Week 2 of the fantasy basketball season is here, which means having a full week of games to work on. And there are some serious injuries to navigate as well. The Warriors watched their superstar guard sprain his ankle twice on Sunday night, ultimately exiting in a loss to the Clippers. There are also major injury concerns in Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Phoenix that will have a major impact on how fantasy managers craft their lineups. Let’s take a look at some of the more critical injuries entering Week 2.
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry
Curry sprained his ankle twice during the second half of Sunday’s game, once in the third quarter and once in the fourth. Following the loss, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said the injury didn’t look too bad, but they were awaiting the results of Curry’s pending MRI. Golden State plays three games in Week 2, but the first two are back-to-back home games against the Pelicans on Tuesday and Wednesday. Managers in leagues that lock lineups for the week on Monday may have to move Curry to the bench unless the MRI results are announced during the day.
And even if the scans show no problems, it’s not easy to see the Warriors playing Curry for both ends of the back-to-back this early in the season. Starters Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga will have more room to operate if Curry sits, while reserves like Buddy Hield (57% listed) and Brandin Podziemski will also be in the mix for increased workloads. Of the Warriors’ three game days, Tuesday will be the best in terms of streaming value, as only four games are on the schedule. Wednesday (11 games) and Saturday (10) are much more packed.
Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid and Paul George
Yes, we’re still waiting for updates on Embiid and George. It was believed that the 76ers would have an update on the first this weekend, but that was not the case. And with the team’s Week 2 schedule being what it is, that probably bought the team some time. Philadelphia only plays twice during Week 2, Wednesday night against the Pistons and Saturday against the Grizzlies. From a scheduling standpoint, there may not be as much urgency to get Embiid or George back on the court this week, even with Philadelphia having a 1-2 record. Until the return of the stars, Andre Drummond (46% listed), Kelly Oubre Jr. (40%) and Caleb Martin (14%) will all have additional fantasy value. As for Drummond, it might not be a bad idea to keep him even after Embiid is fully cleared.
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo
While Antetokounmpo didn’t miss any of Milwaukee’s three Week 1 games, he appeared on the injury report before each one with right patellar tendinitis. His playing 33 minutes in Sunday’s loss against the Nets was interesting because it was the first game of a back-to-back. Milwaukee begins its Week 2 slate in Boston on Monday and will have two days off before its next game on Thursday in Memphis. Giannis can play very well against the Celtics; based on the profile of that matchup, it would be surprising if he didn’t. But don’t be surprised if he appears on the pregame injury report. Bobby Portis, who is already rostered in most leagues, and Damian Lillard are two players whose fantasy values would increase if Antetokounmpo misses Monday’s game.
Memphis Grizzlies: Ya Morant
Morant was listed on the injury report before Saturday’s win against Orlando because of a sore right thigh, and that issue is why he remains on the report for Monday’s game against the Bulls. It’s worth noting that Saturday’s game was the second in as many nights for the Grizzlies, so Ya’s play was a positive sign. Memphis will play four games in Week 2, and the schedule includes a weekly back-to-back against the Nets and Bucks. If Morant missed a game, Memphis could slide Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane up a position.
But the question still remains as to who would fill the resulting void in the starting lineup. Whether he starts or not, Santi Aldama (35% listed) has played well enough to deserve to be listed whenever the Grizzlies are down a star. Scotty Pippen Jr. (18% listed) can get more run, and he had 12 assists against Orlando, but Aldama is the player fantasy managers should be looking for, even if he’s not a point guard.
Phoenix Suns: Bradley Beal
A sore right elbow sidelined Beal for Saturday’s win over Dallas, Phoenix’s second game in as many nights. He is considered questionable for Monday’s game against the Lakers, the first of three games Phoenix will play during Week 2. The slate ends with games against the Clippers (Thursday) and Trail Blazers (Saturday), with the former becoming a good flow day. for fantasy middlemen Rookie Ryan Dunn (1% listed) started in Beal’s place on Saturday and played well. However, reserve wing Royce O’Neale (4% listed) recorded the more efficient stat line as far as fantasy basketball is concerned.
