This is one of the most essential off-season articles I will write! Injuries are way too prominent in the NBA right now, but it’s critical to follow the injury reports if you want to be successful in fantasy and DFS. These guys have a grueling schedule, and it’s difficult for any player to make it through an entire season. That’s why we’re diving into some news and discussing some of the early injuries. We’ll go team by team and look at the players with ailments entering the new season!
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Fantasy Basketball Injuries to Monitor
Atlanta Hawks
No injuries to monitor!
Boston Celtics
Kristaps Porzingis (foot)
Porzingis missed the World Cup because of a foot issue but is a full-go for Boston training camp.
Jayson Tatum (wrist)
A wrist injury plagued JT throughout the postseason, but he’s chosen to avoid surgery and get a cortisone shot. Reports are that he’s fully recovered from that and ready to roll.
Brooklyn Nets
Ben Simmons (knee/back/personal/who knows?)
Simmons has been in and out of the lineup for years with different ailments, but the expectation is that he’s fully healthy for the first time in years.
Dorian Finney-Smith (finger)
DFS underwent finger surgery after the season but is fully healthy now.
Charlotte Hornets
Kai Jones (personal)
Jones will be away from the team for the time being because of personal issues.
Miles Bridges (suspension)
Bridges missed all of last season because of a suspension but is expected back fully this season.
LaMelo Ball (ankle)
Ball had ankle surgery in March but signed a massive extension in the offseason. He’s fully healthy and should run things in Charlotte.
Mark Williams (thumb)
The talented big man underwent thumb surgery at the end of last season but is healthy now.
Chicago Bulls
Lonzo Ball (knee)
Ball missed all of last season with a knee issue and is expected to be sidelined again this year. It’s a sad story, but some believe he may never play again.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Ricky Rubio (personal)
The veteran has decided to step away from basketball for some personal issues, and it’s unclear when he’ll be ready to return.
Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic (thigh)
A thigh issue hampered Doncic in the offseason, and reports are that it’s still bothering him. The superstar said he’ll play through the pain, but it’s worth monitoring.
Denver Nuggets
Valtko Cancar (knee)
Cancar tore his ACL in August and is unlikely to play this season.
Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham (shin)
The former top pick had shin surgery in December but is fully healthy now.
Golden State Warriors
Draymond Green (ankle)
Green suffered an ankle injury in a pickup game and is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks. That means Opening Night is extremely iffy.
Houston Rockets
Kevin Porter (personal)
Porter had some legal troubles in the offseason and is being shopped by Houston. It’s very possible he might’ve played his last game in the NBA.
Jock Landale (ankle)
Landale sprained his ankle when playing for Australia in the World Cup but is expected to be ready to go once the season commences.
Amen Thompson (ankle)
Amen rolled his ankle in the NBA Summer League but has had plenty of time to recover since then.
Indiana Pacers
Jarace Walker (shoulder)
The rookie underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason, which was reported as a minor surgery. He’s expected to be fully healthy for camp, but no surgery is minor.
Los Angeles Clippers
–Kawhi Leonard/Paul George (old)
These two veterans are always on the injury report, but they’re expected to be a full-go when the season starts.
Los Angeles Lakers
No injuries to monitor!
Memphis Grizzlies
Steven Adams (knee)
Adams sprained his PCL back in January but is close to full strength. He should be ready to go soon, but it’s worth keeping an eye on at his size and age.
Ja Morant (suspension)
Morant will miss the first 25 games because of a suspension.
Desmond Bane (toe)
Bane underwent toe surgery after the season but is fully healthy now.
Brandon Clarke (Achilles)
The big man tore his Achilles at the end of the season and isn’t expected back before 2024.
Miami Heat
No injuries to monitor!
Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee)
Giannis sat out the World Cup with a knee issue but should be ready for the regular season. Look for him to be rested at times with this issue.
Khris Middleton (knee)
Middleton had a knee procedure after the season but is expected to be fully healthy for camp.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Naz Reid (thumb)
The big man had surgery right before the 2023 season finished and should be fully ready for camp.
New Orleans Pelicans
Jose Alvarado (ankle)
Alvarado injured his ankle and is expected to be out for 2-3 weeks.
CJ McCollum (thumb)
The Pels guard underwent thumb surgery back in March but should be fully healthy now.
Trey Murphy (knee)
Murphy tore his meniscus at the beginning of September and will miss the first 2-3 months of the season.
Zion Williamson (hamstring/foot)
Zion has had difficulty staying on the court, but he’s supposed to be fully healthy right now. Who knows?
New York Knicks
Julius Randle (ankle)
The All-Star underwent ankle surgery during the summer but is expected to be ready for the regular season.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Victor Oladipo (knee)
The former All-Star is still recovering from knee surgery and is expected to be out for the next few months.
Aleksej Pokusevski (ankle)
The skinny big man sustained an ankle injury during some offseason workouts and is expected to be out for the next 5-6 weeks.
Orlando Magic
Jonathan Isaac (thigh)
This talented winger hasn’t played much over the last few years but says he’ll be ready for this season.
Philadelphia 76ers
Montrezl Harrell (knee)
The big man tore his ACL during the summer and looks unlikely to play this season.
Phoenix Suns
Damion Lee (knee)
Lee will be out for the next few weeks because of a knee issue.
Portland Trail Blazers
Scoot Henderson (shoulder)
This rookie sat during Summer League with a shoulder issue, but there hasn’t been much word about it since then.
Malcolm Brogdon (shoulder)
A shoulder injury crippled Brogdon in the postseason, but reports are that he’s fully over it and ready for camp with his new team.
Sacramento Kings
No injuries to monitor!
San Antonio Spurs
Zach Collins (finger)
The big man underwent finger surgery in April but should be healthy now.
Devonte’ Graham (suspension)
The guard will miss the first two games because of a suspension.
Charles Bassey (Patella)
Bassey fractured his patella at the end of last season but is working back towards full health.
Toronto Raptors
Otto Porter (foot)
The veteran had foot surgery at the end of last season, and there haven’t been many updates since then. He’s not a big part of this rotation anyway.
Utah Jazz
No injuries to monitor!
Washington Wizards
Daniel Gafford (elbow)
Gafford will miss the next two weeks because of an elbow contusion. He should be ready for the opener.
Landry Shamet (toe)
Shamet broke his toe and will be out for the next 2-3 weeks.
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
