We’re headed to Week 6 of the Fantasy Basketball season and we’re here to deliver you the goods with the injury report and waiver wire. There are massive fantasy implications tied to the injuries of Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, and Cade Cunningham. The top waiver wire adds are Malcolm Brogdon and Guerschon Yabusele. Let’s dive into the fantasy basketball injury report and waiver wire reports.

 

 

Fantasy Basketball Week 6 Injury Report

Luka Doncic Injury Update - Wrist

Based on the timeline Dallas provided us, it’s likely that Luka Doncic will miss the first two games of the week (Monday and Wednesday) but is a candidate to return when the team plays a back-to-back set on Friday and Saturday. In weekly roster locks I’d look for an alternative option because, at the time of writing this, there’s no guarantee he’ll be back for those games.

Joel Embiid Injury Update - Knee

Joel Embiid will not play in the 76ers game on Sunday, meaning he’ll miss two in a row, because there is swelling in his already-banged-up knee. This is awful news in a never-ending saga as he continues receiving treatment. We’ll know more later in the week, but he’s unplayable in weekly roster locks in Week 6.

Kevin Durant Injury Update - Calf

It looks as if Kevin Durant is going to make his return to the floor this Tuesday as the Suns take on the Los Angeles Lakers. It is a back-to-back set, so there is always the possibility Durant sits out on Wednesday and that would make it a two-game week. Regardless, very good to see Durant all but confirmed back.

Cade Cunningham Injury Update - Hip

On Saturday, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff told the media that Cade Cunningham is sore but is improving and they’ll list him as day-to-day. He’s questionable heading into Monday’s bout against the Knicks.

Bradley Beal Injury Update - Calf

With Bradley Beal returning to 5-on-5 stuff, the Suns are relaying to the media that Beal, like Durant, will be back in time for the Suns game on Tuesday. With how many injuries Beal has gone through during his career, he’s a real rest candidate on Wednesday, which is the second leg of a back-to-back.

Paul George Injury Update - Knee

With Paul George sitting out his second consecutive game on Sunday, it’s realistic to think he’ll be able to return on Wednesday, which is the next time the 76ers take the floor. They have just two games this week, so George isn’t a great fantasy asset to begin with because they’ll likely take it easy on his minutes after he reaggravated his previous knee injury.

Dejounte Murray Injury Update - Hand

In an interesting turn, the Pelicans are listing Dejounte Murray as doubtful for Monday’s game, which means there’s a chance he could return. Even if he doesn’t, he’s close and that’s notable for fantasy leagues everywhere.

CJ McCollum Injury Update - Thigh

CJ McCollum was listed as doubtful before the Pelicans last game and then leading up to Monday’s game, he’s listed as questionable. New Orleans has a four-game schedule this week with no back-to-backs until Sunday-Monday. Sounds like a great week to get him back in.

Mark Williams Injury Update - Foot

The Hornets PR team provided all us updates this week as both Mark Williams and Nick Richards have made it back to a point in their rehab assignments that both are participating in team activities. We’re closing in on Mark Williams’ return.

Nick Richards Injury Update - Ribs

Like Williams before, Nick Richards is close to returning to game action. He’s participating with the team and should be back before you know it. Long term, Williams has better fantasy value.

Grant Williams Injury Update - Knee

Grant Williams’ season is officially over as he has an ACL tear in his right knee. The Hornets are reportedly going to get Mark Williams and Nick Richards back from injury soon.

 

 

Fantasy Basketball Week 6 Waiver Wire

Malcolm Brogdon, Washington Wizards - 28% rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

Leading into Sunday’s game, Malcolm Brogdon was coming off season highs in minutes (26) points (18), and rebounds (10) against the Celtics. Not only that, but he’s been starting over Carlton Carrington, Corey Kispert, and Kyshawn George AND played in a back-to-back. Washington has a very solid three-game schedule this week and could be without Jordan Poole early in the week as he missed Sunday’s game with a hip injury.

Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs - 23% rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

Obviously, Castle’s role is where it is because Devin Vassell has been out and has been working himself back into full minutes, but the Spurs’ hand is being forced with how well Castle has played. Castle has now topped 25 minutes in nine straight games and has scored in double-figures in each. He’s consistently providing rebounds and assists too, and even when Vassell is back to full, Castle is going to find himself playing mid-to-high 20s minutes at a minimum.

Guerschon Yabusele, Philadelphia 76ers - 15% rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

We don’t know the severity of Joel Embiid’s injury to his knee, but while he continues to battle through swelling and all of that, Guerschon Yabusele is the guy to own in Philadelphia. The 76ers elected to start Yabusele over Andre Drummond the other day and when you look at the games in which Yabusele has been extended, he’s a great fantasy player. He’s very consistently a double-digit rebounding threat while being able to score and stretch the floor, and is a very underrated passer. He’s a speculative add considering how bad things are in Philadelphia and because we don’t know how bad Emiid’s knee truly is.

Moussa Diabate, Charlotte Hornets - 14% rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

Although Mark Williams and Nick Richards have returned to practice, there’s still no timeline on when they’re returning, so for the time being, Moussa Diabate is THE center in Charlotte. They won’t extend Taj Gibson much and Grant Williams is out for the year with an ACL tear. Diabate, every game he’s played at least 23 minutes, has grabbed at least 11 rebounds and has flashed a 16-board ceiling. He’s a great rebounder and will contribute in stocks categories as well. It’s a temporary fix until Williams and Richards return.

Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls - 2% rostered on Yahoo! Fantasy

This is a pickup in very deep formats only. 14 teams or more preferably. The Bulls played in a back-to-back set over the weekend and head coach Billy Donovan said first-round draft pick Matas Buzelis was going to play more moving forward. He played 20 and 29 minutes in those games and was very active on both ends of the floor including a career-high 14 points on Saturday. He’s worth a stash in leagues with deep benches and if the Bulls do plan on giving him extended looks, he’s showing he can contribute in multiple ways.