Week 3 Fantasy Basketball Injury Report: Kristaps Porzingis Out Again & COVID-19 Strikes All-Stars
After two weeks of NBA action, some big names are already getting hurt, including Kristaps Porzingis, who is starting to raise serious concerns about his ability to be durable for the Mavericks moving forward. In addition, the change in seasons into the Fall has meant that more players are getting sick. Wings Tobias Harris and Kris Middleton are both out for at least two weeks after testing positive for COVID-19 while big man Nicholas Claxton is dealing with a non-COVID-related illness. Elsewhere, C James Wiseman and SF T.J. Warren seem to be inching closer to their respective returns. Here is your fantasy basketball Week 3 injury report.
Click HERE For more NBA injury updates!
PF/C Kristaps Porzingis, Dallas Mavericks
Tragically, Kristaps Porzingis cannot stay healthy... Now having missed his fourth game this season due to a sore back and the pre-existing concerns surrounding his ankle and knee, KP remains DTD. Having missed this many games already this season is a bad sign for his health going forward this season. The Mavericks stated before the season began how they were very confident his health wouldn't be an issue. Last season, the Mavericks played 75 games (the most of any team during the shortened season). KP only played 43, therefore missing 32 games on the season. When the Knicks traded him away, his knees were the only real concern. When he got to Dallas, his ankles became another injury concern to monitor. And now in 2021-22, Porzingis is dealing with back issues. In his absence, Dwight Powell, who is currently shooting 56.1% from the field and playing just shy of 25 MPG, will see increased minutes and have more opportunities to score in KP's absence.
C James Wiseman, Golden State Warriors
The second overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft is closer and closer to returning to action after tearing his right meniscus late last season. On Monday, the Warriors reported that Wiseman has been cleared to return to practice for the first time since his injury which is an encouraging step in the right direction. His status is still week-to-week but he’s getting close to making his season debut, and returning from knee surgery which ended his rookie season.
SF T.J. Warren, Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have remained rather silent in general about Warren’s status as it pertains to a 2021-22 season debut. For the most part, they list him as “out” in their injury report before each game, but have not provided a timeline as to when he will be ready. Hopes continue to be that he will be back before the end of 2021.
SG Talen Horton-Tucker, Los Angeles Lakers
Horton-Tucker is close to returning to the Lakers’ active roster after injuring his thumb in early October. He should return within the next two weeks as the stitches have been removed from the surgery he underwent to repair the thumb.
PG D’Angelo Russell, Minnesota Timberwolves
Russell sprained his right ankle in Monday’s game against the Magic. He was ruled out for Wednesday’s game against the Clippers. In his absence, a noteworthy player who will get increased playing time is Patrick Beverly, who was activated for Wednesday's game and recorded a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double in 31 minutes will likely be playing between 25-30 MPG while Russell is gone. Even SG Malik Beasley is worth taking a look at. He’s played a minimum of 27 minutes and scored at least 11 points in each of the past three games. Last night, he played 27 minutes and recorded 14 points, currently setting his average on the season to 9.9 PPG.
SG Luguentz Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder
Lu Dort is currently questionable to play in Thursday night’s game against the Wizards dealing with a sore shoulder. If the Thunder choose not to activate Dort on Thursday night, he should return the next time that Oklahoma City suit up. Until then, expect an increase in minutes from SF Aleksej Pokuševski, who's been incredibly efficient this season playing less than 20 MPG in most contests. While Dort is out, Pokuševski might play between 25-30 minutes per game and will produce more if he continues to make the most of his minutes.
C Thomas Bryant, Washington Wizards
In January of last season, Bryant partially tore his ACL and then underwent surgery in February to repair the damage in his knee. Wizards HC Wes Unseld Jr. stated that he didn’t want to attempt giving a specific time for Bryant’s return but said that he looked “well ahead of schedule” to him. If this holds, and since rehab for an ACL tear can take anywhere from 8-12 months to recover, we can hope to see Bryant return before the end of 2021.
Learn more about our fantasy basketball tools and premium products!
Covid-19 & Other Illnesses
SF Kris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
Middleton is also out for a few games and is under a two-week COVID-19 protocol. PG Jrue Holiday and recently acquired SG Grayson Allen will be taking more shots. SF Thanasis Antetokoumpo could also get increased minutes.
PF Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers
Harris tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours and will be out for at least the next two weeks. Coach Doc Rivers stated that Harris’ health is “not good” when asked about how his starting small forward was feeling symptomatically in regards to his battle with the virus.
PF Nicholas Claxton, Brooklyn Nets
Nicholas Claxton, who just referred to himself as “one of the best defenders in the NBA” is expected to be out for a few more games due to a non-Covid-related illness. While this is the case, expect more minutes from veterans LaMarcus Aldrige and Blake Griffin.
For access to more content and premium features, take a look at our memberships page.
#injuries