How are we already in the tenth week of the fantasy basketball and NBA seasons? HOW? Someone answer that! It’s going by too fast. We’re really locked in on the fantasy basketball waiver wire and who some of the targets are, and everything could change in an instant as teams that are selling trade pieces off and different players are asked to step into different roles. We’re also checking out all the top injuries across the league from Luka Doncic, Devin Booker, Zion Williamson and Kawhi Leonard. Let’s dive into this week's injury report and waiver wire column!

 


Fantasy Basketball Week 10 Injury Report

Luka Doncic Injury Update - Heel

There’s nothing new to report other than the fact that Luka Doncic has missed the past two games with a heel injury. Dallas has a very hefty schedule this week playing four times over a six-day span. We’ll see if Doncic is able to return this week. 

Devin Booker Injury Update - Groin 

This isn’t Devin Booker’s first groin injury so this is something he’s familiar with. His last one, coming in 2022, left him sidelined for a month, so it’ll be interesting to see how fast he’s able to return. This injury has been deemed pretty minor as it’s said to be two games out and then a reevaluation. He’s already missed one, so it’s possible Booker’s back for Christmas. It’s hard to use him in weekly roster locks, however, just simply not knowing when he’ll actually be back and already being confirmed out for Monday.

Damian Lillard Injury Update - Calf

Head coach Doc Rivers was asked if there was a timeline for Damian Lillard’s return and he said no, but also said it could be Monday or soon after that. The Bucks play next on Thursday and Lillard would have just two games this week.

Zion Williamson Injury Update - Hamstring

So from this clip, it looks as if Zion Williamson is, in some capacity, back at Pelicans practice. He’s missed a LOT of time with a hamstring injury and there really hasn’t been any update on when he’d return. That said, this is obviously somewhat of a step. He wasn’t moving much, but just to be on the court is an improvement.

Kawhi Leonard Injury Update - Knee

Oh man. We’re on the cusp of a Kawhi Leonard return. He’s with the Clippers, traveling with the team and won’t play on this road trip, which takes him out for Monday’s game. But the Clippers don’t play again until Thursday and it’s at home. Could THAT be the return of Kawhi Leonard? It’s possible.

Onyeka Okongwu Injury Update - Knee

He’s already missed two of the four games he’s reportedly going to miss due to knee inflammation, so based on that timeline, we should see Onyeka Okongwu return this weekend. The Hawks play on both Saturday and Sunday, so even if he does return then, he likely plays only one game this week.

Moritz Wagner Injury Update - Knee

It’s incredibly unfortunate, but Moritz Wagner has a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season for the Orlando Magic.

 


Fantasy Basketball Week 10 Waiver Wire

Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets - 28% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

Look, for the time being, let’s embrace Ben Simmons’ fantasy value with open arms, OK? OK. Good talk. Since Dennis Schroder has been traded, Simmons has played 29+ minutes and has 23+ fantasy points in each, with a 15-point double-double in one of them. Over his last three games, he’s FIFTH in the entire league with 17 potential assists per game and if he’s going to actually score the ball, he has real standalone value. We know he can rebound, we know he’ll contribute defensively. Simmons is one of, if not my top, waiver wire pickup of the day as he continues to run the show for the Brooklyn Nets.

Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz - 30% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

Jordan Clarkson is a high-usage player that is peripherally very solid. He’s scored 16+ actual points in three of four games and has scored north of 30 fantasy points in two of them. One of them, Clarkson was ejected after just 14 minutes, so it could’ve been three of four. Clarkson’s a hot commodity on the trade market, but his opportunity with the Utah Jazz currently is elite despite coming off the bench. He’s a 28% USG player on the year and should be rostered.

Malik Beasley, Detroit Pistons - 31% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

Jaden Ivey returned to the Pistons lineup last game and Malik Beasley’s minutes took a slight hit, but he still played 27 minutes and poured in 27 fantasy points. He’s the Pistons’ sixth man and if he continues to outplay Tim Hardaway, he’s going to continue to play him out of his minutes and possibly his starting role. Beasley’s been an elite floor-spacer and is playing with one of the league-leaders in assists per game has helped him and his 41% three-point percentage. Beasley is good enough peripherally to be rostered in more than just formats prioritizing scoring and field goal percentage.

De'Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks - 40% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

If you need scoring and elite ratios offensively, look no further. De’Andre Hunter is averaging 20.1 points per game and has poured in 20+ points in seven of his last eight games. He’s shooting a career-best 49% from the field and 44% from three. He’s not really going to help you in many other categories, but he profiles best in shooting category formats and points. He’s a nice add that’s available in nearly two of every three fantasy leagues on Yahoo! Fantasy.

Goga Bitadze, Orlando Magic - 40% Rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

Why in the world are 60% of Yahoo! Fantasy basketball owners ignoring this man?! This is the second straight week I’ve written him up and until he’s north of 50% that won’t change. It was only a three-percent change from last week! He’s a must-own right now and moving forward. Not only are Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner out, but Moritz Wagner also went down with a bad injury on Saturday. The front court depth for Orlando is depleted and Goga Bitadze is making the most of it. He has back-to-back double-doubles and four in his last five games. He’s grabbed 10+ rebounds in each of those five. He’s also helping in the blocks category averaging 1.6 per game on the year.