Christmas Eve marks the first time since Thanksgiving that the entire NBA will have no games scheduled. Unfortunately, one day off isn’t sufficient for the league’s star players to fully recover, leading many fantasy basketball managers to scour the waiver wire for help on the last day of Week 10. While there are several injuries to note, the most significant is Luka Doncic’s absence. Various teams have shifted into “injury management” mode, giving lesser-known players a chance to shine. Let’s review some key injuries as Week 10 enters its second half.
Guard Cam Thomas of the Brooklyn Nets has been sidelined since injuring his left hamstring on November 5, but his recovery is advancing. As of Sunday, the Nets’ guards were cleared to resume full 5-on-5 practice, and Thomas participated in practice without issues the day before. No return date has been announced yet, but his comeback will affect the Nets’ lineup. Terrence Mann, who started when Thomas was injured but is only owned in 3% of Yahoo! leagues, might lose his starting spot due to the emergence of newcomers like Egor (8%), who has taken on a starter role and shows promise despite low fantasy value. Alongside him, rookie Danny Wolf has also been a bright spot.
Center Ryan Kalkbrenner of the Charlotte Hornets missed the last two games due to an elbow injury. Mason Plumlee, who started briefly but then missed a game with a groin injury, left Moussa Diabate—a 10% owned player—as a strong streaming choice, especially since he delivered solid stats in 36 minutes. Backup Tijan Sarun also saw increased bench minutes. Diabate remains the only notable option if Kalkbrenner is out.
Forward Matas Bouzelis from the Chicago Bulls exited midway through the fourth quarter against the Hawks with a foot injury, and updates on his status were unavailable. Josh Giddy, fully owned, filled in after Bouzelis left, but if Bouzelis misses time, Ayo Dosunmu (17%) and Kevin Harter (12%) stand to benefit with more playing time.
Forward PJ Washington of the Dallas Mavericks missed a game due to right midfoot soreness, opening up a starting spot for Jaden Hardy, who performed decently with 10 points in 27 minutes. Regardless of Washington’s status for the next game, players like Nazi Marshall (25%) could become more impactful, but Hardy isn’t worth chasing if Washington remains out.
Forward Cameron Johnson of the Denver Nuggets injured his knee and is expected to miss some games due to a bone bruise. Players like Tim Hardaway Jr. (8%) and Bruce Brown (10%) are likely to see increased roles in his absence, although the team awaits the return of Christian Brown and Aaron Gordon, who may not be back until January.
Forward/center Isaiah Jackson of the Indiana Pacers suffered a head injury and missed a game, with Jay Huff (29%) stepping in as the primary center option. James Wiseman, recently re-signed and playing limited minutes, and Jayless Walker, who saw limited bench time, are also contributors, though none are highly attractive fantasy options.
Center Ivica Zubac of the LA Clippers is out for at least three weeks due to a Grade 2 ankle sprain. Brook Lopez (15%) has taken over the starting center role and remains relevant in fantasy circles. Rookie Yannick Konan Niederhäuser is another long-term stash option for dynasty league managers.
Guard Luka Doncic and forward Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers have missed recent games due to injuries. Nick Smith Jr. and Jake LaRavia filled in, with LaRavia showing notable defensive contributions. LaRavia remains a deep-league consideration if Hachimura remains out, while Smith is less desirable. Luka is expected back soon, which may limit Smith’s role.
Forward/center Brandon Clark of the Memphis Grizzlies’ injury alone may not impact fantasy much, but it was significant as Zack Eadie replaced him before getting sidelined himself. Jock Landale and Saint Aldama have stepped up, with Aldama showing strong all-around production and being worth tracking in standard leagues.
Forward Jaden McDaniels of the Minnesota Timberwolves suffered an oblique injury, leading to Mike Conley entering the starting lineup, though his numbers have been mediocre in most leagues. Bones Highland has seen some rotation minutes but isn’t a strong fantasy target.
Guard/forward Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans has been battling migraines and a sprained ankle, leading to him missing games. Bryce McGowens started in his place with solid contributions. If Jones misses more time, Sadiq Bey (36%) is a better pick due to his consistent role, despite uncertainty over Zion Williamson’s minutes.
Knicks’ guard Jalen Brunson and forward OG Anunoby missed a game for injury maintenance but are expected back soon. Tyler Korek and Mitchell Robinson filled in, with Korek showing potential as a backup when Brunson rests.
Guard Ajay Mitchell of the Oklahoma City Thunder entered concussion protocol after a game, spreading his minutes across Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, and Isiah Joe, with Wallace providing strong steals in category leagues.
Guard Grayson Allen of the Phoenix Suns has missed games due to a knee injury. Lois O’Neal returned to the starting lineup and provided decent points and steals. Colin Gillespie and Jaylen Green are monitored as potential returnees in January.
Forward Jerami Grant of the Portland Trail Blazers has been out with an Achilles issue but might return soon. Chris Murray has started in his absence, albeit with modest fantasy returns.
Forward Keegan Murray and guard Zach LaVine of the Sacramento Kings both suffered injuries recently, increasing rookie Nique Clifford’s minutes. While Clifford isn’t a prime target, Malik Monk becomes a viable streaming option if Murray misses more time.
Center Jakob Poeltl of the Toronto Raptors has hip issues affecting his playtime, with Sandro Mamukelashvili and rookie Colin Murray Boyles stepping up impressively.
Forward Lauri Markkanen and center Jusuf Nurkic of the Utah Jazz are undergoing injury management, giving Kyle Filipowski a bigger role and Taylor Hendricks a spot in deep leagues due to their strong recent performances.
Fan Take: These injury updates are crucial for fans and fantasy managers alike as they reveal how teams adapt and which emerging players might seize their moments to shine. Tracking these shifts not only impacts fantasy strategies but also offers a glimpse into the evolving depth and resilience of NBA rosters, making the sport even more dynamic and unpredictable.
