Fantasy Basketball Injury Roundup: Giannis Returns, Curry Still Sidelined

Some notable NBA injury news has been announced, so I figured I'd do a little roundup on the injury front.

I'll discuss real-world and fantasy basketball implications of each player/injury. Let's get right to it.

Fantasy basketball injury news can be tracked all season on FantasySP.

Giannis Returns

The main reason for this article is the return of Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

He's been out since January 23, and gives the Bucks a huge late-season bump as the team looks to make the playoffs in some fashion. Antetokounmpo is a top-end player when healthy, so him being back is a major boost in real life, and affects fantasy basketball outlooks in a big way in Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo might be eased back into things, but in time, he should return to his elite form. Those stashing him all these weeks have to be thrilled that he's back, and he will be a great late-season addition.

His presence will shake up the frontcourt. Myles Turner is the starter center alongside Antetokounmpo at the power forward spot. Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis and Jericho Sims are other options at those spots, and will all see decreases in playing time or production as Antetokounmpo returns.

The projected starters alongside Antetokounmpo and Turner are Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr. and AJ Green. Cam Thomas, Ousmane Dieng, Gary Harris and Gary Trent Jr. are some backups at those spots.

Rollins and Porter have been the best fantasy assets in Milwaukee with Antetokounmpo out, but with him back, Antetokounmpo will reign supreme again. Others can still be good fantasy assets, but things will be powered by Antetokounmpo now. 

Watch the box scores for the first few games Antetokounmpo is back to see who is still worthy of fantasy roster spots/starts, or who might be worth dropping.

Curry to Miss More Time

Golden State's Stephen Curry is out at least five more games with his knee injury. He hasn't played since January 30.

In 10 February games, Moses Moody led the team in scoring with 15.9 per game. Gui Santos was next at 15.1 points a contest, while De'Anthony Melton chipped in 15 points per game. Brandin Podziemski (12.7), Kristaps Porzingis (12, in just one game), Gary Payton II (10.9), Al Horford (10.4) and Pat Spencer (10.1) also were in double figures for points per game in February. 

In other words, it's a team approach to fill Curry's shoes - also remember that Jimmy Butler III is out for the season.

Some of those players I mentioned will continue to carry the load until Curry is ready to go again. The only Warrior on the waiver wire list today is Draymond Green. 

Podziemski is the most-owned fantasy guard in Golden State after Curry. Moody, Melton, Spencer, Will Richard and Payton are other guards owned in at least 4% of leagues. Santos is the top-owned forward at 77%, with Green next at 61%. Porzingis is at 83% rostered, while Horford is at 28% and Quinten Post sits at 4%.

Look for “the others” to keep holding down the fort until Curry is back. Those who have held Curry have to be frustrated by now, but if you can overcome another week or so without him, he could be a nice addition for the home stretch.

Embiid Out Again

Philadelphia's Joel Embiid has had a nice season when active, but he's only played in 33 games. He's out for a couple games now with an oblique injury.

Andre Drummond is the player set to benefit the most from Embiid's absence. We covered him in today's waiver story, and he's still a top-five pickup on Monday.

Adem Bona, Dominick Barlow and Trendon Watford are other 76ers who could pick up more with Embiid out, but with this absence only expected to be a couple games, those three really aren't worth adding outside deep leagues.

Drummond is the player to target for the time being. Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe will help power the team in the meantime, with help from the likes of Kelly Oubre Jr., Quentin Grimes, Barlow and Drummond. 

Edey Sidelined Longer

Memphis' Zach Edey is going to have another surgery on his left ankle. He's only played in 11 games this season, and he doesn't have a return timetable yet.

Santi Aldama is a center option, but he too is dealing with an injury. That leaves Olivier-Maxence Prosper to handle a bigger role, and he's done some nice things in extended minutes of late.

GG Jackson II, Taylor Hendricks, Scotty Pippen Jr., Jaylen Wells and others are picking up some slack too, as Ty Jerome and Cedric Coward have missed time with injuries too.

It's a day-by-day approach with the Grizzlies, so watch their injury reports and be ready to pounce on some waiver wire assets if several players are out of the mix.

Other Notes

Boston's Jayson Tatum continues to ramp things up as he hopes to return from his Achilles injury.

He's at 94% rostered, and will instantly go up to 100% when he's back. If you can stash Tatum in some fashion, I'd do it, as there's no waiver wire add that will come close to him, even if his production isn't as high as it's been in the past.

Denver could be getting reinforcements soon as Peyton Watson and Aaron Gordon are nearing returns.

That will shake up the Denver rotation, so be ready to add/drop players as regulars return to the mix. Cameron Johnson also got injured again on Sunday, so his status going forward is in question.

New Orleans' Zion Williamson has an ankle injury that he's dealing with and missed Sunday's game as a result.

He'd put together a healthy stretch of play, but is back on injury watch again now. While he's out, several Pelicans could take on more. Jeremiah Fears is the lone New Orleans player on the waiver list, and I singled him out as a possible pickup for this week based on his weekly projections.

Phoenix's Devin Booker is expected back either Tuesday or Thursday of this week, so the Suns' rotation will be altered as a result. It's needed as Dillon Brooks is out several weeks, and Phoenix is hurting at guard.

Booker is a high-end fantasy player, so his return will help a lot of fantasy teams out. It will shift some of the play/production, especially at guard spots, so be watching box scores to see how things shake out.

Sacramento has a bevy of season-long injuries it's dealing with, and Keegan Murray and Dylan Cardwell are notable guys who are out a couple weeks. It opens the door for other Kings to step up.

Nique Clifford and Precious Achiuwa are the two Sacramento players on the waiver wire list today who could be worth adding. Look into them and see if they are worth adding to your squad, even if it's for a week or so.

Darius Garland is expected to make his Clippers' debut tonight. He hasn't played since January 14, when he was with the Cavaliers yet. His presence is going to shake up the Los Angeles roster and rotation, so it will be worth watching the team's box scores to see who trends up or down after Garland is introduced to the mix.

Of course, there's daily injuries around the league, so keeping tabs on all of them, then tracking daily waiver wire/streaming adds can help you stay ahead of the game as a fantasy owner.

The FantasySP will continue to help you out as the season winds down, so keep checking back with us as you chase fantasy glory!