Fantasy Basketball Injury Updates for Week 18

Each week of the NBA season unfortunately brings injuries to key players across the league. The goal of this column is to break down those injuries and understand which players could benefit in fantasy from an injury to a teammate.

As a reminder, COVID-19 related absences from players will now be included in this column.

There are quite a few injuries to cover this week for fantasy-relevant players, so let’s get to it.

Short-Term Injuries

Kevin Durant, PF, Brooklyn Nets- thigh

Durant had to leave Sunday’s contest early because of a thigh injury and this is just another setback in an injury-marred campaign for the superstar. Durant’s status going forward is uncertain. If he misses any time, guys like Jeff Green and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot would see more playing time, but they are not fantasy-relevant now.

Devonte' Graham, PG, Charlotte Hornets- quad

Graham is dealing with a quad injury and his status for Tuesday remains questionable. The guard has now missed two consecutive games. The injury doesn’t seem as if it will hold him back a lot, but if he misses Tuesday’s game, Brad Wanamaker could see more playing time. He’s not fantasy-relevant though.

Zach LaVine, SG, Chicago Bulls- COVID-19 protocols

LaVine is in health and safety protocols and will miss this week and maybe parts of next week as well. He represents a huge chunk of the Bulls’ offense, so the team will need to continue finding scorers who can shoulder some of the load. Coby White is a guy to keep an eye on right now as his numbers could go up.

Jerami Grant, SF, Detroit Pistons- quad

Grant missed Monday’s game because of a quad injury and has missed two of the past four games now. It remains unclear when the forward could return, but expect guys like Josh Jackson to see more minutes. Jackson is a great addition for fantasy teams as he had at least 17 points in four of the past five games prior to Monday’s.

Jonas Valanciunas, C, Memphis Grizzlies- concussion

The center missed Monday’s game due to a concussion. It remains uncertain when he could return but this is a huge hit for fantasy owners considering Valanciunas is averaging 17 points and 12.6 rebounds per game. In the meantime, Xavier Tillman would see more playing time if Valanciuanas can’t play in upcoming games. Tillman is worth streaming as he posted 15 and 14 points during this past weekend’s games.

Bam Adebayo, C, Miami Heat- knee

Adebayo missed Monday’s contest due to a sore knee but the injury doesn’t seem too concerning. If Adebayo must miss any more contests, Dewayne Dedmon could be considered a player worth streaming. He did post a double-double on Sunday.

Damian Lillard, PG, Portland Trail Blazers- hamstring

Lillard missed Sunday’s game due to a hamstring injury and has now missed two games in a row. It remains to be seen when the guard could return. In the meantime, Anfernee Simons is worth keeping an eye on for now. He did post 16 points on Friday.

Pascal Siakam, PF, Toronto Raptors- shoulder

Siakam did not play on Sunday due to a shoulder injury and has missed two games in a row overall. Whether the 27-year-old can suit up in Toronto’s next game remains to be seen. Yuta Watanabe is an intriguing streaming option if Siakam must miss another contest. Watanabe posted 21 points on Friday and can produce if he is given the minutes.

Donovan Mitchell, SG, Utah Jazz- ankle

A low ankle sprain will sideline Mitchell for at least the rest of this week. His absence should mean more minutes for guys like Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles, both of whom are worth adding to your fantasy rosters now given their decent production recently. Clarkson posted 27 points on Saturday and at least 15 points in five of the past six games while Ingles has posted at least 18 points in three of the last four games (stats are prior to Monday’s game).

Long-Term Injuries

Jamal Murray, PG, Denver Nuggets- knee

The 2020-21 season for Jamal Murray came to a devastating close last week as he sustained a torn ACL which will sideline him for the rest of the campaign. Monte Morris and Facundo Campazzo are likely going to see more minutes but they are only worth monitoring right now in fantasy.

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