Week 1 of the NBA season is in the books but it wasn't without it's injury casualties and surprise performances that will have fantasy basketball managers scrambling to improve their rosters from the waiver wire ahead of Week 2 of the NBA season.

The season began with shocking news that Joel Embiid would not be ready to start the year. This has led to a league investigation regarding the injury, reporting and subsequent resting of Embiid by the 76ers to begin this season.

Embiid wasn't the only injury the 76ers are dealing with however as Paul George has also yet to play after suffering a knee injury during the preseason. 

With Embiid and George out, we see Andre Drummond headlining the waiver wire pickups this week.

Who else are we looking for on the fantasy basketball waiver wire and what other injury updates do we have ahead of Week 2? 

Check all the info and recommendations below!

 

 

 

Fantasy Basketball Week 2 Injury Report

Joel Embiid Injury Update - Knee

We saw Joel Embiid travel with the 76ers to Toronto and he was seen going through a pregame workout before the game. He’s ramping up to return to the floor and there is hope within the 76ers building that he’ll be able to return at some point this upcoming week. Philadelphia has just two games this week with their first game not coming until Wednesday. We could see Embiid back later in the week, but proceed with caution.

Paul George Injury Update - Knee

It looks as if Paul George will make his season debut at some point this week and possibly during their first game of the week on Wednesday. George’s absence has been missed as the 76ers have started 0-2 on the year. I believe George’s minutes won’t reach full capacity until the end of Week 2, possibly into Week 3.

Bradley Beal Injury Update - Elbow

On the second leg of a back-to-back for the Suns, Bradley Beal sat out with an elbow injury. There’s been nothing suggesting any sort of extended absence for Beal. The Suns have a three-game week starting on Monday.

Brandon Miller Injury Update - Hip

Charlotte has a three-game week and Brandon Miller is poised to miss at least two of them, possibly three depending on how their evaluation of him goes later in the week. Pass on using him in weekly roster locks.

Dejounte Murray Injury Update - Hand

After fracturing his hand, Dejounte Murray has undergone surgery and will miss four-to-six weeks according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Expect Jordan Hawkins to continue to fill in as a big member of the Pelicans bench.

RJ Barrett Injury Update - Shoulder

Despite missing a third consecutive game to start the year, RJ Barrett is expected to return sooner rather than later from a shoulder injury he suffered during the preseason. Barrett was seen going through a workout before their matchup with the 76ers and in that game, he was upgraded to questionable. It’s only a matter of time before he’s back.

Immanuel Quickley Injury Update - Pelvis

It seems likely that we’re going to see the return of Immanuel Quickley this week and that’s great news for his fantasy owners. He’s poised to have a big role once he’s back.

 

 

 

Fantasy Basketball Week 2 Waiver Wire

Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks - 59% on Yahoo!

My top waiver wire add this week is Dyson Daniels. His role has expanded more than anyone could have imagined when he was traded to Atlanta. Daniels, an already elite stocks (steals & blocks) guy has seen a massive uptick in his offensive game scoring 15 and a career-high 18 points in his first two outings. He’s very good peripherally and if the scoring can stick, he’s going to be a fantasy darling this year.

Andre Drummond, Philadelphia 76ers - 46% on Yahoo!

OK, so, what you have to understand with Andre Drummond is that he’s not going to start EVERY game, but in every back-to-back, he’ll start at least one game and he’s still going to play a prominent role behind Joel Embiid when Embiid does suit up. He’s an elite fantasy player when he’s extended and is a walking double-double any time he sees 20-plus minutes.

Dennis Schroder, Brooklyn Nets - 39% on Yahoo! 

New head coach Jordi Fernandez has full confidence in Dennis Schroder from what it seems as he’s deployed him in full in each of the first two games of the year. He’s started, played at least 32 minutes, and has been a stat-sheet stuffer. He figures to have a slightly less ball-handling role if and when Ben Simmons’ minutes limit is lifted, but is that EVER a guarantee? We’re always one game away from the next Simmons injury. You don’t find many combo guards available in over 60% of fantasy leagues.

De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks - 34% on Yahoo!

With Bogdan Bogdanovic out for an extended period, Hunter figures to be one of the primary beneficiaries. He played big minutes (33) in the first game without Bogdanovic and the Hawks are going to need his scoring with Dejounte Murray in New Orleans. He’s a solid secondary rebounder as well coming up with six or more in each of the first two games of the year.

Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio Spurs - 34% on Yahoo!

We saw it in the preseason and it’s carried over into the regular season. The Spurs are going to lean on Jeremy Sochan a LOT more, despite all the hype surrounding Victor Wembanyama. The hype behind Wemby is real, but Sochan is a former lottery pick himself. He’s a VERY good rebounder, played point-guard for a long stretch last year so he can handle the ball, and has poured in 17-plus points in each game he’s played in. The 37 minutes in the second game solidified for me his role moving forward.