2023-24 NBA Injury Report Week 7: Victor Wembanyama, Joel Embiid, and Kyrie Irving Updates
Welcome to the 2023-2024 fantasy basketball season, and we have you covered on the latest in NBA injury news before Week 7 tips off on Monday night. Make sure that you are checking Fantasy Alarm and your rosters for NBA injury updates for your players multiple times a day. We have seen important fantasy basketball injury news break over the weekend that will affect some big-name players, especially on teams like the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, and Brooklyn Nets. Here are the latest NBA injuries for week 7 of the fantasy basketball season.
2023-24 NBA Injury Report Fantasy Basketball Week 7
NBA Point Guard Injury News
Jamal Murray, PG, Denver Nuggets (Ankle)
Jamal Murray returned for 22 minutes in one game and then did not play on Saturday because of an ankle injury. The Nuggets have said they are going to be very careful with their star point guard, and Reggie Jackson will start anytime Murray takes a seat.
Ben Simmons, PG, Brooklyn Nets (Back/Hip)
Ben Simmons had an epidural injection in his back and he will be out for at least two weeks. Before he is re-evaluated at that time, Dennis Smith Jr. and Spencer Dinwiddie will soak up those minutes.
Markelle Fultz, PG, Orlando Magic (Knee)
Markelle Fultz missed another game on Saturday with a knee injury and Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs are taking most of the minutes.
Gabe Vincent, PG, Los Angeles Lakers (Knee)
Gabe Vincent continues to sit with a knee injury and his status for Week 7 is unknown as of Monday morning.
Marcus Smart, PG, Memphis Grizzlies (Foot)
Marcus Smart practiced at the end of last week without a walking boot on and his return from a foot injury is getting closer. Derrick Rose has been starting in his place, but is dealing with his own ailment as Week 7 opens.
Jordan Clarkson, PG, Utah Jazz (Thigh)
Jordan Clarkson missed another game on Saturday night with a thigh injury and he is listed as day-to-day to open the new week.
Tyrese Maxey, PG, Philadelphia 76ers (Illness)
Tyrese Maxey did not play on Friday night due to illness, but he should be fine to play for this week.
Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Indiana Pacers (Illness)
Tyrese Haliburton is battling an illness and is Questionable for the In-Season Quarterfinals against Boston. Considering what is at stake, Haliburton will do whatever he can to play through it, but T.J. McConnell would get the call if Haliburton can't go.
Chris Paul, PG, Golden State Warriors (Leg)
Chris Paul has already missed one game with a leg injury suffered last week against Sacramento. He will be re-evaluated Monday, but the fear is the backup point guard will miss at least one more game.
Kyrie Irving, PG, Dallas Mavericks (Foot)
After looking injured on Friday, Kyrie Irving missed Saturday night's game with a foot injury. He is day-to-day with that injury and Jaden Hardy has stepped into a bigger role.
Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis Grizzlies (Ankle)
Derrick Rose missed Saturday's game with an ankle injury and is day-to-day to open the week.
NBA Shooting Guard Injury News
Bradley Beal, SG, Phoenix Suns (Back)
Bradley Beal will be re-evaluated at the end of this week as he recovers from a back injury. In the meantime, Grayson Allen and Eric Gordon should continue to fill in for the Suns at shooting guard.
Tyler Herro, SG, Miami Heat (Ankle)
Tyler Herro practiced last week, and on November 28th, the team said he was “about one week” away. That would have him suiting up for games sometime toward the end of Week 7.
Kelly Oubre Jr., SG, Philadelphia 76ers (Ribs)
76ers coach Nick Nurse said that Kelly Oubre will be a full participant in practice on Monday. That is a great sign for him being able to play Wednesday against Washington.
CJ McCollum, SG, New Orleans Pelicans (Lung)
CJ McCollum returned from his lung injury and played 28 minutes on November 29 and 38 Minutes on December 1. The Pelicans rested him on December 2 so he would be ready for the Tournament game this week.
Anfernee Simons, SG, Portland Trail Blazers (Thumb)
Anfernee Simons is out of a cast and splint and is nearing a return for Portland, perhaps even this week.
Alex Caruso, SG, Chicago Bulls (Foot)
Alex Caruso left Saturday's game with a toe injury and is considered day-to-day heading into Week 7.
Zach LaVine, SG, Chicago Bulls (Foot)
Zach LaVine has a foot injury that will keep him out at least a week. Jevon Carter should earn a lot more minutes in the meantime. It's no secret LaVine is unhappy in Chicago, so this could end up being more of a long-term issue.
Gary Payton II, SG, Golden State Warriors (Calf)
Gary Payton injured his calf last week and it was announced he would miss at least one week with the injury. Do not expect to have him available for games in Week 7.
Luke Kennard, SG, Memphis Grizzlies (Knee)
It was announced over the weekend that Luke Kennard has a bone bruise in his knee that will cause him to miss 2-3 weeks.
Josh Richardson, SG, Miami Heat (Knee)
Richardson suffered a left knee contusion in Saturday's loss to Indiana and was unable to return. He is day-to-day to start this week.
Anthony Edwards, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves (Hip)
Anthony Edwards missed Saturday's game after taking a hard fall on his hip in the previous game. He has a day-to-day designation to start the week, but there is hope he will be able to play on Wednesday.
