The 2024-25 season begins on Tuesday night, and there are already some critical injuries for fantasy managers to consider when working out their lineups. Philadelphia could be without two of its three stars when it opens the season on Wednesday, while its opponent (Milwaukee) already knows it will be an inferior starter. And those aren’t the only injury statuses that impact the opening week of the NBA season. Below are some of the most impactful injury situations and who may be in a position to capitalize if an expected fantasy standout is unable to play.
Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid and Paul George
The good news for the 76ers is that Tyrese Maxey (thumb) will be ready to go when they open their season on Wednesday. The bad thing is that the statuses of Embiid (knee) and George (knee) remain up in the air. While the latter was injured during a preseason game, the former did not play at all as he continues to recover from a post-Olympic procedure on his knee. The good news for fantasy managers is that Philadelphia does not have a back-to-back schedule for Week 1.
Three players whose values are most affected by the availability of Embiid and George are Andre Drummond, Kelly Oubre Jr. and KJ Martin. Drummond’s rebounding ability makes him a must with Embiid sidelined, while Oubre was already in the starting lineup. As for Martin, he started Philadelphia’s final two preseason games with George sidelined. While Martin is not on the level of Drummond or Oubre in terms of the need to list him, he is worth a look in very deep leagues.
Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic
Doncic, who has been sidelined with a calf contusion, has participated fully in practices since the weekend. He is on his way to play in the Mavericks’ season opener on Thursday against the Spurs. And like Philadelphia, they won’t have to cruise back-to-back in Week 1 (they will in Week 2). With Dante Exum (wrist) out until January, Spencer Dinwiddie and Jaden Hardy can take a few more minutes to back up Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Is it worth adding? Not with Doncic available, but they’re worth tracking, especially with the Monday/Tuesday back-to-back to start Week 2.
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski
The Warriors should have all hands on deck when they open their season on Wednesday. After sitting out Friday’s preseason finale, Curry (finger) will be available for the matchup with Portland. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said his star guard looked healthy during an intrateam scrimmage held Monday.
Also available is second-year guard Brandin Podziemski, who suffered a broken nose during the preseason. He played in that preseason finale wearing a mask, so get used to seeing that on the second-year guard’s face. While Curry’s status is secure, Podziemski is someone to keep an eye on as the Warriors are deeper on the perimeter than last season. The exit of Klay Thompson was countered by the signings of De’Anthony Melton and Buddy Hield, meaning more competition for Podziemski in terms of a spot in the starting lineup and playing time in general. All three were late-round draft picks based on their respective Yahoo ADPs.
LA Clippers: Kawhi Leonard
Leonard is out indefinitely as he continues to work his way back from an offseason procedure on his knee. It’s fair to wonder if Leonard would have been closer to a return had he not camped with USA Basketball before being cut from the roster before the Paris Olympics. But you can’t blame a player for trying to do everything he can to make that trip and maybe win a gold medal. The Clippers will go with a starting lineup of James Harden, Norman Powell, Terance Mann, Derrick Jones Jr., and Ivica Zubac with Leonard sidelined.
Powell’s value should be enhanced; he was most valuable to fantasy leaders last season when two of Leonard, Harden, and Paul George were out of the lineup. Mann is a bit delicate; while he holds value within the team due to his versatility, that hasn’t translated into fantasy basketball. And how much of a boost, if any, does Zubac’s value get? He’s established solid chemistry with Harden, but that doesn’t mean he’ll become an elite scorer.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Isaiah Hartenstein and Jalen Williams
While Hartenstein (hand) was seen lifting shots with his non-shooting (right) hand in a recent practice, he still has to be sidelined for another four weeks. As for Williams, he is considered day-to-day after spraining his ankle during a preseason game against the Hawks on Thursday. However, he actively participated in Saturday’s practice, which may bode well for JDub’s availability for Thursday’s opener in Denver.
Oklahoma City wraps up its Week 1 slate with a Saturday/Sunday back-to-back against the Bulls (road) and Hawks (home). Because of the Hartenstein injury, Alex Caruso is in line to have added fantasy value, even if Williams is available. Also, Chet Holmgren’s rebounding production is worth watching. The absence of iHart (Jaylin Williams also dealt with an injury) could protect the value of the second-year phenomenon in that category, not to mention the blocks.
Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jackson strained his hamstring during the preseason and has already been ruled out for Memphis’ opener against Utah. On Monday, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said the team would look to get JJJ “a little more five-on-five” in the coming days. If Jackson continues to progress and avoid setbacks, he could make his season debut before the end of the week. While Zach Edey was already a late-round pick in many drafts, Jackson’s injury also boosts Santi Aldama’s fantasy potential.
According to the Memphis Business Appeal, he is expected to fill the void left by JJJ, joining Edey, Ja Morant, Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane in the starting lineup. Also worthy of consideration is Brandon Clarke because of the defensive potential and field goal percentage despite coming off the bench. Memphis will also start the season without Luke Kennard (foot), GG Jackson (foot), Vince Wiliams Jr. (shin), and Cam Spencer (ankle).
Brooklyn Nets: Nic Claxton
Due to a hamstring injury, Claxton did not play at all during the preseason. The good news is that he recently returned to practice, and the expectation is that the Nets center will be available for Wednesday’s opener against the Hawks. Even with Claxton in the fold, second-year big Noah Clowney added value with the Nets without Day’Ron Sharpe (hamstring).
While Ben Simmons may also see some time at the center position, Clowney’s shooting ability gives opposing teams a different look when Claxton isn’t on the floor. Dorian Finney-Smith (back), who took a hard fall during Brooklyn’s preseason game in Philadelphia last Wednesday, is also expected to be available. What should also help Brooklyn is that they play three non-back-to-back games in Week 1.
Charlotte Hornets: Mark Williams
After straining a tendon in his left foot just before the start of training camp, Williams only recently stepped out of the protective walking boot. Based on the timeline provided when Williams’ injury was announced, he will be reevaluated before Charlotte opens its season against the Rockets on Wednesday, so there is no guarantee he will be cleared to play.
As was the case last season, all on the Nick Richards bandwagon as he will be asked to fill the void. Williams’ absence may also result in more rebounding production from Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller, and the Hornets have been solid on the glass for most of the preseason. Given Williams’ recent injury history, Richard may be a player that some deep league fantasy managers choose to hold on to instead of dropping him as soon as the Hornets’ starting center is cleared to return.
San Antonio Spurs: Devin Vassell
Vassell underwent foot surgery just before the start of training camp and remains on track to be reevaluated on Nov. 1. While Malaki Branham was the usual choice to fill the void when Vassell missed time last season, that likely won’t be the case. Julian Champagnie started all five Spurs preseason games, while Branham only started the final in place of Chris Paul.
Champagnie’s perimeter shooting ability and rebounding make him worth watching in deep leagues, but only on lighter game nights. The Spurs only play twice in Week 1, but Thursday’s opener in Dallas is part of a four-game slate. Champagnie would be a better streaming option in that spot than Saturday’s game against the Rockets, as that is one of ten games on the NBA schedule.
Milwaukee Bucks: Chris Middleton
To no one’s surprise, Middleton is not expected to be available for Wednesday’s opener against the 76ers after undergoing offseason surgery on both ankles. After playing in 66 games during the 2021-22 campaign, he appeared in 33 and 55 in the last two seasons. Gary Trent Jr. moved into the starting lineup during the preseason and should have some added fantasy value, but don’t sleep on Bobby Portis, even if he and Middleton don’t play the same position.
Whether he comes off the bench or gets a spot, Portis has been a solid fantasy option, threatening to provide top-100 value even if his Yahoo ADP (117.4) is outside that range. And Portis is someone fantasy managers can keep even after Middleton returns. As for Trent, his value may take a significant hit once he returns to the second unit.
New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Murphy
Murphy strained his hamstring during training camp and should be re-evaluated towards the end of this week. His absence means there was no need to immediately address the congestion on the wings, especially with the addition of Dejounte Murray, which means CJ McCollum will spend more time off the ball. Add in Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones, and it will be interesting to see how Willie Green splits the minutes once Murphy is allowed to play. His absence could lead to Jordan Hawkins picking up a few more minutes due to the need for another perimeter shooter, but Hawkins is unlikely to impact fantasy basketball significantly.
Other Injuries of Note: Clint Capela (ATL), Grayson Allen (PHO), Mitchell Robinson (NYK), RJ Barrett (TOR), Patrick Williams (CHI), Max Strus (CLE).
