing Jimmy, and I do know Jimmy, it’ll be a couple of more games at most. Meanwhile, Jaime Jaquez Jr. will step into the starting line-up. Jaquez Jr. should be rostered while Butler is out. Long term, he’s more marginal in standard leagues. Kevin Love has had a couple of good games recently and could be a decent streaming option in spots.
Recommendation: Stream Jaime Jaquez Jr. Wink at Kevin Love.
Luka Doncic, PG – Dallas Mavericks
Injury: Left quad strain
Projected Return Date: Day-to-day
Luka will miss Friday’s game against the Rockets with a quad injury. Whether the injury is real or he’s just resting for a game, we’ll never know. I guess we’ll know in a couple of days but I’m leaning towards rest. There hasn’t been any reporting either way. With half of the Mavs on the injury list, the other half will have a nice opportunity to produce some sweet sweet fantasy stats. Tim Hardaway Jr., Derrick Jones, and Grant Williams should do the most damage. Jaden Hardy might also be worthy of a look. Long term, all of these guys are too flawed to lean on heavily in fantasy. Perhaps Derrick Jones is the best of the bunch with his defensive stats, particularly in 9-cat.
Recommendation: Whoever’s starting for the Mavs will be a good streaming option until the big boys return.
Bradley Beal, SG – Phoenix Suns
Injury: Right ankle sprain
Projected Return Date: January?
Poor Brad Beal only lasted two and a half games after returning from his previous injury. Now it’s looking like another two-week absence. At a minimum. Nothing really changes for the Suns from a fantasy perspective – Eric Gordon and Grayson Allen should still be rostered. I’ve seen a few people here and there drop Beal, which is too much for now. If you can’t afford to keep an injured player, I’d try to swing a trade for a player in the bottom part of the top 100 of fantasy – perhaps a Monk or a Zubac. It’s going to suck seeing him go off for 30 at some point in the season but what also sucks is him going for a big fat 0 right now.
Recommendation: Allen/Gordon is the dynamic duo you need in your life.
Evan Mobley, PF/C – Cleveland Cavaliers
Injury: Left Knee surgery
Projected Return Date: February
What started as knee soreness ended with Mobley getting arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The official word is that he’ll be expected to miss six to eight weeks, which would indicate an early February return. Six to eight fantasy weeks is a long time. There’s no need to drop him immediately but having him on the roster will be a drag. Keep him if you can afford to but in a desperate situation, there’s nothing to do but sell low. Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade have been getting an extended run with Mobley out. Neither is a must-own, though Wade has been shooting the lights out recently.
Recommendation: A lot to think about.
Darius Garland, PG – Cleveland Cavaliers
Injury: Jaw fracture
Projected Return Date: Mid-Jan
In a double whammy for the Cavs, Darius Garland will be out for an expected four weeks with a broken jaw. Would you rather get your jaw broken or have knee surgery? Let us know in the comments. In the four games since the injury, none of the reserve guards have risen to be must-rosters in fantasy. Sam Merrill might be worth it if you need threes, Caris LeVert is such a poor shooter, and Craig Porter Jr. doesn’t do too much with his starting spot.
Recommendation: Look elsewhere for guards to stream.