Fantasy Basketball Injury Updates for Week 5 - Joel Embiid, Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal

Welcome back RotoBallers! It might be early in the season, but there are still impactful injuries all across the fantasy basketball landscape. I'm here to help you stay up to date on injury news, and how it impacts your teams.

I'm doing this midday on Monday for release Tuesday morning, so any news that drops on Monday night won't be covered. I'll just cover what has changed since last week.

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Short-Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball

Damian Lillard, PG/SG, Portland Trailblazers - Calf

Lillard is expected to miss 1-2 weeks minimum with a Grade 1 strain. For short-term streaming options, I would look at Shaedon Sharpe as a more straight-line replacement or Justise Winslow as a more outside-the-box option.

Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers - Foot

Embiid is already slated to miss the Sixers' game on Tuesday & Wednesday, but realistically I can't see them bringing him back early while the rest of the team is so injured. The Sixers are so hurt right now that just about anyone is in streaming consideration. As for their bigs, Sixers fans would like to see more of Paul Reed over F/A acquisition Montrezl Harrell. However, coach Doc Rivers will likely play the veteran more than the young gun.

Chris Paul, PG, Phoenix Suns, - Heel

CP3's heel injury is lingering a bit longer than expected (which is why I didn't write him up last week). The most recent update is that he's going to miss the rest of this week before being re-evaluated over the weekend. Assuming Cam Payne is already rostered, the Suns' backcourt is a bit shallow in terms of streaming options. My best rec would be Duane Washington if you need to dig deep.

Bradley Beal, SG, Washington Wizards - Quad

Beal suffered this injury last night, and as of the time of writing the extent is unknown. If he does miss time, look at Jordan Goodwin as a high-upside streamer.

Tyler Herro, PG/SG, Miami Heat - Ankle

Herro was initially ruled "Questionable" last Monday when the Heat took on the Blazers with an ankle injury, so I thought nothing major of it at first. Fast-forward to today, and Herro hasn't suited up since, and the only statement from the Heat was coach Erik Spoelstra saying that he expects the injury to be "short term", which came prior to that Blazers game. Max Strus and Gabe Vincent have filled the void left by Herro and either one is a solid streamer option.

Week 2: There's been no significant update for Herro since last week, but there was speculation he would return to Miami's lineup Monday night @ Minnesota. He ultimately was ruled out, but it feels like he'll be back before the end of the week with the Heat's slew of injuries.

Jimmy Butler, SF/PF, Miami Heat - Knee

For as murky as Herro's injury has been, Butler seems to be traveling the opposite path. Butler has been ruled out for the rest of the week while the Heat finish a road trip, then is expected to rejoin the team over the weekend.

Gabe Vincent, PG/SG - Knee & Duncan Robinson, SG/SF - Ankle, Miami Heat

Two guys who wouldn't usually cause enough of a fantasy ripple effect to deserve their own write-up, but with how injured the Heat are, I figured they should be included. Typically they would fill the roles vacated by Butler & Herro, but since they're missing time as well, I should let you know that Caleb Martin and Nikola Jovic should be streaming targets for the rest of this week.

Pascal Siakam, PF/C, Toronto Raptors - Groin

Siakam is expected to miss 7-10 days with a groin strain. The Raptors still play three more games this week, even with today's off day, so they're a great spot to target for streaming purposes. Chris Boucher and Precious Achiuwa are the most likely to fill the minutes void, but neither is reliable for offensive stats.

Update 11/18: Siakam has resumed on-court activity and will be re-evaluated in a week. Also worth noting; Achiuwa suffered a major ankle injury that requires a walking boot and looks to leave him sidelined for multiple weeks.

Long-Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball

Mike Conley, PG, Utah Jazz - Knee

Already ruled out for tonight's game, Conley isn't being evaluated until tomorrow. The Jazz are "hopeful he'll avoid an extended absence". Considering the injury happened Saturday, and that's the most positive statement issued, I'm going to guess this is a multi-week absence for Conley. If I'm wrong, I'll move this to short-term, or remove it entirely and it'll be like this never happened. However, if I'm correct, you'll have the upper hand in picking up Nickeil Alexander-Walker on your waivers.

Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG, Philadelphia 76ers - Foot

Maxey and Embiid getting hurt on the same night is an absolutely brutal break. I already gave streaming advice when James Harden went down, so once again look at Shake Milton, and if you need to go deeper Danuel House Jr.

Memphis Grizzlies Backcourt

With Ja Morant (Grade 1 ankle sprain, week-to-week), and Desmond Bane (Grade 2 toe sprain, 2-3 weeks) both slated to miss extended time, the Grizzlies' backcourt is ripe for opportunity. If Tyus Jones is still unrostered in your league, (only rostered in 52% of leagues currently) stop reading this article for a moment and go get him. John Konchar is replacing Bane and is still available in roughly 70% of leagues.

Cade Cunningham, PG/SG, Detroit Pistons - Shin

Cunningham is our second convert from short-term to long-term. In the last 7 days, Cunningham's injury has gone from an innocuous discomfort to full-blown panic mode. Whenever the next update arrives, I'll be sure to write about it below. Killian Hayes and Cory Joseph should continue to replace him as the Pistons' PG.

Cameron Johnson, SF/PF, Phoenix Suns - Knee

Johnson tore his right meniscus in last Friday's game against the Trailblazers. Johnson is getting surgery done this week, and recovery time is typically four weeks minimum. I wouldn't expect to see Johnson until about mid-December.

James Harden, PG/SG, Philadelphia 76ers - Foot

Harden is out for at least a month after suffering a tendon strain. If your league is any type of competitive, De'Anthony Melton is already off the waiver wire. If you need to dig deep, Shake Milton is an option, but that's thin at best.

Orlando Magic Backcourt

Recent injuries have sidelined Jalen Suggs and Gary Harris, seeing them join Markelle Fultz on the inactive list. This is a very unique situation though, as all three of them project to return at the same time in about a week. In the meantime, Terrence Ross looks like he's guaranteed to get shots, and RJ Hampton is there as well.

Week 2: There have been precisely zero updates from Orlando regarding their injuries, which is always concerning. Since this article last week, Cole Anthony has also joined the legion of injured Magic guards. The Magic have preferred bigger lineups, but until at least one of these guys returns from injury, there's just so much opportunity available for anyone still standing.

Week 3: Moving this to long term since Suggs has returned to action, and Anthony's injury status has been further clarified to be "multiple weeks". With no additional major updates anywhere else, all we can do is wait for more updates.

Robert Williams III, C, Boston Celtics - Knee

Williams' surgery caused the biggest pre-season shakeup from a fantasy impact. Currently scheduled out until January, Williams has already faced complications in rehab and it's always possible he's shut down for the year. For now, Grant Williams is a solid option from the Celtics frontcourt, and if the C's sign any more size that might be fantasy relevant I'll be sure to update that here.

Update: Williams is back on the court doing solo drills, I expect him to return around early December.

Bruno Fernando, C, Houston Rockets - Knee

After an update earlier today said Fernando will be out "a while" – something you never want to hear about a big man's knees – Alperen Sengun is probably already rostered in your league, but Usman Garaba is another name to keep an eye on.

Update: As of 11/19, Fernando is still "a little way out" from a return. Perhaps another 3-4 weeks.

Lonzo Ball, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls - Knee

Until Ball returns (which doesn't seem like it will be in 2022) Ayo Dosunmu is the starting PG for the Bulls. Dosunmu is off to a hot start, and he's definitely worth looking to acquire if you can find a good deal.

The Tank Corner 

Closed until later in the season, we'll get here when teams start trotting out G-Leaguers none of us have ever heard of.

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