This week will also be strange for fantasy managers who may have assumed the awkward schedules were done with Week 7 (Yahoo leagues; Week 8 in ESPN and Fantrax). After Monday’s six-game slate, 28 teams will be off until Thursday at the earliest, with Milwaukee and Oklahoma City being the exceptions due to Tuesday’s Emirates NBA Cup final. That will make for some interesting choices for managers playing in leagues that require lineups for the week to be set on Monday due to some key injuries. Let’s look at a few of them, beginning with the unfortunate poster child of injuries this season.
C Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
In his second game back from a knee injury that sidelined him for seven, Embiid suffered a sinus fracture when he was inadvertently hit in the face by Bennedict Mathurin during Friday’s loss to the Pacers. At a minimum, he will miss Monday’s game against the Charlotte, the first of three games Philadelphia plays during Week 8. That puts C Andre Drummond (14%) back on the streaming radar, but PF/C Guerschon Yabusele (10%) has been more productive. Neither should be considered a must-add, as they’re both ranked outside the top 200 in season-long value.
PF/C Kristaps Porzingis, Boston Celtics
Porzingis, who was dealing with a sore heel, either aggravated that injury or took a hit to his ankle during Sunday’s win over Washington. The 7-foot-3 Porzingis did not return for the second half, saying after the game that he merely sat as a precautionary measure and believes he should be available for Thursday’s game against the Bulls. PF/C Al Horford (33%) did not play on Sunday but should be back for Chicago, as he sat for rest reasons. He’s been the replacement in the starting lineup whenever one of Boston’s usual five starters doesn’t play. Also, PG Payton Pritchard (56%) should be rostered in more standard leagues, while SF/PF Sam Hauser (5%) may have added value in deep leagues if Porzingis cannot play on Thursday.
Porzingis said he banged his ankle in the first quarter and felt something linger but sat out for precautionary reasons and thinks he’ll play in the next game.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) December 16, 2024
SG/SF Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
LaVine, who has not missed a game since November 7, is questionable for Monday’s game against Toronto due to lower back spasms and has been dealing with this issue for a few weeks. He didn’t look comfortable during Friday’s win over Charlotte, so the chances of LaVine sitting may be greater than in the past. PF Patrick Williams (8%) returned to action on Friday after missing ten games and could be in for an increased workload if LaVine cannot play in Toronto. SF Matas Buzelis (3%) may also play additional minutes, but like Williams, there isn’t much to gain from streaming the rookie right now. SG/SF Ayo Dosunmu (41%) is a superior target and will have value even if LaVine plays.
SG/SF Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns
Similar to Embiid, Beal can’t stay healthy. Swelling in his knee led to the Suns guard being ruled out for Friday’s win over the Jazz, and he also sat out Sunday’s win over Portland. The hope is that the time off will ensure Beal can play against the Pacers on Thursday, but that isn’t guaranteed. SF/PF Royce O’Neale (27%) has replaced him in the starting lineup and remains a top 100 player in 9-cat formats. PG/SG Grayson Allen (18%) hasn’t been as productive as last season, but his role has also changed due to the additions of Tyus Jones and Monte Morris.
PG/SG Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers lost two players during Friday’s game, as McCain went down with a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee that requires surgery. The rookie is currently considered to be out indefinitely, with a more definitive timeline likely coming after the procedure. But is there anyone worth adding in this spot? Outside of SG/SF Kelly Oubre Jr. (30%), probably not. While SF/PF KJ Martin has had the occasional moment, and PG Kyle Lowry (2%) is off the injury report for Monday’s game against the Hornets, neither is worth the streaming risk in most leagues.
SF/PF Tobias Harris, Detroit Pistons
Harris injured his right thumb during Thursday’s loss to the Celtics and will not be available for Monday’s game against the Heat. While the season-long rankings don’t reveal any attractive streaming options, SG Malik Beasley (29%) appears to be the best bet, based on what they did earlier this season when the Pistons were without Cade Cunningham or Jaden Ivey. SF/PF Ausar Thompson (35%) and SF Ron Holland II (1%) will also have opportunities to help fill the void, with the latter having the best game of his career in Boston. But Beasley is the player who should be targeted if there’s a need to find a streamer for Harris.
SG/SF Kevin Huerter, Sacramento Kings
Huerter sprained the AC joint in his left shoulder and is considered doubtful for Monday’s game against the Nuggets. What’s concerning is that this was the same shoulder he underwent season-ending surgery on last spring. Huerter hasn’t been a great fantasy option this season, but his likely absence could result in SG/SF Keon Ellis (6%) re-entering the rotation. SG Colby Jones (< 1%) may also be in the mix for more minutes, but neither player offers much streaming value in this spot.
SF/PF Keldon Johnson and PF/C Zach Collins, San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs were without Johnson and Collins for Sunday’s loss to the Timberwolves, with both having missed San Antonio’s last two games. PG/SG Stephon Castle (23%) returned from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for one game, with the rookie playing 23 minutes off the bench. However, starter SF/PF Julian Champagnie (27%) is a far better fantasy option, regardless of Johnson’s availability. As for Collins, his absence has pushed C Charles Bassey (2%) into the rotation, but he offers limited streaming value as long as Victor Wembanyama is healthy. San Antonio plays home games against the Hawks (Thursday) and Blazers (Saturday) during Week 8.
PG/SG Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz
Clarkson has been dealing with a case of plantar fasciitis for a few games and is now questionable for Monday’s matchup with the Clippers. He hasn’t offered much appeal in fantasy basketball this season, and the same can be said for starters Keyonte George and Collin Sexton. As for Jazz players who aren’t already rostered in most leagues, maybe SF/PF Brice Sensabaugh (1%) or PF/C Kyle Filipowski (2%) picks up a few more minutes, even though neither plays the same position as Clarkson. However, those are two names to file away for later in the season once Utah prioritizes playing its younger options to evaluate how they fit in the current rebuild. After Monday’s game, Utah will play road games in Detroit (Thursday) and Brooklyn (Saturday) to end Week 8.
PF/C Nikola Jovic, Miami Heat
Jovic has already been ruled out for Monday’s game in Detroit, and while his season-long fantasy value is low, he has provided 11th-round value over the past two weeks in 9-cat formats. SG/SF Duncan Robinson (8%) may be the best streaming option, mainly because he’s been a starter since mid-November. SF/PF Haywood Highsmith (4%) and SF Jaime Jaquez Jr. (12%) will also be in the rotation, but neither has done enough to merit being streamed. In the case of Robinson, he can be a reliable provider of points and 3-pointers.