Eric Gordon, SG, Phoenix Suns (Knee)
Eric Gordon didn't play on Saturday thanks to a knee injury. With both he and Bradley Beal on the shelf, Grayson Allen played 33 minutes against Memphis.
NBA Small Forward Injury News
Haywood Highsmith, SF, Miami Heat (Back)
Haywood Highsmith had to leave Saturday's game with a back injury and his status is unknown as of Monday morning. He should be considered day-to-day until we know more.
Jalen Johnson, SF, Atlanta Hawks, (Wrist)
The Hawks announced on November 26th that Jalen Johnson has been diagnosed with a left distal radius fracture. He will be re-evaluated in 3-to-4 weeks.
Ziaire Williams, SF, Memphis Grizzlies (Illness)
Ziaire Williams missed Saturday's game with an illness and is day-to-day for Week 7's start.
Matt Ryan, SF, New Orleans Pelicans (Elbow)
Matt Ryan is listed as Out for Monday's Tournament game against the Sacramento Kings.
Tim Hardaway Jr., SF, Dallas Mavericks (Back)
Tim Hardaway Jr. missed Saturday's game with a back injury, but it is not considered something that will keep him out long-term. He is day-to-day as the week begins.
Andrew Wiggins, SF, Golden State Warriors (Finger)
Andrew Wiggins did not play over the weekend with a finger injury, but he has until Wednesday to get healed before the Warriors play again. He is day-to-day ahead of any official injury report. Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga would get more minutes if Wiggins can not play.
Doug McDermott, SF, San Antonio Spurs (Illness)
Doug McDermott missed Friday's game with an illness and is day-to-day, although he should play this week.
NBA Power Forward Injury News
Maxi Kleber, PF, Dallas Mavericks (Toe)
Maxi Kleber did not play on Saturday and he remains Out with no timetable for return with his toe injury.
Jaden McDaniels, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves (Ankle)
It was announced that Jaden McDaniels will miss 2-3 weeks with an ankle injury. He will be evaluated sometime this week to see if that timeline needs to be adjusted. Kyle Anderson should get a bunch of playing time in the interim.
Lauri Markkanen, PF, Utah Jazz (Hamstring)
Lauri Markkanen missed his third straight game with a hamstring injury last week and he should be considered Out until the official injury report for the Jazz is released before their next game.
Dorian Finney-Smith, PF, Dallas Mavericks (Knee)
Dorian Finney-Smith was ruled out of Saturday's game against the Magic due to right knee soreness. His status for this week is officially day-to-day.
Obi Toppin, PF, Indiana Pacers (Ankle)
While he is likely to play in this important game, Obi Toppin is officially listed as Questionable with an ankle injury for the matchup against the Celtics on Monday.
Jalen Smith, PF, Indiana Pacers (Heel)
Coach Rick Carlisle said Wednesday that Smith's heel will be re-evaluated early this week, but that means he should still miss the game against the Celtics on Monday night.
Nicolas Batum, PF, Philadelphia 76ers (Finger)
Nicolas Batum is listed day-to-day after not playing in Friday night's contest with a dinger injury.
Kelly Olynyk, PF, Utah Jazz (Rib)
Kelly Olynyk remains on track to return this week from a rib injury that forced him out last week.
NBA Center Injury News
Wendell Carter Jr., C, Orlando Magic (Hand)
Wendell Carter fractured a finger at the end of Week 2 and underwent surgery to repair the injury. Carter did not play on Saturday night, but he is nearing a return and could be activated sometime in the next week or two.
Mason Plumlee, C Los Angeles Clippers (Knee)
Mason Plumlee will be re-evaluated in about one more week as he recovers from a serious MCL sprain in his knee. He is not expected to be back before mid-December.
Kristaps Porzingis, C, Boston Celtics (Calf)
Kristaps Porzingis is not ready to be activated on Monday due to his calf injury. He will miss the Tournament game against Indiana and Al Horford will fill in at center.
Bam Adebayo, C, Miami Heat (Hip)
We already know that Bam Adebayo has been ruled out for Wednesday's game with a hip injury. After that, his status is unknown, but fantasy managers should make other plans this week. Thomas Bryant is the logical backup.
Victor Wembanyama, C, San Antonio Spurs (Hip)
Victor Wembanyama was at practice Sunday and is expected to play Wednesday against New Orleans. He missed the last game with a hip injury.
Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers (Illness)
Joel Embiid was fighting an illness and did not play on Friday night. This was likely a precaution so he could be fully ready to for Philadelphia's three games this week.
Player News
Buddy Hield had 15 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Butler couldn’t get it done without Stephen Curry (hamstring) on the road in Game 2. The Warriors fell behind by double-digits early and never recovered. Butler had 17 points on 13 shots, which wasn’t far off from the 20 points he had in Game 1. Still, the Warriors have to regroup as they head home for Games 3 and 4 as they try to figure out a way to keep this series close until Curry can return to the court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Randle led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Game 2 victory. The 30-year-old power forward was just three rebounds away from a triple-double. He was a steadying presence in his 33 minutes as Anthony Edwards dealt with an ankle injury towards the end of the first half. Edwards recovered from his injury to play 34 minutes, but Randle is still the next most important player in this series for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.