Toronto Raptors: Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett
There seemed to be some optimism that Barrett (shoulder) could make his season debut on Saturday against the Timberwolves. Unfortunately, he was ruled out after initially being listed as questionable. Barrett is again considered questionable for Monday’s game against the Nuggets, where his availability affects Ochai Agbaji (6% listed) the most. Agbaji played well against the Timberwolves, finishing with 19 points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals, and three 3-pointers in 31 minutes. The production wasn’t consistent enough to fully trust Agbaji in standard leagues, but the minutes were there.
As for Quickley (pelvis), he did not travel with the team to Minneapolis and has not played since the season opener against Cleveland. Davion Mitchell (2% listed) filled the void in the starting lineup with rookie Jamal Shead (1% listed) playing rotational minutes off the bench, but neither did enough to merit being floated in most leagues. Mitchell accounted for eight assists and just one turnover against Minnesota, but he went scoreless on 0-of-5 shooting. Gradey Dick (21% listed) was solid through the first week, which included a 25-point effort against the Timberwolves, and the shooting ability gives him some value in divisional leagues.
New York Knicks: Josh Hart and Miles McBride
Already dealing with a lack of depth, the Knicks have two rotation players on their injury report ahead of Monday’s game against the Cavaliers. Hart is questionable with a right ankle sprain, while McBride is probable after hyperextending his left knee during Friday’s win over the Pacers. The former’s status is more effective as far as fantasy basketball is concerned since Hart is part of the starting lineup, but don’t ignore Deuce’s value as a scorer off the bench. Cameron Payne (1%) might add value if the Knicks go heavier on bodies, but this will be more about the starters taking on a heavier workload in the short term if Hart can’t play. And with all three Knicks games during Week 2 scheduled for busier nights (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), there’s no need to consider airing Payne.
Atlanta Hawks: De’Andre Hunter
Hunter was held out of Sunday’s loss to the Thunder due to inflammation in his right knee, which is concerning. Last season, he missed more than a month with the same problem, undergoing a non-surgical procedure to treat the problem. Rookie Zaccharie Risacher (19% listed) started in his place and was solid, accounting for 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one blocked shot in 27 minutes. Hunter’s absence also meant more opportunities for David Roddy (< 1% listed), who logged 20 minutes and tallied 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one 3-pointer. With the Hawks playing again on Monday (against WAS), this would be a great time to add Risacher if he is available in your league. Atlanta plays four games in Week 2, with two being against the Wizards.
Orlando Magic: Jonathan Isaac
Because of a hip contusion, Isaac missed Orlando’s last two games and is questionable for Monday’s game against the Pacers. That’s the first of four games on the Magic’s schedule for Week 2. His absence doesn’t significantly affect fantasy basketball, especially with starter Paolo Banchero being healthy. But Isaac was a solid late-round dart thrower in many leagues; of course, the minutes would be closely monitored due to his injury history, but if the pick “hit,” he can provide solid value in that bench role. Orlando went with an eight-man rotation in Saturday’s loss to the Grizzlies, with Anthony Black (3% rostered) playing 20 minutes and Moritz Wagner (6%) and Jett Howard getting 12 apiece. There isn’t a worthwhile streaming option with Isaac sidelined.
San Antonio Spurs: Very Jones
Jones injured his ankle during Thursday’s loss to the Mavericks, and this could sideline him for several weeks. With Chris Paul firmly entrenched as the starting point guard, Jones will not be a factor in fantasy basketball. But his absence frees up opportunities for multiple guards, including rookie Stephon Castle (10% listed). Castle played 27 minutes in Saturday’s win over the Rockets, finishing with eight points, one rebound, three assists, two steals, and one blocked shot.
He didn’t shoot the ball well, going 2-of-8 from the field, but the tools are there for him to provide added value coming off the bench. Malaki Branham (< 1% listed) played 14 minutes from the bench and is not considered as a potential streamer. The Spurs play four games in Week 2, including a midweek back-to-back against the Thunder (Wednesday) and Jazz (Thursday). Save for the latter, as that could be a prime place to list a Castle.
