Week 4 sees the start of the second annual Emirates NBA Cup, with group stage games again scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays. Unfortunately, fantasy managers also have to deal with critical injuries while assembling their lineups. While Joel Embiid will make his anticipated season debut on Tuesday, Kevin Durant and Ja Morant face extended absences due to their recent injuries. Let’s take a look at the Week 4 schedule and some critical storylines.
Week 4 Games Played
4 Games: BKN, CHI, CLE, DAL, DET, HOU, LAC, MIN, NOR, NYK, OKC, PHO, SAC, SAS, UTA, WAS
3 Games: ATL, BOS, CHA, IND, LAL, MEM, MIA, MIL, ORL, PHI, POR, TOR
2 Games: DEN, GSW
Week 4 Plots
– Suns will be without Kevin Durant for at least two weeks
At 8-1, Phoenix is off to its best start in franchise history. Unfortunately, Friday’s win over the Mavericks included a critical injury, with Kevin Durant suffering a strained calf that will sideline him for at least two weeks. The Suns play four games in Week 4, including two back-to-backs (the first starts on Tuesday). While Ryan Dunn could be Mike Budenholzer’s choice to fill the void in the starting lineup, Royce O’Neale is the player fantasy managers should be looking for immediately. Listed in 22% of Yahoo leagues, he is ranked just outside the top 50 in 9-cat per-game value.
– Joel Embiid to make his return on Tuesday
The 76ers will welcome back their starting center on Tuesday, as the matchup with the Knicks is the first for which Embiid is eligible. Sidelined by a lingering knee injury, the 2023 NBA MVP was suspended three games for pushing a columnist in the 76ers locker room. Tuesday’s Emirates NBA Cup matchup with the Knicks is the first game Embiid is eligible for, but this isn’t the best schedule for managers who have him or Paul George listed.
The matchup with New York is the first of a back-to-back, as the 76ers host Cleveland the following night. With Tuesday’s game being a marquee matchup, managers should plan for Embiid and George sitting out the matchup with Cleveland. So, while Andre Drummond’s production has dipped, he will have some value in Week 4, and the same can be said for Kyle Lowry (filling in for the injured Tyrese Maxey), Kelly Oubre Jr. and Caleb Martin.
– Emirates NBA Cup group play begins on Tuesday
As noted above, the second Emirates NBA Cup begins with eight games on Tuesday and another 12 on Friday. Six teams that play on Tuesday are scheduled to play on Wednesday: Milwaukee, Minnesota, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Portland. As for the 24 teams that play on Friday, five also have a game on Saturday: Lakers, New Orleans, Sacramento, San Antonio and Toronto. Some players whose statuses will receive attention between these teams are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis and Devin Vassell, and the latter makes his debut on Saturday against the Jazz.
– Will Pelicans’ Trey Murphy make his season debut?
New Orleans has been hit hard by injuries so far, with four starters (Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, and Zion Williamson) and a fifth key contributor (Murphy) sidelined. According to Chris Haynes, the good news for New Orleans is that Murphy is targeting Monday’s game against the Nets for his season debut. He has been sidelined with a hamstring strain, and fantasy managers should plan for Murphy’s minutes to be limited early. As for the schedule, New Orleans’ four-game Week 4 slate includes a Friday/Saturday home back-to-back against the Nuggets and Lakers. If Murphy is available on Monday, at best, this could be a three-game week for him.
– It’s truly “Scotty Pippen Jr. time” in Memphis
On Saturday, the Grizzlies provided the dreaded upgrade fantasy managers expected from Ja Morant, revealing he suffered a Grade 1 posterior hip subluxation and multiple pelvic muscle strains during Wednesday’s win over the Lakers. He is considered week to week. With Marcus Smart still sidelined, it’s “all systems go” for Pippen in fantasy basketball. He was excellent in a backup role and recorded a triple-double as Morant’s replacement in Friday’s win over the Wizards. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies are one of the teams that will play three games in Week 4, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from adding Pippen if they have the opportunity to do so.
– Houston, Phoenix, Sacramento and Washington must sail two back-to-backs
In addition to the Suns, the Rockets, Kings, and Wizards also have to navigate two back-to-backs during Week 4. As for Houston, Sacramento, and Washington, their first back-to-back begins with the final game day of Week 3. Houston , Phoenix, and Washington will begin their second back-to-back on the final game day of Week 4, while Sacramento’s second is Friday/Saturday. Aside from Durant and Bradley Beal, there are no major injury concerns among these teams’ fantasy-related options. Steven Adams has already been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Pistons, so he should be available for Monday’s game against the Wizards.
Bright Play Days
monday: 5 Games
CLE vs CHI
WAS against HOU
BKN vs. NOR
LAC vs. OKC
SAC vs. SAS
Thursday: 1 Game
SONG vs. WAY
saturday: 5 Games
MIL vs. CHA
TOR vs. SET
LAL vs. NOR
SAS vs. DAL
UTA vs. SAC
Week 4 Back-to-backs
Sunday (Week 3)-Monday: HOU, OKC, SAC, WAS
monday-tuesday: None
Tuesday-Wednesday: MIL, MOM, NYK, YOU, PHO, FOR
Wednesday-Thursday: None
Thursday-Friday: None
friday-saturday: LAL, NOR, SAC, SAS, TOR
saturday-sunday: CHA, DAL, UTA
Sunday-Monday (Week 5): ATL, CHI, DET, HOU, IND, LAC, MIA, NYK, PHO, WAS
