With the fantasy basketball playoffs right around the corner, your roster decisions over the next two weeks could be the difference between a championship and an early exit. Injuries are unavoidable this time of year — so how do you manage them? Here’s the breakdown of every notable injured player heading into the stretch run, along with whether I would hold or drop them.
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Part 3: What to Do About Injured Players
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors | 🟢 HOLD
Reports suggest that Curry will be re-evaluated on Sunday. He’s been dealing with runner’s knee and the pain and swelling hasn’t subsided yet. Curry’s been out since Feb. 3, missing the All-Star Game and the last nine games for the Dubs. Keep holding because there hasn’t been an indication that the medical staff plans to shut him down. All we can do is wait and stash him, hoping he returns to help the Warriors climb higher in the Western Conference standings.
Insurance policies: Brandin Podziemski and De’Anthony Melton
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks | 🟢 HOLD
Giannis is recovering from his second right calf strain of the season — same leg, same injury. While there hasn’t been a definite timeline on when he’ll play, he’s progressed to 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 work at practice. Live contact is next, but it sounds like he’s still at least a couple of weeks away from coming back. I’m growing concerned, but you can’t cut Giannis at this point until he’s definitively ruled out for the season. The Bucks are only one game behind the Hornets for the final play-in spot, so getting Antetokounmpo back should be a priority.
Insurance policies: Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns | 🟢 HOLD
Book has played just 13 of 23 games since Jan. 1; far from ideal for fantasy managers. He strained his right hip after recently returning from an ankle sprain, so at this point, he’s just trying to get healthy. Dillon Brooks, missing 4-6 weeks on top of Booker’s week-to-week injury, came at the wrong time for the Suns. However, they’re still in a comfortable position to make the playoffs. Now it’s about seeding and getting Book back; that will certainly improve their chances. I have more confidence that Book will return before many of the others on this list.
Insurance policies: Collin Gillespie and Jalen Green
James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers | 🟢 HOLD
The Beard fractured his right thumb in Tuesday’s win over the Knicks. It sucks for all parties, but at least Harden will try to play through the injury. Per Jeff Stotts of Instreetclothes, players who have suffered a similar injury without undergoing surgery missed 17 days or approximately 6.5 games. Harden missed Wednesday’s contest, so fantasy managers will have to wait and see when Harden plans on coming back. Lord knows the Cavs need him as they’re 6-1 since he joined Cleveland. As long as he ducks surgery, he can return before the fantasy playoffs conclude.
Insurance policy: Dennis Schröder
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies | 🔴 DROP
Memphis is 5.5 games outside of the 10th seed in the West and given the wave of injuries, there’s a high likelihood that Ja will not suit up again for the rest of the season. He’s dealing with a UCL injury (elbow) and, according to the Grizzlies PR team, Morant is scheduled to be re-evaluated on Wednesday, March 4. The results of that? Who knows, but I’m not optimistic. There are only 25 games left in the season. Memphis isn’t trying to win games, and the front office put Ja on the block and got no response. His days in Memphis seem to be numbered, leaving even less incentive to trot him out there. Drop in standard leagues. Stash until something definitive drops in High Score.
Insurance policies: Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cam Spencer
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks | 🟢 HOLD
Johnson’s injury occurred in the first quarter of Tuesday’s Hawks-Wizards game, when he left the game with a left hip flexor injury. He’s been a first-round fantasy talent all year. No way I’m dropping him until I hear the steps in his recovery. Fantasy managers have no choice but to hold and monitor the situation.
Insurance policy: Jonathan Kuminga
Trae Young, Washington Wizards | 🔴 DROP
Anthony Davis was ruled out for the season and now, we await the inevitable from Trae Young. Young hasn’t played since Jan. 27 and has actually suited up in just 10 games this year. The Wizards haven’t seen him this season, and they likely won’t, which is why I would encourage fantasy managers to drop him. Washington is vying for a top pick in an excellent draft class, so theres no reason to push Trae after he’s already dealt with injuries for most of the season.
Insurance policies: Sharif Cooper, Tre Johnson
Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers | 🔴 DROP
What started as a calf strain became a stress reaction in the left fibula. Sharpe will be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks, which means he can be dropped — as much as it pains me to say that. He put up career highs across a few categories and, unfortunately, fantasy managers won’t be able to utilize him down the stretch.
Insurance policy: Scoot Henderson
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers | 🟢 HOLD
Deni’s back injury keeps flaring up. Avdija originally hurt his back on Jan. 11 in the closing minutes of a loss to the Knicks. Since then, he’s missed 11 of Portland’s last 18 games with lower-back issues, then reinjured it in the opening minute of a game Sunday. While the first-time All-Star is day-to-day, it’s going to be hard to trust him over the next few weeks. This seems like an ailment that needs rest and there’s not enough time for it. I’m holding, but it’s hard.
Insurance policy: Kris Murray
Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans | 🟢 HOLD
Trey’s been out since the All-Star break with a shoulder contusion and has no return date. Dejounte Murray is back and it appears as if New Orleans is trying their best to sneak into that final spot in the play-in. They’re going to need to go on an insane end-of-season run, but keep holding Murphy. There have been no indications that we should expect a long-term absence, so the Pels should get their top scorer back within the next week or so.
Insurance policy: Herb Jones (but wouldn’t advocate for adding him)
Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic | 🔴 DROP
There’s not enough time for Franz to recover from his lingering ankle injury to help fantasy managers. He’ll be re-evaluated in three weeks as of Feb. 18. However, he’s not playing until he feels 100% healthy. I already dropped him in one league and I encourage you to do the same.
Insurance policy: Tristan da Silva
Darius Garland, Los Angeles Clippers | 🟢 HOLD
Traded to L.A. at the deadline, Garland stepped foot (pun intended) on a court since Jan. 14. Two separate toe injuries this season have amounted to only 26 total games played. Kawhi Leonard already confirmed the Clippers aren’t contenders — so there’s really no reason to rush Garland back. There haven’t been any indications to shut him down, so until that happens, if you have space, keep him on the injured list. There’s too much fantasy potential with the Clippers for anyone to send him to waivers yet.
Insurance policy: Kris Dunn
Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards | 🟡 Approaching drop status
Again, Washington is tanking, so their lineups and injury reporting will continue to be a nuisance. Sarr’s been outstanding in his sophomore campaign, but he can’t seem to shake this hamstring strain. I’m struggling to see the value in bringing him back, given how he operated for much of the first half of the season. Now is the time for the Wizards to assess all of their other young players. Sarr fits in that category, but not really. They’ve seen enough and will likely keep him on ice going forward.
Insurance policies: Will Riley and Tristan Vukčević
Ivica Zubac, Indiana Pacers | 🟡 Approaching drop status
Getting traded to one of the worst teams in the NBA this season was a death blow to Zu’s fantasy value. Apparently, he had been playing through injuries while in L.A. and now Indy will give him the time he needs to recover. I don’t like the sound of that, and between his recovery and the load-management implications for players like Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard, I don’t think we’ll see much of Zu in uniform for Indiana.
Insurance policy: Jay Huff
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