We’re heading into the fourth week of the fantasy basketball season and there have been some fantasy-shifting injuries that have taken place recently. Most notably Kevin Durant, Ja Morant, and Zion Williamson have all gotten hurt and will miss weeks, not days. It’s not all bad news, however, as Joel Embiid is slated to return and the fantasy basketball waiver wire has some enticing names available in a LOT of leagues. Players that could win you a fantasy basketball league.

 

 

 

Fantasy Basketball Week 4 Injury Report

Joel Embiid Injury Update - Knee

We are going to see the season debut of Joel Embiid on Tuesday as he returns from a knee injury – and suspension. Embiid and the 76ers have a back-to-back on Tuesday and Wednesday, so it’s likely he’s only in for two games this week and will be highly limited as well. If you have a viable replacement, you may bench him in Week 4 of your fantasy basketball season. I also understand if you didn’t draft him to bench him.

Kevin Durant Injury Update - Calf

The 36-year-old Kevin Durant played 37 minutes the last time out for Phoenix and at some point, suffered a calf strain that’s going to sideline him for at least two weeks. During that stretch, Royce O’Neale is the most viable fantasy add on the market.

Zion Williamson Injury Update - Hamstring

Another year chock full of Zion Williamson injuries and we’re only heading into the fourth week of the year. He has already missed four of 10 games and there is no telling when he’ll return from this hamstring strain, but it’s not going to be anytime soon.

Ja Morant Injury Update - Hip

We saw Ja Morant leave the Grizzlies’ game against the Lakers earlier in the week and with the game well in hand, we thought the Grizzlies were being cautious. Turns out this injury is very real as Morant is week-to-week with a hip subluxation. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Marcus Smart figure to handle all of the point-guard minutes while Morant is gone. Smart is nearing a return himself.

Tyrese Maxey Injury Update - Hamstring

Although the 76ers put a one-week timeline on when he’d be evaluated, the nature of a strained hamstring typically extends for multiple weeks. Maxey’s being replaced by Kyle Lowry in the starting lineup but there’s little interest in Lowry with Paul George and Joel Embiid back.

Jimmy Butler Injury Update - Ankle

At this time it’s not clear how much, if any, time Jimmy Butler will miss this upcoming week, but Butler missed Sunday’s game after rolling his ankle. Miami doesn’t play again until Tuesday and they have a three-game week, so if he misses at least one he’s a tough start in weekly roster locks.

Miles Bridges Injury Update - Knee

After hyperextending his knee in the Pistons game, an MRI revealed a bone bruise that will keep Bridges sidelined for a couple of weeks, if not longer. Tidjane Salaun started in his place, but Grant Williams played 30 minutes and would be the add you wanted from Charlotte.

Jalen Duren Injury Update - Ankle

Jalen Duran’s ankle sprain isn’t something that’s expected to keep him sidelined for too long, but he’s now missed two consecutive games with it. They have a back-to-back on Tuesday and Wednesday and a big four-game week overall, so Isaiah Stewart could be a very sneaky add if Duren is forced to miss any more time.

 

 

 

Fantasy Basketball Week 4 Waiver Wire

Jose Alvarado, New Orleans Pelicans - 34% rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

After suggesting him last week, I’ll double down on adding Jose Alvarado again. I understand Trey Murphy is going to be returning on Monday, but Zion Williamson departed due to injury for the foreseeable future as well. While CJ McCollum is still likely a week or two away, the Pelicans will continue to deploy Jose Alvarado out there for BIG minutes and he’s been super productive in five categories since entering the starting lineup.

Tari Eason, Houston Rockets - 30% rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

There’s a logjam of good players in Houston but over the last week we’ve seen a shift in their lineups and Tari Eason has been one of the biggest beneficiaries. He’s topped 22 minutes in four straight games and has played 25 in three of them. He’s an incredibly effective scorer and rebounder and is always productive on the defensive end as well he averages 1.9 steals and 1.0 blocks despite exclusively coming off the bench.

Royce O’Neale, Phoenix Suns - 27% rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

Kevin Durant is going to miss a minimum of two weeks with a calf strain and Royce O’Neale is the likeliest candidate to fill the void in the Suns’ starting lineup while he’s out. O’Neale has been great off of the Suns bench as he’s been playing mid-20s minutes while being a 10.5 point, 6.5 rebound, 2.3 assist, and 1.6 stocks guy this year. There is 30-plus minute upside for O’Neale with Durant sidelined.

Carlton Carrington, Washington Wizards - 25% rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

After a slow start to his campaign, one of the Wizards' three first-round picks, Carlton Carrington, has been very impressive over the last four games. Carrington’s stuffing the box score and has also been blowout-proof, staying on the floor in blowouts despite being a starter. If Carrington is going to continue to start, even when Kyle Kuzma returns from injury, he’s a great low-owned waiver wire target.

Peyton Watson, Denver Nuggets - 21% rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

With Aaron Gordon aggravating a calf injury that he entered the season with and was playing through, he’s slated to miss multiple weeks and Peyton Watson’s transition into the starting lineup has been seamless. He’s scoring the basketball better than anyone could have expected and we know the blocks and steals will be there. That’s what he’s known for. If he can continue to space the floor and grab some rebounds like he has been, he has a ton of fantasy value while Gordon’s out.